"Once you walk out that door, don't rush to agree to anything, no matter who comes looking for you."
Hong Tianbao's plump face usually wore a smile like Maitreya Buddha's, but at that moment, it showed a rare hint of a merchant's shrewdness.
Qin Zhong scratched his head, looking puzzled. "What's wrong, Master? Surely no one would dare force us into a deal?"
Understanding flashed in Li Xiang's eyes. He asked tentatively, "Master, have the rules for dividing up the Spirit Ruins Blessed Land... been settled?"
What hero under heaven did not covet the Cave Heaven Blessed Land formed when True Person Lingxu dispersed his Dao?
But the various professions held one another in check, and the Sage Patriarch had yet to make a move. There was no way one faction could swallow such an enormous cake whole.
Hong Tianbao gave Li Xiang an approving glance and nodded. "That's right. The Commander-in-Chief personally issued the decree. The Spirit Ruins Blessed Land has been forcibly divided into five equal shares. As for who gets those five slices of cake, the winners at each of the Lower Five Realms will decide."
"From those just starting out in the First Realm to the Grandmasters of the Fifth Realm, each realm will have an Arena. Whichever faction is the last standing in its realm's Arena and takes first place can rightfully claim one-fifth of the Blessed Land's control."
At those rules, Qin Zhong sucked in a sharp breath, his ox-like eyes widening.
"Good heavens. The Commander-in-Chief means to throw every prodigy and old monster under heaven into the same pot and boil them together."
Hong Tianbao ignored Qin Zhong's exclamation and fixed his gaze on Li Xiang.
"Especially you, Li Xiang."
Hong Tianbao raised his voice slightly. "Your strength in the First Realm is