“Sister Zhou, are you alright?” Tang Liang asked.

Zhou Ziyun’s expression had turned unnatural. She wasn’t used to such intimate moments in public and had forgotten to hide her reactions.

She hurriedly slapped her thigh and laughed awkwardly, “Ah, it’s nothing. I think I got bitten by a naughty little bug. It’s gone now.”

“Oh.” The little devil shrugged; her face was a mask of innocence.

Zhou Ziyun relaxed. She sighed and looked around. Another guest had just replaced the previous one and the preaching event was still ongoing. But to her surprise, her mental weariness had all but disappeared. She felt refreshed as if she had just woken up from a nap, with enough energy to last the whole day.

Her master had been right. Although he sometimes didn’t behave like one, he always found opportunities to thoroughly impress her. She had been against his persistence at the beginning and still felt a bit weird about it. But the effects were clear. It ended up being exactly what she needed.

She had a lot to learn and a long way to go to catch up to him.

The guest displayed their martial arts. Several participants jumped up to give their advice. This time around, Tang Liang once again showcased her abnormal memory and correctly identified the root of their martial arts and details of the sect that created it, even down to the exact number of cats and dogs they kept as pets.

The next guest came up. It was Ming Yuqi’s opportunity to showcase her affinity for emotions. Then another guest and it was Huang Yaoying’s turn. Following that, it was Tang Liang once again. These top geniuses alternated and ruthlessly suppressed the rest. They were the only ones vying for the title of Dao Genius and the others were left with scraps.

Zhou Ziyun made no attempt to challenge them, at least not yet. She felt that she wasn’t ready yet. There was no need for her to try unless she could guarantee a win. It was better to stay silent and pretend to be dumb than speak up and remove all doubt.

Out of the forty-two participants, the only other person that had also not spoken was Deng Lun, the so-called gentle scholar. Unlike the other three big names, he was still a mystery to the crowd. Many were starting to doubt his ability. Perhaps he was just a pretty face that was favored by Immortal Gentle Lotus and not really talented at all. Perhaps he had reached his current position through special favors. A lecherous old granny and a young man, the possibilities were endless and endlessly salacious.

Zhou Ziyun also couldn’t help but wonder. She wasn’t the gossiping type but it was indeed strange. What was this Deng Lun waiting for? Unlike her who had nothing to lose even if she acted useless, he would actually run the risk of tarnishing the reputation of the Lotus Tower if he continued his silent act.

To her chagrin, her questions were soon answered by the next guest.

The person that stood up before the crowd did not carry an obvious weapon. There was no sword, saber, axe, or spear. Not even a scabbard could be seen. A lady with a youthful face, she looked more like a well-dressed noble than a powerful cultivator.

But this was only her outward appearance. None of the people chosen to appear today were weak in any way. Although they might not be able to compare to disciples of immortal sects, they could be considered elite in mortal circles.

“This one is named Hong Mei. I come from the Spring Joy Orchard. I hope I will be able to learn many things from the gathered heroes and heroines of the metropolis.”

Her words were met with confusion by most. But for those in the know, there was a sudden and sharp rise in excitement. The Spring Joy Orchard had some fame in the River District. Although it was not affiliated with any immortal sect, it still managed to survive for over a hundred years as a high-class brothel.

The River District was the entertainment capital of the subcontinent. The competition was as fierce as real battles. Yet this kind of brothel could survive because all the women there were special in some way. They had been invited from all across the subcontinent and the rarest of the rare. There was no doubt for those in the know that this woman would be able to put on a show.

Without further delay, Hong Mei approached the strength-testing totem. Instead of the previous animal faces, a buzzing sound came from the totem as phantasmal energy formed into a swarm of small bees. This meant that her Dao couldn’t be compared to those that came before her.

She stared at the bees intently for a moment before flicking her hand toward them. There was a surge of spiritual energy followed by several flashes of silver.

Pa! Pa! Pa!

Ten or so bees were hit and they evaporated.

She then leaped into the air, twirling her body around like an experienced dancer. Her exquisite robes fluttered in the wind and all the while; a barrage of silver needles shot out like rain.

More bees disappeared with each passing breath. The swarm contained tens of thousands of bees and yet they were still being cut down steadily. Before she had touched the ground again, she had already launched countless tiny yet lethal attacks.

When Hong Mei finished, the totem displayed eight glowing balls. It was an impressive feat for someone who was merely at the 5th Level of the Spirit Initiate Realm. The attack power of her needles far surpassed common sense. It was natural for someone’s attack power to exceed their cultivation by one level or perhaps two. Three was touching upon realms that only immortal sects could reach.

She glanced at the score briefly and then turned towards the young geniuses. She gave a small bow and waited quietly.

Zhou Ziyun nodded in appreciation. She was greatly impressed by the demonstration. Hidden and thrown weapons encompassed a wide range of possibilities. They were popular but not always practical. These weapons were easy to make but difficult to master. Cultivation arts that utilized such weapons were few and far between. Even if they could find one, it would rarely be any good. And as for immortals, she had yet to meet one that specialized in such a Dao.

This was a difficult problem. Zhou Ziyun didn’t feel any confidence. This Hong Mei looked young but she was already past her prime. Her cultivation had long since become stagnant. To come up with any advice that could help her immediately improve would be a difficult ask.

She looked around and her thoughts were reflected in the others. Tang Liang looked bored. Huang Yaoying had a blank expression. Even Ming Yuqi no longer had her usual air of supremacy. Yet in this environment, it was the last person who stood up to the challenge.

“Miss Hong Mei, will you listen to a few words from this humble scholar?”

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