Chapter 44: Hidden Demon Lord

Three Mountains City is located in the southeastern part of Qinghe Prefecture and can be considered remote. The entire city area is surrounded by mountains, with three peaks being the most famous, hence the name Three Mountains City.

These three peaks are called Standing Brush, Jade Balance, and Flying Arrival.

The people of this city area are often scorned as "mountain barbarians" because of their poverty and isolation. Many people cannot even afford shoes, and they cross mountains and valleys barefoot as if walking on flat ground.

As soon as the people from Three Mountains City arrive, this year's Three Cities Dao Debate can officially begin, because the people from Wangjiang City arrived a day early.

Geographically speaking, Three Mountains City is slightly further away in a straight line, but not by much. However, from Wangjiang City to Maple Forest City, the waterway is extremely convenient. Taking a boat downstream along the Qing River, and then turning into the tributary Green Willow River, if the wind is right, you can even arrive in the evening after setting off in the morning.

But from Three Mountains City to Maple Forest City, it takes ordinary people about three or four days to walk... and that's because there is an official road.

It's not that the students who are not participating in the debate can rest. During the entire Three Cities Dao Debate, they also need to assist the government in maintaining order. New disciples like Ling He and Zhao Rucheng have no chance to slack off.

Under such circumstances, even some of the city garrison have been assigned to reside in the city, so they have nothing to complain about.

The Three Mountains City team must be entering from the south gate, so after receiving the notice, they waited early at the south gate entrance to welcome them.

"How much longer do we have to wait?" Zhao Rucheng yawned endlessly: "If I had known that I couldn't escape, I would have participated myself, why did I give the spot to my third brother."

At this time, Jiang Wang was righteously resting at home under the guise of preparing for the competition. But those who didn't have to participate have been patrolling as small soldiers for three days. The difference in treatment is so great.

"Sigh." Huang Azhan was also shaking his head: "I also saw that Senior Brother Zhang was getting old, and I was soft-hearted for a moment. Otherwise, I should have been the leader. Why am I wasting my time with you kids!"

As a student within the three-year period, no matter how much he brags, it should be about Li Jianqiu. But he jumped straight to the five-year period, aiming directly for the leader position. It can only be said that the art of boasting is endless.

Zhao Rucheng and Ling He both turned to look at him, giving him approving looks.

"Is that so?"

While Huang Azhan was puzzled, a faint voice behind him continued: "Am I very old?"

Huang Azhan almost jumped up: "What I wanted to express was... Senior Brother Zhang is highly respected!"

Zhang Linchuan was behind him, maintaining a distance of about two steps, smiling rather than smiling: "For the sake of the overall situation of Maple Forest City, how can you be soft-hearted? Why don't you not give up the position, you take back the leader position..."

"Ouch! Ah!" Huang Azhan spoke with exaggerated intonation, "Why does my stomach hurt so much?"

"Everyone, please excuse me, I'll be right back." He covered his stomach with a painful expression, hunching over, and ran away in a puff of smoke.

He naturally wouldn't be back. He would rather be punished by the Dao Academy, rather have Dao merits deducted.

Zhao Rucheng curled his lips. He was just having fun for a moment, this Huang Azhan was asking for trouble. It seems that it's because Tiger Du left, and he didn't drink enough wine.

"Senior Brother Zhang." Ling He, being a well-mannered person, first gave his senior brother a salute, and then said: "Why are you here?"

Zhang Linchuan nodded in response: "The Dao Debate is imminent, I have to observe the enemy's situation."

It seems that Dong A did give him a lot of pressure, so much so that he, who loves cleanliness, is even willing to squeeze into the crowd to observe the 'enemy's situation'.

In fact, there are also many ordinary people squeezed in at the south gate. Compared to the rich folks of Wangjiang City, they are more interested in the so-called mountain barbarians.

"They're here!"

There was a commotion in front, and it was the students from the Three Mountains City Dao Academy who had finally arrived.

Unlike the cultivators from Wangjiang City, who brought a bunch of servants as if they were going on a trip, only six people came from Three Mountains City. Each city has exactly six places to participate in the Dao Debate.

They entered from the south gate in a formation of one-three-two.

People almost immediately looked at their feet. It is said that mountain barbarians only have one pair of shoes per family, only for those who are going on long journeys.

And they were not disappointed. The girl walking in the front of Three Mountains City was barefoot.

This kind of discriminatory gaze would undoubtedly make people unhappy. Therefore, Ling He immediately greeted them.

"Friends from Three Mountains City! Ling He of Maple Forest City Dao Academy has been waiting for a long time, please come with me, let's go to the Dao Academy to rest and have a meal first, and later I will take you to familiarize yourself with the Dao Debate venue."

Originally, Huang Azhan, who was in the three-year period, should have been responsible for welcoming the guests from Three Mountains City. But the teacher in charge designated Ling He on the grounds that his image was not good, and Ling He's sincerity did indeed make him very suitable for this job.

The people from Three Mountains City didn't even have time to be unhappy, and they were already following Ling He.

To Zhao Rucheng's surprise, the eyes of the ordinary people crowded near the city gate were more focused on the round, fat figure in the middle of the Three Mountains City team.

Unlike the simple and neat outfits of the others, he was wearing a hooded black robe, his entire face hidden in the hood, which made him look particularly strange and eye-catching.

Zhao Rucheng could even hear some people's discussions.

"Is that their strongest one?"

"Needless to say, standing in the center of attention, look at that imposing manner!"

"Looks scary."

"Our Maple Forest City must be vigilant!"

"What are you afraid of, Zhang Linchuan of the Zhang family is not a vegetarian!"

"He seems to be a vegetarian... Last time he came to our restaurant, he didn't even try the bear paws, he only ate a few bites of vegetables. I served the dishes to them!"

The topic gradually went off track...

As for the little girl walking in the front of the Three Mountains City team, she was too harmless. Even if she was indeed beautiful, petite, and cute. But after all, the world of cultivators is a cruel world, and only the truly strong will be valued.

As part of the welcoming party, Zhao Rucheng was of course chatting with the Three Mountains City cultivators, but these people were not very talkative, and they paid close attention to their formation, firmly protecting the black-robed guy in the center, as if they were afraid that someone would study their secret magic weapon.

Young Master Zhao pretended to squeeze in a few times unintentionally, but gave up.

But he noticed that with the discussions of the ordinary people on the roadside, the faces of these Three Mountains City cultivators... were a little strange.

Zhang Linchuan did not stay with them, but left after taking a few glances in the crowd.

In Ling He's enthusiastic introduction, and the barefoot girl's laconic responses, the group turned to the right and headed towards the Dao Academy.

The barefoot girl suddenly stopped and turned her gaze to a restaurant on the street.

On the second floor of the restaurant, a refined young man stood by the window, one hand behind his back, the other holding a cup, and giving the barefoot girl a distant, polite gesture. Revealing an impeccable smile.

The barefoot girl did not look askance and went straight forward.

And Ling He recognized him.

That was the leader of Wangjiang City's Dao Debate, and also the first on the Dao Merit List of Wangjiang City Dao Academy, Lin Zhengren!