Destiny in Cinders

Meanwhile in a different restroom, the Truthseeker Society organized a meeting. Initially, this research society was formed in First Middle School by a few students from large clans that appreciated the art of combat. They typically fought against one another in the school arena to gain experience and hone the skills they were proficient in. Their favorite slogans were ”understanding comes from repeated debate, strength comes from repeated struggle” and ”authenticity through fights, truth through battles.”

They were as standard as cultivation groups went. As the initial founders of the group eventually went on to become Purple Mansion sages, with some even achieving their dao merit to become Goldcore venerateds, the Truthseeker Society eventually became a student organization regulating all things combat. When a student of First Middle School wanted to join an external tournament, they were required to join the Truthseeker Society, which would provide them with the required resources and support.

The chairman of the society, Yan Chengju, furrowed his brow when he looked at the nine students before him. His massive and burly build was such that he gave off a heavy pressure even when he was seated on a tiny stool. However, his presence wasn’t that of a fierce lion or bear. Instead, he appeared more like a steady, unyielding mountain.

The nine students around him held their heads low, not daring to look him in the eye. He humphed and said, ”How embarrassing. You let an outsider join the top eight. You are a disgrace to our school. Little Chen is one thing; we already planned for him to drop out after a short demonstration to prevent him from fighting one of our own and showing disunity. But tell me, Mister Dou, what happened in your case?”

Yan Chengju looked at the student with bandages around his chest. The young man shuddered with a grim expression before he forced himself to rise. ”Captain, Nian Quan is actually rather skilled. My Greenjade Sturdiness Art performs well against spells or normal artifacts, but struggles against sword intent. While I have lost, I made sure to leave a mark on Nian Quan. He will no doubt forfeit his next match!”

”Losing is wrong in itself. Your excuses don’t matter,” Yan Chengju said in a deep voice. ”Mister Dou, I will apply for the funding to treat your injuries later. For now, please leave.”

This was nothing short of expelling the student named Dou from the inner circle of the Truthseeker Society. The young man’s face paled before flushing red intensely. However, he turned around gingerly and left the meeting room, crestfallen.

Yan Chengju turned away from the exit to the rest of the students, who showed no reaction. Smiling with satisfaction, he said, ”Nian Quan is a prospective sword immortal. I suppose we can afford to give him some face and let him remain in the top eight. After all, First Middle School’s prowess would appear lackluster if we aren’t the least bit challenged by talented students from other schools.”

He rose and raised a massive waterscreen in his hand before him, displaying the list of names for the upcoming elimination round. ”Nian Quan will most likely forfeit the double-elimination rounds two days later. That means that you, Yu Guan, might stay in the winner’s bracket without even having to fight. But be prepared nevertheless. I heard that sword immortals are hard headed. He might show up to fight despite his injuries. If so, you are to show him some courtesy. It’d be ideal if you are able to talk him into forfeiting the match. If he insists, however...”

Yan Chengju turned around and shot the slender Yu Guan a look.

”I understand. I will teach him a lesson he will never forget.”

The chairman nodded with satisfaction. ”It should be trivial for you to manufacture an accident with your conjuration spell. Does he think he can buck the rules just because he’s a talented bearer of celestial spirit roots? We should teach this orphaned mongrel a harsh lesson in his parents’ stead. As for the next group, Little Sui, you are appointed the victor...”

He went on to appoint the ranks of the members of First Middle School. Naturally, he would occupy first place, but the ranks he appointed for the rest were also fair. They were already familiar with each other’s capabilities and methods after many repeated fights against each other, after all. Though some of the students were surprised by their appointed rank, they didn’t doubt Yan Chengju’s decision in the slightest. Instead, they looked at their opponent they were supposed to face as if they were wondering what they could be hiding that they weren’t aware of.

Some of the students who were given a higher rank than they expected looked at Yan Chengju respectfully. They had indeed made some minor progress, but they hadn’t gotten the chance to demonstrate it before the tournament. They didn’t expect that Yan Chengju had been able to pick it up so acutely and even adjusted their rank accordingly. As expected of their chairman.

Yan Chengju proceeded to plan out the details of each fight to ensure that the participants, whether they were appointed to win or not, got to demonstrate their capabilities without risking any accidental injuries.

”This will be it for now. Dismissed.”

”Thank you, Chairman!” they said in unison before leaving.

Yan Chengju remained in the meeting room, eyes closed in thought. After a while, someone knocked on the door, and he opened his eyes and said, ”Come in.”

The student called Dou quietly shuffled into the room, struggling to speak. ”Chairman, I...”

Yan Chengju raised his hand to silence him. ”Dou Yue, I’m sorry about what happened, but rules are rules. You lost, so there’s no longer a reason for me to cover for you.”

The young, burly cultivator approached Dou Yue and patted him on the shoulder. In a sincere tone, he said, ”Nian Quan was indeed a hard foe to go up against. Even I might have no option but to avoid his sword intent, yet you were able to take one of his sword strikes head-on and even took the opportunity to wound him. You have rendered merit on our behalf.”

He took out a tiny jade bottle and said, ”Do not worry. Your injury looks like it would cost quite a lot of merits to treat, but the Truthseeker Society will foot the bill. And here’s a bottle of moistjade dew essence, perfect for your Greenjade Sturdiness Art. Consider it a private reimbursement from me to make up for your troubles. Do not worry. I recognize the power you have, and I will make sure to bring it back up after some time. Sigh... You were merely unlucky enough to encounter Nian Quan. Otherwise, you would’ve qualified for rank four or even rank three!”

Dou Yue was initially silent, but he was completely moved when he received the jade bottle. After hearing the words of recognition and the promise to be brought back into the inner circle, he broke into tears. ”Chairman, it was my fault for losing and staining the good name of our school and society! I deserve this punishment! Aren’t we supposed to seek truth through combat? I feel like I’ve learned a lot about my own shortcomings through this experience. I... I’ll definitely work hard on cultivating!”

”Well said. Well said indeed.” Yan Chengju smiled and patted him on the back. ”I have a private gathering in a few days. You should come along.”

”Really?”

Yan Chengju nodded when he saw Dou Yue’s look of disbelief. He gave him a few more words of encouragement before they left the room together. I really have to thank Nian Quan for this. Dou Yue’s usually stiff as a log. He would’ve remained arrogant and stubborn if nobody taught him a lesson. The Truthseeker Society does provide lots of good resources, but I won’t be the chairman forever. I have to start recruiting the talented ones in it to my side while I still can.

He just so happened to walk past Third Middle School’s resting rooms. Taking a look at Nian Quan’s, he smiled. He’s also quite the talented one. It’s a shame that he’s in my way. If he’s smart enough to forfeit, I might still be able to extend a friendly invitation to him. Poor kids like him should be easy to recruit. I’ll have Yu Guan injure him badly and offer him generous treatment. I should be able to adopt him if I offer a nice sum of money too.