Big Data Cultivation-Chapter 1960 - 1962: Old Acquaintance (Second Update)
The second Dragon Gate Conference ended uneventfully, with Luohua Manor’s former chief steward Li Shishi taking the lead.
The final was just as monotonous, with Defense Talisman, Thunderclap Talisman, and Water Dragon Talisman.
The only thing different was that Li Shishi took out the Defense Talisman before the battle started, holding it in her hand.
Though the Wudang disciple felt a bit regretful that their own just took second place, they also boasted somewhat proudly, "Though Wang Dapeng narrowly lost, no matter how you see it, he was the only competitor forcing Li Shishi to hold a talisman!"
Someone asked Wang Dapeng about this statement, and he could only smile wryly, "That was the Luohua comrade’s respect for the finals, it had nothing to do with me!"
Others said, Wang Daoyou has taken second place, yet he’s so humble; such modesty surely means his martial path will greatly advance in the future!
But Wang Dapeng knew very well himself that Li Shishi’s approach really had not much to do with him.
Initially, when he went to find Brother Qiang, he carried an open-minded attitude—Li Shishi’s operation had flaws. If you insist on not correcting them for the sake of image, then don’t blame me for being impolite, because I’m under great pressure too.
If you do correct them, then I’ll accept it, take second place, but you can’t ignore me.
However, after getting Gao Qiang’s response, he hesitated a bit: should he launch an attack tomorrow?
But the decision he made was indeed the same as Gao Qiang’s thoughts: I’ve done what I should do, tomorrow I must try and see the might of Mountain Master Feng’s protective talisman!
Yet regrettably, someone from Wudang knew about his visit to Gao Qiang—Director Wenxu!
Daoist Master Wenxu was quite concerned about the negotiation result between the two, because he really didn’t want to offend Luohua, yet Wudang also wanted the championship.
However, after hearing Wang Dapeng’s response, he was also helpless; turns out the weakness everyone thought, was no weakness at all.
As for whether Gao Qiang’s words were credible, that was not in Director Wenxu’s consideration at all—if someone wants to win the championship, they’d directly step into the arena, why fabricate lies to deceive?
He thought for a while, and ultimately decided he must request the Luohua people to carry talismans to fight—this way, everyone’s dignity and face remain intact, without harming relations.
Wang Dapeng truly felt a bit reluctant—Gao Qiang’s words were absolutely right, successful martial artists don’t lack the courage to challenge strong opponents.
In fact, Director Wenxu didn’t let him go, but instead invited Elder Guo, who had good relations with Luohua.
Gao Qiang had once warned Wang Dapeng not to spread the matter of the protective talisman, but Director Wenxu certainly wasn’t an outsider; when the director met Elder Guo, he laughed and asked if Luohua disciples had protective talismans.
Elder Guo indeed knew about the protective talisman; back then, Wang Haifeng gifted the talisman to his dad as a filial gesture, and his dad then gifted it to his grandfather. In the end, two kids agreed to jump off a building, one was fine, one was crippled, causing quite a stir.
In Luohua Manor, this incident is quite a peculiar legend. Elder Guo frequently visited Luohua, and had heard this joke.
When he mentioned this joke, Wang Dapeng and Director Wenxu simply couldn’t laugh at all.
At first, Elder Guo didn’t understand what was going on, but then he realized, "Dapeng, are you planning to launch an attack right from the start?"
Wang Dapeng indifferently remained silent, evidently admitting it.
Elder Guo didn’t try to persuade him; being experienced, he knew well enough—it’s useless, you can’t stop him, so he straightforwardly asked, "Did the director call me here for something?"
Director Wenxu explained his thoughts, and Elder Guo also believed this choice was good, and he was willing to persuade the other side.
He didn’t go to Gao Qiang, but went directly to Zhang Caixin, who could make decisions among the Luohua group.
However, Zhang Caixin replied, "The reason of ’respecting finals and audiences’ sounds good, but it involves Luohua’s external image problem, I need to ask the boss."
Fortunately, Feng Jun was easygoing; he was typically gentle on the outside but firm on the inside, but how much keener than him could one be? Perhaps only Big Boss of Yin Spirits could be more durable. Now although he couldn’t endure anymore, he was still relatively low key.
His disciples, on the other hand, were all more daring and aggressive, which seemed a bit flamboyant. Feng Jun felt, this actually contributed to fostering Luohua’s sense of honor and cohesion, but he would find some time to appropriately warn them.
Li Shishi ranked first; she naturally chose the "Electric Power Qualification Testing Formation," and immediately lent it to Maoshan’s Tang Wangsun, while second place Wudang got the Electric Power Gathering Array as desired.
Li Shishi’s choice was actually to prevent Kunlun from obtaining the Electric Power Array.
Kunlun people couldn’t do anything, criticizing the opponent for playing by tacit agreement? Forget it, unfair competitions are everywhere, ultimately it’s because they’re not strong enough.
In fact, although Kunlun coveted the Electric Power Gathering Array, they were genuinely conflicted; after obtaining it, where should they place it?
Bringing it back to Kunlun’s secret realm was unlikely, because when Feng Jun "lent out" this array, he said that not only must this array circulate among Daoist sects, but also that they cannot prevent other Daoist branches from "sharing" the spiritual energy.
Of course, with so many fellow cultivators here to share the spiritual energy, there needs to be some order, but Feng Jun couldn’t be bothered with the specifics.
So even if Kunlun gets the Spirit Gathering Array, they have to place it outside the mountain gates for everyone to use. If they dared to move it into a secret realm and refuse others access, Feng Jun could definitely break it again.
Thus, Kunlun didn’t get the Formation, which saved them from feeling conflicted, even though they were inwardly unhappy.
However, Wudang had already prepared a space for the Spirit Gathering Array a long time ago, a whole ten acres. They even brought in high electric current, with pavilions and towers all arranged beautifully, with pine trees and spirit plants planted, intending to keep the array permanently.
The biggest obstacle to this plan isn’t Feng Jun, but the next sect that rotates every two years. As long as they serve the next sect well and make them feel it’s unnecessary to move the Spirit Gathering Array, they’re halfway successful.
Anyway, the Daoist Sects are just beginning, and the path is long and arduous. Each sect is racking their brains to secure development space for themselves.
Wang Dapeng came second this time, feeling a bit unsatisfied, as he very well knew what kind of person Li Shishi was in Luohua. However, other Wudang disciples were pleased, as Luohua came first, so this second place was almost the same as first.
After Director Wenxu got the Spirit Gathering Array, he intended to keep Wang Dapeng, swapping with another Wudang disciple to go to the Xiuzhen Courtyard. First, it was quite dignified to be second, and secondly, to help guard the Spirit Gathering Array... isn’t it the same as cultivating in the Xiuzhen Courtyard?
He believed Wang Dapeng wouldn’t refuse such an arrangement—for someone who values face, losing to Luohua is something he wouldn’t return from.
However, Wang Dapeng’s response surprised the Director, as he was determined to return to the Xiuzhen Courtyard.
His thoughts weren’t about getting back up after a fall or seeking revenge, but the courtyard had many benefits.
Firstly, the courtyard was quiet and closed off; not only were there no pilgrims, but even mobile phones were restricted to only two hours a day, perfect for cultivation. If he stayed in Wudang, despite being able to ensure ample cultivation time, he would undoubtedly face external disturbances.
Secondly, the courtyard housed elite disciples from various Daoist sects, with frequent exchanges focused on martial techniques and Daoist practices. Having such a group of fellow cultivators not only accelerated his cultivation speed but also broadened his knowledge, making cultivation truly enjoyable.
After explaining his reasons to Director Wenxu, Wenxu insisted even more that he stays in Wudang—there were so many Wudang disciples, and such a good place should be experienced by all.
Wang Dapeng refused, saying this time the Spirit Gathering Array was prioritized in Wudang because he played a role, which, though a duty for Wudang disciples, borrowing a Storage Talisman from Gao Qiang was his personal favor—this you have to acknowledge, right?
At this point, he didn’t mention the Storage Talisman was forced on him by Luohua, instead emphasizing friendship.
But ultimately, he arranged with the Director to stay in Wudang for a year after his term, and then go for another year... anyway, by the third year when the Spirit Gathering Array rotates to another sect, he definitely wanted to return.
During that year, he had already stabilized at a martial master’s high rank, so training in the mortal world occasionally with the Spirit Gathering Array was beneficial.
After reaching an agreement, he went to find Brother Qiang, wanting to leave with the people from Luohua.
But upon finding the Luohua group, he noticed a stranger among them.
The stranger was Di Aixin, who participated in the Dragon Gate Tournament again this time. Although he was only at martial master’s initial rank, his natural strength allowed his combat power to rival high-rank martial masters. Unfortunately, he was almost beaten to death in the quarter-finals.
The person who defeated him faced Li Shishi next but forfeited, allowing Li Shishi to advance to the semi-finals without fighting.
Upon hearing the details, Li Shishi was grateful to him. If he hadn’t fought so fiercely, she would have had a match in the semi-finals.
So after winning the championship, she sought him out first—aside from everything else, they were from the same village.
However, seeing her win, Di Aixin wanted to leave without being seen—he was too ashamed to face her.
In the end, Li Shishi ran into him. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Li Shishi wasn’t good at diagnosing injuries, but Gao Qiang was; he checked him over and couldn’t help but curse, "Are you sick of living? With so many hidden injuries, you came to the Dragon Gate Tournament?"
Di Aixin replied indifferently, "Being a fighter, how can you avoid hidden injuries? While I can still fight, I should earn money for a few more years."
Gao Qiang sighed in anger, "If my son grows up to be like you, I’ll kill him!"
Li Shishi was a bit anxious upon hearing, "Brother Qiang... can he still be healed?"
Gao Qiang thought for a moment and helplessly replied, "I can’t heal him; he probably needs Big Boss, but I requested Big Boss to treat him last time, I can’t ask again."
"No need to heal," Di Aixin replied nonchalantly, "Rest for a couple of months, and I’ll be fine... I’m young, these injuries are nothing."
Gao Qiang glared at him, "The more reckless you are when young, the more suffering you’ll have when old!"
Li Shishi was originally thinking about what request to make to Big Boss after winning, she had some unreasonable thoughts but couldn’t muster the courage, upon hearing this, she decisively said, "Then I’ll ask Big Boss to heal him!"
After all, she had won the semi-finals without a fight, and Di Aixin was from her village.
