Time flies, and soon it was time for the Southern Region Immortal Martial Arts Competition.
Thirty miles outside the capital of the Great Liang Dynasty, at the royal palace, twelve arenas were set up where thousands of cultivators would compete to enter the top sixty-four.
There have been many complaints about the changes to the rules of the Southern Region Grand Competition, but there's nothing we can do. The right to interpret everything belongs to the public review panel, so if you're not happy, you don't have to come.
The Confucian Sage Sect holds an extremely transcendent and ethereal position in the Southern Region; who would dare to defy it? Moreover, joining the Confucian Sage Sect is like having one's ancestors burning incense at their graves, destined for brilliance and glory.
Therefore, the cultivators from all walks of life could only suppress their dissatisfaction and focus all their attention on the upcoming competition.
On the public trial platform, twelve judges were already in place, and members of Hundred Flowers Valley, who specialize in collecting front-page news, were also present to witness this sacred moment.
"Fellow cultivators, greetings. This is the preliminary round venue of the Southern Region Grand Competition. I am Huo Xiaoran, a regular visitor to your event."
A young woman dressed in an elegant silk shirt enthusiastically explained the scene in front of a photo stone, creating a modern news art atmosphere.
"There is still an hour before the start of the competition. All the contestants are already in place. It is clear that everyone attaches great importance to this Immortal Martial Arts Competition. Let us randomly interview a few contestants and ask them what they think of the competition."
Huo Xiaoran moved lightly among the cultivators, searching for a suitable interview subject.
Hundred Flowers Valley is a very special group in the Immortal Martial Continent.
It has no outstanding talents or remarkable backgrounds among its disciples.
However, the disciples of Hundred Flowers Valley can freely move between the righteous and evil factions without restraint, and they can be found all over the Nine Realms.
Because Hundred Flowers Valley is actually a place that collects all sorts of strange tales and anecdotes from the martial arts world, compiles them into content, prints them, and finally distributes them throughout the Nine Realms.
Ultimately, it's a media organization that lacks official recognition but is more official than the government itself.
In fact, Shen Zhao had dealt with Hundred Flowers Valley in his previous life. In order to promote the image of Yu Xiyan, who had just ascended the throne as a cold and aloof empress, he spared no expense and sent her to the "hot search headlines" section 27 times a year, making her famous throughout the Immortal Martial Continent.
Ironically, after gaining fame, Yu Xiyan, full of pride, finished her interview with Hundred Flowers Valley, and the first thing she did was go back and give Shen Zhao, who was waiting for praise, a good scolding.
They criticized him for using such low-class and unorthodox methods, called him a petty commoner with no ambition, and in short, they refuted Shen Zhao's arguments until he was completely humiliated.
But then he turns around and dons the Emperor's New Clothes, beaming with pride as he accepts a new front-page interview from Hundred Flowers Valley, seemingly enjoying it immensely.
A short while later, Huo Xiaoran spotted a cultivator sharpening a sword in the crowd and immediately went to greet him.
"Fellow Daoist, what brings you here?"
Upon hearing this, the swordsman immediately stopped sharpening his sword, looked up with an expression as if he were looking at someone mentally challenged, and stared intently at Huo Xiaoran.
Huo Xiaoran gave an awkward smile, immediately changed the subject, and continued to ask, "What is your mindset when you participate in this competition?"
"What mindset do you need? Just do it."
The swordsman's answer surprised Huo Xiaoran, who then smiled and said, "It seems this fellow Daoist has a peaceful mindset. I wish him excellent results in the competition. Now let's go visit the next contestant."
Huo Xiaoran looked around and her eyes lit up when she saw a familiar face. She immediately went to greet him.
"Young Master Zhou, it's been a long time. I didn't expect you to participate in this Immortal Martial Arts Competition as well?"
"Miss Huo, you're too kind. I never expected to see you here."
"Young Master Zhou, I've heard that Young Master Gan, your rival, is also participating in this competition. I've long heard that the two of you are equally brilliant. May I ask if you will seek revenge during the competition?"
"Miss Huo is overthinking it. Although Gan Shisan and I are competitors, we respect each other in private and are not as irreconcilable as the rumors suggest."
"Is that so? That's wonderful! So, what kind of achievement does Young Master Zhou intend to attain in this competition?"
"Kill Gan Shisan first!"
"..."
Huo Xiaoran was speechless for a moment. Seeing Zhou Maoyuan's serious expression, she could only make up an excuse to leave.
After interviewing several contestants without getting the desired results, Huo Xiaoran decided to interview members of the public trial panel.
Just then, Shen Zhao was playing chess with Liang Hao with an air of nonchalance, so I strolled over to visit him.
"May I ask if you are a member of the public trial team? And a handsome young man at that?"
This is the first time I've met you. May I ask your surname?
Shen Zhao tossed aside the chess piece, turned and waved at the image-recording stone, saying with practiced ease, "Hello everyone, I am a judge and referee for this Southern Region Grand Competition."
Elder Shen Zhao from the Court of Justice is honored to meet everyone on this important day.
I hope everyone can join me in following the South China Regional Competition, cheering for your favorite contestants and giving them our best!
As he spoke, he made a fist gesture.
Huo Xiaoran breathed a sigh of relief. She had finally met a serious person, and the effect was immediately good. So she immediately moved on to the next question.
"Elder Shen, may I ask what your expectations and instructions are for this Southern Region Grand Competition?"
"I hope everyone can have a fair and just competition environment, which is a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to change their destiny."
As members of the public judging panel, we have our own code of conduct to ensure the smooth running of the Immortal Martial Arts Competition.
"Yes, Elder Shen is right. However, as everyone knows, there are many public trial groups in the martial arts world that claim to be fair and impartial but secretly accept bribes, making the competition extremely unfair."
Does Elder Shen have such concerns about his public trial team?
Shen Zhao smiled faintly: "Personally, I think the quality of the public trial panel is extremely important. After all, a person's character can be seen from their upbringing."
I believe that every judge on our public trial committee has undergone rigorous training and will certainly be fair and impartial, resolutely resisting any acts of favoritism or fraud.
But in his heart he thought: Su Yunying is an exception.
"Oh? Hearing Elder Shen say that, I am truly filled with emotion. Could you then testify about the competence of the public trial panel?"
"Of course."
After saying that, Shen Zhao glanced at Kong Lian, who was drinking at a table not far away, then suddenly stood up, pointed at him and shouted.
"Kong Lian, your mother is dead."
Kong Lian was furious upon hearing this. She slammed her hand on the table, stood up, and retorted, "I came here to give you a set of...!"
"Um??"
Before he could finish speaking, he was met with a warning look from Liang Hao, and a deep, meaningful sigh.
The next moment, Kong Lian immediately lost her temper and stammered, "Come on, let's do a set of Five Animal Frolics to entertain your aunt."
He wasn't afraid of Shen Zhao, but he was afraid of Liang Hao. This guy was at the Nirvana Realm, the kind of person who could kill him with a flick of his finger.
Seeing Kong Lian sit down with a big smile on her face, Shen Zhao then explained to Huo Xiaoran, "Now you believe in the quality of my public trial team members, right?"
Look, even after I've scolded him like this, he's still so amiable. Doesn't that show he doesn't trust the impartiality of my public trial panel?
"Well..."
Huo Xiaoran was completely numb and really didn't know how to describe her feelings at this moment.
I thought I'd met a decent person, but this one turned out to be even more heavyweight, far more explosive than the ones I'd encountered before.
After Huo Xiaoran left, Shen Zhao walked up to Kong Lian.
"Master Kong, may I have a word with you in private?"
"Hmph, I don't deign to speak to you!"
Don't you want to know what I'm going to tell you?
"Get away, I don't want to know!"
Kong Lian was quite ruthless. Shen Zhao had made her look so bad, and now her reputation was not what it used to be, so naturally she didn't give Shen Zhao a friendly look.
Shen Zhao snorted coldly: "Oh, very well then. I think Hundred Flowers Valley will definitely be interested in the matter of the Yin mother and daughter bribing the Confucian Sage Sect with 300,000 spirit stones."
Upon hearing this, Kong Lian jumped up in shock: "You... what did you say... when did I ever accept 300,000 spirit stones from that mother and daughter? You need to have evidence to support your claims, don't make baseless accusations!"
"Did I say you accepted spirit stones? Hmm?"
Kong Lian was speechless for a moment, stammering, "I...I thought you were talking about me..."
"Well, let's leave this message to the people of Hundred Flowers Valley. They're more professional in this area than we are."
With that, Shen Zhao turned to go find Huo Xiaoran.
"Wait, Fellow Daoist Shen, please wait."
Kong Lian hurriedly called out to Shen Zhao.
What is Hundred Flowers Valley? It's a sect that flaunts its literary skills; whether you're good or bad is entirely up to them.
If Shen Zhao were to secretly offer them some benefits, they would act recklessly and their reputations would be completely ruined.
He absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen to him.
"What, you're willing to talk now?"
What will it take for you to keep this to yourself?
"It's simple. Just do one thing for me, and no one will know about it."
What do you want me to do?
Shen Zhao quietly leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words, then patted his shoulder afterward.
After listening, Kong Lian asked suspiciously, "That's it?"
"that's all!"
Shen Zhao answered very decisively.
"Okay, after it's done, I want you to provide all the receipts related to the loans taken out by the mother and daughter."
"Of course."
After Shen Zhao finished speaking, he turned and left.
...
Bang!
Suddenly, the sound of bells and drums echoed in the air.
Chief Kong immediately stood up: "The Southern Region Immortal Martial Arts Competition is about to begin. Contestants who have drawn lots, please enter!"
The Southern Region Immortal Martial Arts Competition has officially begun.
Su Yunying held the number plate in her hand; it was number 1.
Following the instructions, we arrived at arena number two.
On the arena, a cultivator wielding two swords had been waiting for some time.
Upon seeing such an outstanding and beautiful girl, the dual-sword cultivator's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Young lady, my name is Yun Zhongzi. May I ask your name?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the referee stepped forward and warned him, "What nonsense are you asking? Aren't the names of both competitors already written on the paper?"
Yun Zhongzi was startled upon hearing this, then protested, "What? You're not even going to announce your names? This is the Southern Region Grand Competition!"
"Damn it, you need a registration number for a single elimination round? Aren't you afraid of losing face if you lose? If you want a title, you'll have to advance first."
"This is just too unethical."
"Are you fucking going to compete or not? If you keep babbling on, I'll throw you out right now."
Do you think my Thousand Buddha Iron Hand Stone Guanyin is just for show? Twenty years ago, I could take on three of you with one hand! How hateful!
Yun Zhongzi immediately dared not act rashly again, and simply nodded to Su Yunying before assuming a fighting stance with his twin swords.
"start!"
Bang--
No sooner had Shi Guanyin finished shouting than Su Yunying stepped forward and slapped Yun Zhongzi off the stage.
The whole process took less than a second, and Shi Guanyin was petrified on the spot, unable to react for a long time.
"Referee, do I count as a winner?"
Su Yunying smiled sweetly.
Shi Guanyin then came to her senses and announced loudly, "Second arena, Su Yunying wins!"
"Great! Colorful! Colorful!"
Shen Zhao was the first to stand up and applaud Su Yunying. Anyone who didn't know better would think that she had already won the championship.
-----------------------
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