Chapter 35: Chapter 35: The End
Within minutes of Zhou Hu crushing the Vitality Order, he was escorted out of the hunting grounds by two Steward Disciples, thus withdrawing from the Spring Hunt.
Yang Wei, who was at the edge of the viewing platform, immediately came down when he saw Zhou Hu appear. He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that although Zhou Hu was pale, he was not seriously injured.
"Master, I gave up halfway. I’ve brought you shame."
Zhou Hu stepped forward and bowed.
Yang Wei patted his shoulder. The gesture said it all. With no time for anything else, he immediately led Zhou Hu back to his room to rest.
Once they were in the room, Zhou Hu took out the Jade Box. Yang Wei took it, and upon opening it, he saw six Ice Heart Bone Tempering Orchids. A delicate, refreshing fragrance wafted out.
He took a deep breath and couldn’t help but laugh heartily. "Excellent! Excellent! With these, you’ll break through to the Transformation Force in no time!"
He then lowered his voice. "Zhao Yuan said Liang Cheng went to find you. Where is he?"
Zhou Hu’s expression dimmed. He briefly explained how, by the Cold Pool, Liang Cheng had traded the Lie Mountain Iron Order to Yun Jinghong in exchange for the six orchids.
"Junior Brother Liang gave up the opportunity that came with the Iron Order to help me break through. I feel ashamed."
Yang Wei was silent for a moment, a complex look swirling in his eyes. It finally resolved into a long sigh. "That boy is loyal and values his bonds. That’s a good thing. I owe him a debt as well."
He looked at Zhou Hu, his tone serious. "In that case, do not reveal what happened at the Cold Pool. In the future, after you break through to the Transformation Force, do not forget the kindness he has shown you."
"I understand!" Zhou Hu promised solemnly.
Yang Wei nodded and gazed into the depths of the hunting grounds, a flash of pride in his eyes. ’With a disciple like him, what more could a master ask for?’
Later, Zhao Yuan heard the news and came to visit Zhou Hu. By then, however, Yang Wei had already taken the Jade Box for safekeeping. The plan was for Zhou Hu to attempt his breakthrough to the Transformation Force once they returned to the Martial Arts Hall and he had fully recovered.
The master and his two disciples chatted for a little while before they each returned to their rooms to rest.
...
「Three days later, the Spring Hunt finally came to an end.」
The first light of dawn was breaking, but a thin mist still lingered in Lie Mountain Valley.
A figure in white was the first to step out.
Yun Jinghong’s white clothes were spattered with blood. With his sword on his back and carrying his pack, he strode out, his expression calm and indifferent.
A sudden uproar erupted outside the valley. "The first one out is Yun Jinghong!"
"He’s a Transformation Force expert. His haul must be incredible!"
Amidst the ceaseless chatter, he didn’t stop, heading straight for the viewing platform. A moment later, another figure, this one in green, emerged from the mist.
Liang Cheng’s green robes were dusty. He carried his pack, and his gait was steady. As he exited the valley, all eyes were on Yun Jinghong; only a few people noticed him.
"That’s Liang Cheng!"
"He’s the second one out! I wonder how he did."
The two walked one after the other, separated by several dozen yards.
Yun Jinghong suddenly stopped, waiting for Liang Cheng to come alongside him before he spoke.
"Junior Brother Liang, the Martial Arts Academy isn’t like the hunting grounds. So-called geniuses like me are a dime a dozen there. Their backgrounds, resources, and perspectives are all beyond anything you’ve ever seen. Your Hard Skills alone might not be enough to measure up."
Liang Cheng remained silent.
"Don’t get complacent over a single victory," Yun Jinghong said, his gaze as sharp as a sword. "I’ll be waiting for you at the Martial Arts Academy. I hope that the next time we cross blades, you can give me a real fight."
With that, he turned and ascended to the viewing platform.
Liang Cheng paused in silence for a moment, then continued on his way.
The onlookers, however, exchanged bewildered glances. From what Yun Jinghong had said, it sounded like the two had fought. And was he also certain that Liang Cheng would be able to enter the Martial Arts Academy?
A murmur of discussion rippled through the crowd, and many eyes turned toward Liang Cheng. He paid them no mind, ascending the viewing platform, handing over his pack, and walking to Yang Wei’s side.
"Master, I have not failed my mission."
"Good, good!"
Yang Wei was overcome with emotion. He knew just how brilliantly this disciple, whom he had once underestimated, had performed during the Spring Hunt.
More precious still was his loyalty and sense of honor—he had saved both Zhao Yuan and Zhou Hu!
Just then, from the direction of Black Wind Gorge to the northeast, the earth-shattering shockwaves of a battle erupted. They continued for nearly an hour before finally subsiding.
Only Yue Shan and a select few others were able to sense it. They looked toward Black Wind Gorge, wondering who would obtain the third Lie Mountain Iron Order.
Throughout the day, disciples from the various Martial Arts Halls trickled in. Some were in better shape than others, but all returned safely. By evening, Leng Xinghan of the Frost Martial Arts Hall emerged from the hunting grounds, staggering and using his bow as a crutch.
He was covered in blood and barely breathing, but he clutched a blood-stained Lie Mountain Iron Order in a death grip. All three Iron Orders had now found their owners.
In front of the viewing platform, Commander Yue Shan wasted no time and announced the final results in a clear, loud voice.
"Feiyun Martial Arts Hall’s Yun Jinghong, A Class, First Place! Yangwei Martial Arts Hall’s Liang Cheng, A Class, Second Place! Frost Martial Arts Hall’s Leng Xinghan, A Class, Third Place!"
"These three have earned a direct recommendation to the Martial Arts Academy! You are to report to Lin Wu City before the summer of the fifth month to participate in the assessment!"
The crowd below the platform erupted in an uproar.
It was no surprise that Yun Jinghong took first place with his Transformation Force Cultivation. Leng Xinghan had long been famous as a genius, so he wasn’t considered a dark horse either. Only Liang Cheng’s sudden rise was a true shock, catching everyone’s attention.
The special emissary from the City Lord’s Mansion, Shen Wenyuan, personally presented the awards. The three each received one thousand taels of silver, several Elixirs, and a credential for the Martial Arts Academy’s direct recommendation.
When Yang Wei led Liang Cheng forward to receive his award, Shen Wenyuan took a second look at the young man and smiled. "The new generation is truly formidable. I hope you make it into the Martial Arts Academy. Cultivate diligently and do not let your talent go to waste."
"Thank you for your encouragement, Emissary. I will certainly remain diligent." Liang Cheng bowed, his expression calm, neither servile nor overbearing.
Next came the allocation of resources for the major Martial Arts Halls, based on their rankings in the Spring Hunt.
Thanks to Liang Cheng’s outstanding performance, Yangwei Martial Arts Hall’s overall ranking leaped to second place, behind only Feiyun Martial Arts Hall. Their share of resources for the coming year would be doubled.
As Yang Wei accepted the Resource Order, his hand trembled slightly. ’With this,’ he thought, ’the rise of our Martial Arts Hall is right around the corner!’
’Among the six halls of the Three Towns, who could possibly match us now?’
However, while some celebrated, others grieved.
In the seating area for the Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall, Wu Tianxiong’s face was as dark as a thundercloud.
Zheng Biao and Wu Xiao had both perished in the Spring Hunt. The hall’s elites were almost completely wiped out. He feared that their ranking would plummet to last place, their resources would be drastically cut, and their prestige would be left in tatters.
He glared at Liang Cheng, who was talking with Yang Wei, the venom in his eyes so thick it was almost palpable. This was because he had applied the colorless and odorless Soul-Chasing Incense to both Zheng Biao and Wu Xiao.
The incense was designed to react with a special Incense Burner. ’I never thought I’d actually detect it on Liang Cheng,’ Wu Tianxiong fumed. The fists hidden in his sleeves clenched so tightly they cracked. He looked away, then turned and left with his remaining disciples, his departing figure radiating menace.
As if sensing something, Liang Cheng glanced back, but only saw the retreating figures of the group from Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall.
"Master, that Wu Tianxiong..." he said in a low voice.
"He’s a man who will seek revenge for the smallest grievance, and his methods are vicious," Yang Wei sneered. "He won’t dare to make a move openly today. On the road back, stick close to me. Don’t go anywhere alone."
"Yes."
As night fell, the various Martial Arts Halls began their journeys back to their respective towns.
Amidst the rumbling of carriage wheels, Yang Wei, Liang Cheng, Zhou Hu, and Zhao Yuan all rode together in one carriage. It was crowded, but it was a necessary precaution.
Yang Wei suddenly spoke. "Liang Cheng, do you know why the Martial Arts Academy gives the top three a ’direct recommendation’ and not ’direct admission’?"
Liang Cheng shook his head.
"The Martial Arts Academy is teeming with geniuses, and the competition is brutal. There’s no shortage of disciples from the great Noble Families. The Academy’s standards are incredibly high; they only accept those under eighteen who have reached the Dark Force, or those under twenty-four at the Transformation Force. All of us masters... we were once failures who didn’t make the cut."
Liang Cheng immediately understood his master’s meaning. "I understand. After we return, I will train harder than ever and strive to be formally accepted into the Martial Arts Academy in the fifth month."
"Good!"
