Registration
Jing Ling's busy schedule continued for two years before Madame Feng thought that she had taught Jing Ling everything she knows. However, she's such a lovely lady, as a teacher, she is just so strict! Jing Ling dreaded every lesson she had with Madame Feng. To make matters worse, Madame Feng decided that Jing Ling didn't have any talent as a woman and made her lessons every afternoon instead of the initial 3 days a week.
"Madame Feng do you really need to go so soon? Stay with us longer!" Lady Jing Ying urged.
"Thank you for your offer but I have already received an invitation from the Li Family to teach their daughter thus we must part."
Although Jing Ling didn't like her lessons, she's going to miss Madame Feng's nagging.
"Madame Feng, thank you for all you've done for me. I know I caused you a hard time."
"Hahaha, that you certainly did dear. Like I always said, if only your mannerisms had half your talent in cultivation. However, even though it took a little longer than other people you are now versed in everything a young lady should be able to do."
"Really, I can't thank you enough, Madame Feng, teaching this daughter of mine."
"It was my duty. Now that I'm not here to nag you anymore you're not allowed to neglect your practice. If I find out you made any mistake or embarrass yourself, I'm going to come back and give you hell Xiao Ling."
"...Even to the end, you're scolding me." (=.=)
"Hmph, if I don't you're just going to forget every day and spend all your time cultivating. At this rate, you will not be able to seduce the man you wish to marry."
"Madame Feng! I am more than capable of ..."
"Hohoho, then I look forward to the wedding Xiao Ling~ Bye now. Till next time"
Jing Ling watched the cart pull away into the distance until she couldn't see it anymore.
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Now that Jing Ling is 12 years old, she only has one thing on her mind. The annual Summer Youth Competition. Every year, the Song Empire will hold the competition so all the young cultivators' ages 12 to 15 years old will gather at Zhu city and exchange moves with each other. To register, you need to be within the age range and your realm needs to be between blue mortal and violet mortal. The top three candidates are allowed to pick any martial arts manual in the palace library.
Jing Ling wasn't interested in the martial arts manual since she could just go to the Emperor and pick out whatever she wishes. What she really wanted to do was spar with others her age to see where does she stand at the moment. Even though she always practiced with her elder brothers, they always held back with her and just blocked her moves. Never did they ever go on offense against her.
However, Jing Ling was worried that she is at a disadvantage against the other competitors since she hasn't trained in any martial technique except for Yincang Breathing Technique, the Jing Family's Piercing Fists manual and some basic sword moves.
"Hmm, I should ask Father."
Master Jing Jun was forcing his two sons to train as usual when Jing Ling found them.
"Father!"
"Ling'er! How rare to see you not training at this time."
"I know, I was about to start my daily cultivating when I remembered that there are only 3 more weeks until the registration for the annual Summer Competition. I wanted to ask you for your opinion."
"Hm. Do you plan on joining the competition?
"Yes! I wish to experience real combat and I want to know how I am compared to cultivators around my age."
Master Jing Jun nodded. "Mhm. The competition will certainly be a good experience for you. I fact I think you will do really well."
"Really?! I was worried I wouldn't be good enough since I can only use Piercing Fists and basic sword moves for my offense."
"Yes, in fact, I think you have a chance of winning."
Jing Ling was so ecstatic that her Father thinks so highly of her so she made up her mind to register for the competition.
"Hehe, I'm going to work even harder now and come back with first place!" Jing Ling said as she ran back to her courtyard to train.
Master Jing Jun was proud of his daughter and focused his attention back to his sons. However, the smile he had froze when he remembered the message that the Emperor had sent him two years ago.
"SHIT! If she joins the competition, her abilities will be exposed and I would be considered a traitor for disobeying the Emperor's orders." Thus, he quickly ran after her.
"Ling'er!"
"Hm, what is it, Father?"
"Ahem. I still think it's too early for you to join the Summer Competition do it's best that you don't join for now."
"What?! You just told me that I had a chance of winning."
"Forget it. I wasn't thinking correctly before so I forbid you from entering."
"But..if I don't join now I won't ever get the chance to ever again!"
"Hm? What do you mean? You're only 12 this year. You still have 3 years ahead of you."
Jing Ling rolls her eyes at her Father. "Did you forget about the other restriction? I've already reached violet mortal realm. By next year I would be too strong to enter."
Master Jing Jun had a dumbfounded look on his face as he looked at his daughter. Ever since Jing Ling practiced the Yincang Breathing Technique he hasn't been able to sense Jing Ling's realm but he never thought that she could be this quick. "Damn, violet potential really makes cultivators
bleed from anger" thought Master Jing Jun.
"...Still, you can't and as your Father, what I say is final."
"WHAT! WHY?"
"Don't ask. This discussion ends here," Like that, Master Jing Ling walks away.
Jing Ling was fuming! It was her only chance to enter the competition and she has been looking forward to this since she learned about it last year. How could he prevent me from entering just because he decided the change his mind?
"I'm going to enter no matter what. Hmph. I'm going to win the competition. Just you wait!"
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Three weeks later, the battle arena in Zhu City was filled with people lining up to register for the competition. Among them was Jing Ling. She had her hair tied up into a bun and instead of wearing a hanfu like a proper lady, she decided to wear the tunic she wears for training.
While waiting for her turn, Jing Ling observed the cultivators around her. There weren't many females and even less were 12 years old. However, she was still excited to see that there weren't any green mortal cultivators or at least she didn't see any around her. There were mostly blue mortals and a significantly smaller number of indigo mortals. In fact, even among the 15-year-olds, she saw it was rare to see a violet mortal...
"Hmm... I guess my elder brothers aren't that bad after all. If only they concentrated on training more instead of arguing in Father half the time," Jing Ling though.
As she continued to survey her competition, it became Jing Ling's turn to register.
"NEXT!"
Jing Ling steps up to the Elder who was overseeing everyone.
"Place your hand on the crystal and place a bit of your Qi inside. This is your last chance to leave if you do not meet the two criteria. All liars will be detained and treated as criminals for disobeying the Song Empire's laws."
Jing Ling didn't reply and calmed herself before inserting a small thread of Qi into the crystal in front of her. Immediately her information appeared.
Age: 12 years old
Realm: violet mortal
Gender: Female
Silence. The entire arena was quite as they couldn't believe their eyes before they all abrupted at the same time.
"HAH?! A 12-year-old violet martial?"
"Sigh, if only I had that kind of ability."
"Tsk. Show off."
"Genius, what a genius"
"Damn, I hope I don't fight her early on."
"Hmph. finally, someone who will be my match"
Jing Ling quickly registered herself under a fake name and rushed out of the arena to headed home. She hadn't planned on being in the spotlight from the beginning. She wanted to show up at the end of the competition like a darkhorse but now that plan is ruined.
"Oh well, I'll see how this goes."