Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Chapter 301 - 239: Fame Should Be Gained Early

An hour later, the Cloud Phoenix Bird carried everyone across towering mountains and into the southwest of Yunhuang Mountain, a thousand miles deep, and finally descended upon a place where the mountains were clear and the waters were beautiful.

Shortly after, people began jumping off the bird's back one by one, and the Cloud Phoenix Bird spread its wings with a long cry, flying off into the distance.

At this moment, the place where everyone stood was a flat grassland in a valley, surrounded by a ring of mountains and lush forests threaded with babbling streams.

Looking far into the distance, one could see mountains upon mountains, cascading waterfalls amidst the clouds, immortal birds and treasure beasts, and fragrant grasses among verdant woods. There were lofty buildings by lake peaks, with carved balustrades and waterside pavilions hidden among them, truly a picturesque Immortal Realm.

At this time, a handsome young master in jinyi and Confucian clothes, with a gentle and refined appearance, suddenly proclaimed aloud,

"The Cloud Phoenix abounds in mountains. Among its southwestern peaks, with particularly beautiful forests and ravines, towering and deeply majestic is... Wutong Mountain..."

"...Nature's treasures and celestial light cast upon the stars... waters recede revealing the clear cold pool, the evening light gathers and the distant mountains turn purple..."

Not long after, a round of applause erupted from the crowd, followed by a fair-faced Daoist in a pine hairpin and simple robe stepping forward.

"Bravo! The disciples of Lingyun Academy truly speak in eloquent verses and carry an extraordinary demeanor! Here, Song Xingyun of the Carefree Sect wishes Mr. Kong success in winning over his beauty."

Upon hearing this, the Confucian scholar, Kong Lang, paused his recitation and replied with a polite smile, "Brother Song flatters me too much! The words simply came to me, and indeed, this Wutong Mountain we are on is justifiably famous throughout the Central Continent—"

"Pah!"

Kong Lang was abruptly cut off by a disdainful spit.

Furrowing his brows and then relaxing them, he turned toward the source of the sound and saw a burly, unrestrained man with a square face coming to the forefront, his face full of scorn.

"Scholars can be so bothersome, spouting all that tedious and sour-sounding literature. It's made my ears raw. Kong Xiao Lang, you dare to keep spouting your scriptures, and I'll whip your backside with my sword, believe it or not?"

As soon as Kong Lang saw the newcomer, his composure greatly faltered, and he said with an unpleasant expression, "Jian Manzi, how uncultured you are! As if Lingyun Academy is afraid of your Sky-splitting Sword Dao! If you dare to slander scholars again, don't blame me for dragging you to the Struggle Platform!"

"Hehe! The Struggle Platform is just twenty miles to the north on Harmony Peak, should we go there now?"

The square-faced man showed no fear, instead taunting with a chuckle.

He hailed from the Sky-splitting Sword Dao, whose real name was unknown. Due to his ranking of thirteen on the Foundation Establishment Board of the Sword Pavilion, he was also known as Jian Shisan.

He had once arrogantly claimed that all on the Foundation Establishment Board were nothing more than mediocre, and one day he would take the name of Jian Yi and ascend to the Sword Immortal Board.

"Seven days from now, when I, Kong, ascend the Struggle Platform, will you dare to face me?"

"Why wouldn't I dare!"

Seeing the situation, Song Xingyun hurriedly stepped forward to mediate, "My fellow Daoists, let's not escalate this trivial verbal dispute and damage our harmony."

Zhao Sheng watched from behind the crowd, silently noting the profiles of the several "scholars" in front of him.

Song Xingyun, the second disciple of Muye, the peculiar elder of the Carefree Sect, one of the Central Continent's "Little Taoists," blessed with the Wood Element Heavenly Spirit Root, skilled in...

Kong Lang, a Confucian scholar from Lingyun Academy, the legitimate young master of the Kong family, whose Ancestor is the academy's Sacrificial Wine, a Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator...

Jian Shisan, ...

"Having just landed, and already people are vying to 'show off.' Wutong Mountain, the Phoenix Meeting! Indeed, a public spectacle, whether man or ghost, all must put on a display!"

Thinking thus, Zhao Sheng slowly stepped back, lifting his gaze to survey the surroundings, seeking a place to stay temporarily.

The Dong family's recruiting for a son-in-law... Hmm, the Phoenix Meeting has been held countless times before, and information regarding it had long been leaked by predecessors.

Zhao Sheng had received extensive information from the Clan Leader before setting out.

Thus, he was well-versed in the proceedings of the Phoenix Meeting and the situation of Wutong Mountain.

The Phoenix Meeting wouldn't end in a day or two, but rather would last a whole month.

During this month, Zhao Sheng and others would stay in Wutong Mountain, their days leisurely and unrestricted, free to roam the scenery, engage in philosophical discussions, sleep soundly, cultivate, and perhaps reach Enlightenment...

Of course, if one was not satisfied or had urgent matters, anyone could leave the grand event at any time without any restrictions.

During this period, the daughters of the Dong family would play and take in the sights around Wutong Mountain, socializing with others, all the while observing the suitors who caught their Heart Intent.

The Phoenix Meeting could be considered a large matchmaking event.

Of course, the Dong family's Phoenix Meeting was nothing like a shallow and crude matchmaking event, but rather refined and subtle, inviting longing in one's spirit.

Wutong Mountain was not just the name of a single mountain, but referred to the land and rivers within a radius of three hundred miles centered around this mountain.

This location was one of several exquisite sites within the Yunhuang Mountain Range, with its scenic and cultural beauty renowned throughout the Tianzhu Realm.

Some of the famous places included Perch Phoenix Lake, Luohuang Mountain, Bamboo Sea Listening Wave Pavilion, Guardian Peak, Debating Platform, Ten Thousand Dao Tower, Tao Character Stele...and so on,

As for the one hundred and seven uniquely styled and ingeniously constructed Guest Houses by lake and forest, although also quite famous, they seemed inconsequential compared to those absolutely splendid scenic spots.

The first order of business for Zhao Sheng and the others upon arriving at Wutong Mountain was to choose their accommodations.

Undoubtedly, this was the first grand showcase of the Phoenix Meeting.

There were only one hundred and seven Guest Houses, but attending were more than two hundred individuals.

Hence, one could imagine what would happen next.

Naturally, those with thick skins could simply choose a spot and build a temporary shelter on their own.

This was not a difficult task, but the hard part... was losing face.

One should know that those able to come to Wutong Mountain all had profound backgrounds,

Not being strong enough to compete with others, losing one's own face was a minor matter, but losing the face of one's own power was a major problem.@@novelbin@@