The day everyone had been anticipating finally arrived, and excitement hummed in the air of the Snake Tribe. Every cultivator within the tribe was gathered, their eyes fixed on the seat prepared for them, eagerly awaiting the start of the event. It was a day of significance, not only for the tribe but also for their future—everyone was keen to see what would unfold.
The elders, seated in their designated positions, were the picture of composure, except for Old Man Hu, who seemed almost entirely lost in his thoughts. Beside him sat his unknown guest, someone whose presence had been whispered about, yet no one knew quite who they were or what role they would play. The mystery surrounding the guest was palpable, and there was an air of expectancy that reverberated through the chamber. Whispers circled, everyone speculating about the identity of the newcomer and what impact they would have.
As the room buzzed with energy, each person sat, tense with anticipation. They all knew the importance of this day, but one thing stood out—Yue Ling was nowhere to be seen. For someone as involved in the upcoming events, her absence was striking. Most expected her to be front and center, ready to face the challenge, yet she remained elusive. The elders exchanged uneasy glances, but they did not say anything aloud. It was as if they had all been waiting for the inevitable moment when she would appear. As the cultivators waited, preparing themselves mentally for the event that would soon unfold, the spiritual bell's resounding chime echoed through the entire cave system. It was an ancient sound, a signal that the time had come. The vibrations reverberated through the air and into the very hearts of those present. It wasn't just a sound—it was a call. A message that all was about to begin.
Old Man Hu, still locked in his own world, didn't move from his position. His companion, Grandfather Yue, stood beside him, his hand resting gently on the table before him. Neither of them had anticipated the urgency of the bell's call, but when it rang, both seemed to be jolted into reality.
"They've arrived," Grandfather Yue said softly, his voice like a soft rumble. He glanced briefly toward the seat where his granddaughter was supposed to be.
Butler San entered hurriedly, his expression filled with concern. "Elder Yue, it seems that Yue Ling is still asleep," he reported. The two old men froze, momentarily stunned. Yue Ling, the very person everyone had been waiting for, was not at the fighting ring where she should have been preparing. She was still asleep?
Grandfather Yue let out a sigh, his face betraying the slightest flicker of amusement mixed with exasperation. "Of course," he muttered. "She must have been thinking too much about her disguise again. That girl has a tendency to lose track of time."
Old Man Hu couldn't suppress his laughter. "Indeed, it's no surprise. The way she spends her nights thinking about her disguise... It's amazing she hasn't exhausted herself by now."
Butler San, meanwhile, looked rather flustered. "But... we need her in the ring now. The bell has rung, and everything is prepared. How can she still be asleep?"Grandfather Yue smiled, his eyes glinting with fondness as he shook his head. "Let me go and wake her up. After all, it wouldn't do for us to leave her behind."With that, Grandfather Yue turned and walked toward her quarters, his every step carrying the weight of his authority and experience. The atmosphere in the room shifted as anticipation rose.
Yue Ling, though, remained completely unaware of the rising tension around her. She had been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she had barely even noticed the time pass. Her mind had been consumed with finding the perfect disguise for the event. She had tried on several outfits, each one more ridiculous than the last. She had planned and schemed, imagining the different reactions she might receive. A mischievous smile had often appeared on her lips as she concocted her plans, enjoying the chaos she would undoubtedly cause.
But the truth was, she hadn't been able to settle on anything. She couldn't decide on the right look. She wanted to confuse everyone, to keep them guessing. It had become a game for her, and now, after hours of contemplation, she had finally reached a conclusion.
Grandfather Yue, still a little puzzled, reached her door and knocked lightly. "Ling'er, it's time to wake up. The bell has sounded."
There was a brief silence, then the door creaked open, revealing Yue Ling, dressed in an outfit that immediately made Grandfather Yue pause in confusion.
She had taken her disguise to a new level of eccentricity. What appeared before him was a child—a seven-year-old at most. But this was no ordinary child. The face was a mixture of both male and female features, almost impossible to distinguish. Her hair was tousled, and the expression on her face was one of pure defiance.
"What is this?" Grandfather Yue asked, his voice tinged with surprise. "What kind of disguise is this?"
Yue Ling stood proudly, her posture that of someone who had just won a great victory. She grinned at him mischievously. "It's a prank, Grandfather! A century's worth of pranks. Let me show everyone what I'm really capable of."
Grandfather Yue blinked in disbelief. He had expected her to be dressed in something that would confuse people, but this was beyond anything he could have imagined.
"You can't be serious," he said, his voice laced with a hint of concern. "You're supposed to be in the fighting ring, not scaring people away with... this." Yue Ling, however, was undeterred. She laughed, twirling around in the disguise with a playful gleam in her eyes. "What's wrong with a little confusion? I've worked hard on this disguise, and I'm not going to change it now. I'll show them all what I can do."
Butler San and Old Man Hu had entered the room by now, their laughter filling the space as they took in the sight of Yue Ling. Old Man Hu nearly doubled over in laughter, clutching his stomach.
"What in the world are you wearing?" he asked between chuckles. "This is the creepiest disguise I've ever seen! Your voice... it's like you've summoned a ghost."
Yue Ling raised an eyebrow at him. "It's perfect! People will be so confused they won't know what to do. By the time I start winning, they'll have no choice but to accept it."
Grandfather Yue sighed. "If you insist. But this will not go the way you think."
"Let them try to guess what I'm doing," Yue Ling replied with a confident wink. "Let the games begin."
With that, she stepped out of her quarters and headed toward the fighting ring, still humming to herself. Grandfather Yue, Butler San, and Old Man Hu trailed behind her, still chuckling at the absurdity of it all. It seemed like they had no choice but to play along.
Those who have been staying in the arena, not even grandfather Yue or oldman Hu could have predicted what was about to unfold.