Chapter 86

Although Senior Uncle Ximen is present, the person presiding over this meeting is still Sect Master Wang. (www..com)

He cleared his throat, looked at the others, and said loudly:

"The first agenda item of this meeting is to decide who will lead the team to participate in the Blood Refinement Sect's ore mine contest. In addition to Senior Uncle Ximen, we need another Core Formation stage senior uncle to go. I wonder which senior uncle everyone thinks is suitable. Please propose candidates early so we can send people to invite them in advance, to avoid last-minute chaos."

As soon as Sect Master Wang finished speaking, an elderly man with gray hair interjected:

"The last competition was held within the Luoxia Sect, and Senior Uncle Xu led the team. However, Senior Uncle Xu is currently at a critical point in breaking through the late Core Formation bottleneck, so he definitely cannot lead the team this time. But in addition to Senior Uncle Ximen, we need to find another mid-Core Formation senior uncle."

"I think we can consult Senior Uncle Zeng and see if he is willing to go. If Senior Uncle Zeng agrees, we won't have to worry about it. What do you all think?" The elderly man who distributed the numbers at the last competition suggested.

"I think it's fine. Although Senior Uncle Zeng is only at the mid-Core Formation stage, he is well-known in the Daliang Kingdom's cultivation world and has good personal relationships with the elders of other sects, often interacting with them," a steward also said.

Sect Master Wang looked at Senior Uncle Ximen and said respectfully, "Senior Uncle, what do you think?"

"Hmm, I think it's fine for Senior Brother Zeng to lead the team. I have a good relationship with Senior Brother Zeng, and I believe he will agree. Since the team leader is determined, you can discuss the other matters. I'll go back first. If there's a result, send someone to inform me." The elderly man Ximen said, then floated out of the hall.

"Next, we need to discuss the rewards for the disciples this time. As the saying goes: 'Great rewards bring forth brave men.' To promote the long-term development of our sect, we need to encourage the disciples further," Sect Master Wang said after respectfully seeing Senior Uncle Ximen off.

"Why not just give them the fifty high-grade magical artifacts that Junior Brother Fei sent? Isn't that enough?" A middle-aged man with a slightly yellow complexion said.

"No, the high-grade magical artifacts were already decided to be given during the last selection. This time, we need to give some additional rewards. This is a crucial competition that will determine the amount of spirit stone mines for the next thirty years. Although we won the last competition held in our sect due to the home advantage and thorough preparation, it doesn't mean we will win again this time. We don't know how the Blood Refinement Sect will conduct the competition this time," Senior Uncle Ma, whom Qin Fengming had met before, explained.

"Hmm, no matter which sect hosts the competition, that sect will have an advantage. We should indeed offer more rewards. How about this: this time, those who can rank in the top forty among all the participating disciples from the five sects will be rewarded with twenty Yellow Essence Pills. If they can rank in the top five, they will be given one Foundation Establishment Pill. What do you all think?" The elderly man surnamed Wei said.

"Hmm, that's very good. With such generous rewards, the peak Qi Gathering stage disciples will definitely strive to win," a steward agreed.

"Hmm, this is a good plan. I think Senior Brother Wei's proposal is very feasible. Such rewards will surely inspire the disciples to fight to the death."

...

Seeing that everyone agreed with the plan, Sect Master Wang nodded and said, "Good, since everyone has no objections, we will follow the proposal made by Junior Brother Wei. Next, we need to notify the selected disciples to gather in the hall three days from now in the morning to choose their magical artifacts and announce the reward plan for this ore mine contest. Junior brothers, please prepare accordingly."

Three days later in the morning, Qin Fengming appeared on time in the main hall of Yunque Peak.

After the forty selected disciples gathered, Sect Master Wang and the elderly man holding the basket appeared on the dais.

Sect Master Wang smiled at everyone, his eyes full of excitement: "This time, I have called you here to fulfill the rewards for the last selection. Now you can go to Junior Brother Wang to receive the magical artifacts. Each person is limited to one draw, and once taken, it cannot be changed. You may start drawing now."

Everyone's eyes were shining as they watched the elderly man holding the basket, their eyes full of excitement.

All cultivators knew that having a good magical artifact in hand would increase their chances of winning in a battle. Although this time they were only receiving one high-grade magical artifact, these were personally refined by Junior Brother Fei, and it was said that each one could match top-grade magical artifacts. Such precious magical artifacts were highly valued by everyone.

Qin Fengming saw everyone draw their magical artifacts one by one, and after receiving them, they all had joyful expressions. However, each person directly stored their artifact in their storage ring without displaying it in the hall.

When it was Qin Fengming's turn to draw, he reached into the basket, his fingers moved, and he touched a soft, rope-like magical artifact. Without hesitation, he clenched his fingers, held the artifact in his hand, and stored it in his storage ring. Then, he walked to the side, his face showing no expression.

After everyone had drawn their magical artifacts, Sect Master Wang stepped forward and chuckled, "You have all received your magical artifacts. In the next half month, you need to familiarize yourselves with the artifacts and achieve free control over them, which will increase your chances of winning in the future competition."

"There is another matter that will greatly benefit you. After a joint decision by the high-level members of our sect, we will reward the disciples who perform well in this ore mine contest."

"The reward plan is as follows: if you rank in the top fifty among all the participants, our sect will reward you with twenty Yellow Essence Pills. If you can rank in the top ten, our sect will also reward you with one Foundation Establishment Pill. I hope you all strive to win and achieve good results." Sect Master Wang actually relaxed the reward conditions significantly.

As soon as Sect Master Wang finished speaking, there was a commotion below. The rewards he mentioned were indeed generous. If one could obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill, the chances of successfully establishing a foundation would greatly increase, and Qin Fengming was no exception.

The twenty Yellow Essence Pills were also excellent for enhancing cultivation. Normally, one could only receive one every six months, but now, twenty were right in front of them. Anyone would try their best to obtain them, which was more effective than any hollow encouragement.

All the disciples secretly resolved to do whatever it took to win the Yellow Essence Pills in this competition. Although the market sometimes sold Yellow Essence Pills, there were many more cultivators than pills, and they would be snatched up as soon as they appeared.

Although there were other types of pills that were effective for peak Qi Gathering stage cultivators, they were far less effective than Yellow Essence Pills.

Qin Fengming was also very excited after hearing Sect Master Wang's words.

If he could rank in the top ten, he would receive another Foundation Establishment Pill, greatly increasing his chances of successfully establishing a foundation on his own, so he wouldn't need to agree to Junior Brother Fei's request.

He was very confident in his current strength. As long as it wasn't a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, he wouldn't take anyone seriously. His greatest hope was for the competition to come as soon as possible.