Chapter 12

Hengyi glanced over and sized up the woman for a moment, not realizing that this woman was Hai Shan, who had placed second in last year's top ten. From the progress of her climb in the top ten rankings and her cultivation breakthroughs over the past three years, she was indeed outstanding.

"She wants to trade the three top-ranking treasures she won in the past for my concession this year. I used to admire her, but now I find her increasingly contemptible! To think she would say such things for a mere reputation! Does she really think she can be first this year? What a joke, she can only be third!" Hai Shan's confident tone caught Hengyi's attention. According to the records, Hai Shan's cultivation progress was faster than Hai Yuntian's, and her talent was clearly higher. After a year of cultivation, she had at least reached the third level of Mountain Venerable. It was even possible that she had broken through to Earth Venerable. But if Hai Yuntian is third, who is the one who emerged?

The group of Haihu Sect disciples surrounding her curiously pressed for more details. Hai Shan clearly enjoyed the atmosphere and, after a moment of suspense, laughed and said, "Hai Yuntian is like a blind and deaf person! He doesn't even know about Hu Baijie! This year, she is the top rival. To be honest, I don't even take Hai Yuntian seriously this year. The first place will either be Hu Baijie or me, Hai Shan!"

"Senior Sister Shan, I believe you. I'll bet on Hai Yuntian being third."

"We all believe you and will bet on Hai Yuntian being third!"

The noisy shouts made Hai Shan's smile even brighter. She confidently shouted, "If you believe me, don't bet on first or second. Bet on Hai Yuntian being third, and if I'm wrong, I'll pay you!"

Hengyi walked over.

After wandering for a while, he suddenly remembered the woman he saw the first time he came to Rainbow Hall, who was dressed in a particularly revealing manner. He actually wanted to go and see her. He knew it wasn't for the sake of seeing her revealing attire, not because he didn't want to, but because he was too embarrassed to look. The last time, Hengyi was too flustered to see her face clearly. Now, he wanted to see her clearly. He recalled that the pool he had encountered was not far away, and he decided to go and take a look.

Hengyi already knew that she was Hu Baijie, the dark horse of this year's competition, whose cultivation level had not been fully investigated by the Grandmaster.

"Damn Hai Shan! She and Yuntian are of the same sect, and she won't even help a little. She even adds fuel to the fire, slandering Yuntian's reputation! Yuntian isn't afraid of her! It's all my fault for suggesting a bad idea! If it weren't for the position of Chief Elder in the North District, Yuntian wouldn't need to beg her!"

Hengyi followed the sound and saw a woman with an angry face complaining. The people around her were all indignant. Above them, a man with clear features and a slightly furrowed brow was meditating on a spout of colorful water.

"Hai Shan is too arrogant! There's still one night left! Her senior brother might still break through to the Earth Venerable realm. We'll show her then!"

"This woman is too unreasonable. Her senior brother has made it clear that if he wins first place in this year's competition, he can become the Chief Elder of the North District; otherwise, he will be the Deputy Chief Elder. She won't even help a little, and no matter how hard she tries, she won't break his record of nine consecutive first places!"

Hengyi saw Hai Yuntian, who was meditating with a slightly furrowed brow. He originally wanted to walk past, but then he remembered that Hai Yuntian's birthday was the next day, and today was the last day of his final cultivation period. Whether he could break through to the Earth Venerable realm would not only affect the moment but could also impact his entire life... He decided not to leave like that and wanted to get closer, but the group of people around him blocked his way.

Hengyi called out to Hai Yuntian, "Senior Brother, you're too nervous. Being too focused will hinder the cultivation of true energy. I've tried it; the more nervous you are, the slower you become."

"What's it to you!" A person glared at Hengyi, finding it absurd and ridiculous. Who among the younger generation of the Hu Hai Sect had the right to advise Hai Yuntian on how to cultivate?

"Just a casual remark, I'll take my leave." Hengyi wasn't angry, bowed, and left.

Hai Yuntian, who had been frowning, opened his eyes and looked at Hengyi's back. Although he didn't recognize him, Hengyi's words reminded him that he was indeed too anxious. The result of tonight's cultivation was crucial, and it was hard not to be nervous after hearing the words of his wife and junior brothers. "You all go back. I want to practice alone."

Everyone knew they had disturbed him and quickly dispersed, but they didn't leave. They formed a circle around him to prevent others from disturbing him.

Hengyi wandered around but didn't see the woman in the 'special' attire, Hu Baijie. He wasn't disappointed, though. When his energy was almost restored, he returned to the Reward and Punishment Hall.

July 1st, a scorching day.

The annual cultivation examination of the Hu Hai Sect finally began.

Hengyi led several junior brothers and sisters to the competition venue, but Dahuang, who was supposed to accompany them, was nowhere to be seen.

Elder Hall.

Dahuang brought several hundred taels of gold and jewels worth tens of thousands of taels to the Grand Elder of the Reward and Punishment Hall.

"Grand Elder, all of this to bet on someone winning first place."

The box was opened, and the Grand Elder of the Reward and Punishment Hall was taken aback. Such a grand event naturally had a betting system, and there were those who placed large bets, but it was rare to see someone bet all their wealth and life. He narrowed his eyes and stared at Dahuang, chuckling, "Hu Baijie?"

"No, a disciple of the Reward and Punishment Hall, Hengyi."

"There's no such person."

"Bet on him."

Dahuang's insistence made the Grand Elder's thoughts race. He knew Dahuang was a smart person. "An unknown person, ten to one... But why should I believe you?"

"If this gets out, I chose this moment to see the Grand Elder. If the Grand Elder believes me and places a large bet on Hengyi, you won't be disappointed!" The betting would be closed when the competition started. Dahuang chose this moment to maximize the benefit and to force the Grand Elder to owe him a favor, whether he placed the bet or not. As long as Hengyi won first place, the Grand Elder would owe him a favor.

The Grand Elder considered for a moment, not thinking it was a trap. "What if I'm wrong?"

"I'll take my own life in front of the Grand Elder!" Dahuang's promise left the Grand Elder with no doubts. He leaned in and whispered, "You have courage! It's a deal, by the way, I have a surprise for you."

"The one running the betting is the Chief Elder. The Grand Elder and he have always been at odds. If I really believe you and place a large bet, I guarantee the Grand Elder will win spectacularly, and all the years of frustration will be released in one go!" Dahuang wasn't sure he could persuade him, but he didn't want to miss this opportunity. The more the Grand Elder gained, the more he would owe a favor. The people recording the bets weren't just the Grand Elder of the Reward and Punishment Hall. Dahuang specifically chose him and said so much.

The Grand Elder hesitated for a long time. Just as Dahuang thought he couldn't persuade him, the Grand Elder finally made up his mind. "I haven't felt this thrilling in decades. Today, I'll take a big risk with you. If I'm wrong, don't blame me for being ruthless."

The Grand Elder decided to place a large bet, but his own wealth wasn't enough to achieve his goal. He quickly found people with deep connections in the sect and told them about the unknown Hengyi. At first, they all thought it was unreliable. The Grand Elder said, "Do you think I'm joking? I want the Chief Elder to lose everything! I've bet all my wealth and life, and you still don't believe me?"

They were all shocked and suddenly understood the Grand Elder's purpose. It wasn't just about money. After a moment of thought, they all decided to believe him and placed large bets! If they won, the Chief Elder would be bankrupt, and their long-standing power struggle would take a dramatic turn!

When the bets were sealed, many people who knew the changes realized something significant was about to happen. The Chief Elder received the news and felt an inexplicable panic. He knew exactly who these people were who suddenly placed large bets on an unknown person... his long-standing enemies in the sect!

Was it these people who had gone mad, or had he unknowingly fallen into a terrifying trap?

A hundred immortal birds raised their heads and sang in unison, and the sound of the tide-crashing magical artifacts echoed throughout the competition venue.

The three sides of the top ten competition stage were filled with disciples of the Hu Hai Sect, and some people from outside the sect had returned specifically to watch the competition, most of them to place bets.

There were never many applicants for the top ten, but this time there were more than forty.

After the top ten competition, the top ten outstanding competition would begin.

Dahuang found Hengyi and advised him to relax. "Disciple, don't be nervous. You will definitely win. I only hope you win as beautifully as possible! The more inspiring, the better!"

Hengyi was originally very calm, but after arriving at the venue, he felt a bit nervous despite knowing his chances of winning were high. He didn't forget his promise to his master. He would shine and stand out, working hard for the revival of the Sanyuan Sect.

"Master, I have an idea. Can I act on my own?"

Dahuang smiled and nodded. "I trust you."

"Thank you, Master! I won't let you down. Please watch me blind the eyes of the Hu Hai Sect!"

This was what Dahuang had said, and Hengyi had thought about it for a long time. He promised to do it and worked hard to do it best. After reviewing the information about his opponents, he had a plan and decided to put it into action!

An elder on the stage was still loudly explaining the rules of the competition. As he finished and shouted, "The competition officially begins—," the applause and cheers around the stage were deafening. Suddenly, Hengyi flew to the center of the stage!

Everyone was surprised, puzzled, and questioned, staring at him.

Staring at this unknown person who had jumped onto the stage, the top ten competition had a draw system, and the competition had not yet called for participants. Even the participants should not have been on the stage.

The elder in charge frowned, but refrained from scolding loudly due to the special day. His tone was still very stern. "Get down! Do you know the rules?"

Hengyi took a deep breath, first saluting the Hu Hai Sect's leader, deputy leader, and Chief Elder, and finally saluting the elder on the stage. He loudly said, "Disciple Hengyi requests to challenge all the top ten participants in a round-robin format! I humbly request the leader's permission! I have read about the leader's past heroic deeds and remember the leader once said, 'Those with extraordinary confidence should have extraordinary arrogance.' I admire the leader and today, I boldly emulate this, hoping to achieve it!"

After his clear and loud words, the stage was silent for a long time...

The elder on the stage who had scolded Hengyi was also stunned for a moment. His first words after regaining his senses were, "Are you crazy?... Who knows him? Where did this madman come from to cause trouble!"

The Hu Hai Sect disciples around the stage gradually came to their senses. Hai Yuntian's wife and junior brothers, who had seen Hengyi the night before, remembered him and shouted, "Isn't this the fool from last night? He's really sick! What makes him think he can say such things! No wonder he dared to criticize how Senior Brother practices!"

Hai Shan, who had been shocked, laughed and looked at Hu Baijie, who was watching Hengyi with interest. "How can a disciple of the Immortal Sect have a mental illness? It really adds to the excitement of today's competition!"

Hu Baijie just smiled and watched, without speaking.

In the crowd below, Hengyi's junior brothers and sisters, who had not been informed, were shocked. When they came to their senses, they all looked at their Grandmaster Dahuang. Dahuang was equally surprised, never imagining Hengyi would have such an unprecedented bold move. This round-robin format made him lose half of his confidence. Hengyi couldn't lose. If he could win a few, there wouldn't be much laughter. But he had bet his life, and Hengyi had to be first today! Second was not acceptable, but in this round-robin format, he had no absolute confidence...

The elder on the stage suddenly shouted, "Someone! Get this madman off the stage! Send him to the Reward and Punishment Hall to await punishment!"

Hengyi remained calm, maintaining his salute, looking at the Hu Hai Sect leader sitting in the north. Just as several Hu Hai Sect disciples jumped onto the stage to take Hengyi away, he finally spoke.

"Great words, 'Those with extraordinary confidence should have extraordinary arrogance!' I admire your courage and grant your request! If you can win twenty consecutive matches, you will be spared punishment; if you can win thirty, you will be rewarded; if you can enter the top ten, you will be greatly rewarded; if you can win first place today— all the rewards for the top ten will be yours, and I believe no one in the Hu Hai Sect will object! In addition, I will recruit you into the Hu family!"

The crowd around the stage was in an uproar, not expecting the leader to grant the madman's request.

Dahuang secretly sneered, knowing the old fox had calculated well. The first twenty participants were the ones with the lowest cultivation levels. Winning them would be enough to show Hengyi's talent, so no punishment. Winning thirty would be even better, so a reward... In the end, the reward was not specified, and it could be adjusted based on the situation. Even marrying a granddaughter to Hengyi was a pre-planned move, depending on Hengyi's talent. Dahuang was secretly worried but couldn't remind Hengyi.

"Thank you, Leader, for your understanding!" Hengyi's voice was loud, and his expression remained calm. He turned and saluted the participants around the stage, saying, "Please, Senior Brothers and Sisters, give me your guidance."

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