6: City Lord's Mansion

After a full day of selections, the crowd in Black Iron City square gradually dispersed, leaving only a few scattered onlookers and those dejected youths who had failed, along with their families.

Many people, as they left, still looked back at the high platform with reluctance, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy towards the nine lucky individuals.

Yan Feng stood at the edge of the high platform, arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over the gradually thinning crowd below, shaking his head inwardly.

“Besides the first few, what good prospects are left among the rest?”

Black Iron City was, after all, just a small border town with scarce resources. Youths who could cultivate to the Dou Zhi Qi Seventh Stage were already rare, and coupled with the disparity in family upbringing, very few were truly impressive.

Among the nine selected today, besides The Liu Siblings from the City Lord’s mansion, Liu Mingyu and Liu Yuting, and the hot-tempered Zhou Yan from the Zhou family, the others barely met the standards, and their future achievements were likely limited.

Only the boy named Jiang Donghua was somewhat interesting.

Yan Feng's hearing was exceptionally keen. Even when he was below the platform, he had heard many people discussing Jiang Donghua's background: from Qingshan Town, no family background, not even a decent master, relying entirely on his own hard cultivation to break through to the Dou Zhi Qi Seventh Stage.

“If he had guidance, it would be one thing, but to reach this level without any guidance, that truly makes him a genius!”

Yan Feng narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling once again on Jiang Donghua.

This boy stood among the nine, neither deliberately maintaining a dignified demeanor like Liu Mingyu nor being overtly sharp like Zhou Yan. Instead, he possessed an understated calm, as if completely indifferent to the surrounding gazes.

“Interesting…”

Yan Feng's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.

“It’s fine. On the way back to Jia Nan Academy, there are still a few months to spend with these little guys.”

“Naturally, I’ll be able to discern whose talent is stronger or weaker!”

He already had a plan in mind. The journey to Jia Nan Academy was long, and trials and tribulations were inevitable along the way.

By then, the true capabilities and character of these little guys would naturally become clear at a glance.

“Especially this Jiang Donghua…”

“If he truly is a promising talent, it wouldn’t hurt to pay a bit more attention.”

Yan Feng’s voice landed like a hammer, leaving no room for doubt.

“Those who haven’t been assessed yet, hurry up!”

His gaze swept over the youths still queuing below, and he let out a cold snort.

Those who were still young or lacked sufficient strength lowered their heads one after another under his gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.

“As for you nine.”

Yan Feng turned around, his tiger-like eyes scanning each of Jiang Donghua’s faces like lightning.

“Tomorrow at noon, gather here on time to travel to Jia Nan Academy together!”

“No waiting for latecomers!”

“Did you hear me clearly?!”

The nine young men and women immediately straightened their backs and responded in unison, “Yes!”

They had all come on their families’ orders, and none dared to mess up at such a time.

After the selections, only a few scattered individuals remained in the square.

Seeing that everyone was about to disperse, Liu Yuting suddenly walked briskly to Jiang Donghua’s side and asked with a smile.

“Donghua, do you want to come to my house to sit for a while?”

“Anyway, we only gather tomorrow, so you can have a good rest tonight.”

Her voice was clear, carrying a hint of enthusiasm, drawing the attention of several youths who had not yet left.

Especially Zhou Yan, who was originally leaving with a gloomy face. He paused at her words and coldly swept his gaze over.

Jiang Donghua was slightly taken aback, not expecting the City Lord’s daughter to invite him directly.

He pondered for a moment. In Black Iron City, the City Lord’s mansion indeed had a good reputation. The Liu Siblings had also behaved quite honorably during the selections, unlike some family disciples who relied on their power to bully others.

More importantly, he glimpsed Zhou Yan not far away out of the corner of his eye.

That guy was narrowing his eyes, staring this way, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

“That Zhou family boy is not someone to be trifled with…”

Jiang Donghua mused inwardly.

Although he wasn't afraid of Zhou Yan, if the other party were to resort to dirty tricks at night, such as ambushing or plotting against him, it would be troublesome. Rather than dealing with it alone, it would be better to find a secure place to stay first.

Thinking this, he nodded, his tone calm.

“Then I’ll impose.”

Liu Yuting’s eyes lit up, her smile growing wider, and she gently tugged at his sleeve.

“Let’s go, my house has many good things, I guarantee it will open your eyes!”

Liu Mingyu, seeing this, also smiled faintly and nodded to Jiang Donghua, clearly having no objection to his sister’s invitation.

However, just as they were about to leave, a cold voice came from behind.

“Heh, so you’ve already latched onto the City Lord’s mansion’s high branch?”

“Jiang Donghua, you certainly know how to pick a backer.”

Zhou Yan stood with his arms crossed, a mocking smile on his lips, but a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes.

Jiang Donghua paused, slowly turned around, and looked calmly at Zhou Yan, saying indifferently.

“I’m merely visiting along the way. How can you call it latching on?”

Zhou Yan sneered, his gaze sweeping over Liu Yuting before returning to Jiang Donghua’s face, lowering his voice.

“Don’t think everything will be fine once you enter Jia Nan Academy. The road ahead… is still long.”

The threat in his words was self-evident.

Liu Yuting frowned, about to speak, but Liu Mingyu stepped forward first, his tone gentle yet unyielding.

“Zhou Yan, the selections are decided. We will all be fellow students in the future, why be like this?”

Zhou Yan snorted coldly, said no more, and turned to leave, but before he left, he gave Jiang Donghua a meaningful glance.

After he had walked away, Liu Yuting let out a soft hmph.

“That guy is really annoying, acting so arrogant just because the Zhou family has some power.”

Jiang Donghua’s expression remained normal, but a hint of thought flickered in his eyes.

“It seems this journey… won’t be too peaceful.”

Liu Mingyu patted his shoulder and said with a smile.

“Let’s go, rest at the mansion first. We still have to travel tomorrow.”

Jiang Donghua nodded, and the three walked together towards the City Lord’s mansion.

Jiang Donghua followed The Liu Siblings into the City Lord’s mansion.

The mansion was brightly lit, with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an aura of authority and deep heritage, far beyond what ordinary families could compare to.

However, what truly surprised him were the weapons and armor that City Lord Liu had already prepared for them.

“This is…?”

Jiang Donghua’s gaze fell on the equipment displayed on the table, his pupils slightly contracting.

Two gleaming long sabers and a set of light yet tough armor, each piece inlaid with a magic core.

These were precious items capable of amplifying the power of Dou Zhi Qi, something ordinary martial artists rarely had the chance to see.

City Lord Liu stood with his hands behind his back, his expression steady, and said.

“We set off tomorrow. The journey is long, and dangers are inevitable. These armaments can lend you a hand.”

Liu Yuting was already accustomed to it, she cheerfully picked up a long saber, flicked her wrist, and the blade hummed. A faint greenish Dou Zhi Qi subtly flowed, amplified by the magic core.

“Father, this batch is even better than last time!”

Liu Mingyu was much more composed, merely nodding slightly, but a hint of satisfaction still flickered in his eyes.

Jiang Donghua was silent for a moment, then reached out and lightly stroked the surface of the armor. His fingertips could clearly feel the energy fluctuations contained within.

“Magic core amplification can at least increase the power of Dou Zhi Qi by thirty percent…”

He mused inwardly.

With his current strength at the Dou Zhi Qi Seventh Stage, if he wielded this saber and combined it with the armor’s defense, he could probably contend with an opponent who had just entered the Dou Practitioner realm!

Seeing it with his own eyes, it was indeed different from what the rumors said.

He had heard in Qingshan Town that the Black Iron City Lord’s mansion had a profound heritage and resources far exceeding ordinary families, but only at this moment did he truly understand what “family heritage” meant.

Liu Yuting and Liu Mingyu had cultivated since childhood, with top-tier cultivation techniques, guidance from famous masters, and the aid of magic core equipment, their strength naturally far surpassed their peers.

Looking at the City Lord’s strength, he was probably around the Peak Dou Shi.