A Fun Competition

Lin Tao didn't know how much time had passed but it must have been longer than a day. Yet at the moment he was in a state of meditation, and he could feel the 'Cave of the Setting Moon and the Three Stars' around him. Still, he couldn't spend any time thinking about it. At the moment his attention was focused on Subhuti's words.

'The Ways are all paths, long bridges that cross the ocean separating those who are immortals from those who are not. There are many ways and many paths but in the end, you must walk the one suited for you. Walking the Way of Immortality is a personal journey based on your desire and fueled by your wishes.'

This was what he learned from Subhuti's words to him. And from that sudden understanding, he suddenly felt an explosion of power rush from his Dantian. Qi shot through his body like a raging torrent. It was like his body was going through a rebirth. The cycle of his Qi being created, purified and strengthened nearly tripled.

The total amount of Qi in his body also increased. It was a breakthrough, truly stepping into the first stage of the Way of Immortality. Before he had even opened his eyes Lin Tao felt his senses had extended once more. Before he could sense things around three hundred meters away, but now that extended to five hundred or so.

Even the spirits seemed more visible and active before his eyes.

"Congratulations, you've successfully taken your first step into The Way." Lin Tao was currently in an empty room within the Cave of the Setting Moon and the Three Stars. It was completely sealed off from the outside world, other than dim light, there were no distractions. It was a perfect place for mediation.

The person standing at the entrance of the room was one of Subhuti's pupils, the same one that had led him into the cave. Lin Tao watched as he pulled out a scroll from his robe. This one wasn't made of Jade like the scroll containing the Way of Immortality. It seemed old, ancient even carrying an air of mystery.

"Master Subhuti told me to give these two to you. He's not aware of how you managed to comprehend the basics of the 72 Earthly Transformations without guidance, but he said this will serve you well." The scroll floated from the boy's hand over to Lin Tao. The moment the scroll touched his palm, Lin Tao felt the world around him begin to distort.

'Looks like I'm out of time here.' As the dream world faded the real world came back into view. Lin Tao opened his eyes and sat up from the bed. Despite being in the dream world it didn't feel like he overslept or anything. As he was getting himself together he heard someone coming into the room.

"Oh you're awake, have a nice dream?" It was Lai Wen, it looked like she had woken up a while ago, she was already completely dressed and had her appearance straightened out.

"Ya, you could say so." As he lied on the bed Lin Tao hid the scroll he was given by Subhuti's pupil. The last thing he wanted was Lai Wen's grandfather getting a hold of it. As he did so he noticed Lai Wen was actually staring at him. Glancing down he realized she was staring at his chest.

The servant had given him something to wear, but it was loose and revealed his body quite a bit. He couldn't blame her, even though he noticed the changes in his body. Before Lin Tao had a less masculine charm to him, whether it be his face or his body. But now every part of his body was chiseled almost like a statue.

After catching her gaze Lin Tao smirked before speaking.

"Looks like we're even now." Lai Wen snapped out of her daze as The memories of him looking at her when his clothes were wet came flooding back. Her face became flushed as she tried to say something.

"You- That-" After not being able to form a proper rebuttal Lai Wen turned away.

"I'll be waiting outside…" Watching her leave Lin Tao laughed. It only took him a few minutes to change back into his normal wear. When he went outside of the room Lai Wen looked like she had pretty much recovered. And when Lin Tao tried to tease her about it she quickly changed to the topic.

"Hey, why do you wear that beat-up armor? I'm sure you can buy plenty of other sets using the money you've earned."

"I can't really say. I've thought of leaving it off plenty of times, but I guess I'm sort of attached to it." Lai Wen looked of interest as the two of them made their way to the courtyard. The courtyard was in the back of the Imperial Palace, and like everything else it was lavicous. All kinds of unique and rare plants from all over the nation were gathered here.

It was also used as a sort of garden, and some of the herbs and special medicinal plants were worth thousands if not tens of thousands of Purple Profound Coins. It was like its own biome within the center of the city even having a Lake. Lin Tao noticed the entrance to the Courtyard was very heavily guarded.

Yet not a single guard was actually allowed inside of the Courtyard itself. And right next to the lake was a large pavilion. Two people were standing there speaking to one another. One was Lai Guanting of course, but the other was a woman who only seemed a few years older than Lai Wen.

A light purple dress that seemed unbefitting of a princess coaxed her figure. She was balanced in every one of her features, different from Lai Wen could be considered gifted in multiple areas. Her eyes were a blackened silver, soft yet steely, unmoving, and unwavering.

There were no grandiose attachments on her body or her hair, which was let loose down to her shoulders and was a light black in color. The light purple dress on her flowed down to her legs and was not full, revealing her shoulders and smooth skin. Lin Tao could immediately see why Lai Wen looked up to this person.

She was not the embodiment of a fragile princess or some sort of an untouchable goddess. She had the aura of a calm and firm leader, someone you could entrust a nation to. As Lin Tao and Lai Wen approached, the two of them turned to them.

"You two took your time getting here." Lai Guanting glanced at Lin Tao as they approached.

"Your Highness." Lai Wen bowed respectfully but the princess quickly spoke up.

"You know there's no need for formalities between us. We're friends after all." Lai Wen nodded but still carried out her bow. It was something she wanted to do, rather than being forced to under the law. The Princess turned her head looking towards Lin Tao.

"So you must be Sun Wukong, I've heard a lot about you from these two. I am Mao Fenyi, Princess of The Grand Asura Nation. I appreciate your assistance on our mission." Hearing how she was speaking Lin Tao showed some respect, nodding his head with a smile. Lai Guanting's eyes flashed when he saw that, but let it go since Mao Fenyi clearly didn't mind.

Soon all three of them sat down and began to talk, well Lin Tao listened more than anything. The talking varied in topics hopping from one thing to the next for over half an hour. It was only then that Mao Fenyi brought up the main topic.

"Still… It's worrying that the Prime Minister has gotten so bold in commencing operations. It means he's gotten even more support from the shadows." Lai Guanting agreed.

"Yes, as important as being careful is, we can't let this issue grow any further. If any of the other nations learn about it…" There is a chance it could be seen as an opportunity for war. And with the throne in turmoil, a war could risk the end of The Grand Asura Nation.

"But we can't act forcefully. Without my father- The Emperor we don't have the power to touch the Prime Minister. We need something that can force those who are inactive or neutral to the situation to join with us."

"But he covers his tracks so well. Even after attacking his operations within the Bloodied Ground Forest, and capturing those in charge they won't speak…" Lin Tao looked around the table, seeing all three of them were at a subtle loss. After a few minutes of silence, he sighed.

"Since things are getting so dire and no one has any ideas, how about I propose a deal?" Lin Tao was looking directly at Lai Guanting when he said this.

…

By the end of the day, Lin Tao had returned to The Purple Raven Sect and was in his room. Sitting on the table in front of him were two scrolls, the Way of Immortality and the 72 Earthly Transformations.

'The Way of Immortality is a complex method of Cultivation and the 72 Earthly Transformations require a deep understanding of the fundamentals. Both are going to require time and effort to master…' As he thought that Lin Tao began to smile to himself as his eyes shined with anticipation.

It was like that for the next few days that Lin Tao went into training. He didn't take a single step out of his room for anything, whether it be for food or something to drink. He didn't even hang out with Lai Mai and Feng Mu luke he usually did. When Elder Cao heard of this he told them not to disturb Lin Tao.

Cultivators often went into seclusion and it was a vulnerable time for them. He could only hope Lin Tao would come out of it when the competition began. And so the days passed, going by as the sun rose and fell along with the moon. Two days began five, and five days became eight. Before you knew it nearly two weeks had passed.

"I haven't seen Sun Wukong in a while, do you think he's done with his seclusion?" Ye Men couldn't answer Lai Mai since he was unsure as well. A few days was nothing to a Cultivator, and it was unlikely that Lin Tao was capable of advancing much.

"Well even if he hasn't he should be able to do well in the competition right?" They all felt a bit unsure. Soon all three of them arrived and immediately felt something strange. Their breaths cut off and they felt a subtle force invading their bodies. This was like nothing they have ever seen before, and it was definitely not Profound Energy.

Standing there Ye Men felt himself beginning to sweat and the others even more so.

'What… Is this?' They hadn't even entered the courtyard of the house but their steps felt heavy. It was only after a few seconds that all of the pressure suddenly disappeared. Like their throats had been released from a tight grasp they all began to breathe easy.

"Sorry about that, I forget to control that properly when I'm practicing." Turning their heads they all noticed Lin Tao standing in the center of the courtyard. Hurried and rapid footsteps were imprinted deep in the stone and dirt.

"You- Were you standing there the whole time?" Feng Mu saw Lin Tao nod as he whipped the sweat from his face. The three of them felt as if they must have missed something. Lin Tao was standing right there but they didn't see him at all? Putting Ruyi Bang away, Lin Tao walked up to the three of them.

"So why are you guys here?" It was only on his prompt that the three of them remembered what they were here for, with Ye Men speaking first.

"The competition between the Elders will be starting in a few hours. Elder Cao wanted us to come to fetch you early so you had time to prepare." Hearing that Lin Tao looked like he had just remembered something,

"Oh right, that is today, isn't it. Well, I guess I should get it out of the way, I did agree to compete." Lin Tao began to walk towards the exit of the courtyard lazily, without taking even a second to prepare.

"Eh?" Turning around Lai Mai and the others quickly caught up with Lin Tao

"Are you sure you don't want to rest here first? This competition shouldn't be underestimated even as strong as you are." Ye Men brought up a point both Lai Mai and Feng Mu agreed with, but Lin Tao shook his head.

"I can relax when we get there, it's starting in a few hours after all. Besides, I got a feeling this is going to be fun, so relax."