Chapter 255

Bai Yun City differs from Wudicheng in its grandeur and peril; it exudes an ancient simplicity.

It is less a city than a vast, orderly settlement.

The city walls are only three zhang high, yet exceptionally thick, covered in weathered traces of time, wide enough for three carts to travel side by side.

Inside the city, there is no strict division between inner and outer wards; instead, it is neatly divided into nine distinct functional zones.

Buildings rise no higher than six stories; the streets are broad, teeming with crowds.

Chen Mu walked along streets paved with blue stone slabs; the people he saw all looked healthy, indicating decent livelihoods here.

Free cultivators carrying swords and blades were everywhere, their qi levels varying, yet all without exception adhered to some invisible order—no one dared cause disturbances in the streets.

Squad after squad of Bai Yun Guards, clad in standardized silver-white armor and radiating sharp, disciplined qi, moved like flowing pieces on a chessboard, patrolling continuously to maintain peace in this free city.

The wonder "Clouds Rise Above the Sea" still requires several days.

Therefore, we should first locate Zhu Jiuchuan's whereabouts!

Yet in this city teeming with all manner of people and beyond the direct jurisdiction of the imperial court, no one would voluntarily offer clues to this imperial inspector—everything must rely on Chen Mu himself.

The trouble is, Bai Yun City, like Wudicheng, has no neutral intelligence hub such as a Hero's Tower branch.

All channels for buying and selling information within the city are tightly controlled by Bai Yun City itself.

If Chen Mu recklessly inquired, the information would likely reach Zhu Jiuchuan through some channel, alerting him.

After all, since Zhu Jiuchuan chose to hide here, he must have contacts and backing within Bai Yun City.

"Don't rush; find a safe and reliable way."

Chen Mu thought to himself.

He wandered through several districts of the city for half a day, familiarizing himself with the environment while pondering a way to break the deadlock.

Passing a broad square, he was drawn to the crowd packed three layers deep around it.

Looking up across the distance, he saw a tall fighting platform erected at the center, banners fluttering, with a prominent banner hanging above—

Martial Contest to Win a Bride!

"Martial Contest to Win a Bride?"

Chen Mu shifted his gaze and listened to the murmurs.

Soon, he learned the general situation.

More accurately, it was a contest to win a son-in-law!

Though seeking a son-in-law, the woman's status was extraordinary—she was the only daughter of Hua Shanhe, one of Bai Yun City's five vice-mayors and a Tiangong Realm cultivator!

If successful, even as a son-in-law, it would be a leap to heaven for a free cultivator with no background!

Thus, applicants flooded in without end.

Chen Mu's heart stirred; he approached the crowd and asked a free cultivator, whose face showed envy, about the contest rules.

The cultivator, seeing Chen Mu's distinguished bearing, was generous in explanation: "The rules are simple! As long as your cultivation reaches the Innate Realm and you're under thirty, if you can successfully defend the platform for ten rounds without defeat, you enter the final shortlist. In combat, injuring opponents is allowed, but killing is forbidden. As for who will ultimately be chosen…"

He paused, lowering his voice to chuckle, "It's entirely up to the precious daughter of Vice-Mayor Hua—Young Lady Hua Baobao! The contest lasts a month; only three days remain."

He sighed, adding regretfully, "Alas, if only I weren't over the age limit, I'd definitely climb up and try my luck!"

"Thank you, brother."

Chen Mu bowed in thanks, yet swiftly weighed options in his mind.

If he could establish ties with Vice-Mayor Hua Shanhe, leveraging the man's influence and power within Bai Yun City, locating a hidden Zhu Jiuchuan would be effortless.

With Chen Mu's strength, entering the final shortlist by defending the platform would pose no difficulty—he might even be chosen.

The problem is…

Chen Mu frowned slightly; he had no intention of marrying, even if Hua Baobao was said to be as beautiful as a flower.

To trade his entire future happiness for the capture of one Zhu Jiuchuan was too great a price.

What about fleeing midway, becoming a deceitful "scoundrel" who betrayed affection?

Better not.

Hua Shanhe isn't just a vice-mayor—he's a Tiangong Realm cultivator. To deceive his only daughter?

Pure suicide.

As he pondered, a louder clamor erupted from the crowd.

Chen Mu looked toward the platform and saw a new challenger leap onto it; recognizing the man's face, he was startled.

The newcomer was Su Donglai, whom Chen Mu had once seen in Zhenzhoucheng, ranked eleventh on the Potential Dragon List!

"Su Donglai willing to become a son-in-law?"

Chen Mu was astonished.

Su Donglai's appearance wasn't handsome, but his features were strong and upright; at twenty-five, with Ninth Stage Innate cultivation and eleventh rank on the Potential Dragon List, he was more than worthy of Hua Baobao's status.

His appearance instantly ignited the square; murmurs surged everywhere.

"It's Su Donglai! The eleventh-ranked Potential Dragon!"

"Heh, even a Potential Dragon has shown up."

"No doubt now—who under thirty can defeat Su Donglai?"

"Hua's future son-in-law can only be Su Donglai!"

…

Listening to the murmurs and watching Su Donglai's calm, steady aura on the platform, Chen Mu's eyes flickered; a new thought quietly surfaced.

"Perhaps… I don't need to fight myself."

…

On the platform.

Su Donglai held One Low-Grade Spirit Blade in hand, his figure upright as a pine, expression indifferent, eyes calm and unruffled, as if the roaring crowd below had nothing to do with him.

The instant he steadied himself, three figures could not wait and leapt onto the arena at the same time.

A young man in white robes, a long sword in hand.

A bald man with a gleaming, shiny head, holding a cooked-copper staff.

And a young man with naturally curly hair, gripping a pair of blades.

After the three stepped onto the stage, they first glanced at each other warily, then cupped their fists toward Su Donglai in unison, their tone carrying a deliberately crafted deference.

"I've long admired Brother Su's great name. Today I am fortunate to share the stage with you, and have come especially to seek a few pointers!"

"To be able to exchange blows with a prodigy of the Hidden Dragon — what a true blessing! I hope Brother Su will not stint in his instruction!"

"Please, Brother Su, give me your guidance!"

Hearing this, Chen Mu down below could not help but snort with a laugh, and understood in his heart.

These three men's schemes were loud and clear—

Constrained by the dueling rules, their bout with Su Donglai counted as a "fair" challenge; losing would be only natural and not shameful in the slightest.

But if by chance they could last a few exchanges during the fight, or even gain the slightest upper hand, that would be capital enough to brag about for years, and their reputation would instantly climb a notch!

Su Donglai had roamed the jianghu for many years — how could he fail to see through these people's scheming minds?

His expression remained unchanged; only the fingers gripping the saber hilt tightened slightly.

The referee, seeing this, stepped forward, and in accordance with the rules designated the white-robed youth to challenge first, then announced in a loud voice.

"Begin!"

The tail of the word "gin" had not yet fully faded—

"Clang!"

A clear, ringing saber-cry suddenly sounded.

Su Donglai could not be bothered with idle talk. His figure shot forward like lightning, the long saber in his hand flashing from its sheath in an instant, transforming into a bolt of snowy-white silk, and with a speed faster than a thunderclap covering one's ears, he slashed down straight at the white-robed youth's head!