What is common sense?
Is it the ability to live day to day without anyone's assistance? Or is it the understanding of the implicit knowledge that every person should have and will be using throughout their lives? Some may even argue that it is the cumulation of experiences that we acquire while growing up.
But anyway, that is not the main point. The main point is that Xiaomeng's common sense was being broken down into tiny bits at this very moment. And all of this was happening in real time due to the acts of only one single person.
Looking at the flying projectile coming at her, she quickly ducked and narrowly missed being hit. Raising her head, she looked at the stage like everyone else, where one person was both figuratively and literally suppressing dozens beneath her foot. To understand the situation properly, we have to go to the day's morning.
Lan Xue was being helped by Xiaomeng to refine her pills. Xiaomeng gave the proper ingredients to her Senior Sister at proper intervals, without needing any instructions. In no time at all, they had already refined several batches of alchemy pills. By the end, it was already afternoon.
After properly storing the pills and giving them to the waiting disciple, Xiaomeng and Senior Sister Lan came out of the alchemy room. Lan Xue unsheathed her flying sword and stood on it, followed by Xiaomeng behind her. Soon they were airborne, their direction fixed towards the base of the Main Peak.
"Are you ready, Xiaomeng?" Senior Sister Lan asked in a completely serious voice.
"Well, somewhat," came back a meek reply.
"You don't need to come first, just try to rank as high as possible," Lan Xue advised. Her voice had softened quite a bit after listening to the timid voice of her junior.
Even before reaching their destination, the voices of excitement invaded their ears.
Three months had already passed since the attack on the sect. The paused New Disciple Tournament from that time was completely cancelled. There were no casualties, but the mood in the sect had been low since. So, the Elders came up with a great idea to boost the disciples' morale. Although it was a bit old, its effects were tested and proved.
Xiaomeng observed the fanfare below. The place was the same where her previous tournament had been held, but the stage had been extended to four times its original size. Surrounding it were six large sitting platforms representing the four peaks. Their symbols were etched into large blue flags using yellow ink and placed on flagpoles in front of the stands of their respective peaks.
Senior Sister Lan directed the sword towards their peak's seating and landed in front. The disciples stood up and greeted her with their heads bowed. "No need for formalities."
Hearing her words, the disciples stood up and made way for her. Lan Xue took Xiaomeng and made her way towards the top seats from the stairs beside the platform. Both of them were soon seated in the second row from the top.
Glancing at the last row, Xiaomeng noticed the Elders of her peak whom she had gotten to know over the past months. One female Elder among them even gave her a small wink, making her look straight ahead. On one side, a dedicated platform for the Peak Masters and Sect Master had been built. Xiaomeng looked around, fascinated by how they were able to construct all these grandiose structures in a single day. After she gazed around for a bit, her eyes focused on the platform where the sect's higher-ups were seated.
She saw the familiar Six Elders from the inner disciple selection, all wearing serious expressions and eyeing each other. There was a handsome young man who was laughing while saying something to them, with two small marbles rotating in his hands. And an old man with hair and a beard even longer than the First Elder's, grown down to his legs. He was peacefully savoring his tea.
"That young man is the Sect Master, and the oldest one is the Grand Elder, who recently exited his seclusion," Lan Xue said after observing the confused look on her junior's face. Xiaomeng gave her a faint smile in return.
Then Xiaomeng turned her head and spotted her friends throughout the stands. Lingling was surrounded by a few older Senior Sisters, who were playing with her cheeks. Tieshan was being ignored by those around him. Gu Da and Gu Yichen seemed harmonious, chatting away happily with their seniors. Tian Yao was sitting alone, all the places around her empty. Like that, she observed many others.
Right then, her attention was pulled towards the Third Elder, who had suddenly appeared on the stage below. His face was clearly saying that he didn't want to be there. "Silence!" the Third Elder ordered, and the venue fell completely silent.
"Now I will announce the rules for the Inner Sect Selection Tournament." Everyone perked up their ears to listen. "If any Outer Sect disciple places in the top three, they will be allowed to enter the Inner Sect. If any Outer Sect disciple is able to defeat any Inner Sect disciple, they will also be allowed to enter the Inner Sect."
Soon, a few sneaky glances were thrown towards Xiaomeng, which she completely ignored. She was currently at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement. Just last night she had attempted a breakthrough, but her uncooperative spiritual roots had disrupted her at the end, leading to failure. However, with her experience, she could easily wipe the floor with even those above her realm. If those guys really tried something, they would just get a beating in return.
The Third Elder's voice once again fell on her ears: "The resources from the newly discovered mine will also be distributed based on the results of this competition. So, everyone should give their best. The future of your peak rests in your hands."
Hearing his final message, there was pin-drop silence in the gathering. This was the main reason for the importance of this competition. The resources from a newly discovered mine were not only limited to spirit stones but also included spiritual liquid, which helped during breakthroughs after the Core Formation realm. This silence was only broken by the footsteps of someone walking towards the stage where the Third Elder, who was going to act as an overseer, was standing.
Tian Yao slowly climbed the stairs to the central stage. Reaching the top, she lazily moved her gaze through the stands and then to the Elder's platform.
"Let's not waste too much time," her voice was small but reverberated through the now-silent atmosphere. "Anyone can come, and any number of you can come. Just make it quick. If you can knock me down, you can have my Inner Disciple spot and my peak would withdraw." She openly challenged everyone present.
The First Elder gave his Sect Master a side glance. Lu Wancheng was just smiling at the proceedings. The First Elder then glanced at the Grand Elder, who also didn't seem like he would interfere, given his relaxed demeanor. "Let it continue," he transmitted to the perplexed Third Elder.
For some time, nobody went ahead. However, after a few a dozen breaths' worth of time, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was pushed ahead by his group. He made an awkward expression and made his way to the stage.
Xiaomeng was keenly observing the stage. Seeing the challenger was about to reach the stage, her eyes turned to Tian Yao. And suddenly, Tian Yao disappeared from her sight.
"What?" she muttered, dumbfounded. Her attention then went to the challenger who was supposed to reach the stage. But he was embedded in the wall of the seating platform, and Tian Yao was standing at the edge of the stage where he should have been. Fast! That was the only thought in her mind.
"Next," Tian Yao announced without any emotion in her voice. Half of the gathering didn't even know what had happened, and those who knew were too shocked to make a sound. So, the atmosphere stood completely still.
Soon, another brave soul came forward, but his fate was no different from the previous challenger. In many ways, it was even worse. He didn't even get to place his foot on the steps before Tian Yao appeared before him and punched him out.
Unable to take it anymore, several of the Foundation Establishment Outer Disciples stood up and bowed to the Third Elder. "Elder, this is clearly against the rules. How can the challengers not be allowed to even step on the stage?"
"The rules can be bent for the talented," the Third Elder openly replied, his voice carrying a small amount of spiritual energy which struck the standing disciples, nearly making them faint on the spot. "But Tian Yao, let them climb the stairs."
"They take too much time," Tian Yao gazed at the Third Elder. Not backing out, the Third Elder stared back. Yet, after several breaths, the Elder let out a soft sigh. "Just don't knock everyone out."
Tian Yao nodded at his words. The next moment, she was back on the stage, standing at her original position. "Next," her voice reverberated throughout, shattering the silence.
In this silence, one boy excitedly hurried forward. Of course, it was none other than Zhao Feng, who was searching for some recognition. This time, Tian Yao did not preemptively knock him down and let him take a stand before her.
From the stands, Xiaomeng furrowed her brows. The gateway in her undeveloped sea of consciousness let out faint ripples, but they disappeared just as rapidly. Once again, Xiaomeng was not able to identify the familiarity she felt from the boy on the stage.
"You seem a little stronger," Tian Yao threw out, her expression unreadable.
The smile on Zhao Feng's face broadened after hearing this. For the past three months, he had spent everything just on cultivation, even ignoring his meals on several occasions. Now that he had reached Foundation Establishment, it seemed like it had all been worth it.
"Begin!" The Third Elder's command was given, and before his words fell on the ears of the audience, the fight was already over. Zhao Feng was embedded in the wall of one platform, and Tian Yao's fist was still extended on the stage. "Next."
In time, several Foundation Establishment disciples gathered together and tried to enter the stage together. Yet, even after ganging up, they faced the same treatment as their predecessors. "Weak," was the only word Tian Yao uttered during the whole process. And the whole process only took a few blinks. Is she really in the same realm? This thought echoed in the minds of everyone present. Tian Yao was in Foundation Establishment realm, just like everyone she was throwing out.
On the Elder's seating platform, the First Elder had a broad grin plastered across his face. The other Elders could only curse their bad luck for not competing with him more for that girl.
Lu Wancheng extended his senses into the marbles he was playing with. The voice of the world's will entered his ears. "Yes. Yes. Right there. Just a little more pressure." His eyes twitched upon hearing this, and clutching his hand, he crumbled them to powder.
"Why did you do that? I was enjoying a nice massage," an accusatory tone rang in Lu Wancheng's mind.
"Perhaps, from next time, you should consider what objects to use for possession and not make any weird noises," Lu Wancheng unhesitantly retorted.
The world's will could only bottle up its anger and ask, "So, what did you want with me? If it's about that Xuanwu matter, you know I won't say anything for now."
"No, not that," Lu Wancheng looked at the girl in the blue dress standing at the central stage. "Are you sure she is not one of yours?"
"Definitely!" the world's will shouted, and Lu Wancheng had to slightly shake his head due to the ringing. Seeing him like that, the Elders listened attentively, thinking that he wanted to say something. But no extra instructions came for some time, so with confused looks, they focused their attention back on Tian Yao.
"Her karma is too big," the world's will continued. "Getting involved without any contingency plan can lead to unimaginable consequences. Just ignore her and stay away from anything she is involved in."
Lu Wancheng didn't say anything further and fixed his gaze on the stage where a sect wide tournament had devolved into a one girl showcase.