Volume 7, Chapter 411 – The Third Round Draw (Part 2)

“Sect Leader, the Jinliu Sect is the third-largest immortal sect in the Western Radiance Dynasty! Among their disciples, two have already reached the Incarnation Realm, and one of them is even at the third layer of Incarnation Realm! What do we do?”

“That’s right! Even if we ignore their cultivation levels, their foundation alone is beyond our reach. They have endless magical treasures and talismans, they wouldn’t even need to lift a finger to crush us. Just throwing resources at us would be enough.”

“Master, do you think we could exchange our draw with another sect? Most sects haven’t revealed their opponents yet. I believe with your eloquence, it’s possible!”

The gathered disciples of the Juling Sect were in a state of panic even before the battle had begun, their morale already shattered.

“I’ll try!”

Sect Leader Jiang had no choice but to pin his hopes on “deception and trickery”.

Unfortunately, reality was cruel. Every sect that had made it to the third round was no pushover. Thus, Sect Leader Jiang soon returned empty-handed.

“It’s over. As more and more sects reveal their numbers, swapping will be impossible from now on.”

One of the accompanying elders sighed in despair.

“Sect Leader… what if we forfeit?” A disciple tentatively suggested.

“What did you just say?!” Sect Leader Jiang immediately glared at him.

“Sect Leader, I think this might be the best way to minimize losses. These are our sect’s elite disciples. Since we know we can’t win, why throw ourselves at them like eggs against a rock? If their foundations are damaged or their Dao hearts shattered on stage, our sect will be crippled for a long time.”

The elder beside him spoke with bitter sincerity.

Sect Leader Jiang’s expression softened slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, he hesitantly said, “Elder Peng, I understand the reasoning. But this is already the third round. The Immortal Alliance rules state that the top ten will receive rewards, including the cat’s tears we desperately need. Just one more victory, and we’ll achieve our goal. If we give up now, all our previous efforts will have been in vain.”

“Sect Leader, who doesn’t want those rewards? But how can we possibly defeat the Jinliu Sect? If you can come up with even a single method, even with just a ten percent chance of success, I believe everyone here would be willing to try.”

Elder Peng’s face carried a sliver of hope, and the disciples all nodded in agreement.

Sect Leader Jiang fell into deep thought, but after a long while, he could only shake his head and sigh.

“Forget it, Sect Leader. As the saying goes, ‘As long as the green hills remain, there will never be a shortage of firewood.’ The only reason we’re stopping here is because of the interference of outside cultivators. Once the rules of the next Evergreen Conference are revised, they won’t be eligible to participate, and our chance will come. But if you insist on smashing eggs against a rock now and damage the sect’s foundation, then three years from now, we truly will have no hope left. As for the cat’s tears, the Golden Fortune Auction House in the prefecture sells them every now and then. As long as we can gather enough silver, we can still buy some.”

Elder Peng’s earnest persuasion finally moved Sect Leader Jiang. He took a deep breath and said, “Elder Peng is right. I was too shortsighted. Very well, let’s go inform Steward Cai immediately that we forfeit.”

“The Sect Leader is wise!” Elder Peng quickly flattered.

Having made up his mind, Sect Leader Jiang wasted no time. He led his disciples toward the main hall’s entrance.

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“Well? Who did the Honghua Sect draw this time?”

At the entrance of the main hall, Elder Zuo inquired of Steward Cai.

“Another small-to-medium-sized sect.”

Steward Cai shook his head helplessly. As the one overseeing the draw, he naturally knew which number each sect had picked.

“Really? Three rounds in, with only sixteen sects remaining, and they still manage to draw a small-to-medium sect? I have to admire that old fox Qin Quan’s luck.”

Elder Zuo was stunned.

“Indeed. With luck like that, why even cultivate immortality? He should just become a gambler, he’d be invincible.”

Steward Cai sneered.

“No matter. Even with good luck in the draw, it still depends on whether their opponent cooperates. The Huxiao Sect has already informed me, they’ll switch opponents with the Honghua Sect at the last moment!”

Elder Zuo stroked his beard smugly.

“That’s perfect. Three rounds in, the Honghua Sect must be stopped here. Otherwise, part of our rewards will end up in that little brat’s hands. Just thinking about it makes me furious.”

Steward Cai sighed in relief.

Just then, the group from the Juling Sect arrived.

“Elder Zuo, Steward Cai, I am Jiang Xing, Sect Leader of the Juling Sect. Greetings!”

Sect Leader Jiang bowed respectfully to the two Immortal Alliance officials.

“Greetings, Sect Leader Jiang! What brings you to this elder?”

Elder Zuo returned the courtesy with a cupped fist.

“Well, our sect’s strength is modest, and our luck in the draw was poor, we ended up with the Jinliu Sect. Knowing that victory is hopeless, I’ve decided to forfeit.”

Sect Leader Jiang stated his purpose directly.

“Sect Leader Jiang, have you thought this through? The Immortal Alliance rules state that the top ten will receive rewards. If you win just one more match, the returns will be substantial.”

Steward Cai instinctively tried to persuade him.

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Elder Zuo, however, remained silent. After all, forfeiting was a common occurrence in every Evergreen Conference.

“Thank you for the reminder, Steward Cai. But I’ve already considered everything. For the sake of the Juling Sect’s future, I must protect these disciples. I cannot afford to take reckless risks.”

Sect Leader Jiang explained solemnly. He didn’t want the Immortal Alliance’s higher-ups to think he treated the Evergreen Conference as a child’s game, coming and going as he pleased.

“Since Sect Leader Jiang has made up his mind, I won’t say more.”

Steward Cai shook his head slightly in regret.

“Thank you, Elder Zuo and Steward Cai, for your guidance during this time!”

Sect Leader Jiang expressed his gratitude politely before returning his lot, a necessary procedure for any sect withdrawing from the conference.

With that, Sect Leader Jiang led his disciples away, glancing back every few steps. However, just as they were about to exit the gates, the Honghua Sect intercepted them.

As usual, Qi Huang, the leading doppelgänger, stepped forward to explain their intentions.

“Fellow Daoists, you want to exchange draws with us? Do you know who we drew as our opponent?”

Sect Leader Jiang asked in disbelief.

“Isn’t it the Jinliu Sect?”

Qi Huang replied casually.

“How did you know?”

Sect Leader Jiang was stunned. He had been careful to conceal his lot from outsiders.

“That’s not important. The question is, will you exchange or not?”

Qi Huang sounded slightly impatient.

“Fairy Qi, the Jinliu Sect is the third-largest immortal sect in the Western Radiance Dynasty! If you already knew, why would you still want to exchange? Did you draw the Donglai Sect or the Huxiao Sect?”

Sect Leader Jiang speculated.

“No, we drew the Jiuan Sect, a sect of similar strength to yours. As for why we want to exchange, let’s speak plainly. Sect Leader Jiang, you must have heard that six years ago, during my first Evergreen Conference, I was eliminated by the Jinliu Sect. This time, I want revenge!”

Qi Huang explained.

“What? The Jiuan Sect? Are you serious?”

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Sect Leader Jiang’s voice suddenly became agitated, and the disciples exchanged glances.

“If you don’t believe me, you can go ask around. I’ll wait right here.”

Knowing they wouldn’t easily trust her, Qi Huang proactively suggested.

“Elder Peng, go and verify this quickly!”

Sect Leader Jiang reflexively urged.

“Sect Leader… have you forgotten? We’ve already forfeited.”

Elder Peng’s face twisted in misery.

“Ah!”

Sect Leader Jiang froze for a moment before slapping his thigh in frustration.

“Sect Leader, can we go get the lot back?”

A naive disciple asked.

“Get it back? This is the Evergreen Conference, not a marketplace! Do you think Elder Zuo and Steward Cai would let us break the rules so easily?”

Sect Leader Jiang’s expression turned fierce as he retorted.

“Sect Leader Jiang, what exactly happened?”

Qi Huang pressed urgently.

Not daring to show displeasure, Sect Leader Jiang suppressed his emotions and sighed before recounting how he had just led his sect in forfeiting.

“Why couldn’t you have held on a little longer?”

Qi Huang couldn’t help but scold.

“Ah! It’s all my fault! I’m not fit to be a sect leader.”

Sect Leader Jiang blamed himself.

“No, no, it’s my fault! I was the one who suggested forfeiting.”

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Elder Peng, ever tactful, took responsibility.

With faces full of regret, the Juling Sect members walked out of the branch hall, their hearts filled with bitter remorse.

“What do we do now? They forfeited, so we can’t get that lot anymore.”

Qi Huang swept her gaze around, seeking opinions.

“Who says there’s no chance? According to the Evergreen Conference rules, if a sect forfeits midway, their lot becomes a ‘reward’. Any sect can apply for ownership of it.”

Cheng Hongling enunciated each word clearly.

“Wait, that doesn’t make sense. If a sect obtains that lot, wouldn’t they then have two lots? That would mean facing two opponents in one round. Who would be foolish enough to do that?”

Ruan Lingyu asked in confusion.

“But it also means earning double the rewards. A strong sect would jump at the opportunity.”

Qin Quan explained.

“There’s such a good thing?”

Qi Huang’s eyes lit up. “Then that lot is mine! How do we get it?”

“Don’t rush. If I’m not mistaken, Steward Cai will soon take the stage to announce this and find a new owner for the lot.”

Qin Quan stroked his beard.

“I have a question, what if more than one sect wants that lot?”

Yun Fei keenly pointed out a potential complication.

“Then the real show begins! A battle for the lot will commence immediately on stage, might makes right!”

Qin Quan’s face revealed an intrigued expression.

“What show? That lot is mine! Whoever dares to fight me for it, I’ll make sure they don’t compete in the next Evergreen Conference!”

Qi Huang declared imperiously.

And just then, Steward Cai indeed stepped back onto the stage.