Chapter 73: Others Participate in the Grand Competition, Wang Yulou Hosts the Grand Competition |
How does one host a minor or grand competition in the cultivation world?
In the xianxia novels from his past life, Wang Yulou had noticed that wherever the protagonists went, they would always coincidentally arrive just as a "three-year minor competition" was about to begin or a "centennial grand competition" was fast approaching.
However, after arriving in the cultivation world himself, Yulou discovered that there weren't actually that many competitions. The essence of a competition was selection, and selection involved the core domain of personnel and power.
Generally speaking, the power of selection was a crucial tool for superiors to build their own interest groups. If open, fair competitions were held everywhere, how could those superiors maintain their authority?
After all, if cultivators could secure opportunities merely by winning matches, those arrogant victors would rarely bow their proud heads again. That would damage the interests of those already in power.
Rather than promoting so-called victors with unknown loyalties, stances, and levels of obedience, grand cultivators greatly preferred choosing candidates from their own vassals and direct descendants.
Jiang Baobian was the direct son of the Jiang clan; thus, he became a Core Disciple of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect.
Mu Changze was the live-in son-in-law of the Zhou clan; thus, he was taken in as a disciple under the tutelage of a Purple Palace master.
Wang Xianmao appeared to have no master, but thanks to the protection of his faction, the Wang Clan had just reaped a massive windfall.
Take the Red Lantern Illumination Sect for example. As one of the Ten Sects of Wunan, the only competition open to its low-level disciples was the Immortal Alliance Envoy Combat Selection—and even that was led by the Immortal Alliance, rather than the sect itself.
From this perspective, the Immortal Alliance's existence did somewhat help placate the resentment of bottom-tier cultivators, although the effect was minimal.
But none of this had anything to do with Wang Rongsheng. As someone with rather mediocre talent, he had always been deeply dedicated to clan affairs.
At the moment, he sat cross-legged atop a Red Lantern, speeding through the sky on his way to deliver invitations.
With Wang Xianmao's support, the judging panel for the Clear Stream Market Talisman Master Competition had been heavily upgraded. The inclusion of three Foundation Establishment cultivators elevated this promotional event into something quite special.
To match this new prestige, Wang Yulou and Wang Xianmao held an emergency consultation. They decided to raise the profile and talisman-crafting standards of the participants. Using the prize pool and the prospect of fame as bait, they invited multiple Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans, minor sects, and dozens of Qi Refining clans to join the grand event.
The task of delivering these invitations fell to Wang Rongsheng. The Patriarch had even lent him a flying lantern exclusive to the Inner Gate Disciples of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, ensuring his safety on the road.
Naturally, Wang Rongsheng did not refuse.
The Wang Clan had given him life, raised him, and provided him with the resources to cultivate. Bound by his limited talent, his only path to advancement was flawlessly executing the tasks assigned by the clan.
As a grassroots faction under the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, the Wang Clan didn't host special selection tournaments, but their resource distribution system was quite refined.
After all, a small faction like the Wang Clan could easily pivot when needed. As long as the Patriarch didn't lose his head, steady growth was practically guaranteed.
Tie Qinhuo achieving Foundation Establishment despite bearing an outsider's surname was a prime example of this. To independent cultivators, the Wang Clan's greatest appeal was their absolute fairness.
Arriving at the Redwood Sect's territory, Wang Rongsheng frowned at the sight of their shabby defensive formation array.
When he visited a few years prior, the Redwood Sect had boasted a top-tier basic grand array, capable of blocking an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator for at least the time it took to drink a few cups of tea.
Now, upon his return, the grand array had degraded to an entry-level basic array. Even a slightly capable high-tier Qi Refining rogue cultivator could break it.
"Are the Daoist friends of the Redwood Sect present? Wang Rongsheng of the Anbei Kingdom Wang Clan has come to pay a visit."
Wang Rongsheng shook his head, channeling his magic power to shout aloud.
Soon, two cultivators from the Redwood Sect emerged from the grand array and flew up to receive him.
One of them was an acquaintance of Wang Rongsheng: Cui Baihao, who had just entered the tenth layer of Qi Refining.
The other was at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, though his name was unknown.
Cupping his hands toward Cui Baihao, Wang Rongsheng spoke.
"Fellow Daoist Cui, our Hundred Treasures Pavilion has organized a grand event, the Clear Stream Market Talisman Master Competition. We wish to invite talisman masters from a thousand miles around Clear Stream Market to join this grand occasion.
The competition will feature three Foundation Establishment referees, including Patriarch Xianmao and Senior Changze. The top twenty victors will all receive rewards. The grand prize for first place is a low-grade spiritual artifact talisman brush, along with the crafting methods for three types of high-tier talismans.
Your Redwood Sect has never lacked brilliant talisman masters. It would be a true pity if Fellow Daoist Cui missed out on this competition."
Hosted by the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, utilizing the reputation of Clear Stream Market, attended by the Town Guardian Cultivator, and offering a spiritual artifact talisman brush as a prize.
The name of this so-called Talisman Master Competition wasn't anything special, but its prestige was undeniably fully stacked.
As a former elder of the Redwood Sect, its current sect master, and a long-term business partner of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Cui Baihao excitedly agreed without the slightest hesitation.
"I've already heard rumors about this. I truly didn't expect Fellow Daoist Rongsheng to come all this way just to invite our Redwood Sect. I am deeply honored! Deeply honored!"
"Ah, you're too polite, Fellow Daoist Cui. This time, the Redwood Sect is being invited under the specifications of a Foundation Establishment sect.
We have also invited Purple Palace lineages like Wondrous Peak Mountain and the Tea King Gu Clan. It's bound to be a lively scene. You should bring along more disciples to broaden their horizons."
Hearing Wang Rongsheng's words, Cui Baihao grew even more delighted. He grabbed Wang Rongsheng and chatted with him eagerly for quite a while before finally letting him go.
Watching the retreating Red Lantern, the Redwood Sect elder standing beside Cui Baihao, Du Zhongnian, asked a question.
"Our Redwood Sect hasn't produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator in years, yet the Wang Clan still treats us with such respect. It seems the Wang Clan truly is worth befriending."
The Anbei Kingdom Wang Clan's external reputation was generally that of a faction that clearly distinguished debts of gratitude from grudges, yet remained relatively righteous. This was why the elder had such thoughts.
"You are mistaken," Cui Baihao replied. "Clear Stream Market has never hosted a similar event. The true focus of the Wang Clan granting the Redwood Sect the courtesy of a Foundation Establishment sect lies in that last sentence—bring more disciples to broaden their horizons.
The event will only be lively if small sects and small clans like us bring plenty of people. That way, they can ensure it doesn't end up starting with a bang and ending with a whimper!"
Du Zhongnian hadn't expected such an interpretation. After thinking for a moment, he sighed.
"Sect Master, it seems I still have much to learn from you.
However, since the Wang Clan's motive for treating the Redwood Sect like a Foundation Establishment sect isn't pure, should we still send our disciples to Clear Stream Market?"
Cui Baihao led Elder Du back inside the formation array and sighed.
"Our Redwood Sect can barely afford to keep the grand array running. We are so poor that we can only scrape together a few spirit stones to maintain an entry-level basic array for show when someone is left behind to guard the sect.
The Wang Clan is uplifting our Redwood Sect, so we will bring our disciples over to take a look. As for what their true goals are, we won't concern ourselves with that.
After all, being able to take the disciples out to broaden their horizons is still a wonderful thing."
Leading a group of cultivators and trying to survive in the cultivation world put an immense amount of pressure on Cui Baihao.
The Wang Clan's willingness to uplift him and uplift the Redwood Sect satisfied a hidden emotional need within Cui Baihao's heart.
He felt a long-lost sense of respect.
Therefore, even though he knew the Wang Clan's flattery wasn't entirely pure and had an element of using the Redwood Sect, he still chose to accept it calmly.
Having some value to be utilized wasn't entirely a bad thing.
Now, the Redwood Sect's grand array had devolved into an entry-level basic formation. Even a slightly capable high-tier Qi Refining rogue cultivator could break through it.
"Are the Fellow Daoists of the Redwood Sect present? Wang Rongsheng of the Anbei Kingdom Wang Clan has come to pay his respects."
Wang Rongsheng shook his head, channeling his magical power as he called out.
Soon, two cultivators from the Redwood Sect exited the grand array and flew out to meet him.
Among them was an acquaintance of Wang Rongsheng, Cui Baihao, who had just entered the tenth layer of Qi Refining.
The other was an unfamiliar cultivator at the eighth layer of Qi Refining.
Cupping his hands toward Cui Baihao, Wang Rongsheng spoke.
"Fellow Daoist Cui, our Hundred Treasures Pavilion is organizing a grand event, the Clear Stream Market Talisman Master Competition. We would like to invite talisman masters within a thousand-li radius of Clear Stream Market to join the grand occasion.
"The competition will be judged by three Foundation Establishment cultivators, including Patriarch Xianmao and Senior Changze. The top twenty victors will all receive rewards, and the first-place prize is a low-grade spiritual artifact talisman brush, as well as the crafting methods for three types of high-grade talismans.
"Your Redwood Sect has never lacked brilliant talisman masters. If Fellow Daoist Cui misses this competition, it would truly be a pity."
Organized by the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, utilizing the name of Clear Stream Market, attended by Town Guardian Cultivators, and offering a spiritual artifact talisman brush as a prize.
This so-called Talisman Master Competition didn't have the most impressive name, but its true prestige was undeniable.
As a former elder of the Redwood Sect, its current sect master, and a long-term partner of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Cui Baihao did not hesitate in the slightest and excitedly agreed.
"I had already heard of this matter, but I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Rongsheng to make a special trip to invite our Redwood Sect. I am deeply honored, truly honored."
"Ah, you're too polite, Fellow Daoist Cui. This time, your Redwood Sect is being invited under the standard of a Foundation Establishment sect.
"We have also invited Purple Palace lineages like Wondrous Peak Mountain and the Tea King Gu Clan. When the time comes, it will definitely be a bustling scene. You can bring more disciples along to broaden their horizons."
Hearing Wang Rongsheng's words, Cui Baihao became even happier. He grabbed Wang Rongsheng and chatted enthusiastically for quite a while before letting him leave.
Watching the retreating Red Lantern, Du Zhongnian, the Redwood Sect elder standing beside Cui Baihao, asked a question.
"Our Redwood Sect hasn't produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator in years, yet the Wang Clan still respects us so much. It seems the Wang Clan is indeed worth befriending deeply."
The outward reputation of the Anbei Kingdom Wang Clan portrayed them as righteous and clear about gratitude and grievances, which was why the elder harbored such thoughts.
"That's not quite right. Clear Stream Market seems to have never hosted a similar event before. The Wang Clan treating the Redwood Sect with the courtesy of a Foundation Establishment sect—the main point lies in the latter sentence: 'bring more disciples along to broaden their horizons.'
"Only if our small sects and small clans bring more people will the event be bustling, ensuring it doesn't end up starting with a bang and ending with a whimper!"
Du Zhongnian hadn't expected such an interpretation. After pondering for a moment, he sighed.
"Sect Master, there are indeed still many things I need to learn from you.
"However, since the Wang Clan's purpose in treating the Redwood Sect with the courtesy of a Foundation Establishment sect is not pure, do we still send our disciples to Clear Stream Market?"
Cui Baihao led Elder Du back inside the formation array and sighed.
"Our Redwood Sect can barely afford to keep the grand array open anymore. We're so poor that we can only activate an entry-level basic grand array for show when someone is guarding the sect, just to scrape together a few spirit stones.
"If the Wang Clan is willing to elevate our Redwood Sect, then we will take our disciples over to have a look. We won't worry about what their underlying motive is.
"After all, being able to take the disciples over to broaden their horizons is still a good thing."
Leading a bunch of cultivators to scrape by in the cultivation world, Cui Baihao was actually under a tremendous amount of pressure.
The Wang Clan's willingness to elevate him and the Redwood Sect satisfied a latent emotional need in Cui Baihao's heart.
He felt a long-lost sense of respect.
Therefore, even knowing that the Wang Clan's elevation wasn't purely well-intentioned and merely sought to utilize the Redwood Sect, he still chose to accept it calmly.
Having utility value was not entirely a bad thing.