Chapter 76

The Luoxian Tournament was a very special event, organized exclusively by the Luoxian Sect.
As the name suggested, it was the sect’s traditional competition — a classic plotline found in almost every novel.
Of course, while the tournament’s structure differed from story to story, there was one key difference here.

In most novels, tournaments were all about personal ambition — fighting for oneself, for a younger sister, an older sister, for a higher ranking, or for better resources.
While some participants at the Luoxian Tournament also harbored such goals, the majority carried a very different sentiment.
You could even call it a grand farewell party.

Because after the Luoxian Tournament, the senior brothers and sisters of the previous generation would leave to serve on the Golden Battlefield.
It couldn’t be helped — with the demonic invasion underway, every cultivator above the Qi Sea stage was required to serve ten years on the Golden Battlefield, while those below that stage could volunteer.

Under such circumstances, the Luoxian Tournament carried a solemn, bittersweet atmosphere every year.
Perhaps it was Yun Yangzi's influence — during his leadership, he instilled a strong sense of family into the sect, making each generation extraordinarily united.

At the tournament, winning was important, of course, but even more crucial was showcasing one's abilities to the senior brothers and sisters, reassuring them that the Luoxian Sect would be safe in the hands of the next generation.

Naturally, personal interests also played a part; those who performed well on the Golden Battlefield could earn greater cultivation resources for their sect.
All these elements combined, making the Luoxian Tournament a grand, emotional event.

To be honest, when Han Luo first learned about the true sentiment behind the tournament, even he was tempted to participate — to fight for the Luoxian Sect, for the senior brothers and sisters who would leave and perhaps never return.
Fortunately, he had good self-control; otherwise, he might have been swept up by that overwhelming emotion, becoming a part of it until his death.

From this, it was clear that Yun Yangzi was a pretty competent sect leader.

“What does Master say?” Han Luo asked, wanting to hear his master’s opinion.

“You still don’t know his personality? He told us to decide for ourselves,” Du Ming said, exchanging a helpless look with the others.
It couldn’t be helped — they had a master who loved seclusion.
Good thing there were only a few of them; otherwise, Wudao Peak would’ve descended into chaos.

“Alright, I'll call Xian’er back so we can discuss it together,” Han Luo said, taking out a transmission stone to summon Shen Xian’er.

Before long, Shen Xian’er rushed back, full of energy.
“Du Ming senior brother! Cai Cai senior sister! I missed you so much!” she cried sweetly, throwing herself into Lan Caicai’s arms to bask in her warmth.

“You brat! If you missed me so much, why didn’t you come visit Three Immortals Mountain? Always running off to play with that useless bunch of women,” Lan Caicai said, still harboring a grudge against the ladies from Piaomiao Peak — she had challenged their mountain a few times, only to be beaten back by Ye Qingqing.

“Hee hee hee…” Shen Xian’er blushed and tried to laugh it off but still got her cheeks ruthlessly pinched by Lan Caicai as punishment.

“Now that Xian’er is back, let’s get down to business,” Du Ming said.

“What are we discussing… ah!” Shen Xian’er started to ask but froze when she caught sight of Han Luo.
“Senior brother, what happened to you? You’re not dying, are you?” she cried, about to burst into tears at the thought of losing her favorite chef.

“Alright, alright, don’t cry. I’m fine. I just look different after the Spirit Tempering process,” Han Luo said with a chuckle, and Du Ming and Lan Caicai tactfully kept his secret.
Everyone had their little secrets, and sometimes it was best to just let things be.

Shen Xian’er inspected him seriously, then nodded solemnly.
“Senior brother, you used to look normal, but you were still great!” she said earnestly.
Seeing that she was about to go off on another tangent — likely about food — Han Luo hurriedly cut in.

“Du Ming senior brother has something important to discuss with you. Sit down first. We’ll talk about food later,” he said.

“Mm-hmm!” Shen Xian’er nodded quickly, secretly thinking her senior brother was the best for understanding her hunger.

“We’re about to hold the annual Luoxian Tournament, and we need to decide who will represent Wudao Peak — you or your senior brother,” Du Ming explained.

Shen Xian’er poked her chin thoughtfully with a finger, trying hard to look like she was deep in thought, probably wondering if the Luoxian Tournament was something delicious to eat.

“Meow meow…” came a sudden cry from Xiaobai.

“Xiaobai says the Luoxian Tournament is all about fighting — intense battles where people might die. Xian’er doesn’t like fighting, so Xian’er doesn’t want to participate,” she said, tears brimming in her big, pleading eyes as she looked at Han Luo.

Her meaning couldn’t be clearer:
Senior brother, you go fight. I’ll cheer for you!

Du Ming and Lan Caicai also looked at Han Luo.
By rights, as the senior brother, he ought to take the initiative and fight for Wudao Peak’s honor.
Honestly, the two of them had only come to go through the motions and remind him not to forget the tournament date.

As for Han Luo, he definitely didn't want to participate.

Even though the Luoxian Tournament carried deep emotional value and could greatly boost one's confidence, participating would also expose his existence.
Right now, aside from a few peak lords and these people before him, almost no one in the Luoxian Sect knew he existed.

The peak lords wouldn’t talk, and Du Ming and Lan Caicai were about to leave for the Golden Domain.
Others like Jiu Li'er and Da Niu assumed he was from Yunding Peak, not Wudao Peak.

If he showed up at the tournament, he would undoubtedly draw attention — and with Shen Xian’er’s outstanding talent already making waves, people might start investigating him.
Once people paid attention, he could get tailed, and once tailed, his secrets might get exposed.
He knew well: it’s not thieves you should fear most, but people coveting you day and night.

“Senior brother, you go fight! I’ll cheer you on!” Shen Xian’er suddenly produced a banner that read: "Senior Brother, You’re the Best! Go, Senior Brother!"
Du Ming and Lan Caicai also had encouraging expressions, practically shouting "Go for it!" with their eyes.

Han Luo coughed lightly into his fist.
At a time like this, he could only pull out his trump card.

“Xian’er, I heard that the first prize at the Luoxian Tournament is a legendary delicacy — even immortals would fall head over heels after tasting it. Since you don’t want to compete, I guess I’ll have to claim it myself. But don’t come asking for a bite later!” he said.

Hearing this, Xiaobai sighed and shook his head.
Poor Xian’er.
Your weak point is gripped so tightly by your senior brother that you’ll probably never escape from the palm of his hand for the rest of your life.