Chapter 625: Participants Convene (I)
Chen Wentian and Zhou Ziyun followed the posted signs toward the convention area. They crossed several sky bridges that connected one tree to another. Finally, they arrived at a large meadow surrounded by a circle of trees. Instead of houses, the branches were filled with seats and viewing platforms and they were already crowded with people. This natural arena could easily hold at least a hundred thousand with a clear view of the meadow in the middle.
"You're up." Chen Wentian said and patted Zhou Ziyun's back.
She nodded with a calm expression.
The two separated. Chen Wentian flew off towards the private seats for immortal guests while Zhou Ziyun strode forward into the meadow.
The first thing that hit her senses was the crowd noise. There were over a hundred thousand souls gathered for this convention. She had never gone before such a number before. Although she was not one to suffer stage fright, she still had to fight back a jolt of nervousness in her stomach.
The next thing she noticed was the other participants convening towards the middle. A few were following the path through the waist-high grass while around a dozen were already gathered in the central clearing. They all exuded a level of confidence and competence that was rare to find. It was as if each person dared to participate in this Great Dao Preaching Convention was a genius above all geniuses.
She was somewhat thankful that her cultivation was not too bad compared to her peers. Many were around her level while a few were even lower than hers. Their ages were also quite young in comparison to ordinary cultivators at the upper levels of the Spirit Initiate Realm. If she had to guess, most were only in their late twenties.
Zhou Ziyun reached the clearing in the middle. Some participants were sitting on tree trunks that lined the edge while others were standing around conversing with each other. Her arrival did not attract much attention aside from a few sideways glances.
She did not mind it and chose an isolated tree trunk to sit down on. With a straight back and an elegant posture, she calmly surveyed the surroundings with more detail. Her ears perked up as she tried to catch tidbits of conversations around her.
"... Who do you think will the title of Dao Genius this time?"
"... Who else? Of course, it will be Brilliant Blue Ming Yuqi!"
This was followed by some laughter and indistinguishable words.
She turned her head slightly and focused on another group.
"Did you see... Deng Lun, the Gentle Scholar, he is so dreamy..."
"Don't be so ridiculous..."
"... I know, right? Prince Huang is much more handsome..."
Zhou Ziyun rolled her eyes and moved on from them.
As she listened, the topic of conversation seemed to all tread on the same path, that of the four geniuses from each of the four king sects. They were Prince Huang, Huang Yaoying from the Huang Family; Deng Lun, the Gentle Scholar, from the Lotus Tower; Little Devil Tang Liang from the House of Armament, and Brilliant Blue Ming Yuqi from the Eastern Light Clan.
These four seemed to be the best candidates to win the title of Dao Genius. The other participants were from a variety of branch sects and local sects that were affiliated with the four king sects in one way or another. Although they were not had, none of them seemed to hold any confidence in winning or even competing against those four. In fact, most were here merely in hopes of getting to know those four and perhaps establishing some kind of relationship.
Suddenly, there was a loud roar from the surrounding trees that were packed to the limit. The ground shook and the air filled with raucous energy. The cause became apparent as a tall young man walked into the clearing. He was adorned with rich golden robes that shined as he walked. His inky black hair was sleek and long. Atop his head was a golden jewel-encrusted ornament that exuded supreme nobility. His silhouette was perfect, with broad shoulders and ideal features.
"Prince Huang!"
"It's Prince Huang!"
"Waaaa!"
The shouting became incoherent as if everyone had suddenly seen a god descend from the sky. And there was good reason for it.
Zhou Ziyun found it difficult to describe the person except for extremely suave and extremely handsome. She had seen many talented young masters and gifted princes after becoming Chen Wentian's disciple. But she had to admit that this Huang Yaoying far surpassed them all in terms of looks. In the same way that Long Yifei could be considered the most beautiful woman of the subcontinent, perhaps this person could be her counterpart for the male sex.
Such a man was a danger to women everywhere, young and old. He was a man who understood his power over women and used it to his full advantage. Those making the most noise among the crowd were obviously his female fans. They were almost rabid, emitting ear-splitting cries akin to beasts in heat than humans with conscious thought.
Zhou Ziyun savored this supreme handsomeness for a little longer before looking away. Her heart was calm and she did not feel attracted to him. After all, she was a taken woman, she had already promised her whole life to her master. She was simply admiring that man's looks, like admiring a particularly splendid wild creature or a beautiful natural scenery.
Huang Yaoying, unaware someone was comparing him to a wild beast, strode along with an idle smile as if he owned the whole arena. He glanced left, then right, and finally found someone he recognized and walked towards them.
"Brother Deng Lun, congratulations on your recent breakthrough. I hope you received my gift."
Huang Yaoying's voice was not too deep but filled with strength and confidence. It made half of the audience swoon.
The target of his words was actually Deng Lun, the Gentle Scholar. Zhou Ziyun had heard of his name but did not realize that he was already here, sitting in an inconspicuous spot and taking notes in a small book.
Deng Lun closed his book and stood up. He had a slender build and was slightly shorter than Huang Yaoying. He was not as good-looking but still excellent and carried himself with a steady air. He stood his ground and there wasn't a hint of intimidation.
"Brother Huang Yaoying, your gift, I received it." He then lowered his voice and said something only Huang Yaoying could hear.
Huang Yaoying burst out laughing, a joyful and heroic laugh that made some of the female participants around him weak at the knees, "Just a jest! Just a jest. I always have Brother Deng Lun's best interests in mind. After tall, unlike the rest of us, you are in a difficult situation. You have to strive to keep that woman satisfied and she is notorious for having peculiar tastes."
If Deng Lun was offended by those words, he did not show it. He kept his composure and his aura as a scholar, steadily holding a book at his side while twirling an ink brush in his other hand.
"Actually," Huang Yaoying continued, lowering his own voice slightly, "I heard that your master is still pining after that Immortal Blue Dragon, surnamed Chen something? Is this true?"
"The lord's name is Chen Wentian. He is actually here today in the stands so you should be more respectful." Deng Lun chided.
"Oh! That's right!" Huang Yaoying smiled widely and looked around, "One of his disciples is here, right? Why don't we ask them if the rumors are true or not."
Deng Lun ignored the joke but pointed with his ink brush, "Yes, her name is Zhou Ziyun. She's sitting over there."
With that, all the participants, and indeed the whole arena, seemed to suddenly turn as one and look in Zhou Ziyun's direction.
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A/N Always appreciate the support from everyone. Just a reminder, I am also working on a pet cultivation novel named "Summon the Eternal". It is a mature story with violent battles, sex, and also pet cultivation! There is 50 chapters out already. I would really appreciate it if people can go check it out at
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