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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 49 (193): [Making Friends Through Martial Arts, Generosity and Righteousness]
(49th of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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The floating islands of the Immortal Grove's Formation, suspended amidst swirling clouds of Spiritual Qi and Mist, were densely packed with inns and restaurants below.
This naturally drew a large crowd of Martial-Mystic Cultivators from all corners of the world.
As two banners rose at the crossroads, fluttering in the wind, they caused a sensation.
The two lines of text on the banners, each word brimming with powerful battle intent, exuded an imposing aura.
Below the banner proclaiming "Peerless First in the Same Realm," a smaller line of text read: Li Weiyi of Li Prefecture, Southern Territory, Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm.
.....
"The Unrivaled First Under Heaven in the Same Realm, Defeating All Foes in Ten Moves. Raising such a banner is bound to provoke outrage. Aren't they afraid of the banner falling and their own demise?"
"How arrogant! In all my time in Qiu Prefecture City, this is the most audacious display since Luan Sheng Lin You!"
"Who is Li Weiyi? I'm also a Martial-Mystic Cultivator from Li Prefecture, but I've never heard of this person."
Within fifteen minutes, the Martial-Mystic Cultivators gathered beneath the arena had become a dense, surging mass of humanity.
While Li Weiyi and Shi Shishi had gained some notoriety in Qiu Prefecture City for their audacious claim of capturing Yang Qingxi, no one had yet connected the two names.
"They'd better have the skills to back up their words. If this is just a publicity stunt, they'll pay for it with their lives."
Many proud and arrogant Martial-Mystic Cultivators were present, some already clenching their fists, eager to personally tear down the two banners.
However, the majority of the Martial-Mystic Cultivators sensed something deeper at play, realizing this was no mere prank.
The fact that they had managed to enlist a Great Spiritual Master from the Zuoqiu Clan to set up the formation suggested that this was no casual joke.
"These two inscriptions... such powerful fluctuations of battle intent. They couldn't have been written by a Martial-Mystic Cultivator at the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm!"
Qin Changfeng descended from his carriage with his two companions.
All three possessed Pure Immortal Physiques, their bodies radiating Spiritual Qi. They had originally been en route to the Immortal Grove when they happened to pass by.
Qin Changfeng paid no mind to the boastful words on the banner. He dismissed them as the ravings of someone desperate for fame.
However, the profound meaning behind the words drew him in, prompting him to release his battle intent and engage in a contest of wills.
Hailing from Fu Prefecture, one of the eight core provinces of the imperial court, Qin Changfeng had reached the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm.
To achieve this level before the age of thirty was no small feat. While he couldn't compare to the top Heavenly Prides, he ranked among the top dozen cultivators in his province.
"Incredible! This is Zuoqiu Ting's Peach and Plum Blossoms Fill the World battle intent!"
Qin Changfeng was forced back three steps by the battle intent emanating from the two rows of words on the banner.
His eyes were wide with disbelief.
During their earlier contest of wills, countless peach and plum blossoms had surged forth from the banners, each petal bearing a character and radiating immense power.
His two companions, also young masters of Fu Prefecture, were equally astonished.
"Peach and Plum Blossoms Fill the World!"
"Did Zuoqiu Ting write this for him?"
Beneath the stage, the crowd of Martial-Mystic Cultivators erupted in a flurry of speculation upon overhearing their conversation.
"Is this Zuoqiu Ting's assessment? Who exactly is Li Weiyi?"
"This is clearly flattery! How could anyone be invincible in ten moves at the same realm? Does Zuoqiu Ting really admit he couldn't withstand ten moves from him at the same level?"
"It probably only refers to invincibility at the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm! But how could such a Heavenly Chosen remain unknown?"
In the lower left corner of the arena, Li Weiyi paid no attention to the increasingly excited young Martial-Mystic Cultivators. Most of them were only at the First or Second Realm of the Five Seas Realm, with half still in the Surging Spring Realm - not his target audience.
At best, they were merely rumor spreaders.
Qi Wangshu introduced his elder brother to Li Weiyi: "Brother Weiyi, this is my elder brother, Qi Xiao. He's one of the top three young powerhouses in Zhi Prefecture and a renowned talent throughout the entire Southern Territory."
Li Weiyi immediately clasped his hands in a gesture of gratitude.
Qi Xiao had been invited to serve as a judge.
Qi Xiao and Qi Wangshu looked very similar, but one possessed a Pure Immortal Physique while the other was a Mortal.
Qi Xiao had a slightly round face and a shorter stature, yet he carried no hint of bulk.
Glancing at the two banners atop the flagpole, he frowned slightly and said indifferently, "you haven't even made into the Second-Tier? To call yourself a renowned powerhouse is simply humiliating!"
He couldn't understand why the First Inheritor, such a shrewd and insightful individual, would be so deeply connected to a Martial-Mystic Cultivator at the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm that he would even write such an arrogant appraisal for him.
"Invincible within his realm" was already an extreme assessment, likely to provoke resentment from many.
To claim victory over all opponents of the same realm within ten moves would require someone like Immortal Ge Xiantong or Luansheng Linyou.
Such a statement wasn't merely arrogant; it was utterly delusional.
'Very well,' Qi Xiao thought, 'Let's consider it a courtesy to the First Inheritor.'
"Brother, you're sure to place in the top three," Qi Wangshu said.
Qi Xiao had never considered himself a top-three contender. The individuals in the Second-Tier were the ones he intended to challenge. He would use his actual combat record to prove to the Calamity Crossing Temple that even they could misjudge someone.
Li Weiyi chuckled: "The Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival is just around the corner, Brother Qi Xiao. A figure of your stature should be in intense preparation. I've wasted your time! Let's do this: I'll give you ten percent of today's earnings."
"No need! As a friend of the First Inheritor, you're naturally also my friend, Qi Xiao. There's no need to talk about money for such a small favor."
Qi Xiao understood better than anyone that some things couldn't be bought with money.
Suddenly realizing something, he asked, "Isn't this a fighting tournament? What do you mean by 'earnings'?"
"Brother, it's like this..."
Qi Wangshu whispered a few words to him, then grinned and waved his hand. He ordered his men to open the three large black iron chests and the foot-long wooden box placed beneath the stage.
In an instant, three massive chests overflowing with jade-white Yongquan Coins materialized before everyone's eyes, radiating a soft, jade-like glow.
The wooden box, however, erupted with a brilliant crimson light, revealing its contents: Blood Crystals.
Qi Xiao, who had just sat down, jolted to his feet as if struck by lightning, his entire body frozen in shock.
Given his status and cultivation, he had naturally seen vast fortunes before, but those were locked away in the Qi Clan's treasury.
Who would dare bring such a massive amount of Yongquan Coins and Blood Crystals out into the open street?
Qi Wangshu explained, "Each of these large chests contains fifty thousand Yongquan Coins, equivalent to five million silver coins. Three chests contains total 150,000 Yongquan Coins."
"And the box of Blood Crystals is roughly worth one hundred thousand Yongquan Coins."
Qi Xiao, still reeling from the shock, sent a mental message to the other two, asking, "What exactly are you planning? Is the First Inheritor behind this?"
"Brother Qi Xiao, don't overthink it. Just sit down and have some tea. We're simply hosting a Martial tournament to make friends through combat - nothing more."
Li Weiyi turned to Zuoqiu Baiyuan and asked, "Have you finished writing the tournament rules?"
"Yes!"
Zuoqiu Baiyuan put down his brush and carefully reviewed the rules, then asked, "Are they ready to be posted?"
"Yes. Post them, and then read them aloud for everyone."
Li Weiyi, clad in a martial uniform of azure, possessed an extraordinary bearing. His physique was tall, lean, and upright as he strode toward the seven-zhang-square arena.
The arena wasn't set up in the middle of the street but in an open space beside a crossroads, nearly filling the entire flat area.
Once the three large chests and one small box were opened, the commotion and clamor intensified.
Ordinary Martial-Mystic Cultivators had never seen such a vast fortune.
When the rules of the arena challenge were posted, the Martial-Mystic Cultivators present were instantly ignited with excitement.
Qi Wangshu stood directly beneath the arena, amplifying his voice with Spiritual Qi: "Today, Li Weiyi, a hero from Li Prefecture, despite being born a Mortal, possesses the ambition of a Martial-Mystic Path hero. Having just arrived in Qiu Prefecture City, he is known for his generosity, chivalry, and willingness to spend freely to help others. Therefore, he has set up this arena to make friends through martial combat."
"One hundred fifty thousand Yongquan Coins and one box of Blood Crystals. First come, first served, until supplies run out."
"The rules are as follows: Any Martial-Mystic Cultivator at the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm, whether they possess a Pure Immortal Physique or are a Aberrant Humanoid, may step onto the arena to challenge him. If you can withstand ten of his strikes while remaining standing and on the arena, you will immediately receive ten thousand Yongquan Coins."
"Boom!"
Every Martial-Mystic Cultivator's eyes lit up, and the chatter erupted like boiling oil.
Ten thousand Yongquan Coins were equivalent to a million silver coins.
The Lingxiao Realm had been embroiled in years of war, leaving all major factions short of funds and provisions.
This naturally affected young Martial-Mystic Cultivators.
Who wouldn't want to buy Qi Accumulation Pills to accelerate their cultivation?
Or Blood Crystals to refine their bodies?
Or High-Grade Spiritual Artifacts to enhance their combat prowess?
For any Martial-Mystic Cultivator in the Five Seas Realm, this was an immense fortune.
The tide turned.
"So, it's a Martial gathering disguised as a friendship exchange, specifically offering Yongquan Coins to gain the reputation of a wealthy young man."
"It can't be that simple. This person must be formidable. To earn those ten thousand Yongquan Coins, you'd likely need a Pure Immortal Physique or be a Nine Springs Supreme. He's trying to befriend only the top talents of the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm, most of whom come from Sects and Clans with millions or even tens of millions of disciples. He's aiming for the upper echelon." Some Martial-Mystic Cultivators, convinced they understood the situation, offered their analysis.
Qin Changfeng lost interest in visiting the Immortal Grove. His heart pounded with excitement, amazed by his good fortune in stumbling upon such a windfall.
"If I get those ten thousand Yongquan Coins, I can immediately buy that High-Grade Spiritual Artifact battle armor I've been eyeing," Lin Yi, one of Qin Changfeng's companions, exclaimed joyfully.
Jiang Qing, the other companion, was already at the Fifth-Stage Five Seas Realm and thus ineligible to challenge.
He chuckled, "Look at you two, so easily satisfied with just ten thousand Yongquan Coins?"
Qin Changfeng's heart stirred.
Standing at the edge of the crowd, he channeled his Spiritual Qi into his voice, his tone melodious: "At the same cultivation level, enduring ten moves from a Mortal Martial-Mystic Cultivator should be no challenge. But what if I could defeat this Li Weiyi, even within ten moves?"
Li Weiyi, seated cross-legged in the center of the arena, knew business was booming. He replied personally: "If you defeat me, the reward will be multiplied tenfold. If you defeat me within ten moves, all the Yongquan Coins and Blood Crystals here are yours. The challenge rules are clearly written."
"I'll challenge you!"
"I'll go first..."
"Brother Weiyi, I've decided to make you my friend!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than six figures leaped onto the arena, each radiating vibrant essence, qi, and spirit, their Intent and battle intent surging powerfully.
To claim the first challenge, the six nearly started fighting among themselves.
Qin Changfeng and Lin Yi watched anxiously, fearing that someone else would win the three chests of Yongquan Coins first.
Zuoqiu Baiyuan stepped onto the arena and announced the final rule: "Young Master Li anticipated this situation, so there's one more rule. Before challenging, each participant must pay a challenge fee of five hundred Yongquan Coins."
"A challenge fee?"
The six Martial-Mystic Cultivators on the arena immediately calmed down, straightening their attire.
One relatively rational Martial-Mystic Cultivator saw through the charade: "So this isn't about making friends through martial arts at all. It's just a gamble."
Zuoqiu Baiyuan's expression remained cold: "Pay five hundred Yongquan Coins to challenge, withstand ten moves, and win ten thousand Yongquan Coins. Even if it's a gamble, countless people would still participate. Those who can afford the challenge fee, stay. Those who can't... please leave the arena."
Li Weiyi's scheme to make money through the arena was learned from the Dharma Dao Fire Ape.
As long as the bait was set well, there was no need to worry about a lack of fish.
"If you can't even afford five hundred Yongquan Coins, you're not even qualified to challenge. Where in the world is money given away for free?"
Qin Changfeng and Lin Yi, both radiating confidence, pushed through the crowd and strolled into the arena from the outer perimeter.
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END OF CHAPTER
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