It Would Be Too Bullying to Participate

"My name is Huang Nuanyan, the daughter of the Ink City's lord nearby."

Huang Nuanyan said this without a hint of arrogance, speaking sincerely.

Su Luo replied, "I'm Su Yu."

Little Yu, understanding Su Luo's intent, added, "And I'm Xiao Luo."

When traveling, using an alias was perfectly normal.

"Seems your identities aren’t simple either. Friends?"

Noticing their lack of surprise or awe at her status as a city lord’s daughter, Huang Nuanyan found their composed demeanor intriguing—further proof of her sharp judgment.

"Sure," Su Luo agreed, though she had no intention of truly considering Huang Nuanyan a friend. A chance encounter was just that.

Still, there was no need for rudeness; a polite response sufficed.

"So, you’re really not planning to participate in the Spirit Combat Tournament in Water City?"

Seeing that Su Luo and Little Yu were around her age and heading in the same direction, Huang Nuanyan had assumed they were also bound for the tournament.

Su Luo recalled—the tournament was indeed about to begin, and Lin Xuan would be there.

She made a mental note to jot it down in her diary later.

"You’ve misunderstood. We’re not," Su Luo clarified.

"Oh! You fit the criteria, and your route matches, so I thought... My apologies."

"What’s the Spirit Combat Tournament?" Little Yu asked, her interest piqued.

After days of traveling with Su Luo, she’d gradually grown more curious about the outside world. Though she hadn’t abandoned cultivation, her obsession had waned.

She cherished every moment alone with Su Luo.

"It’s a competition among cultivators—supposedly quite fun. But I’ve only heard about it; never participated myself."

"Fun? Su Yu, let’s join!" Little Yu’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at Su Luo.

"With your cultivation level, you wouldn’t get much of a challenge. Besides, there are requirements."

The Spirit Combat Tournament was designed as a lighthearted event for the younger generation, leaning toward entertainment—though battles were still part of it.

The rules stipulated participants must be under 30 and below the Golden Core stage.

Huang Nuanyan, assuming Little Yu’s cultivation was too low, reassured her, "It’s fine! Even without a real shot at winning, you can still join for the experience. I’m at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment—I can look out for you both."

"Thank you, you’re so kind." Little Yu turned to Su Luo, pleading, "Su Luo..."

"Isn’t it inappropriate?"

It dawned on Su Luo that both she and Little Yu technically qualified as "younger generation."

But participating would be outright bullying—far beyond just picking on the weak. If discovered, they’d likely face severe backlash.

Huang Nuanyan persisted, eager for company. "Is your cultivation too low? Even at Qi Refining, it’s just for fun!"

Cultivation wasn’t something everyone excelled at—talent and resources were both crucial.

Hearing this, Su Luo and Little Yu felt too awkward to reveal their true cultivation levels.

Doing so would only shock Huang Nuanyan.

In the end, with Little Yu giving her that look, Su Luo relented. As long as they weren’t exposed, it’d be fine. Let others laugh—she’d endured worse.

"Alright, let’s go. It’s on the way anyway."

"Great!" Little Yu hugged Su Luo affectionately.

Huang Nuanyan observed them, her expression turning curious. "By the way... are you two cultivation partners?"

"Yes! Could you tell?" Little Yu answered eagerly.

Huang Nuanyan sighed dramatically. "Ah, my chance is gone. Honestly, I found Su Yu handsome and extraordinary—thought I’d try my luck. I assumed you were siblings. Oh well."

Her bluntness amused Little Yu, who grinned. "No chance for you."

"No matter. Friends are good too."

Huang Nuanyan wasn’t heartbroken. As a city lord’s daughter, she’d seen plenty of handsome men—though, admittedly, Su Luo outshone them all.

She kept chatting, clearly the talkative type.

Su Luo managed at first, but Huang Nuanyan’s enthusiasm was overwhelming.

Eventually, Little Yu stepped in, engaging her in conversation and giving Su Luo some peace.

Su Luo lay down, turning her back to them.

The carriage was spacious enough for it not to be an issue.

"Her health isn’t great—don’t mind her," Little Yu explained.

"No worries," Huang Nuanyan replied, unfazed.

Su Luo rolled her eyes internally. Her health was impeccable—this was pure slander. But the quiet was welcome.

Little Yu wasn’t fond of talking to strangers, but if she didn’t intervene, Su Luo would have to.

Su Luo was kind to most well-meaning people—a trait Little Yu wasn’t sure was entirely a virtue.

Seizing the moment, Su Luo began writing in her diary.

[The Spirit Combat Tournament in Water City... Never thought I’d end up going despite having no role in it. But if it’s for Little Yu, fine.]

[Lin Xuan will be there—not as a participant, but as a guest judge. His job is to commentate and evaluate the matches.]

[He’s a big name now. At the same age, while others are still competing, he’s already judging. Quite the contrast.]

[The tournament spans three days, with different events each day, eliminating contestants until a winner emerges.]

[Looks like a bunch of amateurs duking it out, but raw power isn’t everything. Only well-rounded skills lead to victory.]

[...]

[The finals arrive, and the winner is swiftly decided—a man named Cheng Hai. But he cheated, fooling everyone except Lin Xuan.]

[Just as Cheng Hai steps onto the podium, thinking he’s won, Lin Xuan exposes him.]

[Then comes the righteous speech—how cheating is wrong, blah blah.]

[In the end, Cheng Hai’s title is revoked, and everyone praises Lin Xuan’s integrity.]

[But it doesn’t end there. For Lin Xuan’s fame to soar higher, someone had to stir trouble.]

[Elder Heiya of the Earthly Fiend Sect was Cheng Hai’s secret backer.]

[His scheme to claim the prize foiled, he holds a grudge against Lin Xuan.]

[That night, he ambushes Lin Xuan—only to find Lin Xuan already waiting for him.]

[After a fierce battle, Lin Xuan slays Elder Heiya.]

[News spreads fast. Elder Heiya was a notorious demonic cultivator, and Lin Xuan’s reputation skyrockets, especially among the youth, who find him utterly dashing.]

Su Luo closed the diary.

[Diary entry complete. Reward: Constitution +2, Strength +2.]

[New ability unlocked: Water Dominion.]

[All water within sight is now under your flawless control.]

Familiar, just like [Flame Monarch].

With mastery over both fire and water, she felt unstoppable—at least against opponents relying on those elements.