After He Xiping, the rest of the participants took their turns on stage.
Over two hundred individuals competed in more than a hundred matches, finally weeding out seven-eighths of the amateur contestants.
Thirty-two disciples emerged victorious.
Simply selecting the top thirty-two took from morning until sunset.
Surprisingly, seven of these top thirty-two came from folk sects!
This meant that including Yan Shouyi, all seven of them had made it into the top thirty-two!
At first, no one paid much attention, but when the list of the top thirty-two was posted, everyone noticed something amiss.
"What's going on? There are seven disciples from folk sects in the top thirty-two?"
"I noticed several major sects didn't even make it into the top thirty-two... they've lost so much face!"
"Exactly. It's one thing for them to mock Yan Shouyi, but for them to not have a single person in the top thirty-two while Yan Shouyi did, it's a colossal joke."
"I heard that the sects that didn't make it into the top thirty-two have reflected deeply and decided to implement devilish training for their disciples upon returning, aiming to regain their prestige at the next Luotian Grand Ceremony."
"Damn it, I'm one of those 'sects' you're talking about. I had bad luck and ran into Zhao Chengxiang, losing the match. Normally, my masters would understand my misfortune, but now, because of Yan Shouyi, all of us have to face the wall for three months upon returning to the mountain... it's all Yan Shouyi's fault!"
"Me too, I can't stand Yan Shouyi!"
"Brothers, when we leave Longhu Mountain, let's all gang up and beat Yan Shouyi!"
"Count me in!"
"But those guys from the folk sects around him are really formidable. Can we beat them?"
The crowd fell into silence.
Yan Shouyi had inadvertently attracted another wave of animosity, making him feel as though people were staring at him with ill intentions whenever he walked the paths of Longhu Mountain, as if someone might leap out from a corner to stab him.
If the preliminary selections had any dubious aspects, Yan Shouyi agreed that there were some, as Long Feicheng had gotten lucky and won by default.
When Long Feicheng took the stage, his opponent, nervous before the match, went to the restroom and accidentally fell into the latrine. Subsequently, reeking of filth, he refused to come to the stage to compete, thus Long Feicheng won by default.
In the subsequent four-way match, although the other three won their first rounds, they were all severely injured and unable to continue fighting.
Therefore, Long Feicheng, without doing anything, advanced to the top thirty-two.
Even the referee, a Daoist priest, couldn't help but remark that Long Feicheng was blessed with good fortune that day.
By this time, everyone had finished all their matches and were heading back to their lodgings together.
Old Jin slung an arm around Long Feicheng's shoulders and chuckled mischievously, "Little Long, just confess. Did you secretly stalk your opponent and then push them into the latrine?"
"How could that be? Am I that kind of person?" Long Feicheng retorted indignantly.
The crowd looked at Long Feicheng and nodded in silent agreement.
Long Feicheng explained sternly, "First, I wouldn't think of such a brilliant plan. Second, if I had actually done it, I would definitely tell you all with immense pride."
"So you actually think it's something to be proud of?" Yan Shouyi sighed helplessly.
Now, on the entire Longhu Mountain, besides Yan Shouyi himself, Long Feicheng had the worst reputation.
If the weakest two among the top thirty-two were to be chosen, Yan Shouyi would likely be second, and Long Feicheng would undoubtedly be first.
Aside from Long Feicheng, Yan Shouyi had expected everyone else to win.
When the disciples of the folk sects displayed their various skills, even the disciples of the renowned sects couldn't help but cheer, only to be reprimanded by their elders, which eventually calmed them down.
Although the folk sects had gained considerable popularity, the other thirty-two finalists were no less impressive. In particular, Zhao Chengxiang of Wudang Mountain, he indeed possessed considerable skill.
Zhang Shantong remarked, "That Zhao Chengxiang is quite formidable. His moves are decisive, and he dealt with all his opponents in mere moments. It's clear his strength is significantly above the average level."
"How do we compare?" Wang Jiwang asked.
Zhang Shantong pondered, "If Zhao Chengxiang were to face you, it would be a seven-three split, with him having seven and you three."
Wang Jiwang felt a surge of indignation. After all, he had roamed the Jianghu for many years. He would accept defeat against a true powerhouse, but he refused to accept defeat against a hothouse flower.
"However, compared to Zhao Chengxiang, I'm more curious about the Longhu Mountain disciples in the top thirty-two," Yan Shouyi said.
Ling Xiaoxiao quickly understood Yan Shouyi's meaning. "Big Brother Yan is curious about the two confirmed holders of the Longhu Secret Script?"
"Yes."
Luo Ning commented, "Old Heavenly Master is truly a cunning old fox, making all the potential Longhu Mountain disciples wear masks during the competition. This way, no one can distinguish their identities and determine who the holders of the Longhu Secret Script are."
"This was not permitted initially, but considering the special circumstances this time, everyone can understand," Master Guanyun said. "Many Longhu Mountain disciples possess extraordinary talent. Ever since they ascended the mountain, they have been quietly observed by various sects. If they competed with their true faces, it would be easy for the sects to deduce who is most likely to possess the Longhu Secret Script based on the information they already have, and then devise ways to target them."
"The position of Heavenly Master is truly important..." Yan Shouyi sighed.
Longhu Mountain had a century-long lineage since Zhang Yin. Other sects must have been extremely envious and had long sought to usurp the title of lineage from Longhu Mountain.
There were only two ways to seize the name of the lineage: either become intimately familiar with the Old Heavenly Master's methods and then find an opportunity to contend, or support a new Heavenly Master and seize control during the ensuing chaos while the new Heavenly Master's foundation was unstable.
Therefore, for all the major sects, who the next Heavenly Master would be was of paramount importance.
If the future development did not align with their expectations, many people would undoubtedly be displeased, and their displeasure could lead to considerable trouble.
Yan Shouyi also had many concerns about this trip to Longhu Mountain. Setting aside the internal issues of Longhu Mountain, Yan Shouyi and his companions harbored a significant worry—the lunatics from the New Xuan Mountain Sect were planning to assassinate the Old Heavenly Master during the Luotian Grand Ceremony.
With this matter weighing on his mind, Yan Shouyi felt uneasy. Thus, shortly after returning to their courtyard with everyone else, Yan Shouyi went out alone, heading towards the Heavenly Master Hall to seek a private audience with the Old Heavenly Master.
He had the route to the Heavenly Master Hall memorized, so he soon arrived at the familiar alley. To his surprise, there were still many fallen leaves on the ground, and the young Daoist Yu Shun was sitting by the roadside, fast asleep with his broom.
Yan Shouyi walked up with a smile, shook Yu Shun's shoulder, and after waking him up, asked:
"If you continue to be this lazy, the next time Zhang Sishui troubles you, I won't have a valid reason to help."
Daoist Yu Shun yawned and asked, "How did the Luotian Grand Ceremony matches turn out?"
"I made it into the top thirty-two," Yan Shouyi replied.
"As expected." Yu Shun was not surprised at all.
He stood up and stretched, saying, "The Heavenly Master is not in the hall, so you might have come for naught."
"When will the Old Heavenly Master return?"
Daoist Yu Shun replied, "At this time, the Heavenly Master usually practices calligraphy in the Sutra Pavilion, but he should be back in about fifteen minutes. If you're willing to wait, we can chat for a while."
Then I'll wait.
Yan Shouyi and Yu Shun sat on the steps behind the Heavenly Master Hall. Yan Shouyi smiled and said, "I thought Longhu Mountain would have many rules, but you seem quite relaxed."
"Longhu Mountain does have quite a few rules, but I'm used to being scolded, so I don't care anymore."
Unlike Yan Shouyi, Yu Shun lay down directly on the steps, leisurely holding a small twig in his mouth.
Yan Shouyi suddenly felt that this young Daoist Yu Shun possessed a certain immortal demeanor, a leisurely grace that even he couldn't emulate.
So he also picked up a small twig and lay down like Yu Shun.
"It feels so good to just lie back," Yan Shouyi sighed.
Yu Shun gave a soft hum in response.
"The other disciples look down on us folk sect members, why don't you seem to feel that way?" Yan Shouyi couldn't help but ask.
Yu Shun replied, "Firstly, it's because you are truly capable. Secondly, it's because our sect cultivates the mind, while your folk sects act in the world. Cultivating the mind and acting in the world are two different things, so what is there to look down upon?"
"You haven't been on Longhu Mountain for long, yet you're so open-minded," Yan Shouyi said with a smile.
The two sat outside the Heavenly Master Hall watching the sunset for a while. Yan Shouyi suddenly understood why Yu Shun's personality was so 'laid-back'; it was because the sunsets on Longhu Mountain were too beautiful, so beautiful that one could forget everything else and just lie there daydreaming, even if it meant getting scolded.
By the time Yan Shouyi regained his senses, two figures had appeared below the steps: the Old Heavenly Master Zhang Yin and the Great Elder Zhang Sishui.
Zhang Sishui looked at the two with a stern face and rebuked them, "Lying around haphazardly outside the Heavenly Master Hall, what kind of conduct is this? Get up immediately!"
Yan Shouyi felt a bit embarrassed and quickly stood up. He then remembered the twig in his mouth and promptly spat it out and threw it away.
Yu Shun, however, was completely reclining and even if Zhang Sishui came forward to slap them, he probably wouldn't move.
It was only when the Old Heavenly Master spoke that it had any effect. "Get up, don't let Yan Shouyi laugh at you."
Yu Shun got up reluctantly, but he did not discard the twig in his mouth. He silently moved to the steps to open the door to the Heavenly Master Hall, while the Old Heavenly Master said to Yan Shouyi with a smile:
"Let's talk inside the hall."
Zhang Sishui also intended to follow, but the Old Heavenly Master deliberately paused, blocking Zhang Sishui's path. Zhang Sishui had no choice but to stop and remain outside the Heavenly Master Hall.
Yan Shouyi followed the Old Heavenly Master and re-entered the Heavenly Master Hall. After they entered, Yu Shun began to close the door.
Strangely, Yu Shun did not leave but remained inside the Heavenly Master Hall.
Yan Shouyi thought to himself: Even Zhang Sishui couldn't enter the Heavenly Master Hall, yet Yu Shun enters and exits as if it were his own backyard. No wonder he gets scolded by Zhang Sishui...
The Old Heavenly Master settled into the Heavenly Master's chair, flicked his whisk, and draped it over his arm. He then sneered, "Do you think I was joking when I said I wanted you to be the Heavenly Master?"
Yan Shouyi: "..."
Young Daoist Yu Shun was still present. Old Heavenly Master, aren't you afraid of damaging your reputation by saying such things?
Yan Shouyi glanced at Yu Shun, wondering if Yu Shun should be asked to leave. The Old Heavenly Master, however, said, "Yu Shun is my personal young Daoist attendant and has a very tight lip. You can speak your mind freely."
Since the Old Heavenly Master had said so, Yan Shouyi no longer had any reservations. He asked with a wry smile, "Why me?"
"You possess the Longhu Secret Script, so who else could it be?"
"Aren't there two other individuals in Longhu Mountain?"
"They are not suitable. At least, not in my eyes."
Yan Shouyi helplessly pulled Yu Shun into the conversation. "Yu Shun, what do you say? Is it reasonable for the Old Heavenly Master to make an outsider like me the Heavenly Master?"
Yu Shun nodded. "It is indeed unreasonable."
"There!" Yan Shouyi spread his hands. "Old Heavenly Master, if you act so recklessly, you won't be able to command obedience!"
The Old Heavenly Master simply acted shamelessly. "I don't care."
Yan Shouyi: "..."
What a master of leveraging seniority and shamelessness you are.
After today's events, Yan Shouyi already understood the Old Heavenly Master's stance, so he would do his best in the subsequent matches.
He hadn't come to find the Old Heavenly Master tonight to argue about this. He didn't want to waste any more words, so he changed the subject. "Old Heavenly Master, someone wants to kill you."
The Old Heavenly Master narrowed his eyes, not finding the topic shift abrupt at all. "Oh? And who might that be?"
"The New Xuan Mountain Sect," Yan Shouyi said. "The Xuan Mountain Sect was initially founded by my father and his associates. Later, after my father went to prison, the old Xuan Mountain Sect disintegrated, and the New Xuan Mountain Sect rose to prominence. Their leader is a 'performer,' reportedly once sought you out on Longhu Mountain for a way to break his death tribulation, but without success. He then disappeared and only resurfaced in the Jianghu after successfully overcoming his life tribulation! Now, he has gathered disciples from folk sects and defected disciples from major sects, establishing the New Xuan Mountain Sect, and is indiscriminately killing fellow sect members in the civilian population, spreading his so-called 'following the will of heaven' ideology."
"Not long ago, we apprehended a core member of the New Xuan Mountain Sect. We found a secret letter on him, which contained only one sentence: 'Qingming Dragon Tiger, Luotian Grand Ceremony, slay the Heavenly Master, achieve supreme Xuan Mountain!'"
Saying this, Yan Shouyi presented the secret letter for the Old Heavenly Master to examine.
Beside them, Yu Shun guarded the door, his expression blank, but a hint of concern in his eyes.
The Old Heavenly Master finished reading the secret letter and remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.
After about the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, the Old Heavenly Master finally said, "There is indeed such a person."
"You still remember him?"
"Of course, I remember him. Li Genmiao, the opera singer."
Yan Shouyi was taken aback. "Genmiao? Such a formidable individual, and he has such a rustic name?"
"The more rustic, the easier it is to raise. Aren't there many children named 'Gou Dan' in the countryside?" the Old Heavenly Master chuckled.
Li Genmiao...
Yan Shouyi committed the name to memory and couldn't help but inquire further about Li Genmiao.
The Old Heavenly Master slowly said:
"Li Genmiao is also a descendant of your folk sects. The reason he is called a performer is because he is a descendant of - Nuo Gui Xi (Ritualistic Ghost Opera)."
"Nuo Gui Xi..."
Yan Shouyi repeated the three words, and memories of his grandfather telling him stories about Nuo Gui Xi as a child began to surface.