Chapter 517: A Palace (I) [Start of Book 6]

"There is a saying: 'Tigers and dragons roam about on the Emperor's Mound. Howling winds and rumbling thunder reverberate through Panyang City. Twelve years have since passed. Who will the white horses and Qinghong meet next?'"[1]

Inside the roadside teahouse where the storyteller was speaking, there were many patrons scattered about. Meanwhile, several shouts could be heard coming from outside in the street.

The storyteller, a tall and thin old man in long indigo robes, wore a serious expression as he dropped a block of wood to grab the attention of the patrons.

Clack!

He said, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is once again time for the Assembly of Immortal Sects, and our Panyang City is surging with activity and excitement like a gathering storm. Such a grand event must already be on everyone's mind, so today, I will tell you all about the heroes of the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten!

"You may be thinking, 'Isn't everything clearly recorded in

The Seven Stars Gazette

? Why do we need you to elaborate?'

Hah

. There is the Divine Nine, the Terrestrial Ten, and the other immortal sects across the four seas. How could a mere gazette record the full exploits of the young heroes from all those sects?

"Did you know that the divine dragon[2] of the Penglai Supreme Sect traveled a thousand li by moonlight not to catch demons and take down monsters but to seek out the true face of an enchantress?

"Did you also know that the fairy of the Mount Shu Sect ventured six times to Jiangnan, braving the nine doors, solving the eight formations, and charging through a sea of swords—all to search for a person?

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"How about the tale of a Sword Sect disciple's unrequited love, or the tragic love story between the two monks of the Buddhist Cloud Monastery?"

He spoke with fervor, and the patrons of the teahouse listened with rapt attention. There were even several lines of people surrounding the teahouse, listening in from the outside and buzzing with chatter.

"So, Yang Shenlong actually has a story with a female cultivator of a diabolical sect? I have always thought he was very prim and proper..."

"Is that story about Jiang Yuebai true? I heard she's involved with a fellow disciple of her sect?"

"Isn't that disciple the Young Hero with the Divine Whip? Chu Liang!" someone said.

Hearing that, the people around them got excited.

That person continued, "At the last Grand Capture Ceremony, some evil people caused trouble, but my elderly father was saved thanks to the Young Hero with the Divine Whip! In this Assembly of Immortal Sects, I'm rooting for him to win the championship for the Mount Shu Sect!"

With a better understanding of the situation, the person sitting behind the previous speaker shook their head. "That's difficult, really difficult... Do you not know that the Mount Shu Sect has not placed in the top ten for the last four assemblies? They are almost about to fall out of the Divine Nine.

"This time, their goal is merely to make it into the top ten. As for Chu Liang's rise to fame, it was only due to the Violet and Azure Twin Swords. His cultivation power may be considered first-rate among the immortal sects, but it is far from enough to win the championship."

The Assembly of Immortal Sects did not prohibit the use of enchanted tools, pills, or talismans. After all, being able to use such items effectively was also part of a cultivator's power. However, the use of legendary artifacts ranked in the top hundred of the

Catalog of the Mortal World's Ten Thousand Treasures

was prohibited.

In battles among the younger generation, artifacts of that level were too powerful and would eliminate all other factors. If they were allowed, it would ultimately turn into a competition of which sect has the most powerful legendary artifacts. The immortal sects would only focus on getting their disciples to master using higher-level legendary artifacts, losing the original intent of the competition.

Another person else jumped out to refute. "What are you talking about? Violet and Azure Twin Swords? I bet they can't compare to his divine whip. Even before Chu Liang rose to fame, the Mount Shu Sect already had Xu Ziyang and Jiang Yuebai. These three youths are serious contenders. They could make the top ten even if all they take in is a dog."

There was someone who was unconvinced. "Are they really that powerful?"

"

Heh,

have you not heard about the Young Hero with the Divine Whip? One lash strengthens the body, ten lashes extend life, and if you get whipped for forty-nine consecutive days, you will achieve immortality!"

That comment immediately drew laughter. "

Hah,

how is that possible?"

Someone else loudly rebutted, "If he could achieve immortality, why would he even bother participating in the Assembly of Immortal Sects? But the rumor that the lashing can restore a man's vitality—well, that one is true."

More people turned around.

"Really?"

"I... I have a friend. Next time I see the Young Hero with the Divine Whip, I'll have to ask him to give my friend a few lashes."

The noisy crowd failed to notice the carriage that was parked outside the teahouse. The driver had gone into the teahouse to have a sip of water earlier, but he was now back in the driver’s seat, and the carriage was slowly moving again.

...

Inside the spacious carriage, Chu Liang's eyes were half-closed, pretending to be sound asleep.

Wang Xuanling, the Mount Shu Sect's grand peak master, sat opposite Chu Liang. His expression was as calm as still waters.

Beside Wang Xuanling was his disciple, Xu Ziyang. Sitting tall and straight with a very stable posture, Xu Ziyang wore a similarly tranquil expression, closely resembling his teacher.

And next to Xu Ziyang sat Ling Ao, whose hair was now reduced to a short buzz cut. The hairstyle made him appear taciturn and fierce. It turned out that every time Ling Ao faced defeat, he would cut his hair as a vow to improve himself. That eventually led to his current appearance.

Sitting across from Ling Ao was the elegant Jiang Yuebai, dressed in white. Her silky hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her eyes were bright and limpid like clear waters. She was undeniably captivating.

When the carriage was parked outside the teahouse earlier, they had all heard the crowd's discussions. Nevertheless, no one spoke for a while.

It was only after the carriage had traveled some distance that Ling Ao glanced at Chu Liang.

Breaking the silence, Ling Ao asked, "Is it true?"

Chu Liang, who was pretending to nap, appeared as if he had not heard Ling Ao's question, but his eyebrows twitched slightly.

"

Pfft,

" Jiang Yuebai laughed softly beside Chu Liang.

Xu Ziyang could not restrain himself either and repeated Chu Liang's title with a grin. "The Young Hero with the Divine Whip..."

They had heard about Chu Liang's heroic deeds, but few on Mount Shu knew of the title "The Young Hero with the Divine Whip." After all, Chu Liang would never hang those banners up for others to see. Who knew he had won such great admiration from the people in Yu's capital?

Wang Xuanling's mouth twitched, curving up slightly, but he quickly straightened his lips again.

"Senior Uncle Wang, if you want to laugh, just laugh." Chu Liang covered his face in resignation. "It must be tiring to hold it in."

"

Pfft.

"

Wang Xuanling, who had always kept a stern expression for many years, finally cracked a rare smile.

"Then I won't hold back either," Ling Ao said with a laugh.

"You've been laughing the whole time... You never stopped," Chu Liang replied helplessly.

Had he known this would happen, he would have lent the Poison-Expulsion Whip to someone else and let them save the people instead. Now, not only would the citizens of the capital of Yu talk about him and that incident for a lifetime, but they had also spun all sorts of outrageous stories.

What a disaster.

When others were mentioned, it was the "divine dragon of the Penglai Supreme Sect" and "the fairy of the Mount Shu Sect." But when it's about me, it's "The Young Hero with the Divine Whip"...

What would people think when they first hear this title?

Chu Liang wanted to explain, but he could only say things like, "This whip isn't that kind of whip," or "It's all rumors." However, saying all that only made the others in the carriage more amused. The carriage was soon filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

It was rare for this group from the Mount Shu Sect to be in such a relaxed mood. They had spent the last two months undergoing rigorous training in the Primordial Chaos Hidden Realm. So, they now displayed demeanors that were a bit different from before. They appeared more composed, tempered, and polished, as well as a tad weary.

The next day marked the beginning of the Assembly of Immortal Sects, but these youths were not anxious. Instead, they spent these last few days having a good rest.

1. This is just drumming up excitement for the Assembly of Immortal Sects. It's just talking about how powerful figures will gather for the exciting Assembly of Immortal Sects, which occurs every twelve years, that's happening in Panyang City and asks who will be victorious and get to feast on the Qinghong. ☜

2. This is referring to Yang Shenlong. "Shenlong" translates to "divine dragon." ☜