Immortality Cultivation

Chapter 214: Azure Dragon Society [2]

Fang Hao followed Mu Fenghua, bearing the spotlight-like gazes from those around him, and walked into the white jade plaza at the center of the Azure Dragon Society.

Good heavens, there were really quite a lot of people. A rough look revealed at least three or four hundred young Cultivators, all dressed in fine clothes with extraordinary Auras. The lowest cultivation level was at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, and those at the Golden Core Stage made up nearly half. They gathered in groups of three or five, talking loudly and full of spirit.

The air was filled with a dry, hot atmosphere peculiar to young people, mixed with arrogance, ambition, and a faint scent of gunpowder.

As Mu Fenghua held a noble status, she naturally had the best spot. She was led to an area on the left side of the front high platform, second only to the main seat. Carved jade tables and silk cushions were placed there, offering an excellent view of the entire plaza.

As her companion, Fang Hao was fortunate enough to get a seat beside her.

As soon as they sat down, many people came over to greet Mu Fenghua. There were direct descendants of the Eight Great Families, as well as Young Masters and Young Misses of high-ranking court officials. All of them were clever people, speaking with great tact; they flattered the Ninth Princess while unobtrusively probing into Fang Hao’s background.

Mu Fenghua handled them with ease. When introducing Fang Hao, she only said he was a talented Fellow Daoist she met while traveling abroad, and vaguely glossed over his specific identity.

Fang Hao sat quietly on the side with a smile, occasionally nodding in acknowledgment. He didn’t say much, but his posture was neither humble nor arrogant.

His Clear Spring Spirit Eyes quietly swept over those who came to greet them, and he had a rough idea of the situation in his mind.

The young man wearing purple-gold python robes, with a steady demeanor and surrounded by people like stars around the moon, was likely the Crown Prince, with a cultivation level at the Great Perfection of Golden Core Stage. His Aura was thick, and his gaze was calm yet inherently dignified.

On the Sun Family side, several people had come. The leader was a young man in silver-white brocade robes with handsome features but slightly sinister eyes. His cultivation was at the Late Golden Core Stage; he must be Sun Tianqi. The look he gave Fang Hao carried undisguised coldness and scrutiny.

Core disciples from other families like the Zhao Family and Li Family were also present.

Sister Fenghua, this Fellow Daoist looks very unfamiliar. I wonder which Family’s young talent he is? Won’t you introduce him to your brother? A slightly mocking voice rang out.

A young man wearing moon-white robes, holding a folding fan, and looking dashing walked over. It was Li Xuanfeng of the Li Family, with a Middle Golden Core Stage cultivation. He was quite famous among the younger generation in the Heavenly Capital, and it was said his sword skills were superb.

Mu Fenghua smiled: Brother Xuanfeng, this is Fellow Daoist Fang Hao. He is a good friend I met in the Secret Realm. Fellow Daoist Ning, this is Li Xuanfeng of the Li Family. His sword skills are excellent; you two should get to know each other.

So it is Fellow Daoist Ning, nice to meet you. Li Xuanfeng closed his folding fan and cupped his hands toward Fang Hao, but his eyes swept over Fang Hao, seemingly trying to discern something.

Fellow Daoist Li, I have long admired your name. Fang Hao also stood up to return the gesture.

For Fellow Daoist Ning to be so highly regarded by Sister Fenghua, you must have some extraordinary qualities. Perhaps there will be an opportunity to exchange a few moves with Fellow Daoist Ning on the Dragon-Contesting Platform later? Li Xuanfeng smiled, but his words carried a hint of probing.

Fellow Daoist Li is joking. With this Junior’s meager cultivation, how could I dare to make a fool of myself in front of Fellow Daoist Li? Fang Hao said modestly.

Eh, it’s just a friendly spar. Stop at the limit, no need to be overly humble. Li Xuanfeng laughed, chatted with Mu Fenghua for a few more sentences, and then went back to his seat while waving his fan.

Next, several more groups of people came by—some curious, some provocative, and some just there to get familiar. Fang Hao used excuses like Loose Cultivator, chance encounter, and shallow cultivation to deal with them. His attitude was humble, but that steady demeanor deep in his bones made some arrogant fellows secretly mutter, thinking this person might not be so simple.

Just then, on the high platform in front, the Crown Prince stood up and cleared his throat. The plaza instantly quieted down, and everyone’s eyes focused there.

Fellow Daoists, welcome to the Azure Dragon Society. The Crown Prince’s voice was calm but clearly spread throughout the entire venue. Today’s grand event aims to gather the young talents of our Heavenly Capital to exchange Dao techniques, spar, and share what we have. According to tradition, the highlight of today’s Azure Dragon Society is this Dragon-Contesting Platform!

He reached out and pointed to the center of the plaza, where, at some point, a square stone platform ten zhang square and three feet above the ground had risen. The stone platform was made entirely of blue jade and was engraved with Formation runes for reinforcement and protection.

Any Fellow Daoist under one hundred years old with a cultivation level above Foundation Establishment may ascend the platform to display what they have learned and spar with each other. There are only two rules: First, stop at the limit; do not intentionally harm anyone’s life. Violators will be severely punished! Second, the winner stays, the loser leaves. Those who win three consecutive matches may rest temporarily or continue to defend the stage!

The Crown Prince paused, his gaze sweeping over the many eager young faces below the platform, and his voice raised a bit: In this Azure Dragon Society, the Dragon-Contesting Platform will finally decide the ten strongest, who will be recorded on this year’s tianjing true dragon ranking! A name on the ranking is not only a kind of glory, but also grants access to generous rewards provided by the royal Family and a chance to enter the outer area of the Royal Secret Treasury to select a treasure!

Whoosh—! A commotion and excited whispers immediately erupted below the platform! tianjing true dragon ranking! This was the highest symbol of honor for the younger generation in the Heavenly Capital! Those who could make the list were all outstanding among their peers and had a boundless future! Not to mention the royal rewards and the chance to enter the Royal Secret Treasury! Even if it was just the outer area, anything in there was a rare treasure for a Golden Core Cultivator!

Fang Hao’s heart also stirred upon hearing this. Royal Secret Treasury? Perhaps it contained the rare Materials or fragments of Cultivation Techniques he needed that couldn’t be found on the market? This temptation was not small!

Of course, the Crown Prince changed the subject, his tone becoming serious, spars and competitions inevitably involve dangers, so I ask all Fellow Daoists to act according to your ability and not be reckless!

Alright, enough talk. The Dragon-Contesting Platform—starts now! Which Fellow Daoist is willing to be the first to ascend?

As the Crown Prince finished speaking, the plaza was quiet for a moment. Then, a figure whooshed out from the Zhao Family camp and landed lightly on the blue jade arena. It was a tall young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, holding a bright silver spear. His Aura was sharp, and his cultivation was at the Early Golden Core Stage.

Zhao Family, Zhao Mang! I ask for guidance from all Fellow Daoists! The young man cupped his hands, his voice like a bell.

It’s the Mad Tiger Zhao Mang of the Zhao Family! I heard his spear technique is fierce, and he is a battle maniac!

He’s going up first to seize the initiative and accumulate wins!

There was much discussion below the platform. Soon, a Loose Cultivator at the Great Perfection Foundation Establishment jumped up, but he didn’t last ten moves before being swept off the arena by Zhao Mang’s spear, drawing a burst of laughter.

Next! Zhao Mang stood with his spear, his Aura surging.

Soon, others went up to challenge him. Zhao Mang indeed had skills; his spear technique was open and closed, with astonishing power. He won two more matches, completing a three-game winning streak, and could choose to rest. But he seemed to be hooked and laughed: Come again! Who else?!

The atmosphere was completely ignited! People constantly went up to challenge, including Family disciples and Loose Cultivators. The fighting was lively. On the arena, Spells roared, Sword Qi crisscrossed, and various Magic Treasures flashed, making it spectacular and extremely dangerous. From time to time, people were injured and vomited blood, being blasted off the stage, but there were also strong individuals who stood out, winning several matches in a row and winning applause from the whole audience.

Fang Hao watched with great interest. These young Geniuses of the Heavenly Capital indeed had their own unique skills. Their Cultivation Techniques, Magic Treasures, and combat awareness were all far superior to the Loose Cultivators he had seen outside. However, after watching for a long time, the only ones who made him feel threatened were a few, such as Sun Tianqi of the Sun Family (who hadn’t gone up yet), Li Xuanfeng of the Li Family, and a Wang Zhong from the Wang Family (Middle Golden Core Stage, Aura as steady as a mountain) who had been closing his eyes and resting.

Mu Fenghua seemed uninterested in the competition on the stage, occasionally commenting a sentence or two with Fang Hao, but mostly chatting with the noble ladies she knew nearby.

Fellow Daoist Ning, you’ve been watching for a long time. Are you interested in going up to stretch your muscles? Mu Fenghua suddenly turned her head and asked with a smile.

Before Fang Hao could answer, he heard a sarcastic voice coming from the side:

Yes, for Fellow Daoist Ning to be so highly regarded by the Ninth Princess, he must have extraordinary skills. Why not go up and show us, so that we, ordinary people, can open our eyes?

Fang Hao turned to look. The speaker was a sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked young man sitting in the Sun Family camp, with an Early Golden Core Stage cultivation, looking at him with ill intent. Beside him, Sun Tianqi also cast a cold gaze.

It seemed someone couldn’t wait and wanted to force him onto the stage.