Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 800 Feather Scales (Part 3)

Jiang Yin'er nodded: "The Bing character in the East District is exactly seventh. I thought the Fourth Prince wouldn't participate, so I assumed my brother was in the Yi character category."

"I didn't expect him to participate."

Pei Ye withdrew his gaze and looked at the arena. It was the same as the other arenas he had visited that morning, fifty feet in diameter and eight feet high. The people gathered around it were of different ages and from all over the country. They were talking and laughing, with swords, spears, and whips at their disposal, which was enough to dazzle anyone.

Some were cultivators waiting to take the stage, some were their relatives and friends, and many more were just casual spectators.

Although it seems like a large batch of fish will be sieved before the test, as if they are worthless, it is obviously from the top looking down.

In reality, the entire martial arts world spans to the ends of the earth, and only about nine hundred people can travel to the capital to participate in the imperial examinations. Larger preliminary selections had already been completed before that.

Today, anyone who can ascend this stage amidst the gazes of tens of thousands of people is already a rare talent, greeted only by envious and admiring eyes.

Because the Feather Scale Trial is held throughout the martial arts world of the Tang Dynasty, with the Thirty-Three Sword Sects in charge, and the sword-testing taking place in front of the imperial city, it is such a grand event that the number of nine hundred seems extremely rare.

If one could win a match in this competition and gain some fame and fortune at the end of the star realm, it would be an extremely rare opportunity for an individual and for the small faction.

Pei Ye glanced at him, smiled, and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Which friend is Zhao Jianfei of the Zhihu Sect?"

The boy, sitting cross-legged on the ground, was stiff, and his voice tightened for a moment.

Pei Ye didn't know who he was fighting against, but Zhao Jianfei already knew that his opponent was the seventh-ranked player on the Fu Ranking.

Everyone in Shenjing knows who is seventh on the list of successful men.

Zhao Jianfei did not attend the Tianshan Sword Banquet, nor the Illusion Tower Banquet, but he knew that it was an eighteen-year-old peer who liked to carry a black cat and had a dark yellow strange sword.

He had been waiting for this name while he sat here, even though he knew there was a 99% chance the person wouldn't show up.

He needs to step onto this stage to let people know who "Zhao Jianfei" is, but "Pei Ye" obviously no longer needs any more publicity.

Or rather, the fact that this arena is now surrounded by 20-30% more people than other arenas is precisely because of the attraction of this name.

Now this person stands before me.

Zhao Jianfei looked up at him, his hands clasped in a fist salute, before finally uttering, "I am!"

The "I am!" was quite forceful, and Pei Ye turned to look at the boy on his left, who had bright eyes and was about the same age.

With tanned skin and clean, or rather, simple attire, she was staring at him with a stern face.

But at this moment, the old man carrying the sword stepped in front of the young man, clasped his hands and bowed: "It is actually Young Master Pei in person. I have long admired you! My disciple was rude. Please forgive him."

Pei Ye quickly returned the greeting and said with a smile, "Senior, you flatter me."

The old man straightened up, wearing a black robe, his face wrinkled and stiff. He was neither weak nor full of energy; he looked like an old cultivator in his twilight years.

Seeing that the young man was easy to talk to, the old man breathed a sigh of relief, smiled, and clasped his hands again: "Our sect is based in Yunzhou, Jiannan Circuit, and this is our first time entering the capital. I am Zhao Zhixiong, and I am considered the sect leader. These are all unworthy disciples. The one who will be instructed by Young Master Pei in a moment is my third disciple."

"I dare not. To even be able to participate in the Feather Scale Trial is already an achievement among the best of the best."

Zhao Zhixiong chuckled and sighed, "It's called a sect, but it only has a dozen or so people at most. My skills are meager, and I've never taught any 'talented individuals.' This time, the fact that this child was able to go to the capital to participate in the examination is entirely due to his own hard work... Don't laugh at me, Young Master Pei, but in our small place of Yunzhou, we've truly never seen such talent before."

Pei Ye laughed: "If all sword talents only come from major sects, then the martial world would be too boring."

“Young Master Pei is right.” Zhao Zhixiong hesitated for a moment, fidgeting with his cuffs, a blush creeping onto his face, which was quite old. “I have a request… My apprentice is certainly no match for Young Master Pei, so I hope you will show mercy later and not injure him—”

Before he could finish speaking, the boy's strong hand pulled him back, causing him to stumble. Zhao Jianfei, his face flushed with embarrassment, glared at him and said, "Alright, alright!"

He stood in front of Pei Ye, frowning, and said, "On the arena, everyone relies on their own abilities. Don't listen to my master. We'll have our match later."

Pei Ye smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Alright."

Pei Ye registered at the Xianrentai document office. Yu Jian was obviously surprised that this He Jian had actually come to fight in the first round. After exchanging a few jokes, when Pei Ye returned, he saw that Zhi Humen was still talking amongst themselves.

Jiang Yin'er tugged at his sleeve, looking at him curiously.

Pei Ye didn't quite understand, so the girl whispered the translation in his ear.

"What do you know? How many times have I told you, I'm speaking in the capital, don't you dare interrupt!" Zhao Zhixiong frowned in a low voice. "You've never been far from home, what do you know about the rules of the martial world? Who is Young Master Pei? Luckily, he's kind-hearted. I tried to put in a word and ask for your help, and you're ruining it again!"

"Who interrupted? I was already talking to him, and you were the one who broke up with me!" Zhao Jianfei said irritably. "Did you even get it right? He was talking to me."

“You don’t even stand up when I talk to you!” Zhao Zhixiong glared. “You just sit there and shout ‘I am!’ Who do you think you are? Do you think you’re so important?”

“…I forgot.” Zhao Jianfei said angrily, “Alright! I mean, don’t be so humble to them. We’re here to establish the reputation of Zhihumen. You’re the sect leader, why are you always going over there begging them?”

Zhao Zhixiong frowned: "What kind of reputation does Zhihumen have? The name was just something I made up five years ago. And what kind of leader am I? I've been a nobody in the martial arts world for decades, always bowing and scraping. What face do I have?"

He pointed and said, "Don't keep thinking about these things. You're the only one among your fellow disciples who stood out. Tomorrow, Zhihu Sect can disband at any time. The most important thing is for you to do well in this battle against Yulin. Don't think that just because you're young and capable, you'll always have opportunities!"

"Why don't you have any dignity?"

"What face do I have?"

"I think you're all that, all bragging rights!" Zhao Jianfei said irritably. "Alright! Four years ago, you couldn't even withstand one of my moves, yet you keep trying to teach me! Stop interfering, I have my own way of doing things!"

"...You're skilled, but you don't understand the rules of the underworld..."

The girl next to her interjected, "Alright, Master, Senior Brother is the strongest in the sect right now. He's about to go on stage, so stop talking."

"You are not allowed to disband the Zhihu Sect either." Zhao Jianfei glared.

Zhao Zhixiong tucked his sleeves and stopped talking. The girl covered the boy's mouth and said, "Senior brother, senior brother, you're about to go on stage. You should adjust your breathing quickly."

Pei Ye only half understood what he was hearing, and turned to the girl explaining beside him, asking curiously, "Can Yin'er speak the Shu dialect too?"

“Yes,” Jiang Yin’er nodded. “I grew up in the Southwest.”

“Say something,” Pei Ye said, staring at her.

"..."

"Ok?"

"I won't talk about it." Jiang Yin'er turned her head away.

If he didn't want to talk about it, he didn't want to. He just wanted to imagine what it would feel like to hear that crisp, down-to-earth tone coming from a girl's mouth. The image in his mind was already hilarious enough.

At noon, the bell rang.

Yu Jian's solemn voice rang out: "East District, Class C, First Match. Seventh place: Pei Ye, opposite, Zhao Jianfei (outside the rankings)." Pei Ye placed the kitten in Jiang Yin'er's arms, then picked up his sword and stepped forward.

He was already somewhat used to stepping onto the stage under countless gazes, but the grandeur of the Feather Scale Trial still surprised him. Even though it was just a single arena, it looked far more exciting than the martial arts competition at Bowang.

Moreover, a quick glance revealed some familiar faces. Among them were cultivators from prestigious sects and even senior figures from the Xuanmen (mystical sects).

Indeed, being able to take the stage in such an occasion is already something to be envied, to draw one's sword in front of so many top figures in the martial arts world, and to make them hear one's name.

Zhao Jianfei took two breaths to walk up from the opposite side.

He was clearly not as natural as Pei Ye; too many gazes carried weight, especially in such a vast, open place where there was nowhere to conceal himself.

Indeed, some people are asking where this young man who can fight Pei Ye comes from.

Pei Ye raised his hand in a fist salute, but Zhao Jian was one step ahead.

He stood ramrod straight, sword in hand, fists clasped, and with a hint of inexplicable pride, proclaimed: "Zhihumen, Zhao Jianfei, from Yunzhou. My master is Zhao Zhixiong, the 'Swordsman of Lushan'!"

He drew his sword with a clang, his fierce eyes fixed on the young man opposite him: "Please enlighten me, Young Hero Pei."

Zhao Zhixiong trembled slightly below, then raised his head and remained motionless.

Pei Ye paused for a moment, raised his hand and clenched his fist, and said in a daze, "...Feng Huai, Pei Ye."

Zhao Jianfei swung his sword.

This sword strike was indeed beautiful enough. In other words, Pei Ye had never expected that the old man who had just spoken to him could teach him such a sword technique, which was as straight and bright as a beam of light.

Pei Ye originally wanted to see his sword. Just like before at the Golden Autumn Martial Arts Competition and the Illusionary Pavilion Banquet, he wanted to defend for a few moves, observe, and then claim victory once he was satisfied.

But the sword came flashing by, and the boy's gaze was even sharper and faster than his sword.

Pei Ye changed his mind and met that gaze.

He slashed his sword, twisted his wrist, exerted force, and the two swords clashed with a resounding clang. Pei Ye slashed away his sword light.

Having won in one move, Pei Ye clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Thank you for your concession."

Zhao Jianfei, rubbing his throbbing wrist, bent down to pick up the sword and returned the greeting: "Thank you for your guidance."

Pei Ye stepped down from the sword platform, and a moment later, Yang Zhenbing and Yan Feiqing, who had also won, gathered around.

Jiang Yin'er was quiet for a while, then lowered her head and handed the kitten in her hand to Yang Zhenbing, who looked surprised.

In the first round of sixteen matches at noon, only Pei Ye, Yan Feiqing, and Yang Zhenbing stepped onto the stage. People didn't know why they came up and won their matches in one move. Pei Ye would stand below the stage and chat with people, while the other two would silently go up, silently win, and silently leave.

In short, it was surprising and delightful to see all three of them in the initial rounds. Throughout the afternoon, they each competed in three matches, and none of them could withstand a single blow. Finally, they also accompanied Jiang Yin'er in her matches.

Then Pei Ye went to watch Zhu Gaoyang's second feather test. This time, he was facing a senior ranked 226th on the Crane List. The man won with great difficulty and successfully stayed in the arena.

The first day of the Feather Scale Trial had come to an end, with approximately three to four thousand matches taking place. Pei Ye didn't know how Zhao Jianfei, whom he had faced in the first round, would fare, but he predicted that the young man would win at least one round.

When he wasn't competing, he wandered around with the three of them, but didn't see any familiar faces. Instead, he heard a lot about how exciting a certain arena match was, and how some amazing dark horses had emerged in a certain place, their numbers enough to form a herd of horses.

Finally, Pei Ye and his two fellow students returned to the Sword Cultivation Academy with Jiang Yin'er. They helped the girl with her swordplay and grooming. As night deepened, he did not return to the small courtyard by the West Pond, but instead slept in the Sword Cultivation Academy.

The next morning, when Pei Ye arrived at the Vermilion Bird Gate with the Sword Cultivation Academy's group, the area around the Winter Sword Platform was already crowded with people.

Pei Ye knew why.

The Scale Trial is still in the process of dividing into smaller arenas, but the Feather Trial, after yesterday's matches, has already moved on to the main event.

All the people on the Crane List will appear today.

Not all sects can participate in the Feather Trial, but for powerful sects with members on the list, the Scale Trial is a simulation, while the Feather Trial is the place where the true difference in skill level is determined.

The Grandmasters on the list are the highest-ranking members of a sect. Most of those who take the Linshi (a type of martial arts test) are juniors. They announce their lineage to represent the sect and bear the name of their master. If they perform well, it is because their master taught them well; if they perform poorly, it is because they have not mastered the skills.

However, when Crane List takes the stage, he will not reveal his lineage, because "Zhu Gaoyang" standing here already represents the Dragon King Dongting.

On such a sword platform, the levels of the martial world are clearly defined: where you can go and where others can go.

The top ten on the Crane List will all take the stage today.

Including Ming Qitian.

Many of the sword students from the Sword Cultivation Academy carried paper and pens. This level of competition was something that even the Sword Cultivation Academy could not provide to its students in other settings, so Dao Qi kept reminding them to observe carefully.

When Pei Ye followed the group to the location from yesterday, he looked up to look for the woman's figure, and soon found her on the cloud-covered seat.

But looking down the stack, I saw another familiar face that I hadn't expected.

A white dress with phoenix pendants, a cool and aloof smile, and a snow-white hairpin.

He sat down next to Zuoqiu Longhua and gestured to Pei Ye to indicate the seat next to him.

Pei Ye and Jiang Yin'er from yesterday switched seats and sat down: "Miss Shi, what brings us here?"

"Come and see Junior Sister Zuoqiu, and also come and see Young Hero Pei."

"What is there for me to see? I just saw the Illusionary Feast."

Shi Zanxue smiled and said, "It was after seeing Young Master Pei's demeanor at the Illusionary Pavilion Banquet that I kept thinking about seeing him again."

"Haha." Pei Ye laughed, "Miss Shi always talks like that, she has no good intentions."

Shi Zanxue asked curiously with bright eyes, "Why is this considered ill-intentioned?"

Pei Ye laughed: "Get to the point."

Shi Zanxue smiled and withdrew her gaze: "Indeed, there's nothing important. It's just that the Feather Trial is coming up, and the martial arts world is being reshuffled. I wanted to come and see with Young Hero Pei."

“Ah, actually I quite enjoy talking to Miss Shi,” Pei Ye said. “I always feel like I’ve become smarter.”

Shi Zanxue smiled and said, "I hope to be able to talk to Young Hero Pei every day from now on."

Jiang Yin'er glanced at her brother every now and then, and then frowned as she looked at her.

She took out a piece of paper and handed it to him, saying, "The matchups for today's Yu Trial have been arranged. Would Young Hero Pei like to take a look?"

(End of this chapter)