Chapter 193: Making Friends Through Martial Arts, Being Generous and Righteous

The floating islands of Xianlin, imbued with formations, were suspended in a mist of spiritual energy. Below them, a bustling array of inns and restaurants had already drawn a multitude of martial artists from across the land.

When two fabric banners were raised at the crossroads, fluttering in the wind, they immediately caused a stir. The two lines of text inscribed on the banners exuded a powerful martial intent with every character, projecting an impressive aura.

Below the left banner, which proclaimed "The Unrivaled First in His Realm," a smaller line of text read:

Li Weiyi from Lizhou, Southern Territory, Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm.

"The Unrivaled First in His Realm, defeating all enemies in ten moves. Raising such a banner will surely provoke widespread anger. Aren't they afraid of the banner falling and them perishing?"

"How utterly arrogant! Having been in Qiuzhou City for so long, he is the most audacious individual since Luan Sheng Lin You!"

"Who is Li Weiyi? I'm also a martial artist from Lizhou, and I've never heard of him before."

In less than fifteen minutes, a massive, jostling crowd of martial artists had gathered below the arena.

Although Li Weiyi and Shi Shishi had already gained some notoriety in Qiuzhou City for their audacious claims about capturing Yang Qingxi, no one had yet linked these two names together.

"They had better possess genuine skill. If this is merely a publicity stunt, they will surely pay with their lives."

Among the crowd, many proud and ambitious individuals were already itching to personally tear down the two banners.

However, a greater number of martial artists sensed a deeper meaning, realizing this was no simple matter. The fact that they could enlist a Spirit-mind Master from the Zuoqiu Sect to arrange the formation indicated that this was no mere prank.

"These two inscriptions... the fluctuations of martial intent are incredibly powerful; they shouldn't have originated from a martial artist in the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm!"

Qin Changfeng and his two friends alighted from their carriage. All three possessed Pure Immortal Bodies, their spiritual energy emanating around them. They had been on their way to Xianlin when they happened to pass this spot.

Qin Changfeng initially paid no attention to the audacious claims on the banners, dismissing them as the ramblings of someone desperate for fame. However, the profound martial intent within the text captivated him, prompting him to release his own to challenge it.

He hailed from Fuzhou, one of the eight core states of the imperial court, and was a cultivator at the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm. Reaching this level of cultivation before the age of thirty signified an exceptional individual. While he couldn't compare to the absolute top-tier prodigies, he was still among the top dozens in his state.

"So powerful! This is Zuoqiu Ting's 'Disciples Throughout the Land' martial intent!"

The sheer martial intent emanating from the two lines of text forced Qin Changfeng back three steps, his eyes wide with disbelief. In their brief clash of intent, countless peach and plum blossoms, each adorned with characters, surged forth from the two banners, carrying an overwhelmingly powerful aura.

His two friends, both experts from Fuzhou's younger generation, were equally astonished: "'Disciples Throughout the Land!'"

"Did Zuoqiu Ting really write these words for him?"

Below the arena, the assembled martial artists immediately erupted into chatter upon overhearing their conversation. "Is that Zuoqiu Ting's personal appraisal of him? Who exactly is Li Weiyi?"

"This must be sheer flattery. How could anyone be invincible in ten moves within the same realm? Is Zuoqiu Ting admitting he couldn't withstand ten of his moves at the same cultivation level?"

"It must only refer to being invincible within the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm! But how could such a heaven-blessed talent remain completely unknown?"

To the lower left of the arena, Li Weiyi remained unperturbed by the increasingly boisterous young martial artists. Most of them were only in the First or Second Stage of the Five Seas Realm, with half even in the Spring Well Realm, making them outside his target demographic. At best, they served as disseminators of information.

Qi Wangshu introduced his elder brother to Li Weiyi: "Brother Weiyi, this is my brother, Qi Xiao, one of Zhizhou's top three young experts, and a truly remarkable talent throughout the Southern Territory."

Li Weiyi promptly cupped his hands in a gesture of gratitude. Qi Xiao had been invited to serve as the referee.

Qi Xiao and Qi Wangshu bore a striking resemblance, yet one possessed a Pure Immortal Body while the other was a mere mortal. Qi Xiao had a slightly plump face and was a bit short, though without any hint of being corpulent. He unconsciously furrowed his brow as he looked at the two banners on the flagpole, remarking faintly, "He didn't even make it into the second tier. To call him a renowned expert is utterly disgraceful!"

He genuinely couldn't comprehend how the First Inheritor, a figure so shrewd and wise, could have such a profound connection with a martial artist in the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm, even going so far as to write such a boastful appraisal for him. To be deemed "invincible in the same realm" was already an extreme appraisal, one that was sure to provoke resentment from many. As for defeating all opponents within the same realm in just ten moves, only figures like Ge Xiantong or Luan Sheng Lin You would dare utter such a claim. This wasn't merely a matter of arrogance; it bordered on complete folly. Nevertheless, he decided to do it as a favor to the First Inheritor.

"Brother, you are guaranteed to rank among the top three," Qi Wangshu stated.

Qi Xiao never considered himself merely a top-three contender. He fully intended to challenge those in the second tier eventually. With concrete battle achievements, he would demonstrate to Du'e Temple that even they could sometimes be mistaken.

Li Weiyi smiled. "The Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival is approaching, and a significant figure like Brother Qi Xiao should be actively preparing. I apologize for taking up your time! How about this: I'll give you ten percent of all income generated today."

"No need! You are a friend of the First Inheritor, which naturally makes you a friend of mine, Qi Xiao. There's no need to discuss money for such a minor favor."

Qi Xiao knew better than anyone that some things simply could not be bought with money. Suddenly, he seemed to realize something. "Isn't this a martial arts challenge? What do you mean by 'income'?"

"It's like this, brother."

Qi Wangshu whispered something to him, then giggled and waved, instructing someone to open the three large black iron chests and the foot-long wooden box that had been placed beneath the arena.

In an instant, three chests overflowing with jade-white Spring Well Coins appeared before everyone's eyes, emitting a soft, luminous glow. From the wooden box, a brilliant crimson light erupted, revealing it to be entirely filled with blood crystals.

Qi Xiao, who had just taken a seat, jolted upright as if struck by lightning, completely stunned. Given his status and cultivation, he had certainly witnessed immense wealth, but always within the confines of the Qi family's treasury. Who would display such a vast quantity of Spring Well Coins and blood crystals publicly on the street?

Qi Wangshu explained, "Each of these large chests contains fifty thousand Spring Well Coins, which is equivalent to five million silver coins. So, three chests total one hundred fifty thousand Spring Well Coins."

"That single box of blood crystals is roughly estimated to be worth another one hundred thousand Spring Well Coins."

Qi Xiao processed his astonishment, then transmitted a silent message to the two of them. "What exactly are you doing? Is the First Inheritor orchestrating something?"

"Brother Qi Xiao, please don't overthink it. Just sit down and have some tea. We're simply hosting a martial arts challenge to meet fellow practitioners, nothing more."

Li Weiyi turned to Zuoqiu Baiyuan. "Are the challenge rules ready?"

"They are!"

Zuoqiu Baiyuan put down his brush, meticulously reviewed the rules, and asked, "May I post them now?"

"Post them, and then read them aloud for everyone."

Dressed in a green martial robe, Li Weiyi possessed an extraordinary demeanor and a tall, agile physique. He strode towards the seven-zhang square arena. The arena was not set up directly on the main street, but rather on an empty plot adjacent to the crossroads, which it almost entirely occupied.

The moment the three large chests and one small box were opened, the commotion and clamor escalated even further. How many ordinary martial artists had ever witnessed such an enormous display of wealth?

Once the challenge rules were posted, the emotions of the martial artists present were truly ignited.

Standing directly beneath the arena, Qi Wangshu amplified his voice with spiritual energy. "Today, Li Weiyi, a hero from Lizhou, though of mortal talent, possesses grand martial ambition. Newly arrived in Qiuzhou City, he is forthright, generous, and a true benefactor. He has specially set up this arena to forge friendships through martial arts."

"One hundred fifty thousand Spring Well Coins and one box of blood crystals are offered. They will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis until the supply runs out."

"The rules are as follows: Any martial artist at the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm, be they of Pure Immortal Body or Variant Human lineage, is welcome to challenge. If you can withstand ten of his moves, remain standing, and stay on the arena platform, you will immediately receive ten thousand Spring Well Coins."

"Boom!"

All the martial artists' eyes gleamed, and the buzz of their discussions erupted like oil boiling in a pot. Ten thousand Spring Well Coins amounted to a million silver coins.

The Lingxiao Realm had endured years of continuous warfare, leaving major factions short on funds and provisions, which naturally impacted these young martial artists. Who among them wouldn't want to purchase Qi Accumulation Pills to accelerate their cultivation? Or buy blood crystals for body refinement? Or acquire high-grade magical artifacts to enhance their combat power?

For any martial artist in the Five Seas Realm, this represented an enormous fortune. The mood instantly shifted.

"So this is a martial exchange to make friends, specifically giving away Spring Well Coins to earn a reputation as a generous young master."

"It won't be that simple; this person must possess considerable strength. To obtain these ten thousand Spring Well Coins, one would likely need to be a Pure Immortal Body or a Supreme Talent of the Nine Springs. He's clearly spending money to be friend the top geniuses of the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm. Most of these geniuses originate from sects and prominent families worth millions or even tens of millions. He intends to forge connections with the upper echelons," analyzed a martial artist who believed he had grasped the situation.

Qin Changfeng lost all interest in proceeding to Xianlin, his heart swelling with excitement. He never expected to stumble upon such an incredible stroke of luck, a true windfall.

"If I get ten thousand Spring Well Coins, I can immediately purchase that high-grade magical armor I've been eyeing," exclaimed Lin Yi, one of Qin Changfeng's companions, his face beaming with joy.

Jiang Qing, another companion, who was in the Fifth Stage of the Five Seas Realm and therefore ineligible to challenge, chuckled. "Look at your modest ambitions; are you satisfied with just ten thousand Spring Well Coins?"

Qin Changfeng's heart stirred. Standing at the edge of the crowd, he infused his voice with spiritual energy, making his words resonate with a melodious tone. "Within the same realm, enduring ten moves from a mere mortal martial artist is hardly a challenge. But what if I could defeat this Li Weiyi, or even defeat him within ten moves?"

Li Weiyi, sitting cross-legged at the center of the arena, recognized the incoming challenge. He personally responded, "If you can defeat me, the reward will be ten times the original amount. If you can defeat me within ten moves, all the Spring Well Coins and blood crystals here will be entirely yours. This is clearly stated in the challenge rules."

"I'll challenge!"

"I'll go first..."

"Brother Weiyi, I'm determined to be your friend!"

No sooner had these words been spoken than six figures leaped onto the arena platform one after another, each brimming with vitality and emanating powerful, resolute martial intent. The six nearly began fighting amongst themselves, arguing over who would challenge first.

Qin Changfeng and Lin Yi, witnessing this scene, secretly grew anxious, fearing that the three chests of Spring Well Coins might be claimed before they had a chance.

Zuoqiu Baiyuan stepped onto the arena and read out the final rule: "Young Master Li anticipated this exact situation, so there is one more rule. Before challenging, everyone must first pay a challenge fee of five hundred Spring Well Coins."

"A challenge fee?"

The six martial artists on the arena immediately calmed down, composing themselves. A relatively rational martial artist saw through the facade. "So this isn't a martial exchange to make friends at all; it's a gamble."

Zuoqiu Baiyuan's expression remained stern. "Pay five hundred Spring Well Coins as a challenge fee, endure ten moves, and you can win ten thousand Spring Well Coins. Even if it is a gamble, countless people will still be willing to participate. Those who can pay the challenge fee may stay; those who cannot... please leave the arena."

Li Weiyi's strategy of setting up an arena to earn money was a trick he had learned from the Dharma Dao Fiery Ape. As long as the bait was well-placed, he knew there would be no shortage of fish.

"If you can't even produce five hundred Spring Well Coins, you don't possess the qualification to challenge. Where in this world does money just get given away for free?"

Qin Changfeng and Lin Yi, both exuding an air of grandeur, pushed through the crowd and leisurely made their way in from the periphery.