19- The cloud gathering

Zhong Peng was surprised when he heard what Zhou Shun said, he never suspected that Duan Xue was the one that sent those guys.

"Why would she do that," Zhong Peng asked.

"Have you heard about the cloud gathering contest?" Zhou Shun asked.

"The cloud gathering contest?" Zhong Peng asked.

"Oh!, I forgot this is your first time coming to the Zheng great-kingdom," Zhou Shun said.

"What has the cloud gathering got to do with me," Zhong Peng asked.

"It is a gathering of the clans and sects of the Zheng Great kingdom held every three years," Zhou Shun said.

"I still don't understand what the gathering got to do with me," Zhong Peng asked.

"For thousands of years, the Zheng clan has been the ruler of the Zheng great kingdom They are known as the imperial Zheng clan, they are the strongest of all the clans followed by Duan cla.... "

"Wait, is Duan Xue a member of the Duan clan," Zhong Peng asked interrupting Zhou Shun.

"Yes and she is not an ordinary member of the Duan clan she is the first daughter of the clan leader, and it is said that her talent surpassed that of her brothers making her the clan leader's favorite child," Zhou Shun said.

"why didn't you tell this me on time" Zhong Peng screamed inwardly remembering how they embarrassed her yesterday on the golden rose third floor.

"So now can you tell me what the cloud gathering got to do with me," Zhong Peng said after he managed to suppress his anger.

"During the cloud gathering there is always a duel between the younger generation, the gathering is more like every clan presenting their most talented disciples for the world to see, it is also a place people like you who don't belong to any clan come to show their talents to know if they would be chosen by any sect" Zhou Shun explained.

"You still haven't explained why it has to do with me, I never told you I was interested in joining any sect," Zhong Peng asked.

"Don't you get it yet, she wants you to join the contest under the name of the Duan clan" Zhou Shun said.

"What!, why would she do that" Zhong Peng asked.

"During the last gathering, Duan Xue was defeated by the first prince of the Zheng imperial clan Zheng Junjie, you should know that Duan Xue being very talented has never been beaten by anyone of the same generation before " Zhou Shun explained calmly.

"So she is planning to gather enough force to beat Zheng Junjie," Zhong Peng asked.

"Yes, the first section of the contest is a hunting challenge, in which everyone is separated into groups of ten to go hunt for qi beasts, the team with the highest score wins the first challenge " Zhou Shun answered.

"Why would she invite me, I am not that strong," Zhong Peng asked.

"A pinnacle martial cultivator defeating a middle true martial cultivator, I think she is impressed with your skills" Zhou Shun answered.

"What about you, won't you join the contest," Zhong Peng asked.

"No I have something else to do, but I advise you to join, I heard this time they have some important guests from a big sect," Zhou Shun said.

"Big sect?" Zhong Peng asked curiously.

"Sects from the neighboring empires," Zhou Shun said.

"Is frozen lake sect one of them?" Zhong Peng asked.

"Yes, you must be tired why don't we continue our conversation tomorrow," Zhou Shun said.

"I have one more question to ask," Zhong Peng said, "You planned all this right,t" Zhong Peng asked curiously.

Zhou Shun smiled as he took a sip from the cup of wine in his front.

After a while, he called in the maidservant from earlier ordering him to take Zhong Peng to the guest room.

When Zhong Peng arrived at the room he was surprised by how big the room was, it was three times bigger than his room at the Zhong clan.

After settling down Zhong Peng started thinking about what happened today, from the battle ring to his breakthrough, to his fight with Shen Hong to the invitation from Duan Xue, all of this was plotted by Zhou Shun, someone the same age as him.

"Are you going to join the cloud gathering," an ancient voice sounded in his head, it was of course the old man.

"I don't know, I mean all this was Zhou Shun's plot, I don't know if I should trust him or not" Zhong Peng replied.

"That lad's identity is strange but I think he is not trying to harm you," the old man said.

"How did you know that, " Zhong Peng asked curiously.

"This old man here has lived for many years, I know when people have evil intentions, and besides he could easily kill you if he wants to so why go through all this stress just to harm you," the old man replied.