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As promised, Wen Zhihao made the banner for Zhou Sheng, and Lin Yijun hung the banner from his personal seating box. Single senior cultivators were all forcefully fed this dog food.

And as agreed, Zhou Sheng threatened spoke to the demonic cultivators whose pets had escaped and permanently joined Wen Zhihao’s entourage. Those demonic cultivators never bothered Wen Zhihao again.

The days of the tournament continued.

The tournament was single-elimination, so as Sun Fuyu continued to win, he was more and more likely to have two matches a day instead of just one. At least the organisers were humane enough to leave enough time for a nap between matches. Every day, Wen Zhihao made sure that Sun Fuyu had enough healing potions and food and rest.

At the end of each day, Sun Fuyu curled up in Wen Zhihao’s arms in bed, their nightly dual cultivation literally as easy as breathing.

Sleeping with Wen-ge never failed to restore Sun Fuyu to full strength, ready to once again show all the others gathered here that Sun Fuyu had the strength to protect Wen-ge.

 

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A week into the tournament—half way—Wen Zhihao took Old Tang and the staff back to the Golden Sun Sect and brought Aunty Liu Jing and the staff over to the tournament stadium. Wen Zhihao also took the opportunity to pick up the kids’ homework along the way.

Even though Liu Jing had worked at the Golden Sun Sect for a long time, and so was no stranger to opulence, she was still surprised by the sheer scale of the tournament and surrounding flower fields: the clusters of houses and tents and flying ships made it like a big, condensed town.

Wen Zhihao took the flying cart down to a set of houses with a courtyard. Liu Jing’s lips twitched when she saw all the animals around Wen Zhihao’s portable house.

“Xiao Wen, the number of spiritual beasts has increased, hasn’t it?” she said suspiciously.

Wen Zhihao looked over the carpet of fluffy animals. “Have they?” He frowned as he landed the flying cart. “Ah! That red panda wasn’t here before…”

The red panda was currently being a curious big baby, patting the big bear, and then climbing over the larger cats, all of whom were very patient.

“Ah, Disciple Wen!” A white-and-blue robed cultivator hurried over. He pressed his hands together in a pleading motion. “Politely asking Disciple Wen if my demonic red panda can stay in the company of the other animals? She wants to play with the others, and I need to quickly attend my match…”

“En, that is no problem ba,” Wen Zhihao said. There was no rejection between the cats and the red panda, and it wasn’t as though Wen Zhihao had to personally watch over the red panda.

The white-and-blue robed cultivator smiled in relief. “Many thanks!” With a farewell to his beloved red panda, he alighted his sword and rushed to the tournament stadium.

Liu Jing cleared her throat. “It’s not just the red panda. There are...hm, at least four more big cats.”

Wen Zhihao rubbed his chin. “Aunty Liu can count them so quickly? But that explains why their food consumption has increased.”

—Luckily Wen Zhihao had more than enough spiritual stones to feed them all.

“Aunties, Uncles, come in this way, I’ll show you your rooms. Xiao Yu has a match later in the afternoon, I’ll show you…”

Sun Fuyu, just like the children, brightened when they saw Wen Zhihao and Liu Jing and the others.

“Grandma!” Many little milky voices called out.

“Grandma missed you too,” Liu Jing said warmly, hugging each child, and even the older children who were a bit embarrassed. She turned to Sun Fuyu...and gave him a hug too. “You must look after your health, Xiao Fuyu,” she instructed. “And I heard you’ve won all your matches so far. Xiao Fuyu is so powerful, ba. Mum is proud of you.”

Sun Fuyu flushed. “Mn. Will you watch my next match?”

“Of course.”

Sun Fuyu smiled softly. “We can visit the marketplace after.” His voice became as small as a mosquito. “...Mum hasn’t seen it yet.”

Liu Jing smiled, her heart overflowing with love. She gave Sun Fuyu another hug before reluctantly letting go. “Now, have you had lunch? You need a lot of energy for your match later, lucky I bought some food…”

 

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Sun Fuyu’s match time soon arrived. After everyone wished Sun Fuyu all the best, Sun Fuyu headed to the participants’ waiting area while the rest of them climbed up to their usual seats.

Because Old Tang had told her about the banners, Liu Jing wasn’t too surprised when she came to the stadium.

But one of the kitchen staff was dumbfounded “I never knew serious cultivators could be...so…”

Aiya, just look at those banners! They were so bright, it looked more like a marketplace during festival time.

“It truly makes you realise, ba,” another staff member said with a deep and wise tone.

Ruan Lanxi tugged at Liu Jing’s clothes. “Uncle Wen made the banners first! Everyone else copied,” she said proudly.

“Yes, your Uncle Wen has many interesting ideas,” Liu Jing responded drily, patting Ruan Lanxi on the head.

The referee at Stage 5 announced Sun Fuyu’s name and his opponent’s names, and their match began.

Liu Jing watched Xiao Fuyu fight for the first time. Her heart was tight as Sun Fuyu had to dodge all the magical treasures being activated by his opponent. She was amazed at how powerful Sun Fuyu was, how he skilfully wielded his sword.

And she smiled widely when Sun Fuyu won. That was her son! And he had grown so much, from the shy child who followed behind Wen Zhihao, to the confident young man who stood proudly on the stage as she and many others clapped for his victory.

 

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While the humans were out, the demonic cat (tiger) flicked his tail back and forth as it rested on the rooftop.

Even if Sleepy Human was out, his aura still pervaded the houses. He also generously left food out for them in a box with cooling talismans stuck on it. Sleepy Human even left a stack of butterfly talismans!

The tiger had eaten and was now sleepy, but unfortunately, he had work to do.

From his view from the rooftop, he could see the other beasts sprawled out on the flowers, including the newcomers.

“Roar!” As newcomers, do you understand the rules?

The red panda quickly nodded her head. She was rewarded with a pat from the big bear.

- I’m only visiting— A large black cat said coolly.

- You’re benefiting from Sleepy Human, you follow the rules! Another cat batted the previous cat on the head.

- Grr! I get it!

The demonic tiger sighed in his heart. Since the red panda was dropped by, many other humans dropped off their demonic beast companions too. Did they think this was a daycare?? Sponging of Sleepy Human’s superb aura and delicious food??

Taking meant one had to do things in return! That meant playing with the human children, accepting the petting and food from temporary cat-slaves, and protecting Sleepy Human from unscrupulous cultivators!

His ears flicked to the side, hearing the sound of humans approaching. He recognised them—that angry human baby Zhang Wu and some of his friends.

“Roar!” Someone, go and greet the humans!

“Meowwww.” Me, me! I smell food! A furry white cat bounded over eagerly and accurately to the human with food.

The tiger puffed air from his nose. Managing all these beasts was not an easy task, but someone had to do it…

 

 

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Not sure if these chapters are already starting to feel like filler or not hahaha