Volume 7, Chapter 440 – Fourth Round Draw (Part 2)

“But what if they exchange their lot with another sect before then?”

Lü Zhen, thinking himself clever, raised this objection.

“Enough with the nonsense. Weren’t you just saying the Honghua Sect is an easy target? If you drew them, would you exchange your lot with another sect?”

Zhou Ming shot Lü Zhen an irritated glare.

“My apologies, this disciple spoke without thinking.”

Lu Zhen hurriedly apologized. Ever since his elimination, he no longer enjoyed the same prestige as before. At least for the time being, he couldn’t afford to act so arrogantly.

Since there were only eight sects or individuals left, the drawing process concluded swiftly.

Qi Huang used the Shadow-Retaining Mirror to observe Lü Er again and found that the man wasn’t even trying to hide his lot. He casually toyed with it in his hand, it was marked with the number three.

“Ah, he drew number three. If only we could get number four!”

Ruan Lingyu couldn’t help but voice her regret.

“No matter. Whoever draws his opponent’s lot will be more than happy to trade with us.”

Qi Huang curled her lips slightly. She was dead set on sending this eyesore packing in this round.

“Esteemed fellow cultivators, the fourth round of matches will commence the day after tomorrow. With only eight sects or individuals remaining, each of you stands as the elite among elites. To ensure the selection of the most outstanding immortal seedlings, the Immortal Alliance has granted ample preparation time. Only one match will be held per day, spanning four days in total. The rules remain unchanged, recognition is based on the lot, not the individual. However, exchanges are permitted only among participating sects. Any withdrawals must be reported to me.”

Steward Cai proceeded to announce the rules for the fourth round.

“One match a day? Dragging it out like this, aren’t those two old geezers afraid they’ll kick the bucket before the Evergreen Conference even ends?”

Qi Huang couldn’t resist grumbling.

“Pfft—!”

Several senior sisters burst into laughter.

“Do you think everyone’s as much of a freak as you? Don’t others need time to replenish their True Qi?”

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Cheng Hongling shot the doppelgänger a sidelong glance.

“But isn’t that unfair to those who draw numbers one and two? They only get one day of rest!”

Ruan Lingyu raised a question.

“Wrong. This only emphasizes the fairness of the draw. If you drew numbers one or two, that’s your own misfortune.”

Cheng Hongling immediately retorted.

“Uh…”

Ruan Lingyu was instantly rendered speechless. She then shrugged at Qi Huang, as if to say, “Senior Sister, I tried.”

Cheng Hongling, however, felt a pang of indignation. Had she forgotten who the real junior sister was?

Of course, Ruan Lingyu hadn’t forgotten, but Qi Huang simply seemed like the easier target to tease.

“You just spoil her!”

Xu Mei, standing nearby, also shot her eldest disciple a glare.

“Huh? Master, how did you know her uncle dotes on my dad? They get along well, what’s the harm in indulging her a little?”

Qi Huang feigned ignorance, leaving everyone around her utterly bewildered.

With the drawing concluded, the sects began probing each other’s lots. Schemes unfolded, bribery, threats, honey traps, until one by one, the lots were exposed. The Honghua Sect’s lot, of course, required no investigation.

“Looks like the Honghua Sect drew number six. I wonder who got number five, what luck!”

“I heard it’s the Shixin Sect!”

“The Shixin Sect? Then let’s hurry and try to trick them into trading!”

“You think they’re fools? If they can get their hands on a Divine-grade protective talisman, the Honghua Sect is easy prey. Why would they trade with you?”

“That Divine-grade talisman is just a rumor. Who’s actually seen it? How do you know they’ll believe it? If we don’t try now, someone else will beat us to it! We’ll regret it!”

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Upon hearing that the Shixin Sect held the fifth lot, disciples from various sects swarmed over, attempting to coax them into a trade.

But the Shixin Sect wasn’t stupid. Just as Zhou Ming had predicted, they clung tightly to their lot, refusing to exchange it no matter what.

“Who has the fourth lot?”

Right then, Lü Er’s voice rang out once more, brimming with arrogance.

“Ahem… Young Master Lü, we… we hold the fourth lot.”

An elderly voice responded hesitantly.

“Don’t you know the rules? State your sect.”

Lü Er sounded impatient.

“Young Master Lü, we are cultivators from the Feisha Sect of Xitong Kingdom. The strongest among us is only at the Incarnation Realm’s third layer. We humbly ask for your mercy.”

The old man spoke in a pleading tone.

“Mercy? Impossible! I said I’d cure all you low-blooded cultivators of your addiction to cultivating immortality, and I meant it. You’re no exception!”

Lü Er remained utterly ruthless, then added, “Of course, if you manage to exchange your lot, I’ll let you off.”

“Sigh…”

The old man sighed dejectedly. He wasn’t a fool, no one would trade for such a cursed lot.

“The Feisha Sect’s journey in the Evergreen Conference ends here. They traveled thousands of miles to the Western Radiance Dynasty only to receive the most basic rewards, practically a wasted trip.”

“At a time like this, you’re still thinking about rewards? Don’t you know that those who face Lü Er either end up severely injured or with shattered Dao Hearts? Even Cheng Kang wasn’t spared. If they can retreat unscathed, they should thank the heavens.”

“Exactly. If I were the Feisha Sect, I’d withdraw immediately. Sacrificing the sect’s future for meager rewards isn’t worth it.”

The surrounding cultivators gazed at the Feisha Sect with pity. They all knew this was the end for them.

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“Junior Sister, didn’t you want to eliminate that Lü Er? We could trade with the Feisha Sect, they’d surely be eager.”

Ruan Lingyu quickly reminded her.

“Wait a bit.”

Qi Huang seemed lost in thought.

“Wait for what?”

Ruan Lingyu was puzzled.

“The right moment. We can’t let the Feisha Sect or the Shixin Sect off too easily. Remember, every sect here is a competitor.”

Qi Huang’s words carried a deeper meaning.

The group exchanged glances, still unsure of her plan.

“She’s waiting for the Feisha Sect to withdraw.”

Cheng Hongling suddenly spoke up. Their minds were truly in sync.

“Right! If they withdraw, we can claim their lot like last time. That way, we’ll have two lots again, two victories mean double the rewards.”

Yun Fei quickly caught on.

“Junior Sister’s foresight is impressive. Not only would we double our rewards, but we’d also vent our anger twice over. Eliminating Lü Er and teaching Zhen Chao another lesson.”

Shen Yuan voiced her admiration.

“But will the Feisha Sect really withdraw?”

Ruan Lingyu remained doubtful.

“What else can they do? Trade? Who would take such a terrible lot? Fight head-on? Even Cheng Kang’s Dao Heart was shattered, do they think they stand a chance?”

Qi Huang countered.

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After a moment’s thought, everyone nodded in agreement. Now that Lü Er had been exposed as a doppelgänger of a Central Continent prodigy, none of the immortal seedlings present believed they could defeat him.

Sure enough, less than a quarter-hour later, the Feisha Sect went to Steward Cai to withdraw.

Steward Cai once again ascended the stage with the fourth lot in hand and announced, “Esteemed fellow cultivators, pardon the interruption. The Feisha Sect has withdrawn and returned their lot to me. This fourth lot is now unclaimed.”

The crowd below had already experienced this once before, and since it was expected, they remained calm.

“As I’ve previously explained, any sect wishing to claim ownership of this unclaimed lot may apply immediately. If only one sect steps forward, the lot is theirs. If multiple sects contend for it, ownership will be decided by a duel.”

Steward Cai raised the lot and declared loudly.

“The opponent for the fourth lot is Lü Er. Who would dare take it?”

The cultivators exchanged uneasy glances. None dared to step forward, a stark contrast to the previous round.

“Will none of you reconsider? Holding two lots means double the rewards if you advance. Though the risk is great, so are the potential gains.”

Steward Cai attempted to persuade them politely.

“Double rewards? After being beaten half to death by Lü Er, with a shattered Dao Heart, you’d be lucky to get any rewards at all!”

“Even if you somehow get one, the medical bills would cost more!”

“Medical bills? With your frail body, just save it for funeral expenses.”

Some cultivators couldn’t help but mutter under their breaths.

“Old man, quit wasting your breath. Who would dare take a lot against me, Lü Er?”

Lü Er’s arrogant voice rang out at just the right moment.

“I dare!”

Then, Qi Huang’s clear voice resounded across the square.