66 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Unexpectedly, trouble came in pairs. As soon as Qi Xiu landed on the grounds of Heihe Peak, Zhan Yuan anxiously awaited him with another piece of bad news. "What!? They want to renegotiate the interests of the Black River Bazaar!?" Qi Xiu was incredulous. How long had Chu Youguang been here? How long had the Chu Qin Sect enjoyed prosperity? And now their prosperity was once again being threatened by a redistribution of interests!? Zhan Yuan, looking dejected, explained, "Yes, initially it was a cultivator from the Guanghui Pavilion in Qi Nan City who approached Chu Youmin, merely wanting a share in the auction business. However, Chu Youmin insulted them severely, and now, Guanghui Pavilion cannot let this go. The Nascent Soul elder behind them directly approached Old Ancestor Chu Hongshang, which led to this renegotiation." "Chu Youmin, that fool!" Qi Xiu was so angry he almost laughed. Guanghui Pavilion was a powerful commercial entity spread across Qi Yun, with backing that ran deep and was hard to fathom. Chu Youmin, unaware of his limits, had handed them the perfect excuse to get involved in the emerging Black River Bazaar. It wasn’t just his own loss; even the Zhao family, Wang family, and his Chu Qin Sect were dragged into this mess. "I just met Zhao Liande; he didn't show any sign of this happening. Are you sure of your information?" Qi Xiu asked. "It's absolutely true. I obtained this firsthand from Chu Youguang. Zhao Liande probably isn’t aware yet." Zhan Yuan pulled out a silk cloth, onto which a rough map of the new bazaar had been sketched. "This is what I copied. In the future, exclusive rights will no longer exist. The benefits of the new bazaar will be determined through competition." The map displayed a newly planned large area for the bazaar, with dozens of numbered spots for shop construction. The original central junction was awkwardly pushed to a corner. If the map was accurate, not only would the Chu Qin Sect lose its exclusive rights to the ghost market and inns, but their businesses would also become marginalized. Watching with growing alarm, Qi Xiu asked, "Competition? What kind of competition?" Zhan Yuan pointed to the numbered plots of land, "These numbered plots are the targets. The Southern Chu Sect plans to hold a grand tournament for cultivators from each sect. Ranking in the tournament will determine ownership of each plot. All sects, including Qi Yun, Southern Chu, Beast Taming, and White Mountain, can participate, ensuring intense competition." "While it seems fair, it essentially excludes smaller sects like ours!" Qi Xiu was disheartened. Just after promising Zhao Liande participation in life-and-death battles, they immediately faced a tournament with nearly no chance of winning. The Chu Qin Sect barely managed to kill a single Black River Lizard, nearly at the cost of lives—this competition was beyond their capabilities! Zhan Yuan sighed, "Indeed. Apart from Guanghui Pavilion, powerful forces like Wanbao Pavilion and Lingyao Pavilion from Qi Nan are interested, and so are alliances like the Baishan Talisman Alliance, the Water Alliance, and various other large and small sects including Southern Chu and Beast Taming. There's no way for us to compete." "Gather everyone for a discussion," Qi Xiu said helplessly. Inside the Baoyuan Hall, the members of the Chu Qin Sect, upon hearing the news, were as wilted as frost-hit eggplants, unable to make suggestions. Only He Yu seemed eager, saying joyfully, "I've been stuck trying to break through to the sixth level of Qi Refinement. Master Kan advised me to explore the world, and there's nothing like experiencing life-and-death struggles to broaden one's horizons. It might help with my cultivation insights." Zhang Shishi, hearing this, thought it reasonable. The tournament emphasized stopping before causing serious harm, so it posed no major threat. He had similar troubles breaking through to the sixth level and thought this might be a chance to progress. He stopped looking worried and said, "Then He Yu and I will participate. Brother Yu..." He looked toward Yu Denuo. Yu Denuo, the highest cultivator in the Chu Qin Sect, understood Zhang Shishi’s intent and nodded, "Count me in as well. But to be honest, our chances for placing highly are minimal. We shouldn't set unrealistic expectations." "Alright! So, He and I, along with Brother Yu, will represent the sect. Whether we succeed or not, we will do our best and leave no regrets. Since the tournament poses no mortal danger, consider it an opportunity to learn combat experience," Zhang Shishi decided, knowing they were the strongest combination in the sect. The rest nodded in agreement. "No!" Qi Xiu suddenly interrupted, standing up and pacing, seemingly dissatisfied with Zhang Shishi’s decision. Everyone looked at him in surprise. After a while, Qi Xiu spoke with a serious expression, "I've decided—every single member of our sect will participate in the tournament!" Zhan Yuan questioned, "Master? Our cultivation is low; going up there will only make us a laughingstock, achieving nothing!" Qi Xiu raised his hand to stop Zhan Yuan, speaking slowly, "Let me tell you the truth: our Chu Qin Sect might have to engage in a real life-and-death struggle in the future. Shishi was right; the tournament, regardless of its outcome, is a perfect chance to practice for actual combat." His declaration caused a stir, "A life-and-death struggle? What does that mean!" Yu Denuo panicked, having only sought peace in the Chu Qin Sect, and exclaimed, "Master! Be prudent! Real life-and-death battles are nothing like tournaments. Losing means death and annihilation!" Qi Xiu thought to himself, what choice do I have? But the secret mandate from Chu Du forced his hand, and he couldn't reveal it. He spoke resolutely, "This isn't my choice! We aren't a sect protected by ancestral law for three generations. Even with Southern Chu's backing, some matters are beyond our control." Seeing Yu Denuo's dejected look, Qi Xiu softened, "These conflicts involve great risks; I don't know the details, and it might not be as you fear, but preparing ahead is wise. The path of cultivation is long; can you guarantee never facing a fight in the future? More practice is always beneficial." While Qi Xiu rarely enforced his authority, once decided, his word was final. Seeing his resolve, the members soon returned to honing the combat techniques abandoned after defeating the Black River Lizard. Zhan Yuan busied himself, spending all the sect’s resources to buy talismans and magical implements in preparation for the tournament—though prices for such items had surged across markets, showing other sects were similarly active. Based on commerce, Guanghui Pavilion acted with high efficiency, and with a Nascent Soul elder’s backing, even Chu Hongshang had been persuaded, allowing the giant to act unrestrainedly. Within days, a large and wide arena was erected in the Black River Bazaar, with the tournament date set and registrations opened. The Chu Qin Sect registered all eleven of its members. Wang Guan registered three, Zhao Liande ten, while the instigating Chu Youmin was nowhere to be found, reportedly having been taken back to Nan Chu City with his entire clan, ordered to reflect behind closed doors. And just like that, their influence in the Black River area evaporated.