The Northern Region.
The Hidden Dao Academy here was more prosperous than its counterpart in the Southern Region.
That was the first impression Ye Qiubai and his companions received.
There were numerous disciples, and the academy also contained all manner of secret realms.
However, there was one difference.
The Northern Region Hidden Dao Academy felt far more oppressive than the Southern Region's.
Walking ahead, the Confucian Academy elder explained, "The Northern Region's Hidden Dao Academy believes in natural selection and survival of the fittest."
"Here, the moment you fall even slightly behind others, you will be eliminated."
Only then did everyone understand.
Under such intense pressure, it was only natural that they were powerful and had repeatedly taken first place.
Still, Ye Qiubai preferred the atmosphere at the Southern Region Hidden Dao Academy.
They discussed the martial Dao and sparred to test their understanding.
It felt very peaceful.
Just then, several elders approached them.
Leading them was an elder with long eyebrows and a long beard.
He cupped his hands in a slight bow, drawing a smile onto his face. "Welcome, everyone. Your accommodations have been arranged. Please follow me."
This man was Nie Qing, an elder of the Confucian Academy at the Northern Region Hidden Dao Academy.
So the Martial Hall elder explained.
As everyone headed toward their accommodations, people from the Northern Region Hidden Dao Academy whispered nearby.
Their words were filled with disdain.
"These are the people from that savage wilderness in the Southern Region, right?"
"Yes, they're here for the exchange between the four regions' academies."
"Them? Their cultivation realms don't even look as high as mine. Senior Brother Sword Master probably won't need to lift a finger, will he?"
Their conversation reached everyone's ears clearly.
Huo Qingming said angrily, "They're looking down on us far too much!"
Xin Hongyi also drew her sword and said coldly, "I'd like to see just how strong they really are."
Lin Ce's expression was also extremely ugly.
Huang Yuan, however, said calmly, "There's no need to fight over a moment's advantage. Save your strength for tomorrow's martial Dao exchange."
At that, Huo Qingming snorted and forcibly suppressed his anger.
Xin Hongyi refused to listen. She was just about to step forward when Ye Qiubai caught her.
"There really is no need. We can slap their faces with our strength tomorrow."
Only then did Xin Hongyi put away her sword.
Huang Yuan glanced sideways at Ye Qiubai again.
His own words had done little earlier, yet a word from Ye Qiubai had stopped her...
The group arrived at their accommodations.
The Northern Region Hidden Dao Academy had not resorted to any cheap tricks; the accommodations they had arranged were quite good.
"Tomorrow is the martial Dao exchange. Please get some rest, everyone."
With that, Nie Qing left.
The Confucian Academy elder and the Martial Hall elder followed him, evidently intending to discuss something.
As for Qin Tiannan, he had left them upon entering the Northern Region.
Only after the two elders had left did Huo Qingming curse angrily, "Dogs throwing their weight around behind their masters! Haven't they just taken first place a few times? We'll knock them down this time!"
Lin Ce said with an ugly expression, "Tomorrow, we can let our skills do the talking."
Ye Qiubai shrugged and was just about to return to cultivate.
Another group pushed open the courtyard gate and walked straight in without so much as a greeting.
"Who are you?"
Zhong Wu frowned slightly. "Have you no manners at all?"
A tall, thin man among them sneered. "What manners do we need when dealing with southern barbarians?"
"You!"
Huang Yuan held Huo Qingming back, stepped forward, and said, "If you've only come to provoke us, there's really no need."
The man leading the group gave the tall, thin man a cold look.
Seeing this, the tall, thin man shut his mouth.
"My apologies, everyone. My junior brother was rash."
"I've come to invite you all to a banquet."
"Tonight's banquet will invite the outstanding talents of the four regions' academies, giving everyone a chance to meet the talented young people of all four regions."
Huang Yuan pondered for a moment, then looked at everyone.
He was clearly asking for Ye Qiubai and the others' opinions.
Huo Qingming snorted without speaking.
Seeing Ye Qiubai nod, Xin Hongyi nodded as well.
Zhong Wu and Lin Ce had no objections either.
Only then did Huang Yuan say, "All right. We'll attend the banquet on time tonight."
The man nodded in satisfaction. "Then we'll await your arrival."
With that, they left.
Lin Ce said calmly, "This banquet is probably a Hongmen banquet, meant to sound out each region's strength."
Zhong Wu nodded in agreement. "That should be their purpose. We'll probably have to display our strength there."
Huang Yuan likewise said, "Keep your trump cards hidden as much as possible. Don't reveal them. The exchange takes priority. If we finish last again, our Southern Region Hidden Dao Academy may be taken over by others."
Once an academy finished last several times, the main academy would send others to take it over.
When that happened, Qin Tiannan would also be punished.
None of them wanted to see that.
Thus, upon hearing those words, even Huo Qingming, the most impulsive among them, nodded solemnly.
Huang Yuan looked at Ye Qiubai. "Also, people from the Sunset Dynasty may attend the banquet. You must restrain yourself."
Ye Qiubai's affairs were no secret.
After all, word had spread throughout Heavenly Origin City. A little inquiry would reveal the whole story.
Ye Qiubai's calm gaze could not help faltering. He lowered his eyes without speaking.
Seeing this, Huang Yuan said no more.
After all, even his own master had been full of praise for Ye Qiubai's talent.
Time moved swiftly to evening.
Huang Yuan and the others headed to the banquet.
The banquet was held in the Martial Hall.
At that moment, around a hundred sets of tables and chairs had been arranged in the Martial Hall, with all manner of food laid out on every table.
However, anyone paying attention could notice something.
The farther back the tables and chairs were, the plainer the food became!
The closer they were to the seat of honor, the more precious the food became!
Zhong Wu could not help chuckling. "Looks like there's a special event planned."
Just as he finished speaking, a group approached from ahead.
"You've all seen the tables and chairs before you. Whichever food you like, take a seat there."
"Of course, you must earn your seats yourselves. If more than one person takes a fancy to the same table of food, you'll need to work it out among yourselves."
The man's words were veiled.
But everyone present could hear what he meant.
If they wanted to compete for the same table, they would have to fight!
Only the winner would be entitled to sit down and enjoy the food!
Having finished speaking, the man settled into the seat of honor and said with a smile, "Of course, if you want the food at my table, that's possible too, provided you have the strength to match."
"All right, everyone. Take your seats."
At first, no one moved.
But after only a few breaths, a man stepped forward with a hearty laugh. "Since you're all being so courteous, I won't stand on ceremony."
With that, he leaped to the place just below the seat of honor!
He plopped down.
"Anyone who wants this table can come over now."
Seeing this, people stepped forward one after another and sat at the tables.
For the moment, however, no one tried to seize anyone else's seat!