"Alright, everyone, keep up the good work. Your Eldest Senior Brother is leaving now."
Feeling the mood becoming increasingly awkward, Lin Xiao chuckled drily and quickly fled the scene.
Ah, as your Eldest Senior Brother, I'm about to ascend and leave this world. This reward... I suppose it'll have to wait for the next life.
「...」
「...」
"The Five Branches Martial Competition officially begins!"
"First match! Chu Youwei, the third direct disciple of the Chairman of Divine Phoenix Peak, versus Chen Qiuyue, the second direct disciple of the Chairman of Red Cloud Peak!"
As the Elder from the Clan Affairs Court on the high platform shouted the announcent, a Daoist bell chid lodiously in the distance. Hundreds of Spiritual Energy rainbows interlaced overhead, and various auspicious Exotic Beasts danced across the sky. The scene was utterly magnificent and grand.
On True Martial Plaza, nearly a hundred thousand people roared with excitent. They set aside whatever they were doing, their faces alight with anticipation as they gazed at the arena.
Under the watchful eyes of tens of thousands.
WHOOSH!
A formidable, brilliant blue sword light streaked across the sky above the plaza, landing on the central arena!
In an instant, the sword light gradually receded.
A woman with a valiant appearance and a slightly robust physique appeared, resembling a female general on a battlefield. It was none other than Chen Qiuyue, the second direct disciple of True Master Chisong of Red Cloud Peak!
"Wow! Senior Sister Chen's entrance is truly extraordinary!"
"Indeed! Don't let Red Cloud Peak's past unsatisfactory performances in the Five Branches Martial Competition fool you. This Junior Sister Chen, despite having joined not long ago, has progressed at lightning speed. She might just be the dark horse of this competition!"
"Yes! I heard that this year, Chairman Chisong has been training this Junior Sister Chen as a secret weapon! He's given her all sorts of special tutoring, intending to wipe away their past sha and seize the championship!"
"Tsk tsk, don't speak too soon, alright? You have to rember her opponent is Elder Sister Chu, who possesses the innate 'Zither Heart and Sword Spirit'!"
"Look quickly! Elder Sister Chu is also on the arena!"
Soone in the crowd shouted.
Everyone turned their attention to the other side.
A woman in a moon-white long dress, her hair styled in a dignified chignon with hanging locks, erged. She had a gentle and beautiful face and cradled a simple zither as she slowly walked onto the arena.
Compared to her opponent Chen Qiuyue's domineering entrance, she made no show of her abilities, rely ascending the arena steps one by one.
Her elegant and composed gait was like that of a well-bred young lady from a prominent Immortal Sect family.
"Oh dear, by comparison, Elder Sister Chu's... montum is clearly lacking!"
"Exactly! Both are in the early Golden Core Realm. What they're competing on is montum! How can Elder Sister Chu's gentle deanor compare with this Junior Sister Chen, who's radiating killing intent?"
"She's bound to lose! Definitely going to lose!"
"Hmph, it's not a big deal! Among the three senior sisters from Divine Phoenix Peak, the other two are just for show. If you want to see real skill, you have to watch Senior Sister Guo!"
「...」
As the first match of the martial competition was about to begin, the entire crowd buzzed with discussion, and the atmosphere instantly heated up.
At such a grand event, even several Chairn, usually profound and inscrutable, were stirred with interest and chatted amongst themselves.
At this mont, in the front row seats of the Divine Phoenix Peak section, a handso young man in white robes was also gazing intently at the gentle young woman on the arena.
According to the original plot, Weiwei will defeat Chen Qiuyue after a fierce exchange of several dozen moves. It's considered one of her easiest victories in this Five Branches Martial Competition.
But speaking of which... my little Youwei looks truly beautiful on stage. Why haven't I noticed that before?
Lin Xiao's heart couldn't help but flutter.
Just then, a voice reached his ears, "Elder Qi has started the betting! The odds are fantastic! Place your bets, no take-backs!"
Lin Xiao was montarily stunned, then looked into the distance.
To the right of the plaza, a wide platform had been erected at so unknown ti. Piled upon it were jade stones and treasures shimring with spiritual light. A refined elderly man with white hair and beard, wearing a silk headscarf and looking like a great scholar, stood at the center of the platform.
Currently, the area around the old man was surrounded by people, three layers deep both inside and out.
Besides the disciples of Qinglan Sect, there were also many invited dignitaries from secular dynasties.
Lin Xiao suddenly recalled sothing.
In the original novel, there was indeed such an interlude.
That white-haired old man was indeed Elder Qi, one of the Guest Elders with the highest status in Qinglan Sect.
This Elder Qi hailed from a prominent artifact-refining family within the Great Qi Dynasty. His artifact-refining skills were considered among the best in the entire Eastern Region's Cultivation World.
However, his most formidable talent wasn't artifact refining, but business!
Indeed, in the marketplaces of over a hundred towns protected by Qinglan Sect in the central Eastern Region, he held shares in countless auctions, large and small.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the Shen Wansan of the Cultivation World.
Another of Elder Qi's hobbies was to set up betting pools during the Five Branches Martial Competition!
Due to his prominent status and the substantial tax revenue he provided to the sect, the higher-ups in Qinglan Sect generally turned a blind eye to this.
Even Xiao Hongling, the unconventional and beautiful Chairman of Divine Phoenix Peak, would often place a small bet for fun.
According to the original plot, that kid Ye Chen will definitely go over to join the excitent and, quite coincidentally, run into the princess of the Nanzhao Kingdom.
Having just helped this princess resolve so trouble, Ye Chen will borrow so money from her. Then, under Old Shi's guidance, he'll bet it all on Chu Youwei.
Naturally, he'll end up making a huge profit and further win the admiration of Zhao Qingdie, the 'Descendant of Nuwa' and princess of Nanzhao.
Lin Xiao recalled the plot, feeling sowhat speechless.
However, his role in the story was about to end soon anyway. These cheesy plot points had nothing to do with him.
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