Chapter 54: I Don't

The pursuit and slaughter that engulfed Maplewood City, the web of schemes and madness, seemed a world away from the tranquil arena. Here, the contests continued unabated.

Three champions emerged from the crucible of the preliminary rounds to enter the final robin: Zhang Linchuan, Lin Zhengren, and Fu Baosong of Wangjiang City.

Fu Baosong, a man of towering frame yet slender build, with a face free of blemish, had vanquished a fifth-year disciple of Maplewood City to secure the final coveted slot. Thus, both fifth-year disciples from Wangjiang City advanced to the round-robin, a truly auspicious turn of events.

Indeed, the battles among the fifth-year disciples held the most weight, for only the foremost among them in this tri-city debate possessed the privilege of direct entry into the hallowed halls of the Imperial Academy. Similar grand assemblies offered such opportunities, varying only in number. For instance, the "North Wind Snow" debate, though a five-city affair, granted two such coveted spots out of ten, making the prospect of securing one more attainable than in the "tri-city debate."

These coveted berths were a form of resource allocation, often determined by the standing of a city's Dao Academy. And the strength of a Dao Academy was intrinsically linked to the calibre of cultivators it nurtured. Thus, when a cultivator ascended to prominence, the Dao Academy from which they hailed would also flourish. A greater number of entries to the Imperial Academy, coupled with the accelerated growth of practitioners, forged a virtuous cycle.

Conversely, a city like Three Mountains, plagued by the attrition of its elites and unable to triumph in the debates, saw its resources dwindle, making cultivation for its disciples a more arduous path—a vicious cycle indeed. Only by comprehending the intricate workings of the Zhuang State's Dao Academy system could one grasp the fervent desperation that gripped the cultivators of Three Mountains City.

Returning to the arena, the inaugural clash of the tri-city debate among the fifth-year disciples was a confrontation between brethren.

Lin Zhengren versus Fu Baosong.

This encounter held little intrigue for the spectators. The general consensus was that the true contest lay between Maplewood City and Wangjiang City. The highlight of the entire round-robin was whether Zhang Linchuan could overcome his opponents from Wangjiang City in successive bouts—a prospect that now appeared decidedly bleak.

As for this internal struggle, it was merely a formality.

Lin Zhengren, it seemed, shared this sentiment. As Fu Baosong approached, he spoke with an air of casual dismissal, "Just concede. I'll heavily injure Zhang Linchuan later, then you can defeat him and claim second place."

He had already meticulously charted the rankings.

"Hmph!" Zhang Linchuan covered his nose with a handkerchief, a look of utter disdain upon his face. "Don't speak as if I am not here!"

Lin Zhengren turned his gaze towards Zhang Linchuan, who stood waiting by the sidelines, and offered a mirthless smile. "Perhaps you should withdraw now and spare yourself some unnecessary pain."

Having revealed his sixth-grade cultivation, a certain unburdening seemed to have occurred within his temperament. He no longer held much regard for superficial courtesies.

It was at this juncture...

"I will not."

A voice uttered these words.

Lin Zhengren’s head snapped around, his eyes fixing on the source of the sound. Fu Baosong, the man of imposing height who had remained silent throughout the day, had spoken his first words.

"You will not? What will you not?" Lin Zhengren’s voice held a note of disbelief.

Outside the arena, Lin Zhengli cursed even louder, "Fu Baosong, have you lost your wits? Do you not know your own limitations?"

Fu Baosong paid him no heed. His gaze remained fixed on Lin Zhengren, his eyes calm and level, no different from how he would look at anyone else.

He declared, "I shall give my all, regardless of the opponent. That is the true essence of this debate."

Lin Zhengren laughed, a sound devoid of humour, born of sheer exasperation. "Very well, then you shall try."

A sudden twist of fate.

The onlookers from Maplewood City were revitalized. The two cultivators from Wangjiang City were taking this seriously. Did this not imply a chance for Zhang Linchuan of Maplewood City?

Though Lin Zhengren was a sixth-grade cultivator, if Fu Baosong could inflict some injury upon him before his defeat... Zhang Linchuan's hopes were not entirely extinguished!

"Well fought, Fu Baosong!"

"Upright and unyielding, a paragon for all cultivators!"

"Precisely! Why concede? Lin Zhengren has no more heads than you. Defeat him, and you shall be the champion!"

The voices of the crowd outside the arena rose in unison. Looking at the impassioned throng, it was as if they held a genuine affection for Fu Baosong.

Jiang Yan, in particular, felt a faint familiarity in the last voice he heard.

He followed the sound with his eyes and spotted Huang Azhan, lurking furtively within the crowd.

Jiang Yan turned away, his expression devoid of emotion.

He truly marvelled at the various "special talents" possessed by this individual, who had wormed his way into this small circle through Du Yehu. He was adept at flattery, consumed by gluttony and lust, and now, capable of stirring public opinion.

Yet, strangely, despite his manifold shortcomings, it was difficult to harbour any genuine dislike for the man.

...

On the arena, Lin Zhengren was visibly enraged, and he unleashed his Azure Python Twist from the outset.

The colossal python erupted from the earth, overturning the heavens, its form writhing into a tight coil.

*Bang!*

The Azure Python Twist struck the vine wall.

Intertwined serpentine vines formed a protective barrier around Fu Baosong, a technique identical to the Vine Snake Wall Lin Zhengren had employed earlier.

However, a second-class, middle-grade Vine Snake Wall was no match for the might of a first-class, lower-grade Azure Python Twist.

In less than three breaths, the Vine Snake Wall had crumbled.

The azure behemoth contracted with immense force, but in the very next instant, it suddenly withered.

A withered, desiccated green hand pressed against the python's body. Decay, in hues of grey and green, intertwined upon the immense form of the Azure Python.

A second-class, upper-grade Taoism, the Decaying Wood Art!

Though he did not shatter the Azure Python with a single touch like Dong A, he nonetheless caused this Azure Python to wither and decay.

Fu Baosong then sprung forth from the resulting aperture.

But how could Lin Zhengren afford him such an opportunity? He extended his hand, and the already prepared Water Dragon Wave roared forth!

Behind the semi-transparent form of the water dragon, his handsome countenance was already contorted with extreme gloom.

Some Taoist techniques required innate talent, others, a specific compatibility. It was not a given that one could cultivate a Taoism of a corresponding grade simply by reaching the required cultivation realm.

Take, for instance, this Decaying Wood Art. Although it was only a second-class, upper-grade technique, it was the exclusive secret art of the head of the Wangjiang City Dao Academy. Lin Zhengren himself had been denied its transmission! The reason? Insufficient compatibility?

Could this impoverished youth, this proverbial stone in the latrine, possess sufficient compatibility?

As arrogant as Lin Zhengren was, he had long grown weary of such hypocritical excuses. Excuses like insufficient compatibility, or the so-called meaning of the debate!

Facing the Water Dragon Wave, which seemed to be lying in wait, Fu Baosong's feet rolled in the surging water, attempting to evade. As one who hailed from the Wangjiang City Dao Academy, he was certainly no stranger to the Three Waves technique.

But Lin Zhengren simply pressed his left hand downwards, and the waves surged, merging with the water beneath Fu Baosong's feet, rendering his evasion a futile endeavour.

A simple Daoist technique, Raging Waves, executed with perfect timing and placement, shattered the Three Waves technique's three shifting effects.

The Water Dragon Wave ruthlessly struck Fu Baosong, sending him soaring into the air before crashing heavily back to the ground.

Lin Zhengren's feet followed the surging waves, coming to rest upon Fu Baosong's head.

He lowered his head slightly, his voice laced with deliberate contempt, "With you, can you truly defeat me?"

Fu Baosong, his head held down by Lin Zhengren's foot, turned with difficulty. He looked at Lin Zhengren, and there was no anger in his eyes, only a kind of unyielding, inexplicable stubbornness. "I cannot defeat you. But I cannot... yield without a fight!"

This person truly was... both disagreeable and unyielding.

Disagreeable enough to make one frown, yet unyielding enough to command respect.