Chapter 480 Fifth Round of Lottery Draw
Elder Zuo’s outrageous act of changing the rules during the match spread throughout the entire prefecture capital in just one day. Anyone with a normal brain would know who it was targeted at. Some people expressed scorn, while others remained silent.
Among the scornful were ordinary people, as Qi Huang was their spiritual pillar. Cultivators, on the other hand, were the opposite; they wished for Qi Huang to be eliminated sooner, so they naturally turned a blind eye.
However, whether silent or scornful, everyone questioned Elder Zuo’s method. After all, anyone who wasn’t a fool could see that Qi Huang could no longer be defeated solely by numbers.
Based on this, Juying Sect’s attitude remained unchanged: they would forfeit if they drew Qi Huang.
Meanwhile, the Immortal Alliance was already selecting their pawns, naturally looking among the remaining Longchang Sect and Juying Sect.
“It would be great if both sects agreed to cooperate with us, then we would still have room for error,” Steward Cai fantasized.
“Stop daydreaming. Longchang Sect is definitely out of the question. That Sixth Princess’s sole focus is a fair battle with Qi Huang, so how could she allow outside interference?” Elder Zuo immediately pointed out.
“Master, I don’t think so. If she fails in full view of everyone, it won’t just be her losing face, but also Broken Cloud Peak and even the entire royal family. Therefore, winning by any means is better than losing. How about I try to talk to her?” Steward Cai still held onto a sliver of hope.
“It seems you really don’t understand Lin Ran. If she were adaptable, she wouldn’t have joined Longchang Sect alone. If you talk to her, not only will you fail, but you’ll also expose our plan. For her own goals, Lin Ran might even leak the information to HongHua Sect in a heartbeat,” Elder Zuo thought he was being astute but was actually judging a noble person with a petty mind.
“Master’s consideration is indeed thorough,” Steward Cai realized and then said, “Then we can only place our hopes on Juying Sect? If they get a bye next round, won’t that brat get to be smug for another round?”
“Then don’t give them a bye. Make them face HongHua Sect. As the person in charge of the lottery draw, can’t you even do that?” Elder Zuo frowned.
“I understand,” Steward Cai nodded and accepted the order.
…
Two days later, the lottery draw for the fifth round began. The result was that Juying Sect drew number one, HongHua Sect drew number two, and Longchang Sect drew number three. According to the rules of the Evergreen Convention, Longchang Sect became the lucky recipient of a bye.
Longchang Sect was completely ecstatic, celebrating as if it were a festival. The reason was simple: they were just a small sect, and their progress this far was all thanks to Lin Ran. They never expected to advance further, as if heaven had opened its eyes.
They didn’t know that this wasn’t heaven opening its eyes, but a deliberate arrangement by the Immortal Alliance.
On the other hand, Juying Sect had gotten exactly what they feared, and everyone was dejected, completely lacking fighting spirit.
…
“Juying Sect is really unlucky to have drawn HongHua Sect.”
“There’s no way around it, it’s a one-third chance; it’s either them or Longchang Sect.”
“If I were them, I’d forfeit immediately. That witch Qi Huang is vicious. We saw that in the last match when she cut off all the fingers on both hands of two Immortal Seeds.”
“Indeed, sacrificing the sect’s future for a little reward isn’t worth it.”
“But if they withdraw, the only sect left to stop Qi Huang will be Longchang Sect. If Qi Huang wins first place then, how will we cultivators position ourselves?”
“What? Are you still expecting a miracle? You’ve seen Qi Huang’s previous performance; who can deal with her? Just wait to be ridden by those ordinary people with low bloodlines!”
“Not necessarily, I believe the Immortal Alliance will surely have a way.”
“What way? Increase the number to thirty? Even if you tied up all the Immortal Seeds present, Qi Huang would still beat them like her own sons. They are just struggling in their death throes.”
…
Cultivators from various sects were pointing and discussing, already sending condolences to Juying Sect before the match even began.
“Forget it, I’ll go and inform Steward Cai of our forfeiture.” Elder Ren of Juying Sect’s heart grew colder as he listened, and he finally couldn’t bear it any longer, taking the draw slip directly to Steward Cai.
Qi Huang had been observing Juying Sect in secret. Seeing this, the corners of her lips turned up slightly, thinking her “ruthlessness” had indeed played a deterrent role.
“Look quickly, Juying Sect’s leader is going to find Cai De.” Ruan Lingyu also cheered at the opportune moment.
“He’s definitely going to forfeit, which means junior sister Qi Huang will fight one less round, and we can return to HongHua Sect earlier,” Shen Yuan said with a happy expression.
“Fourth junior sister, didn’t you cry and beg to participate in the Evergreen Convention? And now you want to go back already?” Yun Fei teased.
“Aren’t I worried about my fellow Daoists from Shuiyu Valley? They’ll be arriving soon, and we can’t lose our politeness!” Shen Yuan quickly explained.
“Shuiyu Valley has no men, so no matter how polite you are, it’s useless,” Su Qingying, who was beside her, said with a sarcastic tone.
“You… are you looking for a beating!” Shen Yuan was enraged and immediately rushed to chase and hit her.
…
Meanwhile, Elder Ren had already found Steward Cai and stated his intention.
“Elder Ren wants to forfeit? You need to think carefully. This is already the fifth round. Once you defeat HongHua Sect, you can enter the finals,” Steward Cai persuaded, feigning ignorance.
“But how can we defeat HongHua Sect? People should know their own limits. Instead of going up there to embarrass ourselves, it’s better to forfeit early and cut our losses,” Elder Ren said rationally.
“Elder Ren, you don’t need to be so discouraged. Actually, there is a way to defeat Qi Huang,” Steward Cai said vaguely.
“What way?” Elder Ren asked excitedly.
“Elder Ren, have you forgotten my identity? Even if this steward knows, I can’t tell you.” Steward Cai wouldn’t be foolish enough to show favoritism on the spot.
Elder Ren’s face showed disappointment. After a moment of thought, he suddenly realized something, and his eyes lit up. “I’m sorry, Steward Cai, I don’t want to forfeit anymore.”
“That’s right. The Evergreen Convention is a serious occasion, you can’t just forfeit whenever you want,” Steward Cai said with a satisfied smile.
Elder Ren cupped his fists in greeting and quickly left with the draw slip, completely different from when he arrived, as if he were afraid Steward Cai would go back on his word.
…
“That’s strange, the leader of Juying Sect didn’t exchange the draw slip with Cai De?” Ruan Lingyu said, as she had been watching them closely.
“Is that so?” Qi Huang was a little surprised and turned her head to look, as did the other members of HongHua Sect.
“The draw slip is indeed still in his hand,” Xu Mei judged after a long observation.
“Strange, why did this fellow go back on his word?” Wang Zong frowned.
“The critical thing is that Cai De actually allowed it, which is even more bizarre,” Cheng Hong Ling sneered, clearly implying something.
“No need to think, Cai De must have given him some intoxicating soup to make him feel confident again,” Yun Fei directly enlightened everyone.
“Then what exactly is this intoxicating soup? It made him think his sect’s Immortal Seeds can defeat someone whose Spiritual Sense has reached the middle stage of the Shentong Realm,” Ruan Lingyu asked, looking around for answers.
“I don’t know, but we’ll find out by watching,” Qi Huang directly took out a Recording Mirror and observed secretly. The scene of Juying Sect immediately appeared within it.
“Elder Ren, did you return the draw slip to Steward Cai?” Han Yu, the top Immortal Seed of Juying Sect, asked.
“No, I brought it back,” Elder Ren replied, clutching the slip tightly as if afraid someone would snatch it.
“Why? Do you also think it’s a pity to forfeit like this?” Han Yu asked, assuming intelligently.
“Yes, but more importantly, Steward Cai told me there is a way to defeat Qi Huang,” Elder Ren explained.
Hearing this, the people from HongHua Sect all looked at Qi Huang, their faces showing worry.
“What way?” Han Yu asked excitedly, and the surrounding disciples also gathered around, their faces showing anticipation.
“He didn’t tell me!” Elder Ren truthfully replied.
“Huh?” The disciples of Juying Sect exchanged glances, thinking, “Since he didn’t tell you, what are you talking about?”
“Tch!” The people from HongHua Sect all rolled their eyes.
“Cai De, as a steward of the Immortal Alliance, naturally wouldn’t tell me directly. However, you also know his feud with Qi Huang. Since he said so, he will definitely find a way to let me know,” Elder Ren elaborated.
“Makes sense,” the disciples of Juying Sect nodded secretly.
“Elder, is it possible that he just wants to use us as tools to deal with Qi Huang and deliberately tricked you?” asked a disciple with concern.
“It doesn’t matter, let’s wait and see. If there’s no news by the day of the match, it won’t be too late to forfeit,” Elder Ren comforted them.
…
Qi Huang put away the Recording Mirror. She looked around and found that the people from HongHua Sect were showing worry again.
“Don’t worry, I’ll find out in advance. I’d like to see what other schemes that old geezer has,” Qi Huang quickly spoke to appease everyone’s emotions.
…
“Your Majesty, the results of this round of lottery draw are out. Princess’s Longchang Sect has received a bye.” At this moment in the imperial palace, Eunuch Zhong was reporting the situation of the Evergreen Convention to Lin Tu.
“Is that so? Ran’er’s luck is quite good,” Lin Tu’s lips curved up, and he ordered, “However, she will eventually have to face that Imperial Concubine. Inform her with my decree: in the final round, she is only allowed to win, not lose. If she disgrumbles the royal family, she need not return to the palace.”
“Uh…” Eunuch Zhong’s face showed hesitation. Finally, he kindly reminded him, “Your Majesty, forgive this old servant for speaking out of turn. Based on Qi Huang’s displayed strength, the Sixth Princess has absolutely no chance of winning.”
“It’s alright, with her intelligence, she will surely find a solution,” Lin Tu replied impassively. The matter of the Imperial Concubine had already made him lose face, so he naturally wouldn’t tolerate his daughter losing to Qi Huang again.
“What if she can’t solve it? This is a major matter concerning the dignity of the royal family,” Eunuch Zhong boldly pressed.
“If she can’t solve it, then you help her solve it, do you understand what I mean?” The smile on Lin Tu’s face disappeared, and his eyes shone sharply.
