16 16. Competition Day - Part 2

When they reached the arena, Bai Cong was amazed at the amount of people who showed up. The streets were blocked to the point where a carriage could be in one place for half an hour, only to be able to move forward a couple of feet at a time.

Bai Ying Yu held Bai Cong's hand so he wouldn't be separated because of the crowded walking space. When the registration area finally came into view at the front of the arena entrance, Bai Gui parted the way so the rest of his family could walk through to get to the table.

Behind the table sat two men and a woman. The men were dressed in the same robes which were white in color with a silver emblem on their chests. The emblem was a small carving of a sword which had the letters H. R. A. engraved on it. The woman was wearing a similar robe and had the same emblem on her chest.

When the three people saw Bai Gui walk over, one of the men pulled out a registration sheet.

"The fee is 100 silver crystals for a participant," he said.

The people crowding around all gasped when they heard that number. 100 silver cystals was enough to sustain a person for 20 years. No common person would be able to take out that amount of money.

Bai Gui didn't bat an eye as he took out 300 silver cystals and gave it to the man. The man nodded and passed Bai Gui the paper.

Bai Gui wrote all three of his son's names on the paper before the man took it back.

"The participants have to wear these pins," the man handed Bai Gui three small pins before continuing, "They have to show it to a guard so they can enter the room. The entrance is over there" he said as he pointed to another opening that was farther away from the main entrance of the arena.

Bai Gui nodded and took his wife and kids to the side, "You three can go on ahead. Your mother and I will be up in the stands," he said as he gave all three boys a pin to clip onto their chests. He then held Bai Ying Yu's hand and walked to the entrance that was for the audience.

"Don't let us down," Bai Ying Yu called as she walked away with Bai Gui, "And watch Bai Chang, make sure he doesn't get into trouble."

Bai Cong nodded his head. He knew how much trouble Bai Chang can get into if he wasn't watched properly.

Bai Cong felt a tap on his shoulders and turned around. He saw Bai Chen hold his arms wide open. Bai Cong knew what he wanted but decided to ignore him. He walked around Bai Chen's outstretched arms but didn't get far before he felt hands on his waist.

Bai Chen picked Bai Cong up despite his struggles and carried him through the entrance. Bai Chang had already walked ahead of them, but with Bai Chen's long legs, it wasn't long before he caught up to him.

All three boys walked through the long passage until they reached a small door. A guard, who was standing in front of the door, looked at them. When he saw the pins on their chests, he moved aside and opened the door.

Bai Chen nodded his head to him in greeting and led his brothers into the room.

"He's strong," Bai Chen whispered to them, "I couldn't read his cultivation level so he's stronger than me."

"Wow, is he as strong as father then?" Bai Chang asked curiously.

"Of course not," Bai Chen dismissed him, "Father's strength is unfathomable."

Through the door, they stepped into a crowded room filled with many young men and women. Bai Cong took note of a few people who stood out from the crowd, such as a boy who looked to be around Bai Chang's age. He had light-brown hair and dark brown eyes. He stood a bit taller than Bai Chang and was wearing a common robe of low quality, signifying that he was of low birth.

The thing that caught Bai Cong's eyes about him was the gaze he used to look around. It was as if he were a tiger scouting out prey before attacking. In short, the boy looked bloodthirsty. Nobody wanted to get near him so a small circle was formed with him being in the middle.

'Interesting,' Bai Cong thought as he stared at him, 'How could such a young boy have so much bloodlust.'

The boy, sensing that someone was looking at him, turned his head and caught Bai Cong's eyes. The boy frowned and glared at Bai Cong, but Bai Cong was unfazed.

Bai Cong narrowed his eyes and released his concentrated bloodlust. After years of tempering, Bai Cong's bloodlust became something similar to a sword that can cut any opponent into pieces if he willed it to. But he only wanted to show the boy that he shouldn't overstep his bounds.

That seemed to work because the boy's eyes widened as a trace of fear passed through his heart. He looked away and avoided looking at Bai Cong.

"Is something wrong?" Bai Chen looked over just in time to see the boy look away from Bai Cong, "Did he do something?" he asked with narrowed eyes.

"No," Bai Cong answered.

Bai Chen still felt that something happened but since Bai Cong wasn't saying anything, he was forced to put the matter at rest.

"Bai Chen, Bai Chang!" A voice rang over the crowd.

Bai Cong looked over and saw Hong Ling coming over with Hong Mian trailing behind.

Hong Ling and Hong Mian were both surprised when they saw Bai Cong in Bai Chen's arms.

"Are you also joining the competition?" Hong Ling asked in amazement.

Bai Cong nodded his head and beckoned for Bai Chen to put him down. Bai Chen complied and placed Bai Cong on the ground.

"How old are you?" Hong Mian asked.

"5," Bai Cong answered.

"But 5 is when you begin cultivation, how strong can you even be?" Hong Ling exclaimed.

"I~," Bai Cong started to say but he was cut off by a loud voice.

"The start of this competition will now be commenced!"