Torture in Public

While pondering on the words of Zhangjie, Bai QingQing was already dragging me to the front field, But surprisingly we came in front of a man with long white hair and a pale face, he looked stern and a man of occurring discipline, I didn't know exactly what to do since I had no idea who he was until I noticed Bai QingQing taking a bow and immediately decided to follow her footsteps.

"Celestial sovereign, greetings." Bai QingQing greeted politely and I did the same, so he's the celestial sovereign? In a way he does frighten me judging from the serious expression crossing his face.

"Why isn't everyone settled yet and where are the rest of your mates?" He casually asked while Bai QingQing glanced around.

"Yang Fe had something important to do while Zhangjie thought of joining him, they will be here shortly." She replied and he gave a convincing nod to her words before locking eyes with me, I immediately took a bow.

"Greetings."

"You must be Qui Shan's disciple, am I right?" He asked which left me stunned, how did he know?

"Yes I am." I replied politely without raising my head up and when I stole a sneaky peek at him, he didn't look too happy at my reply and I lowered my head once more, of course I'd be seen that way, this is the first time we're running into each other.

"You are participating?" He asked and I gave a nod in response."

"Yes, it'll be an honor to help our sect get the dagger so I'm willing to go for it." I said but hoped I didn't sound too confident with my reply. Without saying a word to me, he walked out and only then did I raise my head up with a relieved sigh.

"Is he always that intimidating?" I inquisitively asked while Bai QingQing chuckled at my tone.

"He is the celestial sovereign, just don't get on his bad side and you're good."

I definitely do not wish to get on his bad side.

We took our seats on a set of rocks being placed at each corner of the field and not too late, the whole place started getting crowded as disciples from other sects took their seats. Zhangjie and Yang Fe joined in while Zhangjie looked clearly disgruntled.

"Darn the boringness of the season is about to start." He exasperated while Yang Fe gave him a little slap at the back of his head.

"Quiet!"

Zhangjie pouted sadly before shutting his mouth up and I couldn't help but also smile at the little sibling rivalry.

"Hey the celestial sovereign is here so you two behave and keep your sibling rivalry to yourself!"

She spoke up and almost half of the crowd turned to look at her but she maintained a calm posture and shot them all a glare making them turn their heads away, she smiled at the outcome and both brothers went quiet, I should probably do the same not speak.

I curiously glanced around and there were now mixtures of cultivator robes, black, white, blue, red and so many more. Wow I guess this tournament really mattered alot and like Yang Fe said earlier, this might not be an easy match.

My eyes secretly searched for my master and when I finally spotted him, he was having a word with the celestial sovereign and just like when I first saw him, his face was void with no trace of emotion and he vaguely walked out on the celestial sovereign whose face turned ashen by his act, Lord Qui is just stubborn, like me and although it looked like a serious matter, I couldn't help but chuckle silently and immediately averted my gaze before I was caught.

In front of us, a man stood in the center of the huge field and of course, it was no one else but the celestial sovereign, to my surprise each master were taking seats with their disciples and my master joined me not too long sitting beside me and I felt my heart quicken as I looked away from him. He seemed to have enjoyed my reaction but equally faced the crowd. Baozhi also sat beside his disciples with Youlan clinging onto him like a bag.

I cleared my throat and tried to face the celestial sovereign who was already speaking when a hand slowly reached out for mine and I felt my throat tighten as he interlaced our fingers, our hands remained locked like that, his sleeve was long enough to hide our hands which was interlaced and no one would notice at all we were holding hands except they studied us a bit too closely.

I tried to free my hands from his hold but of course, he definitely wasn't going to let go and I struggled to release my hands when he spoke up.

"Shanxia, do you understand what he's trying to explain?" He asked and I gazed at him with a puzzled look and he gestured with his eyebrows at the celestial sovereign who spoke at the center of the field. I smiled at him but the look in my eyes held a different thing.

"Why wouldn't I lord Qui?"

He noticed the glare I was giving to him and not even a hint of smile crossed his face, he's so good at playing serious master meanwhile below those sleeve of his, he was doing a lot of things to my hands and I nearly squeaked as he intimately rubbed his thumb over my fair palms and I could feel my heart beating violently, what was he doing? I could get in trouble if caught but of course he wouldn't understand, he's enjoying it and I'm not as good of an actor as him.

"Mount Fuan disciples aren't here yet." Zhangjie spoke up, gaining our attention, almost sounding too disappointed. Yang Fe also glanced around and his expression also meant they weren't really here.

"I bet they want to make a dramatic entrance as usual."

"What a stupid way of showing up." Bai QingQing added distastefully.

"No more rivalries between you too." Baozhi said to them.

"Avoid them, they avoid you too, I don't want last time's trouble to repeat itself." He stated clearly while Yang Fe nodded in agreement.

"I've told Zhangjie countless times about that." He said while Zhangjie bowed his head and ignored staring at his brother.

"Well those Mount Fuan disciples are definitely the toughest to crack, I'd advise you to keep away from them too."

Bai QingQing smiled warmly at my master and bowed. "Of course master Qi."

I couldn't even say a word, scared if I open my mouth to speak, I won't be able to hold in the squeak and when Baozhi turned his attention towards us, he immediately let go off my hand and what a relieve that was, how can he possibly torture me at a place like this?

"You are part of the tournament, am I right?" He asked and I nodded, placing both my hands in front of me and clasping them together so my master had no way of grasping them again.

"Yes, everyone else is participating so I'm more than happy to participate as well."

I said then darted a look at Youlan who was sound asleep in her father's arm, no wonder I didn't hear her voice.

"She's already asleep." I said while Zhangjie sighed. "Lucky her, she's the only one who has the right to fall asleep in such gatherings."

Baozhi darted a quick glance at her. "When I try to give her to someone to hold for me, she wakes up immediately and refuses." He didn't sound annoyed by it, neither did I, it sounded cute rather.

"Master Qui?" Bai QingQing spoke up. "It must feel good to finally have a disciple of yours participate, am I right?" I know she said just to indulge in a conversation with him but my master didn't even glance her way and replied with a "Hmm."

Enough sign to show he was in no mood for conversations, Bai QingQing looked a bit disappointed and decided to let him be while everyone was back to focusing on the celestial sovereign, my hand was snatched again, too quick I doubt anyone would notice and our fingers were locked again. Not again….

"Shanxia, did you understand that part where…." He leaned close while I tried to listen to the information he wanted to give to me.

"Stop forcing and let me hold you." He whispered and pulled back, I blinked at him, stunned by his words and no one would even notice cause he made it look like a master advising his disciple and when he met my gaze, he winked at me before turning his attention to the celestial sovereign who spoke. I could feel my cheeks heating up and immediately bowed my head to hide my bashfulness. I doubt I heard a single word the celestial sovereign said to us until it came to an end.