LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 713 - 7: The 12 Zodiac Houses
Chapter 713: Chapter 7: The 12 Zodiac Houses
Longzhou Calendar, Year 1784, July 10th, Residence of the Sect Head at North Mountain
“We will set up twelve platforms for youthful martial artists in each of the three cities of Lanshan, Qutang, and Boma, totaling thirty-six in all. All martial artists who have not yet reached the age of thirty and have transcended the Mortal Realm are eligible to challenge each other. We’ll ask Mr. Du Sha to select thirty-six outstanding transcendent warriors from the Marshal Star Pavilion to guard the platforms and, following the ranks of the twelve, with ones with the strongest ‘Star Records’ and the weakest ‘Analysis Wood’ being awarded the titles of ‘Three Cities & Twelve Palace Star Generals’. Those who can pass through all twelve will gain eligibility to compete in the Young Martial Arts Conference on Martial Saint Mountain. What’s more, we will recall three elders of the Du Clan from Red Cloud Mountain to oversee the platforms in the three cities. The Righteous Gang will be responsible for maintaining order at the event.”
The invitation from Martial Saint Mountain is a big deal for the entire western region of Longzhou. Although the invitation was sent to the Tang Clan, the glory falls upon the entire newly formed Longxi Alliance.
If we followed the thoughts of everyone in the conference hall, we could easily close the door behind us and select talented individuals to compete. Yet, this approach would only backfire, causing dissatisfaction among the various clans of the New Alliance.
After all, in recent years, several new clans have emerged within the New Alliance. They believe that their younger generations are just as talented as the descendants of the Tang Clan. It’s clear from the endless parade of gifts from various families to the North Mountain that these noble houses are eyeing the invitation slots. If we don’t let them fight it out, it will only cause unnecessary unrest.
Since everyone wants a shot, let us fight it out based on actual strength. That’s how Tang Luo simply, yet decisively, determined who would receive the invitations.
After a few years of adjustment, it’s time to let the trainees from the Marshal Star Pavilion show their mettle. As future backbone of Tang Luo’s martial force, the Marshal Star Pavilion has been nurturing these top-notch talents from millions of people. Even the ones with the lowest ranking among these Star Generals are of exceptional talent. Having spent vast resources on their training for several years, if these trainees turn out to be a bunch of brittle pretty flowers, Tang Luo would literally explode on the spot.
He decided to make use of the enthusiasm of the descendants of the North Mountain Alliance families to test the combat effectiveness of the Marshal Star Pavilion. One move, multiple gains—perfect!
“Steward Cui, I entrust you with coordinating these matters. Don’t let me down!” Tang Luo said in a teasing manner, looking at a much thinner Cui Dayou before him.
“Please rest assured, Sir. I will make sure everything is perfectly arranged and I won’t let your trust in me go in vain!” Cui Dayou replied with utter determination on his face. The hard work he had put into the Righteous Business Group and the Marshal Star Pavilion over the past three years had finally started to pay off. Just as he came out of seclusion, his master had granted him such an important responsibility.
For a steward like him, what could be better than holding such power to coordinate several departments and control several warriors from the Fierce Realm? At that moment, Cui Dayou was completely immersed in the delightful sensation of achievement, with immense gratitude welling up in his heart.
It’s not always true that effort yields results. This is a life lesson that all adults who have experienced hardships grasp. Being recognized by his master involved a 3% reliance on capability, 7% on luck, and the rest of whopping 90% on his master’s personal preference. Having a master who knew how to make the best use of people and was clear about rewards and punishments, Cui Dayou felt an incredible drive to succeed. After accepting the master’s engraved token with respect, he immediately set off for Red Cloud Mountain.
In just a few days, the news about the platforms in the three cities spread across the entire city. The challenge mode, which required the advancement through all twelve currents to gain promotion qualifications, ignited the passion of the youths.
As for why the platforms were only set up in the three cities and not under all six cities, there were several rumors around.
“Martial Saint Mountain has only given five places. Squad leader Tang Luo has taken one, leaving four. Now there are only three platforms. One of them must already have been confirmed as a teammate. I guess it must be that Tough Body Chief Instructor from the Tang Clan. Throughout the whole of Xiling, only Tang Qingshan can remain undefeated in battles with Fierce Realm while in the Transcendent Mortal Realm. Tang Luo is merely serving as the squad leader due to his achievements from a few years back, but Tang Qingshan is bound to become the strongest in the western region, and perhaps even in Longzhou!”
Challenging warriors beyond one’s realm is the ultimate romance for a martial artist. Tang Qingshan’s several undefeated battles against the Fierce Realm have earned him great prestige. Especially for the young warriors in Lanshan City, they regard this chief instructor as their idol.
Though these words may be taken for granted by warriors of the Aran Mountain, to those businessmen who travel among cities, they beg to differ.
“Tang Qingshan is indeed an extraordinary martial artist, but it’s just not worth mentioning when compared with Xiao Family’s Fire God. Tough Body Bloodline is merely average among the Xu Clan’s Categorized Bloodline, while Fire God Bloodline is superior. While it’s true that Tang Qingshan never lost to a Fierce Realm warrior, he also never won. If the battle is prolonged, and his tough body runs out of time, he will still be defeated. Unlike the Fire God of the Xiao Family. Several Masters in the Alliance have asserted that the Xiao Family’s Fire God is not weaker than any average Fierce Realm. I believe that the unreleased invitation definitely belongs to the Xiao Family’s Fire God!”
The names of several young talents were mentioned in the pubs of the six cities. Even before the twelve palace platforms were activated, the entire western region of Longzhou was buzzing. Everyone was guessing who would receive the final few places. While these rumors became increasingly detailed, those young talents mentioned countless times were bewildered.
Whether it’s Tang Qingshan, Xiao Ziyu, Cui Haoran who has made a name for himself these past few years, or Li Xuanba, none of them have received an invitation from Tang Luo. In other words, this opportunity to participate must be fought for by themselves.
However, more perceptive individuals have already deduced more valuable information from the details announced by Tang Luo.
The reason for only setting up the platforms in three cities is not because only three places are selected, but because the Marshal Star Pavilion simply does not have enough martial artists who can qualify as Star Generals.
Passing through the Twelve Courts only grants one the “eligibility” to compete in the Longzhou Youth Martial Arts Conference. What Tang Luo is trying to tell everyone is that if you can’t even break through the Twelve Courts, you can forget about participating in the Longzhou Youth Martial Arts Conference.
Unlike those wandering martial artists who believe in unfounded rumors, the noble families quickly grasped the core of this competition. The first step is to let their own chosen candidates pass the Twelve House challenge, and then decide on the final four.
Lanshan City, Cui Family Residence
“Investigate, investigate now! I want to know the background of these so-called Star Generals. Gather all the available information and present it to me within two days!” The leader of the Cui Family, Cui Ying, immediately ordered the family’s Wind Media to investigate the news of the Star Generals as soon as he got wind of the situation.
It’s because the Cui Family had truly produced an exceptionally talented martial artist in this generation who ought to be one of the members of the squad for this year’s Youth Martial Arts Conference!