Chapter 179: Disdainful and Arrogant

"The peak!" a curious voice exclaimed from the best viewing platform. The grand mirror image, broadcast clearly from Xuanchou Domain, showed a group from Xuanchou on a barren mountain. They seemed to be preparing to leave, but instead, they began to set up camp on the spot.

The mirror image now seemed to possess a life of its own; whenever it focused on the Xuanchou group, it instinctively knew when to zoom in and when to pull back.

On the final day, the mirror broadcast was free, or rather, the pay-per-view access for various sects had been discontinued. It was anticipated that powerful figures would intervene significantly on this last day. It wouldn't be fair if patrons paid for a viewing, only for the conference to end and their disciples to exit before they even had a chance to watch. Refunding money would be both distasteful and troublesome, making it unnecessary.

The mirror then showed the figures of Mulan Qingqing and Shichun.

Initially, their figures were indistinct, but Mulan Qingqing's snow-white attire stood out, as did Wu Jinliang's raised saber from a distance. These two conspicuous points together prompted the operator of the Sky-Viewing Mirror to react.

The view quickly zoomed in, revealing Mulan Qingqing and Shichun standing face to face.

Inside the small building, Young Master Nan instantly became alert. He darted to the window and leaned on the sill, eager to watch.

He had previously tried to request a view of Shichun, but the Sky-Viewing Mirror operators had told him that it was no longer open to external requests and that he lacked the authority to do so, leaving him feeling repressed.

Mulan paused, a silence that nearly frayed the nerves of those present. It was as if she was about to take a decisive step but then pulled back, saying, "They are major sects, not ordinary people; there's no need for that. Go, bring our Extreme Worm Crystals as well."

Shichun's straightforwardness unsettled them slightly, allowing them to personally experience the apprehension of insidious forces in the face of upright integrity.

This was Lan'er Qingqing's first statement after confronting Shichun. Only those directly involved could understand the hidden meaning of her words, which related to their previous dealings. Now, any benefits would have to be secured through individual capability.

Wu Jinliang also knew the other side would cheat. Seeing Shichun repeatedly provoke them, he couldn't resist asking Mulan, "Senior Brother, should I go check?" Although they had prepared for inspections by layering genuine items on top, such preparation was superficial and wouldn't withstand close scrutiny. On the opposite side, Lan'er Qingqing, Guanyingjie, and Wan Daoxuan were already terrified. Despite maintaining composure on the surface, their breathing had practically stopped.

After an initial sense of ease, Lan'er Qingqing felt flustered again. She realized that shamelessness truly can become habitual. Inside each white cloth bag, Extreme Worm Crystals shimmered with blue light. However, they appeared only half-filled; a layer of crystals rested on top, but something else, distinctly different, seemed to fill the bottom.

Mulan immediately raised a hand and gestured, saying, "Everyone, ours are all here. Please count them."

Even Lan'er Qingqing's expression was unnatural.

Those in the know chuckled awkwardly at his words, especially Lan'er Qingqing, who felt even more flustered inside.

Of course, there was also confidence in their own strength.

Sect Leader Bian now truly understood Elder Ke's earlier delight, having previously contemplated how to utterly destroy those two scoundrels to sate his vengeance.

Xiang Xuanzhou, on the other hand, simply observed. He knew the elite group would cheat, but he hadn't anticipated them being so meticulously deceptive.

Mulan immediately added, "Actually, I don't think there's anything to compare. Let's just stick to the original plan: count the Extreme Worm Crystals clearly. Whatever the amount is, that's what it is, and we accept the outcome. If you have no objections, let's proceed that way. I'll convince our side."

Seeing their strong reaction, Mulan raised a hand to stop them. "Never mind, pretend I didn't say anything. Let's just compete then. But let me say this plainly upfront: I dislike doing things against my conscience. If we truly enter the competition arena, I won't possibly deceive you. Lan'er, if you lose, don't blame me!"

This was also testing Shichun's stance—to see if he would renege on previous promises because of this—and also applying pressure to gauge his true capabilities. Wan Daoxuan, after forcing himself to regain composure, quickly intervened to stop him, saying, "Brother Wang, you..."

"...don't need to create more complications. Everyone has already agreed. If we stir up more controversy, we won't be able to explain it to the Domain Lord when we leave."

Actually, during this period, she was truly miserable. Though she appeared as cold as ice, internally she was tormented, having done too many things against her own morals. She didn't know how she could ever cleanse the guilt from her heart upon returning.

Tang Zhen and others also nodded in agreement. Wu Jinliang, who had placed the items, patted the bags and announced to everyone, "They're all here."

Wan Daoxuan didn't want to dwell on the matter. He quickly tried to divert Mulan and the others, gesturing with both hands, "Lan'er, Brother Wang, if there are no other issues, how about we start the competition now?"

The Sect Leader of Wukang Mountain and his two elders wore grim expressions once more. They longed to chop their two wicked disciples into pieces and feed them to dogs. The grand assembly couldn't begin its official entry yet, so why were their disciples still lingering with Wang Sheng's group? What good was bringing glory to Wukang Mountain if they only began once the competition was officially underway?

Mulan didn't wear the precious robe underneath; instead, he wore it visibly over his outer clothing. His indifference to how outsiders viewed him was also evident in their muttered complaints. A single question echoed in everyone's mind: What now?

Not only did Wu Jinliang know how to play, but Mulan did too. The two brothers, old partners who could always pick up on each other's cues, were always ready to indulge in a bit of fun together; it had always been this way.

Wu Jinliang, casually wielding his great saber nearby, couldn't help but interject, "Yes, I also believe it's better to be honorable and not do anything against one's conscience."

But she also had no choice; individual morality had to yield to collective interests. To snatch those Extreme Worm Crystals, everyone had already resorted to murder, robbery, and every extreme means imaginable. How could they still care about a mere deception at this point?

"This competition is separate from everything else," Mulan declared. "I won't show mercy when I make my move."

He took a deep breath and pointed to a stone platform behind him. "Brother Wang," he said, "bring out the Extreme Worm Crystals. Place them all there. Whoever wins takes them—no worries. So many people are watching; no one would dare to snatch them."

Although Xiang Xuanzhou was also visible in the image, he wasn't included in the count. Those words were, in fact, a scolding. To avoid widespread slaughter and resolve the issue merely through deception was already considered a generous gesture. Such preparations were clearly made out of fear that the opposing party might renege and refuse to hand over the items when the time came.

However, those who were being scolded surprisingly felt quite comfortable and relieved, experiencing no embarrassment whatsoever.

She could only comfort herself this way in her heart.

Having spoken, she turned and flew away. Only their group of siblings had come over; they were there both to greet and to inquire about the competition's format. At this point, it was impossible to continue entrusting decisions to those undercover spies.

Those words put Wan Daoxuan and the others under immense pressure. It implied a certainty that Shichun would lose. Was this guy really that strong?

Wan Daoxuan and the others all stiffened, having prepared to such an extent. Lan Qiaoyan and Miao Jiaolan also looked worried. Gong Duoci, seeing this, considered offering to find someone to make an inquiry if it truly wasn't necessary, but he held his tongue, having learned from past setbacks, deciding to observe the situation first. Lan'er Qingqing, however, instantly bristled with fighting spirit and decisively declared, "Bring it on!"

Li Shanshan asked, "Exactly, why didn't you stop us earlier? What if someone says we broke our word once we're out? What then?"

What they feared most had indeed arrived. If the others insisted on checking, they couldn't very well stop them.

Wan Daoxuan cheerfully replied, "There's no need for that. Counting so many things would be time-consuming, and there's nothing truly worth counting. Anyway, it's agreed: the winner takes all. There's no escaping or reneging."

Soon, Wu Jinliang, who had dashed back, returned with all the white cloth bags. He walked down the mountain slope and placed all the bulging white cloth bags on the stone platform.

Wu Jinliang followed wherever Mulan went. With Wu Jinliang accompanying him, Shichun felt at ease. Wu Jinliang's vigilance, honed in the Land of Exile, was excellent; Mulan dared to trust his back to him.

The attention of Wang Sheng's people also fixed on Mulan and Lan'er Qingqing, full of anticipation.

She was thinking that once the true number of Extreme Worm Crystals was revealed, Shichun would likely gain a new understanding of their grand sect's shamelessness. Coupled with the disgraceful acts previously committed by Suyuan Sect, people's perception of Suyuan Sect's true nature, and her own ugly role in it, would probably never change.

Wu Jinliang naturally understood the implied scolding and chuckled, "Alright, then let's go." Tang Zhen interjected, "Brother Wang, if you keep doing this, it will be very difficult for us."

With every gesture, Wu Jinliang also swayed in a patched cloak similar to Xiang Xuanzhou's. He had specifically asked Xiang Xuanzhou to borrow his, but Xiang Xuanzhou refused, claiming Wu Jinliang was too short and it wouldn't fit. Out of pique, Wu Jinliang made one himself, even adding sleeves.

If that opening truly revealed the truth, it would be disastrous. Not only would they be disgraced, but they wouldn't get the items either.

Xiang Xuanzhou finally understood. Those two weren't just crude in their methods; they were truly audacious. They dared to brazenly present such obviously fake items—which would be exposed with a slight touch—to challenge others' integrity. This wasn't merely arrogance; it was an utter disregard for an entire group of people. It was simply outrageous.

Even Xiang Xuanzhou, feigning depression while observing from the side, couldn't help but let his eyes flicker to look at him.

Guanyingjie, standing nearby, could feel the tension in the atmosphere, his face a mask of revulsion, as if he had swallowed ten thousand flies. A perfectly pure and unsullied master, her pristine reputation was now ruined like this.

As for losing face, those who disregard their reputation don't mind being disgraced after achieving success; they can find countless ways to console themselves. It's the disgrace of failure that many find unacceptable.

In fact, the aforementioned precious robe had already been given to Mulan.

Gongyan's extraordinary sight had an awkward aspect; it could even be described as an abnormality existing between illusion and reality.

It allowed him to perceive many extraordinary things, discern special types of stone and earth, and even observe certain internal states within his own body when he looked down. However, it couldn't penetrate the obstruction of his eyelids; his left eye would immediately fall into darkness once closed.

How could someone who thrives on absorbing killing intent be afraid of fighting? Mulan had long anticipated this battle, desperately craving to make a name for himself. Though the opponent's words ignited a burning passion in him, he maintained a calm demeanor, smiling and nodding, "Good!"

Under everyone's gaze, Shichun also flew into the arena. There, a stone platform carved from a large local rock was piled high with white cloth bags, evidently the Extreme Worm Crystals prepared by the elite group.

Meanwhile, Ke Ronglin, serving as the host, realized this would be the climactic showdown of the Tianyu Meteor Convention. Having participated in the convention, he truly hadn't anticipated such a scene. He felt both anticipation and immense pressure, but fortunately, when the sky falls, the tallest among them would bear the burden.

Ding Yi watched the screen, shaking his head. "How will that guy settle this after he's out?" he muttered.

Mulan directly activated his left eye's special ability to observe. With such a divine power, there was no need to blindly fall into traps. Besides, his current physical body was far more robust, and he could afford a small expenditure of his vitality.

Lan'er Qingqing understood his intention. Without a word, she quickly cooperated, flying into the competition arena.