Chapter 118: Chapter 118 Enjoying Snow while Brewing Wine
A grand assembly to show off martial prowess?
Shi Xiaole didn’t expect that Bai Yuxue would have such an idea. Or one could say, her sense of honor for the martial world of the Cloud Triangle was extremely strong.
In fact, Shi Xiaole didn’t understand because he hadn’t experienced a grand martial arts assembly. If he had, and had experienced how people from other regions look down upon the Cloud Triangle, he wouldn’t think in this manner.
"Brother Shi, the Snow Appreciation and Wine Boiling event has been held for two years. Although there aren’t many participants, everyone invited is a top young talent of the Cloud Triangle. Let’s go together and check it out."
Su Junhao’s eyes were filled with fervor as he repeatedly urged Shi Xiaole.
If Shi Xiaole was an ordinary person, Su Junhao would not have made this suggestion, as it would only lead to embarrassment. After all, even as the leader of the Four Outstanding Youths, Su Junhao had just barely met the invitation criteria himself.
"If I go uninvited, I fear..."
Shi Xiaole was a little hesitant.
"Don’t worry about that. Once you show off a bit of your skills, Bai Yuxue won’t turn you away."
With the discussion having reached this point, Shi Xiaole had no further reasons to refuse.
He was just roaming the Martial World, and there was no hurry to investigate his parents’ clues, perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to observe the outstanding talents from all around.
...
On the first day of January, heavy snow fell.
Across the vast mountains and rivers, all was covered in a layer of silver. Amid the howling cold wind, the world was a blanket of white.
At a time when ordinary people would rather hide under their blankets, dozens of tables were neatly arranged on a large flat ground halfway up a certain mountain.
Next to each desk, there was a fireplace. The red flames in the stove flickered with the wind, turning the falling snowflakes in the vicinity into a hazy mist.
Two figures stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing into the distance.
"The weather this year is really bad, I wonder if those people will come?"
The woman in a white dress and skirt had a face as white as the snowflakes, and spoke with a light tone.
"Rest assured, no one would refuse an invitation issued by you, Bai Yuxue, even if it means crossing a mountain of knives and a sea of fire."
The man next to her grinned while staring at Bai Yuxue’s profile.
Bai Yuxue didn’t say anything.
Shen Canghai touched his nose, and started a conversation: "There are two more years until the grand martial assembly. Who do you think in the Cloud Triangle has the best chance of making it to the top eighty-one?"
The silence lingered for a while. Just when Shen Canghai had given up hope, Bai Yuxue finally spoke: "Among the young experts eligible, I think highly of Zhao Yihuan and Tang Juran, and also Su Junhao, although the latter is too young. He has a great chance in the competition after next."
Shen Canghai nodded: "Zhao Yihuan and Tang Juran, known as the Twin Elites, are the strongest young masters in the Cloud Triangle below our generation. I’ve also heard of Su Junhao, his rise is very steep. Whether the Cloud Triangle can break the deadlock or not, largely depends on him."
Bai Yuxue sighed softly in her heart.
Breaking the deadlock? It’s not so easy.
You will never know how powerful the young talents of Qingxue State are until you participate in the big martial arts competition. It’s a true gathering of brilliant talents, with geniuses outshining each other.
It can be said that anyone who can make it to the top eighty-one, is absolutely a cream of the crop when placed in any region.
And those who break into the top ten are simply freaks of nature. Their strength is incredibly strong for their age, and can only be described as inconceivable.
Before taking part in the competition, although Bai Yuxue wasn’t arrogant, she had full confidence in herself. But it wasn’t until she truly saw the brilliance of the others that she realized what it was like to be a firefly competing with the moonlight.
In her eyes, Zhao Yihuan, Tang Juran, and Su Junhao were indeed the most extraordinary young ones in this generation of the Cloud Triangle. But compared to the elites in the martial arts competition, the gap was still very obvious.
Perhaps the same would happen in the next competition...
She shook her head and suppressed her stray thoughts.
The Cloud Triangle had been weak for a long time, and catching up wasn’t something that could happen overnight.
She just hoped that within her lifetime, she could see someone leading the Cloud Triangle and breaking through the encirclement. That would justify her initial intention of hosting the Snow Appreciation Pavilion Congress.
On the second day of January, people started to arrive in succession in the desolate snowy mountains.
"Sister Zhu, I wonder if we’ll get to see the Twin Elites duel this time?"
One man and one woman, the man was carrying a large blade on his back. The woman was dressed in a long moon-white robe, exquisite and stunningly beautiful.
They were disciples of the Justice Sect, ’Unrivaled Blade Young Master’ Lu Erfeng, and the ’Cloud Robes Fairy’ Zhu Xiuling.
Actually, with Lu Erfeng’s strength, he honestly didn’t qualify to be invited to participate in the Snow Appreciation and Wine Boiling event. However, Zhu Xiuling had a good relationship with Bai Yuxue, and upon her request, he got the opportunity.
"The Twin Elites have been rivals for a long time and their duels have always ended in a draw. They won’t miss this opportunity," Zhu Xiuling said, her tone full of anticipation.
There’s no doubt that Bai Yuxue is the young leader of the Cloud Triangle. However, because of her age, she can no longer participate in the martial arts competition two years from now.
Under such circumstances, everyone’s attention naturally fell on the Twin Elites.
"That’s right, Su Junhao will also be there this time. You are both from the Four Outstanding Youths, so you can have a good chat," Zhu Xiuling said with a smile as if recalling something.
"Su Junhao?"
Lu Erfeng’s eyes flashed with instinctive unwillingness.
As one of the Four Outstanding Youths, the other’s fame was much bigger than his.
If Bai Yuxue was this generation’s young leader and the Twin Elites were for the next, then Su Junhao was widely recognized as the leader of the generation after that.
The other’s talent and intelligence were even superior to the Twin Elites, and he was gradually overshadowing his peers.
"I would like to see what your strength is now, Su Junhao," Lu Erfeng thought. Considering his recent improvements in his blade skills, he calmed his emotions and gradually raised anticipation.
Similar conversations were happening among the few scattered figures in other locations.
On the third day of January, the snow stopped.
Two fast horses raced through the picturesque snowy landscape and soon stopped in front of a large mountain.
"Brother Shi, we’ve almost missed it."
Su Junhao landed on the ground, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Shi Xiaole gave a faint smile.
If it weren’t for the others’ penchant for lingering over every sight along the way, causing significant delay, they would have arrived the day before yesterday.
Having taken care of their horses, the two of them wasted no more words and immediately headed for the Snow Appreciation Pavillion.
At this moment, the pavilion was packed to the brim with people.
Looking around, every individual present was a man of remarkable caliber, whether they were composed and steady, free-spirited and unrestrained, or fiercely rebellious.
The rich aroma of wine, propelled by the billowing white smoke from the rising heat of the flames, dispersed all around.
"I thank you all for gracing this event with your presence. Bai Yuxue is deeply grateful."
Seated at the head, Bai Yuxue poured herself a cup of wine and stood up, downing it in one gulp.
"No need for formalities, Sister Bai."
Everyone quickly rose to their feet and lifted their cups of wine to drink.
Although they were all well-regarded heroes of the Martial World, none of them dared to put on airs before this unassuming and agile woman.
Because all of the guests were of similar status and rarely had the chance to gather together, they quickly struck up lively conversations.
The topics of discussion mainly revolved around issues encountered during cultivation and various anecdotes from the Martial World.
"My apologies, everyone. Su is late."
At that moment, a slightly arrogant voice rang out.
Everyone turned to look and saw two figures, one purple and one green, swooping in from the distance and landing not far away. The speaker was the youth in purple.
"Su Junhao!"
A few people murmured under their breath, their expressions differing.
"Junior Brother Su, you are late."
A man with a rugged pair of eyebrows, gripping a wine cup, spoke with a hint of discontent.
Unable to maintain his arrogance, Su Junhao chuckled apologetically, "Senior Brother."
Shi Xiaole’s eyes sparkled.
The only person Su Junhao would address as Senior Brother would naturally be the most famous of the two prodigies, the ’Inheriting Heaven Mysterious Sword’, Tang Juran from the Truth Sword Sect.
In Shi Xiaole’s view, Tang Juran did not have any distinguishing features, only a pair of eyes, sharp as two swords, that were hard to look into.
Seemingly sensing Shi Xiaole’s gaze, Tang Juran also looked in his direction.
This glance made the latter inexplicably hesitant.
With Tang Juran’s discerning eyes, there were hardly many people among the younger generation of the Cloud Triangle who could catch his interest.
However, for some unknown reason, upon seeing Shi Xiaole, Tang Juran couldn’t help but compare him to the Su Junhao next to him.
Compared to Shi Xiaole, Su Junhao seemed like a striking peacock. But this ostentation only served to highlight the former’s composure and enigma, making him even more admirable.
"Interesting."
Taking a sip of wine, Tang Juran looked away, no longer paying any mind.
"Why is he here?"
Equally stunned was Zhu Xiuling.
She never dreamed she would see Shi Xiaole on the Snow Appreciation Pavillion, but why was he accompanying Su Junhao?
"Since Junior Brother Su is here, please have a seat."
Bai Yuxue, unmoved by their tardiness, said with a smile.
As for Shi Xiaole, she also gave him an extra glance but wisely chose not to mention him. Although he wasn’t invited, he was nonetheless brought by Su Junhao, and it would be improper to publicly offend him.
However, just because Bai Yuxue didn’t care didn’t mean that others were of the same mind.
"Wait a minute!"
A young scholar in a scholar cap suddenly said, "We, of course, welcome Brother Su, who was invited. But this gentleman next to you, he looks unfamiliar."
What he meant to say was that Shi Xiaole wasn’t qualified to attend today’s gathering.
Su Junhao coldly retorted, "Tong Song, what are you implying?"
Tong Song, known as the ’Broken Moon Sword’, was a disciple of the prestigious Chongyang Sect.
Tong Song and Su Junhao had no personal grievances, but his senior brother was another of the two prodigies, the ’Cotton-like Gentle Sword’ Zhao Yihuan. Because of the rivalry between the two prodigies, members of the respective sects inevitably held grudges against each other.
Seeing Su Junhao accompanied by a stranger, it was only natural for Tong Song to seize this opportunity to provoke him.
"What do I mean? Brother Su, you’re breaking the rules of the Snow Appreciation Pavillion by bringing someone at will. If everyone did the same, wouldn’t it become a free-for-all? What would be the point of our snow appreciation and wine gathering then?"
Tong Song chuckled merrily, skillfully pouring himself a cup of wine.
"My friend here isn’t just anybody—he is ’Unrivaled Blade Young Master’ Shi Xiaole."
Su Junhao squinted his eyes.
"Unrivaled Blade Young Master? Ha! So what?"
Tong Song remained amused.
Most of the people present were disciples from reputable sects, hence, they didn’t think much of Shi Xiaole’s fame stemming from the Cloud Skies Gathering.
Though they recognized Shi Xiaole’s abilities, they didn’t believe he deserved to be here.
No one spoke up.
Even Bai Yuxue, the organizer of the event, chose to remain silent.
If others didn’t bring up the issue, it would’ve been fine, but now that it had been pointed out, if she spoke in Shi Xiaole’s defense, it would provide an opening for others to exploit. Then anyone could bring a group of people over in the future—what would their snow appreciation and wine gathering become then?
"What do you want?"
Facing the pressing Tong Song, Shi Xiaole finally spoke.
