Chapter 8 : Nine Saint Demon Gate (2)
The battle stage consisted of huge meteoric stones. Each stone was encrypted with the words of many Virtuous Paragons; mysterious and powerful energy was exerted from them continuously. It was this energy that protected the battle stage, rendering it impervious to any damage by the contestants.
“A battle stage of the Virtuous Paragon level!”
Even though this was not his first time witnessing it, the battle stage still shook Nan Huai Ren’s feelings with awe.
Fellow Zhang was even more proud and started to brag.
“This battle stage was created by our Great Elder; it can even withstand the destructive power from multiple Virtuous Paragons.”
“In the past, our Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect also had a battle stage…”
Nan Huai Ren couldn’t help but mumble in a low volume.
The truth was, the Cleaning Incense Ancient Sect also had a battle stage, but it was not of the Virtuous Paragon level. Some say that it was nearly Immortal Emperor level; additionally, it could withstand a fight between Heavenly Kings as well as Immortal Emperors. It was found by Immortal Emperor Min Ren in the depths of an unknown space.
It was unfortunate that no one knew why this battle stage was sealed completely. From then on, no one was able to enter the arena.
“Great Four Stone Golems!”
Li Qi Ye was there, but he missed the conversation completely. His eyes were focused on the four gigantic statues located at the four ends of the arena.
Each of them towered over one hundred yards. All of them had different expressions, yet they were all very realistic. Carved from the hands of a renowned expert with a blade technique that was very natural and perfect.
This is the thing he wanted to see the most. After the death of Nine Saint Virtuous Paragon, he had never visited this sect. It was surprising to see the four statues after all these years.
When Nan Huai Ren and Fellow Zhang were chatting, no one noticed Li Qi Ye. A moment later, Fellow Zhang finally saw Li Qi Ye’s current action; he raised his eyebrows and asked:
“What is this idiot doing?”
Nan Huai Ren saw that Li Qi Ye was trying to climb on top of the eastern statue; however, because of his weak cultivation level, he couldn’t make it to the top.
Right now there were many students surrounding the battle stage; they watched him struggle like a village boy that visited the capital for the first time. Laughter erupt and jeers filled the arena.
Nan Huai Ren was so embarrassed that he wanted to dig a hole and hide in it forever. He could not see what was special about these four statues that was driving Li Qi Ye’s action.
Li Qi Ye signaled for Nan Huai Ren to come over. He cannot say no to the prime disciple, especially when the person is being singled out by an entire sect. He dejectedly walked over to Li Qi Ye under the scrutinizing gazes of all the disciples.
“This statue is too high, take me up there.”
Li Qi Ye calmly commanded.
“Ah?!”
Nan Huai Ren shouted then became silent. He was silently questioning whether Li Qi Ye had become insane. Climbing up the statue, in front of all of the Nine Saint Demon Gate disciples, this was a great slap to their faces.
“Are you going to take me up or do you want to continue watching my monkey show?”
Li Qi Ye nonchalantly commented, it was as if all of this had nothing to do with him.
Without any other options, Nan Huai Ren grabbed Li Qi Ye and jumped, in one swoop, to the top of the statue.
Li Qi Ye sat on the shoulder of the statue; he stared into the far distance leisurely and absorbed the heavens in front of his eyes.
Nan Huai Ren wasn’t quite as thick as Li Qi Ye. He immediately jumped down then waited at the bottom of the statue. He stood there, waiting, in case something did happen; he simply couldn’t just abandon his fellow disciple.
Fellow Zhang, however, did not want to stand there for a second longer; he immediately left without a departing salutation.
“Does he think that he is a big shot; sitting on top of the statue?”
“This country bumpkin is way too rude!”
Ignoring the comments spewed by the disciples of the Nine Saint Demon Gate, Li Qi Ye remained sitting on the statue’s shoulder; he whispered to it as if he was having a conversation with it.
The crazy, nonsensical actions of Li Qi Ye caused the spectators to question his, and their own, sanity. This was truly an idiot without fear. No one attempted to stop him, however; they felt that it was below them to interfere with a mad man’s muse.
Eventually, Li Qi Ye seemed to have become bored of sitting. He once again waved his hands to signal Nan Huai Ren. Like a boulder that had been lifted off his shoulder, Nan Huai Ren was so relieved that this madness had come to an end and he brought Li Qi Ye down to the floor.
“Dear Senior, the sun has set. Shall we go back and rest?”
Nan Huai Ren was praying with all of his heart that this prime disciple could spare him from further embarrassment. Who knew what other things he would do if the trip was to be continued.
Seeing the poor facial expression of Nan Huai Ren that was like a dead puppy, Li Qi Ye chuckled and nodded his head in agreement.
“Your mother!”
A disciple couldn’t help but yell out after seeing Li Qi Ye’s devilish grin.
“The Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect is a third rate sect. A toad wants to eat the meat of a swan? I spit! A black dumb turtle has the nerves to court our senior.”[1]
Seeing that someone was challenging him directly, Li Qi Ye slowly turned around and said:
“Court your senior? Don’t think too highly of yourselves. Even if either a heavenly angel or godly fairies wanted to marry me, they would have to pray for my acceptance. Your senior? It is a long line until it is her turn.
“Your mother, you are tiring of living…”
All of the male disciples were having an uproar after hearing those shameless words.
“Calm down, calm down, everyone should value peace and prosperity!”
The current situation chilled Nan Huai Ren down to his spine; he immediately took Li Qi Ye and left. He could not leave this crazy guy outside for a second longer.
After reaching their guest house safely, Nan Huai Ren cried:
“Honorable Senior, please! This isn’t a place where we can say and do whatever we wish. Take a step back and appreciate the high sky and deep sea. Please keep yourself under control.”
“Hold back?”
Li Qi Ye nonchalantly proclaimed:
“A general shall stop an incoming army, a dam will deter the incoming current!”[2]
Nan Huai Ren froze; taking care of someone like Li Qi Ye was akin to finding trouble for oneself. He was truly regretting taking this mission to go to the Nine Saint Demon Gate.
***
After the events at the battle stage, many of the Nine Heaven Demon Gate disciples were outraged. Du Yuan Guang was one of those who truly wanted to kill Li Qi Ye. He was an outer disciple, but his innate talents were above average; thus, many referred to him as the “Little Genius”. He had only joined the sect for five years, but he already reached the pinnacle stage of Provisional Palace. As long as he could successfully pass this year’s examination, he could become an inner disciple.
Du Yuan Guang had a strong crush for Li Shuang Yan. During his entrance examination to the sect, she was one of the main organizers. When he saw her for the first time, he was smitten. He also thought that she recognized his skills and talents since she accepted him.
He had great confidence in his ability and wished for her to become his Dao partner. Li Qi Ye being there, naturally, became a thorn in his eyes.
“This mortal does not know his own limits. If I don’t teach him a little lesson, he would continue to think he is above the heaven and earth.”
Du Yuan Guang’s eyes revealed his killing intent as he screamed out loud.
[1] I spit is an expression where the doer simulates the sound of spitting without actually spitting. It is to show contempt
[2] This is another Chinese proverb. It tells someone to not worry, almost like que sera sera. It sounds really good in Chinese since it only consists of 8 words; 4 for each prose with the same tonal structure. They also rhyme as well as having the same parallel meanings for each of the words’ counterparts