Chapter 44

Shan Heyuan's status was low and his cultivation level was relatively poor, so he couldn't really get a word in edgewise in this kind of situation.

He could still sense that Huai Liu was wholeheartedly protecting him, and silently added twenty points of goodwill to Dean Huai in his heart.

Their dean has always been a good person.

The news that Spirit Transformation Realm senior had ordered Fertilizer Pill from Shan Heyuan was big news, and many people came to see what was going on after hearing it.

The main problem is that the difference in cultivation levels between the two sides is too great.

Out of ten thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators, not even one might be able to cultivate to the Spirit Transformation Realm.

The fact that this Spirit Transformation senior values Shan Heyuan so highly speaks volumes about the quality of his Fertilizer Pill.

In this situation, even more people asked him for Fertilizer Pill.

One day, Shan Heyuan returned home.

Before he even got close to his house on his big yellow dog, he saw a group of people arguing incessantly in front of his house.

Upon seeing him, those people changed their demeanor, rushing forward to greet him warmly.

"Assistant Instructor Shan is back?"

"Fellow Daoist Shan, we are from the Many Treasures Pavilion. We've dealt with you before, do you remember us?"

"Oh dear, make way for me. Fellow Daoist Shan, this is a tribute from our Follow the Heart Pavilion, a three-hundred-year-old premium spirit wine, brimming with Spiritual Power. Please consider us first when you refine your Fertilizer Pill."

"Why are you cutting in line? If you want to do business, come to us. Fellow Daoist Shan, these are our Core Formation grade spirit seeds. Take a look. We're currently sourcing Fellow Daoist Shan Nascent Soul to exchange spirit seeds, just come to us. We have a full range."

The cultivators who came this time were all highly skilled.

Shan Heyuan had lived here for so long, and he had never seen so many Nascent Soul Cultivator before, let alone been surrounded by them.

These usually aloof and powerful figures were surprisingly approachable at this moment, even to the point of being obsequious.

Surrounded like a frightened cat, Shan Heyuan kept shrinking to the side.

After finally waiting for them to finish speaking, Shan Heyuan said, "I have already promised the Spirit Transformation senior of the Sword Reverence Sect, so I'm afraid I won't have time to refine any other Fertilizer Pill."

"It's alright, it's alright. You should finish your transaction with that senior first."

"Yes, yes, we're fine with being at the back of the line."

"Fellow Daoist Shan, look at our shop. Spiritual seeds, elixirs, and swords—whatever you desire, we can source them for you at a high price."

"Fellow Daoist Shan, please accept our gift first. It's alright if we can't do business this time, there's always next time."

Shan Heyuan was overwhelmed with gifts and didn't know what to do.

Just then, the door creaked open.

Shen Duheng's face appeared behind the door.

Upon seeing Shen Duheng, the enthusiastic shopkeepers immediately became even more so, stepping back slightly as they greeted Shen Duheng, "Senior Shen, you're home too?"

"It's been a long time since I've seen Senior Shen. When will you come over for tea?"

Shan Heyuan was taken aback by the fact that so many people knew Shen Duheng.

Shen Duheng nodded slightly to everyone. "Heyuan is rather shy. He appreciates everyone's kind intentions, but he'll consider them when he returns. You may all go back now."

Shan Heyuan had expected the merchants to continue pestering him, but to his surprise, after hearing this, they stuffed gifts into his arms and took their leave, saying, "We'll come again next time."

"Okay, I'll come visit again next time."

Shan Heyuan watched in stunned silence.

After those people left, she whispered to Shen Duheng, "Why were these people so afraid of you? Weren't their cultivation levels higher than yours?"

Shen Duheng was only at the Peak Core Formation, while many of these merchants had already reached the Nascent Soul Realm.

Shen Duheng said, "Sword cultivators never consider cultivation level."

"So, have you been in a fight with them?"

One thousand six hundred and seventy-three matches.

"What?"

"Number of fights you've been in since arriving in Sword Reverence City."

"How come I had no idea?!"

"Knowing these things won't do you any good, so I'll save you the trouble of bringing them here. Alright, come in and take a look at these gifts. If they're not suitable, I'll return them to you."

Holding the gift, Shan Heyuan followed Shen Duheng excitedly, saying, "I never expected them to think so highly of the Breathing Earth, and so highly of me."

"Who wouldn't want the Breathing Soil Fertilizer Pill, which can cultivate high-level Spirit Plant? It's worth Spirit Stone!"

"The Breathing Soil Fertilizer Pill?"

"The names those merchants gave you Fertilizer Pill."

"This is way too simplistic!!"

"As long as it's easy to distinguish."

Shan Heyuan was already famous, but these events made him even more famous.

Perhaps for this reason, only thirteen people challenged him in this chaotic battle, and none of them were particularly strong, so he won easily.

Jiang Zhi fought a total of 334 matches in just nine days, with nearly 40 matches a day.

My whole body was covered in injuries after the fight.

Fortunately, Jiang Zhi was quite skilled, and he won all three hundred-plus matches.

After the chaotic battle ended, Sword Reverence Academy announced the list of those who made it into the top 100.

Shan Heyuan and Jiang Zhi were prominently listed.

However, Shan Heyuan was in excellent condition, while Jiang Zhi's injuries had not yet healed.

Jiang Zhi put his arm around Shan Heyuan's shoulder. "How does it feel?"

Shan Heyuan sighed, "I prepared for so long, but in the end I didn't play many matches. It feels quite empty."

Jiang Zhi snorted, feeling a little sour for the first time.

Chapter 44

After the free-for-all, the top 100 players will need to compete in another match to determine their rankings.

This year's final competition will be held at West Mountain, Sword Reverence Academy.

The academy had prepared for this competition well in advance, and the final rounds began on the third day after the free-for-all ended.

Because of this competition, the entire Sword Reverence Academy had a five-day short break.

Whether they are teachers or students, anyone who wants to watch the game can do so.

The two large jade screens outside West Mountain will also randomly display the status of the contestants in real time.

Shan Heyuan and Jiang Zhi stood in front of the mountain, listening to the host read out the rules and regulations for the competition.

This competition forbids alliances and the use of Law Artifact and offensive Law Artifact exceeding the Nascent Soul stage.

The entire competition was monitored by armbands worn by the contestants.

Those who cheat will be punished with a demerit for minor offenses and expelled for serious offenses.

Shan Heyuan and Jiang Zhi stood side by side.

Jiang Zhi nudged Shan Heyuan gently and asked in a low voice, "How are you? Nervous?"

Shan Heyuan: "It's alright. I've done all the preparations I could. The final outcome is beyond my control."

Jiang Zhi took a deep breath. "I'm quite nervous. There are so many top competitors in this year's competition."

Shan Heyuan: "You're an expert too, don't be afraid. This kind of terrain is advantageous to us planters."

Jiang Zhi: "That's hard to say. Never mind, let's hope we get eliminated later."

"I hope we get eliminated later."

In this moment of mutual encouragement, the two cultivators, who focused on daily life, dared only dream of being eliminated later in life.

It's truly heartbreaking.

The host finished speaking quickly.

The grand formation of West Mountain was activated, and the top one hundred contestants flew in.

West Mountain is actually a mountain range.

The entire mountain range consists of six large mountains; a hundred people scattered within it would vanish in the blink of an eye.

The contestants who made it into the top 100 this time are all quite strong. Except for a few, everyone is very wary of the other contestants.

Most cultivators dare not fly high on their swords; if they do fly, they only skim low to the ground.

Shan Heyuan stayed close to the ground, flying forward at the fastest speed he could.

He didn't look at the lakes, dense forests, and caves he passed along the way, and flew directly to the highest mountain.

The rising sun shines on the high mountains, painting the snow-capped peaks with a golden glow.

Below the snow-capped peaks are meadows, while the lower slopes are covered in dense forests.