Chapter Eleven: The Stratagem of the Crimson Swallow
The brief contest seemed like a dream, ending in a flash. Su Fan stared blankly at the empty arena, his heart full of emotions. Now, only the last match remained among the three, and hundreds of registered disciples crowded around the platform, occasionally exclaiming in surprise.
Su Fan watched the battle on the stage absentmindedly, his thoughts lingering on the previous competition. Just now, he was about to be pierced by the sword, but it suddenly bounced away; although he counterattacked, the force that emerged was utterly inexplicable.
The cheers continued at the edge of the platform. On stage stood a man and a woman. The male disciple was oddly short but had an enormous head, while the female disciple wore white robes, her pale blue gaze frosted with pride and coldness.
The big-headed disciple formed hand seals with practiced ease, and soon, a blazing red flame soared into the air. With a subtle movement of his fingers, the fire shot outward.
The white-robed female was undaunted; with a delicate gesture, a sparkling droplet of water floated before her. She changed her hand seals, and the droplet quickly solidified, transforming into a bead of ice.
The crimson flame launched a fierce attack, forcing the woman to retreat repeatedly. Suddenly, she shouted, and the ice bead flew silently toward the roaring fire.
At that moment, silence enveloped the surroundings; all the disciples stared in awe, even Senior Brother Liu showing admiration. Only the man in red seated centrally wore a look of disdain.
There was no earth-shattering sound, just a silent clash as the ice bead met the fire. The two seemed to stalemate, the coldness of the ice bead gradually waning, and the fire’s ferocity slightly diminished. Soon, the ice bead melted into a droplet, and the flame shrank until it appeared it could be extinguished by a breath.
Ultimately, the droplet turned into a white mist, and the flame faded, dispersing a gray haze. Torrential spiritual energy surged outward like a flood, causing the spectators in the front rows to stagger and spit blood.
The two on stage still stood, suspended by the wind, but their faces were pale, clearly exhausted from their duel.
Time passed, and neither moved from their spot. Then, a long sigh echoed, followed by a proud voice: “Both are seriously injured and unable to continue. Only Su Fan and Nangong Yuan remain. Their match will be held tomorrow.”
In the quiet cave dwelling, Su Fan still sat cross-legged, not cultivating but lost in thought.
After a night, Su Fan arrived early at the plaza. Along the way, bustling crowds pointed and whispered about him.
With Senior Brother Liu’s command, Su Fan walked calmly onto the platform. Opposite him stood a handsome young man, his eyes smiling as he stared at the red-robed youth below the stage, his smile tinged with an indescribable contempt.
Su Fan quickly dismissed the notion, knowing the red-robed youth’s noble status.
He cupped his hands to the youth and said in a low voice, “I am Su Fan.”
The youth ignored him, still gazing at the man in red. Su Fan paused, about to repeat himself.
The youth smiled faintly and replied softly, “I admit defeat.”
The red-robed man’s face changed dramatically, shouting, “You...”
The youth continued to smile at the red-robed man, his eyes full of scorn.
The red-robed man spoke coldly, “Junior sister, are you truly not going to return with me?”
“Junior sister?” Su Fan was shocked and quickly examined the youth again. The smooth, delicate skin and lively eyes indeed did not resemble a man.
She maintained her smile, but her voice turned cold: “Hong Yan, leave now.”
It turned out the red-robed man’s name was Hong Yan. The bystanders were all bewildered by this sudden twist.
However, when Senior Brother Liu heard the name Hong Yan, he could not help but tremble.
Hong Yan’s face was dark, but his tone remained calm: “Junior sister, let’s go back. Master misses you dearly.”
The youth, called junior sister, smiled again, saying, “Master misses me? I suspect you simply want to bring me back for your own merit.”
Hong Yan laughed angrily, roaring, “Fine, fine, fine!” With that, he sprang up, his chair instantly reduced to splinters.
He said in a deep voice, “That useless one on the stage, you now come with me back to the sect.”
Laughter erupted all around, and the crowd cast disdainful looks at Su Fan. Most people are like this—when they cannot obtain something, they claim it is sour grapes.
If given the opportunity, any of those below the stage would scramble to seize it.
Su Fan’s thin frame trembled, his hands squeezed so tightly they turned white.
The junior sister’s expression changed; she hurried to Su Fan’s side and said softly, “I’m sorry. If not for me, he wouldn’t trouble you.”
Su Fan forced a smile. “It’s nothing.”
The young woman quickly added, “Go back to the sect with him. Your talent is not exceptional, but the sect is full of experts who can help you improve.”
Su Fan did not reply, simply following Hong Yan.
Hong Yan did not glance at Su Fan, grasping his arm lightly, ascending into the clouds with a single step. To fly without any magical tools indicated extraordinary cultivation.
The crowd had already dispersed, leaving only a few curious ones around Senior Brother Liu. One asked, “Who is this Hong Yan?”
Senior Brother Liu smiled proudly. “Hong Yan in red means he is a disciple of the red branch, and Yan signifies he is a direct disciple of the sect leader. He is so young, so he must be the leader’s newest disciple.
Our sect leader has a tradition of accepting only one disciple every hundred years, but broke this for Hong Yan.”
Another asked, “If the leader values Hong Yan so highly, his cultivation must be exceptional.”
Senior Brother Liu replied, “It is said he successfully formed his core several months ago.”
The others were astonished; reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining was already a huge challenge, let alone the Foundation Establishment and the perilous process of Core Formation, where success meant a surge in power and failure meant death.
Senior Brother Liu appeared unconcerned, striding toward his room, saying, “I fear Su Fan’s prospects are grim.”
At that moment, the group of four traveled in silence, Hong Yan’s face calm once more, revealing his deep scheming.
Suddenly, Hong Yan stopped, turned to Su Fan, and asked, “Do you know why you were given the chance to win?”
Su Fan replied, “I know.”
Hong Yan looked at him meaningfully. “Then tell me.”
Su Fan smiled. “I suppose the first round was a bye, arranged by you.”
Hong Yan suddenly laughed. “Correct, go on.”
Su Fan continued: “In the second round, I had no way to withstand Qin Yu’s sword technique. Though he used ordinary iron, his true weapon was not the sword, but intent.”
Hong Yan commented, “Indeed, Qin Yu’s swordsmanship is extraordinary. His mastery of the Five Elements Metal Technique is impressive.”
Su Fan said, “The big-headed cultivator and the female cultivator were also stronger than me. But they should not have been so badly injured. During their fight, you seemed unconcerned, but the expressions of the two behind you were very strange. I suspect their injuries resulted from your companions.”
As he spoke, Su Fan glanced at the two cultivators before him. They did not deny it, confirming his suspicions.
Su Fan continued, “In the end, my encounter with your junior sister was your ultimate goal. Among all the cultivators, my level was the lowest, making your plan more likely to succeed.”
Hong Yan smiled again. “You’re clever, but—”
“But my talent is so poor that taking me back would be impossible to justify. So you might as well kill me here to make your report.” As Su Fan spoke, he broke free from Hong Yan’s grip, floating in midair.
Hong Yan was astonished. “You—you can fly without a magic treasure?”
Su Fan paused, thinking, “He couldn’t tell I’ve reached the fifth level of Qi Refining.”
He changed his hand seals, sending a cluster of yellow flames toward Hong Yan, fiercer than those of the big-headed cultivator. Su Fan had no time to finish, quickly retreating.
Hong Yan snorted coldly. “I underestimated you.”
With a casual wave of his sleeve, the flames vanished. Then a white light shot toward Su Fan; he failed to dodge and was struck.
Su Fan drifted downward like a severed kite. Hong Yan rushed after him, but a loud voice rang out: “Young one ahead, are you a disciple brought in by the red branch?”
Hong Yan looked anxious, bowed his head, and respectfully said, “Red branch disciple greets you, Sect Leader Uncle.”
With Hong Yan’s words, a slightly plump middle-aged man appeared, dressed in blue robes trimmed with gold, resembling the yellow-robed man but with a more dignified presence.
Behind him stood a sharp-eyed youth, his face anxious.
The blue-robed man said, “You brought a youth named Su Fan, yes?” His voice was soft, devoid of emotion, yet it struck the heart.
Hong Yan replied, “Su Fan was the first place in the contest. I am indeed bringing him.”
The youth rushed forward. “Where is he?”
Hong Yan feigned sorrow. “Just now, as we walked here, he suddenly broke free from my grasp and fell from the sky. He may already be...”
Before he could finish, the youth fainted.
The blue-robed man said coolly, “You will come down with me to search.”
Hong Yan had no choice but to agree.
They landed in a dense forest, filled with poisonous insects and mist.
The blue-robed man surveyed the surroundings, frowned, and asked, “Are you certain he fell here?”
Hong Yan smiled. “Indeed.”
The blue-robed man said, “Let’s return.”
The youth had already awakened, staring blankly at the forest, lost in thought.
Suddenly, he spoke: “Su Fan, I will avenge you.”