Reader prompts

Who are you? -2

The morning came early and life was starting to stir in the woods. The crickets stopped when the birds started chirping. The sun was up and bright and burning everything in its sight.

The arena was filled with enthusiastic clansmen and general public that came to witness the games. To watch top cultivators compete against each other and show off their skills is not something that anyone wants to miss. 

This year the arena was filled to the brim to watch the demon cultivator in action. Where there was fear there was always a fascination. To watch the famed fallen son of the Yunmeng Jiang clan was not something that anyone wished to miss. 

A loud horn sounded in the distance. Lan Qiren stood up and gave the signal for the clans to enter in the order allotted to them. 

The Qinghe Nie sect was the first one to enter in all dark green robes. Nie Mingjue was the head of the precession followed by Nie Huaisang as the deputy. They all rode brown horses in unison. The green symbolized wisdom and the brown symbolised the earth. They believed that wisdom kept them grounded and humble.

It was followed by the Lanling sect with their glittering golden robes. Everyone had to look away for a minute to adjust to the radiance. The men and women held their head high with pride. The women adorned ruby jewelry which made them look like sirens in the woods. 

Next came the Yungmeng Jiang clan in vibrant indigo robes with their flags held high, displaying the undying lotus. Jiang Cheng rode at the head with Wei Wuxian as the deputy. The vibrancy of their robes clashed with their dark horses making entire arena come alive. 

Everyone waited with batted breath for the Gusu Lan sect to enter. 

As the doors opened, all one could see was white. 

Lan Xichen rode in the front with a gentle smile with Lan Wangji as his deputy. They were all draped in snow-white robes with their forehead ribbons swaying in the wind. For a minute, just for a minute, the entire precession looked as if the gods had descended upon earth. They floated on pristine white horses and held an air of silence. Lan Zhan turned around to find Wei Wuxian right next to Jiang Cheng as the deputy. 

For a minute he forgot to breathe. 

Wei Wuxian had chosen to forgo his usual dark robes for an indigo and magenta combined formal attire. His long hair was tied up in a tight braid taking all the hair away from the face. He could finally see the jawline that he so admired from afar. The blazing sun cast shadows under his cheekbones making him look even more handsome. The haphazard boy was gone! Replacing him with a refined-looking man.

Scared or not, no one could refuse that Wei Ying stole the limelight that morning. Here was a man with strength, skills, and beauty. And no man or woman could help but admire him. 

A thin line of possessiveness sliced through his heart. 

He felt small. 

He had never felt that feeling before. His own mother was not his to love. Since then he had vowed to never get attached to anything or anyone. His brother was the only exception. 

Now Wei Ying.

He fought with that feeling vehemently before losing. 

He had accepted long before the fact that Wei Ying was not his from the beginning and that he will never be his. But accepting a theory and watching that in person are two different things. He schooled his features before turning and looking forward.  

On the high seat sat, Lan Qiren and Jin Guangshan who sat there instead of being in the arena with his men; Elders of all the clans and Jiang Yanli. As there were no more clan leaders from the Yunmeng Jiang clan left, Jiang Yanli was picked to sit on the high seat. This increased morale among his people who had been sad over the loss. 

Her vibrant smile also eased the tense atmosphere in the high table. 

Wei Ying gave a big smile to his sister who returned it in kind. That smile was the only thing that prevented women from swooning all over Wei Ying. Now there was no more barrier. 

Lan Wangji's control started to slip as more time passed. 

Another horn was blown which signaled the start of the parade. The whole morning was spent on the parade with the clan leaders and elders taking turns with giving speeches. Wei Ying had a hard time not falling asleep and Jiang Cheng had to keep nudging him subtly. 

After all, falling off the horse for falling asleep with all the clans watching, was never a great idea. 

After the feast, everyone gathered in the arena again to witness a personal exhibition of skills from Jin Zixuan and Jing Guangyao. This was followed by Nie Minghue who displayed raw strength with his katas and fighting skills. Usually, another cultivator was allowed to challenge him in a test. But no one dared to with Nie Minghue.

Once the applause died down, Jin Guangshan stood up. This was never a good sign. 

"It has been such a great display. Sure. But should it not be more exciting?"

There was a roar of approval from the crowd.

"I propose! That Wei Wuxian of the Yungmeng Jiang clan displays his skills with his sword!"

A deadweight settled at the pit of Wei Ying's stomach. He could not breathe for a moment.

"Also! That the second master Lan challenge him!"

The crowd went wild for that announcement. Lan Wangji had never performed openly at these meets. He was never dared to till now. Lan Xichen showed a worried face before gently encouraging him. The announcement was out there and there was no more turning back. Accepting it with grace was the only option.

Both the fighters locked eyes for a moment. 

Lan Wangji saw the panic in Wei Ying's eyes but did not understand. 'Surely he does not believe that I will willingly hurt him?'

Wei Wuxian abruptly turned away. 

"Wei Ying....you do not have to." Jiang Cheng spoke up.

He suddenly stood up and walked towards the center of the arena and waited for the gong to silence the crowd.

He took a long look around. "I accept the challenge." There was a round of cheers from the people.

"But, I believe the fight should be on equal terms. Hence I will not fight with Suibian. We will both use a regular sword for this exhibition fight. Does my opponent accept?"

Lan Zhan had no options but to nod.

The challenge was issued and accepted.

Now all one had to do was wait.

----------------------To be continued-------------------