Martial Cultivator

Chapter 133: New Willow Sprouts

"I didn't expect it to be him!"

Chen Chao arrived at the pavilion and stood among the young individuals from the Great Liang Dynasty. When he looked at the lake and discovered that it was a scholar who appeared by the lake, he could not help but be surprised too.

Today, everyone was waiting to see who from the Great Liang Dynasty would preside over the Myriad Willow Convention. This sparked numerous discussions beforehand.

The chairman of the Heavenly Imperial Institution, the academy dean, as well as that Lord Warden, they were all extremely likely candidates.

However, no one had expected that it would be a scholar who appeared here.

This scholar was extremely famous in the capital city.

Perhaps the most famous scholar in the world.

He came from the Wei Family and was the dean's disciple.

But despite his extraordinary status, was it appropriate for him to preside over such a grand event today?

"This Mr. Wei has indeed stepped into Nepenthe Realm long ago."

Someone lamented softly. Countless storms arose in the Divine Capital when the saintess of the Myriad Heaven Palace suffered an assassination attempt. When the big shots investigated that matter, the most significant information that emerged was not the identity of the mastermind, but the fact that Wei Xu had already stepped into Nepenthe Realm.

In that alley, he effortlessly killed the old man who had reached high-level Great Beyond Realm.

How old was Wei Xu now? How many years had he been a disciple of the dean? To have already reached this realm, it was sufficient to prove that he is a true genius.

Even in the foreign lands' cultivation world, Wei Xu could definitely live up to the title of genius too.

Compared to Wei Xu's achievements, his current reputation was actually still too unknown.

Wang Kuan sighed, "So it's Mr. Wei, that's appropriate."

He had never met the Dean, but he occasionally encountered Wei Xu in the academy. This scholar from the Wei Family had an excellent temperament. If someone sought his advice, he would patiently answer, whether it was about the teachings of sages in the books or any doubts in cultivation.

Therefore, Wei Xu had an excellent reputation in the academy.

Xia Yuan nodded in agreement, "Since Mr. Wei has already stepped into Nepenthe Realm, he naturally qualifies to preside over the Myriad Willow Convention. I just didn't expect Mr. Wei's cultivation realm would be so high."

It was hard for people to associate the gentle scholar with being a Nepenthe powerhouse.

But the reality was so.

Chen Chao looked at the scholar slowly walking by the lakeside and said, "If we had come over during this time, with Mr. Wei attracting everyone's attention, surely no one would pay attention to us."

Xie Nandu glanced at Chen Chao and then said, "It's actually Senior Brother."

Her words expressed surprise, but her expression did not show much astonishment.

Chen Chao asked in confusion, "Wasn't it supposed to be Mr. Wei in the first place?"

Before Xie Nandu could speak, Chen Chao continued, "Could the initial choice have been the dean?"

Xie Nandu shook her head and said, "Even if it wasn't Senior Brother, it wouldn't have been Teacher either."

Chen Chao nodded and was deep in thought as he said. "Someone as lofty as the dean probably wouldn't care about these mundane matters."

Xie Nandu smiled without answering the question. Chen Chao had only met the dean once. Although he had gained some understanding of the dean's character, he still regarded the dean as an erudite master. But as a disciple of the dean, Xie Nandu naturally knew that her teacher truly felt that the Myriad Willow Convention was meaningless. Furthermore, he was also very lazy. He considered such things a waste of his life. So, no matter what, he would not come.

Meeting her before she left the academy was just on a whim to say some encouraging words.

There was nothing more to it.

One thing that many scholars found hard to believe was that their revered dean, who was like a deity in their hearts, was actually quite different from the type of scholar they had imagined.

……

……

Wei Xu leaped up from the lakeside and arrived on the largest stone platform. He looked towards the pavilion and calmly spoke some words.

It was roughly talking about the origin and development of the Myriad Willow Convention, as well as the young talents that emerged in previous Myriad Willow Conventions. Finally, he expressed gratitude to the attending cultivators and sects, and then announced the commencement of the Myriad Willow Convention.

He was very calm when talking, looking like he had prepared for this day for quite some time.

Chen Chao looked at Wei Xu and thought that it would indeed be making things difficult for the dean to do such things.

Perhaps it was truly impossible for him.

None of the prominent figures at the pavilion spoke. It looked like they had no objections to Wei Xu presiding over the Myriad Willow Convention. Wei Xu had already reached Nepenthe Realm, albeit at a young age. It was precisely because of this that he was more suitable for the Myriad Willow Convention.

After all the Myriad Willow Convention had always been an event for young people.

As people listened to those seemingly meaningless words, some grew drowsy, while the female cultivators gazed at Wei Xu with light in their eyes.

Cultivators looked down upon martial artists, but the same did not apply to the cultivators of the academy. Wei Xu who had reached Nepenthe Realm at such a young age was naturally very attractive.

"I wonder if this Mr. Wei has a Dao companion. To reach this cultivation realm at such a young age is truly remarkable."

A female cultivator could not help but sigh, speaking softly to avoid being overheard. After all, Wei Xu was still a cultivator of the Great Liang Dynasty.

The academy and the Great Liang Dynasty were closely intertwined.

Wei Xu did not know what those people were thinking. He continued to speak fastidiously about the matters at hand.

However, the cultivators present gradually grew serious.

The air became very quiet.

A rather solemn atmosphere hung in the air.

Chen Chao's expression became unusual.

Upon hearing the latter half, Chen Chao gritted his teeth and said, "Isn't it f*cking targeting me?!"

He was a little angry and could not contain himself for a moment.

Xie Nandu's expression remained unchanged, but her eyes revealed a mix of emotions.

The expressions of the young people from the Great Liang Dynasty became extremely fascinating. The students from the academy, led by Wang Kuan, showed little emotional change. The two individuals from the Heavenly Imperial Institution had rather pale faces.

The representatives from the major influential families also had unpleasant expressions.

What exactly did Wei Xu say on the platform?

……

……

Over the years, the Myriad Willow Convention has always been the foremost event among young cultivators in the world; unparalleled by any other event. However, over the years, some sects gradually paid less attention to the Myriad Willow Convention. Plus, other foreign sects attempted to organize new grand events. The status of the Myriad Willow Convention had actually become precarious.

Based on the current situation, the Myriad Willow Convention has finally undergone another reform after many years.

The literary exam remained unchanged, but the martial exam underwent a transformation. Previously, it was a common practice to determine the victors through arena duels. But now, there was a new change.

The prominent figures would open up a microcosm and throw the young cultivators participating in the martial exam into it. Within this microcosm, there were many demons, each of which has been marked by the big shots. Additionally, they would issue identity bamboo tokens with special markings that recorded the achievements of each young cultivator in killing the demons within the microcosm.

This reform completely overturned the previous martial exam, ushering in a new chapter for the Myriad Willow Convention.

The competition between the young cultivators had become more practical, as the greatest enemy of humanity is the demon race. Determining rankings based on the number of demons slain was all too apt.

However, some cultivators began to worry about whether the young cultivators entering the microcosm might be killed by the demons inside.

But before they could voice their concerns, Wei Xu had already provided them with the answer.

The bamboo tokens in their hands were special magic artifacts. If they encountered a situation where they could not continue, they could simply crush the bamboo token and instantly exit the microcosm.

Meanwhile, the big shots outside would constantly keep an eye on the situation inside. If any major accidents occurred, they would naturally enter immediately and rescue the participants.

Wei Xu calmly stated, "In the martial exam, the rankings are based on the number of demons slain and the cultivation realm of those demons."

This statement covered the rules of the martial exam, but it held deeper implications.

The rules did not mention whether cultivators could cooperate with each other, nor did it mention if the cultivators were allowed to attack one another. Since it was not mentioned, it meant that both were allowed.

The new competition held greater significance for the martial exam of the Myriad Willow Convention and it was also bound to reignite the cultivators' interest in the Myriad Willow Convention.

This was a very meaningful thing for the Myriad Willow Convention.

However, as this session of the Myriad Willow Convention was the first to undergo reform, it was expected that many unexpected events would occur.

It was unknown how those big shots reached a consensus.

Nevertheless, regardless of the circumstances, the matter had already been settled. Now, Wei Xu was just representing all parties to inform the young participants and not to discuss with them.

After saying these, Wei Xu asked, "Do any of you have any questions?"

He looked towards the pavilion very calmly. The young cultivators on the pavilion seemed even calmer, but it was unknown if they felt the same internally.

"Mr. Wei, may I ask, what should we do if we die inside that microcosm?"

A young cultivator spoke up, wanting to know the answer.

Wei Xu looked at him and replied very seriously, "If that day truly comes, I will express my regrets."

No one found his words amusing; instead, they felt a chill in their hearts.

Wei Xu did not provide any further explanation, indicating that such a situation was indeed possible.

"Because it's the first session, there will undoubtedly be many unexpected incidents. So, if any of you are afraid, you can choose to withdraw."

Wei Xu's voice was calm, sounding like a gentle breeze.

But everyone felt that this breeze was cold.

Choosing to withdraw at this moment would make them objects of ridicule.

Moreover, what would be their reason for withdrawing?

Because they did not dare to confront demons?

Since ancient times, the enemy of the human race had always been demons. As foreign cultivators, they already held themselves in high regard. If they were to admit they were afraid to confront demons, would they still have any face left?

However... there was a real possibility of dying.

This was greatly terrifying.