Chapter 624: Forest District
Chen Wentian and Zhou Ziyun spent the next few days in one library or another. The first library they went to belonged to the Immortal Association and was the largest but it didn't mean it was all-encompassing.
Following the Central Association Library in the Sky District, the pair of master and disciple visited the Grand Public Library which was located within the Trade District. This library's contents were of obviously lower quality but it had some unique perks. For one, it had the widest collection on mortal cultivation and the history of the subcontinent. Although the chance of finding some hidden secret about gifts and bloodlines was rare, it at least allowed Zhou Ziyun to broaden her horizons.
After that, they went to the Old District. This was the poorest district out of the whole metropolis but it was also the most populated by far. As a result, the various libraries here had the most mundane information possible but these were not the target. Instead, they visited a variety of small bookshops and private collections. They were trying their luck at finding a hidden gem. There were so many people, so many creative ways to cultivate that there were always outliers and strange feats.
Three days passed in a blink and it was finally the day of the Great Dao Preaching Convention. Chen Wentian and Zhou Ziyun did not manage to uncover any new information or leads about gifts or bloodlines. Even so, Zhou Ziyun gained a lot of new information and was quite pleased with the progress she had made with her cultivation. Although she was still at the 8th Level of the Spirit Initiate Realm, she had made a definitive step toward the ninth level.
"We're here." Chen Wentian called out as he slowed his flight.
The Great Dao Preaching Convention would take place over three days and be held in a different district each day. The convention's main goal was an act of community service but it was also set up as a competition between those who participated in preaching the way of cultivation to the masses. Every audience member that bought a ticket and went to any of the three sessions could cast a vote for the best preacher. In the end, the person with the votes would become the Dao Genius of the current generation, an honor that would resound across the subcontinent.
"Dao Genius Zhou Ziyun, it has a nice ring to it." He teased.
"Master, stop joking around." Zhou Ziyun nudged his side in retaliation. "I have no need for titles or the admiration of strangers. I only want to be stronger so I can support master and the sect."
He laughed, "You always know the right thing to say."
They descended towards a huge tree that was as tall as a ten-story building. There was a gap within the foliage where a few flying boats were going in and out. Surrounding the tree was a vast forest of equally massive growths. From a distance, it was a sea of green. Close up, one could see countless buildings and houses building into the trunks and branches, forming a massive city that was intertwined with nature.
This was the Forest District that lay in the northern region of the Eastern Sanmu Metropolis. It was one of the most unique districts and one that proved the specialness of this land.
Chen Wentian and Zhou Ziyun landed on a wooden platform that was as wide as a town square. The planks of wood that made up the floor were incredibly tough and gave off a metal gleam. The entire structure sat atop a mass of living branches that gave off a similar gleam. They had all been shaped to support this platform. It was difficult to tell how many years or decades it had taken to create this natural and man-made construct.
"Welcome to the Forest District, Immortal Blue Dragon Chen Wentian!" A small group of people wearing familiar blue robes approached them.
They were from the Eastern Light Clan. Around them, other groups wearing the uniform of the four king sects were greeting other arrivals.
Chen Wentian tilted his head slightly in a casual greeting.
The old woman in the middle bowed and said in a formal tone, "Lord Chen, as you are aware, the first day of the Grand Dao Preaching Convention will have a morning session, an afternoon session, and an evening session. The Forest District is a great producer of metals and has a strong relationship with weapon arts. Thus, the morning session will be a discussion of all kinds of cultivation arts that utilize weapons, especially ones made of metals. But these weapons don't just appear out of thin air so the afternoon session will focus on forging arts, metallurgy, and other crafting arts that utilize metals such as creating defensive arrays or even flying boats. Lastly, the Forest District owes its prosperity to the forest around us and thus we must always be aware of our connection to nature. The final evening session will focus on Daos that connect one to the power of nature and life."
The lady finally took a breath and quickly followed by saying, "Lord Chen, will your disciple be participating in any of the sessions?"
Chen Wentian glanced at Zhou Ziyun briefly before smiling benignly at the hosts, "My disciple, Zhou Ziyun, will be participating in all three."
All of them were surprised by the answer. Some were able to hide it better than others but they couldn't fool an immortal's senses.
"Something wrong?" He asked.
The woman coughed and spoke respectfully, "Lord Chen, perhaps that may not be wise. Each session will have multiple participants at the same time. The crowd will naturally gravitate towards those that can showcase the most knowledge and understanding of the Dao subject. In each session, only a handful of participants may be able to earn the public's recognition and their votes while others will be ignored. Therefore, it is usually best if participants stick to a few subjects they are the best at."
He waved her off, "No need to worry. My disciple is just here to have a good time and learn new things. Naturally, we need to attend every session."
The hosts from the Eastern Light Clan looked at each other with looks of trepidation and ridicule. Chen Wentian paid them no more attention and left without another word.
Zhou Ziyun also showed no signs of worry. His words encapsulated her purpose. She had no specialization so the only thing she could do was learn as much as possible from every source. Although she did not voice it, she had great hopes in this event, that it might finally cast a clearer light on what her cultivation path should be.
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