Chapter 71: The Sudden Arrival of a Genius, Luo Xuan’s Promotion

Regarding Luo Xuan’s assertion that “a clear conscience fears no crooked shadows,” Zhou Yan found it a bit hard to swallow.

He was, in every sense, an undocumented person—a true shadow, leaving no trace whatsoever in this world.

He didn’t know whether Elder Dao Sheng’s status and influence surpassed that of the master of the Lihuo Pavilion in Yi City, but if anyone truly investigated, his secret would almost certainly be exposed.

Of course, Zhou Yan would never let his anxiety show before Luo Xuan; he simply nodded quietly.

Luo Xuan continued, “Based on the usual proceedings of the exchange, the main event is about to begin. During this stage, the contestants are managed directly by the Lihuo Pavilion. You’ll only be brought out when it’s your turn to compete, and we’ll only see you again after your match. Just adapt as the situation demands.”

As soon as she finished, a staff member who had been waiting nearby seized the moment to interrupt their conversation. After bowing to Luo Xuan, he turned to Zhou Yan and said, “Student Zhou Yan, the main event is about to begin. Please follow me to the designated waiting room.”

Zhou Yan said his goodbyes to the two sisters and followed the staff member away.

About five minutes later—

Zhou Yan arrived at the assigned waiting room.

It was a modest, enclosed space, neither large nor small. There was no one else inside, just a sofa and a television screen of regular size.

On the screen was shown a sunken circular arena, surrounded by a low wall. Behind the wall, the seats rose in tiers, much like an ancient coliseum.

Though small, the arena was a circle over twenty meters in diameter—significantly larger than an octagonal cage or a standard boxing ring.

Clearly, this was not a venue for ordinary human contests.

Already, spectators were filing into the stands. Zhou Yan spotted Luo Xuan and Luo Ke among them.

They had been seated beside Cong Shiyun, and were now occasionally conversing with her.

Zhou Yan watched from the sofa, a faint smile on his lips.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and the staff member entered with two others in tow. Both wore white coats akin to doctors’ attire.

“Student Zhou Yan, these are colleagues from our medical division. They’re here to help you recover your physical condition.”

“Oh… alright,” Zhou Yan sat up straight. “Is there anything I need to do?”

“Yes, please stand up,” said the older physician briskly, stepping behind Zhou Yan. As soon as Zhou Yan stood, the man began to press and palpate his body and limbs, asking how each spot felt as he went.

The examination was swift. The physician turned to his young assistant and said, “Excellent physical condition. No muscle strains, no sharp or blunt injuries, all functions normal. He’s just a bit fatigued—give him a comprehensive supplement.”

“Understood.” The assistant immediately produced a familiar black packet of liquid from his bag and handed it to Zhou Yan.

Seeing Zhou Yan take it so naturally, the older man suddenly smiled.

“Looks familiar, doesn’t it? Seems I don’t need to show you how to drink it.” He gave Zhou Yan a meaningful glance. “No need to pretend you haven’t trained before. Someone who’s used that stuff has noticeably denser muscles—I can tell the moment I lay hands on you. Whether that’s against the rules isn’t my concern; it’s not within my purview.”

With that, he turned and left with his assistant, leaving Zhou Yan and the staff member alone.

The two exchanged a look.

“So… are all the medical division bigshots this impatient?”

“Uh, not exactly. It’s just that Dr. Lei has a bit of a temper…”

“I see…”

*

While Zhou Yan made awkward small talk with the staff member in the waiting room—

In the stands, as Cong Shiyun was inquiring about Zhou Yan, a subordinate handed her a sheet of paper.

Luo Xuan glanced at it by chance—it was the upcoming match schedule.

Cong Shiyun took a brief look, then pointed directly at Zhou Yan’s bracket. “Zhou Yan’s first opponent is Li Guanchi? Why was he matched with Zhou Yan?”

The subordinate lowered his head. “Um… That’s how it’s always been. Seeds are matched against slightly weaker opponents…”

Cong Shiyun raised a hand to cut him off. “Enough. You need better judgment. Change it. List Zhou Yan as a seed as well—don’t let him face another seed this early.”

“Understood.” The subordinate withdrew efficiently.

Cong Shiyun smiled and looked at Luo Xuan. “Luo Xuan, you really have a good eye this year. Zhou Yan is easily in the upper echelon.”

Luo Xuan frowned slightly. “Pavilion Master Cong, if I may ask, is this Li Guanchi the same one I know?”

Cong Shiyun paused, then smiled. “Yes.”

Luo Xuan was silent for a few seconds, confirming again, “The Li Guanchi who was taken as a disciple by the Swordmaster Yinghuo?”

“That’s right.” Cong Shiyun smiled. “He’s the Swordmaster’s final disciple, taken in last year. They say his talent in swordsmanship is on par with yours, Luo Xuan.”

Luo Xuan hesitated. “If Li Guanchi has already won the Swordmaster’s favor, why would he come to our modest…”

She left the sentence unfinished, but her meaning was clear.

Cong Shiyun shook her head. “I don’t understand either. But since the Swordmaster arranged it, there’s no need for us to speculate.”

She smiled again, turning to Luo Xuan. “But you, Luo Xuan—Zhou Yan’s talent is extraordinary. You didn’t report him to the Pavilion in advance. Are you still troubled by what happened to your father?”

Luo Xuan’s eyes fluttered and she lowered her head in silence.

After a pause, she finally asked sincerely, “Pavilion Master Cong, then tell me: my father was only at the Miao level. Why was he assigned to such a perilously difficult secret mission?”

Cong Shiyun sighed and looked at her seriously. “Luo Xuan, though I wasn’t close to your father and can’t disclose the details of the mission, I can tell you this much: it was your father who insisted on joining the mission. It wasn’t, as rumors claim, that someone set him up.”

Luo Xuan found it hard to believe. Her cautious, steady father—the same man who, when challenged by Zheng Zhichang, simply defeated him and saw him off courteously—would volunteer for a mission so far beyond his own abilities.

What on earth drove him to do it?

She drew a breath and asked, “Then, Pavilion Master Cong, how can I learn what happened on that mission?”

Cong Shiyun looked at her earnest face and sighed softly. “The first requirement is that your strength must, at minimum, pass the Vermilion Bird Palace’s Miao-level assessment.”

To her surprise, Luo Xuan replied without hesitation, “That is exactly my intention.”

Cong Shiyun looked at her with mild astonishment. “You’re planning to apply for the Miao-level assessment?”

Luo Xuan’s gaze was calm. “Yes. I’ll apply as soon as this exchange concludes.”