Chapter 114: On the Dao
Zhang Jian rose to his feet, cleared his throat, and said, “The Two Prefectures’ Dao Discourse is not merely a grand event for the Divine Gift University.”
“It is a festive day for the two prefectures, for two billion living beings.”
“The academic exchange between the two prefectures draws immense attention and captivates countless eyes.”
“Each discourse sees prodigies soaring to new heights, rising swiftly to become the brightest stars in the prefectures.”
“But many more are crushed, their spirits withered, abandoning cultivation entirely.”
At this, Zhang Jian’s gaze turned solemn.
“Our First Academy is the Linjiang Prefecture’s first-year face.”
“Most of you possess Level Three talent.”
“I hope that, regardless of the outcome this discourse, you all gain something.”
“No matter what,” Zhang Jian said gravely, “remember this.”
“For public and private reasons alike.”
“Cultivation is the true path.”
“On a small scale, the higher your spiritual energy, the longer you live.”
Zhang Jian asked, “After entering the Divine Gift University, you receive subsidies and become wealthy—don’t you want to live longer, enjoy more years?”
Zhang Jian asked, “Once you get into the Divine Grant University and receive the subsidy resources, you all become rich—don’t you want to live longer, enjoy more years?”
Dozens of students burst into laughter.
Zhang Jian chuckled twice, then said, “On a grand scale…”
“On a grand scale, it has little to do with you.”
Zhang Jian clicked his tongue.
“Disembark!”
The Whale Ray vessel descended.
The towering hatch slowly opened.
Instantly,
thick spiritual energy from the water veins, carrying a cool breeze, swept into the cabin.
With the hatch’s soundproofing gone,
a deafening roar erupted from every direction, overwhelming and unrelenting!
Along the waterside cliff, countless array seats filled the surroundings.
Tens of thousands of living beings had already taken their seats, ready to watch the discourse.
Each seat required payment in Alliance Coins.
Through these seats alone,
the array departments of both prefectures had already recouped their costs.
They had also seized the opportunity to add extra services, reaping enormous profits.
Once the array seats activated their screens, they blocked outside views.
Whether dining, cleaning, betting, or other services—
as long as the guest requested it, it was fulfilled.
Beyond these ordinary seats,
luxurious, exquisite array pavilions hung suspended in the sky!
These pavilions stood shoulder to shoulder.
Below them, transparent arrays supported them,
keeping them afloat above the waterside cliff, across the entire sky.
Sitting at the pavilion entrance, sipping tea while gazing downward,
a holographic screen stretching hundreds of meters loomed nearly within reach, crystal clear!
“That is the premier viewing venue—extremely expensive.”
Descending the gangway, Liu Tiezhu looked up at the floating pavilions above.
Shan Ye, Yin Yin, and another girl disembarked from the Whale Ray vessel in turn.
Jiang Jian did not join them.
Instead, he walked aside, scanning the surroundings.
This was a vast airfield.
The airfield was enormous—larger than Linjiang Prefecture’s.
Stretching before him, countless aircraft of all sizes were parked in organized zones.
Around the airfield, numerous semi-transparent pathway arrays were distributed.
Paid spectators could easily locate their pathway arrays by seat number and reach their seats directly.
Students from both prefectures’ Divine Gift Universities also had competition numbers.
“You have registered for: Team Combat.”
“Your competition number: Zone 9, No. 7113.”
Jiang Jian opened his identity device, found his number, and walked straight toward Zone 9’s pathway array.
Behind him on the airfield,
aircraft continued to land one after another.
Students arriving for the discourse grew ever more numerous.
First-year freshmen numbered one hundred thousand.
Combined with second- and third-year students,
the total number of participants reached several hundred thousand!
“Identity verified!”
“Proceeding to Zone 9. Please wait.”
Jiang Jian approached the array pathway; a mechanical voice spoke, and surrounding screens sealed shut.
“Heading to Zone 9, please wait.”
Jiang Jian approached the array staircase; a mechanical voice sounded, and the surrounding light screens instantly closed in.
the array pathway began moving, racing swiftly toward the waterside cliff.
Meanwhile,
hundreds of array pathways crossed left and right.
Each pathway carried a combat team.
“Arrived at Zone 9. Wait for combat to begin!”
The pathway descended.
Jiang Jian stepped out of the array pathway onto a vast circular stone staircase.
This was the closest point to the waterside cliff.
The circular staircase of Zone 9 was already filled with students ascending and descending.
These students formed groups of five, standing together, whispering among themselves.
Seeing Jiang Jian alone,
many turned to him in confusion.
Among them, several Linjiang Prefecture students recognized Jiang Jian—expressions turned even more astonished!
“Jiang Jian from Linjiang Academy!? How is he alone?!”
“Are his teammates not here yet?”
“No, that’s impossible—the array pathway only activates when the entire team enters.”
“What’s going on?”
“Did the array malfunction?”
The Linjiang Prefecture students stared, bewildered, murmuring among themselves.
No one imagined
that Jiang Jian’s combat team consisted of only one person!
“Truly noisy.”
Jiang Jian sat cross-legged on the ground, cultivating in silence, ignoring all glances.
The Two Prefectures’ Dao Discourse begins with the first-year class.
The team combat, the most significant segment, leads the way!
Two prefectures, one hundred thousand freshmen.
Divided into ten zones.
Each zone holds ten thousand.
The hundred thousand freshmen gradually entered the circular staircases, finding their assigned zones.
Ready at all times to enter the waterside cliff!
One hundred thousand new students entered the circular stone steps one by one, finding their assigned zones.
Always and everywhere, be ready to enter the Cliff of Lingshui!
At this very moment.
Dozens of divine-granted universities in the Two Prefectures, second-year and third-year students.
And on all sides of the Cliff of Linshui, over a million spectators.
Even twenty billion lifeforms within the Two Prefectures watching the live broadcast.
Countless gazes converged upon the one hundred thousand new students on the circular stone steps!
BOOM!
The Linshui Grand Array activated!
The holographic mega-screen spanning the sky blazed to life with a roar!
Streams of array light surged and interwove.
A massive leaderboard suddenly appeared!
The Discourse Leaderboard!
On it were twenty thousand names.
Each name represented a combat team.
Demon-Slaying Team, Hanjiang Team, ClassDismiss Team, Cultivation Team, Ghost-Killer Team, Invincible Team, and more.
Chaotic team names emerged one after another.
Beside each team name, five faintly glowing names appeared.
These five names were the members of the combat team.
Meanwhile,
above the Cliff of Linshui,
the holographic mega-screen rapidly split apart.
In just a few seconds, it became ten thousand smaller screens!
Each screen clearly displayed a complete combat arena.
As the one hundred thousand new students all took their positions,
the hour hand pointed to nine o’clock sharp.
GONG!
The shocking bell tone echoed across the Cliff!
“The Two Prefectures Discourse Competition: First-Year Team Combat.”
“Round One!”
“Twenty thousand teams randomly paired.”
“Half eliminated, half advanced!”
A cold voice rang out clearly.
At this moment,
Jiang Jian’s identity device flashed urgently.
“Enter the Xingti Array and proceed to your combat arena within 60 seconds!”
“Enter the Xingti Array and proceed to your combat arena within 59 seconds!”
The time gradually shortened.
Jiang Jian ceased his cultivation and opened his eyes.
Students from Zone 9 on the circular stone steps began entering the Xingti Array one by one.
Jiang Jian did not rush.
Instead, he opened his identity device and logged into the Linjiang Betting Platform.
The betting deadline was also down to one minute.
“Team Name: Jiang Jian’s Combat Team.”
“Betting Option: Two Prefectures Academic Champions.”
“Bet Amount: 3,000,000 Alliance Coins.”
“Odds: 10x maximum.”
“Confirm bet?”
A mechanical voice sounded.
Jiang Jian did not hesitate—he immediately tapped confirm!
“Bet successful!”
The numbers in his citizen account fluctuated rapidly.
In an instant, 3 million Alliance Coins vanished!
(End of Chapter)
End of Chapter
