Chapter 233: Cangwu Dao Field

The next morning, a gentle breeze blew.

Countless cultivators emerged from the garden, walking toward the Nine Dao Fields under the dim morning light, a sea of people heading to either compete or watch.

The scholars of the Heavenly Book Academy also left their compound after washing up, traveling together to the Jingyang Dao Field.

He Lingxiu had a match here today, and the old man named Lin Hong also had a match at the Jingyang Dao Field today.

Many already knew of his sudden breakthrough to the Heavenly Response realm during the match—his unhidden ambition had been the subject of much gossip.

So it wasn't just the Heavenly Book Academy's people who came; cultivators from other immortal sects and noble families arrived in droves, including several elders with white hair and beards.

Added to those who weren't competing but loved to crowd into the spectacle, the Jingyang Dao Field was packed to capacity, with not even a single spot left for another person.

Yet even so, more people kept arriving; unable to enter, they levitated into the air and landed atop the eight stone walls surrounding the arena.

The Jingyang Dao Field had clearly become the most popular of the Nine Dao Fields.

Even Princess Zhao Yunyue arrived early, blending into the crowd.

Liu Junchi also had a match here today; she came to watch, hoping to use the opportunity to draw closer to the Lingjian Mountain disciples.

She also wanted to see this Lin Hong, the cultivator who broke through mid-match, and the astonishing battles of those in the Fusion Dao realm.

In stark contrast to the packed Jingyang Dao Field, the Cangwu Dao Field was eerily quiet.

Because the first round at Cangwu Dao Field featured only minor noble families' Tongxuan realm battles, and no particularly notable cultivators, aside from family members sent by the two combatants, there were no other spectators.

The Miao family of Yuzhou, the Han family of Liangzhou, the Xiang family of Yunzhou…

Most were newly established hundred-year noble families with shallow roots; after several matches, not even inherited techniques were seen, let alone refined moves.

Even if someone came to watch at Cangwu Dao Field, they usually left after just one match.

This atmosphere persisted until the afternoon, and only after five matches concluded did the Cangwu Dao Field gradually begin to fill with more people.

The first to enter was a woman veiled in light gauze; her figure was slender, exuding a cold, commanding aura that made others dare not look directly at her.

Even those who raised their eyes felt as if a hazy veil obscured her, making her indistinct.

Accompanying her were two other women, neither wearing immortal robes, only ordinary dresses.

They did not sit in the usual spectator seats but walked around the arena and entered the viewing tower beside the Cangwu Dao Field, taking seats on the second floor.

The minor noble families gathered at the Cangwu Dao Field had never seen the highest authorities of the Qingyun Realm, let alone the heads of thousand-year families, but they knew clearly that anyone who could watch from the viewing tower was no ordinary person.

"Jianzhu."

"Outside, call me Miss—don't draw attention."

"Yes, Miss. Does the Master know we've come to watch his match today?"

Yan Shuyi lifted her eyes slightly: "I was just bored staying in the room, took a stroll, and happened to pass by the Cangwu Dao Field, so I came to watch the match of the second son of the Huashi branch. What does it have to do with him?"

Zhuo Wanqiu couldn't help coughing, thinking to herself: You probably don't even know the second son of the Huashi branch's name.

And according to what she knew… the second son of the Huashi branch did indeed fight at the Cangwu Dao Field today, but his match had already ended this morning.

Jianzhu showed no aversion to the term "Master," yet insisted it was just a coincidence—clearly Ji You was right: Jianzhu really was a prideful brat, wanting to watch her own husband yet pretending otherwise.

Thinking of this, Zhuo Wanqiu couldn't help recalling last night.

That night, her Jianzhu returned to the small pavilion with a cold expression, then walked proudly into her room; when she entered to bring tea, she found Jianzhu sitting on the bed, staring intently at her own feet, toes wiggling unconsciously, completely unaware of her presence.

She silently pondered this, glancing sideways at Ding Yao.

At that moment, Ding Yao was watching the circular platform across from her, her expression slightly grave.

The main reason was Ji You's excessive laxity these past few days, leaving her feeling uncertain.

Just as she'd muttered last night: anyone who enters the Heavenly Dao Assembly is no ordinary person.

After them, the Heavenly Book Academy disciple Yu Shiliu arrived at the Cangwu Dao Field.

She found a less crowded spot, sat down, and began to sit in quiet waiting.

Her senior brothers and sisters either had matches or were focused on their own opponents; Wang Gaocen and Gu Zetao were more interested in the three Tongxuan cultivators who had broken through to Fusion Dao.

Yet for some reason, she was more curious about Ji You's match, so she specifically came from the Jingyang Dao Field.

In fact, her thoughts were similar to Ding Yao's: Ji You seemed to take the Heavenly Dao Assembly matches lightly, making her even more curious about his first battle.

Arriving around the same time as Yu Shiliu were three women.

They sat near the entrance of the Dao Field, with servants setting up tea tables and snacks around them.

The woman on the left had her hair pinned high, adorned with several purple hairpins, wearing a gold-embroidered ruqun, her gaze cool and elegant, radiating the aura of a wealthy noblewoman.

If Ji You had already arrived, he would have recognized her as the woman who had been watching him closely during the Gathering of Immortals—the Lady Lu, mother of Lu Hanyan and Lu Qingqiu.

The other woman who came with her dressed with equal opulence: she was the Lady Rong of Yunzhou.

The Rong family also held considerable influence within the Spirit Stone Guild, ranking just below the Lu and Ding families, effectively the third power.

The Yunzhou Spirit Stone Guild was fundamentally a consortium of shared interests; despite internal power struggles, the relationships among the ladies remained excellent.

The Rong family came to the Heavenly Dao Assembly because one of their young members was to watch the matches.

Lady Rong had little interest in cultivator duels; she was, after all, a woman of the household. Though she had once cultivated, after bearing children she gradually abandoned it, remaining stuck in the Condensation Realm for years.

Her reason for accompanying the family was simply that she rarely got the chance to go out, and now she could do so with her sisters.

Yesterday, Lady Rong had already made plans with her sisters to explore the area today.

It was said that in Zhongxing County there was a painter of exceptional skill, capable of capturing a person's essence with just a few light brushstrokes.

She had planned to invite this painter to sketch portraits of her sisters in the scenic Xianxian Garden, to hang at home—but before she could leave, Lady Lu had dragged her here.

Beside her sat Lady Wang of the Wang family of Yunzhou, of nearly identical status and background; her reason for coming to the Heavenly Dao Assembly was much the same—also pulled here suddenly by Lady Lu.

Looking at the sparse crowd and silent Cangwu Dao Field, Lady Rong frowned slightly: "The weather today is perfect for an outing—why did Lady Lu suddenly change her mind and drag us here?"

Lady Wang shared the same question, and together she and Lady Rong turned to look at Lady Lu.

"I brought you here to watch one person."

"?"

Lady Rong and Lady Wang looked puzzled: "There doesn't seem to be any Lu family member competing today."

Lady Lu nodded: "That's true—but there is Ji You, a disciple of the Heavenly Book Academy from a rural private cultivator background in Fengzhou."

"So it's him?"

Lady Wang and Lady Rong's lips parted slightly, their brows furrowing.

Though they had spent years managing households and paying little attention to outside affairs, they had heard Ji You's name.

The reason? The Snowfield Demon Stone.

After the demon clans began trading with the Nine Provinces, the Snowfield Demon Stone severely damaged Yunzhou's business.

The Yunzhou Spirit Stone Guild had wanted to restrict the Immortal Supervision's transport of Snowfield Demon Stone, but the Supervision had turned to Ji You and rerouted through Fengzhou.

These women could ignore other matters, but they understood their own business well.

Lady Rong frowned slightly: "Why did Lady Lu come here specifically to see him?"

"Naturally, because a daughter grows up and leaves home."

"?"

Lady Lu turned her gaze to them: "You know my two daughters are at the Heavenly Book Academy. When I went to visit them recently, I found my second daughter has feelings for Ji You, and my husband is also quite pleased with him."

Lady Rong and Lady Wang exchanged glances, thinking: if that's true, it's actually a good thing.

The Spirit Stone Guild had raised transport taxes precisely to seize control of the Snowfield Demon Stone, only to be outmaneuvered by the Immortal Supervision.

But if Ji You becomes the Lu family's son-in-law, the two families will naturally become one, and control over the spirit stone trade will fall into place effortlessly.

Lady Wang chuckled softly: "No wonder Lady Lu lost interest in sightseeing—she came to meet her future son-in-law."

"Son-in-law?" Lady Lu sneered. "Do I have the fortune to make Ji You my son-in-law?"

Lady Wang was startled: "Lady Lu seems to have more to say?"

Lady Lu clasped her hands on her lap: "This Ji You is extremely arrogant."

"?"

"I've always looked down on such rural private cultivators, but my daughter likes him, and my husband approves—I, as a woman, cannot oppose them. So I decided to observe him closely, question him—but he didn't even show up, and his refusal was just a few words written on a note."

Though the Lu family's overall rank isn't high, it holds power in Yunzhou; Lady Lu has rarely left Yunzhou in her life, and thus carries an innate sense of superiority.

In her view, the Lu family had become a hundred-year noble house, built wealth through spirit stone trade, and her daughters were exceptionally gifted.

Ji You should have been overjoyed to marry into the family, yet he was so arrogant—naturally, she was displeased.

Lady Wang and Lady Rong frowned: "That's his mistake—but if he's so arrogant, why did Lady Lu come here specifically for him?"

Lady Lu's expression darkened slightly: "At the banquet, I saw him, but my husband was there, so I couldn't speak plainly. Today, I came to make it clear: whether we marry or not is up to the Lu family—not his to decide."

Lady Wang nodded gently: "That's exactly right."

Lady Rong also nodded in agreement: "Then who is he fighting today?"

Lady Lu frowned slightly: "I have no interest in cultivator duels—I didn't inquire. I think it's someone from the Tang family of Zhongzhou."

"Tang Jingming?"

"Do you know him, Lady Rong?"

"The Tang family patriarch's younger brother once cultivated with my cousin—I've heard of Tang Jingming. They say he awakened his spirit late and failed to enter an immortal sect, but his cultivation since then has been steady and solid, with a firm foundation. Rumor has it that after completing the lower three realms, his progress accelerated, as if all nine orifices were fully open."

Lady Wang was surprised: "He doesn't seem like an ordinary person."

Lady Rong nodded: "The kind whose strength exceeds his reputation—if Ji You underestimates him, he'll have trouble."

"Then it'll be worth watching…"

As the three ladies whispered, the Tang family entered through the gate, stepping into the arena beneath the slanting sun.

A group of over ten people, all dressed in brocade and fine robes, walked with proud, confident strides, taking seats on the southern side of the dueling platform.

Leading them was a young man wearing a jeweled crown and jade belt, eight feet tall, holding a long saber; after seating himself, he sat quietly to cultivate his spirit.

He was Tang Jingming, son of the Tang family.

Beside him sat the Tang family patriarch, his younger brother, and other relatives.

But following the Tang family came a slender, graceful young maiden named Huang Rou.

She hailed from the Huang clan of Zhongzhou and was a close childhood friend of Qiu Hanyue.

She had come here specifically because she had been childhood companions with Tang Jingming, the Tang family's son, and had come to watch his match.

She had not known at first that Tang Jingming's opponent was Ji You; she only learned of it this morning when she overheard the Tang family chatting, and had been somewhat surprised.

In a lifetime, one encounters countless strangers, most of whom are seen but once and never again.

For Huang Rou, the man her childhood friend did not wish to marry was just such a person.

Yet she had not expected that within just two days, she had heard news of this Ji You multiple times—truly surprising.

Huang Rou had low cultivation talent and was modest and demure, rarely leaving home, so she understood little of the world and was naturally unfamiliar with a stranger from the Heavenly Book Academy.

She had only learned a little after hearing that the Qiu family planned to marry Qiu Hanyue to him.

She had heard Ji You had been granted special admission to the Heavenly Book Academy, had once accompanied the human envoy to the demon realm, fought both the barbarians and demons, been wounded, yet survived.

Women are like this—their thoughts are small; they do not care about grand worldly affairs.

Even if they knew humans had sent an envoy to the Snow Realm, they would have no interest in understanding why, let alone the details.

Huang Rou, in fact, was already better than most—her vision was slightly broader than ordinary women's; some of her close friends were even narrower, fixated only on their own surroundings.

After sitting down, Huang Rou gazed at the Tang family across the diagonal and began to ponder carefully.

In her view, Ji You and Tang Jingming were at the same realm; their combat strength should not differ greatly.

Tang Jingming came from a noble family; compared to rural self-cultivators, he naturally had an edge, for the resources of immortal sect families far surpassed what any individual could amass.

But Ji You was an immortal sect disciple—that gave him another edge over Tang Jingming.

Yet on the other hand, Tang Jingming's second uncle had once been an inner-disciple of the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion; after leaving, he had personally trained Tang Jingming, so his training was nearly indistinguishable from that of a true immortal sect disciple—perhaps half an edge.

After weighing it all, Huang Rou felt the gap between them was not large, but Tang Jingming might have a slight upper hand—he had a chance to win, though a grueling battle was likely unavoidable.

She had heard that today's morning matches had all been like this: since the combatants' strengths were closely matched, nearly all three matches went the full distance before a victor emerged.

After pondering, Huang Rou could not help raising her head, thinking she should have persuaded Hanyue to come today.

But… she had just escaped an unwanted betrothal; she doubted Hanyue would come even if she knew.

At this moment, the sun dipped lower, and the summer breeze grew slightly stronger.

As the crowd chatted, Ji You arrived, clad in slanting sunlight, carrying an iron sword, walking along the marble path into the Cangwu Arena.

His hairpin was neat, his attire tidy; though he lacked Tang Jingming's aristocratic air, he carried a touch of scholarly grace.

He had not dressed meticulously for this match—he had been cultivating his body since dawn, bathed after sweating profusely.

He was not alone; behind him followed Cao Jingsong, Ban Yangshu, Wen Zhengxin, Pei Ruyi, and the management disciple assigned to him, Wen Siyuan.

After crossing the stone steps into the Cangwu Arena, Ji You and his group began walking while scanning the surroundings.

In truth, the nine arenas differed only in name; their interiors were identical—eight stone walls surrounding a central combat arena, made of material nearly identical to the Heavenly Book Academy's Ascension White Jade Platform.

As he looked around, Ji You saw the Tang family and many unfamiliar faces.

His gaze passed over Huang Rou, but he did not recall who she was.

Finally, he saw Yu Shiliu, and only then did he react—merely giving her a slight nod.

Cao Jingsong and the other three also scanned the area, then spoke a few words to Ji You before parting ways and heading for the spectator stands.

Only Ji You and Wen Siyuan did not stop; they walked together to the waiting area opposite the circular platform.

"Tang Jingming rarely ventures out, but his strength is genuine—he's considered a talent among noble families and wields twin long sabers."

"In the Tang family's lineage, the younger brother of the patriarch entered an immortal sect and has now reached the Ying Tian realm, so some in Zhongzhou still hold high hopes for Tang Jingming."

"That's the basic information—nothing else."

"Also, although most noble family disciples are inferior to immortal sect disciples—if they weren't, they'd have already entered the Academy and wouldn't be competing in the Heavenly Dao Gathering."

Wen Siyuan walked with Ji You toward the waiting area, pointing across at Tang Jingming as he spoke.

He was highly responsible, having investigated the opponent's background thoroughly before Ji You's match and revealed everything he could find.

When he finished, he saw Ji You nod slightly, but offer no comment or further questions.

He did not ask what kind of sabers they were, or whether the Tang family had any inherited cultivation arts—only stood briefly in the waiting area, staring at the platform for a long while.

"This arena's platform material feels familiar—is it the same as our Heavenly Book Academy's Ascension White Jade Platform?"

"It should be."

(End of Chapter)