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Chapter 210: Astonishment at Lake Center Stage
Chapter 210: Astonishment at Lake Center Stage
This year, as the disciples walked towards the Lake Center Stage, not a single one fell into the water.
In previous years, there was always an unlucky one.
Falling into the water in front of so many people was not only embarrassing, but it also meant missing out on the assembly.
Around the Lake Center Stage, a circle of tables had been prepared, upon which were placed exquisite pastries prepared by the Imperial Family.
In the center was a relatively wide open space.
In previous years, this was where the disciples sparred.
Everyone took their seats.
The Hall Masters leading the various sects did not have seats this time and stood behind their respective tables.
The change this year was that Tiangang City had prepared two tables.
In the past, only Yunyang Sect would set up two tables.
Having two Celestial Prodigies in one sect was not something any ordinary sect could achieve.
Seeing that there was someone sitting next to Gu Feng, the disciples from various sects all looked over.
Although they had known that Tiangang City had registered two official participants this year,
Today, everyone still couldn't help but look curiously at them.
On the Yunyang Sect's side, Fu Jianyun and Liu Xingwan glanced at Su Chen.
Su Chen had indeed been a disciple of Yunyang Sect before, but these two top disciples wouldn't have possibly known Su Chen.
Perhaps they had seen him on the frontline, but it was unlikely they would remember Su Chen's appearance.
This time, Yunyang Sect had come with a purpose.
For the Celestial Prodigies Assembly, the citizens who came to watch were probably already a third of the capital's population.
This year, Yunyang Sect had been constantly disparaged and slandered.
In Yunyang Sect's view, their reputation had been damaged.
It was Tiangang City using Su Chen to belittle Yunyang Sect.
They wanted to reveal Su Chen's true strength in front of everyone.
To show that this disciple, whom Yunyang Sect had driven away, had no real skills.
The reason Su Chen's fame had spread throughout Great Zhou was because Tiangang City intentionally praised and fabricated related rumors.
It was all to elevate Su Chen's status, making people favor Tiangang City and despise Yunyang Sect.
After everyone took their seats, Su Chen looked around and saw, aside from the two princes in the center, there were eighteen tables.
Tiangang City and Yunyang Sect each had two tables, which meant there were fourteen other sects whose disciples had obtained official qualifications.
Among them was a recognized Celestial Prodigy, Merchant Jia Yao.
The rest were probably disciples forced to participate in the Celestial Prodigies Assembly.
Everyone understood that aside from those four, the other Celestial Prodigy disciples had a significant gap in strength compared to them.
But it wouldn't do to have only three sects participating in the assembly.
"Brother Gu, since Tiangang City has gained another top disciple this year, won't you introduce him to us?"
After everyone was seated, the Second Prince in the center spoke with a smile.
With new participants, it was indeed necessary to introduce them first.
Although many had already inquired about Su Chen's news, courtesies were still necessary.
Gu Feng glanced at Su Chen but didn't say much.
Su Chen stood up at the right moment and bowed to the crowd.
"Tiangang City disciple Su Chen, please take care of me."
In front of everyone, Su Chen was not afraid and remained calm.
"Tiangang City's harvest this year can be said to be bountiful.
The frontline defenses have strengthened, and they've even started to push forward.
The sect has also gained another outstanding disciple.
This year, the heavens seem to favor Tiangang City a little too much."
The Second Prince, sitting in the center, tried to ease the atmosphere and prevent any awkwardness.
However, the overall atmosphere seemed a bit cold, perhaps due to Su Chen's presence.
The disciples who were qualified to attend the assembly all came from sects with a certain level of prestige in Great Zhou.
Naturally, they understood Su Chen's background and the various grudges between him and Yunyang Sect.
If they showed enthusiasm towards Su Chen, they didn't know how Yunyang Sect's people would think.
Additionally, there were many disciples present.
Many disciples looked up to Fu Jianyun as their role model and admired him.
However, towards Su Chen, they all had a dismissive attitude.
They didn't even want to acknowledge Su Chen.
During the introduction just now, many people even felt displeased.
Many of those present probably had the same thought.
They believed that Su Chen's appearance reduced the value of the term 'Celestial Prodigy'.
Perhaps in the next Sky Curtain Assembly, Lan Junshan and his group would also register two participants.
The term 'Celestial Prodigy' would once again be devalued.
When a term is used too often, and many undeserving people come, the term will lose its original meaning.
The Second Prince in the center continued to introduce the assembly's proceedings.
Every year, the assembly process is more or less the same, providing an opportunity for everyone to interact.
But after the Second Prince introduced the entire process, everyone realized something was amiss.
It was clearly different from previous years.
In the past, the final part of the Lake Center Stage Assembly was the challenge sparring.
It allowed the Great Zhou Celestial Prodigies to compete.
Even if not, the direct disciples of various sects would spar.
However, this year, the Second Prince mentioned that the last part of the process had become a Daoist discussion.
In his speech, he completely omitted the topic of a competition.
"Second Prince, is there an issue with this year's assembly process?
Why was the challenge sparring suddenly canceled in previous years?
Unbeknownst to him, the citizens of the capital gathered here, wanting to see exactly this, right?"
Headed by He Chao, the Yunyang Sect members heard the Second Prince's words, and he immediately stood up to refute.
His words were direct, even carrying a hint of interrogation.
After all, the prince was just a prince, and the Great Zhou's royal authority had not reached the extent of intimidating the entire realm.
The Yunyang Sect's main purpose for coming today was to reveal Su Chen's true strength.
Letting the audience witness it.
To see what kind of things Tiangang City had done to slander the Yunyang Sect.
But now, the royal family actually said there would be no challenge sparring segment.
Although the challenge sparring could be refused, it was already very unfavorable for the Yunyang Sect.
Yet, this year's result was to directly cancel it.
As these words were spoken, several sect members nearby also voiced their opposition.
The news spread from the Lake Center Stage to the shore, and everyone learned that there would be no sparring segment, replaced by a Daoist discussion.
Many citizens also complained about this.
However, some martial artists still approved.
They wanted to gain insights here, and observing the sparring naturally allowed them to gain enlightenment.
But what could they gain from a Daoist discussion?
Especially for those with average strength, those exquisite techniques, they could only watch from the sidelines.
The Second Prince, sitting in the central position, revealed a trace of embarrassment on his face.
Seeing so many people oppose him, his momentum actually weakened.
And this scene was also recorded by the attendants nearby.
Later, it would be reported to the higher-ups as a verification of the princes' abilities.
The Second Prince's weakened stance might cause the Great Zhou's rulers to be disappointed in him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, for this assembly process, Senior Zhenren Shangxuan from Tiangang City specially sent a letter of suggestion.
To have a Daoist discussion, and gain enlightenment through words and actions.
Although there will be no sparring, it can still allow the Celestial Prodigies to gain insights.
And through this exchange, it will not cause harm to everyone."
These words from the Second Prince were clearly showed he was shifting the blame.
He directly brought up Tiangang City and his royal father.
In his opinion, by doing so, others would not blame him.
And at these words, the Yunyang Sect members revealed a faint smile of contempt.
Other sect members also wore faint smiles.
Hearing that it was Senior Zhenren Shangxuan's suggestion, it seemed they had guessed the reason.
Su Chen also realized at this moment that Senior Zhenren Shangxuan had already made arrangements.
The reason he dared to come was that he had already prepared a response.
Gu Feng, standing by his side, thought that this method was the best way to protect Su Chen and Tiangang City.
"It seems Tiangang City is just worried that their lies will be exposed, right?
In various regions of the Great Zhou, there have been many disparaging remarks about Tiangang City.
Using the incident of expelling a disciple as an excuse, they have been slandering and spreading false rumors.
Today, there is an opportunity to prove this disciple's ability in front of everyone.
Why play these petty schemes?
He Chao walked a few steps forward, his gaze falling on the Second Prince and the Third Prince, sitting in the center.
"Please, both princes, change the assembly process. The challenge sparring is the highlight of this assembly.
Don't let Tiangang City's self-interest disrupt everyone's enthusiasm.
If you insist on changing the assembly process, then our Yunyang Sect will not participate in this assembly this year."
As these words were spoken, the Lake Center Stage erupted in an uproar.
The news immediately spread to the shore.
Hearing that the Yunyang Sect members intended to leave, the citizens watching from the shore also started to complain.
As the Great Zhou's leading sect, the Yunyang Sect had encountered some trouble.
Although their performance was not outstanding, their foundation remained strong.
And at this Celestial Prodigies assembly, the Yunyang Sect had two Celestial Prodigies.
With the Yunyang Sect's departure, they directly took away Fu Jianyun and Liu Xingwan.
How much more could this Celestial Prodigies assembly offer now?
(End of Chapter)
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