After some more chatter, the two groups parted way, but not before Shen Tianyu got the names of the two . The respectable youth was Ji Xuan, from the capital's Ji family . The Jinfamily could be considered a high-cla.s.s family outside, but within the walls of the capital, they could only be a second-rate clan . The progenitor was a scholar that had helped the first emperor establish the country . However, with great power comes more pushback . The emperor's son, who ascended after the first emperor's death began chipping away at the clan's vast influence and power, afraid that he would become a figurehead . They eventually fell from a family that was almost wors.h.i.+pped by the whole country to "just another n.o.ble family" . Luckily, the current emperor admired the skills and teachings of the scholars in the clan, and in the memory of the first emperor, promoted them again . However, because they had their roots cut for so long, even if they were named a first-rate family now, it was merely a nameplate, an empty house .

The other boy was Fan Chang of the Fan family . This clan, unlike the Ji family, were warriors . The progenitor was a general, who worked closely with the first emperor . Because they both served and greatly a.s.sisted the same ruler, the two progenitors had gotten along quite well, which led to their families being close even to this day . And, of course, like the Ji family, their influence had been chipped away . However, being warriors, they were never too concerned with political influence . Fan Chang had only partic.i.p.ated because his friend did and because he had wanted to help his friend gain a reputation, whether for his family or himself .

"Tomorrow looks interesting . " Shen Tianyu commented on their way back from the plaza .

"Oh? Why does Tian'er think so?" Rong Jian replies in amus.e.m.e.nt beside her .

"Our opponents seem interesting . " She replied . They had already saw the match of their opponents as it was right after theirs . The pair that won had used a lot of tricks in order to win the match . The audience, including other partic.i.p.ant students booed them the whole time and almost started a riot when their victory was announced . They weren't n.o.ble children, just some low-cla.s.s born peasants so there was no one to back them up . Nonetheless, they had walked off the stage with straight backs and small yet delighted smiles .

Shen Tianyu didn't think their performance was disgraceful or unbefitting at all . In a life or death battle, who cares about honor? Rather she thought, those like them that would bring such things here to a staged performance was quite interesting .

Rong Jian merely smiled back at her as she was drowning in her own thoughts .

. . .

The next day, they were the first to battle again . Those that were interested had already made bets on which side would win . Though everyone condemned the other pair for using dirty tricks, who knows how many of them would do the same thing in a disadvantageous situation . There were also those who were secretly confident about themselves . As long as Shen Tianyu and Rong Jian got knocked out, they wouldn't have to worry about a powerhouse . They felt that they could easily beat such lowlifes that used petty tricks to win .

Shen Tianyu walked in front of the person managing the bets . He wasn't a contestant but an audience member, a regular citizen . Seeing one of the subjects of the bet coming over, the young man started to panic, afraid that she was angry and wanted to take it out on him .

"This young miss, this isn't what it looks like, this is just . . . entertainment, yes entertainment . I really have no bad intentions . . . " he tried to explain like his life was on the line . And in his view, perhaps it was . Someone more powerful than Han you was walking towards you when you were opening a gambling den with them as the focus . It didn't matter if they had a smile on their face, it was still terrifying .

Shen Tianyu, with a mild smile on her, pulled out a small bag of coins from her waist and placed it in one of the baskets used for the betting .

"What is the odd? How much would I get back if I win?" She asked the young man, squatting in forth of him .

"Er . . . " the young man stumbled for a long time . He really thought she was angry with him, how could he have guessed that she herself would partic.i.p.ate in the betting? "Since young miss is one of the few who have bet on this . . . side, naturally your return rate is higher . How about I give Miss . . . 45 percent?"

"45?" Shen Tianyu held her chin in thought . The young man was about to panic again, thinking the rate was too low when she spoke up again . "That's a high rate, I'll gladly take it then . Mister, you mustn't go back on your words . "

Seeing Shen Tianyu agree, the man nodded vigorously . "Of course, of course . I'll give you 45 percent if you win . "

Shen Tianyu turned, still squatting, to Rong Jian behind her . "You heard him, be my witness later . " Rong Jian merely nodded to her statement .

She then got up and patted her clothes before walking away, that mellow smile never faltering . When their name was called, the two got onto the stage, same as yesterday .

When the other pair came up, Shen Tianyu started talking to them . "Glad to see you guys have come or else it wouldn't have been fun . "

"Haha . . . we are just here because of luck, it would be an honor if our performance satisfies this young miss . " The one in a tanned brown robe replied as he scratched the back of his head .

"Not at all, I'm sure this match will be interesting . However, I just bet 5 million silver taels and the manager promised to pay me back 45 percent so I can't afford to lose such a good deal . "

The other cultivator, in a gray robe interjected . "You were the one who bet, you must be quite confident . "

"Of course I am . " Shen Tianyu almost immediately replied . "As a cultivator, how could I not? If I, myself, am not confident in my martial arts, than who would? This is a compet.i.tive world, not paradise . No one would put you on a pedestal if you are not confident with yourself . "

At the start signal, the air once again became tense . Shen Tianyu looked at Rong Jian, a bright gleam in her eye . He nodded ever so slightly that one would not be able to tell if they didn't pay attention, and took one step back .