There was only one way to describe the venue for the Thousand Year Tournament: big. If big was as big as a bug, big would be sufficient. Upon making it to the valley in the very epicenter of the Twelve Mountains, in the middle of the massive trees that had been standing for thousands of years, which add up to millions, which bring these trees to billions of years old, there is a stadium. One would believe, if they were looking at the valley from above, that the stadium would not be- could not be- very big at all. However, they are forgetting that big is as big as a bug, an insect. When Ming Ran walked into the venue, it could house 1,000 people in the stands, with thirteen extra seats for the teachers. This was the part that was a smaller big. The portal that led to the place where the tournament would be held, was as big as the world itself. Cang Mu held out the map and exchanged glances with Ming Ran. There were polar ice caps, hot lands, five desert territories, oceans, rivers, woods, flatlands, continents-- everything that could be in the world they just left could be found in this world that the tournament was held in. This particular area held only Cang Mu and Ming Ran who had secretly entered as a team.
There was only one goal; get the prize. Ming Ran knew that his siblings must never know that he entered the tournament, not until it was too late. The portal would transport all contestants to different parts of the world, hopefully, Ming Ran wouldn't run into them too quickly.
The area they landed in was a grassland, peaceful looking and filled with flowers. Ming Ran went to look for herbs amongst the field.
"Don't take too long. We need to find the first challenge." Cang Mu reminded him.
Which is why we need to be stocked up on herbs and medicine. Ming Ran gave him a look. There were thousands of challenges in this tournament. Contestants needed to collect certain amounts of stars to gain access to demon dens. While there were thousands of challenges, there were only hundreds of demon dens, and they were first come, first served. The amount of stars that were required were not only large, but also would disappear after they unsealed the cave. This contest was about time management, or at least that's how it seemed to Ming Ran. It would be better to get a good base of stars, so even after they got into a demon den, they still had some leftover at the end. It was better than starting from zero. They needed to clear twenty demon dens in order to make it to the finals.
Where should we go first? Ming Ran signed. Cang Mu had barely taken in his surroundings before the ground began to quake beneath their feet. A herd of demons were coming there way.
Cang Mu took out his sword and readied himself. The horde of demons was massive. They all had thick, black fur that covered powerful muscles, six legs, a bull's horns, red eyes and hoves on their hind legs. Scars from previous battles, the smell of decay from former enermies, knives and swords jutting from their bodies like war trophies-- all of these beasts had fought against cultivators before and won. Ming Ran took out his throwing knives, and dipped them in poison. Cang Mu flew forward and delivered the first blow. Raging flames surged from his blade and the first beast was thrown back by the explosive force. He fought quickly and effortlessly, sending demons flying left and right. Ming Ran aimed for the airborne demons and threw the knives, aiming for their weak points. Eyes, neck, belly, ears, mouth. If only the poison could work quick enough, they might have a chance!
"Ming Ran!" Cang Mu yelled his name, just in time for two of the demons to charge him, their maws stretched wide open, ready to tear him limb from limb! Drool flowed from their mouths, a monstrous roar splitting the air. He threw a few seeds into their mouths and watched as they were overrun from the inside out with the spores. Vines quickly split through their fur and more spores burst into the air. Within minutes, twenty beasts had me the same fate.
Cang Mu sighed in relief to see that Ming Ran was unharmed, and began to focus on his battle. He allowed cold yin energy to wrap around his sword and cut into the demon's skin. The ice took hold and spread through their bodies, freezing them to death. The two fought against this horde of beasts for an hours before they finally were able to move on.
"How many stars was that?" Cang Mu asked, looking at the bracelet around his wrist. Each contestant had been given one of these bracelets. It was a blue chord with a single bead entwined on it. The stars they collected from the beasts would be drawn into here and give them the ability to advance further into the competition.
One hundred and thirty-two. Ming Ran sat down on a nearby rock and allowed himself to take a breath. Cang Mu chuckled, and picked him up.
"I'll carry you."
Can't we just take a short break?
"And fall behind the other's? Not a chance!"