Chapter 75: The Third Round Lottery Draw (2)
“Sect Master, the Jinliu Sect is the third largest immortal sect of the Xihui Dynasty. Two of their Immortal Seeds have already reached the Huashen stage, and one of them has even reached the third level of the Huashen stage. What should we do?”
“Yes, even if we ignore their cultivation level, their background is not something we can compare to. They have all sorts of Magic Treasures and Talismans appearing incessantly. They don’t even need to lift a finger; they could just smash us to death with them.”
“Master, can we perhaps swap our draw with other sects? Most sects haven’t revealed their opponents yet. I believe your eloquence will be enough to achieve this.”
…
The JuLing Sect, having drawn the Jinliu Sect as their opponent, was in a state of panic, fearing defeat before the battle even began.
“I’ll give it a try!”
The Sect Master, surnamed Jiang, had no other recourse and could only place his hope in “deceit and trickery.”
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Any sect that reached this third round was no easy opponent, so Sect Master Jiang soon returned, empty-handed.
“It’s over. Now that the numbers for each sect are continuously being exposed, it will be impossible to switch later.”
A随队 elder sighed with regret.
“Sect Master, why don’t we forfeit?”
A disciple suggested.
“What did you say?”
Sect Master Jiang immediately questioned with a fierce expression.
“Sect Master, I think this is a good way to cut our losses. These are the elite disciples of our sect. Since we know we can’t win, why should we throw ourselves at the enemy like an egg against a rock? If they injure their foundations or shatter their Dao hearts on the stage, our sect will be in decline for a long time to come.”
An elder beside him persuaded earnestly.
Sect Master Jiang’s expression softened upon hearing this and he appeared to be in deep thought. After a moment, he said hesitantly, “Elder Peng, I understand the reasoning. But this is already the third round of competition, and the Immortal Alliance provides rewards for the top ten. Among these rewards is the Cat’s Eye Tears, which we desperately need. If we can win just one more match, we will achieve our goal. If we give up now, all our previous efforts will be in vain.”
“Sect Master, who doesn’t want those rewards? But how can we possibly defeat the Jinliu Sect? If you can find a way, even with only a 10% chance of winning, I believe everyone would be willing to try.”
Elder Peng’s face showed a trace of hope, and the Immortal Seeds under his command all nodded in agreement.
Sect Master Jiang fell into contemplation upon hearing this, but after a long while, he could only shake his head and sigh.
“Forget it, Sect Master! As the saying goes, as long as the green hills remain, there will be wood to burn. The reason we’ve reached this point is due to the participation of cultivators from outside the region. As long as the Evergreen Convention changes its rules next time, they won’t be qualified to participate, and our opportunity will come. If you choose to throw an egg at a rock this time and damage the sect’s foundation, we will truly have no hope in three years. As for the Cat’s Eye Tears, they are regularly sold at the Juyin Auction House in the prefecture capital. As long as we can gather enough silver, we can still buy some,” Elder Peng advised earnestly.
Sect Master Jiang was finally moved by this. He took a deep breath and said, “Elder Peng is right. I was not considerate enough. Let’s go and inform Steward Cai of our forfeiture immediately.”
“Sect Master is wise!” Elder Peng quickly flattered.
Sect Master Jiang had finally made up his mind and, without any delay, led his disciples towards the main hall.
…
“How is it? Who did the HongHua Sect draw this time?” Elder Zuo asked Steward Cai at the entrance of the main hall.
“Another small to medium-sized sect,” Steward Cai said, shaking his head with some helplessness. As the person in charge of the lottery draw, he knew very well which sect had drawn which number.
“Is that so? It’s the third round, and only sixteen sects remain, yet they still managed to draw a small to medium-sized sect. I have to admire old Qin Quan’s luck.” Elder Zuo said in surprise.
“Yes, with such luck, why cultivate? They could have become invincible gamblers already,” Steward Cai retorted sarcastically.
“It doesn’t matter. No matter how good the lottery draw luck is, it depends on whether the opponent cooperates. The HuXiao Sect has already informed me that they will swap their opponent with the HongHua Sect at the last moment!” Elder Zuo stroked his beard proudly.
“That would be for the best. It’s already the third round, and the HongHua Sect must be stopped here. Otherwise, some of our rewards will fall into that little girl’s pocket. Just thinking about it makes me unwilling,” Steward Cai said with a slight sigh of relief.
Just then, the group from the JuLing Sect walked over.
“Elder Zuo, Steward Cai, I am Jiang Xing, the Sect Master of JuLing Sect. Greetings!” Sect Master Jiang led his disciples in greeting the two stewards from the Immortal Alliance.
“Sect Master Jiang, greetings! May I know why you are looking for this elder?” Elder Zuo returned the greeting by cupping his fist.
“It’s like this, our sect’s strength is average, and our luck in this lottery draw was also poor, as we drew the Jinliu Sect. I know victory is hopeless, so I wish to forfeit!” Sect Master Jiang explained his intention.
“Sect Master Jiang, you should think carefully. The Immortal Alliance’s regulations stipulate that there are rewards for entering the top ten, so you only need to win one more match to receive substantial rewards,” Steward Cai advised instinctively. Elder Zuo said nothing, as forfeiting was a common occurrence in every Evergreen Convention.
“Thank you for the reminder, Steward Cai. I have already considered it thoroughly. For the future of the JuLing Sect, I must protect these Immortal Seeds and cannot take such a risk.” Sect Master Jiang explained sternly, naturally not wanting the two high-level figures of the Immortal Alliance to think he was treating the Evergreen Convention lightly, coming and going as he pleased.
“Since Sect Master Jiang has already made up his mind, I shall say no more,” Steward Cai said with a slight shake of his head, expressing his regret.
“Thank you, Elder Zuo and Steward Cai, for your care during this time!” Sect Master Jiang thanked them politely and then returned the sign plate he was holding, which was a requirement for sects leaving the Evergreen Convention.
Next, Sect Master Jiang led his disciples away, looking back repeatedly. However, before they could exit the main gate, they were stopped by the HongHua Sect.
Qi Huang, as the clone leading the team, stepped forward as usual to state their purpose.
“Are you fellows seeking to swap draws with us? Do you know who our opponent is?” Sect Master Jiang asked in disbelief.
“Isn’t it the Jinliu Sect?” Qi Huang replied casually.
“How do you know?” Sect Master Jiang was stunned. He had carefully hidden his draw after receiving it and had not revealed it to any outsiders.
“You don’t need to worry about that! Just tell me if you want to swap or not?” Qi Huang asked impatiently.
“Immortal Qi, the Jinliu Sect is the third largest immortal sect in the Xihui Dynasty. Since you know this, why do you still want to swap draws with us? Could it be that you drew the Donglai Sect or the HuXiao Sect?” Sect Master Jiang speculated.
“No, we drew the Jiu’an Sect, whose strength is comparable to yours. As for why we want to swap, let’s be straightforward. Sect Master Jiang should have heard that I was eliminated by the Jinliu Sect when I participated in the Evergreen Convention for the first time six years ago. So, this time, I want to get revenge!” Qi Huang explained.
“What? The Jiu’an Sect? Are you telling the truth?” Sect Master Jiang’s tone suddenly became excited, and the other disciples exchanged bewildered glances.
“If you don’t believe me, you can go and inquire. I’ll wait here for you.” Qi Huang knew that the other party would not easily believe them, so she offered this.
“Elder Peng, hurry and go inquire!” Sect Master Jiang urged reflexively.
“Sect Master, have you forgotten? We have already forfeited,” Elder Peng said with a crestfallen face.
“Alas!” Sect Master Jiang was stunned for a moment, then slapped his thigh hard.
“Sect Master, can we ask for our draw back?” A disciple asked naively.
“Get it back? This is the Evergreen Convention, not a marketplace! How could Elder Zuo and Steward Cai possibly allow us to break the rules?” Sect Master Jiang retorted with a grim expression.
“Sect Master Jiang, what exactly is going on?” Qi Huang urgently asked.
Sect Master Jiang dared not show his displeasure to Qi Huang. He tried his best to calm his emotions and then regretfully recounted how he had just led his disciples to forfeit.
“Why are you so impatient?” Qi Huang couldn’t help but blame them.
“Alas! It’s all my fault! I’m not fit to be a Sect Master.” Sect Master Jiang blamed himself.
“No, no, no, it’s my fault! It was I who suggested forfeiting,” the elder beside him said, wisely taking the blame.
The members of the JuLing Sect thus walked out of the sub-altar with mournful faces, their insides filled with regret.
“What now? Since they forfeited, we have no way to get that draw.” Qi Huang looked around questioningly.
“Who said there’s no chance? According to the rules of the Evergreen Convention, if a sect forfeits midway, their draw will become a ‘reward.’ Any sect can apply for its ownership,” Cheng Hong Ling said word for word from the side.
“That’s not right! If a sect obtains that draw, wouldn’t they have two draws? Wouldn’t that mean they would have to face two sects in one round? Who would be so foolish?” Ruan Lingyu asked with doubt.
“But that also means they can get double the rewards. Sects with strength would naturally welcome this,” Qin Quan explained.
“Is there such a good thing?” Qi Huang’s eyes suddenly lit up, “I’ll take that draw! How can I get it?”
“Don’t worry. If my guess is correct, Steward Cai will soon come onto the stage to announce this matter and find a new owner for that draw,” Qin Quan said, stroking his beard.
“I have a question. What if there is more than one person who wants that draw?” Yun Fei keenly sensed that there might be complications.
“Then it will be an interesting show. A competition for the sign plate will begin immediately, and all competitors will face each other on the arena! The strong will prevail!” Qin Quan said with an expression of interest.
“What interesting show? I’ve claimed that draw! Anyone who dares to snatch it from me will not be able to participate in the next round of the Evergreen Convention,” Qi Huang declared forcefully.
At this moment, Steward Cai once again walked onto the arena.
