Several cups later, they spoke freely of past and present. Their relationships grew more relaxed and harmonious, with none of the politeness of their first meeting remaining.
Once everyone had enjoyed themselves, He Wu said, "Have you heard? There are said to be changes to next year's Hidden Dragon Gathering."
At the mention of the Hidden Dragon Gathering, Jiang Xu was the first to turn his gaze toward He Wu. Clearly, he was especially concerned about it.
Seeing everyone looking at him, He Wu did not beat around the bush. "I heard that an important figure has spoken up. Banditry is rampant in this province, so they intend to vigorously cultivate martial artists."
"Thus, next year's Hidden Dragon Gathering will be exceptionally competitive."
Although Liu Yunche had not practiced martial arts in previous years, he still knew of such a grand event spanning the entire province.
The Hidden Dragon Gathering was held once every three years. Great Qian used it to recruit talented martial artists; anyone under twenty who had reached Flesh Tempering could participate.
However, the Hidden Dragon Gathering only accepted the top hundred martial artists. As far as Liu Yunche knew, not a single Flesh Tempering martial artist from Verdant Grain County had ever broken into the top hundred. Those who could make it in were all Tendon Forging martial artists.
Thinking this, Liu Yunche glanced at Senior Brother Jiang and understood. Senior Brother Jiang cared so much about it because he must have intended to join the Hidden Dragon Gathering.
I've only just reached Copper Skin. I'll see what level I can attain in a year. If I reach Tendon Forging, I can give it a try as well.
The thought flashed through Liu Yunche's mind.
For a moment, everyone's eyes turned to Senior Brother Jiang.
"Senior Brother Jiang is already a Tendon Forging martial artist. In a year, he may well have reached Perfected Tendon Forging. The Hidden Dragon Gathering should be no challenge for him."
Li Xuantong greatly admired Jiang Xu and spoke with absolute certainty.
"Qualifying won't be difficult. Getting a good ranking will be." Jiang Xu spoke softly, though there was a trace of confidence in his tone.
He swept his gaze around the room and encouraged the young faces before him.
"Junior brothers and sisters, you are still young. If not next year, you can wait for the next Hidden Dragon Gathering. You must cultivate diligently and must not grow lax or slacken."
Li Xuansheng wore a smile. "Rest assured, Senior Brother. No one will pass up such a chance to leap from a fish into a dragon's gate and change their fate."
Jiang Xu nodded, then brought up another matter. "At the previous Hidden Dragon Gathering, the fighting among martial artists caused considerable deaths and injuries. Even talented disciples of Green Grain Martial Academy were crippled."
"The root cause was their lack of combat experience. This time, the Martial Academy is preparing to organize a hunting expedition."
"Will you take part?"
Shi Qingyue asked doubtfully, "When was this decided?"
He Wu explained, "The Martial Academy elders announced it recently. Qing Yue, you were in seclusion at the time, so it is only natural that you did not know."
Li Xuantong smiled faintly. "How could we possibly refuse such a good opportunity?"
Jiang Xu said, "Indeed. Hunting outside the city carries risks, but Martial Academy elders will accompany us, so the risks are manageable. It is a rare chance for experience."
Liu Yunche sat to one side, quietly listening to their conversation without speaking.
Shi Qingyue suddenly addressed him.
"Yunche, will you come along? The Martial Academy elders are at least Bone Tempering Realm martial artists. They can more than ensure our safety."
Before Liu Yunche could answer, Li Xuantong frowned and said,
"Young Master Liu has only just reached Copper Skin. Even with elders accompanying us, there will be many people, and the elders may not be able to protect everyone."
"That is true." He Wu spoke earnestly. Turning to Liu Yunche, he said, "Brother Yunche, we children of prominent families are unlike those lowborn martial artists, who must gamble their lives for cultivation resources."
When he mentioned lowborn martial artists, his fingertips lightly tapped the table, and a trace of disdain flashed through his eyes. Though well concealed, Liu Yunche still caught it.
Sure enough, no matter where one goes, there will always be prejudice over family background... Liu Yunche sighed inwardly.
After a brief pause, he did not argue with He Wu. He merely said slowly,
"Brother He is right."
Shi Qingyue glanced at He Wu. Though he did not agree in his heart, it was an undeniable fact. Every resource a lowborn martial artist possessed had been won by risking his life.
He did not dwell on the matter and said casually, "Yunche, since you practice martial arts now, why not cultivate at the Martial Academy? The two of us can keep each other company."
"Hasn't the Martial Academy's enrollment period already passed?" Liu Yunche asked in confusion.
"If Young Master Liu wishes to join the Martial Academy, simply tell me. It is no more than a word." Li Xuansheng suddenly interjected.
Liu Yunche looked at Li Xuansheng, then heard Shi Qingyue explain softly, "Xuansheng's father is one of the Martial Academy's elders."
Liu Yunche nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Brother Li, but for now, I am cultivating at home under my father."
Seeing him decline, Li Xuansheng said no more. He had only made the offer out of consideration for Shi Qingyue and because he wished to befriend Liu Yunche.
"Haha... Brother Li, you may not know this. Brother Yunche's father is a well-known Bone Tempering Realm martial artist in the city, and his blade technique is nothing short of divine." He Wu reminded him from the side.
Hearing this, Li Xuansheng and Li Xuantong looked at Liu Yunche with several degrees more seriousness.
There were quite a few Bone Tempering martial artists in Verdant Grain County. As the most prosperous county under the Prefecture City's jurisdiction, it had at least a hundred such martial artists.
Among them, those with established names were at least Perfected Bone Tempering Realm martial artists, with hopes of achieving Blood Exchange.
Even in the Prefecture City, Blood Exchange martial artists could claim a place for themselves. The others could not help but take this seriously.
Li Xuantong suddenly grew interested. Her eyes brightened as her gaze settled on the long blade behind Liu Yunche.
"Young Master Liu must practice the blade as well. I have always been interested in blade techniques. Why don't you and I compare notes?"
Liu Yunche shook his head.
Li Xuantong raised a brow, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation.
"Could it be that Young Master Liu..."
She paused slightly, leaning forward a little as a sharp, aggressive glint rose in her eyes. Slowly, she uttered two words.
"Is afraid?"
Before her voice had faded, Li Xuansheng rebuked softly, "Xuantong! How can you speak like that?"
"Brother Liu, Brother Shi. My sister does not know how to speak properly. Please accept my apology on her behalf."
Liu Yunche could tell it was a provocation. He was not angered and waved a hand. "Brother Li need not be nervous. It is only a small matter."
"I know Miss Li is forthright and cannot keep words bottled up in her heart. I have not taken it to heart."
Only then did he respond to Li Xuantong.
"It is not that I am afraid. It is simply that my father taught me that a blade is an instrument of killing, and what I have learned is likewise a killing technique. I cannot draw it lightly. Otherwise..."
He did not finish the rest, but everyone present understood what he meant. Their expressions varied, and no one spoke first.
Jiang Xu could not help recalling his encounter with Liu Yunche several days ago.
That time, he had only felt that Liu Yunche possessed a slight edge, and assumed it came from the blade at his side.
Yet when they met again today, he sensed a faint hint of danger. He found it unbelievable; only a few days had passed.
His senses were naturally keen, allowing him to detect danger in the smallest details. It was more like an instinctive warning of danger.
This talent had helped him evade calamity many times, and he had never doubted it.
After pondering for a moment, he spoke in a clear, gentle voice.
"Junior Brother Liu, if you wish to go, simply stay by our side. Martial artists must eventually see blood."
"Besides, there are still around forty days before the hunt outside the city. By then, Junior Brother Liu may have reached Iron Skin Realm, perhaps even Silver Skin Realm."
Jiang Xu's tone was gentle and carried a trace of warmth.
Liu Yunche wore a perfectly measured smile. "Thank you, Senior Brother Jiang. Then I shall borrow your auspicious words."
Seeing Jiang Xu attach such importance to Liu Yunche, the others said no more.
The daylight gradually dimmed, and the lights of Verdant Grain County began to glow one by one. This banquet, too, drew to its close.
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