Gong Shangyu was currently introducing some specific details regarding the Dharma Assembly in the Imperial Capital of the Jin Kingdom to her Junior Sister, when a hint of nostalgia suddenly surfaced at the corners of her mouth.
“Every time the Jin Kingdom holds the Dharma Assembly, it is the happiest time for the poor people in the city…”
“Because on that day, in order to attract customers and allow their shops to be tainted with the Immortal Qi of Cultivators, the various restaurants will distribute all kinds of food and pastries to Cultivators for free.”
“Most Cultivators have achieved Inedia, so they generally won’t eat the free food provided to them.”
“At the same time, the Cultivators worry that the free food they don’t eat will be sold by the shopkeepers at high prices, causing themselves to be tainted with Materialistic Karma.”
“Therefore, those Cultivators will basically end up distributing those foods for free to the beggars in the city, as well as some of the lonely and helpless poor people.”
“So every time the Dharma Assembly opens, it is like the New Year for the poor commoners in the city.”
“Actually, saying it that way isn’t accurate; it should be said that it is even happier and more joyful than the New Year. After all, there are no Cultivators distributing food in the city during the New Year.”
Gong Shangyu became more and more spirited as she spoke, and by the end, her face was filled with nostalgia.
“Oh… I remember, during the Dharma Assembly back then, what I loved to do most was…”
Gong Shangyu was about to say that during the Dharma Assembly back then, what she loved most was calling together a large group of beggars and running to the side of those Low-level Cultivators who seemed easy to talk to, begging for food.
However, she suddenly noticed that her Master was still beside her, and her current identity was the Shaozhu of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion, no longer that Little Beggar from her Former Life.
She quickly changed her words and spoke to Gu Qingying and Lu Li.
“What I loved to do most at the Dharma Assembly in the past was to distribute food to those poor commoners.”
Hearing this, Lu Li couldn’t help but say with emotion, “I didn’t expect Bai Yu to have such a broad mind.
“Hmm… having power but not using it recklessly, and empathizing with the poor commoners of the world—this is the character and cultivation we Cultivators should possess.”
Hearing this praise from Lu Li, Gong Shangyu’s pretty face immediately flushed red as she spoke, “These… are all because of Master’s good teaching…”
Lu Li couldn’t help but feel a little confused upon hearing this, and he secretly thought it was strange.
Hmm?
I taught her well?
Isn’t this kid Bai Yu a bit too much of a flatterer?
The last time she participated in the Dharma Assembly in the Imperial Capital of the Jin Kingdom, she hadn’t even joined my sect to become my Disciple yet, right?
Although Lu Li thought it was strange in his heart, he didn’t show it on his face.
He only secretly marveled at the prosperity of this Dharma Assembly, reflecting that the Dharma Assembly in reality was indeed more bustling and prosperous than the one in the Game.
Thinking of this, as a Game player, Lu Li immediately took a careful look at the surrounding scenery.
As someone who had been a player in his Former Life, Lu Li was naturally as familiar as could be with this so-called Dharma Assembly in the Imperial Capital of the Jin Kingdom.
Simply put, the so-called Dharma Assembly was a fair competition of a warm-up nature organized by the Cultivators who came to the Kingdom of Jin to participate in the Trial before it began.
The competition items were mostly small games that tested a Cultivator’s control over techniques, such as guessing objects from a distance, snatching treasures while flying, or spirit sword racing.
During the Dharma Assembly, the participating Cultivators were not allowed to attack each other.
If a high-level Cultivator wanted to participate, they needed to suppress their cultivation to the Qi Refining Period level, and then everyone would compete fairly on the Doufa Stage based on their own abilities.
The entire Dharma Assembly lasted for five days.
Each day, a competition would be held on that Doufa Stage in the city that was pure technique and non-combative.
One winner would be selected each day, and then on the evening of the fifth day, all the winners would compete together in one final match.
Since it was a competition, the rewards were naturally very rich.
When Lu Li played the Game in his Former Life, many important items from the early plot could be dropped as rewards for the winners of the Dharma Assembly mini-games.
Of course, although they were called important early-stage items, most of them were just ordinary playthings.
For Lu Li, who had already achieved the Nascent Soul Stage, many of the things in the Dharma Assembly rewards were actually no longer worth his attention.
Furthermore, he currently had to investigate the clues in the Royal City related to that prophetic nightmare while also preparing for the Royal Trial a few days later; he really didn’t have the heart to go and play in some Dharma Assembly.
While Lu Li was feeling emotional in his heart, the sounds of children playing and singing a nursery rhyme suddenly rang out from afar.
“Blood Jade Wheel, hanging in the sky, in dreams everyone is the same.”
“The sun sets, don’t look back, the moon becomes a red silk ball.”
“Blood lanterns, swaying and swinging, lighting the well water like blood soup.”
“On the day of the full moon, do not go out, or the moon will fall on your head.”
Listening to the strange nursery rhyme sung collectively by the children gathered on the street in the distance, Lu Li’s heart shuddered.
He connected it to the collective nightmare related to the Blood Moon that the Jin Emperor, Zhou Ruolin, had mentioned to him last night.
Thinking of this, Lu Li, who had intended to go out and investigate this matter, immediately planned to ask those children clearly where they had heard that nursery rhyme from.
However, just as he was about to move, he noticed the two “burdens” beside him who were following him closely.
Considering the promise he had previously made to the Jin Emperor—stating that he would definitely keep the secret and not let the news leak while investigating the matter in the shadows—and his oath not to even tell his own Disciples.
Lu Li’s face darkened instantly, not knowing what he should do.
Just as Lu Li was secretly anxious, not knowing how to get rid of the two “tag-along” Disciples without causing suspicion so he could investigate that eerie nursery rhyme, Gu Qingying was suddenly completely attracted by the bustling scene near the Doufa Stage in the distance.
She was seen standing on her tiptoes, stretching her neck to look toward the direction where the crowd gathered.
Her Purple Eyes flickered with undisguised novelty and excitement as she tugged on Lu Li’s sleeve, her tone cheerful:
“Master! Look over there! It’s so lively! With so many people gathered, is there something fun happening? Should we go over and take a look?”
What Gu Qingying was pointing at was a temporary shed set up next to the Doufa Stage.
There was a line that wasn’t too long, and a flag with the word “Register” was hanging in front of the shed.
Several Cultivators wearing uniform clothing were busy registering something.
Before Lu Li could speak, Gong Shangyu at the side curled her lip and explained with the tone of someone who had “been there”:
“What is there to see? That’s the registration office. It’s the place for people who want to participate in the Dharma Assembly over the next few days to register. There’s nothing to see, just a bunch of people squeezing together to fill out the register.”
Gong Shangyu naturally felt a lack of interest in this.
After all, her only goal for this outing was to keep a close eye on her Master, Lu Li, to prevent him from encountering any accidents.
However, while the speaker was indifferent, the listener was attentive!
Gong Shangyu’s words “registration office” and “a bunch of people squeezing together” were like a bolt of lightning through the darkness, instantly illuminating Lu Li’s thoughts!
He was just worrying about having no chance to send these two little ones away!
A sharp light flashed in Lu Li’s eyes, and a gentle and “guiding” smile immediately appeared on his face.
He looked at Gu Qingying, whose face was written all over with “I want to go play,” and then glanced at Gong Shangyu, who seemed a bit absent-minded, already having a plan in his heart.
“Oh? Registration office?”
Lu Li pretended to ponder, then as if he had thought of a good idea, he gently patted Gu Qingying’s shoulder, his tone carrying encouragement, “Qingkong, since you are so interested in the Dharma Assembly, how can just watching others compete be as profound as participating yourself?”
He paused, turning his gaze to Gong Shangyu, dragging her in as well:
“Bai Yu, you have broader experience and extraordinary insight. It just so happens that you can take your Shixiong along to see the young talents of this Jin Kingdom Cultivation world. The competition items of this Dharma Assembly focus more on technique control and flexible response, which is of great benefit to solidifying your foundation and tempering your state of mind.”
The more Lu Li spoke, the more he felt this plan was excellent.
It could both rightfully send the two of them away to create space for his solo actions and allow his Disciples to gain practical experience.
It was like killing two birds with one stone!
The smile on his face became increasingly warm as he threw out a chip that was extremely tempting to young people:
“How about this, since it was my suggestion, I can’t let you go for nothing. Qingkong, Bai Yu, you two go and register for the competition together. Regard this assembly as a test of your recent cultivation results.”
Lu Li looked at the obviously moved Gu Qingying and said slowly:
“If you two can achieve a ranking in this Dharma Assembly… I can promise you one small requirement that isn’t too excessive. How about that?”
Lu Li emphasized the words “small requirement” slightly, leaving room for expectation while also setting a boundary to prevent the Disciples from proposing any world-shaking conditions.
Sure enough, as soon as these words were spoken, Gu Qingying’s eyes instantly brightened amazingly!
Grant a request?
Master’s personal promise!
Countless thoughts flashed through Gu Qingying’s mind.
Have Master spend more time practicing with her?
Have Master drive away that eyesore Gong Shangyu?
Or, be a bit more daring…
The huge surprise and motivation instantly overwhelmed her curiosity about other things!
“Is it true, Master? You keep your word?”
Gu Qingying almost jumped as she confirmed, her face overflowing with a flush of excitement and eagerness.
“When has Master ever lied to you?”
Lu Li nodded with a smile, maintaining his image as a reliable Master.
“I’ll go! I’ll go register right now!”
Gu Qingying excitedly accepted.
She turned around and grabbed the wrist of Gong Shangyu, who hadn’t fully reacted yet, and dragged her toward the registration office without a word.
“Go, go, go! Junior Brother! Accompany Shixiong to register! This is Master’s order! It’s also a great opportunity to test our cultivation!”
“Hey! Wait! Gu Qingkong! Let go!”
Gong Shangyu was pulled into a stumble, her pink eyes full of shock and a hint of reluctance.
After all, she thought more than Gu Qingying!
Master didn’t suggest it earlier or later, but coincidentally came up with the sudden idea of letting them participate in the Dharma Assembly now.
This was clearly a plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain!
He wanted to send them away so he could go alone to investigate the matter Zhou Ruolin had entrusted to him!
She didn’t want to participate in that kind of children’s game!
She wanted to follow Master even more, to prevent him from meeting with an accident.
“I’m not going! If you want to go, go yourself!”
Gong Shangyu tried to struggle and shake off Gu Qingying’s hand.
However, at this moment, Gu Qingying was like she had been injected with chicken blood, and her strength was remarkably great.
After all, she couldn’t wait to make a request to her Master.
She didn’t give Gong Shangyu any chance to resist, clutching her wrist tightly while “earnestly” dissuading her.
“Junior Brother! How can you disobey Master’s orders? Master said this is a test of our cultivation! Could it be that you’re afraid? You don’t dare to spar with other Cultivators of the same generation? Or is it… you don’t want to help Shixiong complete the task Master assigned?”
She intentionally raised her voice, causing many people around to look over.
Gong Shangyu’s teeth itched with anger.
This black-hearted Junior Sister knew how to hold her back at critical moments!
But in public, she couldn’t really use Spirit Energy to forcibly break free; that would be even more conspicuous and would violate her “well-behaved disciple” persona.
She glared fiercely at Gu Qingying, then looked at Lu Li, who was smiling without saying a word and was clearly happy to see this result, knowing she was destined to suffer this loss.
“You… Hmph!”
Gong Shangyu let out a dissatisfied cold snort from her nose.
Ultimately, she gave up struggling and allowed Gu Qingying to drag her toward the registration office, only warning viciously via Transmission, “Gu Qingying! You just wait! This isn’t over!”
Gu Qingying was in a great mood right now and didn’t care about Gong Shangyu’s threat at all.
Instead, she returned a triumphant look.
Lu Li watched the two Disciples pulling and shouting as they disappeared into the crowd at the registration office, and he finally let out a long sigh of relief.
“Sigh~ I’ve finally sent these two little ancestors away…”
Immediately after, he didn’t dare to delay.
He instantly restrained his aura, and with a slight movement of his body, he noiselessly merged into the surrounding flow of people like a fish, quickly searching in the direction where that eerie nursery rhyme had come from just now.
The opportunity was rare.
He had to seize the time and find a clue before the Disciples returned from registering!