Chapter Nineteen

#Timeskip after three months

@Qiying , in an inn.

"There are so many shops selling herbs and roots. I am going with Bing and Miu to look about...right, Miu?"

Yu He and Miss Lu was worried. But Yu Long wanted to encourage them to explore more for themselves. They need to know how to face the world outside without hiding behind their elders. Yu Long learnt a lot because his  Mother always gave him permission to leave the palace whenever he wanted in disguise. Despite having the chance to explore the world, due to the nightmares and childhood troubles he failed to take advantage of those chances.

Yu He and Lu were concerned but overbearing. Yu Long glared at them before smiling at his younger sister.

"Stay safe. Miu and Bing are strong. Learn to support and help each other."

"Yes."

Li Bing nodded while Miu put on her usual poker face.

Within the three months, Yu He trained Li Bing,Yu Lin and their new friend Miu. Yu Long trained with Rahu. Within these three months, they had trained a lot to level up their defense and attack techniques. Rahu specially trained Yu Long in assimilation of the spiritual energy from that available in the nature or his surroundings and merging it with the spiritual energy he had. Over this period of time, Long discovered himself to be a golden core bearer, the fact he was ignorant about. He started to use the new attained spirit's powers.

Li Bing turned out to be a air element user. He mostly trained to summon mystic beasts like the Mystic Bird they used as a ride. Yu Lin learned pills and potion preparation techniques, along with all medicinal techniques needed to help heal oneself or one's comrades. She learnt all the basic procedures from FeiMei and then for advanced procedures she followed the scrolls her brother gifted her.

Though Lu and Yu He wanted to stop the little ones from their exploration trip, they eventually agreed when Yu Long said he would accompany them.

"Long, you get into all sorts of troubles. I can't trust you. It is as if problems love you so much that they don't want to leave you. Bad luck also follows you as a shadow."

"I won't get into any trouble this time for sure. And I am stronger. I even have Miu to protect me."

Yu Long winked at Miu only to get a 'hmph' in return from the young girl.

She still hates me. Ha ha ha…*awkward laugh*

"It is not funny. Master Rahu has told us to wait here until he finds an abandoned house for setting up his space. We have to wait here."

"Rahu won't say anything if we return before sun reaches overhead."

"Long, don't-" Yu He was immediately cut off by Yu Long who addressed his youngster squad to get ready and assemble outside the inn.

He interrupted me?

"Long, don't do-"

"Li Bing let's go and try some of the special desserts that are available in the capital city's main marketplace."

"Y-Yes, Master Long."

They are not listening to me. Ignoring me? My cute brother and sister , even Bing, they all are avoiding me?

"It's okay, Mister He. I will see to it that they don't get into any trouble."

Yu He and Lu looked back to find FeiMei dressed in her female warrior disguise.

"You look good in those robes, Miss FeiMei." Yu He said wide eyed. He had never seen this kind of getup.

"Yes, these are some that I made myself and some that I borrowed from here and there."

"FeiMei, you like you are going to battle."

"Miss Lu, do I look intimidating and strong?"

"Kind of…"

"That is what matters. If I look strong people will avoid messing with me. I will go with Mister Long and the kids. I will see to it that they avoid troubles."

Yu He reluctantly nodded.

Yu Long smiled and led the kids out of the Red Dragon's crest.

FeiMei why do I feel you are hiding something? Suddenly you got ready to go about the city with the young bunch and all dressed like a warrior ready to take part in the ...Annual Selection Examinations? Wait wait wait….is it that she lied? Na na ...impossible.

Yu He and Lu watched the fading backs of the youngster troop.

@In Qiying Grand Stadium entrance

"Miss FeiMei are you excited?"

"I am. What about you?"

"I am here for training. Rahu told me to secretly take part in this battle round and try to implement all the tactics and techniques he learnt during the training period."

"Hmm..you are definitely strong. We need to make it  into top 15 warriors."

"You definitely need to give your best to prove yourself, Miss FeiMei. Your family members must be in the audience."

"Yes,Mister Long. You also have to prove out Master is the best shifu in the whole ZhaoShu. Give it your best!!"

FeiMei's eyes were blazing with motivation and determination. Yu Long could only smile awkwardly.

Prove that Rahu is the best shifu….haha..it will be a lie. That monster didn't show a slight bit of consideration when he taught me the techniques. I almost died thrice during that exhausting two months of training. Yu Long shook his head and change the topic of conversation.

"Have the little ones found their seats in the gallery without getting into any trouble?"

"Hope so. If something happens to them, Miss Lu will come after my head. I am responsible for you and the little devils."

"We can look for them after we get our candidature registered."

"Yes. Looks like they won't allow me to register, Mister Long. I am...am  a bronze core bearer."

"They will let you register. Because rules says all can register. But people avoid registering as they know they will fail."

"Elite guards are all golden or silver core bearers."

"You will be the first illusionist with bronze core. That is how history is written."

"Illusionist? A bronze core bearer?What a joke!"

A group of eight young men all dressed in similar robes with an emblem embroidered on the hem of their left sleeve.

Yu Long hated the taunting smirk on their faces. Their representative or the leader you can say had a golden band on his left arm along with arrogance written on all over his face.

"Why can't a bronze core bearer become an illusionist?"

"Because they are weak. And this one is a woman."

This made FeiMei shudder. Yu Long put a hand on her shoulders pulling her back. FeiMei flinched as she felt Yu Long's aura started to turn menacing and his icy blue eyes started to fluctuate between his original iris shade and a golden shade. But soon he was stopped by FeiMei.

"Mister Long, it is alright. We don't need to waste our time and energy on them."

"Arey...arey...are you saying we, the elite disciples from the Silent Valley of the DanZhou province are not worth your time...you insolent brats."

Silent Valley was an organisation run by the Provincial head of DanZhou, Wen Qing. He was the father of the closest aide of the current emperor and the leader of the Shadow Knights, Wen Ying also simply addressed by emperor as Wen. He was the most strict shifu in the entire ZhaoShu and was said to have trained both Wen and Zhang XinYi in their childhood. The Silent Valley only accepted entries from the golden core bearers only.

When the arrogant leader uttered the term Silent Valley, everyone's attention were on them. All the other participants started pitying Yu Long and FeiMei.

"So what if you are from Silent Valley?"

"What did you say?"

"I said so what if you are from Silent Valley?"

"Do you know what Silent Valley is? It is not someplace where you dumb couple can get into. It is the place which has produced the elite warriors of the Royal Guards. Even the His Majesty and the his closest aide, Lord Wen completed their training and education from Silent Valley."

Everyone went silent. It was true that Silent Valley was the organisation with 100% success rate. All the disciples easily got a place in the Royal Guards.

The silence was broken by the sudden burst of laughter. Everyone looked at Yu Long in astonishment.

"Is it so?"

"Yes, Mister Long. They are telling ...the...truth."

"So that is where that tyrant trained."

Tyrant? Mister Long, are you trying to start to fight. This is dangerous to test your skills here against these eight people.

"You arrogant bastard, how are you call His Majesty…..like that?"

"What don't have guts to call your emperor with his new nickname? T-y-r-a-n-t"

"How dare you?"

Just before the fight began, someone had informed the posted Royal Guards who immediately came forward to stop Silent Valley disciples from attacking Yu Long.

"Stop. Fighting outside the stadium is not permitted. You can be punished."

"He star..t.."

When the disciples turned towards where Yu Long and FeiMei were standing, there was no one.

"Where did they go?"

Yu Long used the first technique that he had learnt with the help of the Spirit within his core. That changed his core colour and he merged with the crowd with disguise. FeiMei used a White Jadestone necklace hence her core was also untraceable.

That is the first technique I reveal, The Core Dematerialization. Maasa,are you there?

Yu Long, that was good but you really like calling for troubles, don't you?

That is different. Are you ready? We are here for practice. Rahu said that I needed to gain experience. This is the best place to test my skills.

I get what you want to say. I am also excited. Those young men were good.

Wait for awhile. Let the combats start. We will show them who is the best.

Yes. That is only me.

It is us. You need to work together with me. Teamwork, remember?

Yes.Whatever.

Don't whatever me.

"Next participant please step inside the ring."

Yu Long took a step into the ring. It was like the first day of training. No spiritual energy zone. Only difference, Yu Long was not the same. He immediately balanced the flow of energy and the ring glowed blindingly then simmered down to golden. Yu Long stepped out of the ring with a smirk on his face. Everyone looked at him in awe.

I am not the old Long. I am stronger. Come at me with everything you got.

This scene excited the hearts of the true warriors and worthy opponents who were yet to reveal themselves in the course of time.

FeiMei had also successfully registered for the competition. It was discreet and yet unpredictable. The ring failed to affect her. Use of jade stones was permitted. The Emperor wanted the best candidates to take part. Even being able to use a jadestone to its maximum limit, is a skill not many can attain. But FeiMei was more than just a lady who knew how to use a jadestone.

"All participants will be allotted a plaque of translucent white colour. That plaque is your identification. The colour of the plaque will change as you step into the stadium ring. According to the colour, you have to align yourself in lines surrounding the rings of that colour. When the plaque glows it is your turn to step into the ring. As soon as you and your opponent step into the ring, the magical barrier will activate. The sand dial that you will find floating in the centre of the stadium. As soon as the sand content in the top compartment empties into the lower compartment, your time to defeat your opponent ends. You fail to defeat your opponent, you fail to qualify for next round."

Someone among the registered participants questioned the host about rules and disqualification in the battles.

"There is no rule or disqualification. Just that if you pass or fail. When your opponent becomes unconscious or dies or fails to use his spells, you win."

Dies?

Yu Long looked at FeiMei. He could see fear. He nudged her shoulder and smiled mouthing, "It will be fine."

FeiMei smiled hesitantly and followed Yu Long to the stadium.

Do or die. I will prove myself. Thank you for believing in me, Mister Long.

Yu Long smiled while looking forward.

Time to get started. I need to prove to Rahu. I want him to be proud...proud of me?!

Yu Long blushed before letting it off his mind.

Whatever ...need to prove myself...without getting my disguise blown off...Maasa, ready?

Always.