An amplified voice suddenly called out, echoing over the gorge and reaching everyone within a mile.
It was a man's voice, deep and rich:
"All contestants, please step forward to the edge of the barrier with your belongings and entry ticket. You will be quickly examined before the start of the competition, which is estimated to be in ten minutes. Good luck!"
That voice came from the head of the gorge, where the great master of Fan Yao Peak stood. Qiu Yunru knew his name well: Tan Shu. In his rare communications with Fan Yao Peak, he had even gotten a kind letter or two from this man on ingredients. He also also read much about him in the Jade Cloud Sect's Library.
The way the sects were organized around the gorge was in a very particular order. You see, the sects were ranked by their order of joining Baohu Mountain Range. The older sects were thus considered more prestigious, and the youngest sects were most junior. Fan Yao Sect, being the oldest sect of the range, was considered the "Head Sect" of the Nine Sects' Alliance.
Second to the Fan Yao Sect was Jade Clouds Peak. Both long-standing sects, they were the oldest and most senior; thus, their masters were also treated with the utmost respect by all.
Fan Yao Peak had been organized at the head of the gorge, where it split. The Jade Clouds Sect had been placed right next to it. Thus, Qiu Yunru could get a bit of a look at this great master who was doing the announcements.
Tan Shu was tall, with a slight beard, long, straight black hair, and plain grey robes. His eyes glittered with mirth even from a distance, and Qiu Yunru couldn't help but think that he looked like a very kind person. What's more, He Yongliang had gone over to talk with him. As Qiu Yunru watched, He Yongliang talked animatedly to Tan Shu, looking much less like a composed master and more like an excited younger brother recalling exciting events to his elder brother. Tan Shu even reached out to pat He Yongliang's head.
These two really were close--what a casual way for sect leaders to interact! Qiu Yunru quickly looked away, feeling he shouldn't be watching such an intimate interaction.
"Your ticket?" A woman appeared in front of him, clearly a runner for the tournament.
Qiu Yunru fumbled, pulling out his ticket and handing it to her. She took his bag as well, looking over the contents, then returning it with a nod.
"Good," She said. Then she grabbed his hand and stamped it with the symbol of a lily--the mark of the Boahu Mountain Range.
"The barrier will be lowered in five minutes!" Tan Shu boomed from the head of the gorge. "A review of the top three rules: no harm to fellow contestants, intentional or unintentional. Utilize your flare in danger, and officials will collect you within thirty seconds. No demonic cultivation."
Qiu Yunru took a deep breath, rubbing the stamp on his hand. It had already sunken into his skin. The ink was silver, and quite pretty.
"Gege."
Qiu Yunru jumped. It was Li Chenyuan, leaning over and looking at him with a strangely desperate expression. "Ah...what is it?"
Li Chenyuan bit his lip. He looked down, then shook his head. "Be safe."
Qiu Yunru smiled weakly. "I will. Aren't we planning to stick together mostly?"
Li Chenyuan nodded, seeming a little relieved that Qiu Yunru hadn't changed his mind about their previous plans.
"The barrier will lower in three minutes!" Tan Shu called out. Everyone began to check their robes and swords for any last-minute touches. All participants had been properly stamped.
Qiu Yunru ran over the lists of plants he knew existed in the gorge, as though running a film reel in his head: Purple Serum Flowers, Black Lotus Leaves, Thousand Undead Trees, Brittle Bitter Grass...
"Gege."
Qiu Yunru jumped again, feeling a little nauseous with anxiety. It was Li Chenyuan again.
"What?" He said, with a little more bite than he intended to.
Li Chenyuan's face fell, and he looked away. "It's nothing."
"Sorry," Qiu Yunru sighed, rubbing his hands together. "I'm sorry."
Within sixty seconds of the barrier lowering, Li Chenyuan suddenly grabbed Qiu Yunru's wrist with a vise-like grip, tight enough to bruise.
"What are you doing?" Qiu Yunru hissed, trying to tug his hand away. "The tournament is about to start!"
"Gege," Li Chenyuan murmured again, unphased. He stepped closer quickly and muttered something else: "Do you like men?"
"Wh-what?" Qiu Yunru stared at his shidi. His brain felt like it was being microwaved: a bowl of soupy anxiety, nerves, and confusion. Had he really heard this kid right? If he had, why was he asking something like that right now?
"Do you like men?" Li Chenyuan repeated with urgency. "Would you ever take a man as a lover?"
Qiu Yunru paled, then went red. His eyes darted to the barrier. There couldn't be more than twenty seconds until it would be lowered.
"Why are you--What? I don't understand--"
"It's important!" Li Chenyuan insisted. People were beginning to turn their heads. "I have a bad feeling, so please just tell me. Would you?"
Qiu Yunru spluttered. How could such a thing be happening right now? What on earth was wrong with this kid?!?!?! "I--I don't know! Maybe? Ask me later! Or--I don't know!"
"The barrier is being lowered! As soon as you are able, you may enter the Heixi Gorge Arena!"
With a great shimmering, the barrier covering the gorge began to melt away. Qiu Yunru desperately tried to tug his arm out of Li Chenyuan's grip, but his hand was tight enough to mold steel!
"Let go!" He pleaded. "Li-shidi, what's wrong with you...?"
The barrier had lowered itself over halfway now--almost enough to jump down into the gorge or fly over on a sword.
"Gege!" Li Chenyuan cried out. "Do you like me? Would you take me as a lover?"
The disciples nearest to these two all gasped, hid their laughter, or snorted in disgust.
Qiu Yunru's brain short-circuited.
"Bye!" Was all he could manage. With a harsh tug, he ripped his wrist away from Li Chenyuan's hand and hopped on his sword, fleeing into the arena.