Chapter 73: Notice |
The Six Great Elders immediately began to examine the Gold-Edged Document in turns. Yin Huixin was the last to receive it; she always stood in the last position when the elders were ranked.
While the first five elders examined it, Bian Jixiong waited patiently. Once it was in his wife's hands, he stopped waiting and spoke directly, "Each faction must send five people to participate in the conference.
Let's discuss who to send."
Yin Huixin frowned, glanced up at her husband, then quickly scanned the document's contents.
The eldest elder, Yi Huachun, who was ranked first on the left, questioned, "Sect Master, after receiving the Notification Letter, have you contacted the Domain Government? What does it mean to suppress the participants' Cultivation Level to below the Grand Attainment of the High Martial realm? Suppressing it below Human Immortal is understandable, but since High Martial cultivators can participate, why specifically exclude those at the Grand Attainment stage?"
Upon hearing this, some nodded, others were curious; in short, everyone looked towards the Authority.
Bian Jixiong Nodded Slightly, saying, "After receiving the Notification Letter, I also had many questions.
I've already contacted the Domain Government, and this decision was made after soliciting opinions from many sects. The reason is actually quite simple: those whose Cultivation Level has reached the Grand Attainment of High Martial are only One Step Away from entering the Human Immortal Realm.
It would be a great pity for such individuals to suffer Casualties due to this matter, hence the restriction to below the Grand Attainment stage."
Elder Feng, Feng Youzhi, who was positioned below him, raised a hand and patted his shoulder, saying with a Bitter Smile, "Old Ke, why designate the Northern Wasteland Western Extreme Region as the Examination Venue?"
Elder Ke stroked his beard and said, "The Northern Wasteland Bright Moon and Western Extreme Flowing Essence are where Insect Extreme Crystals are most commonly found."
Elder Feng said, "The Land of the Western Extremity is not small and is desolate.
With so many people scattered in there, who can keep an eye on each one? Since they are to Compete for Supremacy, do you think Contention can be avoided Behind the Scenes?"
Xia Fuli, Elder Xia, who was next in line on the left, said, "Exactly. There are always some who deem themselves Superior in Strength, fearing others will find more than them, especially those Disciples of Major Sects.
How can they tolerate being outdone? It's inevitable they'll secretly try to Rob others."
Following him, Elder Cui, Cui Youfei, hummed, "Setting aside other places, just in our Sheng Continent, the so-called Reward openly attached to the Notification Letter is, in my opinion, a Great Calamity.
The sect that achieves the First Merit will gain the benefit of having a 'Xun Gate' built at their doorstep. If a 'Xun Gate' were built in Linkang City, this Wilderness would immediately become lively.
What does this mean for Various Factions? The Allure is too great; Sheng Continent will begin contending internally. I truly don't know what the Domain Lord is thinking."
Elder Feng said, "There's no other way; without enough Temptation, who would exert themselves? Such a grand spectacle is rare in Shengshen Continent, hard to see once in many years.
Believe it or not, it would be strange if some Nobles didn't Set up Gambling; they'll likely gamble furiously. Once they get involved, things will probably take a turn for the worse.
I even have reason to suspect they are pushing this Grand Event. And those Noble Ladies, how could such excitement happen without them? While the Disciples of Various Factions are Fighting Desperately below, for them, it's merely a joyous Gathering."
"Enough."
Seeing they were getting more agitated, Bian Jixiong timely interrupted, "Some things are best said only here. Let's talk about who to send.
Who will go?"
The Inflexible Elder Ke said, "Since we know people will die, must we still send Disciples to their Death? The letter didn't say Wukang Mountain absolutely must go; we could try refusing first."
Bian Jixiong waved his hand, "Although our Wukang Mountain is located within Sheng Continent, when issues arise, we often appeal directly to the Royal Court.
You all know that the Domain Government has long had opinions about us. Now that Sheng Continent has a matter requiring our Contribution of Effort, if we refuse to participate, no one would be pleased.
Do you think the Domain Government has no way to deal with us? Do you elders still wish to move about in Sheng Continent in the future?"
Elder Ke said, "Then, Sect Master, tell me, which Disciples should we send to their Death? Excluding the effect of Talisman Spells, our Wukang Mountain's Strength in Fighting and killing can't even rank within the top thousand in Sheng Continent. By what right can we participate in this Competition? So many people are participating from the entire Shengshen Continent; even if all of Wukang Mountain's Talismans were given to the Participating Disciples, it wouldn't be enough!"
What he said was also Wukang Mountain's most embarrassing aspect.
Although Wukang Mountain's Talisman Spells were effective and quite profitable, they relied on Depending on Heaven for Livelihood; Production couldn't be expanded. Many aspects would be subject to Restrictions and Indirect Impact, including the number of Disciples, and so on.
Bian Jixiong pressed his hand, signaling him not to be impatient, "Elder Ke, you overstate. Wukang Mountain doesn't hope to contend for ranking or secure a 'Xun Gate' built here; we are just going to Make Up the Numbers.
Our Disciples have Talismans for Self-Defense. As long as we do Not Contend or Snatch, probably no one will run into us and Encounter Bad Luck.
Elder Ke, esteemed Elders, many matters are not up to us. As I said before, do you all still wish to move about in Sheng Continent in the future?"
Everyone fell into silence.
Bian Jixiong continued, "My suggestion is to Announce News to Everyone in the Sect, allow Volunteers to Sign Up, and then select five from the registered Disciples. If no one signs up, it won't be too late to Designate then.
What do you elders think?"
Xia Fuli suddenly sighed, "It can only be this way. It's inappropriate to send anyone to Take a Risk.
Elder Ke has always been Fair, and the Disciples all trust his decisions. In my opinion, the Nomination of Candidates should be left to Elder Ke to handle."
The elders Nodded Slightly one after another.
Seeing this, Bian Jixiong said, "Very well, it is decided then."
Elder Ke was highly efficient in handling matters.
Soon, relevant Notices were posted on the mountain, causing a Sensation throughout Wukang Mountain.
In the Study Room, Bian Jixiong held a Notice posted by Elder Ke.
Its content made his face darken slightly. It would have been fine if the Notice just stated the facts, but that Elder Ke actually spent a considerable amount of space describing the Danger of participating in this conference.
With that, who would still dare to Sign Up?
He had hoped the Disciples would volunteer. If it really came down to Designation later, Designating anyone would attract Criticism of Favoritism.
As Anger flared, he ripped up the Notice with a whoosh, and slammed the table. Yet, he couldn't do anything about Elder Ke; by Clearly Stating the Risks to the Disciples, had the man done anything wrong?
Just then, Bian Weiying arrived in a hurry with a Notice in hand.
Seeing the torn Notice on the ground, her Eyes Flashed, and she Comprehended something.
"Why are you here?" Bian Jixiong Get Angry the moment he saw the Notice in her hand.
Bian Weiying first performed Greetings, then said seriously, "Father, I want to Sign Up to Participate in the Conference!"
Bian Jixiong was startled, then frowned, "Don't be silly, this isn't your business. Everyone knows you Resigned from the City Lord Position to Cultivate in Peace.
No one will Criticize you if you don't participate in this matter. You can just go back and Cultivate with a Calm Mind."
Bian Weiying: "Father, I truly want to go."
Bian Jixiong: "I'm not Joking with you either.
The Dangers mentioned there are real, not Child's Play."
Bian Weiying: "Precisely because it's Dangerous, I must go, and I want to be the first to Sign Up.
Because I am your daughter, the daughter of the Sect Master. If I sign up first, then if you Designate anyone else later, no one can say Father is not Impartial."
She truly wanted to be the first to Sign Up.
For her, it was an Excellent Opportunity to Show Oneself. She genuinely wished for her Father to see her Effort; even if she only received a Look of Approval from him, she would be incredibly Inspired.
It was also an opportunity to gain Prestige. From the moment she saw the Notice, she knew her chance to Build Prestige had returned.
When Sect Disciples faced Danger, she was the first to Take the Lead to Stand Out!
It wasn't the first time she had done something similar, but this time it was even more significant, because this time there was genuine Danger.
She believed Prestige was accumulated little by little this way.
She believed that as long as she put in enough Effort for everyone to perceive it, who could still say she lacked the Qualification?
Bian Jixiong fell silent. After his gaze flickered for a moment, he slowly said, "Actually, for Wukang Mountain Disciples, it's not very Dangerous.
Firstly, we don't intend to contend for anything; we're just going to Go Through the Motions. Secondly, they will be given enough Talismans for Self-Defense.
Enduring until it safely concludes, the problem shouldn't be significant. The current issue is your Mother; she definitely won't agree."
Bian Weiying said, Excited, "As long as Father agrees, I'll go persuade Mother."
Bian Jixiong gave a helpless Bitter Smile, "Wait until your Mother agrees, then we'll discuss it."
"Alright."
Bian Weiying turned and ran. After running out the door, she paused and looked back, seeing the Gratified, admiring, and approving Look of Approval in her Father's eyes.
She immediately felt so happy she could fly; her departing steps became incredibly Light and Cheerful, and everything she saw seemed bright and sunny.
Inside the Discipline Hall, during the daily Leisure Time.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang sat on the Steps under the eaves, Watching the Excitement, observing Pang Tiansheng sitting on the Stone Mill and the group of people around him discussing the conference Notice.
When Danger was mentioned, everyone also discussed who would Sign Up to go.
"I'm saying, what if—I'm just hypothesizing, ha—what if no one signs up, or the number of registrants is insufficient? Do you think the Wrongdoers in the Discipline Hall here will be Specifically Named and Assigned to go?"
Someone Suddenly Appeared with such a remark, immediately triggering a wave of Fear and Worry.
Pang Tiansheng, sitting on the Stone Mill, fell silent, evidently also believing this wasn't impossible.
Wu Jinliang said in a Low Voice to Shi Chun beside him, "It would be best to Designate that Fatso."
Saying it in a Low Voice wasn't Enjoyable enough, unwilling to be a small person who gossips Secretly, he then shouted loudly, "If it truly comes to Designating someone from the Discipline Hall, Fat Brother, such a Responsible person, will surely Take the Lead to Stand Out and Take One's Place for everyone, won't you, Fat Brother?"
He always deliberately mixed up the pronunciations of "Pang" and "Fat."
The moment Pang Tiansheng heard the voice, he knew who was Spouting Nonsense.
Subconsciously, he wanted to turn around and Glare Back, but he Forcibly Held Back, suspecting That Fellow was deliberately trying to Provoke him. He took a deep breath and Held Back, not taking the bait; Junior Sister had told him to Look After them.
Quite a few people were Suppressing Laughter.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang continued to Merrily Watch the Excitement of everyone, Gloating at their anxious, Living in Fear expressions.
They didn't need to Worry about this Danger anyway, as it wouldn't fall on their heads because they were not Wukang Mountain Disciples.
(End of this chapter)