Free Web NovelChapter 14: Chapter 14: The Life and Death Duel Begins
The night passed quietly, and soon it was the next day.
Dawn broke, clear and crisp.
As the first crimson rays of dawn touched the land, a buzz of excitement swept through all of Baiyun City.
Disciples from the great families of Baiyun City gathered in groups, making their way toward the city square.
Today was the day of the contest for the White Cloud Order. The White Cloud Order was merely a title, signifying the number one talent of the younger generation. But since every great expert started their journey in their youth, the various families placed immense importance on nurturing their young disciples.
As a result, the families eagerly sent their disciples to participate in every contest for the White Cloud Order, making it the grandest event in Baiyun City.
This year’s contest was particularly noteworthy. The Shen Family had produced an unparalleled genius in Shen Shaotian, who was rumored to possess the Venerable Bloodline and had even received a blessing from Heaven and Earth.
What’s more, the three great academies had sent instructors to recruit this once-in-a-generation talent.
On top of that, even Commandery Princess Huofeng herself had come to Baiyun City just for him.
Each of these events filled the powerful figures of Baiyun City with curiosity and high expectations for Shen Shaotian.
Today, this unparalleled genius was certain to reveal his true prowess. It would be the battle that cemented his fame.
The area surrounding the tournament stage for the White Cloud Order was already a sea of people.
On one side of the viewing stands, the three academy instructors were seated.
Wang Hu scanned the surroundings and shook his head. "This contest for the White Cloud Order is somewhat disappointing to watch."
"Wang, your expectations are too high. How could the younger generation of Baiyun City possibly compare to the prodigies of the entire Martial Kingdom?"
Liu Cheng smiled. "We came for Shen Shaotian. We only need to see how he performs."
Wang Hu nodded.
Off to the side, Zhao Zicheng was thinking about the young man he had seen at the Martial Arts Arena, wondering if he would appear today.
Zhao Zicheng scoffed at his own thoughts. ’Even if he does appear, what of it? Could he possibly compare to Shen Shaotian?’
The three then fell silent, awaiting Shen Shaotian’s appearance.
"Those are people from the Zhang Family. I heard that the Zhang Family’s number one genius, Zhang Chen, has already reached the Ninth Layer of the Acupoint Opening Realm."
"It’s a shame. Without Shen Shaotian, this year’s White Cloud Order would have been his for the taking."
"The Li Family has arrived as well. There’s no small amount of enmity between them and the Shen Family."
"Enmity? Please. Even if someone from the Shen Family were to take a crap on the Li Family’s doorstep, would they dare even let out a fart in protest?"
"And why’s that? Because the Shen Family produced someone like Shen Shaotian."
.....
On a distant viewing platform, the members of Baiyun City’s three great families had all arrived.
The Li Family’s Patriarch, Li Ye, and the Zhang Family’s Patriarch, Zhang Rui, wore ingratiating smiles, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
Ever since Shen Shaotian had drawn down the blessing of Heaven and Earth and won the favor of the academy instructors, the entire power dynamic in Baiyun City had shifted.
Even the Li Family, which had held a considerable grudge against the Shen Family, had been forced to lower their heads.
The Shen Family’s Matriarch sat high in her chair, her expression placid and serene. Behind her, the other Shen Family members looked smug and arrogant.
Zhang Rui said with a fawning smile, "The White Cloud Order is as good as Young Master Shen’s this time."
"Indeed, indeed!"
Li Ye also nodded eagerly. "Young Master Shen is heroic and brilliant. No one in Baiyun City’s younger generation is his equal."
The Matriarch’s fingers tapped gently on the table as she looked at Li Ye. "I hear your Li Family recently discovered a gold mine on South Mountain. What a tremendous happy occasion."
The color drained from Li Ye’s face. He instantly understood the extortion in the Matriarch’s words.
But that was a gold mine!
Enough resources for any of Baiyun City’s great families to operate for decades!
Li Ye had been counting on that gold mine to achieve great things!
Seeing Li Ye remain silent, the Matriarch said faintly, "Shaotian will be entering Celestial City Academy. When he competes against the various geniuses of the Martial Kingdom, he’ll need the two of you families to help him out a bit. He is from Baiyun City, after all. He won’t forget this kindness in the future."
These words were a naked threat!
After all, the Shen Family now had a genius like Shen Shaotian. If the Li Family didn’t bow their heads now, they would face annihilation once he fully matured.
Li Ye took a silent, deep breath, suppressing his rage. "The Li Family is willing to offer up the gold mine to support Young Master Shen’s cultivation."
"Good. The Shen Family will not forget Patriarch Li’s kindness."
A faint smile touched the Matriarch’s lips upon hearing this.
The Shen Family members behind her were ecstatic. They had just acquired the Li Family’s gold mine for nothing.
Li Ye’s fists were clenched so tightly his nails dug into his flesh as he swore a silent oath in his heart.
’The Li Family will not forget this humiliation!’
The Matriarch spoke up. "Alright, it’s about time to begin."
Zhang Rui nodded, then took a few steps forward to stand in the center of the high platform, cleared his throat, and announced in a grand voice, "All disciples who have earned a spot in the contest, come forward."
As the Patriarch of the Zhang Family, Zhang Rui was the one presiding over this contest for the White Cloud Order.
As Zhang Rui’s words echoed out, a commotion stirred across the entire field.
In the center of the bustling field stood several dozen young disciples. Each one of them was considered a genius in Baiyun City.
Shen Daoxing was also standing among them.
Just then, a figure in white slowly walked over.
In an instant, every gaze in the field was drawn to him—not only the disciples on the ground, but also the important figures on the high platforms above.
Shen Shaotian. Baiyun City’s prodigy of the century, possessor of the Venerable Bloodline who had drawn a blessing from Heaven and Earth, and the reason instructors from the three great academies had come in person. Such talent could only be regarded with awe.
And in Baiyun City, all the young people of his generation paled in comparison.
"Shen Shaotian! Shen Shaotian is here!"
"He’s so handsome! Who will be the one to marry such a prodigy!"
"I heard he reached the Ninth Layer of the Acupoint Opening Realm a month ago?"
"What? The Ninth Layer of the Acupoint Opening Realm at eighteen! My god!"
.....
Everyone who saw him couldn’t help but sigh in amazement.
To reach the Ninth Layer of the Acupoint Opening Realm at eighteen... wouldn’t that mean he could reach the Profound Platform Realm before he turns twenty? At that rate, he would have a high chance of breaking through to the Grotto Heaven Realm, wouldn’t he?
"He’s too dazzling, too monstrously gifted. So much so that we don’t feel the slightest desire to even try and compete."
"A super genius that Baiyun City hasn’t seen in a hundred years. Forget Baiyun City, even in all of Ba Shu County, who could possibly compare?"
Even the great figures on the viewing stands were now staring at Shen Shaotian with blazing eyes. Almost all of them had come specifically for him.
Now the center of all attention, Shen Shaotian strode to the middle of the field and walked directly toward Shen Daoxing in the crowd. His voice, cold and devoid of emotion, rang out. "Shen Daoxing, today the Shen Family will eliminate this scourge—you—once and for all."
