Chapter 22: Hardwork does pay off eventually

Teacher Ye XiaoXiao was busying around in the Jade green secret realm, she was responsible for the decorations of the venue to welcome the honored guests during the Grand festival, after compiling the requirements of the Academy's council as well as the different requests from the people taking part in it, she managed to make a rather impressive proposal that earned the approval of her nitpicky boss, it was with pride that she begun the ordeal.

The theme was: "Enchanted under the Jade light." The mesmerizing lights that dance like fireflies, the solemn Crystal clear platforms raised in the sky floating above overlooking the whole venue with a magnificent pagoda where the honored guests would be placed, everything was intended to not only hold grace but also an unique charm that would bring the inner beauty of this secret realm…

As teacher Ye XiaoXiao daydreamed about all of that and the prestige she would get, a student walked up to her interrupting her thought saying:

"Director, the new recruits are there, Senior Bai Yue is asking how many of them we should get."

Teacher Ye was about to answer him when she caught a glimpse at a certain student in the midst of the crowd of newbies that were looking around in amazement, she then said with a smile that beget authority:

"We will only need two girls to help with the decoration, say that to student Bai Yue."

The guy was about to say that she complained about the lack of men to do heavy chores before, but he didn't dare say anything in the end and went to Bai Yue to give the answer, he then came back with two junior Sisters that were full of expectation, what a nice view…

...…

Li Yun and two other students were led to a rather remote area with a simple building like many other around, there was nothing special other than its rather flashy color; it was the building where the preparations for a certain tournament were held. A rather odd looking man with long haïr and a budding beard that world surely grow into a magnificent one in the future walked out of the door after the senior that brought the three little brothers here knocked on it, he then bowed and said:

"Senior Qin, I will leave them to you then."

The senior brother then bid farewell and sped away at the speed of light, leaving Li Yun and the other two here. Senior Qin didn't show any reaction wether about the man running away or the dark face of the three newcomers looking at him, he just said in a raspy voice:

"Welcome to the Green Art tournament organizer venue, I am Qin Liang but you may call me Senior Qin. Now, follow me inside, the preparations are already quite late so we must speed up if we want to make it in time." He then led the three guys inside not giving them any opportunity to say anything.

The inside of the building was as green as expected, there were many construction that were giving mysterious feeling with runes engraved on them there were working tables as well as many unfinished props but what attracted the three guys was the triangular artifact that would serve as a platform, Li Yun couldn't help but ask Senior Qin:

"This one, why is it not green?"

"It's for contrast, everyone would be confused nd no one would be able to understand what's going on if there was only green color no?" Senior Qin answered him, that's quite reasonable right?

"..."

The three were speechless.

"Well, let's stop the pleasantries there and get to work quickly. Who want to work on the platform and who want to help me with the props as well as the confection of the stage for the Green Crown?"

The other two were still hesitating when Li Yun already walked up to the triangular artifact, he was a motivated young man so he speedily began to work on the unfinished part earning a nod from Senior Qin. He seemed to be able to handle it alone so the other two were assigned for the props, they still didn't know but being exposed to the same color for a long time may bring some unsavory effects, but they would be a story for another time…

...…

Time passed quickly and it had been a week since Li Yun began to help as a volunteer in the Jade green secret realm, at first he was a bit reculant with the chores in the Green house but as time went by he learned that the place wasn't as sinister as it seemed to look from outside, the purpose of The competition wasn't as twisted as it may seems to be, it was actually the promotion of cultures from an unknown time when people used art to give respect to the ancestors and the Green color was a symbol of hope and prosperity and the Green Crown wasn't in anyway related to a certain slang that became popular well later on. People are influenced by society and its convention but things aren't always what it seems to be, Li Yun managed to learn so much by helping here for a single week.

"Senior Qin, I have finished the last adjustment of the platform, what should I do now?"

Senior Qin didn't answer for a while before saying:

"Is that so? Then you can go back now, the preparations are mostly done thanks to you guys, you don't have to come here anymore, I will also finish things up today and go out the secret realm."

"Thank you for everything Senior Qin, I learned many thing working with you there. Don't worry, I will be here during the tournament" Li Yun bowed in gratitude to Senior Qin, he felt that he learned many thing from this senior that looked cold from the outside but was actually warm hearted. He then bid him farewell and went out to get back in his usual life, he won't run away from the situation anymore, from what he learned here he can say one thing:"It's shameful but it's not the end of the world." It was with renewed conviction that he went outside the Jade green secret realm with his head held high.

In the Green house, Senior Qin continued his work after Li Yun left, he then gave a look to the two other youngsters and said:

"You can also leave now if you want."

The two who looked haggard with vacant eyes looked up hearing that, they then stood up with great vigor that was nowhere to be seen until now and bid farewell in a hurry before storming their way out of the Green house looking like caught rabbits that got a new lease of life.

"WE ARE FREE!!"

"MOM I WON'T DISOBEY YOU EVER AGAIN !!"

Such scream were heard in the street that they passed by drawing the shock and strange look of the passerby, but the two brothers didn't care. They were free, that's all that matter.

Senior Qin didn't react to the outburst outside, but if you looked closely there was a light smirk on his face, as for what it mean, who know…

...…..

In the Lightning Cloud region of the central regions, there was a tall building that stood out even amongst the other in the Thunder City, at the top of the building, there was a large office with crystal windows where the successful boss must be looking at the people on the street like ants, but despite the large size, there was actually nothing much inside other than a desk showing the extravagance and good state of the business of the company.

On the desk was seated a young man, he was very handsome and would look like a great leader with valiance and charm if not for the perpetual frown on his brows that betrayed his worry. This young man was the leader of this company the Fire spark alchemy workshop, the greatest genius of his generation, the eldest son of the Overlord of the southern Li clan, he was Li Yun's elder brother that went to deal with his company in the central region, well it was Li Kun.

Li Kun was holding a sigh as he worked on. some paperwork, it was the usual boring stuff that just needed a stamp and be done with, but such a trifling matter wasn't the source of his trouble as you may expect, it is a problem with women.

"Sigh, I don't understand anymore, is there something wrong with me or is it the world that is messed up?" As he talked to himself, the door of his office suddenly opened, he didn't look up since only one person would do that in the company. A young lady about twenty three with short medium black hair with sharp look entered inside, she was wearing framless glasses and wore a light blue robe looking ethereal and out of reach, she was Li Kun's assistant Yan Mei, she then walked up to Li Kun and bowed before saying solemnly:

"Leader, there is a formal letter sent for you. Please take a look at it."

Li Kun felt abit surprised hearing her words, she wouldn't disturb him for such a small matter usually, let alone with an expression like that. He felt apprehensive as he took the letter and opened it carefully.

Dear nephew Li Kun,

I am very happy that you are getting along with my daughter. I heard from her that you two are still young and need to know each other better before anything, as a father I am really glad that the two of you are taking this relationship so seriously, and so I decided to let Meng Lin spend more time with you. It pain me to let her go but this is for her happiness, we will discuss more about her going in the Thunder City when we meet each other in the Grand festival of the Great Dao Academy of Prodigies. And finally, I hope you continue to get along with Meng Lin from now on and to take a good care of her.

Sincerely,

Sword Saint Meng Qian

The last strokes were made with sharp intent unmistakable in the cultivation world that would make those with weak Dao heart faint by just looking at it.

Yan Mei looked at her boss who seemed like he fell in a daze, and said:

"What do we do then leader ?"

Li Kun didn't wake up hearing her words, he just looked at the view outside his office, the feeling of pride and confidence that it should give him was nowhere to be seen, everything just felt so empty…

...…..

Li Yun was finally back to his former self again, as he walked leisurely on the street of the shopping district he felt that it was a long time ago that he was last here, looking at the young men and women hurrying around going somewhere he felt quite distanced from them, 'this must be the feeling of growing up.' He thought inside.

As he sighed emotionally about the fact that the place was the same but people have changed, he caught sight of an unusual trio, it was his dear sister Li Ya, Miss Sun Jia of the Sun Clan and his fellow student Feng Ling, they seemed to be talking about something seriously; the him from before would have ran away silently seeing such a flag raising situation but he wasn't the same anymore, he walked up to them and gave a polite greeting with a smile startling the three young ladies.

"Greeting dear sister, Miss Sun Jia, fellow student Feng Ling, how have you been?"

They seemed to be taken aback seeing this scene, but among them was his nemesis that wouldn't be affected that long, Li Ya then said with a smile:

"Long time not see dear little brother, you seems quite different from before, what happened to you since the 'last time' we saw each other?" She specified the words last time with obvious ill intent, but Li Yun wasn't phased he said calmly:

"I was helping out at the preparations for the Green Art tournament in the Jade green secret realm, sorry for being unavailable into now but we finished today so cal up to me if you need something."

He then bid them farewell confidently, and walked away with great strides, leaving the other three looking at each other in incomprehension.

As expected there was nothing to fear! A little thing like that won't affect this young master. It was under such thought that the young man disappeared slowly amidst the crowd; only by overcoming trials and hardships through hard work and determination can someone raise himself to be a greater cultivator