Chapter 76: Wind Scales

The list was unveiled, and once again, it unleashed a storm of controversy. A wave of criticism questioned why those three individuals, not disciples of Wukang Mountain, were included.

Anticipating the backlash, someone publicly clarified that Xiang Lan'er, Shi Chun, and Wu Jinliang had officially been inducted as Wukang Mountain disciples. What's more, their seniority was quite high—they were effectively in the 'uncle' generation for many of the attendees.

Upon seeing the list, Pang Tiansheng returned to the Disciplinary Affairs Hall and nearly slapped his thigh raw, laughing uncontrollably.

It was obvious to everyone that the three individuals temporarily accepted into the sect were intended to be scapegoats for the genuine disciples.

Bian Weiying, after seeing the official list of participants, was also stunned. She immediately hurried to her mother to uncover the truth.

Bian Weikang, on the other hand, was utterly devastated upon seeing the list. He frantically raced back to his humble dwelling and, grabbing Xiang Lan'er, demanded to know what was happening.

Xiang Lan'er smiled as calmly as she could and explained, 'I volunteered for this. If I can become a true Wukang Mountain disciple, your parents will more easily accept our relationship, and Wukang Mountain will have no reason to reject me. I can't just stand by while you suffer; I have to do something.'

Bian Weikang held her arms, fighting back the sting in his nose, but he eventually slumped to the ground, sobbing like a child.

He wasn't foolish; he knew full well that Xiang Lan'er had signed up under duress.

During his time back at Wukang Mountain, outsiders could never imagine what he had endured. Under Bian Jixiong's deliberate arrangements, he gritted his teeth and suffered daily harassment and humiliation, performing all sorts of strenuous, tiring, and dirty tasks. He faced constant sarcasm and ridicule, was bullied by a group of fellow disciples, and even got beaten.

In those days, he experienced humiliation he had never known in his entire life.

These few days had made him profoundly understand what it meant to lose his status as Wukang Mountain's young sect master, and what it meant to lose power.

His fellow disciples, who had once surrounded him and catered to his every comfort, suddenly turned vicious. This also reminded him of his former fair-weather friends, who had immediately scattered when he lost his wealth and glory.

To secure a future for Xiang Lan'er, he had been enduring everything. After returning, he even had to force a smile for her. Consequently, a once cheerful and outgoing person had become somewhat gloomy.

Only now did he understand how high and mighty the sect master truly was, not someone a mere disciple like him could simply meet at will.

So this was reality.

But he truly hadn't expected that, even after enduring so much, he still couldn't protect his own woman.

Crying wouldn't solve anything. He wiped away his tears with his sleeve and ran off wildly.

'My lord, my lord...' Xiang Lan'er called out several times, but he didn't return. In the end, she could only let out a faint sigh.

She had informants within Wukang Mountain; how could she not know the immense humiliation Bian Weikang was currently enduring? What was even crueler was yet to come: the shock Bian Weikang would experience when he realized that his best friend and benefactor's true purpose in helping him was actually to get to his woman.

To be honest, she felt a pang of pity. She lamented how truly ruthless Bian Jixiong was as a father; he was genuinely trying to grind his own son into the dirt!

Bian Weikang ran to seek an audience with his father but was turned away. He tried to see his mother, but she was equally unavailable.

Later, he forced his way into the Discipline Hall and managed to see Elder Ke. He knelt, pleading for mercy, hoping she would show leniency and spare his woman.

Elder Ke coldly and clearly explained the reality: once the list had been submitted, not even the sect master could arbitrarily change it. Pleading with anyone was useless; only if he one day became a figure like the Lord of Shengzhou could he resolve the situation with a single word.

Then she had Bian Weikang escorted out.

With no other recourse, Bian Weikang ran to his sister, Bian Weiying, pleading with her to look after Xiang Lan'er. Bian Weiying readily agreed, making Bian Weikang incredibly grateful; he was so moved he almost wanted to kneel in thanks, still remembering the events at the city lord's mansion that night.

Returning to his humble abode, Bian Weikang wiped away his tear stains, put on a smile as if nothing had happened, and comforted Xiang Lan'er. 'Lan'er,' he said, 'I've asked around. The sect will provide plenty of protective talismans. My sister Weiying is the team leader, and she'll look after you. Nothing will happen. I'll wait for your return...'

The day of departure arrived quietly, unnoticed by most Wukang Mountain disciples, who continued with their daily routines.

Early in the morning, as dawn broke, only a few high-ranking sect officials gathered outside the Main Conference Hall to see them off, disturbing no one else.

Shi Chun, Wu Jinliang, and Xiang Lan'er had all changed into the chestnut-colored Wukang Mountain disciple attire.

Wu Jinliang remained conspicuously noticeable in the crowd, being the tallest and wielding the largest saber. The saber alone made it clear he wasn't a Wukang Mountain disciple, yet he was mixed in with them, visibly irritating the higher-ups.

However, it was his weapon, and he was accustomed to using it, so it was difficult to make him discard it.

Elder Ke was tasked with escorting the group to the Prefectural Mansion. Following the principle of 'one task, one master,' he simply took full responsibility for the entire journey, bringing five accompanying disciples with him.

After bidding farewell to Bian Jixiong and the others, Elder Ke walked over to Shi Chun and the group. Suddenly, he flipped his hand and conjured a pinecone-shaped metallic sphere from thin air. As it appeared in his palm, it immediately shimmered with blue light, seemingly melting in his grasp. Like countless locusts, dense swarms of fish-scale-like blue scales whirred and swirled upwards from his palm, flying into the sky.

After the pinecone-shaped metallic sphere in his palm completely dissolved, Elder Ke formed a hand seal. The swirling scales immediately rushed downwards, quickly enveloping the departing group. They swiftly whirled around everyone, shifting from cylindrical to conical to shuttle shapes.

Soon, a whirring gust of wind gently lifted the travelers. The ascent quickly gained speed, carrying the group swiftly into the sky.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang felt their bodies propelled by the wind with no solid footing; only after repeatedly casting balancing spells did they find their equilibrium. Looking down, Wukang Mountain was shrinking rapidly. Observing the swiftly circling shadows around them, they knew, despite seeing it for the first time, that it was a flying magical artifact called 'Wind Scales'—something not just anyone could afford to use.

Wind with scales, like fish soaring through the sky.

In the eyes of those seeing them off at Wukang Mountain, the Wind Scales had already transformed into a streak of light, drifting away towards the distant horizon...

Nearing midday, the group descended from the sky and landed. The scattered Wind Scales rapidly gathered, as if funneling into Elder Ke's palm, quickly transforming back into the pinecone-shaped metallic sphere, which he then put away.

The group looked around to find themselves surrounded by magnificent, towering palaces and grand structures, standing in an open plaza.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, typically wide-eyed, couldn't stop looking around in all directions. After a while, Wu Jinliang asked, 'Where are we?'

'Shengzhou Prefectural City,' Gan Tangyu replied.

He was quite handsome, with a tall, upright figure and sharp facial features. His expression was rather cold, and he spoke very little, often in clipped two-word phrases, exuding the demeanor of a master. Since his appearance, he had constantly stayed close to Bian Weiying, with the air of a dedicated protector.

Elder Ke was in the process of handing them over to a group of armored individuals. A little later, he beckoned them over as well.

After the armored guards verified their identities and cultivation levels, they locked prepared metal bracelets onto each person's wrist. Each bracelet featured a small metal tag with writing on it.

Shi Chun examined his bracelet: one side bore his name, and the other read 'Shengzhou Wukang Mountain Four.' He checked Wu Jinliang's—it was similar: his name on one side, and 'Shengzhou Wukang Mountain Five' on the other. He secretly tried to pull his chain forcefully but found it impossible to break.

Once the handover was complete, Elder Ke told everyone, 'Just follow them. We'll also head to the Royal Capital later.'

The armored guards on site urged the five participants to move, leading them into a passage within a barbican. Along the way, they noticed shimmering, illusory waves—a sensation Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were familiar with, having experienced it when they emerged from the Living Prison. This was what was known as the 'Xun Gate'.

Mid-journey, Wu Jinliang couldn't help but ask again, 'Where are we going?'

An armored guard said in a deep voice, 'Nonsense! The Royal Capital of Shengshenzhou!'

After passing through the long passage, the moment they re-emerged into light, the others remained composed, but the two who had never seen such a sight were stunned motionless on the spot, as a magnificent and dazzling spectacle assailed their senses.

Before their eyes were what appeared to be mountains, seemingly torn from their roots, floating at various heights in the air, adorned with colorful buildings featuring carved beams and painted pillars. From several of these, heavenly rivers ceaselessly poured down to the earth, while rainbows stretched across the sky and spirit birds soared. Below, on the exquisitely beautiful land, was a scene of immense prosperity, with countless grand palaces and jade towers stretching endlessly.

Between heaven and earth, god-like figures continuously flew to and fro, ascending and descending.

As far as their eyes could see, the grandeur and splendor surpassed itself at every turn, dazzling with brilliance, truly beyond words to describe.

And they themselves stood on one of these floating mountains.

'What are you staring at? Move!' an armored guard said, pushing Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang.

At the foot of the floating mountain, a horned giant jiao, almost resembling a divine dragon, coiled its way upwards, arching its body like a bridge, waiting to be ridden. As soon as the guards ushered the group onto the creature, the jiao swayed its body and instantly carried them soaring away.

Riding the wind and passing through clouds, the vast and endless prosperity both in the air and below delivered a breathtaking visual impact. It also made Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang truly realize their own insignificance; they gaped in awe the whole way, forgetting to speak.

Their destination was another heavily guarded, floating immortal mountain. The giant jiao dropped them off and then soared away. Only after Shi Chun and the others arrived did they learn that this mountain was specifically for the temporary accommodation of Shengzhou's participants, and many representatives from other sects had already arrived.

Each sect was assigned lodging according to their arrival order and strictly ordered not to have any contact with the outside world without permission.

Not too far from this immortal mountain, within a tranquil area amidst the Royal Capital's bustling prosperity, lay an exquisite garden nestled on a hillside. Ancient trees cast deep shadows around it, and the pavilions and terraces within the garden were exceptionally elegant.

Miao Yilan, dressed simply, personally watered exotic flowers and rare herbs in the garden, while Lan Qiaoyan, looking every bit the virtuous wife and loving mother, personally cooked in the house. This was their home in the Royal Capital of Shengshenzhou, and they owned similar residences in other locations.

Miao Yilan was able to come here from Zhaotian City because Lan Qiaoyan helped her request a long leave. The sole reason was the impending 'Heavenly Meteor Shower Conference'; she had brought her daughter to witness the excitement. However, despite saying they were there for the spectacle, they were not truly interested in the desperate struggles of those minor figures.

They hadn't come because of Shi Chun, though they were aware he would be participating.

Lan Qiaoyan knew Shi Chun had gone to Wukang Mountain and presumed the sect would participate. When reviewing the list of participating sects, she subconsciously checked for Wukang Mountain, and it was indeed there. What surprised her most, however, was discovering that Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were also on the participant list, which greatly astonished both mother and daughter.

Her true reason for bringing her daughter back to the Royal Capital of Shengshenzhou was the convergence of many esteemed individuals from various places. Not only nobles from within Shengshenzhou but also from all Four Great Continents would gather for this event. It was precisely the time for families like theirs to socialize and to see if they could seize the opportunity to find a suitable match for their daughter.

While she might appreciate minor figures like Shi Chun, she certainly didn't consider him suitable son-in-law material.

The carefully prepared delicacies had just been placed on the outdoor table when the master of the house also happened to return. He wore a green robe and a black gauze hat, was tall with a fair complexion, and had a small mustache. His features were somewhat effeminate, yet he was still a man of considerable presence.

Miao Dingyi, one of the six Grand Marshals of the Bowang Tower.

Miao Yilan ran over, chattering excitedly, and accompanied her father to the dining table.

After Lan Qiaoyan also came over and sat down, Miao Dingyi seemed to recall something. He pulled out a shell-colored metallic chip, tossed it in front of the mother and daughter, and then picked up his chopsticks to sample his wife's cooking.

The mother and daughter, thinking it was a gift, huddled together and picked up the chip to examine it. They saw engraved on it the words: 'Wukang Mountain Four, Shi Chun, 100,000 gold, First Place: 1000x.'

Miao Yilan, being less experienced, didn't know what it was, but Lan Qiaoyan recognized it at once. She looked up, surprised, and asked, 'You placed a bet? And you put down 100,000 gold all at once?'

Miao Dingyi shook his head helplessly. 'I had no choice. I just ran into the one who opened the betting. He mentioned it, and not placing a bet would have been disrespectful. Placing too little would seem perfunctory, so to avoid offending him, I just made a token contribution. Anyway, it was just a show of support. You aren't seriously hoping for a stroke of great luck to win, are you? However, when I placed the bet, I casually glanced at Shi Chun's basic information on the betting platform. I felt his situation wasn't very good; he might have been forced to participate.'

Lan Qiaoyan paused slightly. 'What do you mean?'