But none of this dampened people's enthusiasm, for astonishing waves had already spread from Egret Isle into the city. Every piece of news was earth-shaking enough to heighten their anticipation for the Martial Competition.
First came the unveiling of geniuses. The Egret Isle Poetry Gathering had always served this purpose as well-to broadcast the brilliance of the hottest contenders and warm things up for the Martial Competition.
But even veterans who had watched countless Martial Competitions had to admit that this was truly the greatest gathering of talent in ten years—the four semifinal places were nowhere near enough. They ought to borrow next year's Chief Champion too.
Second came love, hatred, and bitter partings. The affair involving Zhang Junyu all those years ago had actually been raised again before the Academy Superintendent. Young Master Shang had faced it openly, but Lay Practitioner Qi Zhaohua had personally testified! This clash between two major sects, tangled with love and hatred, was another explosive revelation.
In short, for three days, there was nowhere in the city where people were not discussing Egret Isle. As for the Martial Competition, they were no longer debating who would be Chief Champion. The fiercest arguments were instead over who deserved the four semifinal places.
And this fever had already spread to the surrounding county towns.
Can County.
Master Huang stopped the ox cart outside the inn, and a dozen dusty-faced children, exhausted yet excited, slid down like dumplings dropping into a pot.
They had set out three days earlier and reached Can County today; only an exceptionally smooth journey could have brought them here so quickly. After receiving Pei Ye's letter, they had discussed it and written back to the boy, agreeing to arrive at the Prefectural City on the evening of September fifth. As things stood,