I Can See Your Combat Power

Chapter 803 - Ninety-Seven: The Hidden Truth

Chapter 803: Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Hidden Truth

Behind Mount Xumi was a lush forest, within which lay the bamboo garden hermitage prepared by Martial Saint Mountain for the challengers.

Since the second trial did not result in an elimination, even those scions who had opted to exit the array early with jade coins were just ranked lower, and could still advance to the third trial along with the other challengers.

The long wait led these second trial failures to naturally gather together to discuss their experiences in the trial. When they compared notes, they realized it was all a huge illusionary realm, which frustrated them even more.

At the same time, deep down they harbored some hope, wishing those with high rankings would also make mistakes, especially the proud and arrogant disciples from the great sects, and that they would all be eliminated.

Although this wouldn’t change the fact of their own rankings, seeing others fare worse than oneself was always a little consoling.

Therefore, for the past two days, the scions had been sitting under the Bodhi tree in the courtyard, craning their necks to see if any new unfortunate souls would emerge early from the illusionary realm.

Every afternoon, after having lunch, the scions would gather in small groups, idly chatting about what they would do differently if given another chance to strive in this trial.

It was in such an atmosphere that Tang Luo, holding a copy of Longzhou’s unofficial history, stepped into everyone’s view, led by a servant.

The discussions under the Bodhi tree ceased abruptly, and all the scions stood up in alarm, looking incredulously at the approaching Tang Luo.

They had never imagined that Longxi’s Pride, who had dominated the first trial, would be eliminated on the second day.

One young scion from a noble family couldn’t contain his agitation and took a few steps forward to block Tang Luo’s path.

“Hmm?”

Although he was looking down at his book, Tang Luo was taller and more robust than the average person. Looking at the young scion he had met once before, he stopped and asked, “It’s you, what’s the matter?”

The one who had intercepted Tang Luo was the young scion who had explained Xiang Loulan’s origins to him during the first trial. Now, with a solemn face, he bowed deeply and said, “I didn’t have the chance to introduce myself last time. I am Nong Zhaoxian, of the Yancang Nong Clan’s direct line. Master Tang, we meet again.”

Putting the book away in his pocket, Tang Luo returned the gesture with folded hands, surprised to find that the young scion whom he had once met before Bu Lin’s ring was also a descendant of a venerable figure from Longzhou, “So you are a descendant of King Nong, it is a pleasure indeed.”

“It’s all my ancestors’ grace; I truly feel ashamed,” Nong Zhaoxian said, after a brief exchange of pleasantries. Weighing his words carefully, he asked softly, “I hope Master Tang would not find my blockage offensive, but out of curiosity, I wonder what kind of peril Master Tang encountered in the trial to end his journey on the second day, given your abilities?”

“So, you’re here about that matter,” Tang Luo looked at the young master with a grave expression and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Has Young Master Nong made another hefty bet on Tang?”

“Money is a trivial matter,” Nong Zhaoxian replied with a bitter smile. “The Longzhou Youth Martial Arts Tournament has been held for twenty editions now, yet in those sixty years, not one of the sons from our Longzhou noble families has clinched the top three, let alone a spot in the top ten. Brother Tang is the strongest contender in sixty years from our families to have a chance at the top three!”

“Zhaoxian has been discussing this trial with other young masters these past few days and realized that the trial’s difficulty wasn’t that high. With Brother Tang’s cultivation, you should be able to pass easily. If something unpredictable happens, there might be something fishy going on.”

“Brother Tang, do not think that just because Martial Saint Mountain is a holy land of the Human Race, it’s all bright and majestic. Do you still remember Bu Chen, whom you seriously injured in the first trial?”

The Yancang Nong Clan has been a top-tier family since the ancient times that produced Grandmasters. In the era where one could roam freely in Fierce Realm, a Grandmaster could be crowned a king; thus, the founder of the Nong Clan was honored as King Nong.

The Yancang Nong Clan, after so many years operating in Longzhou, is not the same as the nouveau riche of Longxi. Virtually every sect in Longzhou has disciples from the Nong Clan; it’s just a matter of status. This means that the reach of the Nong Clan’s informants extends to all the top forces in Longzhou.

Therefore, Nong Zhaoxian has access to many pieces of information that outsiders do not. If it had been any other scion from any other family who was eliminated, he wouldn’t rush forward carelessly. However, with Tang Luo’s elimination, he couldn’t help but think of a rumor.

Nong Zhaoxian said with a complicated expression, “He is from the direct line of the Bu Clan of Dapeng Mountain, and this generation of disciples from Dapeng Mountain is particularly protective and xenophobic due to the personality of their first disciple…”

“So you think there was foul play from Dapeng Mountain in my second trial?” Tang Luo chuckled. The world was never short of conspiracy theorists who liked to attribute others’ success or failure to external forces. At the first sign of personal setback, they quickly shift blame and cobble together what they perceive as clues, trying to form a fragmented truth to prove the issue isn’t with themselves.

At the heart of it, they simply refuse to admit their own failure. Moreover, Nong Zhaoxian’s assumption about Tang Luo’s elimination was wrong from the start. But, after all, it was well intended, and even if Tang Luo did not like his way of thinking, he still had to accept the gesture of concern.

Nodding at Nong Zhaoxian, Tang Luo said with a light chuckle, “Thank you for the warning, Brother. I’ll be sure to be cautious in the next round.”

Both were clever individuals educated among the elites, and though Tang Luo’s words were tactful, they were sufficient to convey his meaning. Everything would come to light once the rankings of the second trial were announced, and he did not wish to embarrass Nong Zhaoxian.

He had thought that after this conversation, even if Nong Zhaoxian was a bit slow on the uptake, he would understand that Tang Luo had no dissatisfaction with the second trial. However, to his surprise, the young master before him suddenly became anxious.

“It will be too late by the third trial,” Nong Zhaoxian said urgently, grabbing Tang Luo’s hand. After glancing around, he pulled him aside and whispered, “This matter goes from my mouth to your ears and must not be passed on to a third party. I have a clan brother who is cultivating on Dapeng Mountain. Yesterday, during our communication, he mentioned a piece of news: the first disciple of Dapeng Mountain, Duan Qianchou, said during his visit to the awakened Bu Chen that he had ‘sought justice’ for him. It seems likely that your challenges in the second trial were due to the interference of Dapeng Mountain’s first disciple. Perhaps you should bring this to Master Wei’s attention. Master Wei is the Big Arbitrator of Kunwu County, known for his hatred of evil. If he learns of the injustice you’ve faced, he will surely uphold justice for you.”

“You mean, Duan Qianchou told Bu Chen that he had ‘sought justice’ for him?” Were it not for Nong Zhaoxian’s good intentions, Tang Luo would not have let himself be pulled aside. Now that he listened, he found that many details were crucial for him and inquired, “Did he mention specifically how he ‘sought justice’?”

“He didn’t mention that…” Nong Zhaoxian didn’t expect Tang Luo to ask so directly, but he affirmed without hesitation, “However, Duan Qianchou is an extremely proud man. On Dapeng Mountain, he’s the top disciple with unquestioned authority. If he says he has avenged Bu Chen, it would not be without basis.”