“Ai ya, Brother Yan, you’re just too low-key! We all came to Longhu Mountain this time to bring fame and prestige to our folk sects. If everyone were as low-key as you, we might as well stay home and sleep!” Long Feicheng said dejectedly.
In truth, he just wanted to show off.
Yan Shouyi comforted him, “Even if we’re going to reveal my identity, it’s not now. Think about it, if they know I’m the holder of the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script, then whether it’s the other two holders or people with ulterior motives towards Longhu Mountain, they’ll definitely target me. If I reveal my identity at the very end, I’ll gain fame and avoid a lot of trouble. Don’t you think so?”
“It… does make some sense!” Long Feicheng pondered, “Besides, everyone thinks that kid from Wudang Mountain has the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script. Then, at the last moment, Brother Yan, you pop out and slap everyone in the face… Damn! The show-off effect would be off the charts! Say no more, Brother Yan, I support you hiding your identity!”
Yan Shouyi was at a loss whether to laugh or cry; ultimately, Long Feicheng still wanted to show off.
The two agreed to reveal their identities later, letting the young man from Wudang surnamed Zhao have his moment and serve as a shield for everyone else’s animosity.
Ling Xiaoxiao, having gathered information, returned and told Yan Shouyi and the others:
“That person seems to be a disciple of the Wudang Mountain Sect Master, the most outstanding among the younger generation, named Zhao Chengxiang. It’s said he went to Wudang at three, memorized scriptures at five, began participating in the Luotian Grand Ceremony at twelve, and this is his fourth time participating. His ranking has improved year by year. The last Luotian Grand Ceremony, Zhao Chengxiang was only eighteen but had already entered the top ten! Now, everyone has high hopes for him, believing he’s the most likely candidate to win the Luotian Grand Ceremony, and now he also has the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script… If nothing unexpected happens, he might truly become the next Heavenly Master!”
Zhao Chengxiang was basking in glory, primarily from the flattery of others, which had almost made him lose his bearings.
Female disciples were even sending him subtle glances, and even the female disciples from Emei Mountain were somewhat interested, frequently looking in Zhao Chengxiang’s direction.
Master Guanyun sighed, “Zhao Chengxiang is indeed an outstanding individual. It’s a shame, if only you, Shouyi, possessed the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script. If you became the Heavenly Master, it would have been a great blow to those prestigious sects! It’s a pity…”
Long Feicheng’s face was flushed red. He really wanted to reveal Yan Shouyi’s identity to make Master Guanyun happy, but since Yan Shouyi wouldn’t let him, he couldn’t do anything.
Ling Xiaoxiao mumbled, “I don’t know why, but I just don’t like Zhao Chengxiang. I also don’t know what the other two holders of the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script look like. If possible, I hope someone else becomes the Heavenly Master!”
Master Guanyun quickly said, “Xiaoxiao, be careful of what you say.”
Ling Xiaoxiao pouted and thought, “Brother Yan is much better!”
Yan Shouyi managed a wry smile.
Just then, Zhang Shantong suddenly whispered, “You rascal, your grandpa here thinks that being too low-key isn’t good. If you’re not wild in your youth, you won’t have the chance when you’re old!”
Yan Shouyi asked, “Grandpa, why are you saying this too?”
“I have another consideration,” Zhang Shantong chuckled. “Think about it, doesn’t the Old Heavenly Master seem to want to use you as a pawn? He’s probably already calculated that you’ll hide your identity. If you reveal yourself now and do something he didn’t expect, wouldn’t that disrupt the Old Heavenly Master’s plan? If you want to know why the Old Heavenly Master wants you to succeed him, why not give him a surprise attack that throws all his plans off? Perhaps then you’ll find some clues.”
Yan Shouyi was stunned. Zhang Shantong’s novel perspective was something he had never considered before.
However, upon closer thought, he found it made sense. Rather than being led around blindly by the Old Heavenly Master, it was better to take the initiative and disrupt his plans.
After all, with Yan Shouyi’s personality, although he always sought stability, he was even more unwilling to be controlled by others.
With that in mind, Yan Shouyi decided to go all out. He stood up and shouted loudly:
“I am the third holder of the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script!”
As soon as he said this, all eyes, which had been focused on Zhao Chengxiang, shifted to Yan Shouyi.
Long Feicheng stared in disbelief: “Brother Yan, we agreed to be low-key together, why are you sneaking off to show off by yourself?”
Master Guanyun and Ling Xiaoxiao were even more terrified: “Shouyi, you can’t just say things like that! Whether you have the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script or not, the Old Heavenly Master can verify it. It cannot be faked!”
Not only outsiders but even his companions like A Gong and Luo Ning, who were unaware that Yan Shouyi possessed the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script, were filled with surprise.
However, what they found even more baffling was why Yan Shouyi would jump out to claim this title. Was it just to help the folk sects gain fame?
Zhao Chengxiang frowned, his eyes filled with disdain as he sized up Yan Shouyi, seemingly displeased that Yan Shouyi was stealing his spotlight.
At the same time, outside the Heavenly Master Hall, the Old Heavenly Master Zhang Yin watched Yan Shouyi with great interest.
Yan Shouyi revealing his identity was indeed unexpected for the Old Heavenly Master, but he wasn’t panicked or angry. Instead, he found it amusing and didn’t interrupt their thoughts, adopting a spectator’s attitude.
Facing the questioning and speculative gazes, Yan Shouyi stood tall and proud, displaying his spirit, ready to confront Zhao Chengxiang.
However, at that very moment, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, “They are all fake! I am the last holder of the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script!”
“Hahahaha! It seems I can’t hide it anymore. So many fake impostors want to impersonate me. Stop pretending, the true Dragon-Tiger Secret Script is with me!”
“I originally wanted to interact with you all as an ordinary person, but all I got was distance. I’m not pretending anymore! I’m revealing myself! I have the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script!”
“I am the third successor, the Heavenly Master must be me!”
“Get lost, you! Look at you, claiming the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script and the title of Heavenly Master successor. Eat shit!”
“Damn, we’re just talking, no personal attacks!”
“So what if I attack you? Come at me if you dare!”
“Bring it on, who’s afraid of whom!”
“Damn, I’ll kill you!”
The scene gradually descended into chaos. Ever since Yan Shouyi claimed to possess the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script, over twenty more people claiming to have it suddenly appeared in the crowd.
This even made Yan Shouyi himself lose some confidence.
Could it be that there were only three Dragon-Tiger Secret Scripts in the world?
Wasn’t the ancestor fooling everyone?
Wasn’t it true, as the Old Heavenly Master said, that everyone had the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script?!
This… this was unscientific!
Zhang Shantong sighed and said to Yan Shouyi, “Damn it, a bunch of troublemakers showed up. Now, no matter what you say, no one will believe you have the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script.”
Yan Shouyi also understood. The reason everyone came to the Luotian Grand Ceremony was for fame. As for the position of Heavenly Master, that was something only those who truly possessed the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script could contend for.
So, everyone decided to throw caution to the wind. If they couldn’t get a good ranking, they might as well impersonate a holder of the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script to garner more attention.
After all, in the end, if they didn’t win the championship, no one would care if they truly had the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script or not.
No matter how you looked at it, impersonating a holder of the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script had only benefits and no drawbacks!
And after Yan Shouyi stepped forward, that group of rascals seemed inspired and eagerly started claiming to possess the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script.
The others weren’t fools; they naturally knew these people were bluffing.
But the problem was, they now included Yan Shouyi in their bluff…
In other words, at this moment, everyone only recognized Zhao Chengxiang and completely disbelieved Yan Shouyi…
“When it comes to causing trouble, I admit defeat this time!” Long Feicheng quipped. “These guys are really shameless!”
With the situation as it was, Yan Shouyi had no choice but to silently return to the team, deciding to continue hiding his identity.
Outside the Heavenly Master Hall, the Old Heavenly Master couldn’t help but laugh at this scene, while the four elders behind him had no idea what he was laughing about.
Were they mocking the shamelessness of the people below?
Zhang Sishui also couldn’t help but laugh: Yes, shameless! He was laughing at that descendant of Lu Ban, Yan Shouyi!
As a member of the folk sects, he had no self-awareness and wanted to piggyback on the fame of the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script?
Thinking of Yan Shouyi’s previous defiance, Zhang Sishui was furious. Therefore, he disregarded his status and the Old Heavenly Master’s unspoken words, stepping forward and shouting:
“Silence!”
Longhu Mountain, as the foremost Daoist lineage, carried significant weight. Moreover, everyone was currently on their territory, so a bit of timidity was understandable.
Thus, everyone quickly quieted down, no longer daring to cause a disturbance.
Zhang Sishui said coldly:
“What is real cannot be disguised, and what is fake cannot become real. There are only three Dragon-Tiger Secret Scripts in the world, and not everyone can obtain them. Disciples of prestigious sects with excellent moral character will naturally have an easier time obtaining the Dragon-Tiger Secret Scripts. As for those common folk, who lack etiquette, understanding of rules, and respect, they should stop meddling. The Dragon-Tiger Secret Scripts are not for you to covet. Do you all understand!”
Seeing Zhang Sishui suddenly become angry, everyone exchanged glances. Some elders from various sects began to turn back and reprimand the younger disciples from their own sects for their earlier shouting.
But more eyes fell on Yan Shouyi, who had been the first to “stir up trouble.” People began to discuss his background and why they had never seen him before.
Soon, the news that Yan Shouyi was a descendant of Lu Ban spread among the crowd.
Those who recognized Yan Shouyi first were naturally the Yan family members who harbored enmity towards him, as well as people from Hanshan Temple.
“That kid is a descendant of Lu Ban? They haven’t been seen in the martial world for decades! I thought the Lu Ban lineage was lost!”
“The Lu Ban Book records the strengths of various schools. Perhaps the ultimate techniques of our sects are all in that Lu Ban Book. The Lu Ban lineage is actually a collection of literary thieves. What right does such a person have to participate in the Luotian Grand Ceremony?”
“Not only him, but those folk sects are also all insignificant characters. They should all be driven out of Longhu Mountain!”
“Standing with them, even the wind blowing from them feels dirty!”
“That Yan Shouyi earlier was also shameless, leading the charge by falsely claiming to possess the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script, utterly shameless!”
Everyone condemned Yan Shouyi, as if they were standing on a moral high ground, without realizing that they themselves had been shouting along with Yan Shouyi earlier.
Facing everyone’s accusations, Yan Shouyi had no recourse. Explaining further now would be useless. He could only strive to win first place in the Luotian Grand Ceremony and then reveal his identity.
At that time, those who needed to be silent would be silent, and they would realize how foolish they had been.
“Alas, Brother Yan, you absolutely must win first place!” Long Feicheng said. “Otherwise, we’ll have no face to continue staying on Longhu Mountain!”
“Don’t pay attention to the gossip about birds, flowers, insects, and fish,” Zhang Shantong also comforted.
Master Guanyun, unaware of the truth, also offered comfort, “Shouyi, no matter what they say, as long as you perform well in the Luotian Grand Ceremony, you will naturally earn respect.”
“Alright, everyone stop comforting me.”
Yan Shouyi looked up at the Heavenly Master Hall, at the Old Heavenly Master and Zhang Sishui, and murmured to himself, “No matter what schemes you’re cooking up this time, I’ll play along to the end!”
After the farce ended, the competitive events of the Luotian Grand Ceremony officially began.
All participating contestants lined up in several queues to draw numbers. Contestants with the same numbers would compete against each other; losers would be eliminated, and winners would advance to the next round.
Among those competing were Yan Shouyi, Long Feicheng, A Gong, Luo Ning, Wang Jíwǎng, He Xīpíng, Zhao Yìyáo, and Ling Xiaoxiao.
Yan Nanfei, Chang Shan, and the already four-time participant Zhao Chengxiang also went to collect their number plates.
Yan Shouyi received “Rat Jia.” According to the order of the twelve zodiac animals combined with the heavenly stems and earthly branches, this meant he was the first person to compete on stage!
What was even more interesting was that the other person who received the same number plate was standing right beside Yan Shouyi.
That person was a young Daoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Zhu Feifeng!
Zhu Feifeng had come with his number plate to find Yan Shouyi and the others, intending to confide his nervousness about being the first to take the stage. However, upon seeing that Yan Shouyi held the Rat Jia number plate, he was stunned on the spot.
“I, I, I, I, my opponent is Mr. Yan?” Zhu Feifeng, like a frost-bitten eggplant, wilted instantly.
He had witnessed Yan Shouyi’s abilities firsthand; he could withstand a round against the Grandmaster Ma Hong, whereas Zhu Feifeng was nothing and no match for Yan Shouyi.
Long Feicheng saw Zhu Feifeng’s number plate and shouted, “It’s over, Barbecue! What are you even going to compete for!”
Zhu Feifeng dejectedly said, “I’m no match for Mr. Yan. I might as well forfeit directly. I was just here to make up the numbers anyway, and I never expected to last to the next round…”
However, Yan Shouyi approached and said:
“Don’t give up. I’ll go easy on you when we get on stage, at least let you exit gracefully! Just attack me with all your might.”
“Is, is that really okay?” Zhu Feifeng asked weakly.
“Of course! We’ve known each other for a while. If you lose beautifully, it won’t be embarrassing in front of your fellow disciples,” Yan Shouyi chuckled.
“Alright then, I’ll do as Mr. Yan says…”
Zhang Shantong narrowed his eyes. The old fox could always see through people’s intentions, and at this moment, he felt that Yan Shouyi seemed to have some plan, but Zhang Shantong couldn’t quite figure out what Yan Shouyi was thinking.
What was certain was that the first match between Yan Shouyi and Zhu Feifeng would not develop as everyone expected.
It might even be very interesting!