The Endless Promise

65. Second Stage

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As the crowd chatted away, and the disciples milled around in groups, a talisman discreetly appeared in Luoyin's hands.

The talisman instantly dissipated into a trail of white light, which rose to the center of the Arena and formed a gigantic image of Duan Xiu.

Gasps erupted around as people began to point.

"What is that?!"

"Isn't that the late Zhang Furen?!"

"She's a restless ghost?!"

"Didn't the Zhang family say she had died peacefully?!"

Duan Xiu had the appearance of the last time Luoyin had seen her, her eyes normal, her long black hair and red robes blowing in the wind.

She looked right at Zhang Furen, whose eyes widened in fear.

"Sister... Why did you kill me?" She asked, her sorrowful voice echoing around the arena. "Why did you harm me and my son?"

The crowd was instantly filled with mutters, but Zhang Furen recovered herself quickly.

"N- Nonsense! Sister, how can you accuse me like this? I loved you so much, and I mourned your death for years!"

"Who is pulling this trick?!" It was one of the two Luoyin had identified- the father from Huofeng Sect. He suddenly shot to his feet and waved a hand, making Duan Xiu's image dissipate. "Who is slandering an innocent woman with these cheap illusions?!"

"I say we find the culprit and eliminate them at once!" His son had risen as well, but...

"Enough." Xu Fengyan quietly thundered. "I have given our esteemed guests enough face in letting them attend a tournament usually hidden from the eyes of outsiders..."

Naturally, the Xu elders had interfered, as these so-called 'guests' had been invited by the Zhang family! But there was a limit to what he would allow, and Sect Leader Xu sent a meaningful glare at the father-and-son pair.

"Surely you do not mean to interfere in my Sect's affairs? Hmm?"

"Ah, no, no." The father bowed, and his son followed.

"Forgive us." They chorused and sat down.

Given recent events, Xu Fengyan was inclined to believe what the Apparition had said... Zhang Furen was fast proving to be the type who did anything to gain power, and once again, he recalled Luoyin's accusations against her...

There was certainly no smoke without fire!

Still, he had his duties as Sect Leader, so he rose to his feet. "Everyone, please desist from drawing conclusions about the Zhang family because of this apparition. It might simply be an illusion, but I and the Sect Elders will look into it."

His words caused light whispers to fly, as people wondered what to believe.

But down below, Luoyin had sown the small seed of doubt he needed for the next phase.

Sect Leader Xu resumed his seat and turned to Elder Zhou, who nodded and rose to the center of the Arena, where the image of Duan Xu had just been.

"Welcome to the Second Stage of the Junior Tournament!" Elder Zhou announced in his usual voice, which slowly raised a cheer from the crowd.

A burst of fireworks went off around him, sending brilliant colourful sparkles around the arena, and there was a wave of thunderous applause.

Even Luoyin found himself grinning at the display, as he followed Xu Min and Xu Wen to the centre of the platform, where the thirty-four proud victors from the 1st round were gathering.