Feigning timidity, Qin Yu slipped behind Yu Lancheng and looked cautiously at Wei Zhenghai. “The ranking tournament has been a grand tradition ever since the Tiannan Divine Sect was founded. It has never been postponed. If word of today’s delay gets out, I’m afraid it could damage both your reputation and the sect’s, Sect Master.”
Wei Zhenghai’s expression grew serious. He genuinely had not considered that.
“What do you suggest, then?”
“You could give each contestant a Sacred Clarity Pill and a Primordial Spirit Pill. Once they’ve taken them, everyone can recover quickly and continue competing.”
Wei Zhenghai’s expression stiffened. Was Qin Yu asking him to supply the pills?
“That isn’t entirely out of the question… But besides the ten of you, the other disciples also need time to heal. To be safe, we should still resume the tournament in two days.”
Just as expected. He was unwilling.
Understanding flickered in Qin Yu’s eyes. The book described Wei Zhenghai as fiercely protective of his own interests and miserly to the extreme. Apparently, that was true. But the less willing he was to give anything up, the more determined Qin Yu became to make him.
He was no pushover.
Believing his argument perfectly reasonable, Qin Yu explained, “This competition is between the ten of us. We can still determine the winner with or without an audience, Sect Master.”
“Well…”
He had not injured them. Why should he have to provide the pills? Especially precious seventh-grade pills!
As Wei Zhenghai searched for an excuse to dismiss the matter, he caught sight of Perfected Lord Lianhui circulating his energy to heal. An idea immediately came to him.
“You’re right. Arbitrarily postponing the tournament would indeed harm the sect’s reputation.”
“Perfected Lord Lianhui, provide the pills for the disciples first. Once the tournament is over, I’ll have Xing’er Peak reimburse you in spirit stones.”
Lianhui unhurriedly finished his circulation, then drew a deep breath. “That girl is merely a newly admitted disciple. What could she possibly repay us with?”
“What guarantee can you give that Perfected Lord Xingyun will pay on her behalf?”
“If we cannot recover those spirit stones, how do you intend to compensate Yaoyun Peak for its losses?”
Wei Zhenghai: “Well…”
He had not expected Lianhui to show him so little consideration and put him on the spot in public. His expression soured. “For the sake of the sect’s reputation, give them the pills first. After the tournament, I’ll make certain they deliver the spirit stones to Yaoyun Peak.”
Lianhui rolled his eyes. Had Wei Zhenghai’s head been caught in a door? Did he really think he could fob him off with such empty assurances?
“Since you’re so certain, Sect Master, why not give them supplies from your private stores first? I’m sure Xing’er Peak would never dare leave a debt to you unpaid.”
“Yaoyun Peak has always been responsible for supplying the sect’s medi—”
Another voice interrupted before Wei Zhenghai could finish.
Qin Yu gently tugged Yu Lancheng’s sleeve. “Master, did I say something wrong?” As he spoke, he secretly pinched his thigh hard enough to bring tears streaming to his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I only wanted to keep a delay from damaging the sect’s reputation. I never meant to cause you so much trouble, Sect Master.”
Yu Lancheng lowered his eyes to the hand tugging his sleeve. What a little liar—never willing to take a loss.
He gently stroked Qin Yu’s head, his manner indulgent. “A-Yu was only thinking of the sect’s reputation. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
Wei Zhenghai: “…”
Everyone else: “…”
This scene was far too familiar.
After comforting Qin Yu, Yu Lancheng turned and issued Wei Zhenghai a direct order. “A sect master should act like one. You will supply the pills. Afterward, pursue whoever you need to for repayment.”
“A-Yu’s decisive matches cannot go without an audience! Perfected Lord Lianhui, give everyone present a healing pill. Put it on my account.”
With Yu Lancheng having spoken, Wei Zhenghai dared make no further excuses. He obediently took out Sacred Clarity Pills and Primordial Spirit Pills for Tang Si, Jiang Fu, and the others. Lianhui was even quicker; before long, he had finished distributing his pills.
The tournament proceeded as scheduled.
The ten contestants drew lots to determine their opponents. Tang Si faced Jiang Fu in the very first match.
Looking at Jiang Fu across from him, Tang Si subtly raised an eyebrow.
He had felt an instinctive dislike for this man from their very first meeting. Facing him now only deepened that aversion.
Suppressing his displeasure, Tang Si broke the silence. “You’ve only been in the sect for six months, Junior Brother, and you’ve already reached the top ten. What a promising future!”
Jiang Fu remained composed and saluted him with clasped hands. “I look forward to learning from you, Senior Brother Tang.”
The moment he finished speaking, he charged, gripping the Bicheng Sword and driving straight at Tang Si.
Tang Si immediately readied himself to meet the attack.
Watching the two figures exchange blows on the platform, Qin Yu could not resist asking the System, “Do you think Jiang Fu, at early Foundation Establishment, can beat Tang Si at mid Core Formation?”
【He’s the male lead.】
“Doesn’t the gap in strength grow wider as cultivation progresses? There’s an entire major realm between them. How absurdly overpowered would his cheat have to be to let him win?”
【He’s the male lead.】
“You broken rec—”
Suddenly, Jiang Fu caught a fleeting opening in Tang Si’s defense. Before Tang Si could guard against it, a single strike knocked him off the platform.
Qin Yu abruptly changed what he had been about to say. “Fine. The male lead is amazing.”
What utter bullshit!
Tang Si was a mid Core Formation expert, for heaven’s sake. Couldn’t they let him keep a little dignity?! Even more ridiculous, nobody seemed to find Jiang Fu’s effortless victory strange.
Qin Yu glanced at Jiang Fu, surrounded by people congratulating him, then at Tang Si quietly leaving the platform. He suddenly remembered Tang Si’s fate in the original novel.
In the book, Tang Si had also faced Jiang Fu in the top-ten round and lost. From then on, he had sunk into a despair he never recovered from. He stopped refining artifacts, stopped making pills, and stopped earning money… Later, on the night the Tiannan Divine Sect was wiped out, he died silently in some forgotten corner.
Tang Si might be a bit of a shrewd businessman, but he was loyal, valued his friendships, and had his heart in the right place. Someone like him did not deserve to die young.
Once the tournament ended, Qin Yu would find a chance to talk him through it.
Soon, it was time for the fourth match.
“He Shen of Yaoyun Peak versus Gong Zekai of Tianshu Peak.”
He Shen walked unhurriedly onto the platform. “I look forward to learning from you, Senior Brother Gong.”
Gong Zekai gave him an indifferent glance. “You’re no match for me. Just concede.”
“I can’t do that.” He Shen glanced discreetly toward Qin Yu. “It would be troublesome if you made the top five, Senior Brother Gong.”
Gong Zekai snorted. “If you won’t step down, I’ll send you down myself.”
With that, he unleashed his full strength, condensing his spiritual power into an enormous sword that cleaved toward He Shen.
He Shen remained motionless. Even as the giant blade descended toward his head, he did not move an inch. Watching from below, Perfected Lord Lianhui could not help shouting, “Are you an idiot? Get out of the way!”
The enormous sword was already upon him. Even if He Shen wanted to dodge now, it was too late.
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