Born as an ant, I was summoned to ascend to immortality.

Chapter 45 The Dharma Assembly is About to Begin

On the eve of the Dharma assembly, on Lingtai Peak.

Chu Chengyun stood on the edge of the cliff, his Taoist robe billowing in the mountain wind. Behind him stood his disciple Jiang Xing, whose sharp and imposing air was completely different from what it had been a month or so ago.

"Disciple," Chu Chengyun said in a deep voice, "I have made arrangements for tomorrow's Dharma assembly. Feng Wujiu of the Feng family will challenge Zhou Li first. This person has a deep foundation and will definitely be able to defeat him. After he wins, you will challenge Feng Wujiu. At that time, he will naturally hold back and hand over the victory to you."

A glint flashed in Jiang Xing's eyes, and he clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Master, in fact, I could directly challenge Zhou Li and win the battle. Why go through all this trouble by relying on someone else?"

Chu Chengyun slowly turned around, looking at his disciple with a meaningful gaze: "You may not know this, but this arrangement is not to belittle your strength. The aristocratic families and our humble lineage have always been at odds. If you can represent our humble lineage in fighting against the aristocratic families and win, it will greatly benefit your prestige. This is of paramount importance to our great cause."

The "cold lineage" that Chu Chengyun mentioned did not refer to those born into poverty, but rather to seekers of the Dao who entered the sect through a major examination and shared the sect's resources with aristocratic families.

Compared to the pampered lives of scions of noble families, those from humble backgrounds tend to focus more on cultivation and progress faster.

While the scions of aristocratic families may be slightly weaker in temperament and comprehension than those from humble backgrounds, they are able to undertake more arduous tasks and have more opportunities to acquire cultivation materials.

Thus, the struggle between the two for resources and destiny is deeply rooted and has never ceased.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xing's heart tightened slightly, and he bowed, saying, "Disciple understands. Thank you for your kindness and guidance, Master. Tomorrow, disciple will certainly live up to your expectations and blunt Zhou Li's arrogance!"

"I have already crossed the line many times in order to make this trip to the Valley of Strife. If you can outmaneuver Zhou Li this time, there will be room for maneuver in this matter."

The mountain wind grew stronger, whipping up the robes of the master and disciple, and stirring up invisible waves.

…………

On the day of the Dharma assembly, in the martial arts training ground.

As the sun rises, its golden rays spread across the land. The vast training ground is built along the mountainside, with white jade steps and bluestone paving the ground.

At this moment, disciples from all the peaks have gathered, creating a bustling atmosphere filled with the sounds of people and birdsong, a scene reminiscent of a grand gathering of immortals.

"So, Senior Brother, are you going to compete later?" Shen Qing asked. "We martial arts people say, fortunes change every ten years. If you can't win, just run away. There's nothing shameful about it."

"Junior Sister Shen does have a bit of the straightforwardness of a chivalrous outlaw. The stage is all set up, how can I not go on stage?" A faint smile swept across Zhou Li's slightly pursed lips, carrying a hint of arrogance.

He had experienced countless battles on that chessboard, and had seen all sorts of techniques. Not to mention that some people wanted to test his skills, he also wanted to see how the cultivators of this land fought.

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd parted like a tide, making way for him.

A man dressed in a dark blue long robe with cloud patterns walked unhurriedly through the crowd and headed straight for Zhou Li.

This man had a dignified appearance and the air of a scion of a noble family. He was none other than Feng Wujiu, one of the most outstanding young members of the Feng family.

He stood firmly a few feet in front of Zhou Li, cupped his hands in a salute, and spoke in a clear, resonant voice that echoed throughout the arena: "Zhou Li, Feng Wujiu of the Feng family, has come to seek your guidance!"

Almost at the same time Feng Wujiu spoke, the two Fang brothers were arguing on the magnificent cloud sedan in the sky.

"Big Brother!" Fang Yu whirled around, his face frosty, staring directly at Fang Lan, his eyes blazing with fury. "Did you arrange this person? The Feng family has always disliked showing their faces in public. How could he dare to challenge Zhou Li?"

Fang Lan leaned back on the soft couch, merely raising his eyelids slightly upon hearing this, and slowly said, "Second brother, why be angry? I have indeed arranged for someone to test the mettle of this Zhou ritual..."

"I already said not to target Zhou Li!" Fang Yu interrupted Fang Lan. "You can do your own thing without dragging me into it. Now that you've done this, you've given me a handle against you. How am I supposed to explain myself?"

After saying that, Fang Yu pressed down on the cloud sedan chair. The crowd below felt the light above their heads dim. Looking up, they saw three fiery red kites dragging a magnificent cloud sedan chair slowly descending. The landing point was exactly between Feng Wujiu and Zhou Li.

The sedan curtains moved without wind, and a lithe figure leaped out, heading straight for Zhou Li.

Some sharp-eyed observers in the arena exclaimed in hushed tones, "It's Fang Yu, the young master of the Fang family!"

Seeing Fang Yu leave in such a hurry, Fang Lan smiled knowingly and said softly, "...But the person I arranged was not this one."

Ignoring the astonished gazes around him, Fang Yu went straight to Zhou Li's side, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Senior Brother Zhou, please wait before accepting the challenge! I am Fang Yu. I met you a few times during the sect entrance examination."

Zhou Li's gaze fell on the suddenly appearing young man. He remembered this person; on the day of the major examination, he was one of the few who did not follow Fan Ru in denouncing him, so he could be considered to have formed a good relationship with him.

The young man stood upright like a pine tree, his aura calm and restrained, with a subtle flow of vital energy—a clear sign of physical cultivation. His eyes held a naive clarity, yet also a fortitude beyond his years.

Zhou Li nodded slightly: "Junior Brother Fang, what brings you here?"

Fang Yu said in a low voice, "Senior Brother Zhou, my elder brother dislikes you because of me. This person in front of you," he glanced quickly at Feng Wujiu opposite him, "is the one he arranged to humiliate you! Senior Brother, please wait a moment, and allow me to persuade him to leave."

Having said that, Fang Yu abruptly turned around and loudly proclaimed to Feng Wujiu, "Feng Wujiu! This battle is unacceptable; you must leave immediately!"

Feng Wujiu, who was not far away, frowned. He naturally recognized this young master of the Fang family and was also surprised. Normally, he would never want to get involved in the entanglements between such aristocratic scions.

However, the day before yesterday, his Uncle Chu Chengyun came in person, spoke earnestly, and presented him with a rare beast tooth, solemnly entrusting him with the task of fighting Zhou Li today, and then holding back and admitting defeat to Jiang Xing afterward.

Having been entrusted with a task, one must be loyal to it, especially since Uncle Chu has shown great favor to the Feng family, and it is difficult to go against his wishes.

"Junior Brother Fang," Feng Wujiu's voice carried a hint of helplessness, "I do have reasons why I must fight this battle. I urge you, Junior Brother, not to meddle in other people's business."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yu assumed that Feng Wujiu was reluctant to speak openly because of Fang Lan's presence, which further solidified his belief.

His eyes narrowed, and his tone was resolute: "I know why you're here to fight; you've come specifically for this! Leave immediately and don't cause any trouble!"

He meant that the reason was Fang Lan's instigation, while Feng Wujiu understood the reason as Chu Chengyun's entrustment, and the misunderstanding was quietly formed.

Looking into Fang Yu's resolute eyes, Feng Wujiu knew that words could not resolve the situation. He slowly straightened his back and said in a deep voice, "I am afraid I cannot comply. Please... step aside!" As he uttered the last two words, an invisible wave of energy dissipated, and his long robe fluttered without wind.

Seeing this, Fang Yu took a steady half-step forward with his left foot, gripped the hilt of his sword tightly with his right hand, and circulated his qi and blood throughout his body. He responded loudly, "Very well! Let me experience the Feng family's ultimate technique!"

The two men were on the verge of exchanging blows, already locked in combat. Zhou Li, however, remained standing quietly behind Fang Yu, as if the turmoil he had caused had nothing to do with him.

His expression was calm as his gaze swept over the two people facing off, then over the hovering cloud sedan chair in the distance. The mountain breeze stirred, only lifting a few strands of his dark hair.