Chapter 74

Apart from the stone wall in front of the Heavenly Book Terrace, what do the Green Cloud List and the Golden Touch List, which are selected by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, value the most? Naturally, it is the battles between the strong on the lists. Anyone who makes it onto the list, regardless of their status or position, will have combat experience, even if it's just once.

Chen Changsheng had no such experience and asked, "Then, how do we fight? Who will fight?"

Luoluo's eyes became even brighter. She gripped the handle of the Rain Whip at her waist and took a step forward, saying, "When the teacher has a task, the disciple should take the labor."

Tang Sanshiu would never let her snatch away such an opportunity and said, "I'm the new one... I need to show my worth."

In the current continent, the status of the Lishan Sword Sect is unique because their young generation is very strong. Tang Sanshiu is indeed a young genius, but he still cannot be compared to them. Not to mention Gou Hanshi, even the other three young disciples of Lishan, in people's eyes, could easily defeat him.

The Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom are all in Lishan... Their rankings on the Green Cloud List are far higher than Tang Sanshiu's.

However, Tang Sanshiu seemed to have never thought about these things. He looked at Gou Hanshi, his eyes becoming brighter and more excited.

The word "fear" has never been in his dictionary—he originally wanted to challenge Zhuang Huan Yu, who ranked tenth on the Green Cloud List, on the second night of the Qingteng Banquet, but the academy opposed it. Tonight, he had just decided to join the National Teaching Academy and encountered the opportunity to fight the Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom. How could he miss it?

Yes, this is a good thing.

"If I'm not mistaken, the third night of this year's Qingteng Banquet... should be the literary test."

Gou Hanshi did not look at Tang Sanshiu but quietly looked at Chen Changsheng and said, "Since you have been appointed as the teacher by His Highness, you must have exceptional qualities. Your knowledge must be profound. However, I've heard that you failed to cleanse your marrow. I think the literary test is a good choice."

He did not fully explain his words, but everyone understood.

As the other party in this marriage—whether it's the second or third party—Qiu Shan Jun did not attend. As Qiu Shan Jun's most trusted fellow disciple, the person he wanted to consult, nominally is the National Teaching Academy, but in reality, it is Chen Changsheng.

The Lishan Sword Sect challenging the National Teaching Academy means he is challenging Chen Changsheng.

The hall was very quiet. Gou Hanshi's words sounded reasonable, fully demonstrating the Lishan Sword Sect's sympathy for the weak and pursuit of fairness. Although you failed to cleanse your marrow, the third night of the Qingteng Banquet is a literary test. What reason do you have not to participate?

But in reality, this proposal had no sympathy and was far from fair.

Gou Hanshi had read the entire Daoist Canon and was well-versed in both the North and South. Even the old priests in the Imperial Palace, who spent their entire lives dealing with the Daoist Canon, could not surpass him in the literary test—this is a fact recognized by the entire continent. If it comes to cultivation and realm, Gou Hanshi is still young and is not considered much in front of those who have practiced for hundreds of years. But if it comes to the breadth of knowledge, he is the true strongest.

For him to challenge Chen Changsheng in a literary test, how could it be fair? This is complete bullying, a ruthless and cold-hearted crushing of the weak by the strong.

Luoluo's eyes became sharp, staring at Gou Hanshi with an extremely unfriendly expression, shouting, "Ridiculous!"

Gou Hanshi's expression did not change. He first bowed to her and then said, "May I ask, Your Highness, where is it ridiculous?"

Tang Sanshiu sneered and said, "The whole continent knows you have read the entire Daoist Canon and are exceptionally knowledgeable. Where can we find someone who can match you? You actually want to challenge that guy in these areas. Are you not ashamed? Is it not ridiculous for you to make such a proposal?"

Gou Hanshi calmly looked at him and said, "I am also an ordinary person, not better in memory or more talented than others. I grew up in a poor family and could not start reading from the womb. The only thing I know is to study hard. Reading is my cultivation, and knowledge is my ability, just like strength is the ability of tigers and leopards. I represent Lishan to challenge the National Teaching Academy. Should I abandon my ability? Why should I be ashamed of using my ability to walk in the world? Why is it ridiculous to use my ability to defeat my opponent?"

"Fallacy, I am best at sleeping. Should I challenge you to see who can sleep longer, and you would agree?" Tang Sanshiu said.

Gou Hanshi smiled and said, "If the rules of the Qingteng Banquet include a sleeping competition, why not?"

Tang Sanshiu was speechless for a moment and then sneered, "Then how about the literary test? Should the Bishop come up with the questions on the spot? Why make it so complicated? On the second night of the Qingteng Banquet, none of us participated. Why not just have a fight directly?"

Gou Hanshi calmly said, "If you insist, I have no objection... You can decide the method and the participants."

The people in the hall were slightly surprised, and Tang Sanshiu also did not expect Gou Hanshi's change in attitude.

With Gou Hanshi's words, Guan Feibai and the other three young disciples of Lishan stood up expressionlessly and walked behind him.

Seeing this scene, people realized they had misunderstood Gou Hanshi.

The literary test is indeed a sure win for Lishan, but if it comes to a martial test, Chen Changsheng has even less of a chance.

In the Southern delegation, the number of Lishan Sword Sect members is not many. Besides Elder Xiaosonggong, there are four young people.

Four of the Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom.

At this moment, Chen Changsheng's voice sounded again.

He looked at Gou Hanshi and said, "I agree with your point. Whatever is gained through cultivation is one's ability, just like the strength derived from the food we eat. Using it for anything is our freedom. Coincidentally... I am also an ordinary person, and I have read some books."

Both are ordinary people, both have read some books. It is indeed a good match.

The Bishop looked at Chen Changsheng and smiled, with a hint of deep meaning.

Then he looked outside the hall.

The autumn wind was slightly cool, and the lanterns of the Qixi night were only in the civilian areas, not in the palace, making it even colder.

The old man tightened his clothes and said, "Not having this fight, Qiu Shan Jun will surely be disappointed in the future. Tang Sanshiu did not participate in the first two nights of the Qingteng Banquet, so he is also disappointed. You Southerners also did not get to participate in the first two nights. So, let's have the fight, but it's late, so let's make it quick."

...

...

The palace gates opened, and the light from the night pearls scattered into the night, illuminating the square in front of the hall very brightly.

Outside the palace, the streets of the capital were still bustling. In the distance, someone was releasing long-burning lamps, and a fire tree was burning in the southwest corner.

Hundreds of people stood on the stone steps in front of the hall, looking at the two groups standing on the east and west sides of the square, with various expressions. Some were indifferent, some were gloating, some were secretly worried, but none looked nervous.

In previous years, the open and hidden struggles between the academies of the capital never ceased, and there would always be some intense scenes. This year's Qingteng Banquet, the first night ended hastily because Luoluo disabled Tianhai Yar, and the second night had no particularly exciting stories. The third night, everyone thought the main event would be the Southern delegation's proposal, and indeed, a big show did take place, but it was only now that the true battle finally began.

Unfortunately, the outcome of this battle was already decided before it started, so there was no tension.

Gou Hanshi would not personally enter the competition—his realm was already clearly higher than the others. Like Qiu Shan Jun, he had already left the Green Cloud List and become a person on the Golden Touch List. Fighting either Luoluo or Tang Sanshiu would be seen as bullying the weak.

When he proposed the literary test with Chen Changsheng, he also considered this. A literary test only involves words, does not disturb the world, and has a winner but no casualties.

This competition between the National Teaching Academy and the Lishan Sword Sect, the method and the participants were determined by the National Teaching Academy. The Lishan Sword Sect's seemingly generous attitude did not make much difference. The disciples of the Lishan Sword Sect who came to the capital were all among the Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom, and it would be very difficult for the National Teaching Academy to win against any of them.

"I originally wanted to pick the fourth law... I knew this guy before."

Tang Sanshiu pointed at Chen Changsheng and said to Luoluo, "But since tonight is a battle between the academy and the sect, I can't just do as I please. The fourth law is the strongest, so it naturally falls to you. I'll try to challenge the guy called Qijian."

Luoluo said, "I have no objection."

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, "The chances of winning this way are not great."

Tang Sanshiu looked at him and sneered, "I wanted to use the ancient horse-racing method, using the weakest to challenge the strongest... The problem is that you are too weak to even participate. I'll try to win two consecutive matches to avoid you embarrassing yourself."

Luoluo had great confidence in Chen Changsheng, though she herself did not know where it came from.

At this moment, the Lishan Sword Sect's people walked out.

The one at the front was a young boy, with clear and innocent eyes, a thin and weak body, looking as if he had not fully developed, and even seemed younger than Luoluo.

He was Qijian, the last and weakest of the Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom.

Qijian is the youngest disciple of the Lishan Sword Sect's sect leader. Though very young, he once ranked in the top ten on the Green Cloud List. Last year, during a gathering, he was defeated by half a move by Zhuang Huan Yu, dropping to eleventh place, but no one dared to underestimate him.

Because he is really young.

His Lishan Sword Sect robe was very loose, flapping in the night wind, looking quite cute.

Tang Sanshiu looked at this scene and sighed, "How can I bring myself to fight him?"

Chen Changsheng sighed, "It's like you can beat him."

Tang Sanshiu was very annoyed and glared at him.

Chen Changsheng smiled but said nothing.

Tang Sanshiu suddenly fell silent for a moment and then said, "If we can win these two matches by chance, this guy doesn't have to participate. If I lose, you should also concede directly. Losing two matches in a row, this guy won't have to fight."

Chen Changsheng noticed he used the word "chance."

Though fearless, it doesn't mean his head is clouded with blood.

Tang Sanshiu was very clear about the strength of the other side.

Luoluo was a bit confused. Why should she concede if he loses?

Is it more important for the teacher not to participate than for the National Teaching Academy to lose?

"Yes, the National Teaching Academy is just a few sparrows. Losing to the Lishan Sword Sect is embarrassing, right? Okay, it is a bit embarrassing, but it doesn't matter. As long as you don't participate... If you don't participate, they won't be able to regain the face they lost today."

Tang Sanshiu looked at the calm figure in the night on the opposite side of the square and sneered, "Choke them to death!"

After saying this, he put his hand on the hilt of his sword and walked towards the opposite side.

---

---

The palace gates opened, and the light from the night pearls scattered into the night, illuminating the square in front of the hall very brightly.

Outside the palace, the streets of the capital were still bustling. In the distance, someone was releasing long-burning lamps, and a fire tree was burning in the southwest corner.

Hundreds of people stood on the stone steps in front of the hall, looking at the two groups standing on the east and west sides of the square, with various expressions. Some were indifferent, some were gloating, some were secretly worried, but none looked nervous.

In previous years, the open and hidden struggles between the academies of the capital never ceased, and there would always be some intense scenes. This year's Qingteng Banquet, the first night ended hastily because Luoluo disabled Tianhai Yar, and the second night had no particularly exciting stories. The third night, everyone thought the main event would be the Southern delegation's proposal, and indeed, a big show did take place, but it was only now that the true battle finally began.

Unfortunately, the outcome of this battle was already decided before it started, so there was no tension.

Gou Hanshi would not personally enter the competition—his realm was already clearly higher than the others. Like Qiu Shan Jun, he had already left the Green Cloud List and become a person on the Golden Touch List. Fighting either Luoluo or Tang Sanshiu would be seen as bullying the weak.

When he proposed the literary test with Chen Changsheng, he also considered this. A literary test only involves words, does not disturb the world, and has a winner but no casualties.

This competition between the National Teaching Academy and the Lishan Sword Sect, the method and the participants were determined by the National Teaching Academy. The Lishan Sword Sect's seemingly generous attitude did not make much difference. The disciples of the Lishan Sword Sect who came to the capital were all among the Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom, and it would be very difficult for the National Teaching Academy to win against any of them.

"I originally wanted to pick the fourth law... I knew this guy before."

Tang Sanshiu pointed at Chen Changsheng and said to Luoluo, "But since tonight is a battle between the academy and the sect, I can't just do as I please. The fourth law is the strongest, so it naturally falls to you. I'll try to challenge the guy called Qijian."

Luoluo said, "I have no objection."

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, "The chances of winning this way are not great."

Tang Sanshiu looked at him and sneered, "I wanted to use the ancient horse-racing method, using the weakest to challenge the strongest... The problem is that you are too weak to even participate. I'll try to win two consecutive matches to avoid you embarrassing yourself."

Luoluo had great confidence in Chen Changsheng, though she herself did not know where it came from.

At this moment, the Lishan Sword Sect's people walked out.

The one at the front was a young boy, with clear and innocent eyes, a thin and weak body, looking as if he had not fully developed, and even seemed younger than Luoluo.

He was Qijian, the last and weakest of the Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom.

Qijian is the youngest disciple of the Lishan Sword Sect's sect leader. Though very young, he once ranked in the top ten on the Green Cloud List. Last year, during a gathering, he was defeated by half a move by Zhuang Huan Yu, dropping to eleventh place, but no one dared to underestimate him.

Because he is really young.

His Lishan Sword Sect robe was very loose, flapping in the night wind, looking quite cute.

Tang Sanshiu looked at this scene and sighed, "How can I bring myself to fight him?"

Chen Changsheng sighed, "It's like you can beat him."

Tang Sanshiu was very annoyed and glared at him.

Chen Changsheng smiled but said nothing.

Tang Sanshiu suddenly fell silent for a moment and then said, "If we can win these two matches by chance, this guy doesn't have to participate.