Chapter 85: Remarkably Steady

Gou Jiancheng’s face flushed with warmth.

But this time, he was certain that the profound stones he had lent out would surely return to him multiplied.

“What cultivation level does the person we recommended have?” he asked.

Gou Jiancheng replied, “The Azure Pavilion Swordsman—have you heard of him?”

“I have,” the cultivator beside him replied, showing some interest. “He can rival the peak of the Six-Spirit Realm. Is he that young man at the middle stage of the Six-Spirit Realm?”

Gou Jiancheng thought to himself, He can do more than just rival the peak; he could even slay those at the peak of the Seventh-Spirit Realm!

What an outstanding youth!

That middle stage of the Six-Spirit Realm was days ago; now, at the very least, he must have reached the peak.

“That’s the one. After a year and a half of cultivation in the Eternal Cultivation Chamber, his cultivation has… has surely stabilized!” Gou Jiancheng’s words were halting, his gaze vacant as he stared out of the hall.

The cultivator also turned to look.

A young man in azure robes approached, his carriage dignified and confident. Though his looks were not extraordinary, his bearing was exceptional—first-class. His eyes were bright, his expression resolute—a presence that drew attention.

But—

A sweep of spiritual sense revealed him to be at the middle stage of the Six-Spirit Realm.

The newcomer was Su Yizhao.

He cupped his hands and said, “Seniors, has the competition begun yet?”

The cultivator by Gou Jiancheng’s side laughed softly, “The Azure Pavilion Swordsman? Indeed, you seem solid.”

Gou Jiancheng’s old face flushed. “Young friend Su, this is Han Anning, from within the Auction House. The internal competition begins tomorrow; the Kausan City competition is the day after. Has your cultivation hit another snag?”

Su Yizhao greeted Han Anning with a cupped fist, then answered, “Not at all—on the contrary, I’ve never been better. Who else is participating in the internal competition?”

“You’re the only one,” Gou Jiancheng said, sounding a mix of pleased and regretful. “Leng Muran and the others have grown disheartened and gone into secluded cultivation.”

Su Yizhao was surprised.

Only one person—what was the point of competing? He’d advance by default.

“Rest well and prepare for the Kausan City competition the day after tomorrow,” Gou Jiancheng instructed. “Here’s a jade slip with introductions to the recommended cultivators from the various major powers—take some time to study it.”

He tossed over a jade slip. Su Yizhao caught it, frowning slightly at the gravity of the gesture. Clearly, the other powers’ recommendations were formidable.

“As long as you reach the top three, you’ll represent Kausan City in the Huanglong County competition. If you reach the top hundred there, you’ll advance to Vastness City.”

Su Yizhao nodded.

The Profound Heaven Sect in Vastness City was one of his short-term goals. Though he didn’t yet know how to ascend to the upper world, as long as he grew stronger, he was certain it would come to pass one day.

Han Anning, who had been quietly sizing up Su Yizhao, suddenly spoke. “Third place earns a reward of ten million superior-grade profound stones from the Auction House. Each rank higher, the reward doubles.”

Su Yizhao, currently penniless, looked up immediately. “Really?”

Gou Jiancheng glanced at Han Anning, then replied, “It’s true.”

“Has it always been this way?” Su Yizhao asked.

Han Anning nodded. “The reward was lower in past years, but there was always a prize. Only, no one has ever claimed it.”

Gou Jiancheng, not wanting to discourage him, comforted, “Don’t worry. With your reputation as the Azure Pavilion Swordsman, you’ll have the upper hand in terms of momentum. Lately, many major powers have been buying information about you; they must be studying ways to break your Grand Perfection techniques.”

Buying information about me? Breaking my Grand Perfection techniques? Su Yizhao was astonished.

Breaking those techniques might be possible, but if they wanted information, shouldn’t they buy it from me directly?

“But Grand Perfection techniques wouldn’t be called that if they could be easily countered,” Gou Jiancheng said excitedly. “Besides, you’ve cultivated every tier of spell to Grand Perfection since you began. That cumulative understanding is unmatched.”

Han Anning interjected, “Young friend Su, you’re representing the Auction House. No one from our Auction House has placed in the top three in over twenty years—do you know why?”

Su Yizhao was taken aback.

More than twenty years without a top-three finish? Wasn’t the Gou Family Auction House a monopoly with vast resources?

He replied seriously, “I would like to hear the reason.”

“Because the Auction House never gives away combat treasures for free.”

Su Yizhao fell silent.

No free combat treasures? Or just too stingy?

Han Anning smiled. “This is only Kausan City—eighteen thousand miles from Huanglong County City, a million from Vastness City. If you rely on external objects here, what will you do at the county city, or at Vastness City?”

Su Yizhao began to understand.

“So the other powers rely on combat treasures to win?” he asked.

Han Anning nodded. “That’s right. So you’ll not only face the cultivations of your opponents, but also all sorts of wondrous combat treasures.”

Back in his cultivation chamber, Su Yizhao sat cross-legged.

All sorts of combat treasures—like those metalstone golems?

He took out the jade slip and pressed it to his forehead. Names filled his mind.

“Huang Qizheng, scion of the great Huang clan of Kausan City, middle stage Seventh-Spirit Realm. One of the favorites to win the competition!”

“Kong Buming, young master of the monopoly Kong clan in talisman business, middle stage Seventh-Spirit Realm, also a favorite!”

…

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

The grandest annual event of Kausan City was underway.

Any cultivator under the age of thirty could participate in the Kausan City Grand Tournament. Anyone who reached the top three would immediately represent Kausan City in the county competition.

Naturally, even those who didn’t make the top three but showed great potential would be recruited by the major powers.

Thus, countless young cultivators flocked to this event, brimming with anticipation.

That day, tens of thousands of cultivators gathered early in the vast central square of Kausan City, waiting for the competition to begin.

“These competitions may not be to the death, but generally, those who lose suffer greatly,” Gou Jiancheng murmured to Su Yizhao.

Su Yizhao looked around. The entire square was packed with cultivators.

He asked, “Are all the participants recommended by major powers?”

“Not all,” Gou Jiancheng replied. “Yesterday were the internal competitions for the major powers’ recommendations. Independent cultivators without backing also held their own contest.”

Su Yizhao nodded.

That was only right.

Whether in the mortal world or the cultivation world, the lower classes always formed the majority. If not even a sliver of resources or opportunity was left for them, it would spell trouble.

“Young friend Su, do you know about talismans, divine abilities, formations, puppets, and such?” Gou Jiancheng asked, a note of concern in his voice.

Su Yizhao nodded. “I’ve heard of them, but never encountered them.”

Gou Jiancheng fell silent.

Just heard of them? That was far from enough.

It seemed victory was unlikely. Even making the top three might be a stretch.

Su Yizhao, however, showed no sign of worry. Calm and collected, he surveyed the surrounding cultivators.

At that moment, a sudden boom sounded in the sky.

He looked up, astonished.

A light screen, four or five fathoms across, had appeared in midair. The top row displayed five bold characters: “Kausan City Grand Tournament.”

“Favorites to win: Huang Qizheng, Kong Buming…”