Wan Daoyuan: "As for the thods of comparison, we can discuss them together and try our best to co up with a solution that satisfies everyone. Take a look at what kind of competition you want to have, if you have any good suggestions, please feel free to speak up."
Upon hearing this, a ragtag bunch quickly huddled together, murmuring among themselves as if afraid of being overheard by Wan Daoyuan and the others, even shifting away to the side.
Within this group of rascals, soone let out a sneaky chuckle, "Brother Mai is truly clever; it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease."
The implication was, without such a ruckus, the other side would never have made such concessions.
Master Mai responded with a slight bow, feigning modesty.
Wan Daoyuan and his companions didn't pay much mind to those rascals, their focus was more on observing Shi Chun. As long as this person didn't get involved, they could rest a lot easier.
The scene that gave them even more relief unfolded when Shi Chun, seeming too lazy to join in their squabble, left indifferently to rest in the cave.
Even Wu Jinliang was slightly surprised by this move and followed suit.
Chu Jingtang hesitated for a mont, then promptly followed.
The four disciples from the sects in cahoots did not partake in the commotion outside the cave. They strictly guarded the entrance they'd used to enter, where four disciples from the Bilan Sect were also stationed, primarily to protect the large amount of Insect Extre Crystals stored there.
On the opposite mountaintop, Mulan Qingqing was hiding. Although she hadn't shown herself, she had been covertly observing everything. She was surprised and doubtful when she saw Wang Sheng leave without getting involved.
Wang Sheng, known for his eagerness to lead the rabble to a showdown with her side, was now strangely disengaged when the ti for a decision had co.
She began to worry and couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Why is he not taking part when the opportunity is given?"
Guann Yingjie, who was also watching, said with a hint of mockery, "The winner is clear, maybe he doesn't want to lose face."
Mulan Qingqing hesitated: "Could sothing unexpected occur?"
Guann Yingjie: "Sister, you're overthinking it. We have our undercover agent among them, creating chaos. They won't be able to co to a substantial decision anyti soon. We gave them the opportunity, and they didn't cherish it. In the end, they will have to accept the thod of competition we have prepared."
"I hope so," murmured Mulan Qingqing, her heart still hanging in balance.
Truth be told, even Guann Yingjie was only outwardly calm.
Unconsciously, the leaders on their side had grown considerably wary of Wang Sheng, and the less they saw Wang Sheng making a final decision on behalf of the others, the less they felt settled. They feared the opponent might suddenly make a move, and they wouldn't know how to respond, like always facing an unlaunched deadly weapon.
Inside the cave, Wu Jinliang saw Shi Chun actually sat down to rest and couldn't help but approach and ask, "Are you not going to oversee their discussion and let them decide on their own?"
Shi Chun, weary from the lengthy journey, closed his eyes and stretched his neck, "What's there to oversee? With a saboteur creating trouble amongst them, they could argue till kingdom co and never reach any conclusion. In the end, it's still up to the other side. Tiredly watching their farce, isn't it exhausting?"
Hearing this, Chu Jingtang also caught on to sothing. Stroking his mutton chops, he seed to talk to himself, "I was wondering why those guys suddenly got so fiery and dared to talk back to the big sects. Turned out, they had a mole."
Wu Jinliang was concerned about sothing else, "So we'll just let the other side have the final say?"
Shi Chun: "Don't worry needlessly. Just rest assured and take a break. Those guys outside, they only make big promises when they can take advantage. Do you think they would agree to sothing without gaining an advantage? If push cos to shove, they will have to turn to to take the bla."
Wu Jinliang thought about it and realized it made sense, then went to a corner to sit and ditate.
Chu Jingtang realized that the master had indeed seen right through the rabble. Nodding in agreent, he chuckled, flung his sleeve, and leisurely walked over to rest by his fellow sect mbers, tapping gently on a pile of black cloth bags in leisure.
Although not everything was under his control, it still felt rather good to bask in the feeling that almost everything was.
Those outside were still a mob of noisy rabble, and he felt different from them.
The noisy group outside debated for nearly half an hour, never reaching a consensus.
They racked their brains for various thods of competition, from literary to martial contests, even a suggestion to solve riddles ca up, which was derided by the crowd.
There was also the idea to send soone to make a final try in Moon Sea, with a ti limit to see who could find more Extre Crystals. The opposing side argued there was not enough ti to go back to Moon Sea, while the proponents claid there was plenty, as long as they left by evening. When soone asked who would represent them in a dash to Moon Sea, that suggestion imdiately fizzled out.
All kinds of incessant proposals were rejected after discussion.
Without discussion, they wouldn't have realized, but once they started, everyone beca aware of the gap between themselves and the elite forces.
Settling for losing in martial combat was one thing, but they even doubted their literary skills compared to the other side, citing that the big sects had more cultivation resources and possibly more leisure ti to read and learn.
After a long debate and almost coming to terms with their capabilities, they realized they seed to fall short in every aspect.
Unable to suggest a single advantage, how the hell were they supposed to compete?
Half an hour had passed; even having waited an entire half-hour, Wan Daoyuan and the others didn't quite enjoy it. Half an hour was truly not short, and it would have been wise to have gone into the cave and taken a nap.
Growing tired of the monotony and sensing the timing was about right, the group exchanged glances, and then Li Shanshan spoke out sharply, "If we wait any longer, dawn will break. Just how are we supposed to compete? Co on, tell us. Or do you expect us to wait forever? We might be willing to wait, but the deadline for the Sky Rain teor Conference won't."
Boredom prevailed, and the elite assembly, whether standing, sitting, or leaning, let out a chorus of mocking laughter.
A re rabble was so scolded that they were secretly ashad. The key issue was that when it ca to suggesting a solution, nobody dared to step forward and propose anything. Clearly, no one could afford to just speak recklessly.
Seeing no response, Li Shanshan imdiately pressed on without giving them ti to breathe, following up quickly with a taunt, "Heh, then you can't bla us. We've given you your chance. Since you all can't co up with any good thods, we'll just have to follow ours."
It seed as though Master Mai mustered up so courage to retort, "What thod? Let's hear it."
Wan Daoyuan spoke up, "Stop beating around the bush with your babbling. I'm giving you one last opportunity. Each side chooses three people to fight it out in three bouts, best two out of three. Whichever side wins takes all the Insect Extre Crystals, without any further objections from the other."
Master Mai stubbornly protested, "How can that be fair? Your high and mighty sects can just pick out any three great experts, and we would be guaranteed to lose."
Wan Daoyuan, seemingly with an edge of anger, said, "From our side, pick any three who aren't injured to duel. From your side, we'll choose three who aren't injured. That should be fair, should it not?"
Li Shanshan, "We've already compromised over and over again. If you keep making unreasonable demands, that would be crossing the line." With a grand wave of his hand and an impatient air, he said, "Enough talk. This ti, what I say goes; that's final!"
Master Mai looked back at his people, hoping for so strong supportive suggestions, but none was forthcoming.
The group sadly realized that even if they could pick anyone to face off against the other side, they saw no chance of victory.
This event had dealt a significant blow to their confidence, leaving them dispirited and even doubting themselves. Were they truly worthy of the rewards they sought?
The problem was, no one present dared to take the responsibility of agreeing to the proposal.
So it was even less likely for Master Mai to decide. He glanced around and asked, "Where's the Master?"
Soone replied, "He went back into the cave."
Master Mai hurried off limping, and the few remaining leaders from the various directions followed suit.
A group rushed into the cave, woke up Shi Chun, who was ditating, and after reporting the situation in a flurry, asked what to do next.
Chu Jingtang, who had already stood up, pricked up his ears, eager to know how the Master would respond.
Shi Chun, seated cross-legged, spoke indifferently, "You all are quite capable, aren't you? When you want to fight, I can't stop you. When you want to negotiate, I don't get to decide. Just handle it yourselves. Do I need you to ask for my opinion? Whatever you say goes; I'll listen to you."
Indeed, it was like reminding them of what they'd rather forget. Having suffered heavy losses before wasn't enough; why bring it up again? It made the whole group extrely uncomfortable.
"Master, everyone is still together, and after all, you are the one we've all elected. In the end, it's up to you to make the call. If you give the nod and think it's fine, then we'll agree to their terms. If you think it isn't, convince the other side to negotiate further."
Master Mai said this while nodding and bowing with an awkward smile.
The others nodded in agreent.
"Heh heh," Wu Jinliang couldn't help but laugh. After all that had happened, these guys were still looking for soone to take the fall.
Shi Chun said nothing more. He stood up, pushed past the obstructive crowd, and walked straight out of the cave.
He moved neither fast nor slow as he exited the cave mouth. Wu Jinliang followed with his broadsword, and the obedient Master Mai and others ca after, with Chu Jingtang watching from behind.
Upon seeing the Master erge, the disorganized crowd outside split to both sides, making way for him, and a wave of cautious, embarrassed voices arose: "Master."
The sight of Wang Sheng appearing caused Wan Daoyuan and the others on the opposite side to tense up a notch.
Mulan Qingqing and Guann Yingjie, watching secretly from the treetops, also showed grave expressions of intense focus.
Shi Chun stopped before the elite troops, his gaze sweeping over them. With a not-quite-smiling countenance, he said, "I hear there's talk of a competition, sothing about best two out of three, and soone even said what he decides goes, that it's settled. May I ask who decided this?"
Though it was but a simple comnt, the underlying authority made the ragtag bunch instantly shed their prior embarrassnt. Suddenly, they stood taller, feeling as if their leader was back to leading them once again.
The opponents also imdiately felt an inexplicable pressure, clearly sensing that with the arrival of the real decision-maker, the atmosphere among the once disorganized throng had completely changed.
Li Shanshan, who had previously been so boldly definitive, now pursed his lips, unsure how to respond.
Wan Daoyuan laughed heartily, "Brother Wang, do you have any better ideas?"
Shi Chun looked up at the distant crescent moon and then turned his attention back, calmly stating, "It's late into the night. According to the rules of the conference, we could wrap things up and leave now. Arguing over this best two out of three business is too troubleso; just thinking about it gives a headache. Let's keep it simple and direct. One-on-one, a single match to settle it. I'll represent our side, you can pick anyone from yours. Set the ti and place yourselves and let know. That's that."
With that, he turned and walked away, his composure unshaken as he passed through the stunned crowd and returned to the cave for rest.
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