Chapter 202: 195 The Opening

Mid-spring in the second month, the grass grows and the orioles fly.

At the peak of Kungang, the sea breeze brushes the face.

……

It seems something is not quite right.

For ages, Kungang Snow Mountain had never seen the sea, but since Jianzhou reached this place, there has been a sea.

Amidst the mountains, water ripples, a vast expanse of blue; who would dare say that is not the sea?

In the center of the sea, on a small island that could be called Jianzhou Island, the flowers are in full bloom and the crowd is bustling.

Long Yuan has put in the effort.

There is a mountain in the center of Jianzhou Island, and on the southern side of the mountain, facing the Sunlight, carved railings and jade masonry were long ago built into countless flower gardens, planting rare flowers and exotic herbs from all over the world, seldom seen in the Human World. Those flower railings were clearly meticulously designed by master craftsmen, not only making the vastly different flowers and trees all vibrant and lush, clustered together, and arranged with appropriate heights and levels to complement each other, but also ensuring they were neither chaotic nor causing any single plant or branch to lose its luster. Even the fragrance was contained by the railings; the air was filled with only a faint, delicate scent, never becoming too mixed or intense. Only by leaning in close to sniff could one smell the unique fragrance of each of the hundred flowers.

Beyond the flower railings was the venue, vaguely divided into three areas. They were not separated by fences, but by two clear streams winding around, with tables and chairs set up in each. Even in the most compact Human District, the tables and chairs were clean and tidy, arranged in a well-spaced manner without appearing cramped at all. Each table was set with a vase containing one or two seasonal flowers, much like a Qionglin Banquet in the Imperial Garden.

However, compared to the Earth District and Heaven District, the Human District paled in comparison. Especially the Heaven District, an area as large as the Human District, was set with only twenty-four seats, one seat per person, yet every two seats were close to each other, just like yin-yang fish circling, adjacent to one another. A total of twelve pairs of seats were distributed in a semi-circle around the clear stream, losing neither order nor feeling distant. A clearing was set in the center of the semi-circle, presumably left for the podium.

Just from the layout of this venue, one could see that Long Yuan had put in a great deal of effort, truly making guests feel at home. Even though dark clouds had loomed before the seating began, once they reached the venue, the Sunlight shone down and the fragrance of flowers wafted, and the entire assembly became joyful and delighted once more.

In the morning, the people in the Human District took their seats first. As they sat, melodious music began to play, relaxed and soothing, though there was no band on site, and it was unknown where it was being played from. When the people in the Earth District took their seats, the rhythm of the music quickened, and streams of water gushed from the clear stream, as if lotus flowers were blooming—it was a fancy fountain.

When people entered the Heaven District, the rhythm of the music became even more brisk, with a sense of high spirits and intensity, adding to the joyful and inspiring mood. Beyond the fountains, countless flower petals fell from the sky, drifting lightly with the wind, like a dream.

"Heavenly flowers falling in profusion, golden lotuses springing from the earth... the imagery is quite good."

Tang Zhao sighed in admiration in his heart as he was led into the venue by a young woman. The Talisman Sword Masters of the Heaven District were all led in by special personnel, entering in order; each person even had a new piece of music played upon their entry, with different styles, mostly matching each individual, giving everyone time to focus their gaze. When Tang Zhao entered, applause thundered, and many Talisman Sword Masters stood up to clap and cheer. Clearly, over the past two days, his halo remained dazzling.

Under the focus of all eyes, Tang Zhao was nervous at first, then gradually calmed down. From looking straight ahead, he gradually opened his field of vision, taking in everything around him. He saw the senior brothers and acquaintances in the Heaven District, saw friends and strangers in the Human District, and also saw more powerful and sturdy strange Martial Artists not far away. His gaze swept past, but their gazes followed him constantly.

This feeling of being the focus of the crowd, when not used to it, felt like thorns on one's back, but once accustomed to it, one gradually became immersed in it.

It was not until he sat down that Tang Zhao finally steadied himself and nodded to Wu Yunfei in the neighboring seat.

At this moment, the music in the venue changed again. The petal rain stopped, but a circular petal path spread out around, like a carpet.

The music became more solemn, with the style of elegant music. The sound of yellow bells and large chimes seemed to mix with the roar of a dragon, and countless mists rose from the water surface. The mists intertwined, turning into white clouds, and the clouds twisted into a high platform, built right over the clear stream, with dragon patterns at both ends, extremely magnificent.

Tang Zhao immediately remembered the dragon-shaped cloud floating in the sky when he first arrived at White City; it seemed there was a Talisman Art in Long Yuan for creating clouds. The saying goes that wind follows the tiger and clouds follow the dragon; Long Yuan being able to control clouds should be the same.

As the clouds condensed into a platform, several people turned out from behind to take their seats. He only heard applause like a tide; he did not know who started the clapping, but the applause was very uniform, and Tang Zhao could not help but follow along and clap a few times.

Are these the distinguished guests on the podium?

Oh, there are acquaintances too.

Tang Zhao saw the most familiar young man at a glance, smiled lightly, and felt a sense of "as expected." But immediately after, he saw the person next to him and could not help but be startled.

That seems to be...

"Clang—"

As the golden bell rang, a person walked to the front of the platform, dressed in formal attire, groomed meticulously; it was Qi Yuheng, who said in a clear voice: "Fellow Daoists, friends, the spring breeze of the second month rises, and the flowers of Jianzhou bloom. On this vibrant and flourishing day, welcome to the quadrennial Spring Talisman Assembly..."

Applause thundered. Qi Yuheng's voice was clear and bright. After finishing a series of welcoming remarks, he began to introduce the distinguished guests on the White Cloud Platform.

"First, thank you to the Snow Mountain Prince for gracing the Talisman Assembly with his presence. Everyone in Long Yuan is flattered."

"Wang Fei," dressed in magnificent robes, bowed slightly. The Talisman Sword Masters did not have time to applaud and hurriedly stood up to salute.

The Snow Mountain Prince was a proper member of the imperial family, a golden branch and jade leaf. Although the imperial family was now in decline, with a strong sense that the imperial edicts did not leave the capital, the remaining prestige of the royal family still existed; the Emperor was still the Son of Heaven, the master of the state, and the imperial family were still the noble scions of heaven, high above. Moreover, the Snow Mountain Prince was a local enfeoffed prince with real power in his hands, not comparable to ordinary feudal lords. Although the Talisman Sword Masters were arrogant, most came from good backgrounds, were educated and knew etiquette, and there were not many rebellious people to begin with, especially in the Central Plains, which was not like the peripheral prefectures of Liang, Yun, or Ling; they still recognized the Imperial Court. They did not dare to lack etiquette toward this Prince.

The Prince raised his hand in a gesture of support, smiling and saying there was no need for formalities, and he took an extra look at Tang Zhao, nodding slightly in greeting.

Qi Yuheng breathed a sigh of relief. Long Yuan was originally from the government offices of the previous dynasty and was more in awe of imperial power. After introducing this incomparable guest, he continued: "Distinguished guests present include the Beichen Hall Master of Long Yuan."

The old man next to him stood up to greet them. Tang Zhao's heart stirred: it really was him.

This Hall Master was unexpectedly an acquaintance; he was the very Hall Master he had seen in his memories!

Two hundred years ago, he was the Hall Master, and after two hundred years, he was actually still the Hall Master! Compared to his memory, he was only slightly older, and his Spirit was still quite good.

Has the Beichen Hall Master actually lived for such a long time?

He is the ninth-generation Beichen; Long Yuan has only been established for a few hundred years. It has been passed down to his ninth generation, with each generation lasting only a few decades; why did he not pass it down further?

It is not impossible. Although a Sword Guest cannot add much to their lifespan, a hundred years is about the limit, but once one reaches the level of Sword Hero, one can gradually live a long life. It is not strange for an ordinary Sword Hero to live three or four hundred years, right?

In that case, this Hall Master's realm must be very high, right?

"Great Elder Zhang Shousong of the Kun Yu Sword Sect."

"Supreme Elder of the Donghua Sect..."

"High Monk of Lingtai Temple..."

"Taiyue Sword Sect..."

Those seated in the high seats were mostly high-ranking members of major sects who had come to observe the ceremony, which is why they could sit alongside the Beichen Hall Master. Most of these major sects were martial arts sects, but their level was much higher than those on the invitation letters Tang Zhao had received. For example, that Kun Yu Sword Sect was clearly the superior sect of the Kun Yu Lower Court, establishing its mountain gate on Kungang. Every year, the Lower Court would recruit hundreds or thousands of people, and only then could a few be selected to join the Kun Yu Sword Sect.

In the Jianghu, any sect that could be called a "Sword Sect" was a top-tier major sect, and most were even mysterious hidden sects. Because those that could be called a Sword Sect must have the inheritance of Sword Guests, and there was no lack of Sword Guest and Sword Hero experts, and even Sword Smiths were patronized. They steadily produced Sword Guests generation after generation. Some sects even had the inheritance of Sword Immortals and the legacy of Sword Immortals; even if they did not have top experts for a time, no one dared to look down on them.

These major sects did not usually walk among the common people and were mostly known by name but never seen. Except for the local Kun Yu Sword Sect, which attended the Talisman Assembly year-round, the others came to show support specifically for Long Yuan; this was also a means for Long Yuan to display its connections.

Of course, in terms of power, the Seven Great Factions themselves were no worse than these Sword Sects, but they only sent juniors, so they sat in the lower seats. If an Elder or a Head had come, they could also have sat on the platform.

After introducing the distinguished guests, Qi Yuheng invited the guests to say a few words. The Snow Mountain Prince did not speak, so the Beichen Hall Master stood up and spoke first.

Tang Zhao listened from below. At first, he listened politely, but who knew the other party would speak longer and longer, gradually making him sleepy. He had to pinch his own tiger's mouth to keep himself awake. It was really because his position was not good, right under the nose of the Cloud Platform, and there were acquaintances on the platform; if he fell asleep, it might not look good.

The Beichen Hall Master spoke incessantly, as if he wanted to take out and air all the words he had accumulated during the two hundred years of closing the gate. It was nothing more than talking about the general trend of the Talisman Sword Master world, chatting about the future of Rune Formulas, boasting about his own sect, and incidentally praising the young talents present. Tang Zhao heard his own name several times and was instantly jolted awake from his drowsiness.

When the Beichen Hall Master finished speaking, everyone applauded enthusiastically. Then the first tea break took place. The maids served tea and fruit, and everyone chatted casually.

According to the procedure, the exchange session followed.

Tang Zhao began to feel nervous in his heart. His lips moved slightly, and he saw a Disciple approach and say: "Sword Master Tang, will you please prepare?"

Tang Zhao was startled and said: "Shouldn't the Libationer speak first? I am scheduled for the afternoon, right?"

In the exchange session of the Talisman Assembly, the first day is a thematic exchange. The Libationer goes on stage first to give a keynote lecture, which would take at least an hour or two. Why should Tang Zhao go up so early before he has finished speaking?

By the way, he didn't see the Libationer on the platform just now? Shouldn't he also be sitting on the podium?

He still wanted to see what the Libationer wearing the crocodile skin looked like.

The Disciple looked troubled and said, "The Libationer is suddenly feeling unwell and is still resting, so he has been temporarily moved to the very last spot. Please begin first. The Hall Master knows the opening is hard to speak for, so he will go on stage first to share a little technique to warm up the crowd, and then you will go on. It would be best if you could speak for a bit longer. If the Libationer cannot make it, everyone will have to fill the time."

Tang Zhao pursed his lips, feeling even more repulsed by the Libationer and Long Yuan, who were impulsive and constantly changing their minds, dumping all the trouble onto others. He wondered where things had gone wrong this time; could it be that Libationer again?

However, since things had reached this point and the draft was already in his head, finishing early would also allow him to unload the burden, so he did not decline. Then let's begin—

Chick Phoenix Cry.