Chapter 109: Leisure

Amidst the sea of clouds, the faintly visible morning sun rose, illuminating the vast expanse of clouds in the sky.

Yang Pan’er groggily opened her eyes and saw Shen Yu, his expression focused as he silently gazed into the distance.

“What are you looking at?”

“The stars.”

Yang Pan’er was puzzled. “What’s so interesting about them?”

Shen Yu replied, “It’s said that whenever a star disappears, it means someone in the world has died, their soul returning to the heavens and earth.”

“If the star that vanishes is particularly bright, it means that person was either very strong or very great.”

“When a great person dies, it’s only fitting to take a look.”

Yang Pan’er rolled her eyes and said, “My father once told me that shooting stars are marks left by countless people after their deaths.”

Shen Yu shook his head. “No, those shooting stars are not marks of humans.”

Yang Pan’er scratched her head, “Then what are they?”

“Wishes.”

Shen Yu looked up and, after a moment of silence, spoke calmly, “There are countless wishes scattered across the starry sky.”

Yang Pan’er was at a loss for words but, gazing at Shen Yu’s profile, she said nothing.

His face left no room for doubt, as if he were merely stating a simple fact.

Suddenly, Yang Pan’er didn’t know what to say.

As time passed, most of the contests had ended, yet no one showed signs of fatigue; instead, their faces shone with even greater vitality.

The first-place winners of various contests were gradually revealed. The scattered cultivators who usually took the top spots were satisfied, while many more watched eagerly for what was to come.

This was because what followed would determine the reshuffling of powers within the city. Although the Qīngxū Sect was undisputedly the strongest in everyone’s eyes, the outcomes for the other families, especially the Yang clan, drew much attention.

At this thought, countless gazes shifted back to Shen Yu.

Earlier, his performance in the painting contest had shocked the crowd, and everyone wondered if he could turn the tide.

...

Suddenly, a towering platform rose from the center of the round stage, soaring hundreds of feet into the air.

Several figures rose into the air, stepping onto the final stage of the contest, their presence commanding the crowd’s attention.

Shen Yu glanced up.

Present were Yan Yunyù of the Qīngxū Sect, Nangong Rou of the Nangong family, Dongfang Duan of the Dongfang family, and Gu Ming of the Gu family, one of the last four families.

Shen Yu gave Dongfang Duan an extra look.

He recalled that only the first-place winners were qualified to participate in this final contest.

“After all, the Dongfang family wouldn’t miss such a significant event.”

Zhao Ji, sensing Shen Yu’s doubt, explained, “Last night, he also competed in the qin contest and won first place.”

Shen Yu teased lightly, “Looks like he’s good at the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.”

Zhao Ji sneered coldly, “No one cares about the process; in the end, he’s the one who wins.”

When it came to matters like the celestial jade mining veins, which determined the rise and fall of families, the stakes and disputes behind the scenes far exceeded the imagination of ordinary people.

Shen Yu was unfazed. With a light tap of his toes, he swiftly appeared on the high platform once more.

The crowd turned to Shen Yu, their expressions wary.

The level of painting skill he displayed left a deep impression.

“Begin.”

As a man dressed in purple with delicate features issued the command, the atmosphere atop the platform grew icy.

In such group battles, the best strategy was to either unite to eliminate the strongest opponent or maintain peak condition and watch from the sidelines.

Yet no one made the first move; all remained silent.

Yan Yunyù, with his profound cultivation, simply smiled at Shen Yu.

Shen Yu raised an eyebrow.

Dongfang Duan and Gu Ming stood beside him.

Gasps erupted from the crowd.

Unlike Dongfang Duan’s graceful appearance, Gu Ming was rough and ugly, with dark skin and a physique like a small mountain, exuding immense presence.

Yet many could not understand, and Yang Yuanhao’s face grew exceedingly grim.

Since when had the Dongfang and Gu families allied with the Qīngxū Sect?

The ambition of the Qīngxū Sect was well known throughout the city; rumors even circulated that the sect would soon swallow the four families and seize control of the entire celestial jade mining vein.

Did they not understand the principle that if the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold?

Shen Yu pondered for a moment, then looked to the other side.

Nangong Rou’s expression was calm and resolute as she shook her head, saying, “I will not intervene.”

Shen Yu acknowledged with an “oh” and then lifted his leg, preparing to walk toward that side.

“Are you Shen Yu?”

At that moment, a cold voice rang out again.

Shen Yu turned to look.

Among those present, aside from the Qīngxū Sect and the four families, the only one dressed as a warrior was a hideous man who stepped forward.

He looked at Shen Yu, sneering contemptuously, “Your painting skills are good, but I wonder about your cultivation?”

For thousands of years, any pivotal moment in history—wars, grudges, and rivalries, no matter how earth-shattering or far-reaching—had all begun from seemingly trivial matters.

These small things were so insignificant that sometimes people could hardly believe them.

A gesture, a glance, even an offhand remark could ignite everything.

For example...

Do you prefer your tofu brain sweet or savory?

Or...

“Have you eaten?”

“You can’t see if I have or not.”

...

The man’s words clearly carried this meaning, laden with hostility and disdain.

Everyone in the city recognized him.

Yan Beiwang, the military commander of Qianliu City.

More importantly, he was the cousin of Yan Nantian, leader of the Qīngxū Sect, and later recognized as the figure to replace the declining Yang family.

This move was easy to understand.

Having someone nominally detached from the four families defeat the Yang clan made sense both face-wise and for future influence. It also gave the Yang family’s affiliates a reason to accept it.

Yan Yunyù watched the scene with a smiling gaze.

The others showed no reaction whatsoever.

Shen Yu stopped in his tracks.

Unlike the varied expressions of others, he remained calm.

Whether facing one person or three, it was of no consequence.

“I’ll spare your life if you admit defeat now.”

He looked at Yan Yunyù, completely ignoring the warrior man.

Yan Yunyù suddenly found this amusing and sneered coldly, “Get lost.”