Chapter 49: The Four Divisions Enter Yundu City, A Storm is Brewing
Just now, Zhou Fuling only had half an hour to learn, so she could only quickly go through it once and then start looking at the first move again. She had only been looking at it for less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea when Liang Bucheng arrived, so naturally she couldn't learn it properly.
Zhou Fuling always prided herself on her intelligence when it came to practicing martial arts. Unable to bear the disdainful looks from these people, she put in all her effort and studied desperately the whole way.
As the light and shadows dimmed, Zhou Fuling squinted, her vision blurring slightly, when Xu Qingning suddenly reined in his horse.
Before long, the Miao Mountain Master and Xu Qingning returned together. He specially arranged a closed oxcart for Zhou Fuling, and four disciples guarded it together.
Zhou Fuling huddled inside and continued studying the martial arts manual, occasionally practicing with both hands simultaneously. Candles were added to the carriage walls, making the lighting much better. Xu Qingning stood guard outside, holding a wooden sword.
Three hours later, Zhou Fuling took a pill and rested for a while when she suddenly heard the wind howling.
Qinghu Yue said from outside, "We've arrived."
Zhou Fuling poked her head out of the oxcart.
The Cloud Candle Tower stands tall in the distance, behind the layered clouds and towering city, its sacred flame atop the tower shining like the sun, illuminating the Cloud Capital.
We've arrived in Yundu.
The Cloud Candle Tower Grand Competition is about to begin.
...
Yunning and Yundu.
Along the main streets, every ten steps there was a sentry post, and thousands upon thousands of cultivators sat densely on high platforms, pointing to the sky, surrounding the clouds in layers.
They were enforcing martial law and setting up windbreak formations.
Outside the barrier, the wind howled and rain pelted down, but under these layers of protective magic, not a single drop of rain fell to the ground, ensuring that the entire cloud was protected from the wind disaster.
However, even in this oppressive atmosphere, the Great Realm covered Yundu like a dense net, making it impossible for even a single bird to fly out.
The immortals also took to the streets, crowding the sides of the main road.
Why is martial law in place?
"The Yun Ning Grand Competition is the most important event in the Southern Continent, and it will determine the future of Yun Ning. Naturally, such a spell is necessary."
"Are the people from the Fourth Department about to come in?"
"Yes, everyone must pass through this Vermilion Bird Avenue."
"I wonder which of the four divisions is the strongest?... Ah, they're here!"
The sound of the Vermilion Bird flapping its wings pierced the sky, and everyone exclaimed in surprise, looking first toward the Cloud Candle Tower.
The first person they met was Ning Chaoxue from the first part.
She stood atop the Cloud Candle Tower, followed by dozens of grandmasters who looked down.
Some of the traveling cultivators who had just arrived from the Central Continent were unfamiliar with the situation in the Southern Continent, so a Southern Continent immortal accompanying them explained:
"This is Ning Chaoxue from the first division. After her father died, this young master Ning Chaoxue became the deputy head of the first division, and her strength is close to that of a first-rank official."
"As a direct descendant, the resources and connections behind her are undoubtedly the most abundant in this Yun Ning Grand Competition."
"As far as I know, half of the elders in charge of judging this competition are her mother's and father's people."
You Xiu nodded and then asked, "Who else is attending the conference and the competition with her?"
Immortal Citizen: "I don't know. Yun Ning's first division has many experts, probably the 'Two Masters of Yun Yi', Rain Master and Cloud Master..."
"Although these two are above the second rank, they are considered to be of average cultivation level among the cultivators who have participated in the Grand Competition throughout history, and may not be able to win against the second part."
You Xiu nodded, intending to ask, "Are there any other cultivators participating in the competition alongside this Miss Ning Chaoxue?", but was interrupted by the spirited shouts of the immortals:
"Look! The clouds have dispersed! Part Three is here!"
Twelve horns sounded, their mournful calls like those of a giant ship gliding across the waves, shattering the sky. Seventeen Jingwei birds flew across the heavens. These were the guardian beasts of the third part.
Ancient records state that Jingwei "constantly carried wood and stones from the Western Mountains to fill the Eastern Sea."
The third part is set on an island where the large families all started as fishermen and pirates. They have been fighting the sea for many years, and countless relatives and friends have died in shipwrecks. Therefore, the earliest founder of the third part chose "Jingwei" as the emblem and divine beast of the family to show their ambition to suppress the sea and conquer it.
On the main road, the leader was none other than the notorious bandit Liu Wuxing, with Shu Minglian of the Five Small Legions on his right and an elderly and dignified gray-robed cultivator on his left, riding a huge celestial horse, exuding a powerful aura.
Xianmin then introduced, "That man is Liu Wuxing, the deputy head of the Third Division. To his left is his adoptive father, Zhong Buchen, and to his right is Shu Minglian, the leader of the Five Minor Legions."
"This installment is particularly adept at naval warfare. If the fighting were to take place at sea, the third installment would likely be unmatched."
You Xiu stroked his beard and said in a low voice, "However, I heard... that the third part seems to have always been allied with the first part, and will probably cheer for the first part. Is that so?"
The immortal nodded: "That's exactly right."
You Xiu: "Since the two departments have formed a powerful alliance, wouldn't the other departments be in danger?"
The immortal shook his head: "No... Look, the second part is here!"
The place was bustling with noise as numerous cultivators came out onto the street to greet the crowd, their demeanor utterly solemn. Judging by their attire, some wore bright black robes embroidered with gold thread, while others wore insignia befitting high-ranking officials—these were the newly powerful figures of Yun Ning.
Now, the first group of old clans has occupied high positions such as elders for a long time, and the new elites who want to climb the ladder of power cannot, which is very frustrating. Now they have no choice but to join a new clan to seek new opportunities.
What we are doing now is taking a stand.
Looking up at the sky again, a three-legged golden crow soared into the heavens, its sound like the clash of metal and stone, piercing through the clouds.
Its feathers are fiery red, making it the totem and guardian spirit beast of the second part.
Xianmin pointed and said, "This is the second Yun'er tribe, the second largest power in the Southern Continent. It has a marriage alliance with the Zou family of the Central Continent and is quite powerful. Ning Chengshan's deceased husband and her deceased sister's husband both came from the Zou family."
You Xiu muttered, "So many husbands died in this second part."
On the street, Ning Chengshan, Ning Bai, and Ning Hong rode on jade-bridled saddles, their divine beasts being of the highest quality in the entire Immortal Alliance.
But then a sudden change occurred!
An old woman ran to the middle of the road, knelt down, kowtowed, and cried out in anguish:
"In the first part, Tian Zhi killed my whole family. I beg the immortal to give this old woman justice!"
The people who witnessed this scene were all greatly shocked and horrified.
In the second part, Young Master Ning Hong reined in his horse and asked, "What's going on?"
Her subordinates sighed, "She's just a madwoman who, having been wronged and having nowhere to turn, has escaped."
The local immortals were all whispering among themselves, and many knew about the old woman's story, which they were spreading.
The old woman trembled all over.
Ning Hong suddenly and gently lifted the other person's hand, and whispered, "Come with me!"
The old woman was invited by Ning Hong to get into the magnificent car.
Suddenly, the entire Yundu Avenue erupted in cheers, with cultivators shouting, "Yun Er! Yun Er! Yun Er!"
...
At the end of the road, Ning Chaoxue had just descended the tower, preparing to greet Liu Wuxing, Zhong Dashen, and the others, when she heard the commotion on the road and couldn't help but feel angry:
"What are those people yelling about?! I'm going to arrest them all!"
A hand stopped her, the voice steady:
"Miss, you mustn't. Ning Hong invited that old woman herself; if you go, you'll fall into a trap. I've already arranged for someone to go."
Ning Chaoxue was overjoyed and looked at the person in the red robe in front of her with utmost respect: "Yes, teacher."
The person in front of her was a big shot whom Ning Chaoxue had gone to great lengths to invite, and they would be participating in the competition together.
She naturally had to listen to this person.
Ning Chaoxue looked towards the other side of the road and curled her lips into a smile.
...
On the other side of the road, many people were moved when they saw Ning Honghui standing up for the wronged, and they wished they could rush forward and kneel down to plead their case.
However, several monks dressed as commoners in hemp robes had somehow squeezed into the dense crowd.
With a swift grasp, they held those who tried to break free firmly in their hands, and soon they disappeared from sight.
These were the cultivators from the first part. Furthermore, other cultivators whispered like sparrows, "Don't rush! I heard that Young Master Chao Xue is going to grant a general amnesty to the Southern Continent..."
The story was told in great detail and detail, and the crowd, which had been stirring, quieted down, suppressing the surging shouts.
However, among the crowd was another person, He Yin, the daughter of Ning Tingyue and an official of Bingjian Peak.
He Yin lowered the brim of her hat and followed among the immortals, pursing her lips as she looked at the grand scene on the Great Road, her expression tense.
It turned out that she had left Tianji Sect several months ago and arrived in Yun Ning of Nanzhou. She originally wanted to infiltrate the legion to enter Yunzhu Tower and take revenge, but three of the four divisions of Yun Ning were carrying out a purge, and someone like her was exactly the target.
He Yin had finally escaped, but now she could only endure the pain and stand by the roadside watching the four parts enter the tower.
And we don't know how this Yun Ning Grand Competition will proceed.
He Yin had been injured and was in a daze.
At this moment, upon hearing the rumor that Ning Chaoxue, who had a grudge against her, would grant a general amnesty, the people of the immortal realm were increasingly eager for the first part of the story. He Yin felt her blood rush to her head and fainted immediately.
The immortal's voice drowned out hers: "Look—it's the fourth part! The fourth part is here!"
A giant bird flew across the sky, its body as blue as jade, its fur as green as blue, and its patterns as fine as silk. It was the sacred beast worshipped by the fourth department—the Azure Phoenix.
Its sound is like heavenly music, and many people are captivated by it.
Below, Liang Bucheng, along with his disciples Qinghu Yue and others, arrived on horseback, all dressed in blue robes. The horse's trinkets were made primarily of thick cowhide, dyed indigo, and adorned with round glass beads strung together with silver and blue silk threads. The colors were bright and rustic, but far less extravagant than those in the first and second parts.
"This is the fourth part," Xianmin said. "This fourth part of Yun Ning is still far inferior to the other parts."
You Xiu: "What do you mean?"
Immortal: "The Fourth Division is located in the Xike Mountains, which is inherently barren and lacks spiritual resources. Furthermore, Liang Xu, the Vice Minister of the Fourth Division, is ostracized by Yun Du and receives very few spiritual materials and treasures, making the region even poorer. As a result, the Fourth Division has few capable individuals and is becoming increasingly backward."
You Xiu: "Then the fourth part naturally can't win this competition either."
“That’s right.” Xianmin and Youxiu stood together, looking at Liang Bucheng’s surroundings and Qinghu Yue, but couldn’t help but exclaim, “I heard that Liang Bucheng’s eldest disciple passed away unexpectedly and that a new person would take his place. How come he only has his second disciple, Qinghu Yue, by his side now?”
Who is the other cultivator participating in the competition?
Everyone was curious, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks, eager to find out what was going on, but the oxcart behind the two was completely covered by a green curtain: "The oxcart of the Miao Mountain Lord of the Mortal Realm... Could it be that someone is related to the Miao Mountain Lord?"
Beneath the Cloud Candle Pagoda, the gray-robed old man beside Ning Chaoxue coughed heavily:
"Rain Master, go and find out the background of the second person brought by the fourth part."
...
Zhou Fuling sat cross-legged on the rattan carpet, calming her mind and regulating her breathing before opening her eyes.
It has been about an incense stick's time since she entered the city.
At first, she drew back the curtain and saw tens of thousands of cultivators sitting around the high platform of Yundu.
They imposed strict martial law, and the entire cloud seemed to be covered by a Vajra shield.
Zhou Fuling couldn't help but feel irritated.
Now, there's no way they can escape halfway.
"Please continue." Zhou Fuling looked up again.
Master Miao sat opposite Zhou Fuling and nodded. Master Miao was there to review the rules of the Yun Ning Grand Competition for Zhou Fuling. With the competition about to begin, everyone looked tense and somewhat nervous.
Especially among the group, only Miao Shanzhu, Zhou Fuling, and Xu Qingning knew Zhou Fuling's true purpose. Miao Shanzhu, upon reviewing the rules again… felt this journey was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Miao Shanzhu pointed to the golden book, and the script appeared. Xu Qingning also stared intently at the script.
The Miao Mountain Master said, "This competition is divided into four tests: wisdom, strategy, martial arts, and supernatural abilities."
"The first test is the test of wisdom. You will go with Minister Liang and Qinghu Yue to the 'Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion' in the Cloud Candle Tower to answer one hundred difficult questions related to the history, secrets, martial arts, geography and customs of Yun Ning. The questions will include debates on scriptures and solving formations."
"The second test is a strategy test, examining the instructor's answers to questions about Yun Ning's political affairs and the affairs of the Immortal Alliance."
"Although the results of the martial arts test have just been released, these two tests are also crucial to the martial arts test."
Zhou Fuling asked, "What do you mean?"
The Miao Mountain Master said, "These two tests are for three people from each tribe to answer together, and their ranking will determine the conditions for the martial arts test. The winner of the wisdom test can choose the battlefield. The winner of the wisdom test can choose the tribe to fight against."
Zhou Fuling raised an eyebrow, deep in thought, when the Miao Mountain Master continued, "The bottom two in the ranking will pay a price. If they lose a match, the third or fourth place will have their spiritual energy suppressed by one or two tenths respectively."
Zhou Fuling frowned: "Draining spiritual energy?! Doesn't that mean that if you lose, your power will be suppressed by 10% to 40%?"
Spiritual energy is the foundation for a cultivator's practice; having one's spiritual energy drained is tantamount to cutting off the fuel supply. In a duel between experts, half a percent can determine victory or defeat, let alone the fatal one to four percent.
The Miao Mountain Master sighed and said:
"Such rules exist because Liang Huo, the third-generation sect leader of Yun Ning and the former great immortal, once said, 'Strength cannot last, nor can gentleness be maintained. Relying solely on force is nothing but recklessness; relying only on strategy is ultimately just empty talk. Only by combining both civil and military means can one achieve lasting success.'"
'Furthermore, one tree cannot make a forest; to govern the Southern Continent, wisdom and courage alone are useless. One must also seek the support of others.'
"Therefore, this sect leader mentioned that to become the sect leader of Yun Ning, one must not only possess both literary and military talents, but also know how to manage subordinates and win over people. Therefore, the Yun Ning Grand Competition tests literary, military, and political skills."
Zhou Fuling: "..."
To be honest, she had been considering hiding her talents in the first two trials, but now it seems she has to give it her all.
Zhou Fuling: "But I still have questions. This Yun Ning Grand Competition will definitely test the secret knowledge of Yun Ning in the Southern Continent, which I have never been exposed to before. Are there any questions that have been asked in the past?"
Miao Shanzhu sighed. She had naturally thought of this as well, and handed another scroll of gold book to Zhou Fuling, "Here are some questions I've compiled. Take a look when you have time."
Zhou Fuling silently accepted it.
She had been studying the martial arts manual all night, and her head was throbbing. When she saw the book that was half a palm's height, she knew that Master Miao wanted her to learn something new within an hour, which made her even more dizzy and throbbing.
Zhou Fuling asked casually, "Why didn't you give it to me sooner?"
Master Miao: "The martial arts test is more important."
Zhou Fuling, unwilling to show weakness, nodded lightly and put the golden book to her side.
She then asked, "So how exactly are the first two trials judged? Is there any possibility of unfairness in the evaluation?" Master Miao replied, "The tests of wisdom and strategy are judged collectively by the elders of the Yun Ning Sect who are of the second rank or above. Before the competition begins, all one hundred elders must swear an oath before Liang Huo's image using ancient methods, promising not to show favoritism, or they will be affected by the incantation and die."
Zhou Fuling added, "What if those people don't understand what I'm saying?"
Miao Mountain Master: "What does this mean?"
Xu Qingning, who had been listening in silence, interjected: "What she means is that she is worried that someone might not be deliberately causing trouble, but is presumptuous and doesn't understand what she is saying, thus making a misjudgment."
"But junior sister... there's no need to worry."
Xu and Zhou exchanged glances, and upon hearing the word "junior sister," they couldn't help but purse their lips.
Xu Qingning: "As far as I know, the questions for the Southern Continent's wisdom test are all selected from classical texts, and only those of the second rank or above can set the questions. The answers have been predetermined long ago. The question setters are bound by ancient methods and will not reveal them."
"Whether it's a trial or a test depends on how the elders judge it. But since we've made an oath, we can't just look at personal relationships."
"In addition, there is the Myriad Mirror Palace to verify this."
Zhou Fuling: "What is the Myriad Mirror Palace?"
Master Miao added: "This is a thousand-year illusion array created by Liang Huo in his early years. After answering the questions in the strategy test, one can deduce the future in the illusion. According to the custom set by Liang Huo, it can only be used during the Grand Competition."
Zhou Fuling frowned.
She was somewhat unsure about her chances of success. In the past few years, she had only served as the Junior Steward of the Imperial Household at Bingjian Peak of Tianji Sect, in charge of finances. Apart from that, she had spent time in the underground city of the mortal realm before meeting Xu Qingning. Although she was not at the bottom, she had no political experience in governing a continent or region.
The only thing to hope for now is that she has "seen the pig's body before even tasting the meat."
Zhou Fuling nodded: "What about the last two tests?"
Master Miao: "The martial arts test is a contest of swordsmanship, and it is the most important trial. Each of the four departments will send three people to compete in four rounds of martial arts. Opponents will be selected based on the rankings of the intelligence test. The competition will proceed from twelve to six, then from six to three, and so on, until one person is determined."
Zhou Fuling's expression was not good: "Four wheels."
Xu Qingning understood Zhou Fuling's meaning; she was poisoned and probably wouldn't survive four rounds.
Zhou Fuling remained silent, knowing that Kuang Yunchu was deliberately setting a difficult question for her. She then asked, "So what is the test of supernatural powers?"
"The Trial of Divine Powers is a test in which a person who wins the martial arts test will stand under the statue of Liang Huo and ask for Liang Huo's divine powers. If the spirit of Liang Huo approves of this person, it will manifest its power."
"However, due to the prevalence of demonic energy and the rise of ghostly spirits, the divine miracle of Liang Huo has been lost for a long time, and this test has been abandoned."
"You only need to focus on the first three tests."
After the Miao Mountain Master left, Zhou Fuling rubbed her temples.
This is truly difficult, far too difficult! The three tests of martial arts, wisdom, and strategy weighed heavily on her mind like three mountains. The more Zhou Fuling thought about it, the more confused she became. She wanted to meditate and find peace, but she couldn't put down the book in her hands.
Unexpectedly, Xu Qingning said, "You should rest for a while."
Zhou Fuling asked, "Where is the time?"
Xu Qingning said, "If you don't rest now, you might not be able to catch your breath later. Don't worry, I'll wake you up in time."
Zhou Fuling wanted to say something, but Xu Qingning, without waiting for her reply, had already lit the incense to calm her soul. Zhou Fuling fell into a deep sleep.
Xu Qingning sat quietly to the side, flipping through the golden book sent by the Miao Mountain Lord. It indeed contained a great deal of knowledge about the Southern Continent.
However, he had been the direct disciple of the Eastern Continent Sect Leader since childhood and was now the young sect leader. He was indeed stronger than Zhou Fuling in terms of knowledge of immortal cultivation. So he carefully annotated each question and wrote down the tips for memorization based on his observations of Zhou Fuling's habits.
Halfway through writing, he paused to think, and then stared blankly at Zhou Fuling's face as she rested.
Zhou Fuling closed her eyes and slept soundly beside him, as if it were a lifetime ago.
Although the two are now in a perilous situation, Xu Qingning feels exceptionally fulfilled.
I don't know why... I didn't cherish my time at Tianji Gate.
In the past few days, Xu Qingning has often thought that if he could go back a few months, back to the moment when he and Zhou Fuling were still at Tianji Gate—when Zhou Fuling asked him if he wanted to become partners, he would definitely say "yes." He wants to see if, if the two of them really became partners, when Zhou Fuling's identity is exposed, he would really "kill his own family" as she said.
Unfortunately, there is no way to go back in time, so this matter cannot be verified.
After a long while, Zhou Fuling woke up and smelled a faint medicinal fragrance. She raised her hand; the injuries she had sustained in the second part had been carefully treated. This technique was Xu Qingning's.
She asked, "How long have I been asleep?"
Xu Qingning: "Two quarters of an hour."
However, the oxcart rumbled and screeched to a halt. Both men frowned, wondering: What happened? Why did it stop up there?
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