Volume 1, Chapter 112 – Sky Thunder Hall

Early the next morning, Gu Deyuan came calling.

Shi Lan went out of the inn alone and followed Gu Deyuan toward the City Lord’s Manor.

Wu Lingkong stayed behind at the inn to keep an eye on their supplies.

……

Not just anyone could take part in the martial gathering. One had to be screened layer by layer in each city, stand out from the crowd, and then be recommended by the City Lord to qualify for the final event.

Naturally, Gu Deyuan was not about to have Shi Lan waste time on unnecessary preliminaries. He took her straight into the City Lord’s Manor, led her all the way to the study, and found his father, Gu Rentong, the City Lord of Gufeng City.

Gu Rentong did not look much older than Gu Deyuan, a bit over fifty at most. His hair was jet-black without a single strand of white, and he seemed even more vigorous than Gu Deyuan. His aura was dozens of times stronger, clearly showing he had stepped into the Earth Fiend Realm.

“Yesterday, I heard from Deyuan that Miss Shi’s bearing is no less than any man’s. Seeing you today, I realize he was still being modest. Ordinary men fall far short of you in bearing.”

Gu Rentong opened with a round of praise. Such courteous behavior made Shi Lan feel a bit emotional. It seemed Gu Deyuan’s youngest son really was quite cherished.

Gu Rentong was the master of a city and an Earth Fiend Realm expert besides. Having held a high position for many years, yet still able to lower himself this far, was not easy.

“City Lord Gu overpraises me,” Shi Lan said with a small shake of her head.

Rеαⅾ οո КαtRеаdіոɡCаfе

Gu Rentong did not say more. He went straight to the desk and picked up a letter.

He had received Gu Deyuan’s message the previous night and already had the recommendation letter prepared.

Aside from that letter, Gu Rentong had also prepared a thick stack of documents.

Shi Lan took the stack and flipped through a few pages. They were dossiers on the well-known young martial artists in the surrounding area.

The information was very detailed: age, cultivation level, cultivation techniques, and even some past records of their fights with others. Everything was there.

“Information is limited, so some of the data may not be entirely accurate. It’s just for your reference,” Gu Rentong said.

Shi Lan nodded. “For this martial gathering, I can only promise to do my best. City Lord Gu should be prepared for that.”

Gu Rentong inclined his head. “I understand. The two hundred thousand spirit crystals Deyuan mentioned yesterday are already everything our City Lord’s Manor can spare without selling off our properties. I know very well this is far from the value of the Seven-Treasure Enlightening Jade Dew, even half a portion. However…”

He drew in a slow breath, as if making some firm decision, and said resolutely, “If you truly can take first place, I am willing to offer another heavy gift in exchange for two-thirds of the Enlightening Jade Dew. I guarantee you will not lose out.”

He had already been considering this ever since he heard last night that Shi Lan wanted to keep half the Enlightening Jade Dew for herself.

Rеаԁ оո КаtRеaԁіոɡСаfe

Half a portion of Enlightening Jade Dew was not enough to be certain of fully repairing his grandson’s mind.

“That’s something to talk about later. We can discuss it after the martial gathering,” Shi Lan said with a slight shake of her head, not pushing the matter too far.

Aside from the dossiers in her hand, she knew nothing about these young experts. Talking about how to split the Enlightening Jade Dew at this point was premature. If something went wrong later, it would be awkward for everyone.

“You’re right,” Gu Rentong nodded. “Does Miss Shi have any suitable treasure artifacts? If not, I can find two for you.”

At that, Shi Lan paused. Treasure artifacts?

Seeing her expression, Gu Deyuan spoke up to explain.

In past martial gatherings, all the young experts had brought treasure artifacts bestowed by their elders. They did not use ordinary magical tools at all. If Shi Lan went in with just a magical tool, she would be at a disadvantage in terms of weapon alone.

Shi Lan understood. Her fingers brushed the Ziwei Seven-Star Halberd hidden in her sleeve, and she felt a faint sigh in her heart. Treasure artifacts were no longer such rare things to her. She shook her head at once. “No need. I have a suitable treasure artifact of my own.”

“That is even better,” Gu Rentong said in delight. “Having a weapon you’re used to is best. Time is short, so I must ask Miss Shi to set out with me for the Sky Thunder Hall at once.”

“In that much of a hurry?”

“The martial gathering is already halfway through. We’ve already sent a few young experts on ahead,” Gu Deyuan explained.

Rеаԁ oո КαtRеaԁіոgCаfе

Since he put it that way, Shi Lan did not drag things out. She went straight back to the inn, said a few words to Wu Lingkong, then followed Gu Rentong toward the Sky Thunder Hall’s territory.

Gu Rentong’s treasure artifact was a long, narrow silver scimitar that was quite eye-catching.

Because they were pressed for time, Gu Rentong used his treasure artifact to carry Shi Lan through the air. As an Earth Fiend Realm martial artist, his speed while flying on his weapon was nearly ten times faster than Shi Lan’s. In less than half a day, they covered nearly four thousand li and reached their destination.

It was a range of continuous mountains, with a towering peak nearly four thousand zhang high at its center.

The sun blazed overhead and the sky was clear for ten thousand li, but above that peak alone, a blot of ink-black cloud was gathered. Lightning flashed within it from time to time, followed by deafening thunder.

Figures could be seen everywhere near the mountains. It was not exactly a crush of shoulder to shoulder, but a single glance still took in thousands upon thousands of people.

Gu Rentong oriented himself, then brought Shi Lan down onto a low peak in the mountain range.

A few dozen people stood scattered across the summit. Aside from two middle-aged men in brocade robes and three young martial artists, the rest were all dressed like guards and attendants.

When Gu Rentong landed, the two middle-aged men came forward and greeted him respectfully, and the others also gathered around to salute and say hello.

After those three young martial artists greeted Gu Rentong, their gazes drifted, more or less openly, toward Shi Lan standing behind him, each with their own thoughts.

Rеαⅾ οո KαtRеαⅾіոɡСаfe

“City Lord, what brings you here?” one of the middle-aged men asked, puzzled.

“How is the martial gathering progressing?” Gu Rentong got straight to the point.

“Because there are more participants than usual this year, they split things up across several fighting arenas, so it’s moving pretty quickly. On our side, the bouts are already in the third round,” the man replied.

The other middle-aged man picked up the explanation. “All three passed the first round, but in the second round, two of them were eliminated.”

At those words, two of the three young martial artists standing nearby looked a bit uncomfortable.

Gu Rentong frowned slightly, feeling things were getting tricky. He had not expected them to already be in the third round. He had planned to submit Shi Lan’s name before the second round started.

After a brief pause in thought, Gu Rentong looked at the last remaining young martial artist. “Chu Chen, withdraw from the competition and give up your spot. The terms we agreed on before remain the same.”

Chu Chen’s expression turned a bit odd. He glanced at Shi Lan, then nodded readily. “Since it is the City Lord’s order, I will naturally obey.”

Then he changed the subject. “But even if I withdraw of my own accord, that spot can’t simply be handed over at will, can it?”