“Zhang Zhichen wins, advances!”
On the host platform, Wu Tian announced Yu Qing’s victory before the crowd.
Yu Qing also retrieved the dart engraved with his name. He did not know whether he could carry this dart to the very end of the Chaoyang Assembly.
Of course, he did not want to carry this dart to the very end either. He only needed his ranking to be slightly higher than Long Xingyun’s, otherwise it would be very troublesome.
To be honest, he was now somewhat regretful. He regretted humiliating Long Xingyun to such an extent in the Nether Sea. He could well imagine that any person would seek revenge.
He had not expected Long Xingyun to be so absurd back then, that he could actually move against Jiupo Village, and might even drag Linglong Temple into it.
He had originally thought he could simply hide in Youjiao Port and not come out, that it would be enough to let Long Xingyun be unable to find him. Yet the man was just that absurd.
He could not even hide now. Otherwise, given his current situation, how could he possibly participate in this kind of competition.
Fortunately, Long Xingyun had also given him a chance. As long as he could win against the other party this time, their grievances would be settled.
He dared not guarantee anything else, but he actually had some confidence in Long Xingyun’s temperament. As long as he won, that fool should not go back on his word.
Taking the dart back down from the platform, returning to the group of participants who had drawn lots, he nodded in response to everyone’s congratulations one after another. He did not care about the various criticisms from all around. Let them talk however they wanted. In any case, he was not using his real identity.
The second match also began. It could be considered the final match of the Dingyin District.
It was much more interesting than the first match. They fought with great vigour, nearly to the point of risking their lives. To compete for the last advancing spot, no one was willing to yield easily.
Though the fighting was fierce, Yu Qing could not quite think much of it.
This was because he had seen too many experts since leaving the mountain, and some were of extremely high level, the kind that could casually slap him to death. So at first, he himself had not been very confident. Later, after watching these people make their moves, he slowly relaxed.
As he watched, Yu Qing suddenly felt something was amiss. He subconsciously turned his head, and just happened to meet Xiang Zhen’s gaze, who was diagonally behind him with one person in between.
At first he did not pay it much mind. Later, after turning back several times, he discovered that Xiang Zhen seemed to be staring at him the whole time, which made some doubts arise in his heart.
“It’s over.”
“That’s fatal.”
Just as his mind wandered, a sudden cry of alarm came from the scene. He looked up to see a person with a sword run through their chest, staggering and about to fall. The opponent had also been sent flying, but after landing, rolled over and stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of their mouth with a raised hand, panting heavily as they stared at the other party.
The person who had been stabbed was full of grief and indignation, seemingly still wanting to fight desperately. Yet the opponent dodged away, circling around the arena to evade, not fighting him at all, clearly wearing him down.
In the end, the person who had been stabbed dropped to one knee while swaying, seemingly unable to rise again.
The Kunling Mountain disciples who were ready to provide rescue had already reached the edge of the arena, but the person who had been stabbed seemed unwilling to admit defeat, or perhaps was unwilling to accept it, causing the Kunling Mountain disciples waiting outside to not dare rush in.
Until the person collapsed, several Kunling Mountain disciples hurriedly flashed in to save him.
When Wu Tian announced the last advancing participant, the injured person who had been stabbed had already breathed their last.
Thus, all ten advancing participants of the Dingyin District had been decided. These ten people would participate in the competition of the Ding District, and it also announced the formal end of the Dingyin District’s matches.
After dispersing, Yu Qing also had to prepare to change his lodgings, and would temporarily separate from Nan Zhu and the others.
There was no helping it. Those participating in the Ding District matches had separate concentrated lodgings, just as when they had first arrived and gathered at the Dingyin District.
However, the Dingyin District lodgings would not be cancelled because of this. They would still be provided for the previous participants, and the food and lodging guarantees were the same as before, guaranteed until the end of the Chaoyang Assembly.
The purpose was to make it convenient for those eliminated from the matches to continue watching the following competitions.
Those unwilling to watch could also leave early. Previously, there had indeed been people who left directly after losing a match, perhaps because they had matters to attend to, or perhaps because they were unwilling to accept defeat, or perhaps because they could not be bothered to watch other people’s matches.
Such people were the minority. The majority still did not want to miss this once in twenty years viewing opportunity.
After all, for most people, this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not everyone had the status and position of Yong Zexue and the others to enter easily. Most people only had this one chance to enter by using their identity as a competitor to watch.
Therefore, most cultivators would not easily register to enter the Chaoyang Assembly. It was not worth wasting a once in a lifetime competition opportunity just to watch the assembly.
And as ordinary competitors, they also hoped that the people coming to watch the matches would have higher status and position, because being noticed would mean a better future.
As Yu Qing packed his luggage, a rare guest arrived outside the small building. It was none other than Xiang Zhen, looking for Yu Qing.
“What does he want with me?” Yu Qing wondered.
Nan Zhu, who had come upstairs to inform him, spread his hands. “I don’t know. He wouldn’t say. That person feels a bit strange. I asked him to come in and sit but he wouldn’t, just waiting outside the door for you.”
Yu Qing went downstairs with suspicion. He saw Xiang Zhen at the door and cupped his hands. “Brother Xiang, did you need something?”
Xiang Zhen looked at Nan Zhu and the others who had followed out to watch the excitement, hesitated a moment, and asked, “Can we speak somewhere private?”
Yu Qing was startled, then nodded. “Alright.”
He gestured towards the mountain edge outside. The two walked over together. The others naturally knew to stop.
The two stood at the mountain edge. Yu Qing asked again, “What instructions does Brother Xiang have?”
Who would have thought Xiang Zhen would ask him in return, “Was it sword intent?”
Yu Qing was somewhat baffled. “What sword intent?”
Xiang Zhen swished and drew his sword, startling him. He quickly retreated two steps and took a defensive posture. Was he here to fight?
Xiang Zhen drew his sword, swung out a strike, then sheathed it. Then he drew his sword again and swung out a strike at the empty air.
What was this about? Nan Zhu, Mu Aotie, and Baili Xin at the small building entrance also could not understand, looking at each other in confusion.
In the other two small buildings, Ke Ran and the others, Chan Shaoting and the others, also successively poked their heads out to look this way. They likewise could not understand what it meant.
Previously, everyone had admired Xiang Zhen’s strength and wanted to associate with him. Yet upon contact, they discovered this person was somewhat unapproachable, of a solitary nature, unwilling to deal with people. They had all received a cold shoulder, so at this moment no one drew near.
After repeatedly drawing his sword several times, Xiang Zhen asked again, “Did that sword of yours previously contain sword intent?”
Only then did Yu Qing suddenly realise. So he was imitating that sword strike of his before. He could not help laughing. “Brother Xiang, you think too highly of me. How could I possibly comprehend something like sword intent? That sort of thing, for us, exists only in legend. Even most cultivators of the Upper Xuan Realm might not necessarily be able to comprehend it. How could someone of our cultivation realm touch upon it?”
Xiang Zhen immediately fell into a state of confusion, lowering his head and pondering hard, muttering to himself, “But I seemed to sense that your sword strike had a different true meaning, as if something unusual existed.”
Yu Qing said cheerfully, “You are overthinking it.”
Xiang Zhen raised his head and stared at him very seriously. “You are not lying to me?”
“…” Yu Qing was at a loss for words. He had not interacted with the other party before. He felt that normally the person looked quite normal, and his strength was not weak. Now why did he feel like a fool? He said helplessly, “Brother Xiang, I truly don’t know what you are thinking. Do I have any reason to lie to you? How could my current cultivation comprehend sword intent?”
He really found it somewhat laughable and exasperating. He had only heard the term “sword intent.” As for what kind of thing “sword intent” actually was, he truly knew nothing at all. He only knew it was an advanced thing that sword users could comprehend upon reaching a certain realm.
That kind of realm, he did not even dare to think about. How could he possibly comprehend it? He had never comprehended it either.
He had merely cultivated some rather unique sword techniques according to the guidance of the “Fengchen Sword Manual.” He estimated that the fellow before him had been somewhat misled.
However, he had to admit that this fellow might truly be someone with exceptional talent in swordsmanship. Standing so far away, he had actually been able to detect something abnormal in his momentary sword strike.
Hearing him say this, Xiang Zhen did not say anything more. He lowered his head slightly and turned to leave.
Yu Qing was speechless again. What did this mean? Just left like this? Not even a word of farewell, just leaving him there like this?
Before walking down the steps, Xiang Zhen turned back to look at him several times in succession. There was clearly still doubt in his expression.
Nan Zhu and the others quickly walked over afterwards and asked, “What did he want with you?”
Yu Qing: “Inexplicable. He actually came to discuss such a profound thing as ‘sword intent’ with me. How would I understand that?”
“Sword intent?” Nan, Mu, and Baili spoke in unison, all with eyes full of surprise.
“Old Seventh, you were right. This person really is a bit strange.”
Yu Qing scoffed, waved his hand, and could not be bothered anymore, continuing to pack his things.
With just a simple travel bag, he left this place.
He had not expected to separate from Nan Zhu and the others when he came. Encountering Long Xingyun could not be helped.
Someone from the Kunling Mountain side naturally escorted him to a new place. It was not far, still within the Ding District that they could freely roam, just a different mountain.
Stream Valley Cottage, with secluded mountain scenery. Long Xingyun arrived alone after a long journey.
Yin Shanhe, who came out upon hearing the sound, frowned again when he saw it was him. “Didn’t I tell you not to abuse privileges and run around everywhere?”
Long Xingyun said shamelessly, “Uncle Yin, the district matches have ended. The assembly gave advancing participants three days of rest. I came to see you.”
Yin Shanhe puffed on his pipe and said, “Seeing me is fake. Wanting to ask about that Tanhua’s situation is real, right?”
Long Xingyun immediately gave a dry laugh, then asked again, “How were the matches on that dog Tanhua’s side?”
Yin Shanhe: “He also advanced.”
Long Xingyun immediately asked, “How do you think his strength compares to mine?”
Yin Shanhe: “I don’t know.”
Long Xingyun was somewhat dissatisfied. “Uncle Yin, didn’t you say you would help me keep an eye on him? How is it ‘I don’t know’ again?”
Yin Shanhe: “He drew an empty lot again in the third round. From beginning to end he never made a move. Where would I watch for you?”
“Three consecutive empty lots?” Long Xingyun was quite shocked. Seeing the other nod, he immediately stammered somewhat, “How… how could he have such good luck? Could it be cheating?”
Yin Shanhe said very certainly, “No. Being able to cheat in this kind of occasion is also his ability.”
Long Xingyun sighed, “If he could draw empty lots for the first three rounds, the fourth round naturally goes without saying.”
Yin Shanhe: “He took the stage in the fourth round.”
“Huh?” Long Xingyun got a surprise. “Then why did you say he didn’t make a move?”
Yin Shanhe gave him another surprise. “His opponent had been severely injured in a previous match and conceded without exchanging blows.”
Long Xingyun was thoroughly speechless, speechless at that dog Tanhua’s luck.
On the last day of the three days of rest given to advancing participants, the prelude to the matches of the various major districts began again, and a new round of drawing lots commenced.
The rules for drawing lots were exactly the same as before.
Only this time there were more people. The advancing participants from the twelve districts of the Ding District had gathered, totalling one hundred and twenty people. There was no odd number, so there were no empty lots.
It was the same circling around. This time Yu Qing forcibly followed behind Xiao Changdao.
This time, the drawing lots result was finally no longer interfered with. When revealed, both he and Xiao Changdao were “Number Seventeen.” They had finally been matched against each other.