Chapter 7: The Grand Tournament Within the Sect

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Fang Zhiqi and Liu Zhiyuan found it very strange. Didn’t they usually roast or boil it together before? Why such an unusual behavior today? It seemed there was only one truth! Fang Zhiqi and Liu Zhiyuan exchanged glances and immediately saw the subtle meaning in each other's eyes—this guy might want to hog it all for himself! Keep a close eye on him!

They had grown up playing together; who didn’t know who? Qiu Zhiqing muttered irritably, “Stop overthinking. I plan to raise it to adulthood!”

Fang Zhiqi and Liu Zhiyuan instantly brightened, lowering their voices to say in unison, “Raising it up is good. When it’s fully grown, there’ll be more meat and more to eat!”

Damn, what kind of people are these? Are you Taoists? The Way values life—can you show some compassion? Completely forgetting that Li Mochou, who once called the bunny adorable, had eaten until her mouth was dripping oil... Ignoring these two troublesome fellows, it was best to finish eating quickly and leave...

At the end of the Chen time period, in front of the Chongyang Hall, the plaza was filled with the Seven Disciples of Quanzhen, sitting upright at the entrance of Chongyang Hall. Both sides of the side halls were crowded with disciples and onlookers, noisy and chaotic.

Qiu Zhiqing, holding the panda, stood behind Ma Yu and whispered awkwardly, “Master, please forgive me. I didn’t think it through and allowed them to come in to observe and learn...”

Ma Yu shook his head and said, “The ancient saying goes: The Dao is empty, yet its use is inexhaustible! How could mere humans comprehend it?” Then he ignored Qiu Zhiqing and turned to Qiu Chuji: “Junior brother Qiu, begin!”

Qiu Chuji nodded, lightly tapping his feet, and floated effortlessly to the center of the plaza...

This ethereal entrance, combined with Qiu Chuji’s immortal appearance, almost made some innocent onlookers kneel on the spot!

Qiu Zhiqing paid no attention to the speech given by Qiu Chuji standing in the middle of the plaza—like a principal giving a speech at a sports meet...

Instead, Qiu Zhiqing played with the panda in his arms while pondering Ma Yu’s words. The first part was from the Tao Te Ching, meaning the Dao is everywhere; though its effects are unseen, they are boundless. What did the latter part mean?

Did it mean to organize them? But the leader is you, Master... couldn’t make sense of it! Did it mean I should usurp the position? Nonsense—heresy!

People said Qiu Chuji’s combat ability was average in this world; Qiu Zhiqing agreed. The speech was finished in less than fifteen minutes—his fighting strength not even matching a minor leader!

Back to the main event: the in-school martial arts contest officially began!

Qiu Zhiqing noticed this contest was unlike those on TV. It wasn’t about knocking down an opponent, but about exchanging moves, countering each attack, and stopping at the right moment.

Take the recent swordplay duel for example: the wooden swords weighed about the same as usual; the blades were coated with lime to mark hits, avoiding injury. Three marks meant defeat and the match ended.

Afterwards, both fighters stood still, accepting elder critiques and answering questions about the origins of their moves, their artistic conception, and links to classic school teachings.

This contest was turning into a graduation thesis defense. Qiu Zhiqing had initially wanted to join but decisively abandoned the immature idea. Besides, participation was voluntary, often just to get pointers from senior masters.

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Qiu Zhiqing watched the duel between two disciples with boredom. Both were beginners who had received true teachings but only superficially.

Judging by their duel, both had only learned the first sword style of the Seven Swords of Quanzhen—the Seven-Form Sword Technique! The names alone conveyed the meaning: the first form, "Raise the Sail and Row," and the last, "Vast Waves Across the Sea!"

It described a process from stirring a pool's spring water to waves rising high and fierce. Reversed, it could mean launching an overwhelming attack first, then steadily driving the opponent into exhaustion and surrender.

Mixing wild and gentle moves to keep the opponent defenseless was also possible. In short, the secret lay in the mind’s mastery!

But what were these two doing? They turned the seven-form sword technique into a clumsy, awkward display, like an amateur’s embroidery—extremely uncomfortable to watch. Better to play with the panda...

Sure enough, their clumsy sparring was soon stopped by Qiu Chuji, who likely gave them a stern lecture. Qiu Zhiqing guessed these two disciples wouldn’t escape criticism.

Yet Ma Yu acted faster, saying before Qiu Chuji could speak that the two were earnest and their moves standard but lacked flexibility. They needed to practice internal energy more and were then dismissed.

Qiu Zhiqing inwardly noted the clever excuse: calling rigidity “standard moves,” clumsy sparring “earnest practice,” and shifting the blame to weak internal energy... Were these two geniuses in the making?

Well learned, everyone! No wonder Quanzhen’s power had expanded so rapidly in recent years—such wisdom from the leader was indispensable.

Changchun Zhenren wore a stern face; everyone could tell he was displeased, and no one dared to step forward for a duel for a while. Qiu Chuji had no choice but to signal his own two disciples to step up.

Yin Zhiping and Li Zhichang, who had just been spectators, suddenly found themselves forced to compete. Duty-bound, they stepped out from the crowd, each taking a wooden sword, standing opposite each other.

After saluting, they took their stance, ready to start, both launching the first sword’s first form—"Raise the Sail and Row." The wind at Wulitan was calm, the sail raised, the boat felt light!

The wind was about to stop, the fighters about to move. At this moment, as the sailor rows, the boat surges forward; the swordsman just needs to gently channel internal energy to attack...

These two fought with far more seriousness and skill than the previous pair, exchanging moves fluidly. They held back when needed, restrained their strength at the right moments.

The uninformed crowd cheered excitedly, impressed by such a pleasing and brilliant duel...

Even those who understood only praised the brotherly affection, the mercy shown in every move...

Only Qiu Chuji watched with mounting anger, almost ready to step in and knock down his disobedient disciples! The brothers fought while eyeing their master’s expression, sensing his displeasure. Though unclear why, they knew the performance must stop...

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Yin Zhiping quickly exerted his strength, using the “Slanting Wind and Fine Rain” move to deflect Li Zhichang’s wooden sword. Three sword blossoms broke through Li’s defense. Then, with a direct thrust incorporating “Vast Waves Across the Sea” techniques, he cleverly shoved Li Zhichang flying over ten feet.

Fortunately, it was only a friendly duel; Yin Zhiping used technique and finesse, or else he could have impaled Li Zhichang through.

With the outcome clear, it was time for the Seven Disciples’ commentary... Everyone seemed satisfied with their explanations. When it came to Qiu Chuji’s turn, he unleashed a fierce scolding, followed by detailed critiques...

No doubt, Qiu Chuji was the most skilled fighter among the Seven Disciples. His insight far surpassed Qiu Zhiqing’s, even though Qiu Zhiqing often sparred with Fang Zhiqi and Liu Zhiyuan.

After criticizing Yin Zhiping, Qiu Chuji didn’t let them leave but continued:

“You have lived secluded in the mountains, indifferent to the world, yet you display such laziness! Quanzhen claims to be the foremost orthodox Taoist school, not upheld by a few old monks! The burden will eventually fall on your shoulders. With this skill, how will you descend the mountain to spread the Way? How can the legacy and Taoist spirit endure? If you still harbor such childish thoughts, I advise you now: It’s better to return to secular life. Those meant to farm, farm; those meant to be masters, be masters. Does anyone wish to quit?”

He glanced around; no one spoke. Then he raised his voice again, “I ask once more: Anyone wishing to return to secular life? If done properly, Quanzhen will not obstruct!”

His booming voice startled the snow from the tree branches, the mountain echoes repeatedly probing the disciples’ hearts...

After a moment without reply, Qiu Chuji continued:

“Very well. The path of spreading the Way is long and arduous; the path of cultivation is shrouded in snow and fog! Since no one chooses to quit, I hereby revise the contest rules: From now on, winners stay, losers leave! This is merely an internal school competition; the outside world is far more dangerous. Continue!”

Li Zhichang gave Yin Zhiping a “good luck” look and rejoined the group...

The other Six Disciples wholeheartedly agreed with Qiu Chuji, knowing that among them only Wang Chuyi and Qiu Chuji often ventured outside and had witnessed the dangers of the martial world; naturally, they supported his decision.

One after another, more disciples stepped up to compete, but all were defeated by Yin Zhiping. Fang Zhiqi and Liu Zhiyuan also stepped up at their master’s urging but practically conceded. However, anyone with eyes could see their perfunctory attitude...

In the end, Yin Zhiping was defeated by his lifelong rival Zhao Zhijing, marking the conclusion of the first Quanzhen internal competition...