Ming Ran had more or less gotten used to life as a blind man. The world around him seemed to develop into feeling. He could walk anywhere and not be hindered by obstacles or by misdirection. Cang Yuan had sent him on more than a few errands outside the Twelve Mountains. He dodged rocks and traps set by other disciples. Escaped from overprotective siblings and slowly began to feel the qi of the world around him. Rocks, water, plants, animals, insects, everything had a spark of life. Origin. Cang Mu had found ways to enjoy the blindfold as well, Ming Ran sighed, rubbing his back. His husband was too much of a beast, and an opportunist! After their latest entanglement, as Cang Mu cleaned him up, wiping down and bathing every part of his exhausted body, he stated,
"A tournament is coming up." Ming Ran did his best to turn and look at him. A tournament? "It's a special event that happens once every thousand years. Disciples are lucky to partake in this event. It's called the Thousand Year Tournament." Ming Ran sighed in contentment as he was redressed and allowed to just lay on his lover's body for a time in peace. He listened to the small chuckle rise from his chest right beside his heartbeat. A gentle hand lifted Ming Ran's chin and held it up. "No dozing off yet, listen for a little bit longer, hm?" Ming Ran gave him a look.
Who's fault is it that I'm so sleepy in the first place, you shameless beast? he signed. He could barely lift his hands. Cang Mu chuckled, pulling him closer, in his embrace.
"I never understand why it is your siblings have such a hard time understanding you when everything you think is written so plainly across your face?" he laughed, he patted Ming Ran's head, "Fine. I'll tell you now as a bedtime story, and we can revisit the topic in the morning." Ming Ran sighed in contentment as he was petted by his husband. There was something very calming about the whole thing. "The Thousand Year Tournament is an event that happens once every thousand years and lasts for five days. Cultivators from all over come here to partake in this event, some even take advantage of the difference in age and experience just to wrench the prize away for themselves. Everyone fights in somewhat of a melee, and tried to find several items. There are several thousand beasts in the realm the tournament takes place in, each with some sort of treasure. Everyone fights both contestant and beast alike to obtain all of the treasures. Whoever brings back the most important treasure will be named the champion, and they will receive a chance to have their innate abilities awakened by the Golden Dragon." Ming Ran yawned.
You want to enter? he asked. Cang Mu nodded.
"In order to get ahead, I need to win that prize."
...you'll need to beat my brothers...
"Figured they'd be entering. It's alright though, I have a trump card."
That'll work against all of them? Ming Ran signed sleepily.
"Yup." he kissed his beloved's hand, and made himself comfortable, "How have you been doing with your training?"
Fine... I think I might have an idea on how to get the blindfold off, at least...
"Good. Get on that."
I will. Should get it off in about four months...
"In two."
Ming Ran bit down on his chest in anger. Why two?
"Because that's when the tournament starts."
What a shameless man!
...
Ming Ran sat down for the fifteenth time. Thank goodness for all these boulders! His annoying husband had really been too much! The forest around him rustled and whispered in its secret language. The wind was a little stronger than usual today, Ming Ran listened to the wind wind its way through the trees. The animals rustled in their burrows, the water in the nearby stream found its way down the path its ancestors had chosen for it to travel long ago. Qi filled this area, however, that wasn't important. This area wasn't the one he was looking for. Ming Ran stood and continued forward. Today was the day he removed the blindfold.