My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

Rock Solid City made no move.

Meanwhile, in Cyan Mist City’s camp, Fu Chenzhou’s face was grim, and hatred swelled in his heart.

"We’re leaving!"

Fu Chenzhou forced out the two words, then rose abruptly. After bidding farewell to the Alliance Steward, he led the people from Cyan Mist City away in a hurry.

The elderly Alliance Steward glanced at them but said nothing. The victor and vanquished had been decided, the rules were set. It was of no consequence how the loser conducted himself.

He turned his gaze back to Liang Cheng, his tone softening considerably. "Liang Cheng, step forward."

Liang Cheng did as he was told and walked to the foot of the high platform.

The old man took out a pale silver token engraved with intricate cloud patterns and handed it to him.

"This is a Disciple Token for the Four Islands Alliance Headquarters. With this token, you have two months to report to the Main Courtyard in Yunhai City on Canglan Island. Remember this: they won’t wait for you if you’re late."

Liang Cheng accepted it with both hands. The token was cool to the touch, and he could faintly feel Spiritual Qi circulating within it.

"Thank you, Steward."

"Prepare yourself well."

A rare smile touched the old man’s lips. "Inside the Main Courtyard, prodigies are as common as clouds. The competition is far fiercer than anything in the three cities. Do not let your talent and this opportunity go to waste."

"I will take your words to heart."

The grand tournament officially came to a close.

Shen Jun clapped Liang Cheng hard on the shoulder, his voice thick with emotion. "Good kid! A job well done! After today, Lin Wu City can finally stand tall!"

Bai Hong was more composed. He looked at Liang Cheng, his eyes full of expectation. "The Four Islands Alliance Headquarters gathers the top geniuses from fifteen cities. There, a twenty-year-old in the True Essence Realm isn’t common, but it’s certainly not unheard of. Worse yet, some have profound backgrounds, infinite resources, and supreme Cultivation Techniques."

His tone turned grave. "You come from Lin Wu City, which means you’ll have no foundation to speak of at the Main Courtyard. When you go, you’ll have to rely on yourself for everything."

Shen Jun chimed in, "But don’t sell yourself short. Your foundation, temperament, and combat prowess are all first-rate."

"Use these two months to stabilize your Realm and familiarize yourself with wielding True Essence. You must fight for a high rank in the entrance assessment, as it will determine your initial benefits after admission."

Liang Cheng nodded solemnly. "I understand."

"Alright, go back, get some rest, and reunite with your family."

A gentle smile appeared on Bai Hong’s face. "Lin Wu City is your home. No matter where you go in the future, this place will always have your back."

"Thank you, Dean. Thank you, City Lord."

Liang Cheng bowed deeply.

That night, Lin Wu City held a simple victory banquet at the Huiwu Slope encampment.

Bonfires blazed, and the air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and wine.

Han Li, Wang Teng, and the others toasted Liang Cheng again and again. The atmosphere was lively, and even the ever-aloof Yun Jinghong raised her cup to him.

Liang Cheng accepted every toast but remained perfectly sober.

The next day, they broke camp and began the journey home.

The mood on the road back to Lin Wu City was light and cheerful.

Bai Hong and Shen Jun were no longer stone-faced, smiling from time to time.

「Five days later.」

The towering walls of Lin Wu City came into view.

A sea of people had already gathered at the city gates.

News of their victory had long since arrived, sending the entire city into an uproar.

When Liang Cheng appeared at the end of the main road on horseback, following Bai Hong and Shen Jun, a tsunami of cheers instantly engulfed him.

"Liang Zhenchuan!"

"The hero returns!"

"Long live Lin Wu City!"

Countless citizens lined the streets to welcome them, their eyes filled with fervor.

The humiliation of thirty years at the bottom had been washed away in a single day.

...

While Lin Wu City was boiling over with celebration, tens of thousands of miles away lay Yunhai City on Canglan Island, the heartland of the Four Islands Alliance.

It was a city far grander in scale than Lin Wu City, bustling and prosperous. Spiritual Qi suffused the air, and towering mansions stood packed together like scales on a fish.

In the western part of the city stood the Main Tower of the Treasure Pavilion’s Four Islands Sub-Branch.

The Tower was nine stories tall, constructed from Spirit Wood and White Jade, and it seemed to glow with a faint, treasured light. A constant stream of carriages flowed before its doors, and those who entered and exited were either wealthy or noble, with more than a few possessing profound auras.

On the top floor, inside a quiet study.

Qian Wanjing, dressed in luxurious brocade robes, stared at a letter in his hand. It had just arrived through a special channel and contained the results of the tri-city tournament.

His usual slick smile had vanished from his face.

"Liang Cheng, a twenty-year-old at the True Essence Realm, crushed Shi Yue of Rock Solid City head-on, crippled Fu Lingyun of Cyan Mist City, seized the top spot, and is now entering the Main Courtyard!"

He stood up and paced back and forth on the carpet, which was covered in soft Beast Hide.

"How could a place as barren and resource-poor as Lin Wu City produce someone like him?"

He stopped abruptly, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Unless that legendary item from the Qiao Family really did fall into his hands! That’s the only way he could have broken through to the True Essence Realm at his age!"

From behind the desk, a middle-aged man in a plain, long robe spoke slowly. "Your speculation is not without merit."

This man was none other than Shangguan Wen, Lord of the Treasure Pavilion’s Four Islands Sub-Branch Tower.

"Tower Lord!"

Shangguan Wen took a sip of tea and continued, "The boy is indeed an anomaly. When we made our inferences about the situation in Lin Wu City, we accounted for everything before deciding to pull out. The only thing we miscalculated was this Liang Cheng."

"One miscalculation has put us on the back foot entirely."

Qian Wanjing calmed down, but his brow remained tightly furrowed. "Tower Lord, what should we do now? If that item is truly in his possession..."

"And if it is? And if it isn’t?"

Shangguan Wen asked in return, "After this victory, Lin Wu City has secured nearly half the resource shares of Central Origin Island. They are bound to rise in the next decade."

"My Treasure Pavilion is in the business of making money, and harmony breeds wealth." Shangguan Wen tapped his fingers on the desk. "Our relationship with Lin Wu City needs to be mended—at least on the surface."

"Mended?"

Qian Wanjing’s expression was grim. "I’m afraid that Liang Cheng already bears a grudge against me. The matter with the Qiao Family..."

"Which is why you cannot go back."

Shangguan Wen glanced at him, his tone leaving no room for argument. "As for Lin Wu City, I will send a new Shopkeeper to re-establish the Treasure Pavilion, bearing sufficient tokens of our sincerity."

Qian Wanjing opened his mouth, but finally nodded. "Yes, Tower Lord."

He knew this was the best possible outcome. The Tower Lord might seem gentle, but his decisions were absolute.

Shangguan Wen walked to the window, gazing down at the bustling streetscape below. "Liang Cheng is certainly an anomaly," he said slowly. "Reaching the True Essence Realm at twenty is a rare feat indeed."

"However, the Main Courtyard is filled with geniuses and monstrous talents, all with complex backgrounds. When Liang Cheng arrives, we will soon see whether he is a dragon or a worm."

"We need only watch and see what happens. If he can truly gain a firm foothold there, or even begin to distinguish himself, it won’t be too late to admit our mistake and discuss cooperation."

"And what if he perishes midway?"

Qian Wanjing couldn’t help but ask.

Shangguan Wen just smiled faintly without answering directly. Everything was understood.

A chill ran through Qian Wanjing’s heart. He bowed and replied, "I understand."

Shangguan Wen waved his hand, and Qian Wanjing quietly withdrew.

Silence returned to the study.

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