The Science of Cultivation-Chapter 250: Settling into Arena

Having spotted their fellow members from The Orchid Covenant, the trio soon decided to drop their Skyrunner closer to the colossal Skyvessel belonging to the organization they were officially members of.

This Skyvessel had a classic appearance. It was just like a typical sailboat but with a much wider body. The deck, by itself, could fit a thousand people, with over a dozen levels to house that many people. In contrast, Li Lang’s Skyrunner looked like an insignificant fly.

The three slowly descended on the deck with their vehicle, not daring to make any abrupt movements until they spotted someone waving them over. The person helpfully directed them somewhere to land and greeted them as they disembarked.

“State your business,” a young man with short hair, looking like he was in his mid-twenties, asked. The aura of a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator leaked out from him, as he narrowed his gaze to scrutinize the trio.

“Senior, we’re members of The Orchid Covenant, who have traveled here separately. We would like to go to pay our respects to the elders,” Li Lang explained as he took out the tokens that proved their identity.

“I see, well the Head Councilman has already left to greet the Sword Saint. Many of the councilmen have already entered the venue too, so only Councilman Sheng is on board.”

“Understood. We’d like to go greet Councilman Sheng, then. Where can we find him?”

Having identified themselves, the young guard’s tone relaxed. He no longer harbored any suspicions and gave them directions. With these detailed instructions, it didn’t take long before the trio arrived before one of the many wooden doors below deck. Long Yi stepped up and knocked several times.

“Come in, you three. The door is not locked,” a familiar voice answered.

***

The crowds of cultivators making their way into the venue of The Dark Sea Arena were neatly organized by the members of Sword Saint Isle. The members of notable organizations were treated like respected guests, each assigned a part of the stands, with their location depending on their faction. However, their members couldn’t enter the venue all at once. Their priority was decided according to their status.

All those who were participating in the event were let through first, alongside their elders and esteemed leaders of their respective groups. They were the easiest to identify, as one could simply assess their cultivation. Each of these elders from prestigious sects or organizations was in the Violet Core Realm at the very least. Some of the major powers even had their Spirit Divide leader attend.

The ones who had to wait in line were mostly mortals, who were brought along. With the convenience of large transports like Skyvessels, there was no shortage of them. Many sects and organizations always liked to bring along their talented disciples to flaunt and allow them to gain some experience.

Almost every big group within Violet Isle was in attendance, with at least two or three representatives of notable strength and status. That wasn’t because of how valuable the competing Foundation Establishment cultivators were, but because it was a rare opportunity to speak with other influential leaders.

The Dark Sea Arena took place on the neutral grounds of Sword Saint Isle, which made it suitable to be a gathering spot for the top echelon of cultivators within Violet Isles. It was a rare opportunity for the leaders of the demonic path to safely interact with those of the righteous path. This was all thanks to the presence of the Sword Saint himself. A neutral entity that neither faction wanted to offend. After all, with the Sword Saint’s unfathomable cultivation, he was able to affect the balance of power.

However, for this year’s Dark Sea Arena, the Sword Saint wasn’t the most popular character there despite being the host. That honor went to an androgynous individual with a youthful appearance. They had striking silver eyes and matching silver hair that stretched down to their waist. They were draped in a glittering, copper-colored robe, wearing a tall hat that resembled a toque. Behind this individual was a teenage boy and girl, standing stoically like bodyguards.

None of the leaders of various sects and organizations paid those two servants any mind. Instead, they were each fighting a war of words, trying to catch the attention of the androgynous beauty.

“Young Hero Zheng, if it’s curious sights you’re looking for, then I humbly invite you to tour our Rolling Tide Sect within the Azure Mist Province. We’ve recently unearthed a large artifact from the hundred races, and we’d be happy to gift it to you, for the greater cause,” a gruff, low voice proudly proclaimed.

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The man in question didn’t bother to reply, continuing to glance down from the high platform erected over the nine equally sized-arenas. It caused a slender man from the crowd of experts to chuckle before speaking up with a soft and lilting voice.

“Han Gu, I don’t think it’s appropriate to ask Young Hero Zheng here to traverse half of Violet Isle just to go to the countryside to see some wreck.”

“Song Leiguang! What do you mean by that? Our Azure Mist Province is just as developed, if not more so than your Amber Star Province. Except we didn’t even need to rely on handouts for our development!”

“As if some barbaric countryside province could hope to ever produce anything that could match the splendors of the mainland. As the province that is closest to real civilization, only my Amber Star Province can be considered civilized.”

The two didn’t bother to hide their hostile glare against each other, but they weren’t alone. All around them, various quarrels were taking place. It was just that they kept it more discreet, in fear of disturbing their guest of honor, or they found it unseemly to bicker at all.

Despite the guest of honor blatantly ignoring them, the arguing between the gathered leaders didn’t subside but only grew instead. That was until a man with light stubble, wearing a coarse gray robe, strode onto the scene.

His gait was wide, displaying a casual mannerism that ran contrary to the stiff and refined movements most of these leaders upheld. He walked in while taking hearty swigs from a wine jug in one hand while hugging a round bamboo training sword in the other. Plenty of wine spilled with each quaff, but he didn’t seem to care. Though, his caretaker, who was following behind him, was visibly troubled by his lack of etiquette.

Despite his crass behavior, everyone who saw him respectfully clasped their fist toward him and cleared the way. They all called out his title with respect.

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“Sword Saint Heng! How do you do?”

“Greetings, Sword Saint. Our Grand Elder Cho sends his regards.”

True to his casual mannerism, the Sword Saint warmly greeted everyone back, but didn’t bother to stop walking, only sparing a few words to each esteemed representative. He did this no matter who the other party was, sauntering straight to the center. His laid-back attitude knew no bounds, daring to even slam his jug of wine on the table where his guest of honor sat.

“Zheng Hai was it? Drink up! This Red Dew Wine was your granduncle’s favorite. Let’s see if you share his taste.”

If it was anyone else, the leaders present would only cringe at how inappropriately the unkempt man was behaving, but it was a different story when the person in question possessed unfathomable power. Even the androgynous individual known as Zheng Hai finally turned his gaze to the speaker.

He nodded to the host while wearing a slight smile. Then he picked up the jug of wine with smooth and refined movements that left the spectators in awe. As he drank the wine, a few representatives with lower cultivation couldn’t help but gulp as well whenever the guest did.

“How delicious is that wine?” one of the younger Violet Core elders muttered.

No one bothered to answer him, as the more experienced members held their tongues and listened silently from the side.

“Senior Jun Heng,” Zheng Hai called out after he elegantly placed the wine jug back down. “Thank you for the Red Dew Wine. It is definitely good wine, but if I may be honest, it is a little too weak for my taste.”

“Took weak? Hahaha, took weak. I wish your granduncle was here to hear that. Hahaha, it seems you live up to your reputation. I would love to witness you at work if the opportunity arises. Anyway, enjoy your stay. Let my people know if you need anything.”

Seeing Zheng Hai nod, Sword Saint Jun turned around with another cackle. With the hand that was liberated from the duty of carrying the wine jug, he waved in every direction as he walked down from the high platform that overlooked the venue.

No one stopped him or questioned where he was going. They greeted him as he walked by and then returned to their bickering, with most of them trying to gain Zheng Hai’s attention.

Unfortunately for them, the man in question didn’t give them any face. He turned back to the arenas below, watching the sea of people move.

The Dark Sea Arena was about to start. Zheng Hai narrowed his eyes at the numerous participants walking up toward the nine different platforms.

They were segregated by the various stages of the Foundation Establishment, and his attention was naturally drawn toward the platforms assigned to those at the peak of the realm.

“Hmm, I passed through Foundation Establishment so quickly that I don’t even remember what it felt like,” the androgynous guest muttered so silently that only his two immediate servants behind him picked up his words. “You two, do you notice anyone special down there?”

“There’s no need to look, Young Master Zheng,” the female servant replied. “It’s naturally impossible for anyone on this small island to be comparable to you.”

“My sister is right,” the other servant spoke up. “Even on the mainland, I don’t think many could compare to you.”

“Hmph, that’s hard to say. The other sects are full of schemers. Who knows what or who they’re hiding?”

The two servants didn’t refute their master. They simply wore a smile as they continued to closely monitor their charge.