Volume 7, Chapter 412 – Looks Like I’ll Have to Eliminate You Twice (Part 1)

Under the puzzled gazes of the surrounding cultivators, Steward Cai began to speak:

“Esteemed guests, my apologies! I must trouble you all for a bit more time. Just now, the Juling Sect reported to me that they have withdrawn from the third round of the competition and returned their lot to me.”

After explaining the situation, Steward Cai revealed the lot in his hand, its number was “Ten”.

“What? Withdraw? Can you even withdraw from the Evergreen Conference’s competition?”

“Of course you can. It’s explicitly stated in the rules. Is this your first time participating? Situations like this aren’t uncommon in the past.”

“B-but… the qualification for this competition is hard-won. Why would they give up?”

“Are you stupid? If they drew an opponent they can’t possibly defeat and couldn’t trick anyone into swapping lots, then naturally, they had no choice but to withdraw. Otherwise, if their Immortal Seed gets crippled, their sect would have no future.”

“That makes sense!”

The cultivators below whispered among themselves.

“Hmph! I knew those trash from the Juling Sect would back out.”

From the ranks of the Jinliu Sect, a brawny, muscle-bound youth sneered. This was Jin Hu, the Jinliu Sect’s top Immortal Seed, who had eliminated Cheng Hongling six years ago.

“It was only logical. Drawing us was a death sentence for them. Swapping lots was impossible, no sect here would willingly face the Jinliu Sect. If they forced themselves to compete, it’d be like an egg smashing against a rock.”

Beside him, an equally tall and imposing elder smiled confidently.

“Elder Jin, does this mean our next round will essentially be a bye?”

A fair-skinned Immortal Seed nearby asked curiously.

“You could say that, but we’ll have to wait for the result!”

Elder Jin replied casually.

“What result?”

The Immortal Seed pressed.

At that moment, Steward Cai’s voice rang out:

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“As everyone knows, according to the rules of the Evergreen Conference, if a participant withdraws, their lot becomes ownerless. Any sect present may apply to me for ownership of it. Thus I ask, which sect is willing to claim this lot?”

“See? This is the result we’re waiting for.”

Elder Jin continued.

“There’s actually such a rule?”

The Immortal Seed looked surprised.

“What’s there to worry about? I doubt anyone would dare take that lot. Every sect here should know that claiming it means facing our Jinliu Sect in the next round!”

Jin Hu shot the Immortal Seed an impatient glance.

“Senior Brother Jin is absolutely right.”

The Immortal Seed hurriedly flattered.

Meanwhile, the surrounding discussions confirmed Jin Hu’s thoughts.

“How could anyone possibly take it? Claiming that lot means facing two sects in this round!”

“True, but as the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. If you can defeat both sects, your rewards will be doubled. I imagine many strong sects would be interested.”

“Opponent number ten faces number nine, who is number nine?”

“Number nine… I think it’s the Jinliu Sect!”

“What? The Jinliu Sect? Then this lot is definitely unwanted. No sect here dares claim they can easily defeat them. If their Immortal Seeds suffer injuries, it’d affect their performance in the next round. Not worth the risk!”

Upon learning that the lot’s opponent was the Jinliu Sect, the cultivators suppressed their impulses.

“What? No takers? Let me remind you all, while claiming this lot means facing two sects this round, it also means double the rewards if you win. Think carefully.”

Steward Cai offered a well-meaning reminder.

The sects below exchanged glances, none daring to take the risk. The Jinliu Sect had two Incarnation Realm Immortal Seeds, with Jin Hu at the third layer of the Incarnation Realm, wielding formidable techniques and treasures. An ordinary cultivator stood no chance against him.

“What? Nobody wants it? Then this lot belongs to this young master.”

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Just then, Lü Er’s familiar voice rang out as he appeared on the stage like a ghost.

“Hand it over. I was just worrying about how to entertain my concubine, didn’t expect sandbags to deliver themselves so quickly.”

Lü Er reached out demandingly.

“What? The mighty Jinliu Sect is just a tool for him to please his concubine?”

The cultivators below were stunned.

“Sandbags? Do you even know who you’d be facing if you take that lot? Us, the Jinliu Sect! The third-ranked immortal sect of the Western Radiance Dynasty!”

Jin Hu, unable to hold back, shouted from below the stage.

“Third? So what if you were first? In my eyes, you’re all just tools to amuse my concubine! Anyone who faces me, I’ll cure your addiction to cultivation!”

Lü Er cast a disdainful glance at Jin Hu.

“You—!”

Jin Hu was left speechless.

“Since no one else is interested, this lot goes to Lü Er.”

Steward Cai prepared to hand it over.

“Wait! Who said no one else wants it?”

Qi Huang’s crisp voice rang out as she leisurely stepped onto the stage.

“Isn’t that Cheng Hongling’s doppelgänger?”

“Who else could it be? She’s actually interested in that lot!”

“Is she insane? Actively seeking out the Jinliu Sect? Six years ago, during her first Evergreen Conference, she was eliminated by Jin Hu, the Jinliu Sect’s top Immortal Seed!”

“I was lucky enough to witness that match! Back then, Jin Hu was already half a step into the Incarnation Realm, so he effortlessly crushed Cheng Hongling, who was only at the early Unity Realm.”

“If that’s the case, why is she delivering herself to them now?”

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“I think she’s here for revenge! Cheng Hongling’s talent is monstrous, she’s now at the second layer of the Incarnation Realm!”

“So what? Jin Hu is at the third layer. At this level of cultivation, even a one-layer difference is like heaven and earth!”

“Oh? Did you forget about the Haizhi Sect’s third-layer Incarnation Realm reinforcement she crushed last round?”

“Jin Hu is different. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be ranked third among the Western Radiance Dynasty’s Immortal Seeds.”

The cultivators erupted into chatter once more.

Meanwhile, the Jinliu Sect could no longer remain calm.

“Isn’t that Cheng Hongling?”

“To be precise, it’s her doppelgänger, Qi Huang—that lowborn bloodline’s imperial concubine.”

“Why would she actively choose us as opponents? Is she looking for death?”

“Have you forgotten? Six years ago, during her first Evergreen Conference, she was eliminated by Senior Brother Jin Hu. It caused quite a stir back then. She’s clearly here for revenge.”

The Jinliu Sect’s disciples weren’t fools, they quickly deduced Qi Huang’s motive.

“Son, this brat seems to have ill intentions. She’s clearly here to settle the score.”

Elder Jin said to Jin Hu.

“Settle the score? Does she have what it takes?”

Jin Hu scoffed.

“That may be so, but if she gets that lot, regardless of whether we win or lose, we’ll lose face.”

Elder Jin warned.

“Why?”

Jin Hu was puzzled.

“Think about it. If Qi Huang gets that lot, she’ll face two sects next round, including us. The Honghua Sect originally drew lot seven, meaning they’ll first face number eight before fighting us, number nine. If we win, people will say we relied on a battle of attrition. If we lose? Even worse, we’ll be mocked for failing to defeat her even with numerical advantage.”

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Elder Jin explained.

“Exactly. Situations like this have happened before. Sects in our position gain no glory whether they win or lose.”

An older disciple chimed in.

“Then what should we do?”

Jin Hu pondered briefly before asking.

“There’s only one solution, compete for the lot and stop Qi Huang from getting it.”

Elder Jin declared firmly.

Meanwhile, Qi Huang had already stepped onto the stage, standing gracefully opposite Lü Er.

“Oh? The Honghua Sect is also interested in this lot?”

Steward Cai asked in disbelief.

Lü Er’s face flickered with surprise before shifting to curiosity.

“Of course. Is that not allowed? Didn’t Steward Cai just say any sect could claim this lot?”

Qi Huang countered lightly.

“Allowed! Of course it’s allowed!”

Steward Cai’s aged face broke into glee. He had been racking his brains over how to eliminate this brat. Who’d have thought she’d deliver herself to death’s door? Forget the Jinliu Sect, Lü Er alone was no pushover.

“However, the Evergreen Conference’s rules state that if multiple sects vie for an ownerless lot, competitors must duel for ownership. Thus, I cannot simply hand it to you.”

Steward Cai’s tone shifted.

“So, Steward Cai means that if I defeat this guy, the lot is mine, correct?”

Qi Huang glanced at Lü Er, the corners of her lips curling slightly, an expression laced with mischief.