Free Web NovelChapter 595: Chapter 47: Preparations (Part 2)
"Hmm?"
The cultivator clearly knew of the recently renowned Ma Ning, and upon hearing, his expression became serious.
"So you’re the brother of Junior Sister Ning, truly impressive, you’re close to comprehending the True Meaning of Martial Arts, aren’t you?"
"My surname is Wu, and my name is Wu Li. I should be hosting your upcoming matches, Junior Brother."
His address had changed from "little one" to "Junior Brother."
"So it’s Brother Wu." Ma Chao seized the opportunity:
"I’ll be counting on Brother Wu then."
"That’s as it should be."
Wu Li nodded with a smile, and after seeing Ma Chao off, he continued to call the matches.
"Master!"
Ma Chao approached Fang Zheng excitedly, waving his arms and said:
"I won!"
"Hmm." Fang Zheng nodded:
"Well done."
Not far away.
"Contestant 822 wins!"
On the stage, Erya waved the Soul Hook Chain with pride, joy shining in her eyes.
However, Nanny Cui’s face was sullen below.
In her childhood, Erya suffered from a lack of clothes and food, resulting in insufficient innate Primordial Qi, and later she practiced magic without a renowned master.
To this day, even after drinking three bowls of Oblivion Brew, her cultivation base has not broken through to the second level of the Yama Heart Sutra.
The first match was so dangerous...
How many places will she secure in the end?
She might not even be able to stay in the Outer City!
And if she returns, not to mention the Zhang Family shrew’s troubles, the journey back is full of danger and treachery.
Is it our fate to suffer in this lifetime?
"Wow..."
Suddenly, an uproar erupted from afar.
Fang Zheng looked over to see Ma Ning holding the Hundred Ghosts Banner, driving over a dozen Underworld Souls towards her opponent.
There was even a Fierce Ghost swirling behind her.
Such power...
Even the cultivator hosting the arena was somewhat lacking compared to her. Those who fought against her were truly unfortunate—they couldn’t even cast a spell before their faces were filled with despair, and they straightforwardly chose to concede.
"Congratulations on your victory, Junior Sister Ning."
"Much appreciated."
Ma Ning nodded in acknowledgment, her body turning as she lightly floated down from the stage.
Zuo Meng and Wen Qing’s disciples also secured successive victories, but more of the accompanying youths were defeated on the first day.
......
The martial arts tournament lasted five days in total.
The first four days selected young people who could stay in Fengdu City, and the final day was for the competition to win a spot in the Inner City.
Night.
The small courtyard once again hosted a banquet, celebrating the victory of the sister and brother pair.
"Entering the Inner City, aside from the annual selection, there are other ways, but the selection is the most anticipated." Ma Ning looked directly at her brother and said:
"Do you know why?"
"Why?" Ma Chao looked puzzled.
"Because of the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts!" Ma Ning said solemnly:
"The Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts is the foundation of Fengdu Ghost City. The predecessors built the city here because below there exists a Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts, rich with Yin Energy, which can govern the surrounding Underworld Veins and purify and renew the body."
"The top ten in the martial tournament will receive a spot to enter the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts, and upon emerging, they are always reborn."
"Top ten?" Ma Chao frowned:
"Wasn’t it said that the rules changed this year, and now there are twenty spots?"
The top twenty,
he still had a chance to fight for it.
The top ten...
The hope seemed faint!
"The change was in the Inner City spots, but the number of people entering the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts remains ten, that hasn’t changed." Ma Ning shook her head:
"As long as you can enter the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts, you will surely become a Martial Artist or Mage in the future, there’s not a single exception in hundreds of years."
"Sister..." Ma Chao smiled bitterly:
"I don’t even have confidence in the top twenty, for the top ten... I can only say I’ll do my best."
Ma Ning frowned.
Then gently shook her head.
Indeed.
Before coming, the sibling pair’s greatest wish was to stay in the Outer City; they didn’t dare to dream of the Inner City.
Now there was a chance to stay in the Inner City, yet they wished for more—people are never satisfied.
"Then aim for the top twenty first."
Ma Ning sighed, saying:
"The top twenty will still have the resources of Fengdu City to support them, and Inner City cultivators have the extra chance to enter the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts. When the time comes, I’ll find a way to get you in."
"Ma Ning."
Fang Zheng suddenly spoke:
"I heard that the top three can enter the depths of the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts and glimpse the complete version of the Yama Heart Sutra."
"Yes."
Ma Ning smiled:
"I am one of them."
Although the final top three had not been selected, everyone knew Ma Ning was surely the first place.
Even if something unexpected happened, Ghost Granny would be able to force her in.
"Congratulations!"
Fang Zheng nodded:
"With your current cultivation base, and the baptism of Yin Energy from the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts, your future achievements may not be weaker than Flower Ghost Guan Suo."
"Hehe..." Ma Ning grinned:
"Thank you for your kind words, Master Fang."
"I’ve been feeling a bit unwell these past few days, I may not be able to watch your matches." Fang Zheng continued:
"I’m not worried about Ma Ning, but Ma Chao, you must work hard."
"Master..." Ma Chao was taken aback and then nodded heavily:
"I will do my best in the matches and not disappoint you, Master."
......
After sending off Ma Ning and Ma Chao, Fang Zheng closed the door, a spiritual light flashed in his Sea of Consciousness, and the Celestial Secret Compass appeared out of thin air.
The Compass Bagua spun rapidly.
With computations, spying, and concealment...
Augmented by various Secret Techniques, even if the Fengdu Ghost King Zhou Qi himself came, it could conceal it for a moment.
Everything was ready, Fang Zheng sat cross-legged on the mat, forming a Seal Technique with his hands, channeling the Mana within.
Soon after.
Countless black threads converged in his palms.
The aura condensed, gradually forming a strange, wicked black eye, blinking slowly.
"Consolidate!"
A low shout, and the eye suddenly solidified, landing in his hands as if it were real.
"Phew..."
Fang Zheng exhaled a heavy breath, looking at the eye in his hands with satisfaction:
"After so long, I finally succeeded, I hope this Celestial Snake Dharma Eye lives up to its reputation in the records."
"Otherwise..."
"I will have to find another way."
This technique originated from the ancient Snake God, said to communicate with the Other Mind Realm located in an Exotic Realm, extremely mysterious and special.
