The Demonic World I designed-Chapter 705 - 696: Choice (Part 2)

The selection for the Heavenly Master is open to the entire Yundu, and in order to make the entire competition seem fair, in front of each of the four great gates, there will be a huge crystal displaying the trials of all, openly. This crystal comes from Jiangnan and is a very popular Image Jade nowadays.

Such a setup has left the citizens of Yundu very excited. Originally, matters among the sorcerer masters didn’t concern them, and the most they could do was to watch from the sidelines. Now that they could watch up close, they were naturally thrilled.

Therefore, from the break of dawn on the day of the competition, one would see the area outside the four great gates completely packed with people.

At this time, the most debated topic was still the number of contestants registering at the four great gates.

Some storytellers of Yundu had already begun their performances in the teahouses bright and early.

Early in the morning, Chen Qing also arrived early above the Vermilion Bird Gate. As a guest invited by the Heavenly Master Mansion, he naturally had a good seat. The few of them sat just above the Vermilion Bird Gate, at the best vantage point, where they could not only see participants entering the gate but also have the best angle to view that huge levitating crystal.

"Lord Chen, you’ve arrived early."

Chen Qing was somewhat surprised because he had always thought only his group was interested in this position at the Vermilion Bird Gate. He hadn’t expected Chen Baifeng to be here, too.

Could it be that his son chose this gate?

"Chief of Staff, are you here because..." Chen Qing walked over, his face full of doubt. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Chen Baifeng immediately saw through Chen Qing’s doubts and got up with a smile to welcome Chen Qing to the seat next to him, "Lord Chen thinks too much. We are all aware of Lady Ziyue’s reputation; who would dare let the young ones provoke that one? I was just curious about Lady Ziyue’s methods and thought to come take a look. As for that brat of mine, it’s all about participation; there wasn’t much hope to begin with, so it doesn’t matter whether we watch or not... Hahaha."

"You’re too modest, Lord," Chen Qing said with a smile as he sat down next to him. "Your son, Chen Ye, has golden eyes and carries the unique Southern Clear Li Fire aura from the Southern Sea. It goes without saying that his talent is extraordinary. You’re not watching because you know that for this first round, no matter which gate he takes, nothing will stop your son."

"Not at all, Lord Chen overestimates my son," Chen Baifeng replied hurriedly, waving his hand with a smile, yet there was a hint of pride in his eyes. Although he was modest in words, his heart agreed with what Chen Qing had said. He knew very well what level Chen Ye was at nowadays. The Heavenly Master selection had three rounds in total, and while the first round as the opening was certainly important, it would definitely not be too difficult, or else no one would be left for the next rounds. How could they proceed with the second and third rounds?

Unless someone was targeted, but he didn’t think he and his family needed to be specifically targeted by the Heavenly Master Mansion.

"King of Qin, the products from your Jiangnan really do sell well. Such a large Image Jade must have fetched a handsome price, right?"

Chen Qing looked at the levitating crystal below and shook his head slightly, "In Jiangnan, we don’t have crystals this large. It appears that Yundu has purchased our Jiangnan goods and has cracked the method to create such a large magnified crystal. Our Image Jade in Jiangnan couldn’t possibly be this big."

"I see..." Chen Baifeng nodded. He had also felt that the material of the huge crystal was different from Image Jade. The technology of the Heavenly Master Mansion was indeed extraordinary, to produce such an item so quickly...

While they were talking, the crystal announced the number of registrations for the four gates.

Black Tortoise Gate, North Main Hall: 32 applicants, Gatekeeper: Murong Ziyi.

Northern Tiger Gate, West Main Hall: 21 applicants, Gatekeeper: Zhang Zhiyun.

Azure Dragon Gate, East Main Hall: 91 applicants, Gatekeeper: Zhang Xiaoyun...

Seeing the numbers flashing on the crystal, Chen Baifeng stroked his beard and nodded slightly. Zhang Zhiyun and Murong Ziyi were very famous, and only a few dared to challenge them. Although Zhang Xiaoyun seemed like a pitfall, the locals of Yundu probably knew the ins and outs. Compared to the highly reputed Zhang Zhiyun, even if Zhang Xiaoyun’s risk factor was greater, surely more were willing to take their chances with her.

The key is the last one...

At Vermilion Bird Gate, the number of registrants for the southern main hall: three hundred and ten, gatekeeper: Lady Zi Yue!

As this data was released, many of the commoners were astounded and began discussing who exactly this Zi Yue was and why there were so many people registered for this gate.

Underneath the palace gate, some storytellers hastily cleared their throats and began to explain.

"This Lady Zi Yue, her background is something else!"

"What sort of background is that?"

"Exactly, exactly, I’ve never heard of her."

"Everyone, just listen to me slowly unfold the story..." A storyteller proclaimed proudly, "This Lady Zi Yue, mysterious in origin, is said to have always been one of the most mysterious Grand Sorcerers within the Great Jin Palace, and she even topped the court’s list of ten greatest magicians. Then she went to Jiangnan for some reason and became the master of the Western Sea True Dragon Academy, under the command of His Highness, the King of Qin. Now the Heavenly Master Mansion has named her as one of the four major candidates."

"Oh... she sounds quite formidable..."

"Formidable my ass, it’s all just outsiders blowing smoke. If she really had such a reputation, would there be so many people registering?"

"That’s true, if she really was the number one magician, why was she unknown before?"

"Listen to me..." The storyteller continued, "For Lady Zi Yue to have gained such a reputation in the twentieth year of Great Jin, she must be extraordinary. Nowadays, her name commands respect in Jiangnan, but here in Yundu, we are the true lineage of the Heavenly Master, after all. With Lady Zi Yue lacking both family background and significant achievements in battle, it’s really hard to convince people. No wonder so many want to challenge the title of Great Jin’s number one magician."

"Zhang Zhiyun and Great Heavenly Master Murong Ziyi have illustrious reputations. Zhang Zhiyun alone had once quelled the warlords who dared to invade our Yundu. The Zhang family’s standing as the world’s most formidable, a reputation built over the last hundred years, was solidified by Zhang Zhiyun’s influential action. His achievements are beyond reproach, and it’s normal that few dare to challenge him. Wouldn’t everyone agree?"

"Of course..."

The crowd nodded vigorously, their faces beaming with pride. During the chaos in the Central Plains, Yundu was a haven of peace for many years, an idyllic sanctuary, with the Zhang family as everyone’s talisman. Zhang Zhiyun, who single-handedly repelled the warlords thirty years ago, preventing any forces from reaching for Yundu, naturally became the idol in everyone’s heart, highly esteemed, and was the undisputed choice for the new Heavenly Master in their eyes.

Never mind the Heavenly Master, in many commoners’ hearts, he could well be the Emperor. The reason the Siao family’s kid became Emperor was simply because our Zhang family did not care to contend for it.

"Great Heavenly Master Murong Ziyi was personally named by the Old Celestial Master as his legitimate disciple, touted as the most talented magician in a thousand years, a claim made by the Old Celestial Master himself. Evidently, even if Grand Master Ziyi is not as formidable as Zhang Zhiyun, she cannot be far behind. However, being labeled the strongest in terms of talent can easily unsettle the proud hearts of talented youngsters. Those who dare to challenge Grand Master Ziyi are likely to be haughty, but they must have some solid backing."

"As for Great Master Zhang Xiaoyun..." The storyteller chuckled, "Everyone has watched Master Zhang Xiaoyun grow up. He is of the same generation as Master Zhang Zhiyun, though much younger. Ever since his birth, we’ve had twenty years of good weather in Yundu, deemed by the Old Celestial Master as the most auspicious omen. Perhaps Master Xiaoyun’s power is still immature, but he surely possesses some true legacy. However, given that his renown cannot match that of his elder brother, anyone with a shred of dignity and self-confidence wouldn’t choose his gate."

"If you ask me, those choosing Black Tortoise Gate are the ones who lack confidence in themselves, looking to take a chance and get lucky."

"That’s right..." Many commoners nodded in agreement, "Anyone with ambition wouldn’t choose the path of the Heavenly Master."

"But why are there so many people choosing Vermilion Bird Gate?" Suddenly, a doubt arose among the crowd.

"Eh, that brings us to the crux of the matter." The storyteller snapped his fan closed with a smile, "This Lady Zi Yue, well, she’s the character that provokes the most enmity..."

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