Qi Fortune, also known as fate. Unseen and subtle, it flows relentlessly. The world's Qi Fortune remains constant, flowing through countless heroes and geniuses over the centuries.

Scholars usurp Qi Fortune through Literary Energy.

Martial Artists, on the other hand, are seldom favored by Qi Fortune. This is because Martial Artists often act without regard for "reason." Though Zhou Shijie inherited a sliver of Qi Fortune from his father's residual blessing, he still belongs to the Martial Artists.

Later, he entered Qiong Heavenly Mansion, focusing on cultivating with a calm heart. Practicing martial arts and studying simultaneously, he outshined his peers and prodigies.

At this moment, he stood with neither humility nor arrogance, facing senior figures and masters from various clans. His words were sharp, and his logic was clear, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Zhou Shijie thought to himself, "The Golden Scale is right before me, a rare sight. Although my Qi Fortune is thin, and this scale is fragile. Yet… it must be tried, it must be contested."

His demeanor and bearing were indeed extraordinary.

Ou Yezi's expression changed, his eyes darting as his thoughts raced:

"Jade Pearl Golden Scale… The Scale Pearl is the most precious. I managed to secure a portion. Although it's a pity I can't obtain that Scale Pearl, the gains are already plentiful."

"Moreover… I am currently refining a Treasure Artifact for a certain individual on the [Flowers List]. She has already paid me with rare treasures, some of which I've already enjoyed, ensuring success."

"I came to Prefecture City because I heard there was Ice Jade Snow Silk for sale, a material for Artifact Forging, so I came specially."

"This guy's Qi Fortune may be insignificant, yet even if I act unreasonably and provoke him, the worst that can happen is a few years of bad luck. It's not like a heavenly thunder will strike me dead on the spot. Still… for people like us who practice Artifact Forging and Alchemy, minor details can affect success or failure at crucial moments. Since I'm currently refining an artifact… it's indeed unwise to provoke him."

...

He hesitated to speak and looked towards the various clan elders.

The clan elders of the Lin, Cao, Yuwen, and Chu clans each had their thoughts, surprisingly in agreement:

"A thread of Qi Fortune is usually not worth provoking over. But a Golden Scale that surfaces once every ten or dozens of years, what's one thread of Qi Fortune compared to that? Yet… since the distribution is already determined, obtaining an extra Scale Pearl might not end up in my hands either."

"Who knows… we might just end up dressing Ou Yezi for nothing, allowing him to gain more. Hmph, if that's the case, it might be better to comply with this guy's suggestion and let go of the Scale Pearl, making Ou Yezi feel the pain."

Diverse thoughts lingered unsaid.

Cao Shuang spoke, "Young Master Zhou, what's your take? Tell us."

Zhou Shijie observed the expressions of everyone, feeling hopeful. At such a moment, precision was key. Advancing an inch, retreating an inch—both were unwise.

"These people are willing to listen to me because of my Qi Fortune. But since my fortune is thin, if they make up their minds to oppose me, there's nothing I can do."

"My words now must seem fair, making the aristocratic families feel they have a chance to obtain the Scale Pearl while also securing a space to vie for myself."

With his mind made up, Zhou Shijie gently flicked his folding fan and said, "Thank you, clan elders, for being willing to hear me out. Matters of the world boil down to a single principle."

"I have an idea."

"How about this: the original allocation decided by the clan elders doesn't change. The Golden Scale is swift in the Pond Lake. The task of capturing the Golden Scale can be entrusted to those of us from Heavenly People Tower."

"Whoever catches the Golden Scale shall get its Scale Pearl, and the remaining parts will be divided among the five factions. What do you think, clan elders?"

The clan elders exchanged glances, revealing approval. They secretly praised that Zhou Shijie's place on the Hero List was well-deserved. Not only was his Martial Arts formidable, but his acumen in judging the situation was commendable too.

His actions naturally aimed to secure the Scale Pearl for himself. Yet by inviting the prodigies of Heavenly People Tower to participate, he hadn't extinguished the hopes of the clans to obtain the Scale Pearl.

Moreover, he was forming alliances, connecting with the Qiong Heavenly Mansion family, with the intention to resist Ou Yezi, leaving him empty-handed. In just a few words, there were many considerations.

With this setup, how could the major families not consent? They immediately voiced their agreement and approval.

Ou Yezi spat in frustration and said, "Bah! You little punk, you even managed to carve out a share for yourself, and I can't do a thing."

In the distant pavilion.

Gu Nianjun nodded slightly and praised, "Bold yet measured. This Zhou Shijie truly embodies both scholarly and martial talents; his words are indeed splendid. To me, they outshine the Peak-level Basic Martial Arts by a few shades."

A man should have the spirit to stand tall, maintaining composure in the face of danger. Li Xian, though impressive, still plays roles as peers' prodigies. It doesn't count for much.

Zhou Shijie's negotiations with the powerful figures and Artifact Refining Masters in Prefecture City are indeed admirable.

Zhou Shijie addressed everyone, "Ladies and gentlemen, you've all heard. Zhou Mou has sought a slim chance for you all. No need to thank me, go seize the opportunity!"

"Indeed…"

"In this contest, everyone can fully utilize their skills. There's no need to be constrained by basic martial arts, like punches, legs, or hands."

His words carried a veiled meaning. He was seated high, hearing Li Xian ascend the tower, gradually showcasing Peak martial arts, knowing a showdown was inevitable. His martial arts talent was also high, trained by a renowned master, with four perfect Basic Martial Arts skills: Celestial Eagle Claw, Earth Plate Leg, Dragon Spine Fist, and Iron Ring Fan.

Yet, calculating in his mind, he would struggle against Li Xian's three sets of Peak martial arts. If Li Xian contended for the top martial position, he was bound to lose.

He was restless and uneasy.

Thankfully, this incident allowed him to regain control of the situation.

Previously, in Heavenly People Tower, the prodigies were inevitably constrained. But as the shackles were broken, seventy-four young prodigies from the seven-story tower burst forth.

Lightweight Skills, martial arts, techniques… being fully unleashed as they tried every means to capture the Golden Tail Scale. The Golden Scale frantically fled, swimming upstream and downstream with incredible speed.

The Pond Lake spanned several miles in width, truly no small size. The Golden Scale could swim shallow or deep, moving freely in the lake.

Capturing it was extremely difficult.

Yet the Golden Scale emitted a golden glow; even when diving to the lake's bottom, the golden light shimmered, its position continuously exposed. Over seventy prodigies skimmed the water's surface, slapping the waves to catch the fish…

The pursuit was intense.

This battle not only showcases everyone's talents, but also reveals extraordinary martial arts and unusual sights... hidden weapons, lightweight skill, entry martial arts...

Suddenly, a prodigy surnamed Cao is seen. Noticing the Golden Scale swimming by his side, he was immediately overjoyed and used the "Snake Scale Hand." This is lower martial arts, requiring a medicated bath to cultivate "snake scales" on the hands.

His hands entered the water, reaching swiftly. His speed was astonishing, with the water resistance barely registering. Just as he was about to catch it, he felt a great wave crash down, sweeping him into the lake.

Zhou Shijie wielding the "Sinking River Sword," treads on the rolling waves. The longsword slashes, cuts, pokes... displaying the "Wave-Treading Skill" through swordsmanship.

Combining the water manipulation attribute of the Sinking River Sword, with ease, he stirred up waves several feet high. Hidden within the waves was Qi, sending people into the lake and dragging them down to the bottom.

His movements were graceful, treading on the pool waves with a longsword in hand. Truly unmatched in elegance, standing out above all others.

The top five prodigies from the Hero List wanted to compete with him. However, Zhou Shijie, with the treasure artifact's support and surging inner Qi, swept them away with large waves before they could even approach.

"Old Zhou, one more time!"

The second on the Hero List: Wang Kun. Seizing the moment, he suddenly launched an attack. Zhou Shijie lightly tilted his sword downward, easing himself up as if he were using lightweight skill, effortlessly ascending.

Ou Yezi praised, "Wonderful! Wonderful utilization!" Admiration filled his heart.

As it turned out, when refining this treasure sword, he knew its approximate uses but never developed them thoroughly. Now, seeing Zhou Shijie turn himself into a light boat and the Sinking River Sword into an oar...

Sweeping the water with the sword, using the reactive force to fly horizontally or leap vertically. His maneuverability in Jianghu is second to none, moving freely!

Such a wonderful idea is too admirable. Seeing his treasure artifact find a worthy hero brought him full joy, reducing his previous displeasure.

The prodigies dove into the lake to catch fish but couldn't stay on the surface long. They couldn't achieve what Ou Yezi did by standing on water with a toe-poke, so they had to fly back to the lake's central island occasionally, standing firmly before re-entering the lake with lightweight skill.

Attempting to catch the Golden Scale.

As time went on, Wang Kun, Ji Hongyan, Chu Mei, Cao Xiuxiu, and other prodigies all became soaked. Only Zhou Shijie, playing with waves like tides, remained dry, showcasing incredible skill.

Ji Hongyan sighed, "Young Master Zhou's strength far surpasses ours."

Wang Kun said, "Without that Sinking River Sword, I could still compete with him a bit. But now... he's roaming the lake like a tiger with wings. I... can't even touch him!"

Luo Bu'Er climbed up the central island, soaked to the bone. He hadn't caught the Golden Scale, but ended up catching quite a few grass carp by mistake. Watching Zhou Shijie stirring massive waves, trying to capture the Golden Scale in a whirlpool...

In awe, he said, "It still has to be Young Master Zhou, truly deserving of first place, impeccable in strength and demeanor. Haha, earlier that Li Xian was eye-catching for a moment, but once restrictions were lifted, he paled in comparison, probably not even better than me."

Everyone thought, "Even if basic martial arts are at their peak, their effectiveness on this vast lake is minimal."

Wang Kun's pupils contracted, exclaiming in surprise, "He did it, he created a whirlpool... trapping the Golden Scale!"

Immediately impressed, he said, "I'm no match for Brother Zhou. It seems... this Golden Tail Scale is rightfully his."

Sitting down to watch Zhou Shijie's display, Luo Bu'Er plotted, hoping to benefit by seizing the opportunity. As Zhou Shijie trapped the Golden Scale, he used lightweight skill, dashing toward the Golden Scale.

A "bang" was heard as Luo Bu'Er was blown away by the waves. In shock, he exclaimed, "How can these waves be so powerful?"

Wang Kun remarked, "You really thought, just holding the Sinking River Sword, you could easily trap the Golden Scale? The Golden Scale is extremely fast, breaking through ordinary water waves and whirlpools in an instant."

"Brother Zhou's Qi is astounding. He uses the Sinking River Sword's attributes to infuse his inner Qi into the lake waves and whirlpools. It seems like ordinary waves, but every drop of water contains Brother Zhou's Qi."

"Impressive, truly impressive. If nothing unexpected happens, this Golden Scale is undoubtedly his."

Onlooking Ou Yezi said, "This young man indeed has talent, his strategy and strength are quite remarkable. Allowing him to take a share doesn't seem difficult to accept."

"The other younglings, whether in ingenuity or strength, fall far behind..."

Before he finished speaking, a sudden whoosh sounded. Then, the whirlpool Zhou Shijie painstakingly created burst with a "boom," sending water splashing several feet high.

The Golden Scale... flicked its tail and quickly escaped again.

"Who is it?"

Everyone was puzzled. Wang Kun, Cao Xiuxiu, Li Ruhu... all the prodigies had experienced the ferocity of these lake waves. Gentle as water, yet entangling endlessly.

The whirlpool was already in full force, growing larger. Not to mention the Golden Scale, even the prodigies, once caught within such a lake whirlpool, would find it hard to escape.

"Is it an arrow?"

"Who broke the whirlpool with a single arrow?!"

A long arrow floated on the lake's surface. All the prodigies were astonished, shocked. One arrow raised a massive wave, one arrow broke the whirlpool. That arrow must have hit the center of the whirlpool, containing...

a Qi comparable to Zhou Shijie's. Only then could an arrow disrupt the whirlpool's power!

Everyone looked around but saw no one holding a bow. When they looked up, they saw the Evil Captain Li Xian, already climbing to the top of the tower. He dismantled an umbrella into a bow, using the ribs as arrows.

Pulled the bow to its full extent...

One arrow breaking the force!

Li Xian didn't understand lightweight skill; entering the lake to catch fish was indeed inadequate. Hence, he played to his strengths, using archery to maneuver.

He witnessed Zhou Shijie's "Wave-Treading Skill," creating sweeping lake waves, sensing his mischief during their island ascent. Retaliating instantly by pulling the bow to the fullest and shooting an arrow immediately.

Whenever he shot an arrow, there was always a unique flair exclusive to him in the world.

The arrow left the string. In an instant, everything went utterly silent.

Gu Nianjun unconsciously stood up.

Madam Wen, with her legs crossed, sitting beautifully, her captivating eyes gleaming with blended appreciation, joy, and pride, parted her red lips and confidently said, "My man, can you compare?"

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