Blade Drawing Tournament (2)

"What if someone really takes it away for ten million high-grade Spirit Stones? Are you really willing to let someone take such a treasure away like this?" someone in the crowd shouted.

Yue Qianchou pointed to the river water, which was almost knee-deep, and laughed, "This ice floe is already too heavy to bear. Let's go ashore first."

He sheathed his broadsword and rode his flying sword to the shore first. The group was so engrossed in the treasure that no one paid attention to their surroundings. Only after Yue Qianchou reminded them did they all scramble ashore. Once most of the people had arrived, Yue Qianchou pointed at the person who had spoken earlier and said, "To be honest, I, Yue Qianchou, can say anything. I've never been able to lie since I was a child; it's innate, and I can't change it. If someone really manages to pull the sword away for ten million high-grade Spirit Stones, I won't go back on my word; I'll congratulate him. I'm making this clear today, and everyone can be a witness."

"Isn't a quarter of an hour too short?" someone else asked.

However, those who could ask this question were basically people who could afford ten million. Yue Qianchou enthusiastically explained, "It won't work if there's no time limit. What if someone takes a few days to draw their sword? What about the people who come after them?" Many people chuckled, probably because some people actually had this idea.

"Ten million per person, isn't that a bit expensive?" someone else asked.

"Not expensive at all, not expensive at all!" Yue Qianchou waved his hand and said, "Everyone heard the Wu family head's estimate of one hundred million just now. The Wu family has established itself in the Cultivation World based on its reputation, so I'm sure you all have no doubts! If I, Yue Qianchou, were truly greedy, I wouldn't have set the price at ten million, but directly at one hundred million. Originally, I didn't charge a single Spirit Stone for this Blade Drawing Tournament, but then I thought that wouldn't work. If you don't charge, then everyone in the Cultivation World will flock here, wanting to try their hand, which will inevitably cause a huge mess. But if you set the price too high, that's unfair to those who have the ability but not enough money. So I directly lowered the price from one hundred million to ten million. This way, there's a threshold, which allows more people to participate while avoiding unnecessary trouble."

"Yue Qianchou, you said that those who can afford to pay can try again, but that's not fair to most people. If someone fails to pull it up, they don't get a second chance, but those rich people can try again." The speaker then turned to the Human Path and asked, "Do you all think it's unfair?"

Immediately, many people joined in the commotion, saying, "Yeah, yeah, it's not fair... Each person can only try once..." The scene became somewhat chaotic.

Without saying a word, Yue Qianchou took out the large cleaver from his Storage Bag. The blade immediately exuded a terrifying aura, as if it were possessed by a demon from the underworld. It did not reflect any light under the sun, and those who approached it shivered and retreated.

The scene fell silent, all eyes fixed on the blade. Although its appearance was unremarkable, its power was undeniable; it was undoubtedly a fine treasure. Yue Qianchou silent, holding the blade horizontally for everyone to admire.

Peeping at someone else's treasures is a taboo in the Cultivation World, but now that the owner is being so generous, everyone naturally won't miss the opportunity and begins to examine them closely. However, some restless individuals, not satisfied with just looking, actually use their Divine Sense to investigate, hoping to glimpse the mysteries within. This immediately caused a stir; over a dozen screams rang out from the crowd as the people clutched their heads and lay on the ground groaning. The others instantly became alert, unsure what had happened.

Yue Qianchou tossed the sword into the air, and it fell to the ground beside him, halfway into the earth. He held the hilt with one hand and sneered, "I forgot to remind you all, this sword is extremely powerful. I doubt any Law Treasure below the level of a spirit treasure can withstand its sharpness. But it also has another effect: it can damage Divine Sense. Sect Leader Luo suffered from it before. I suppose these dozen or so gentlemen just used their Divine Sense to examine this treasure?"

So that's how it is. Everyone relaxed their guard, no longer paying attention to the dozen or so people still groaning in pain. Their gazes were once again focused on the knife, their greed barely concealed! They hadn't expected this knife to be so magical, capable of even injuring one 'Divine Sense —truly an extraordinary treasure! No wonder Luo Qingtian had suddenly let out a scream for no apparent reason; it turned out his consciousness had been damaged by this Divine Sense. Dongfang Changao and Chou Wuyuan also found it difficult to tear their eyes away from the knife.

"What that gentleman said earlier is right. The previous method does seem a bit unfair. How about this? The price and time limit for drawing the sword remain the same, but each person can only do it once. However, there are still many independent Rogue Cultivator in the Cultivation World. They are not affiliated with any sect or faction, and they are at the greatest disadvantage compared to those who are affiliated with sects. To ensure absolute fairness, each sect or Lineage can only send one person to draw the sword. As I said before, whoever can draw it gets to keep it. What do you all think of this?" Yue Qianchou asked.

This is good for most people, but it's a loss for the major sects. Which sect wouldn't want to get their hands on such a treasure? But everyone has witnessed the power of this blade; even Luo Qingtian couldn't withstand it. Which sect's expert dares to guarantee they can pull it off? The major sects have more money and more experts, so they definitely hope to try it multiple times.

Yue Qianchou's words were fair enough, but no one dared to accept them. Most people turned their attention to Dongfang Changao and Chou Wuyuan, who in turn scrutinized the crowd with intense gazes. The atmosphere was somewhat tense because of the perceived fairness.

After waiting for a while, no one spoke. Yue Qianchou walked up to Dongfang Changao and Chou Wuyuan, bowed, and said with a wry smile, "Seniors, please speak up! Elder Qiu, you know my character. I always keep my word. Everyone felt the initial rules were unfair, so I had no choice but to revise them. But now everyone is silent, which puts me in a real dilemma. Please, seniors, speak up for me!"

"Heh heh!" Chou Wuyuan sneered, glancing at the crowd. "Brother Yue, we've known each other for many years, and you are indeed a man of your word. The treasure is yours, and you've set the rules. No one has the right to make you change them. Things should be done the way they are, and I won't tolerate any gossip. If anyone is Qi Ingestion because you are outnumbered, I will be the first to stand by and watch. Anyone who is Qi Ingestion, come at me if you dare. I, Chou Wuyuan, agree with the original rules and oppose the new ones."

Dongfang Changao to the side, nodded slightly and said, "Fair rules should apply to everyone, not just sects. Sects vary in size and number of disciples. We can't let the suppression of elders within a sect deprive other disciples of the opportunity to shine and seize treasures. I think the initial rules were fairer." His words sounded nice, but if a disciple from a particular sect were to obtain the treasured sword, who could keep it for themselves? Wouldn't they all have to hand it over to their sect? Besides, how many disciples could actually come up with ten million?

One was righteous, the other demonic; both spoke with a domineering and forceful tone, while the other was much more tactful and sophisticated. But their goals were the same: to agree to the original rules. With the two leaders of the Righteous and Demonic paths, speaking up, who else dared to object? In the end, after going around in circles, they still followed the original rules.

"Since everyone agrees, please spread the word about the rules of this 'Blade Drawing Tournament' throughout the Cultivation World. I, Yue Qianchou, also hope that this treasure will be obtained by a capable person." Yue Qianchou cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the crowd, easily stuffed the large sword he had picked up into his Storage Bag, patted his behind, and left. Seeing how easily he drew the sword, the crowd's eyes immediately lit up with fervor again...

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