Chapter 73: Notice

At the Apex!

The six elders immediately took turns examining the gold-edged letter. Yin Huixin, who always stood last in the elder's ranking, was the last to receive it.

Bian Jixiong waited patiently while the first five elders reviewed the letter. Once it reached his wife's hands, he stopped waiting and immediately spoke, "Each faction must send five representatives to the meeting. Let's discuss who should go."

Yin Huixin frowned, looked up at her husband, then quickly scanned the letter's contents.

Yi Huachun, the eldest elder and the one seated at the head of the left side, questioned, "Sect Leader, have you contacted the Domain Administration since receiving this notification letter? What does it mean to restrict participants' cultivation to below the Grand Mastery level of High Martial Arts? Restricting it to below the Human Immortal realm would be understandable, but if those with High Martial Arts cultivation can participate, why specifically exclude those at the Grand Mastery level?"

After hearing this, some nodded, others looked curious; everyone turned their gaze towards the Sect Leader.

Bian Jixiong nodded. "After receiving the notification, I also had many questions," he said. "I have already contacted the Domain Administration, and this decision was made after consulting with many factions. The reason is actually simple: those who have reached the Grand Mastery level of High Martial Arts are only one step away from entering the Human Immortal realm. It would be a great pity for any faction to lose such individuals due to this matter, so the limit was set to below the Grand Mastery level."

Elder Ke Yizong, serious and stern-faced and seated at the head of the right side, asked, "Losses? Will there really be so many casualties just from searching for Extremity Crystals?"

Elder Feng Youzhi, seated next to him, raised a hand to pat his shoulder, smiling wryly. "Old Ke," he said, "why do you think they designated the Northern Deserts and Western Extremities as the testing grounds?"

Elder Ke stroked his beard. "The Northern Deserts' Bright Moon and the Western Extremities' Flowing Essence are where Extremity Crystals are most commonly found," he said.

Elder Feng continued, "The Western Extremities is a vast and desolate area. With so many people dispersed there, who can possibly keep track of everyone individually? Since it's a competition, do you really think covert struggles can be avoided?"

Elder Xia Fuli, seated second on the left, added, "That's right. There are always those who believe themselves superior in strength, fearing others will find more than them. Especially the disciples of major factions, who wouldn't tolerate being outdone. Covertly seizing others' gains is inevitable."

Elder Cui Youfei, seated after him, hummed in agreement. "Leaving other places aside, just in Shengzhou where we are located, the so-called rewards openly listed in the notification letter are, in my opinion, a great misfortune. The faction that achieves the top merit will gain the benefit of having a 'Xun Gate' built right at their doorstep. If a 'Xun Gate' were built in Linkang City, this wilderness would immediately become bustling. What does this mean for all the factions? The temptation is too great; Shengzhou itself will descend into internal conflict. I truly don't know what the Domain Lord is thinking."

Elder Feng said, "There's no other way. Without sufficient incentive, who would truly exert themselves? Victory Divine Continent rarely sees such grand spectacles; it's a once-in-many-years event. Believe it or not, it would be strange if certain influential nobles didn't set up gambling tables; they'll probably bet wildly. Once they get involved, things are likely to take a turn for the worse. I even have reason to suspect they are behind the promotion of this grand event. And the noble ladies—how could such a lively affair be without them? While the disciples of various factions are risking their lives below, for them it will be a joyful gathering."

"Enough," Bian Jixiong interrupted, seeing the discussion getting heated. "Some things are better left unsaid outside this room. Let's get back to the matter of sending people. Who should we send?"

The stern-faced Elder Ke said, "Since we know people will die, should we still send disciples to their deaths? The letter doesn't say Wukang Mountain must participate. We could try refusing first."

Bian Jixiong waved his hand. "Although our Wukang Mountain is located within Shengzhou," he said, "we have frequently reported directly to the Royal Court on matters. You all know that the Domain Administration has long held grievances against us. Now that Shengzhou has a problem and it's time for us to contribute, if we refuse to participate, no one would be pleased. Do you think the Domain Administration wouldn't find a way to deal with us? Elders, do you still wish to move freely within Shengzhou in the future?"

Elder Ke retorted, "Then Sect Leader, tell us, which disciples should we send to their deaths? Excluding the effect of talismans, Wukang Mountain's combat strength ranks outside the top thousand in Shengzhou. On what basis are we to participate in such a competition? With so many participants from the entire Victory Divine Continent, even if all our talismans were given to our participating disciples, it wouldn't be enough!"

What he said highlighted Wukang Mountain's most awkward predicament. Although Wukang Mountain's talismans were effective and profitable, their production relied on natural conditions and couldn't be scaled up. This limited and indirectly affected many aspects, including the number of disciples.

Bian Jixiong pressed his hand down, signaling him not to be agitated. "Elder Ke, you exaggerate," he said. "Wukang Mountain doesn't aspire to compete for rankings or for a 'Xun Gate' to be built here. We are simply participating to make up the numbers. Our disciples have talismans for self-preservation. As long as we don't compete or provoke, it's unlikely anyone will target us. Elder Ke, Elders, many matters are beyond our control. Again, do you still wish to move freely within Shengzhou in the future?"

Everyone fell silent.

Bian Jixiong continued, "My idea is to announce this to the entire sect and let those willing sign up. Then, we can select five disciples from the volunteers. If no one volunteers, it won't be too late to designate individuals then. What do you elders think?"

Xia Fuli suddenly sighed. "This is the only way," he said. "It's not appropriate to send anyone specifically into danger. Elder Ke has always been fair, and his decisions are trusted by the disciples. In my opinion, the selection of candidates should be left to Elder Ke to handle."

The elders nodded in succession.

Seeing this, Bian Jixiong said, "Very well, then it's settled."

Elder Ke was highly efficient. He quickly posted a relevant notice on the mountain, causing a stir throughout Wukang Mountain.

Inside his study, Bian Jixiong held a notice posted by Elder Ke, its content making his expression darken. Issuing a notice should simply state the facts, but Elder Ke had inexplicably dedicated significant space to describing the dangers of participating in this event. With that, who would dare sign up?

He had hoped the disciples would volunteer. If it came down to designating individuals later, anyone he chose would draw accusations of favoritism.

A surge of anger made him rip the notice to shreds and slap the table. Yet, there was nothing he could do about Elder Ke. What had Elder Ke done wrong by clearly stating the risks to the disciples?

Just then, Bian Weiying hurried in, carrying a notice. Her eyes flickered as she saw the torn notice on the floor, and she understood something.

"What are you doing here?" Bian Jixiong snapped, his temper flaring at the sight of the notice in her hand.

Bian Weiying bowed first, then said seriously, "Father, I want to sign up to participate in the meeting!"

Bian Jixiong froze, then frowned. "Stop messing around; this doesn't concern you," he said. "Everyone knows you resigned as City Lord to focus on cultivation. No one will criticize you if you don't participate in this. You can go back and cultivate in peace."

Bian Weiying: "Father, I really want to go."

Bian Jixiong: "I'm not joking either. The dangers described there are real, not child's play."

Bian Weiying replied, "Precisely because it's dangerous, I must go, and I want to be the first to sign up. Because I am your daughter, the Sect Leader's daughter. If I'm the first to sign up, then no one can say you are being unfair when you designate anyone else to go later."

She indeed wanted to be the first to sign up. For her, it was an excellent opportunity to prove herself. She truly wanted her father to see her dedication; even a single glance of approval from him would immensely invigorate her. It was also an opportunity to gain prestige. From the moment she saw the notice, she knew her chance to earn prestige had arrived again: she would be the first to step forward when sect disciples faced danger! So she rushed over eagerly.

She had done similar things before, but this time was more significant, as the danger was real. She believed prestige was accumulated little by little this way. She believed that as long as she contributed enough for everyone to feel it, who could then say she wasn't qualified?

Bian Jixiong fell silent, his gaze flickering for a moment. Then he slowly said, "Actually, for our Wukang Mountain disciples, it's not very dangerous. First, we don't aim to compete for anything; we're just going through the motions. Second, enough talismans will be provided for self-preservation. Surviving until the event safely ends shouldn't be a big problem. The problem now is your mother; she definitely won't agree."

Bian Weiying excitedly said, "As long as you agree, Father, I'll convince Mother."

Bian Jixiong smiled wryly, helplessly. "Wait until your mother agrees first," he said.

"Okay!" Bian Weiying turned and ran. After running out the door, she paused and looked back. She saw the look of relief, appreciation, and approval in her father's eyes. She instantly felt like she could fly with joy; her departing steps became incredibly light, and everything she saw seemed bright and sunny.

Inside the Disciplinary Ward, during the daily leisure time, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang sat on the steps under the eaves, watching the commotion. They watched Pang Tiansheng, seated on a stone mill, and a group of people around him discussing the notice about the meeting. As they discussed the dangers, everyone pondered who would volunteer to go.

Someone suddenly blurted out, "Just hypothetically, what if no one signs up, or if the number of volunteers isn't enough? Do you think those of us who made mistakes here in the Disciplinary Ward might be specifically chosen and assigned?"

This immediately sparked a wave of anxious discussions.

Pang Tiansheng, seated on the stone mill, fell silent, clearly also considering it a real possibility.

Wu Jinliang whispered to Shi Chun beside him, "It would be best if that fatty were chosen." Not content with just whispering, and unwilling to be someone who gossiped behind others' backs, he then shouted loudly, "If they really choose from the Disciplinary Ward, Brother Pang, being such a responsible person, will surely be the first to step forward and take the lead for everyone! Wouldn't you, Brother Pang?"

He always deliberately confused the pronunciations of "Pang" (as in the surname) and "pang" (meaning 'fat').

The moment Pang Tiansheng heard the voice, he knew who was barking nonsense. He instinctively wanted to turn and glare back, but he forcibly restrained himself. He suspected that fellow was deliberately trying to provoke him, so he took a deep breath, held back, and didn't rise to the bait. His junior sister had told him to look after them.

Many struggled to hold back their laughter.