The Past: The Two Geniuses who shares

The following day, Sect Master invited the families of Core Disciples to help them lift their hopes and spirits for the upcoming trial. They will be staying in the sect until the end of the Sword Tournament.

Everyone met their families and warmly greeted each other. Sect Master Rongrong felt a sense of content and satisfaction at the happy atmosphere surrounding them.

"Son!" Longwei's father called him happily.

"Father! Glad you made it. How's Mother?"

"She's fine. She's also happy about your progress. She just couldn't visit because of her health."

"That's not a problem Father, Mother's health is most important thing."

Seeing Sect Master approaching them, Longwei introduced him, "Father, I would like to introduce to you the Sect Master of our sect, Master Rongrong."

"Ah, Greetings! Thank you for keeping my son safe and teaching him to be more sensible. I'm glad that I agreed to give him to you that year."

"Father! It sounded like you threw me away back then!"

"At least now you know."

Master Rongrong and his father laughed.

"Don't worry, your son definitely became sensible after all these years."

"Haha!" The Father laughed merrily.

"I hope you enjoy your stay."

"Yes, I certainly will."

While Sect Master Rongrong was at the side of Longwei, someone was looking at them with Jealousy a little further away.

"Jiao-Long, you must win this tournament and also pass the final trial at all costs. Make your clan Proud! It is by right that the Sect Master must come from our clan. This will be the second time that a Sect Master will be chosen from ours." Jiao-Long's father said.

"Yes, Father," Jiao-Long responded with sadness.

Jiao-Long has long since noticed that even if they're both at the same level of power, Sect Master Rongrong was only eyeing Longwei. It made him wonder if there were any shortcoming within him.

At night, Longwei went to a nearby hill that he frequently visited for stargazing. When Jiao-Long joined him, he was thinking of what the future was holding in store for him.

"Ahh, found you."

"Come Long. join me at stargazing."

While looking at the stars, they began to discuss their journeys as friends.

"Do you remember our encounter at the Market? That's when we first met right?"

"Oh yea, I saw you fighting with a group of older kids there."

"Haha! I was helping a poor old man. Those kids were bulling him."

"You always ended up getting into fights. Even if you were just helping people in the end. I still remember when we played fire. It sure didn't go well."

"Haha! Yeah, yeah that too! That was hilarious! Your father scolded me and even told me not to play with you anymore."

"Yeah, that is true. But we kept on being friends even until now."

"We grew up together. We came here together. And we will be the Chief Disciples of our sect together too."

Jiao-Long suddenly became silent after hearing the part where they will become chiefs together.

"You know… there's only one seat to become a Chief Disciple in our sect."

"But both of us at the same level. Who knows? Maybe Master Rongrong can make both of us Chief Disciples and it will be the first time two Chief Disciples were selected in our Sect."

"You know what? that is the most hilarious thing you've ever said."

"Come on! We're like twins! We shared almost everything."

Jiao-Long slowly lost his smile and told Longwei he will get back to his dwelling to rest and Longwei also turned in for the night soon afterwards.

The following day, Elder Po announced the start of the tournament in the presence of the leaders from prominent sects.

"For the families of the participants, please have a sit on the right side. For the Sect Leaders who have arrived at the invitation of our sect, please have a sit on the left side. For the disciples who'll be participating for the tournament, please stand on the middle of the platform in the center. Now, we will begin the 89th Sect Ranking Tournament! We would like to welcome the Sects who are here to participate this tournament. Sect Leaders, are your representatives ready?"

Each sect brought 20 core disciples who will be representing their sect in the tournament, making it a total of 120 disciples gathering on the platform.

The Leaders nodded in acknowledgement.

"Alright, once your Sect is named, please do the honor to let our participants see your sect's performances."

Elder Po announced the following sects along with their specialties:

· Penglai Sect – Maintains the balance between mortal world and the world of immortals. Ranked first in the previous tournament.

· Diancang Sect – Focuses of cultivating the sword. Known for their expert swordsmen.

· Emei Sect – Experts in formations. Known for accepting only female disciples.

· Beggars' Sect – Has the largest number of disciples. Known for their capable spies and scouts.

· Ming Cult – Focuses on Dao spells and Artifacts refinement. Known for their righteousness.

· White Lotus Sect – Focuses on cultivating the spirit.

"And now, please welcome Sect Master Rongrong of Mount Penglai who is hosting this year's tournament!!"

The disciples were amazed by the sects' performances. Some of the onlookers decided on what sect they were going to test for and outer court disciples planned to request exchanges to the sect they were most suited for while inner court disciples decided to stay at Penglai Sect because it'd have made no difference for them.

"My dear disciples, families, and sect leaders. I, welcome you to our humble sect. This tournament is held every 10 years to decide on the Sect rankings for the next decade. Sect leaders also be using the tournament as a basis to select the disciple who will be the Chief Disciple who have a chance to be the next Sect Leader of their sect. Now, let's begin the first round!"

"Disciples, please step forward to draw lots to decide your opponent."

Longwei and Jiao-Long drew the same number and others also got an opponent each.