Black Rock City, the capital of Cloudy Mountain Province, was perpetually cold. Even as the seasons changed, the temperature never reached the comfortable range. Zhou Guanming, the governor of Black Rock City, sat on his governor's throne clad in comfortable furs. He overlooked the grand hall which was occupied by many famous faces of the province.
Many tables were arranged in a horseshoe shape, laden with food and wine. A troop of scantily clad beauties danced to a smooth tune from the orchestra, seemingly ignoring the cold. Though, their erect nipples which showed through their thin clothing and their pale lips were quite apparent signs of their discomfort.
Zhou Guanminig and his guests paid no attention to this. The party was in full swing and the hall was lively and happy. It was easy to explain why.
After many months of interference from the likes of Wu Qianyu and Lin Qingcheng, Black Rock City finally had a period of peace. Zhou Guanming managed to regain control of almost every aspect of the city. Although San Huming of the Crime and Punishment Division was still a thorn in his side, the man was a simpleton and easy to deal with. He had managed to diminish the power of that division a great deal. The House of Paradise was also an annoyance but they didn't involve themselves in local politics which was a relief.
Zhou Guanming stood up and clapped his hands twice. The music stopped and the dancers vacated the center area. He picked up a cup of wine and raised it to his guests.
"Good brothers and good sisters, I hope you all are having a good time!" The roar of approval made him smile. "Although the Shattered Peak Sect fell, we have managed to recover and maintain our city. It has been a difficult half year but this Zhou wants to thank each one of you for your support."
"Hear, hear!"
Those gathered included the Black River Canyon School, the Bloodbird Group, the Stone Sect, and several other big names. Zhou Guanming had kept good relationships with each one of them. In return, they provided the Zhou Clan and specifically his branch with ample wealth in the form of taxes and kickbacks.
He raised his cup again, "I have an idea. To celebrate this day, why not do what all cultivators do? We have a stage right here. Let's have a few matches and see how everyone has progressed?"
"Governor Zhou's words are wise." The old principal of the Black River Canyon School spoke up first, "The disciples of the Black River Canyon School are always up for a fight!"
"My Flame Sun Cult has produced a few good seedlings in the past year, who dares to challenge me?" Another chimed in.
"Bring it on!"
"Haha, good!" Zhou Guanming said, "Let's focus on the younger generation then, let everyone see the talents of disciples at the Mind Focusing Realm!"
"I agree!"
"I agree!"
"Let's get started!"
Zhou Guanming sat back down and sighed, slightly unhappy. Unfortunately, he had not been selected as a new elder during the Zhou Clan election. He could only stay here and continue to manage a wayward province. These sects and cultivators were his only strength now so he had to carefully develop them.
The fighting quickly got underway. Disciples from each sect got up to challenge one another and exchange pointers. The person who won the duel could choose to continue.
Outside of the big sects and large factions, loose cultivators also joined in. Zhou Guanming had invited many people. As long as they had some sort of fame within the city, they could get a seat, not inside the grand hall but outside in the courtyard.
"The Stone Sect wins!"
"The Wayward Mercenary Company wins!"
"The Black River Canyon School wins!"
"The Bloodbird Group wins!"
"The Black River Canyon School wins!"
"The Black River Canyon School wins!"
Several dozen duels went by. The big powers won almost all of them. At first, a few loose cultivators showed hope but they were quickly beaten down. Now, the arena became a playground for the strong. There was no room for random people.
Thus, it came as a surprise when a bright, feminine voice came from outside.
"Nalan Wan'er wants to challenge the disciple of the Black River Canyon School!"
The people in the hall looked around and at each other. Which Nalan Wan'er? Could it be that Nalan Wan'er?
A slender figure walked in. She wore red from head to toe. Her sleek black hair was tied up in an elegant knot on top of her head. It also cascaded down her back all the way to her waist. In her hand was a treasure sword in a jeweled scabbard.
Everyone recognized her. Her complexion was pure as fresh snow. Her beautiful face was eye-catching as the sunrise. She was Nalan Wan'er, the number one beauty of Black Rock City and the entire Cloudy Mountain Province.
Zhou Guanming sat up in his chair and studied the young woman who was no older than twenty. He was surprised. Just like his older brother, he had really wanted to obtain this beauty.
After the incident with the Shattered Peak Sect and Wu Qianyu, the Nalan Family seemed to have obtained justice for Nalan Wan'er's slain fiancé. However, Zhou Guanming didn't want to let her go. He helped the other powers and continue to suppress the Nalan Family in hopes of convincing her father to send her to his doorstep.
Unfortunately, the Nalan Family had a bunch of stubborn people. When the Nalan Family was finally pushed into a corner, they resolutely decided to flee the city instead of submitting. This failure had annoyed Zhou Guanming to no end.
"Miss Nalan, do you wish to fight? Swords and fists have no eyes, it will be dangerous." Zhou Guanming said.
"Hahaha," The disciple of the Black River Canyon School that was standing in the middle of the arena leered at her, "Wan'er, if you want to warm my bed, I might accept. If you want to fight me, I definitely won't agree. I don't want to hurt a hair on my wife's body!"
This earned him a few more laughs from the brothers in his sect.
"Don't talk bullshit, eat my sword!" Nalan Wan'er shouted and launched herself forward.
Her sword flashed to life as she glided towards the offending young man. He was taken aback and barely had time to pull out his own sword.
Clang!
"Wha…"
Gasps arose from the crowd. The disciple of Black River Canyon School was already at the 3rd Level of the Mind Focusing Realm while Nalan Wan'er was only at the first level. Yet her attack was much more fearsome and forced her opponent to scramble backward.
Clang!
Clang!
With consecutive strikes, she swung her sword like a blunt weapon and smashed the young man out of the fighting ring.
"The Nalan Family… wins?"
"How did she do it?"
"Idiot, look at her weapon, that is no ordinary weapon!"
Nalan Wan'er glared at the people around her. She especially focused her hate-filled gaze on the principal of the Black River Canyon School, Hong Tian, for a long time before finally facing Zhou Guanming.
Standing alone in a vast room filled with cultivators far stronger than her, she was like a solitary flower that was struggling to bloom amidst an impending disaster. The color of her robes was like blood, signifying her resolve.
"Governor Zhou…" Her words were laced with emotion, "Thanks to you and your people, my father is dead. There is no more Nalan Family. There is only me, Nalan Wan'er. You wanted me and now I am here. But before I die, I am going to take you with me!"
She whipped her sword forward and attacked.
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