Chapter 200: Three-Year Promise

Wei Mo temporarily appreciated Wu Jinliang's over-the-top flattery. He smiled and waved, dismissing Wu Jinliang after he received his reward.

Next, Xiang Lan'er came on stage to receive her reward for third place: one million tanjin and a property.

Following them, Bian Weiying was at a disadvantage. Although the difference in the scale of insect-grade crystals between her and Xiang Lan'er was not significant, the rewards varied greatly. The fourth-place winner was not called out individually; instead, she, along with the fifth and sixth placers, came onto the stage together. Their rewards were identical: three million tanjin each.

The seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth placers then came up together to receive their rewards. These four only received one million tanjin.

For them, the significance of being on stage to receive an award wasn't the one million tanjin. Unlike Shi Chun and the others, who earned this reward and had nothing else to expect from Wukang Mountain in terms of additional prizes or preferential cultivation resources, these participants had different expectations.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang clearly understood that they had no backing. They were merely put forward by Wukang Mountain to make up numbers and serve as cannon fodder.

Their fight for first place wasn't even for Wukang Mountain.

As Shi Chun put it in his early years, "Every bite I eat, I fight for myself!"

Both sides were ruthless towards each other, true mortal enemies!

"The Heaven-Rain Meteorite Grand Assembly is officially concluded!"

"This monument shall be erected in the West, at the Moon Sea, to commemorate the departed and forever consecrate the spirits of the fallen!"

With the crier's loud announcement, the Heaven-Rain Meteorite Grand Assembly officially ended. The living remained alive, and the dead were truly dead.

The last sentence made Shi Chun and the other top-ranked participants pause. They stared blankly at the massive four-sided stone pillar, realizing their victory was built upon the sacrifices of countless fallen individuals.

Only then did they realize why such a large pillar monument had been created—it was to be sent to the West as a memorial.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged glances, feeling a unique kind of emotion, a different 'game' than what they were used to in the exiled lands, one that could stir waves in people's hearts. They felt like they had learned something.

The implications of this moment were worth their careful consideration.

Wei Mo flicked his sleeve and soared into the air, leaving once his task was done.

It was over. He left. The crowd dispersed, and people on the training ground rose and departed.

On the grandstand on the hilltop, a group of people swiftly flew towards the pavilion where Shi Chun and the others were, beginning to clamor loudly.

"Wu Jinliang."

"Brother Wu."

"Don't run, let's go together!"

A group of merrymakers immediately seized Wu Jinliang, congratulating him, slapping his back, and playfully punching his chest, all demanding he treat them to a meal.

Wu Jinliang was truly reluctant to treat them. He knew from experience that these rascals' expenses were too high; his one million tanjin reward wouldn't last if they truly let loose a few times.

Given his impoverished and difficult background, how could he endure such extravagance? This money was earned by risking his life; how could it be compared to those who lived off others?

However, he couldn't refuse either. He could only make excuses, waving his hand and gesturing for them to quiet down, adopting a submissive, well-behaved 'little wife' demeanor. "Don't cause a scene, our sect leader is here, we need to return to the sect. Gentlemen, let's gather again next time in the capital, I will surely host a grand banquet for you all."

The merrymakers' gazes all turned to Bian Jixiong.

One person asked, "What is the Sect Leader's esteemed name?"

Bian Jixiong knew these people were unusual, and calmly smiled, "Bian Jixiong of Wukang Mountain."

The person said, "Ah, Sect Leader Bian, it's an honor to finally meet you. The assembly just ended, why the hurry to leave? How about you head back first, and lend him to us for a couple of days? He can return on his own later."

Bian Jixiong paused slightly, then showed the decree in his hand. "No hurry, I happen to have some business at the General Affairs Department. We'll leave tomorrow."

Wu Jinliang was dumbfounded at this.

"Thank you, Sect Leader Bian."

After a polite thank you, the group began shouting, "Let's go, let's go!" and practically dragged Wu Jinliang away, pushing and pulling him.

Wu Jinliang let out a strange cry, "Shi Chun!"

This money at least had to be split!

Someone immediately exclaimed, "Foolish, you forgot the first place winner! Shi Chun, come, let's go together!"

So, Shi Chun was also forcibly taken away under everyone's watchful eyes.

As for Xiang Lan'er and Bian Weiying, no one called for them; a bunch of grown men with two women wasn't as much fun.

Miao Dingyi and others who had risen from the grandstand also looked towards where the boisterous group was heading, guessing who they were looking for.

Lan Qiaoyan sighed, "How did they get involved with those rowdy people?"

Miao Dingyi smiled and replied, "They're probably the ones who gambled with Young Master Nan."

Lan Qiaoyan understood instantly, saying "No wonder. So, they made money for them."

Miao Dingyi: "There are two types of people who make money around Young Master Nan. One type is these boisterous ones, and the other is the quiet, deep-water types. The latter account for the majority and don't care for Shi Chun and his group; they don't associate with them."

As he spoke of the latter, he tilted his head to glance at Gong Shaoci nearby.

Gong Shaoci quickly added, "I think Shi Chun and his group are quite good."

Miao Dingyi smiled, "It's over, let's go."

They hadn't gone far when they ran into Young Master Nan, who was seeing off guests and greeting people. He was naturally very polite to this family...

"Shi Chun!"

Shi Chun's group, who had just descended from the training ground's hilltop, suddenly heard someone call out.

It was a woman's voice, sounding somewhat familiar. He turned to look and saw a beautiful woman, dressed in white like snow, adorned with a sword, approaching unhurriedly. It was Mu Lanqing.

Shi Chun paused slightly, then quickly activated his right eye's ability to scan the surroundings. The Su Yuan Sect's killing moves were simply too terrifying and difficult to guard against.

Little did he know he was overthinking. They didn't know he could detect assassination methods, so they wouldn't easily use them against him.

"Oh, this beauty looks quite good," someone with an arm slung over Wu Jinliang's shoulder remarked.

The person next to him quickly elbowed him, whispering, "Mu Lan Jin's daughter."

At these words, the group of previously laughing individuals quickly fell silent. Their raised hands dropped, smiles faded, postures straightened, and then, as if they didn't know Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, they all subtly moved away.

What did this mean? Wu Jinliang quickly looked left and right, having now experienced these guys, and became even less willing to spend money on treating them.

Shi Chun saw it too and no longer wanted to spend the money.

Mu Lanqing walked up to him, their eyes meeting for a moment, then she looked him up and down. A hint of emotion finally appeared on her ice-cold face. "I'm so used to calling you Wang Sheng, calling you Shi Chun feels a bit strange."

There was a slight hint of sarcasm in her tone.

Shi Chun wasn't in a hurry to reply, first seizing the opportunity to save money. He turned to those around him and said, "Gentlemen, I need to chat with an old friend here. How about we reschedule for another day?"

"Alright."

"You have important business, go ahead and handle it. We're not in a hurry."

"Brother Wu, then you two be busy, we'll leave first."

The group left after saying their goodbyes, instantly vanishing. Wu Jinliang, watching them go, rolled his eyes, finding them even more pragmatic than he had imagined.

Mu Lanqing, however, was a little surprised. "Did I interrupt you? I don't have much to do, just came to congratulate you."

The implication was that they didn't need to be so formal; she was just saying hello and wouldn't delay them.

She was still a bit confused, unaware that Shi Chun had used her upon meeting her to save them a lot of money.

Shi Chun gave a bitter smile and cupped his hands, "I'm unworthy, truly unworthy. It's already a blessing not to be blamed."

Mu Lanqing: "It's fine. I heard about your background. You just came out of the exiled lands and were forced into the Heaven-Rain Meteorite Grand Assembly as cannon fodder. You had to fight for rankings to save your life. For that, I can understand you acting recklessly and unscrupulously."

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged bewildered glances. Was that really the case? On second thought, it did seem that way.

"Taking first place shows your capability. Still, congratulations, congratulations!"

"I yield, I yield," Shi Chun said, looking embarrassed.

Mu Lanqing's tone suddenly shifted. "The humiliation you brought upon me, one day, I will personally repay it to you. Don't worry, I won't bully you using power; it has nothing to do with our sect backgrounds, it's just between you and me personally. Three years from now, I will challenge you again!"

After speaking, she nodded slightly to Wu Jinliang, then turned and walked away.

People passing by, near and far, also turned to look at the man and woman, but they didn't see the drama they had hoped for.

Ji Qinghe, who had been observing from nearby, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Wu Jinliang turned his head and asked Shi Chun, "Shi Chun, what did that mean?"

"It means trouble, what else could it mean?" Shi Chun scoffed. In his opinion, this woman had issues. A defeated opponent daring to speak bravely, even talking about a one-on-one fight? Without the backing of a sect, was he afraid of a duel?

He didn't take it seriously at all, and Wu Jinliang also thought it wasn't worth taking seriously. Instead, he chuckled, "This woman came at just the right time. She saved us at least hundreds of thousands."

He then looked around, "Where to next?"

Shi Chun thought for a moment, "Don't you know the address of Miss Miao's home?"

*Snap!* Wu Jinliang snapped his fingers, pointed to his head, and waved, "Let's go."

The two walked off like that, carrying no visible weapons. They hadn't carried them for days, having left their gear at Bian Jixiong's residence.

Ji Qinghe also got into a carriage with his disciples.

As the carriage started moving, Mu Lanqing spoke, "Elder, please inform the sect for me, tell the disciples not to trouble Shi Chun. I want to personally avenge myself against Shi Chun!"

Ji Qinghe frowned slightly, remaining silent. He didn't know what to say about this girl. If someone hadn't illegally intervened, she would have died by Shi Chun's hand. Furthermore, a confidentiality agreement had been reached with Shi Chun's side. By all accounts, this matter should have been closed. Why was she bringing up old scores?

He was too lazy to say more, preparing to return and tell her grandfather, letting her grandfather discipline her personally.

Miao's family residence was easy to find, but getting close was difficult.

What appeared to be a lush, deserted forest path was impassable for a carriage pulled by spirit beasts; it was blocked by a ripple of illusory waves.

They couldn't get in no matter what. Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang jumped out of the carriage and tried to force their way through on foot, but still couldn't. They realized there was a protective formation.

"We don't have contact information, what should we do? Should we ask Young Master Nan to help us get in touch?" Wu Jinliang asked.

"Forget it. People might mistakenly think we're very familiar with the Miao family, and the Miao family might not appreciate that. As long as we've confirmed they live here, someone must pass this way eventually," Shi Chun said, turning to the spirit beast pulling the carriage, telling it to reposition the vehicle to block the road horizontally.

Then the two stood guard there, waiting.