Hidden Dragon Gathering Warm-Up: A Heaven-Shaking Opportunity Hidden in the Mountains

At dawn that day, the first light had barely appeared. The April morning breeze was just right, carrying less of spring's chill and more refreshing crispness.

Liu Yunche arrived at Green Grain Martial Academy early by carriage. Wei Cong drove the carriage and would also accompany the academy group out of the city.

At the white jade platform before the academy, young men and women gathered in small groups, chatting idly.

Black-robed academy enforcer squads could be seen around them from time to time, their expressions solemn and postures upright as they maintained order.

Today, Liu Yunche wore a dark fitted outfit, its cuffs decorated with white cloud patterns.

The treasured Concealed Edge saber rested at his waist. His exceptional bearing, paired with his refined and handsome features, drew many sidelong glances.

"Yunche, you're here." In the distance, Shi Qingyue was chatting with He Wu, Li Xuantong, Li Xuansheng, and the others. Spotting Liu Yunche, Shi Qingyue smiled and waved.

Liu Yunche quickly approached, a smile on his lips as he cupped his fists. "It has been a long time, everyone."

He Wu teased, "Brother Yunche, it has indeed been a long time. You said you would come find me in the southern part of the city, but you broke your word... haha."

With an apologetic look, Liu Yunche explained, "I've been busy practicing martial arts and breaking through to Iron Skin these past few days. I truly neglected it. Next time, I'll host a feast for you, Brother He."

The moment he said this, everyone looked over.

He Wu hesitated. "It's only been two and a half months, Brother Yunche... You actually broke through to Iron Skin?"

Ever since meeting Liu Yunche last time, he had gone back to look into him further. His family had instructed him to focus on winning Liu Yunche over and building a relationship with him, and not to offend him lightly.

From then on, he had attached even greater importance to Liu Yunche. Yet even so, he had never expected Liu Yunche to truly break through to Iron Skin before the hunt.

Li Xuantong's lips parted slightly. Though she said nothing, a trace of surprise appeared in her eyes.

Today, she wore a jade-green fitted outfit. Having practiced martial arts for years, she possessed a fine figure, and she held an indigo longsword in her arms.

Liu Yunche smiled at her as a greeting.

Li Xuansheng still looked every bit the elegant young gentleman. He wore white silk robes, one hand behind his back and the other holding a plain folding fan as he said gently:

"Brother Liu, we meet again."

"Brother Li." Liu Yunche cupped his fists. He sighed inwardly. Iron Skin...

Looking at Liu Yunche's refined face, Li Xuansheng could not help recalling what his father had said to him that day.

"Do not let down your guard. Be cautious."

Thinking of this, Li Xuansheng secretly became more vigilant. After all, a gentleman had once said, "One must not harbor the intent to harm others, but one must guard against being harmed by others."

I won't take the initiative to harm anyone, but I must still guard against others harming me.

Shi Qingyue said, "We should enter the mountains together later. That way, we can look out for one another."

"So you're all here." A hearty yet steady voice came from nearby.

Following the voice, they saw Jiang Xu strolling over. Today, he wore a fitted green outfit and cut a dashing figure.

"Senior Brother Jiang." Li Xuantong smiled brightly, her voice clear and crisp.

"Junior Sister Li." Jiang Xu nodded, then said to the group, "For this hunt, I'll be patrolling the mountains as part of the rescue team and taking part in rescue operations."

"The academy will issue signal flares later. If you encounter danger, ignite one immediately. The nearest rescuers will come at once."

"Rest assured, Senior Brother Jiang. We won't joke with our own lives," He Wu replied.

"That would be best." Jiang Xu paused, his tone growing more serious as he continued, "This time, martial halls of all sizes throughout the city will also send disciples along."

"You must be careful. Sometimes... danger does not come only from demon beasts."

Jiang Xu stopped there, but no one present was foolish. They all understood the implication behind his words.

Seeing their solemn expressions, he added:

"You need only keep this in mind. The martial artists participating this time are strictly limited to the Skin Tempering and Flesh Tempering realms. No Tendon Forging martial artists will interfere."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Jiang," Shi Qingyue said seriously.

Jiang Xu waved his hand. "We are fellow disciples. There's no need for that."

At the center of the white jade platform, several impressively dressed martial artists stood on either side, their gazes sweeping over the academy's young students. The atmosphere seemed peaceful, but hidden currents stirred beneath it.

"Brother Lu, this is the first time the academy has organized a citywide hunt. It seems your academy is determined to win at this year's Hidden Dragon Gathering."

Tao Ran smiled faintly. As one of the three great Lineages of Verdant Grain County, the Tao family knew far more inside information than ordinary people could imagine.

As a powerful elder of the Tao family, though he ranked lower among its elders, he was still no ordinary man.

For instance, even he was tempted by the rewards offered in this Hidden Dragon Gathering, not to mention the opportunity for advancement within it...

At this thought, Tao Ran felt a trace of fervor rise in his heart. His gaze toward Elder Lu carried a probing intent. "Could it be... your academy has hidden several outstanding young talents unknown to others?"

The moment he spoke, the scene abruptly fell silent. The gazes of those around them converged on Elder Lu and Li Qinwu at his side.

Li Qinwu gave a smile that did not reach his eyes. His speech was neither hurried nor slow, his tone as calm as still water, yet a faint mockery lingered at the corners of his mouth.

"Brother Tao thinks too highly of the academy. How could we possibly have the ability to hide talented disciples?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping lightly over Tao Ran, He Wei, and Liu Sheng. His tone remained even, but the sarcasm in it was unmistakable.

"The academy's disciples worthy of being called geniuses were recruited by your three Houses long ago and taken under your wings."

"With things as they are, Green Grain Martial Academy is fortunate enough to retain a few diligent disciples of ordinary aptitude. How could we dare hope for any outstanding young talents?"

He Wei naturally heard the dissatisfaction in Li Qinwu's words, but he did not care. If anything, he was rather pleased with himself.

"Brother Li, that is not quite right. Fine birds choose fine trees to roost in."

"The superior martial arts and abundant resources that the academy cannot provide, our Aristocratic Clans can. Talents willingly come to us. At the end of the day, we are also helping the academy share its burden."

Tao Ran still wore a faint smile as he lightly waved a hand to smooth things over. His tone seemed modest, but it carried an air of arrogance.

"We are all doing this for the younger generation of martial artists in Verdant Grain County. It is merely a minor dispute, so why take it so seriously? Letting the juniors see this would only make us a laughingstock."

They had claimed all the benefits while pretending to be magnanimous, showing not the slightest concern for the academy's grievance.

Li Qinwu snorted coldly, feeling somewhat helpless. Water flowed downward, and people sought higher ground.

He was not surprised by the disciples' choices, but deep down, he still felt a measure of disappointment.

Without avoiding the others, Elder Lu spoke to Li Qinwu.

"These disciples cannot withstand temptation. They covet temporary resources, lack firm character, and have insufficient resolve. They will find it difficult to achieve much in the future, so there is no need to waste your energy on them."

Tao Ran, He Wei, and Liu Sheng saw this, yet none of them cared much.

They had gone to great lengths to recruit these geniuses precisely to train loyal enforcers and expand their Lineage's power. Naturally, they did not need them to have any great future.

After all, resources were never enough. Their Houses were vast and powerful, and even their own clan disciples required cultivation.

Of course, if they truly encountered a once-in-ten-thousand-years peerless genius with limitless prospects, they would naturally devote all the resources of their entire Lineage to cultivating them.

Forging a good relationship in advance and securing a lasting path for the Lineage was also the way Aristocratic Clans survived.

Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly tense, Elder Lu stepped forward. His aura suddenly became heavy and condensed, and his deep, powerful voice suppressed every other sound, breaking the silent stalemate.

"The time has come. We should depart."

His eyes shone brightly as he swept his gaze across the fully prepared young disciples below the platform. Solemn and imposing, he loudly announced the rules of the hunt.

"This hunt in Azure Radiance Mountain outside the city is primarily for tempering your cultivation and gathering demon beast materials."

"Malicious fighting, harming fellow disciples, and attacking others in secret are strictly forbidden. If discovered, the offender's cultivation will be crippled, and they will be expelled from the academy forever!"

"If you encounter a life-or-death crisis, immediately set off a signal flare. The rescue teams will certainly rush to your aid at once!"

As his words fell, the black-robed enforcer squads immediately moved into action. Standing tall, they spread out on both sides and sternly organized the ranks.

The young people who had been chatting in groups instantly sobered up and formed orderly lines. Their expressions gained the seriousness of those about to undergo training, with none of their former idleness remaining.

Liu Yunche and the others also fell silent at once, returning to their respective lines. They stood firmly in place and waited for the order to depart.

Elder Lu turned to Li Qinwu and gave a slight nod. Then he issued an order in a deep voice that resounded across the entire white jade platform.

"All units, heed my command. Leave the city and proceed to Azure Radiance Mountain!"

At the order, the vast procession immediately set out. Academy disciples and martial artists from the various martial halls advanced in separate formations, while the enforcer squads guarded them along the way.

Morning light spilled down as the group walked slowly out of Verdant Grain County, advancing through the refreshing morning breeze toward the vast, secluded forests beyond the city.

Azure Radiance Mountain covered an enormous area. Its peaks were shrouded in clouds and mist year-round, and when golden sunlight shone down, it created the impression of rosy clouds filling the sky. Thus, it had received its name.

After the group traveled for a full hour, the rolling mountain range finally came into view in the distance.

From afar, Azure Radiance Mountain's peaks stood lofty and majestic, wreathed in lingering clouds and mist. Sunlight pierced the cloud cover, and pale golden rays intertwined with the mountain fog, filling the sky with shifting brilliance. It truly lived up to the name "Azure Radiance." Immortal grace and wildness mingled together, giving it an air of unfathomable mystery.

When the group reached the foot of the mountain, the fresh scent of woodland vegetation washed over them. The mountain's plant life was far more lush than that within the city. Ancient trees towered overhead, vines intertwined, and all kinds of unknown flowers and grasses grew everywhere. The very air seemed to brim with vigorous life.

Many young disciples visiting for the first time could not help looking around curiously and discussing it in low voices.

"So this is Azure Radiance Mountain? It truly lives up to its reputation. It looks far more dangerous than the forests outside the city."

"More than dangerous. I heard from the elders in my family that Azure Radiance Mountain is incredibly vast, and demon beasts roam freely in its depths."

"But accordingly, it also has countless natural treasures. Especially precious ginseng and spiritual herbs—there are several times more than elsewhere. Every year, someone finds rare medicinal plants during the hunt and exchanges them for a huge sum of silver!"

Before the words had even faded, many of the young people were already rubbing their hands eagerly. The eyes of some plainly dressed disciples shone even brighter.

Shi Qingyue and the others stood together. Listening to the surrounding discussion, Shi Qingyue lowered his voice and said to Liu Yunche, He Wu, and the rest beside him:

"They are right. Azure Radiance Mountain has fertile soil, and its reserves of wild medicinal herbs and precious ginseng far exceed those of the surrounding mountain ranges. Rare herbs that have grown for many years also appear from time to time."

At this, He Wu's gaze shifted slightly. He added, "Not only that. I've heard that several of the city's great Aristocratic Clans have long set their sights on this land."

"They secretly sent people to establish private herb gardens in remote areas deep within Azure Radiance Mountain, places ordinary people cannot reach, specifically to cultivate rare and priceless medicinal herbs seldom seen outside."

Holding her longsword, Li Xuantong swept her cool gaze over the endless forest and spoke calmly.

"That is true. But those herb gardens are all deep within Azure Radiance Mountain, where the demon beasts are powerful—far beyond what people like us can contend with."

Liu Yunche stood to one side, quietly listening to their conversation. His gaze passed over the lush forest as he silently committed this information to memory.

Elder Lu and several elders from the Aristocratic Clans stood at the front of the group. Looking at the young martial artists assembled in full readiness, Elder Lu spoke in a deep voice.

"The demon beasts in Azure Radiance Mountain's outer regions are mostly low-tier and suitable for your training. Do not venture deep into the mountains without permission! Rest briefly, then enter the mountains in batches for training!"