I'll Fight Two More

Immortals also have desires of the palate. Zui Feng Lou was renowned among low-level disciples, and while Wei Yuan had only heard of it, he never imagined he'd eat there. Upon entering Zui Feng Lou, a waiter led Wei Yuan to a secluded courtyard where Bao Yun's celebration banquet was being held.

Three large tables were set up inside, and Wei Yuan was directly led to the main table. Given his current cultivation progress, which was at the bottom of the class, how could he possibly sit at the main table? He turned to go to a side table, but as soon as Bao Yun saw him, her eyes lit up. She rushed over, grabbed him, and pressed him into the seat next to her, leaving even Cui Yu a seat away.

There were ten people at the main table. Five of them had received the Patriarch's blessing, and all were seated at this table. The other five were either exceptionally talented in cultivation or came from prominent families.

Wei Yuan now understood very clearly that a prominent family background was equivalent to top-tier cultivation talent.

When everyone had arrived, Bao Yun stood up and said, "Esteemed Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, I'm delighted you could grace us with your presence. I'll start with a toast!"

Everyone hurriedly stood up and finished their drinks. As soon as Bao Yun's visualization appeared, it was clearly Heaven Tier at the very least, with Immortal Foundation within reach. The Bao family was a first-class major clan, and Bao Yun was so talented. Everyone had awakened their wisdom long ago; if not now, when would be the time to latch onto a powerful figure? A few more years, and they wouldn't even have the chance.

Wei Yuan also tilted his head back and finished his drink. Instantly, he felt a fiery line enter his abdomen, followed by a surge of powerful spiritual energy exploding within him. A visualization appeared in his sea of consciousness, and it began to rain again, visibly expanding the ground.

Wei Yuan was astonished. This single cup of wine was equivalent to thirty days of arduous cultivation! If he drank a whole bottle, wouldn't it be equivalent to a year of hard work?

Wei Yuan found it hard to believe. He looked at the dishes on the table, and he basically didn't recognize any of them. He only knew they were exquisite and beautiful, with wisps of spiritual energy constantly emanating from them. Forget eating; just smelling them was beneficial for cultivation.

After the toast, Bao Yun spoke again, "The main reason I invited everyone for this gathering is the sect's minor examination in three years. I've received news that this examination will be a confrontation between us and the disciples of the Zhi Gu Sect. We all know the Zhi Gu Sect has several times our numbers, so I heard they've already considered victory in the minor examination a foregone conclusion and are discussing how to divide the sect rewards! Furthermore, they said they would post the examination results publicly within the sect."

Everyone was at an age where they feared nothing. The Zhi Gu Sect was clearly looking down on them, and many people were immediately angered.

Bao Yun observed everyone's expressions and continued, "They've already sent someone to find me, saying that if we surrender, they'll ensure we don't lose too embarrassingly, and the rankings won't need to be posted."

Cui Yu immediately became enraged. He slammed the table heavily and cursed, "Arrogant!"

Xiao Yu, maintaining his usual cool demeanor, asked, "Who said that?"

Bao Yun sighed and said, "Xu Yin'an."

A hint of killing intent suddenly appeared around Xiao Yu.

Cui Yu became curious and asked, "What's the background of this Xu fellow?"

Xiao Yu remained cold-faced and silent. Bao Yun said, "Speaking of which, he also tested into the sect from Fengyuan Commandery, but he didn't participate in the centralized teaching like us. There's also something else: his family has been wanting to propose marriage to mine."

Cui Yu immediately understood and angrily exclaimed, "Truly overestimating himself! No wonder he specifically came to speak to Senior Sister like that. He wants to use us to establish his prestige! Hmph, if he wants to step on us to get ahead, he'll have to see if he has the ability!"

Xiao Yu remained silent but nodded heavily.

Bao Yun sighed again and said, "Although my father has refused once, Brother Xu's talent is there, and the Xu family isn't too bad. If they truly achieve a great victory this time, perhaps Father will look upon him more favorably?"

"He won't win!" Xiao Yu stated.

Cui Yu also said, "I remember who this person is! Although the Xu family is one of the Seven Great Clans, they've always been at the bottom, merely filling a quota. How can they compare to our families? If your Brother Xu were some exceptionally brilliant prodigy, that would be one thing, but I see his talent as mediocre, far inferior to mine. And he dares to propose marriage to the Bao family? If I don't beat him black and blue in this minor examination, then I, Cui Yu, am finished!"

Someone nearby whispered, "It seems there are four members of the Cui family in the Zhi Gu Sect."

Cui Yu said dismissively, "Don't worry! Among them, there's only one from the main branch, and he's a concubine's son, with talent inferior to mine. If you face them, feel free to beat them to death. I'll take responsibility for anything!"

After everyone had argued for a while, Bao Yun lightly coughed. Once everyone quieted down, she said, "Actually, this is somewhat of my personal matter. Even if I lose, I won't agree to him. At worst, I'll be gossiped about behind my back."

Cui Yu said solemnly, "We study together as classmates. Insulting you is insulting all of us! Moreover, they plan to post the results publicly, which means they intend to use us as stepping stones! So what if we're fewer in number? This matter is unbearable. We must fight them!"

"Fight!" Xiao Yu, who was a man of few words, said.

Children of this age were in the prime of their youthful passion. They would rather die standing than live kneeling. How could they surrender without a fight?

Bao Yun's face finally showed a smile, and she said, "Since everyone is determined to fight, let's devise a plan and start preparing from now on. Since it's a faction confrontation, and we are fewer in number, everyone is very important. However, some classmates don't have as many resources, and their cultivation might be hindered. Therefore, I want to set up a public fund. Those who are capable can contribute some Immortal Silver to the public fund, and other classmates who need resources but lack sufficient Immortal Silver can borrow from it."

"Of course, the Immortal Silver in the public fund is a loan, not a gift. Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters can borrow as much as they need, and it only needs to be repaid within ten years."

Bao Yun's idea was almost fantastical, but including Wei Yuan, more than half of the students were deeply moved. Disciples from influential families were only a minority; most students came from ordinary noble families. Supporting a Taichu Palace disciple's basic cultivation was already a significant strain for ordinary small families, so for most people, Immortal Silver was always insufficient, and their cultivation progress was inevitably slowed.

Within ten years, the vast majority of Taichu Palace disciples could cultivate to the Dao Foundation stage. Even the lowest-ranked Human Tier Dao Foundation stage cultivators would have the ability to take on basic sect missions, and their earning potential would be incomparable to those in the Body Forging realm. Therefore, Bao Yun's condition of repayment within ten years was extremely lenient.

Seeing the eager looks on everyone's faces, Bao Yun said, "Since I proposed it, I'll naturally go first. I'll contribute thirty thousand taels of Immortal Silver!"

Thirty thousand?! Wei Yuan almost slid off his chair.

The eldest daughter of the Bao family's contribution alone was equivalent to his monthly income for over two hundred years, sixty times more than the pocket money given by True Person Fen Hai.

Cui Yu unhesitatingly declared, "I'll also contribute thirty thousand!"

Xiao Yu said, "Same."

Then, several other disciples from influential families each contributed ten thousand, totaling one hundred thousand taels.

Wei Yuan was already somewhat numb, feeling as if these people weren't talking about Immortal Silver. Even if it were grains of rice, one hundred thousand grains was not a small amount.

Bao Yun was very pleased and said, "The public fund will be managed by Senior Brother Cui. Senior Brother Cui, Junior Sister Xiao Yu, and I will jointly manage it, how about that?"

Xiao Yu waved his hand, "I'm not managing it."

Cui Yu chuckled, "Junior Brother Xiao is focused on cultivation. Forget it, I'll handle these miscellaneous matters."

Bao Yun continued, "The opposing side has twenty-one people who received the Patriarch's blessing. These individuals should naturally be handled by us five who also received the blessing. The remaining Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters will deal with those who didn't receive the blessing."

Cui Yu nodded, "Twenty-one on their side, five on ours. Each of us will fight four."

"Simple," Xiao Yu said.

Seeing that Wei Yuan hadn't spoken, Bao Yun asked, "Junior Brother Wei, do you have any concerns?"

Wei Yuan hesitated and said, "My cultivation progress is a bit slow. I'm afraid I'll hold everyone back."

Cui Yu, not being from Fengyuan Commandery and having not participated in the Martial Assessment, heard Wei Yuan's words and immediately said, "Don't worry! If Junior Brother can't win, I'll fight two!"