Volume 1: Femme Fatale Chapter 48: The Azure Cloud Assembly

"I never expected that young brother Jiang Hao would have such a powerful master behind him! I am truly envious of you!"

"That Murong Hai has now been crippled by young brother Jiang Hao with a single kick; he certainly got what he deserved!"

Upon hearing Jiang Hao's account, Qin Jiantang could not help but laugh heartily, his admiration for the young man growing even deeper.

Had Qin Yumei not been safe and sound at this very moment, Qin Jiantang would likely have already led the men of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion to the Prince Zhenbei's Estate to exact revenge on Murong Hai.

Now that Qin Yumei had not only escaped danger but also found such an exceptional partner, Qin Jiantang was naturally content to let the matter rest.

The influence of the Prince Zhenbei's Estate in the Southern Xia Kingdom could not be underestimated, and its strength was formidable. If the Myriad Treasures Pavilion were to truly break into open conflict with the Prince Zhenbei's Estate, it would inevitably result in mutual destruction.

"You flatter me, Senior. This junior merely relied on a technique passed down by my master—one that temporarily boosts cultivation—and took advantage of the Crown Prince's lack of preparedness at the time to barely defeat him," Jiang Hao explained with a smile.

Earlier, Qin Yumei had not asked Jiang Hao why he, with a cultivation base at the initial stage of the Spirit Spring Realm, was able to defeat Murong Hai—who was at the grand completion of the Spirit Spring Realm—in a single move. Since she did not ask, Jiang Hao naturally had no intention of volunteering an explanation.

However, facing Qin Jiantang, a man of vast experience and a cultivation level surpassing even that of Han Yuancheng, Jiang Hao had to fabricate an excuse to gloss over it.

"Haha! Young brother Jiang Hao is too modest!" Qin Jiantang let out a hearty laugh, thinking to himself inwardly: *Little fellow, this excuse of yours is a bit too far-fetched. Having lived for so many years, this is the first time I have ever heard of a technique that can elevate one's cultivation to such a degree in a short span of time.*

"By the way, I wonder where young brother Jiang Hao's master hails from?" Qin Jiantang suddenly asked.

Hearing this, Jiang Hao paused to reflect for a moment before respectfully replying: "Reporting to Senior, before this junior descended the mountain to travel, my master repeatedly instructed me never to reveal my origins."

"I hope Senior will understand!" Jiang Hao cupped his fists in a salute, his tone tinged with deference.

"Oh?" Qin Jiantang stroked his beard, then pressed further: "Then I wonder where young brother Jiang Hao's parents are now?"

"..." Jiang Hao was slightly stunned, falling into deep thought.

At that moment, Qin Yumei, who had been standing quietly to the side all along, could no longer restrain herself. She stepped forward quickly and chided: "Father, aren't you crossing a line by interrogating Jiang Hao repeatedly like this?"

"Haha! Alright, alright, alright. Your father won't ask anymore," Qin Jiantang waved his hand and said with a smile, "They always say that a daughter who marries out is like poured-out water. Now I truly believe it."

"Dad!" Qin Yumei clung to Qin Jiantang's arm, her face showing a spoiled and affectionate expression.

Qin Jiantang gently patted Qin Yumei's hand, then turned to Jiang Hao and explained earnestly: "Young brother Jiang Hao, please don't take it the wrong way. Yumei's mother passed away early, and I practically raised this child single-handedly. As a parent, one always thinks of their children's future."

"Now that you and Yumei are together, naturally I, as a father, want to understand a bit more about the situation! I hope young brother Jiang Hao won't mind!" Qin Jiantang looked at Jiang Hao with a smile.

By this time, Jiang Hao had recovered his composure and quickly raised a hand in gesture: "Senior worries too much! This junior naturally understands your deep concern and good intentions for Yumei."

"Haha! That's good!"

Qin Jiantang laughed heartily, then asked: "Young brother Jiang Hao, I heard from Yumei that you are helping your master search for medicinal pills capable of restoring spiritual soul power?"

"I won't conceal it from Senior, this junior is indeed searching for such pills. I wonder if Senior has ever heard of any?" Jiang Hao asked with a serious expression.

*This little fellow's master is truly extraordinary! It seems my daughter's taste in men is quite good after all,* Qin Jiantang thought to himself.

Then, Qin Jiantang spoke in a earnest tone: "To be honest with young brother Jiang Hao, although my Myriad Treasures Pavilion houses countless rare treasures and even a few unusual fourth-grade medicinal pills, a pill capable of restoring spiritual souls is something I am hearing of for the very first time."

"To think that even someone as knowledgeable as Senior has never heard of such a pill. It seems the hope of finding it within the Southern Xia Kingdom is exceedingly slim," Jiang Hao said with a helpless sigh.

Seeing this, Qin Yumei hurriedly tugged at Qin Jiantang's arm and coaxed, "Father, is there really no such medicinal pill in the entire Southern Xia Kingdom?"

Qin Jiantang stroked his beard and slowly replied, "It's not entirely without hope."

"Oh?" Hearing this, a flash of light crossed Jiang Hao's eyes, and he asked respectfully, "Please enlighten me, Senior!"

"Young brother Jiang Hao, timing is everything. A month from now, the Southern Xia Kingdom will hold its annual Azure Cloud Tournament. Cultivators from all across the nation will gather in the imperial capital to compete in martial arts," Qin Jiantang said.

"The Azure Cloud Tournament? Could it be that the rewards for this tournament include pills capable of restoring spiritual souls?" Jiang Hao asked curiously.

"Not at all!" Qin Jiantang smiled faintly and explained in detail: "Young brother Jiang Hao, you may not know this. The Azure Cloud Tournament features the Azure Cloud Roll. Everyone who makes it onto the Azure Cloud Roll will be granted the qualification to enter the Dragon Burial Valley after the tournament concludes."

"Dragon Burial Valley?" Jiang Hao furrowed his brow slightly.

Qin Jiantang continued: "Legend has it that tens of thousands of years ago, a true dragon fell and perished in this very place. Faint sounds of dragon roars still linger in the valley from time to time, shrouding it in endless mystery. However, after all, this is merely a legend and may not be entirely trustworthy."

"Nevertheless, for reasons unknown, the Dragon Burial Valley truly nurtures all sorts of spiritual flowers and herbs, and rare medicinal ingredients emerge endlessly. Perhaps you will find what you need in there, young brother Jiang Hao," Qin Jiantang said meaningfully.

"Spiritual flowers and herbs?" Jiang Hao sighed inwardly, feeling a faint glimmer of hope ignite within him.

"Father, isn't that the same as saying nothing at all?" Qin Yumei sighed upon hearing this. "Who doesn't know that there are only sixteen spots on the Azure Cloud Roll, yet the cultivators coming to participate in the Azure Cloud Tournament number well in the hundreds?"

"Trying to stand out among hundreds of cultivators and force one's way onto the Azure Cloud Roll is no easy feat. It is said that in past Azure Cloud Tournaments, countless geniuses fell and met their doom there," Qin Yumei said, her face full of worry.

"Haha! My girl, is your husband an ordinary person?" Qin Jiantang chuckled, seemingly unconcerned.

"This..." Qin Yumei frowned, casting her gaze toward Jiang Hao, still feeling somewhat uneasy in her heart.

"As long as there is even a sliver of hope before me, this junior must give it a try. I hope Senior can explain the details of the Azure Cloud Tournament to me," Jiang Hao said, his tone resolute.

"Haha! Good! You have guts, I like it!"

Qin Jiantang laughed out loud and then began to elaborate: "This Azure Cloud Tournament is a grand martial arts gala within the cultivation world of the Southern Xia Kingdom. It is co-hosted by the imperial family and the six major immortal sects, specially designated for talented cultivators under the age of twenty, with the aim of selecting the elite of the cultivation world."

"The Azure Cloud Tournament is divided into two parts: a massive melee and a tournament bracket. First, the top sixteen contestants are selected through the massive melee—these constitute the members of the Azure Cloud Roll. Only those who ascend the Azure Cloud Roll are qualified to enter the mysterious Dragon Burial Valley."

"Following that, the bracket matches will select the top three from among those sixteen contestants. The rewards for the top three are extraordinarily generous, though the specific rewards change every single year."

"Oh? I wonder what the rewards for the top three of this Azure Cloud Tournament are?" Jiang Hao asked out of curiosity.

Although merely making it onto the Azure Cloud Roll would grant him the qualification to enter the Dragon Burial Valley, if the rewards for the top three were indeed substantial, Jiang Hao did not mind striving for that coveted spot as well.

Qin Jiantang swept a glance of approval over Jiang Hao and stated: "It is said that the reward for first place in this Azure Cloud Tournament is a set of Heavenly Silkworm Silk Armor."

"Heavenly Silkworm Silk Armor?" Jiang Hao looked at Qin Jiantang inquisitively.

Qin Jiantang explained: "This Heavenly Silkworm Silk Armor is meticulously woven from the threads of heavenly silkworms. It is as light as a feather, incredibly flexible, and acts like an invisible protective barrier. This armor possesses formidable defensive capabilities and is rumored to be able to withstand the full-strength blow of a grand completion Spirit Dan Realm expert."

"A full-strength blow from a grand completion Spirit Dan Realm expert?" Jiang Hao exclaimed in astonishment, then pressed on: "Senior, what is the reward for second place?"

Qin Jiantang continued: "It is said that the reward for second place is a four-star spiritual weapon—the Wind-Wailing Sword."

"A four-star spiritual weapon? And it's a sword, no less. What a pity I already possess the Immortal-Slaying Sword, otherwise the second-place reward would have suited me rather well," Jiang Hao thought to himself, continuing to ask: "Senior, what is the reward for third place?"

*Could this kid not be a swordsman? A four-star spiritual weapon fails to spark his interest?* Qin Jiantang frowned inwardly, surprised that Jiang Hao did not show much concern for the Wind-Wailing Sword.

"The reward for third place is rumored to be two fourth-grade medicinal pills known as Spirit-Solidifying Pills," Qin Jiantang replied.

*Two whole Spirit-Solidifying Pills; it seems the rewards for this Azure Cloud Tournament are indeed lavish,* Jiang Hao thought inwardly, though his expression remained calm.

The Spirit-Solidifying Pill was a fourth-grade medicinal pill containing immense spiritual power. It was an indispensable treasure for Spirit Sea Realm cultivators trying to break through the barrier of the Spirit Dan Realm and achieve advancement, with a market value of approximately one million five hundred thousand silver coins.

*This little fellow's mental composure is quite impressive!*

Observing every move Jiang Hao made from start to finish, Qin Jiantang noticed that he seemed rather interested in the Heavenly Silkworm Silk Armor, yet showed little enthusiasm for the other two rewards—especially the second-place Wind-Wailing Sword.

"Senior, what qualifications are required to participate in this Azure Cloud Tournament?" Jiang Hao inquired.

Since he already understood the details of the Azure Cloud Tournament, Jiang Hao had made up his mind to participate.

"There are three conditions that must be met to qualify for the Azure Cloud Tournament," Qin Jiantang said.

"First, your age must not exceed twenty—young brother Jiang Hao naturally meets this requirement without issue. Second, your cultivation must have reached the Spirit Spring Realm, and young brother Jiang Hao easily fulfills this as well."

"As for the third condition, one must be affiliated with a sect in order to enter the competition," Qin Jiantang concluded.

"I never imagined that joining a sect would also be a requirement," Jiang Hao muttered to himself involuntarily.