C23 Bloodhunt Games

Following Qing Guang's defeat and Bai Lan'er's triumphant announcement, Hei Ling's face contorted with such displeasure it seemed as if he might drip with disdain. Veins bulged on his forehead, his eyes ablaze with fury, and his fists clenched so tightly they creaked in protest.

Hei Ling was beside himself with frustration. He couldn't fathom how Ye Xuan, a newcomer to the Inner Sect, could possess the strength to contend with a seasoned Inner Sect senior, especially one listed on the Inner Sect Ranking. When had the freshmen become so formidable? He would never have believed that a novice, barely a day into the sect, could defeat a veteran of the Inner Sect Rankings—had he not witnessed it with his own eyes.

But the undeniable truth was right before him, leaving no room for doubt. Not even Qing Guang's most powerful strike could bring down Ye Xuan, who had countered with an even more ferocious assault. This only confirmed that Hei Ling had grossly underestimated Ye Xuan's capabilities.

Ye Xuan, staggering, made his way toward Bai Lan'er and Mu Hua. Mu Hua hurried over to assist him. Resting his arm on Mu Hua's shoulder, Ye Xuan managed a strained smile.

Seeing Ye Xuan in such a state, Mu Hua chuckled lightly and said, "Ye Xuan, you're full of surprises. You had me sweating bullets for you in secret."

A wave of warmth washed over Ye Xuan at the sight of Mu Hua's concern, and his tense expression softened. He spoke with a relaxed air, "It was a stroke of luck. Had my final blow not landed, the outcome would've been uncertain."

"Junior Brother Ye Xuan, congratulations," Bai Lan'er offered her felicitations, then tilted her head, pondering briefly before adding, "Calling you Junior Brother Ye Xuan feels a bit awkward. I'll just call you Junior Brother from now on."

"Here, these are your spoils of victory." Bai Lan'er extended the battle spoils toward Ye Xuan with her delicate, crystalline hands. Ye Xuan accepted them, storing the Spirit Bead in his storage bag. He then swiped his Spirit Realm Purple Card across the battle purple card, zeroing its value while his own card's balance increased by four hundred Spirit Value. Coupled with his previous unused Spirit Value, his total now reached six hundred and ninety-four—a substantial sum indeed.

"Junior Brother Ye Xuan, you've really kept your light under a bushel. I must admit, I've sorely underestimated you," Hei Ling said as he approached Ye Xuan, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

"It was mostly just good fortune, not a true measure of strength," Ye Xuan responded with a modest grin.

Despite Hei Ling's attempt to appear unfazed, a slight twitch betrayed his composure. It was clear to all those present that Ye Xuan had won a direct and fair fight against Qing Guang; luck had played no part in it.

Nonchalantly, Ye Xuan tossed the Purple Card, its spiritual wisdom now tainted, to Hei Ling, who caught it reflexively. He stared at the string of zeroes, feeling the sting as if his very heart was bleeding. That Spirit Value had taken him so long to accumulate, and now, due to a single duel, he was back to square one.

Moreover, the loss was more than just Spirit Value and Spirit Beads; Qing Guang's defeat also signified the failure of his own plans. He had not only lost face but had inadvertently boosted Ye Xuan's reputation. It was a complete washout, as if he had lost his wife and his troops in one fell swoop.

Hei Ling was seething inside, convinced that Ye Xuan had hidden his abilities too well, leading to his own bitter defeat.

"Now that Junior Brother Ye Xuan has bested Qing Guang, the latter's spot on the Inner Sect Ranking rightfully belongs to you. This means you're eligible for next month's Bloodhunt Games. I'm eager to see if you'll continue to astonish us there, Junior Brother Ye Xuan," Hei Ling said, his voice carrying an eerie undertone. He didn't wait for a response before signaling for the wounded Qing Guang to be carried off, and his entourage quickly dispersed in a gloomy retreat.

Watching Hei Ling and his group make their hasty exit, Ye Xuan's gaze remained detached as he murmured to himself, "Bloodhunt Games..."

......

Meanwhile, in the loft where Ye Xuan and Mu Hua resided, the three of them sat around a table. Lan'er had intended to go back to her own place, but her curiosity about the Bloodhunt Games, piqued by Hei Ling's mention, left her no choice but to ask Bai Lan'er for an explanation.

Bai Lan'er delicately sipped the tea Ye Xuan had just prepared, her red lips lightly touching the cup. As she gently lifted her chin, the fragrant tea glided smoothly down her throat. Even after she had finished, a silky fragrance lingered on her tongue.

Setting her teacup down with a soft clink, Bai Lan'er lifted her gaze to meet Ye Xuan's intent stare and offered a gentle smile, as warming as a spring breeze in March.

She cocked her head slightly, as if arranging her thoughts, before speaking. "The Bloodhunt Games are designed exclusively for those listed on the Inner Sect Ranking. Only those who have made it onto the list are eligible to compete."

"The venue for the Bloodhunt Games is the Maldiac Hill, located just outside Entheas. Within these hills resides a unique spirit animal known as the Runemarked Tiger. This creature produces a substance called Runemarked Tiger Saliva, which is a pale blue liquid. The more powerful the spirit animal, the greater the quantity and the deeper the hue of the saliva produced." Bai Lan'er paused, then turned to Ye Xuan and Mu Hua, inquiring, "Are you aware of the effects of Runemarked Tiger Saliva?"

Both Ye Xuan and Mu Hua shook their heads eagerly, their eyes alight with curiosity as they watched Bai Lan'er. Noticing their piqued interest, she continued her explanation.

"Runemarked Tiger Saliva is a wondrous substance that can significantly enhance one's physical constitution and greatly aid in cultivation. However, it is found exclusively within the Runemarked Tiger; no other spirit animals possess it."

"Yet, its benefits are limited to those below the seventh level of the Whispering Souls Realm. For those above this level, the effects are minimal, almost to the point of insignificance."

"This is precisely why the sect organizes the Bloodhunt Games. It not only aids the cultivation of disciples on the Inner Sect Ranking but also fosters a healthy competitive spirit among them, which is advantageous for the sect."

"The top five finishers in the Bloodhunt Games will receive substantial rewards from the sect. However, the games are governed by a rule that permits the seizing of Runemarked Tiger Saliva from others, provided that at least one-tenth is left behind. This serves as a form of protection for the less powerful disciples."

"So that's how it is. No wonder Hei Ling warned me to be cautious during the Bloodhunt Games." Having listened to Bai Lan'er's explanation, Ye Xuan gained a general understanding of the Bloodhunt Games. With his strength at the fourth level of the Whispering Souls Realm, he was nearly at the bottom of the competitors. It was clear he needed to enhance his abilities. The thought of being powerless to prevent the theft of Runemarked Tiger Saliva, merely watching as it happened, was a bitter pill to swallow.

"Alright, I've told you everything I needed to. I'm heading back now." Bai Lan'er gave her white jade-like hand a gentle pat and rose gracefully. She gave Ye Xuan and Mu Hua a wave, then turned to make her departure.

Ye Xuan rose as well and quickly caught up with Bai Lan'er, who was already making her way out the door. "Let me walk you out, Senior Sister Lan'er."

Bai Lan'er didn't refuse. She waited for Ye Xuan to catch up and walk beside her before they continued on together.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, their elongated shadows stretched out, thin and long, eventually blending into one another as they reached towards the distant horizon.