Zhao Gongming tilted his head in confusion. But when he saw Chu Yuan’s gaze indicate the crowd of spectators outside, he understood and returned the greeting: “To be honest, Brother Yuan, this was lent to me by my master for training and self-defense. After the trials, I’ll have to return it!”
His voice was loud, implying that he had a powerful master backing him. Moreover, the artifact was borrowed, not his own. If any evil cultivator dared to kill him for it, the original owner—Zhao Gongming’s “master”—would surely sense it. The thought of being hunted by an unknown-strength expert was a bitter pill to swallow.
At that, the small group of ill-intentioned spectators who had harbored thoughts of plunder quickly abandoned their plans.
Of course, some rogue cultivators who had lost to Zhao Gongming on the arena raised doubts:
“Isn’t this unfair? The artifact isn’t even his own? He borrowed it? Next time, I’ll go borrow one and come back to compete!”
“And wasn’t this competition supposed to be for rogue cultivators? He has a master—how is he a rogue cultivator?”
“Exactly! This is unfair!!!”
Facing the criticism, the goat-bearded judge was embarrassed. However, as a time-honored competition, there were contingency plans for any situation. So he quickly made a statement: “Ahem! Everyone, calm down. The competition rules have always only restricted cultivators to the Tongming Realm, not belonging to any city faction, and forbidding lethal force. Aside from that, there are no restrictions. In theory, Cultivator Zhao has not violated any rules.”
Seeing the official stance protect Zhao Gongming, the participants grew even more agitated: “Unfair! This is unfair!!!”
In the private room, Chu Yunlan saw this as an opportunity to befriend Zhao Gongming and immediately spoke up: “Everyone has their own fortune. Since the judge has said it’s compliant, your doubts suggest a lack of confidence in your own strength. Or can you only win by exploiting loopholes? Besides, this competition is about meeting friends through martial arts. Cultivator Zhao didn’t use any powerful artifacts for the first twenty or thirty matches—his strength is plain for all to see.”
Hearing this, the critics below looked up at the figure in the high building and frowned: “Who are you? Is this the place for you to talk???”
Chu Yunlan smiled and cupped his hands: “I am but a humble Chu Yunlan of the Taixu Sacred Domain. May I ask your honorable names?”
Ah… That silenced the critics. In the present [Realm of True Emotions], there was a saying: “East Xuanyuan, West Yunlan.” The name “Chu Yunlan of the Taixu Sacred Domain” was well known to anyone who had traveled the martial world. With such a figure backing him, few dared to voice further objections.
Seeing this, Zhao Gongming naturally cupped his hands in gratitude to Chu Yunlan.
And Chu Yuan also made sure to play his part, chiming in: “Young Master Yunlan is right. As someone who has fought Brother Zhao, I think it doesn’t matter whether the artifact is his or not. Anyone who disagrees can come up and challenge me. I’ll be the one on the arena from now on!”
This taunt drew everyone’s attention back to the handsome cultivator standing on the Wind and Fire Wheels, the Chaos Ribbon wrapped around his hand. The rogue cultivators had already seen his strength, and they glanced at each other, hesitating. If Zhao Gongming, when already exhausted, could barely fight with the Ocean-Calming Divine Pearl, then this freshly arrived cultivator was clearly in top form. Whether they could defeat him was a huge question mark. At the very least, the first one to step up would be a sacrificial lamb.
As for Chu Yuan, seeing no more protests from below, he ignored them. Turning around, he patted Zhao Gongming’s shoulder: “Brother Zhao, you go down! I told you before the match: forty-nine needs one to be complete, and I’m that one to help you!”
Hearing this, Zhao Gongming recalled Chu Yuan’s earlier words and felt a surge of emotion: ‘Heaven uses forty-nine, leaving one unchanged to generate all things. I won forty-nine matches, but I had to lose this one to gain life. To win by losing, to advance by retreating, to seek wholeness from incompleteness!!!’
Contemplating this, Zhao Gongming gained new insight into the Dao, and his tone became even more respectful: “Senior, great kindness requires no words. Thank you for the lesson!”
He put away the string of pearls, cupped his hands in all directions, and turned to leave the arena. His back was a bit unsteady, clearly exhausted, but he kept his spine straight.
Up in the high building, Chu Yunlan’s gaze shifted between Zhao Gongming and Zhi Shengyuan. ‘Interesting! This competition is even more exciting than I imagined!’
Chu Yunlan’s smile grew. Before coming, he had only intended to recruit a few capable fighters. But now he had discovered two talents—a rogue cultivator with the Ocean-Calming Divine Pearl who had won forty-nine straight, and another holding two artifacts no less powerful. Such potential stocks, if nurtured by him, would become two great generals! Even if he only befriended them, it would be a valuable connection for him later.
Liu Biqin had returned at some point and reported through sound transmission: [Young Master. [I have investigated thoroughly. Zhao Gongming is from Qingshi Town outside Chentang Guan.] [His family has been farmers for generations; he is the son of the local landlord.] [Besides him, he has three younger sisters: Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao.]]
Listening, Chu Yunlan happened to see below—Zhao Gongming did not leave immediately but instead met up with three fairies on the spectator stands who had similar features. Seeing this, Chu Yunlan frowned slightly: “What about his master? Have you found anything?”
Liu Biqin shook her head: “Nothing has been heard. It’s just that this time, they left home to participate in the [God Hunt]. After the [God Hunt], they have to go to the capital for the imperial exams.”
Chu Yunlan grew more puzzled: “Imperial exam? I recall this Immortal Dynasty reveres women?”
Liu Biqin replied: “It’s related to the academy reform by the successor of the Immortal Dynasty. Now even men have opportunities to take exams.”
Chu Yunlan became even more confused: “This… is a bit different from what he said earlier! Is this ‘master’ of his real or fake?”
Seeing her young master’s confusion, Liu Biqin reported: “Young Master, I don’t know if Zhao Gongming has a master. But there is one piece of information worth examining closely. I heard that before entering the city, the Zhao family of four was saved by a man in a black robe. Afterward, it seems he gave them many good things.”
Chu Yunlan was curious: “Where did you get this information?”
Liu Biqin lowered her head: “After they parted from the black-robed man, they happened to encounter the imperial carriage of the successor. The successor was curious about the black-robed man and questioned them, but the siblings didn’t know anything. In the end, they were arranged accommodation by the city lord’s soldiers. I found it suspicious when the innkeeper mentioned it, and I traced it back.”
Chu Yunlan’s brows furrowed: A black-robed man? Lending treasures to a group of unknown rogue cultivators? It seems the background of this Zhao family of four is rather complicated… I need to investigate thoroughly before making any plans.
Thinking, he spoke softly: “Alright, got it. After the competition today, invite both the Zhao family of four and that ‘Zhi Shengyuan’ on the arena up to see me. Regardless, based on the strength Zhao Gongming and Zhi Shengyuan have shown, they are all potential stocks. When traveling, one relies on friends. Chu Yunlan feels it is necessary to get to know them further!”
“Yes, Young Master!” Liu Biqin acknowledged and withdrew from the room.
Chu Yunlan picked up his teacup, his gaze returning to Chu Yuan on the arena.
At that moment, Chu Yuan’s provocative taunts had left the rogue cultivators wanting to challenge him but afraid. After waiting a while with no takers, Chu Yuan grew impatient and continued his mockery: “What’s this? Weren’t some of you barking loudly just now? Cat got your tongues? I thought you all were so strong. Turns out you’re just a bunch of dogs that can only yap?”
Hearing this, the spectators in the stands began to join in:
“Yeah, come on! Some of you aren’t chickening out, are you?”
“Weren’t you shouting your mouths off just now?”
“Hurry up! I paid for a ticket!!!”
Urged on by the audience, a few rogue cultivators really couldn’t back down. Soon, someone jumped into the arena: “What’s there to be afraid of! I’m coming!!!”
The judge raised an eyebrow, confirmed the token was correct, and immediately announced: “No time to waste! Today’s fifty-first match begins now!”
Dong! Clang, clang, clang!!!
At his command, Chu Yuan summoned an ordinary long sword from the Black Ring and shot forward on the Wind and Fire Wheels. His terrifying speed startled the rogue cultivator into a panicked defense. In less than nine rounds, Chu Yuan blasted him out of the arena.
“The fifty-first match of the competition ends! Zhi Shengyuan wins!!!!”
Chu Yuan raised an eyebrow, sweeping his gaze across the crowd: “Anyone else?”
Hearing his arrogant tone, another rogue cultivator was provoked into stepping up. This repeated three or four times. Finally, as the judge announced another victory for Chu Yuan, the rogue cultivators below completely lost their nerve.
The reason was simple: on one hand, Chu Yuan was too strong. Even if someone went all out and beat him, they would be injured. This was a round-robin battle. Winning with injuries only made it easier for the next challenger. They might as well save their strength for tomorrow. Besides, it was already afternoon, and the competition was nearly over. If they all gave up, they could spite that good-looking, arrogant guy and prevent him from earning a spot. Two birds with one stone!
Seeing many challengers gradually come to this realization, Chu Yuan wisely stopped taunting. His goal was to protect Zhao Gongming and attract the attention of the fake young master. As for a spot? He could easily get one through the Chu clan’s internal selection. There was no need to fight for it. Chu Yuan had joined the competition mainly to gain combat experience against different types of cultivators.
After waiting a bit and seeing no one step up, Chu Yuan turned to the goat-bearded judge: “Judge, I think that’s enough for today. See you tomorrow!!”
The judge was surprised: “Sir, are you sure? Given your strength, if challengers keep coming, you might surpass Cultivator Zhao!”
Although he had only seen Chu Yuan in a few matches, years of experience told him that this young man’s strength far exceeded that of others at the same cultivation level. There were still one or two hours before the cutoff time. If Chu Yuan fought quickly, he could definitely exceed Zhao Gongming’s forty-nine wins.
In response to the judge’s urging, Chu Yuan simply smiled and stored the [Wind and Fire Wheels] and [Chaos Ribbon] back into the Black Ring. The implication was obvious.
Seeing this, the goat-bearded judge sighed heavily: “Very well! Since there are no more challengers, the first day’s winner is Zhao Gongming! He earns the qualification to enter the Mist Hidden Swamp!”
Some below were unwilling, but ultimately no one stepped up. There was no helping it—this kid named “Zhi Shengyuan” was too strong! They could only hope someone stronger would appear tomorrow.
Facing all kinds of stares, Chu Yuan walked off the arena with his hands behind his back. He strolled calmly, like a tourist on an outing.
Zhao Gongming on the spectator stands breathed a heavy sigh of relief, and the Three Sisters of Xiao were happy for him.
Yunxiao congratulated him: “Brother, congratulations!”
Zhao Gongming smiled: “Heh! This is just the beginning! We still have four days left. Next, it’s your turn!”
The three sisters nodded firmly. Their goal as siblings was to team up and head to the secret [Underground Palace] in [Mist Hidden Swamp]. Seeing his sisters’ determination, Zhao Gongming felt a warmth in his heart.
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