Chapter 36 - Parting Ways
After the rewards ceremony concluded, Flux quietly exited the arena.
The grandstands were still buzzing with excitement, but he slipped through the crowds without drawing attention. As he scanned the plaza, he spotted Ryo Vercu waving at him enthusiastically, a handful of roasted seeds in his mouth.
"Flux! There you are!" Ryo called out, grinning brightly as he chewed.
Flux nodded calmly and walked over.
"Come on, let's eat something," Ryo said, tossing a few seeds into his mouth. "I was starving just sitting there watching your fights."
He nudged Flux playfully. "Anyway, congratulations on winning the second place. That's no small thing! You must be pretty rich now, eh?"
"You're paying for the food!" Ryo laughed.
Flux gave a small chuckle. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go already."
The two of them strolled out into the bustling city streets, weaving through celebratory cultivators and vendors hawking tournament memorabilia. Before long, they reached one of the city's best restaurants—a place they had visited once before.
Inside, the atmosphere was lively. Cultivators from all over the Blue River Prefecture were toasting, laughing, and retelling the day's battles.
Flux and Ryo found a table near the window and called over a server.
When the menu arrived, Ryo ordered piles of food and jugs of wine without hesitation. Flux, however, surprised him by ordering even more dishes—and instead of wine, he requested a strong, revitalizing tea.
Ryo leaned back and raised an eyebrow. "Damn, you're eating more you usually eats. What's up, beast boy? That hungry?"
Flux calmly replied, "I exhausted too much energy during the fights. I need to replenish it."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Ryo snorted. "Just admit you're a bottomless pit."
Flux said nothing and instead focused on eating at an alarming pace, polishing off several dishes before Ryo even finished his first.
After a long, satisfying meal, they finally slowed down.
Ryo wiped his mouth and leaned back lazily. "Anyway… You realize you defeated three top disciples from the Five Ruling Sects, right? People are buzzing about you. Tons of rumors flying around asking where you came from."
Flux sipped his tea leisurely. "Oh? This again?"
"Yep, this again," Ryo chuckled. "Might want to get used to it, famous guy."
He stretched his arms with a yawn. "Anyway, I'm heading back to the sect tomorrow with the other disciples. The elders called us all back—can't really find a good excuse to stay away anymore."
Flux looked thoughtful. "And your plans afterward?"
"For now? Cultivate and survive, the usual." Ryo shrugged. "But what about you? Big-shot second place—what's next?"
Flux set down his teacup. "The elders arranged for me to enter the Blessed Land for cultivation. I'll be escorted there soon."
Ryo's eyes widened. "The Blessed Land of the Blue River? Damn, man. Only the top Core disciples and high background young master usually get access—and even then, only after earning a truckload of merit."
Flux tilted his head. "Is that so?"
"Yeah. Usually, only the first-place winner gets invited. This year's tournament must've been special... they're being unusually generous."
Flux mused aloud, "How about the previous tournament?"
Ryo scratched his chin. "Hmm... five years ago? Pretty boring, honestly. I entered too. Only sect disciples could participate—no rogue cultivators were allowed back then."
"Strange that they changed it," Flux said, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"I heard the sects realized their disciples were getting too... arrogant. A few young masters went outside, acted tough, and got smacked down. Embarrassed their sects bad." Ryo chuckled. "So now they want to broaden everyone's horizons."
Flux smiled faintly. "The outside world is dangerous for the ignorant, after all."
Ryo burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Man, the way you put it! Perfect."
They chatted late into the evening, reminiscing and teasing each other. Eventually, they both retired to their rooms at the inn to rest.
The next morning arrived crisp and cool.
Flux and Ryo met downstairs, bags packed. The streets were lively with activity as disciples from different sects prepared to depart for their homes.
As they stepped outside, Flux suddenly noticed someone staring at him.
He turned—and caught Mona Dentaras, the cold beauty of the Night Lotus Pavilion, stealing glances his way. When their eyes met, she immediately looked away, feigning interest in the distant rooftops.
Ryo followed Flux's gaze and grinned. "Ohoho, looks like someone's got a crush on you."
Flux rolled his eyes. "Don't start."
"Tsk, must be nice being good-looking," Ryo teased shamelessly.
They continued walking and soon spotted two elders standing by a flying boat—the elder from the Crimson Vail Sect and Elder Serom of the Blue Mist Mountain Sect.
The elders noticed them as well. Elder Serom smiled and waved them over.
"There you are, Ryo," he said. "The others have regrouped. We'll be departing shortly by flying boat."
His eyes shifted to Flux. "And you must be Flux. I've heard plenty. Looks like you managed to survive this troublemaker's company."
Ryo groaned. "Come on, Elder Serom, give me a break!"
Both elders chuckled heartily.
Then Elder Ben from the Crimson Vail Sect stepped forward.
"Flux, pleasure to meet you. I am Elder Ben," he said kindly. "And speaking of meetings... it seems someone else would like to greet you as well."
He glanced sideways.
Standing awkwardly among the Crimson Vail disciples was Selina—the same cold and deadly fighter Flux had faced in the tournament. She was staring at Flux again, her usual icy expression softened into something almost... shy.
When Flux looked back at her, she jolted upright like a startled cat.
Elder Ben laughed awkwardly. "She's usually sharp as a blade. I've never seen her like this. You must've left quite the impression."
Selina shot Elder Ben a death glare that made the man sweat.
Even Elder Serom chuckled. Ryo cackled outright. "Tsk, you really are dangerous, Flux. You're making both the Crimson Vail's cold beauty and the Night Lotus Pavilion's flower fall head over heels!"
Flux sighed. "Please, stop joking."
"Alright, alright," Elder Ben chuckled. "We should get moving. Farewell, Flux. Perhaps we'll meet again someday."
He hurried away, pretending not to notice Selina's silent glares stabbing into his back.
Privately, Elder Ben sighed.
He understood all too well—both he and Elder Serom had been ordered not to recruit Flux despite wanting to. The Nascent Soul realm elders had personally forbidden it. Flux background was unknown and they don't want to get involved.
Meanwhile, Elder Serom clapped Ryo on the shoulder. "Come on, time to go."
Ryo groaned dramatically. "Already? Aw, fine."
He turned to Flux and grinned. "Well, guess this is goodbye for now. Hope we meet again."
"Until next time," Flux said with a rare, genuine smile. "Farewell."
"Yeah, don't forget about me, alright?" Ryo said, waving exaggeratedly as he followed Elder Serom toward the flying boat.
As they walked away, Ryo asked, "Hey, Elder Serom... I'm surprised you didn't try to recruit Flux. You wanted him before, didn't you?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing you need to worry about," Elder Serom replied, smiling mysteriously.
"Tsk. You old guys are always so secretive," Ryo muttered.
Flux watched them until they disappeared into the distance, his expression unreadable.
He stood silently amid the bustling square, letting out a slow breath.
The tournament is finally over.
He thought back to the battles, the victories, the close calls.
All this time, he had been deliberately holding back, suppressing his cultivation base to avoid suspicion of sudden breakthrough. Even so, he had drawn more attention than intended.
"It shouldn't cause too much trouble," he mused. "But better safe than sorry*.
"If the Nascent Soul elders began investigating too closely, it would be a headache."
Fortunately, he had a golden opportunity ahead—
The Blessed Land.
There, with its dense spiritual qi and powerful isolation formations, he could safely break through to the Golden Core realm without worrying about prying eyes.
Tomorrow, the elders will escort me to the Blessed Land. I'll prepare myself tonight.
Flux turned and melted into the crowd.