Chapter 31

(Second guest character 'Yang Yigu' makes an appearance, played by the book's fan 'Yanbi Sheng', applause, applause)

Amidst the bustling traffic and surging crowds, Chen Zong felt a bit overwhelmed on his first visit to Fengwu City, but he did not forget the purpose of his trip.

The Zhengwu Tower was a property of the Tang family, the only one of its kind, and was very famous in Fengwu City. The threshold was high, and only martial artists were eligible to enter. Even if you were the young master of a family, you would not be allowed in if you were not a martial artist.

After a brief inquiry, Chen Zong approached the Zhengwu Tower and looked up. The tower was five stories high, predominantly dark red with gilded edges, exuding a grand and noble aura, standing like a giant, unmoved by the wind and rain.

The first floor of the Zhengwu Tower required a martial artist's identity to enter. The second floor was accessible only to well-known martial artists in Fengwu City. As for the third floor, one needed at least the Seventh Layer of the Blood Qi Realm to qualify. The fourth and fifth floors required even higher cultivation.

At this moment, due to the Tang family's hosting of the Ascending Dragon Gathering for Tang Junluo, the Zhengwu Tower refused entry to irrelevant people and had two family martial artists standing guard at the entrance.

"Why can't I enter? I am the young master of the Fine Rain Gang," a sharp and angry voice shouted, filled with dissatisfaction.

"You don't have an invitation," one of the guards said expressionlessly, his tone dry and dismissive.

Fine Rain Gang or Heavy Rain Gang, they were just small fry compared to the Tang family.

As Chen Zong walked towards the Zhengwu Tower's entrance, he was naturally intercepted.

"Where did you come from, you bumpkin? Get lost," the young master of the Fine Rain Gang, dressed in elaborate martial attire, shouted in anger, seeing Chen Zong, who was dressed in a simple gray martial uniform, approaching with the intention of entering the tower.

The martial uniform clearly showed it was made of coarse fabric, something only martial artists with no background would wear.

"Move aside," Chen Zong's eyes were sharp like swords, piercing the young master's eyes, making him shudder and take a step back. Realizing something, his face turned red, and his anger flared.

"This is my invitation," Chen Zong bypassed the young master and took out the Ascending Dragon invitation, handing it to one of the guards.

The two guards were surprised. From his appearance, Chen Zong seemed to be of ordinary background, yet he had an invitation.

"I was wondering where my invitation went. It turns out you stole it," the young master of the Fine Rain Gang, enraged and embarrassed, accused him.

"Get lost!" Chen Zong's voice roared like a tiger, making the young master feel as if a powerful tiger was roaring at him. The intimidating aura made his face pale, his legs tremble, and he involuntarily took a few steps back.

"Are you Chen Zong?" one of the guards opened the invitation, looked at it, and then at Chen Zong.

"Yes," Chen Zong replied calmly.

"Please enter," the guard's expression softened, stepping aside and returning the invitation to Chen Zong.

This scene caused much discussion among the onlookers. They were puzzled as to why someone who looked so ordinary could enter the Zhengwu Tower for the Ascending Dragon Gathering.

After all, those with good backgrounds, even if they were low-key, would never wear such ordinary clothes to such a grand event.

"I can sense that his Blood Qi is not strong; he is probably at the Fourth Layer of the Blood Qi Realm."

"Could he be a disciple of some senior?"

"His name is Chen Zong. Doesn't that sound familiar?"

...

The first floor was empty.

The second floor was also empty. Chen Zong ascended to the third floor.

He was not the first to arrive. The third floor was already crowded with dozens of young men under twenty, each dressed in colorful martial uniforms, some elaborate and others understated, all custom-made and of superior quality.

Chen Zong's arrival drew several gazes, which was normal, but those few people were surprised.

"Who are you?"

"How did you sneak in? Get out immediately."

People judge by appearance, and Chen Zong's attire was indeed too ordinary. He had no choice; it wasn't that he didn't want to wear better clothes, but he simply didn't have them.

"I have an invitation," Chen Zong said, waving the large red invitation.

"Is your invitation fake?"

Some people were still persistent. No matter how good-tempered one was, hearing such words would be annoying.

"Hello, I am Tang Junhao, the elder brother of the main character of this Ascending Dragon Gathering, Tang Junluo. Can I see your invitation?" A young man in a purple dragon-patterned martial uniform walked over, smiling warmly and speaking gently.

Chen Zong handed over the invitation.

Tang Junhao opened it and looked surprised. "You are Chen Zong?"

"Yes," Chen Zong nodded.

"So it's you. This invitation was personally sent by Junluo. Welcome to Junluo's Ascending Dragon Gathering. Please find a seat. The banquet will start once everyone has arrived." Tang Junhao returned the invitation to Chen Zong.

Only then did everyone realize that this ordinary-looking person truly had an invitation, and it was personally sent by the main character, Tang Junluo. They were all amazed.

"Chen Zong, that name sounds familiar."

"Could he be one of the six young heroes of Fengwu, Chen Zong of the Chen family?"

"So it's him."

"But he's just a descendant of a branch family."

After learning Chen Zong's identity, they lost interest. A person from a branch family, especially in a place like the Chen family where one must rely on personal ability to rise, would not stand out for long without a strong backing. After all, excelling in the martial apprentice stage did not guarantee the same in the martial artist stage. Most would find it difficult to maintain their previous momentum.

This time, many who were once called young heroes of Fengwu did not qualify to enter, proving this point.

Chen Zong was surprised to learn he was considered one of the six young heroes of Fengwu. He smiled, put away the invitation, and scanned the third floor. It was spacious, about thirty to forty meters long and wide, and about five to six meters high. The decor was simple and elegant, with chairs and tables placed around, and fresh fruits, pastries, and tea on the tables.

In the corners, there were ancient bronze dragon-shaped incense burners, emitting a fragrant aroma that refreshed the mind.

He found an empty chair and sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea. The tea was fragrant, swirling in the cup, with mist rising like clouds and mist.

He picked up a delicate pastry and tasted it, finding it delicious, something he had never eaten before.

Especially after eating a pastry and drinking a cup of misty tea, the two different fragrances complemented each other, creating a wonderful sensation in his mouth.

Ignoring the gazes of others, Chen Zong continued to eat.

Suddenly, a person with a disheveled gait walked over and sat down opposite him.

"Friend, would you like a cup of wine?" The person placed a wine gourd on the table and greeted Chen Zong warmly.

"No, thank you," Chen Zong smiled.

"I see you practice swordsmanship. How can one practice without wine?" The person had sharp eyebrows and seemingly hazy eyes, but they were clear inside. He smiled, looking carefree and unrestrained, dressed in a spotless white martial uniform, with a long sword on his back, the tassel blood-red.

"I practice swordsmanship, but I don't drink," Chen Zong said with a smile.

Their conversation, though simple, revealed their different philosophies.

"That's a pity," the person sighed, opened the wine gourd, took a sip, and looked content. "Drinking and practicing, seeking the wind in drunkenness. I am Yang Yigu, and you are Chen Zong."

Chen Zong found Yang Yigu's thinking a bit unconventional but did not hinder their acquaintance. They chatted, and Chen Zong discovered that Yang Yigu was quite knowledgeable about Fengwu City, significantly enhancing his understanding of the city.

More and more people entered the third floor of the Zhengwu Tower.

"Li Zhen Shi has arrived."

"Zhao Wangcheng is with him."

"These two were defeated by Tang Junluo. I wonder if there will be a fierce battle. I'm looking forward to it."

Tang Junluo, Li Zhen Shi, and Zhao Wangcheng were from the three major families of Fengwu City, all the same age, and exceptionally talented, known as the three young heroes of Fengwu. However, after Tang Junluo defeated Li Zhen Shi and Zhao Wangcheng, he became the standout, overshadowing the other two.

As for the tie between Tang Junluo and Chen Zong, the Chen family did not publicize it, possibly at the request of the Tang family, who themselves would not have publicized it.

Chen Zong also observed Li Zhen Shi and Zhao Wangcheng, who both had a commanding presence.

Li Zhen Shi carried a long sword, smiled warmly, and seemed to greet everyone, yet had a calm and composed demeanor. He wore a white martial uniform with silver trim, exuding a subtle elegance.

Zhao Wangcheng wore a long knife at his waist, had a cold and stern expression, and his black martial uniform made him seem even more intimidating, as if he were keeping people at a distance.

Feeling Chen Zong's gaze, Li Zhen Shi nodded slightly, while Zhao Wangcheng's eyes were cold and sharp.

"Li Zhen Shi of the Li family and Zhao Wangcheng of the Zhao family, both have refined their Blood Qi seven times, just short of the eighth refinement," Yang Yigu said, taking another sip of wine and nodding. "They truly deserve to be from the noble families of the Kingdom Era, with deep roots."

"Kingdom Era?" Chen Zong was puzzled.

"Our current era is the True Martial Era. The previous era was the Kingdom Era, which is said to have been destroyed by beasts," Yang Yigu said, half-drunk. "We should be grateful for the arrival of the True Martial Era, otherwise, people of ordinary backgrounds like us would have no chance to practice martial arts."

Chen Zong pondered this.

"Sun Shaojie, Zhou Guan, Wang Shenghong, Yang Feiyu, and Kong Lianshan, these five are known as the six young heroes of Fengwu, along with you."

Chen Zong noticed a subtle change in Yang Yigu's tone when he mentioned Yang Feiyu, and he looked at him more closely.

Yang Feiyu wore a sky-blue martial uniform, carried a long sword, and looked spirited.

They shared the same surname, perhaps indicating a connection, but it was not relevant to Chen Zong, so he did not intend to investigate.

As time passed, a few more people arrived. One of them glanced at Chen Zong, looked surprised, and then walked over to him.

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