Chapter Twenty-Five: Phantom Mirage Steps

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Origin of the Phantom Mirage Step

At this moment, silence reigned all around. The young men and women scarcely dared to make a sound, as if any noise might frighten away the objects of their dreams.

Lin Huashu, the Young Palace Master of the Palace of the Sage of Calligraphy, was the foremost among the five prodigies under six hundred years old. With a bearing as elegant as a jade tree in the wind and features as refined as sculpted jade, his tall figure stood out all the more in his snow-white robes, upon which exquisite landscapes were embroidered. He, too, was the dream lover of many young women. His status was on par with that of Lu Zhengtian and his peers; indeed, he and Lu Zhengtian could be considered a pair of friendly rivals.

Lu Zhengtian introduced him to Li Hao and the others: “Let me make the introductions. This is Lin Huashu, Young Palace Master of the Palace of the Sage of Calligraphy, and the foremost among the five prodigies of the younger generation. He's one of my few friends, though we're constantly at odds—more rivals than friends, you might say.”

Lin Huashu retorted, “What nonsense! Everything you say is backwards, you hothead. Rivals? That’s just you being jealous of me. And mortal enemies? Not at all—it’s merely friendly competition, a mutual exchange of ideas. Do you get it?”

“Cut it out! Do you want me to finish introducing you or not?”

Lu Zhengtian was somewhat disgruntled by Lin Huashu’s interruption, and the two began bickering anew.

“Hey, now, don’t be like that! I, Lin Huashu, have always loved making friends. How could I pass up such a golden opportunity? If you make me miss this chance, I’ll be sleepless with regret for the rest of my life!”

At last, Lin Huashu put on a pleading expression, astonishing everyone around them.

“These two are my sisters, this is my brother, and these three are friends of my brother—so they’re my brothers too,” Lu Zhengtian said, and then fell silent.

Lin Huashu waited a few breaths, and when Lu Zhengtian said nothing more, he asked tentatively, “Is that it?”

“That’s it,” Lu Zhengtian replied, certain and unyielding.

“What kind of introduction is that? There's no fairness at all! Compared to how you introduced me, this is worlds apart!”

Seeing Lin Huashu’s expression of utter defeat, Lu Zhengtian looked smug, thinking to himself, “Hmph, you’re no match for me at this game.”

Their verbal sparring ended with Lu Zhengtian proving the more skillful, forcing Lin Huashu to yield.

Lin Huashu sighed, “Relying on heaven, earth, or friends is all nonsense. In the end, you can only rely on yourself.”

Lu Zhengtian felt a surge of satisfaction at seeing Lin Huashu so deflated.

“Greetings, I am Lin Huashu,” he said.

No one needed the introduction—by now, who didn’t know that he was Lin Huashu, Young Palace Master of the Palace of the Sage of Calligraphy? Yet though everyone thought it, no one said it aloud. Lu Zhengtian, sensing enough was enough, didn’t press the matter. After all, a wise man knows when to stop.

To relentlessly press someone is unwise; knowing when to yield is the mark of true mastery.

“Greetings, Young Master Huashu!”

“Greetings, Young Palace Master!”

“Greetings, Young Palace Master!”

Li Hao, Kuihu, and the other two greeted Lin Huashu with utmost courtesy, but Lin Huashu could scarcely contain his annoyance, nearly cursing aloud.

He managed to force a smile more pained than tears. In his heart, he thought: “I wanted to learn your names and backgrounds—not just have you greet me! Oh well, I'll let it go for now. What I wish to know, I’ll find out in time.”

Those who witnessed this scene found their impression of Lu Zhengtian and Lin Huashu’s banter renewed once again. Lu Xuemei and her companions could not help but smile at their childish display.

All around, people whispered excitedly.

“Wow! Lin Huashu, the leading prodigy among the five, truly lives up to his name—not only talented, but so witty as well!”

“Wow, Young Master Zhengtian is so charismatic—so handsome!”

“Look at that younger boy’s smile—so charming! If he smiled at me, I’d wash his clothes, cook for him, even keep his bed warm!”

“To have the fortune to see both princesses today is a rare honor. When I return, I can boast to my friends about how beautiful Princess Xuemei is, how adorable Young Princess Luyao is, and how I stood so close to them. Let them envy me!”

The lovestruck maidens gazed with unconcealed longing, while the young men nursed thoughts of their own.

Though it takes long to tell, all this transpired in mere minutes.

Du Qingfeng and his six companions never expected to encounter such a bane as Li Hao today. When Lu Zhengtian appeared, they each took a pain pill and, supporting one another, slipped away as quietly as possible. Summoning all their strength, they finally made it out the gate, mounted their rides, and hurried to their lodgings to recover. They were not afraid of Lu Zhengtian—indeed, they didn’t even know who he was. He had spent the last ten years in the Palace of Battle, immersed in cultivation with little time for public exploits, so it was only natural that they didn’t recognize him.

No one gave much thought to Du Qingfeng and his companions’ departure.

Lu Zhengtian said to Li Hao and the others, “Let’s go. Prodigy, will you join us?”

“Of course, how could I bear to leave when there are two such beautiful princesses around?” Lin Huashu replied hurriedly, as if afraid they would disappear if he spoke any slower.

In that moment, all trace of the prodigy’s elegance was gone—he looked every inch the rogue.

Li Hao and Lu Xuemei paid no mind to Lin Huashu’s shameless persistence.

“Brother Li Hao, are you here to accompany Mei and the others?” Lu Zhengtian asked, recalling the question as they walked some fifty or sixty feet.

“Brother, you’ve got it wrong,” Lu Xuemei interjected before Li Hao could answer. “Luyao and Li Hao are both here to sign up for the selection tournament.”

“Oh, is that so? You both look so young—I thought you’d come for fun,” Lu Zhengtian mused. Li Hao simply smiled and said nothing more.

Lu Zhengtian continued, “Li Hao, how old are you?”

“In answer to Brother Zhengtian, I am twelve this year,” Li Hao replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

“Twelve?”

“Twelve?”

“And you’re entering the selection?”

Lu Zhengtian and Lin Huashu, judging by Li Hao’s height—comparable to Qin Zhen, who was fifteen or sixteen—had assumed Li Hao was older. Hearing he was only twelve, they were both astonished.

Twelve years old, and already so powerful? At twelve, to have reached such a level of cultivation? At twelve, to dare enter a selection with tens of millions of young talents?

Whatever the outcome, that he would compete at so young an age spoke volumes of his courage; most children at that age were still coddled by their parents. In previous years, the likes of Lu Zhengtian were the youngest to compete—clearly, the new generation was surpassing the last.

“Yes,” Li Hao replied calmly.

Lu Xuemei pressed on, “If that surprises you, brother, there’s more—Luyao is only eight!”

“Yaoyao is entering at ten?” Both Lu Zhengtian and Lin Huashu were momentarily at a loss.

Lu Xuemei’s words only added to their shock—their own little princess, so young, entering the selection! How could they not be astonished?

“She’s not just entering one event—she’ll compete in all the medical selections, as well as the Soul Melody performance,” Lu Xuemei added.

She referred to Soul Melody—infusing one’s cultivation into music, harnessing the laws of the world through an instrument to attack or bewilder enemies, or simply to create music. This was a specialized skill, the main discipline for cultivators beyond the Soul Refinement realm.

“Li Hao’s selection must be even tougher, right?” Lu Zhengtian, sensing that his sister was baiting him, tried to pre-empt any further surprises and spare himself the embarrassment of another shocked reaction.

Lu Xuemei continued, “Li Hao is even more ambitious—he’s entering everything!”

This time, Lu Zhengtian and Lin Huashu showed no surprise, and Lu Xuemei, seeing their unchanged expressions, felt strangely deflated.

“I see—well, even just gaining experience is a valuable trial, and will help their growth,” Lu Zhengtian said, inwardly convinced that Li Hao and Luyao were simply here for the experience, not expecting much from their results. Lin Huashu likely thought much the same.

“All of you are signing up for the selection tournament?” he asked, this time directing the question to Kuihu and his friends.

“Yes, Young Master Zhengtian, we’re all signing up,” Kuihu replied.

Having gotten over the earlier shock, the news no longer surprised anyone; they dismissed it as the high-spirited play of children.

They walked on together, talking and laughing, in high spirits. Then Lu Zhengtian seemed to remember something.

“Li Hao, I noticed that when you fought earlier, you didn’t use any particular technique. Have you never learned martial skills before?”

He recalled Li Hao’s fight with Du Qingfeng, where Li Hao seemed to win more by chance than by skill, and decided to ask.

“That’s right, Brother Zhengtian. I never paid much attention to those things before, and recently I haven’t had time to seek out martial arts to train. I was planning to ask Grandpa Baicao for some manuals after I sign up,” Li Hao replied earnestly.

“I see. Well, with so little time, you won’t master any advanced skills in a day or two. Let me give you a manual on movement and speed—study it as best you can before the tournament, and then ask Grandpa for a weapon you like. This manual was given to me by my Sixth Uncle for speed training; I’ve already memorized it by heart, so I no longer need it. Consider it a gift from your older brother,” Lu Zhengtian said, producing a manual and handing it to Li Hao.

Lu Zhengtian truly valued Li Hao as a brother. Judging from his cultivation and age, Li Hao’s talent was extraordinary, and his heart was kind and just. Besides, as Lu Xuemei had mentioned, their grandfathers were sworn brothers, and Li Hao’s grandfather had once saved his own grandfather’s life. For that alone, he owed him a gift—both in gratitude and in friendship.

“Brother Zhengtian, I don’t deserve such a generous gift on our first meeting. Please, take it back,” Li Hao said, feeling unworthy.

“Nonsense. Since you acknowledge me as your brother, it’s only right I give you a gift. If you refuse, you might as well refuse to accept me as your brother.”

With that, Lu Zhengtian left Li Hao no room to refuse.

“Then I shall accept with gratitude. Thank you, Brother Zhengtian.”

Lu Zhengtian’s gift was timely, and Li Hao was sincerely grateful.

“Haha! Now that’s a good brother!” Lu Zhengtian exclaimed, pleased that Li Hao had accepted.

Li Hao glanced at the manual. On its cover, in bold, flowing script, were the words: Phantom Mirage Step.