"Mr. Zhao, I came here just to ask for a favor."

Um, what else do you want to ask for? Zhao Rong's mouth twitched, "Well, what is it? Please tell me."

Zhou Dufu looked at Zhao Rong, "About this Fengshan ceremony."

Zhao Rong was slightly surprised, because he didn't expect him to get straight to the point and speak so bluntly. It was broad daylight, everyone was here, and it was only a hundred miles away from Hanjing. Everyone was also slightly stunned.

In this environment, shouldn't this be hinted at after the gift is given?

Well, this is also the effect Zhao Rong wants... If the forces that send gifts do not specify clearly, but only hint at it, then he will pretend not to understand and drag it out.

But don't panic, it is also within this young master's expectations... Zhao Rong nodded slightly under the old man's gaze. At the same time, he turned his head as if nothing had happened, and used his eyes to comfort students like Gu Yiwu who had the same puzzled look.

Zhou Dufu said directly without losing his tone:

"I hope that Master Zhao and all the other masters can abide by their duties and obey the will of heaven. For the Fengshan Ceremony, just do your best during the ceremony. As for the result, don't do anything to help or add icing on the cake. I beg Master Zhao to... be fair and just!"

The wealthy old man stood straight with a strong voice, and his words resounded in the open-air tavern. "So, I will not hinder the Fengshan ceremony."

The whole audience was silent.

Gu Yiwu and the students couldn't help but look at Zhao Rong again... Can you ask us to be fair and just when sending off the gifts? Well, Ziyu, was this strange request also within your expectations?

Zhao Rong ignored them at this time, but looked at Zhou Dufu quietly for a while, raised the wine glass in his hand to drink, thought about it, and put the glass down again.

He nodded slowly and said nothing.

He slowly picked up the wine jug beside him and filled Zhou Dufu's glass with his own hands.

Putting down the wine jug, Zhao Rong stood up, turned around and left the open-air tavern to lead the dragon colt.

Zhao Qian'er, Su Qingdai, Gu Yiwu and other students stood up and followed immediately.

Everyone exchanged glances, followed Zhao Rong without saying a word, mounted their horses, and rode away.

The figures of Zhao Rong and others disappeared on the official road.

Only a warrior drinking alone and an old horse eating grass by the roadside were left...

"Tzuyu, are we leaving now?"

"How about we stay for dinner?"

“…”

"Let's go to Hanjing. We don't have much time left on this trip to Dali. Let's quickly hold the Fengshan ceremony and return to the academy as soon as possible. This place... is really not suitable for staying for long."

"Okay, I'll listen to you, Tzuyu! Wait, Tzuyu, what is that little blue book you just accepted? Could it be some secret manual of peerless martial arts?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? This is serious stuff for serious people."

"How serious is it?"

"A diary. A diary written by a warrior."

Gu Yiwu, everyone: ...

It's simply irrefutable.

…

Half a quarter of an hour later, Zhao Rong and his party met a group of Dali officials who had been waiting for a long time on the official road more than ten miles away from Hanjing.

Among them was a plump and beautiful woman, Xuecan, who was quite familiar to Zhao Rong and his friends.

She bowed with some officials from the Ministry of Rites and said:

"Mr. Zhao, gentlemen, the young emperor and Empress Dowager Dugu have learned that you have arrived today, and have held a grand welcoming ceremony for you outside Hanjing. They are ten miles away. Gentlemen, please change into formal attire..."

Zhao Rong squinted his eyes and looked ahead, where he could vaguely hear the sound of gongs and drums and the sound of horse hooves. He nodded slightly and said, "Thank you."

Soon, Zhao Rong, Gu Yiwu and others changed into Confucian formal clothes, dressed neatly, and rode away on horseback.

…

A crisp autumn morning.

Duyou City and the Four Prefectures of Taiqing.

A brand new ancient platform was built on a cliff peak in the center.

The reason why it is new is that it is renovated every month.

At this time, on Qingyun Terrace, which is the permanent venue for high-level competitions in Taiqing Prefecture, not even a trace of the mountain breeze could get in, and the atmosphere was extremely quiet.

However, on the brand new platform about one mile in radius, there were hundreds of figures in white standing there.

Some are dressed in white and hold a sword, looking cold and evil, some are casual and unrestrained with a wine jug hanging from their waists, some are barefoot and alone with empty fists, and some are graceful and elegant with long fluttering hair.

All remained silent.

Most of the students from the four prefectures of Taiqing on the field looked at a graceful figure on a fighting stage with different eyes.

It’s obviously the same white robe with sword patterns from Taiqing Mansion, but it looks different on her.

Not stunning, not pleasing to the eye.

Instead, people are subconsciously attracted to her at first sight, and the more they look at her, the more dazzling she becomes. However, it is impossible to guess what she is thinking. It makes people feel itchy, but they are discouraged by her coldness and dare not get close.

On the Qingyun Platform, there were many fighting platforms with magic arrays engraved on them. The owner of this dazzling tall and graceful figure was standing on the largest fighting platform in the center.

Her pair of narrow and long autumn eyes were like rippling autumn water, and there was a light brown teardrop mole under her left eye. Everyone in Taiqing Mansion knew her.

At this time, many fighting platforms had been severely damaged and needed to be repaired. These fighting platforms were clearly built with special spiritual materials according to the combat power specifications of late Tianzhi realm cultivators, but they had many thrilling scars.

It is hard to believe that what is going on at this moment is a life-and-death battle among all the students in Haoran Realm of the prefecture.

Right now, the Qingyuntai competition, which would determine the allocation of cultivation resources and status in the next few months, was drawing to a close. Almost everyone's eyes were fixed on the unharmed and cold-looking woman.

The remaining few who didn't go to see her were either the students who had already left the stage in defeat, or those who were about to go on stage and were resting with their eyes closed.

In the air above the Qingyun Terrace, there were blue-robed monks who were responsible for recording or judging. They held writing pads or strange-shaped magical instruments, and their sharp eyes observed every move on the stage.

And in the clouds high above Qingyuntai, there were nine blurry and hazy figures, some sitting or standing on the clouds, all looking down at the situation below.

In the vision of everyone in Qingyuntai, the blurry figures of these people can be vaguely seen to be wearing different clothes. Some old students who are familiar with Taiqing Mansion glance up from time to time, and can almost successfully match the figures of these people in the clouds with some big figures in the mansion or Duyou City.

For example, the figure among the nine people in the clouds is the only one sitting behind the desk. He is most likely the Lord of the Mansion.

But at this moment, like most of the students from the four prefectures on the Qingyun Stage, the smiling eyes of the nine big men in the clouds were all fixed on the largest fighting stage, and on the proud daughter of Xiaoyao Prefecture who wanted only her name to be heard throughout the venue.

"clang--!"

"The winner of the seventeenth fight is Concubine Zhao Ling!"

“…”

"clang--!"

"The winner of the eighteenth fight is Concubine Zhao Ling!"

“…”

"clang--!"

"The winner of the nineteenth fight is Concubine Zhao Ling!"

“…”

The hoarse voice of the middle-aged referee in blue shattered the silent atmosphere on the stage again and again.

"This is the last round of the Qingyuntai year-end competition, the A-shaped stage battle. The two combatants, Zhao Lingfei and Ji Qianyi, please get ready. It will start on time in half an incense stick!"

The silent atmosphere on Qingyun Stage eased slightly after the blue-robed referee announced a short break.

But few people's eyes were moved away.

Among the crowd in the audience, some Fusheng couldn't help but whisper.

There was a new student who had just entered Fuyao Mansion. Today, he was greatly enlightened and finally saw with his own eyes the scenes that had been rumored in the past.

"Is this the Senior Sister Zhao you were talking about? Why do I feel like the other senior brothers and sisters are too... too fast?"

"Because they are facing Senior Sister Zhao."

A little junior sister held her head high with pride for the person she had admired for a long time.

"She is still in Haoran Realm, who dares to compete for the first place?"

There were students from the mansion who were also in the Haoran realm. The atmosphere was solemn and they looked at Zhao Lingfei with complicated eyes.

"Hey, do you think Ji Qianyi can beat Zhao Lingfei?"

“It’s difficult, but there is hope.”

"I hope so. Hey, this is simply a monster. Why hasn't Fairy Zhao broken through yet? It's been a year, and she's still staying in the Haoran Realm to suppress us. This monster feels like she's entered the Tianzhi Realm."

"I heard that Concubine Zhao Ling had some serious problems with her cultivation, so she hasn't been able to break through yet."

"You call this a big problem? So far none of us can stand in front of her for more than ten breaths."

"...Or maybe she wanted to stay in the country and accumulate her experience for a better future."

"The sword energy is already so strong, and it is still accumulating strength..."

"Hey, let's wait a little longer. She won't stay in Haoran Realm forever. The first one to be anxious will probably be the Palace Master. When she reaches Tianzhi, those equally evil brothers and sisters will probably be able to suppress her... As for us, forget about it."

"Humph, we haven't even started fighting yet, how do you know Brother Ji can't win?"

The students of Haoran Realm looked at each other in silence.

There were also the old hands Xiaoyao, Taiyi, and students from Kunpeng Mansion's Tianzhijing Mansion. While chatting, they looked at the cold and aloof woman on the stage, with either admiration or fear in their eyes.

"Heh, it looks like Junior Sister Zhao is the winner again among the junior brothers and sisters in Haoran Realm this year. She has been the number one prodigy in Haoran Realm for two consecutive years. The heads of the male junior brothers will be trampled under her feet again."

"Well, I think he wants to fall in love with a beautiful woman. I guess every man would have this thought. But I heard that it's impossible now. It seems that the beautiful woman has already been taken."

"Do I need to 'see' this? You can tell with just a little thought that Junior Sister Zhao has a sword of the first-class sword. Who in this realm can defeat her? Unless a Taoist or a martial artist has a legendary physique, the result will be known without a fight.

"Among the sword cultivators of the Haoran Realm in Xiaoyao Mansion this year, she is the only one with a Grade A sword. This is already the ceiling of combat power. Who the hell can beat her?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, a first-class sword. Normally, our Xiaoyao Mansion would produce a first-class flying sword every four or five generations of students. This is after recruiting talents from the entire continent. It seems to be a great year now. Xiaoyao Mansion actually produces a sword every one or two generations of students. It seems that the great era rumored in the mountain has really come."

"That's right. At present, among all the students in Xiaoyao Mansion, including this Junior Sister Zhao, there are only three first-class swords. I just don't know the specific rank of Junior Sister Zhao's rare first-class sword. Could it be... middle of the first class?"

Somewhere in the audience the air was silent for a moment.

"...It should be... impossible. The two people in Xiaoyao Mansion are only 'lower armor'."

"Wait, the Taiqing Xiaoyao Mansion may have more than three first-class swords. I heard that among the new students who entered the Xiaoyao Mansion, there seems to be another monster with a first-class sword. And... she is a junior sister."

The atmosphere was silent again.

“Who is it!”

"It seems his surname is also Zhao, and his name is... Zhao Qian'er."

Someone said quietly, "Junior Sister Zhao Lingfei has a personal maid who came to the palace to practice with her, and her name is Zhao Qian'er."

“…”

"This... is outrageous." Tian Zhijingfu couldn't help but say.

The powerful men in the clouds seemed to be talking as well, and their admiring glances were cast on the woman with autumn eyes below from time to time.

At this moment, half an incense stick had arrived.

"clang--!"

The whole audience fell silent.

In the admiring and yearning eyes of my fellow junior students.

In the gazes of fellow students that were a mixture of loss, frustration and admiration.

Under the admiring and praiseworthy gazes of the mighty ones in the clouds and the senior brothers and sisters.

At this time, Concubine Zhao Lingfei on the No. 1 fighting stage seemed a little strange. In fact, she had been a little strange from the beginning.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she did not close her eyes to rest or look around, but raised her head and looked up at the rare bright autumn day in the clear sky.

She had a cold and aloof temperament. She squinted her eyes slightly under the sunlight, bit her lips with her white teeth, and was slightly absent-minded.

At this time, the bell rang, Ji Qianyi walked onto the stage solemnly, and then Concubine Zhao Ling slowly straightened her head.

Then, the air in Qingyuntai seemed to freeze for a moment...

After twenty breaths.

"A-shaped stage, the twentieth fight, the winner is... Zhao Lingfei!"

In the clouds, the old figure sitting among the nine people stood up with his sleeves rolled up and said concisely:

"This time, the winner of the annual Qingyun Competition in the palace, Zhao Lingfei, will continue to be the number one genius in Haoran Realm! Reward!"

The voice of the old man with a blurred face was calm, but it was like the sound of a huge bell, resounding through the high platform on the top of the mountain, and even reaching the foot of the mountain with its remaining power. Most people in Taiqing Prefecture could hear it, and they all turned their heads in surprise to look in the direction of Qingyuntai.

At this moment, when the voice of the Lord of Taiqing Mansion had not yet completely faded, amid countless wide-eyed gazes, Concubine Zhao Ling turned around without hesitation, moving lightly with lotus steps.

In the bright autumn sunshine, she did not even look at her defeated general Ji Qianyi who was in a daze and seemed to have lost his soul behind her, nor did she listen to the applause that came like a tsunami in the next second. She just calmly left Qingyuntai.

Concubine Zhao Ling turned her back to the hustle and bustle and walked down the stairs one by one.

On a certain step, she paused slightly, then raised her head, narrowed her eyes, and looked at the bright autumn sun.

"It's warm, but... why haven't you come back yet... Well, I have to go and dry the quilt for my husband."

The corners of Zhao Lingfei's lips curved suddenly, and she nodded gently. She raised her hand to tuck her black hair behind her ears, and she unconsciously jumped for joy with her slender steps, and went down the mountain with some joy...

On the Qingyun Stage, many people had not yet reacted, and at this moment they all turned around to see the tall figure of Concubine Zhao Lingfei walking away.

However, they were no longer surprised by the 'snow lotus' in Xiaoyao Mansion that trampled all the men of the same class underfoot and could only be admired from afar but not touched. They could only watch her go away in silence.

Moreover, Zhao Lingfei, who was coming down the mountain at this time, had her back to them, so they could not see her at all. Her expression was completely different from that of the previous morning.

However, there are still many men who are accustomed to gazing at the beautiful figure of the autumn-eyed beauty. For some reason, they feel inexplicably puzzled and strange. Why do they feel that... her light footsteps just now seemed to... jump?

Like a little girl in a secular school who ran to buy candy as soon as get out of class was over, jumping with her short legs, thinking the steps were too wide, one step was too short, and two steps were too long, so she jumped? Well, it must be because of dazzle...