My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

Liang Cheng relaxed. He spent one hundred Contribution Points on the Sleeve Sword, feeling utterly content.

When the auction ended, Ye Zhiqiu had also won a small piece of Deep Sea Cold Iron.

The two had just stepped out of the Treasure Pavilion when a man who looked like a Steward hurried over. He bowed respectfully and said, "Might you be Young Hero Liang? Our Chief Steward invites you to the rear hall for tea."

Ye Zhiqiu looked at Liang Cheng, clearly surprised that he had connections with the Treasure Pavilion.

Liang Cheng paused for a moment. "Senior Brother, please wait for me. I’ll be right back."

In the rear hall of the Treasure Pavilion, the fragrant aroma of tea lingered in the air.

Qian Wanjing personally poured the tea, his face wreathed in smiles. "Liang Zhenchuan! To think we would meet again in Yunhai City after parting ways in Lin Wu. The True Inheritor’s bearing is more magnificent than ever. Truly a cause for celebration!"

Liang Cheng lifted his teacup and said coolly, "You’re too kind, Chief Steward Qian. May I ask why you invited me here?"

Qian Wanjing sighed, his expression turning earnest. "I won’t hide it from the True Inheritor. What happened in Lin Wu City was a complete misunderstanding. My subordinates misinterpreted my intentions and acted wrongly."

"Besides, I was acting on orders from the Main Tower, and many things were beyond my control. The Tower Master specifically instructed me to apologize to the True Inheritor in person and resolve our past grievances, should we meet again."

He pushed a brocade box forward. "This is just a small token to express my apologies. I hope the True Inheritor can find it in his heart to forgive the past misunderstanding."

Liang Cheng didn’t even glance at the box. He just looked at Qian Wanjing and suddenly smiled. "Shopkeeper Qian, you’re being too serious. I’ve long since put that trivial matter behind me."

"The Treasure Pavilion does business across all four islands. I may yet have need of your assistance in the future."

His tone was level, carrying a hint of courtesy.

A flicker of suspicion crossed Qian Wanjing’s eyes but was quickly masked by a smile. "The True Inheritor is truly magnanimous. Should you need anything in the future, the Treasure Pavilion will do everything in its power to help!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Liang Cheng rose to take his leave.

He walked out of the rear hall, rejoined Ye Zhiqiu, and they left the Treasure Pavilion together.

Ye Zhiqiu glanced at Liang Cheng. "You know someone at the Treasure Pavilion?"

Liang Cheng just smiled and said nothing.

’No matter how humble Qian Wanjing acted or how pleasant his words were, it couldn’t erase his meticulous scheming back in Lin Wu City—scheming that forced Yang Wei to bury his own son.’

’He had never forgotten that score.’

’But now... there would be plenty of time to settle it.’

...

「Main Courtyard.」

After returning to his small courtyard, Liang Cheng resumed his secluded life of diligent Cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the mid-month competition arrived.

Just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Third Senior Brother Ye Zhiqiu arrived in a whirlwind outside Liang Cheng’s residence, Building C-42, and began banging unceremoniously on the gate.

"Little Junior Brother! Let’s go, let’s go! All eyes are on you today!"

The moment Liang Cheng opened the gate, Ye Zhiqiu familiarly slung an arm over his shoulder and started dragging him toward Trial Peak. As they walked, he lowered his voice and said:

"Listen to me, Junior Brother, don’t you dare hold back today. Of everyone in our Instructor Hall branch, you’re the one making the biggest waves right now. Master might not say it, but he’s definitely paying attention. You’d best charge straight into the top fifty on the Hero Ranking and show those other branches what good judgment we have!"

Liang Cheng nodded. "I’ll do my best."

"Heh, that’s the spirit!"

Ye Zhiqiu grinned, then leaned in closer. "But those monsters in the top forty are mostly at the True Essence Late Stage, or even its Peak. They’ve also been cultivating for far longer than you. No need to clash with them head-on just yet. We can take our time, you know?"

They were all geniuses of the Martial Arts Academy. Upon reaching the True Qi Realm, most had condensed four or five True Qi Seeds, if not more, granting them truly superior combat strength.

Within the same Realm, the difference in strength from one person to the next could be as vast as the sky and the earth.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the vast plaza at the foot of Trial Peak.

The plaza was already a cacophony of voices. Hundreds of Inner Courtyard Disciples had gathered, their auras weaving together in a spectacular display.

Liang Cheng’s gaze swept across the crowd, quickly landing on two familiar figures.

Qin Wentian, still dressed in his fine brocade, stood with his sword held in his arms. His posture was proud and aloof, and an empty circle had naturally formed around him.

Nearby, Xiao Qingxue stood quietly. Her white dress was like snow, and her aura was cool and detached, as if the surrounding commotion didn’t concern her in the slightest.

They both spotted Liang Cheng at nearly the same moment. Their gazes met. Qin Wentian gave a slight nod, a flash of fighting spirit in his eyes, while Xiao Qingxue simply nodded gently in acknowledgment.

Just then, Liang Cheng felt a cold, sinister gaze lock onto his back.

He glanced sideways without changing his expression. On the other side of the crowd, Fu Qingyun was standing beside a handsome, cold-faced young man dressed in black martial attire. Fu Qingyun was slightly bowed, whispering something while periodically shooting glances at Liang Cheng, his eyes filled with undisguised hatred and venom.

The black-clad youth had a stern face and a condensed aura. Upon hearing Fu Qingyun’s words, he merely turned his head and shot a cool glance in Liang Cheng’s direction.

His gaze was calm, yet appraising.

Expressionless, Liang Cheng withdrew his gaze.

Ye Zhiqiu followed his gaze and frowned. "That’s Shi Jun from Zhenyue Peak. He’s at the Peak of the True Essence Late Stage Realm and ranked thirty-eighth in the Inner Courtyard. He’s a tough one."

"Little Junior Brother, I heard you defeated Fu Qingyun. Looks like the little brat went and found himself a backer. Be careful, Junior Brother. This Shi Jun is notoriously protective of his own and doesn’t care for reason."

"Mm."

Liang Cheng acknowledged, feeling no particular disturbance.

’The arena has its rules. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, even if they want to cause trouble, they’ll have to play by them.’

"All newly admitted disciples, come forward to draw lots!"

A Black-robed Steward announced, his voice booming over the din of the crowd.

Liang Cheng, Qin Wentian, Xiao Qingxue, and some thirty other new disciples stepped out from the crowd. One by one, they drew a Jade Token engraved with a number from the Jade Tube held by the Steward.

Liang Cheng glanced at the Jade Token in his hand—"A-7".

"The lots have been drawn! Proceed to your designated arenas according to your numbers! The rules of the competition are the same as always: you lose if you surrender, are knocked off the stage, or lose consciousness. Intentionally killing or maiming an opponent is strictly forbidden. Violators will be severely punished!"