According to Su Quan, the first round was limited to the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Each contestant had a jewelry box-sized mechanism containing a turtle shell, and the first six to retrieve the shell would advance. The twelve contestants exhibited various reactions—some focused on their boxes, others looking up at the platform.
After Su Quan finished, the ceremonial official signaled the start of the competition, flipping the glass hourglass on the platform to begin timing.
The twelve contestants moved quickly. I tried to identify my brother among them, my palms sweating nervously.
Father squinted towards the wooden houses while Mother tugged his sleeve: “Can you see where our son is?”
“Yes, yes! Where is big brother?” My little sister shielded her eyes from the sun, standing on tiptoes to see better.
An Jin discreetly held my hand. “Big brother is in the Geng-number house.”
Everyone understood, four pairs of eyes fixed on the Geng-numbered house.
Big brother, a disciple personally trained by the Tang Sect’s master, was incredibly diligent. He moved calmly and precisely, effortlessly unlocking the wooden box and retrieving the turtle shell. Only three contestants had opened their boxes at that point, and he was the fourth.
The bronze gong at the Geng-numbered house rang, and we collectively exhaled in relief.
“Big brother is awesome!” My little sister clapped excitedly, hugging mother. An Jin and I exchanged smiles.
The top six contestants were quickly confirmed, with the other six eliminated.
I was startled to see Ding Hao, but after careful examination by two judges, they announced that he had violated the rules during the decryption process by using a knife to damage the box, making his attempt invalid.
Ding Hao left dejected. At that moment, a gong sounded, signaling the arrival of Geng Hao, my elder brother.
I realized my back was covered in cold sweat. An Jin sighed in relief, patting my hand: “Big brother won again.”
Little sister collapsed into her chair, murmuring: “That was too nerve-wracking…”
Mother, full of confidence, asserted: “Don’t worry, I know my son! He will definitely win.”
The final three practitioners entered the final round: my elder brother, Geng Hao, Yi Hao, and Xin Hao.
