Chapter 834: Chapter 834: 835: Sects Sparring

At the First Peak, outside the Great Hall of the Sword Sect.

Li Xiaobai tucked Ji Wuqing into his arms. Inside the sect, he was protected by major figures, but once outside, many powerful beings would likely target him. Given his Earth Immortal Realm’s defensive power, it wasn’t enough to walk unhindered, and bringing along the little yellow chicken was like having an extra, undying technique.

The hall inside was very noisy, and the sound of quarreling even drifted outside.

“Ying Diao, one shouldn’t be too immoral. In the past two years, your Sword Sect has grown large, monopolizing many resources, already causing dissatisfaction among the surrounding sects. If you plan to stand by and watch the fire from across the river, I’ll be the first to disagree,”

“Indeed, how many resources have fallen into the mouth of your Sword Sect in the past two years, we don’t need to remind you. This time, the Sword Sect must bleed a bit,”

“Sect Master Ying, this is an opportunity. The Blade Sect has been the leader in the Eastern Continent for too long, occupying too much territory. If we several sects join hands and successfully snatch resources from the Blade Sect, it would be beneficial for our future development.”

“Yes, if the Sword Sect’s top disciple makes a move, it should be no problem.”

Inside the hall, several old men were spitting stars from their mouths, exhausting their lips in a fierce argument with Ying Diao.

Li Xiaobai stepped into the hall, observing the several elders. These men had the appearance of celestials, with eyes like torches and an extraordinary demeanor. Even though they were red-faced and thick-necked from anger, not looking very presentable, they couldn’t hide the strong aura emanating from within them.

Especially one old man with a big beard, just approaching him felt like a wave of heat was hitting his face, the temperature around him was significantly higher than elsewhere in the hall. This feeling was similar to that of Wu Chengjue, although, by comparison, Wu Chengjue was more restrained.

“My top disciple has left the Eastern Continent for a long time, he cannot participate in this matter. However, since you all have difficulties, our Sword Sect will not stand idly by. I’ve already called the disciple with the highest talent in our sect. With him here, there should be no problem,”

Sect Master Ying said with a grin, waving at Li Xiaobai, gesturing for him to come forward and speak.

“I am Li Xiaobai, pleased to meet all the seniors!”

Li Xiaobai bowed with clasped hands, paying respects to each of the elders.

“Li Xiaobai? The one who occupies the top spot on the Human Immortal Ranking List?”

“Is this the one?”

“The seedling is indeed good, but the Human Immortal Realm might not be very useful, the Earth Immortal and Heavenly Immortal Realms are key to winning the battle,”

“Sect Master Ying, please contribute a bit, if you profit, we’ll share a portion with you,”

The elders glanced at Li Xiaobai and then quickly lost interest. If it were another day, they would have loved to treasure such a prodigy, but today, their purpose here was not to foster talent but to borrow a group of high-level disciples from the Sword Sect to compete against the disciples of the Blade Sect in the arena.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Twenty percent,” Ying Diao said.

“Your appetite is too big, ten percent at most!”

“Ten percent is too little, how about fifteen percent? That number is auspicious.”

“No, one point two percent, that’s the bottom line!”

“Fine, after the matter is settled, one point two percent. I hope you all will not forget your promises,” Ying Diao said indifferently.

“As long as the Sword Sect contributes people, we naturally won’t go back on our word,” the old men nodded in agreement.

“Be assured, I will personally bring disciples from both the Earth Immortal and Heavenly Immortal Realms. However, I have one request, the competition must be held in the Little Ghost Secret Realm, how about that?” Ying Diao spoke up.

“Of course, the Little Ghost Secret Realm is a land belonging to no one, an absolutely public area, so we don’t have to worry about anyone unfairly pulling strings behind the scenes. Holding the competition there was our intention from the start,”

“The Blade Sect has already agreed; we’re just waiting for the Sword Sect to lend the people,”

The elders nodded, showing no objections to Ying Diao’s proposal. The Little Ghost Secret Realm was a neutral territory created jointly by the Sword Sect and other Great Sects many years ago. Having disciples compete and spar there can indeed provide peace of mind, as there is no need to worry about any home advantage interference.

“Several of you go ahead, I will select suitable disciples to lend to your sects,” Sect Master Ying nodded and said.

“Then we will await the good news from the Sect Master.”

The big-bearded old man clasped his fists and bowed, and the group departed.

“Do you know why I called you here today?”

Sect Master Ying watched the others leave and then, turning his gaze towards Li Xiaobai, he asked.

“Disciple does not know,” Li Xiaobai said.

“Economic foundations determine the superstructure, and in the upper echelons’ games, the distribution of benefits is often unfair. Thus, if there is a significant disagreement between sects, they let their disciples spar and compete against each other to elevate their sect’s status and to facilitate having more influence in the allocation and partition of resources,” Sect Master Ying explained.

“Recently, I heard that the Blade Sect and a few other major sects unearthed a relic overseas. During the division of resources, the Blade Sect proposed taking ninety percent, which caused strong dissatisfaction among the others. Therefore, they raised objections and proposed that their disciples compete with those of the Blade Sect to rethink the distribution of resources.”

“The Blade Sect is one of the top sects in the Eastern Continent. Considering that the disciples of those few sects slightly lagged behind, they now seek assistance from our Sword Sect disciples. This is an opportunity. You should prepare yourself,” Sect Master Ying said.

“Uh, those seniors earlier mentioned that the Human Immortal Realm does not seem very useful; are the Earth Immortal Realm and the Heavenly Immortal Realm the main forces?” Li Xiaobai suddenly spoke up, finding the Sect Master straightforward in manner but cunning in speech.

“Aren’t you at the Earth Immortal Realm in your cultivation level right now? Within the Sword Sect, could there possibly be another Earth Immortal cultivator stronger than you?” Sect Master Ying said, smiling inscrutably, his eyes seemingly perceiving everything.

Li Xiaobai was startled internally. He had only advanced a few days ago, yet the Sect Master was already aware of it. Truly, his divine skills were vast.

“What about the Heavenly Immortal Realm?”

“Isn’t there a ready candidate in the Second Peak? With her participation, your younger generation’s conflicts are certain to be error-free,” replied Sect Master Ying.

Hisss!

Li Xiaobai gasped in astonishment. He hadn’t said anything yet, and everything had already been pointed out by this unfathomable youth before him.

“But this mission is against the Blade Sect and could be highly dangerous. If there is an ambush, all my fervor would be buried in the soil,” said Li Xiaobai dryly.

“Life is not just about surviving the present, but also about poetry and distant places,” Ying Diao remarked.

“Now, bearing the title of the foremost among the younger generation, how can you fear life and death? You need to brace yourself!”

“This is your time to establish authority in the Second Peak; you must seize it well.”

“Isn’t the Sect Master going to provide some miraculous pills or an awe-inspiring Divine Artifact?” Li Xiaobai asked.

“Those are just external belongings. Participation is what’s important, just do your best. As long as you have a fervent heart, there’s nothing you can’t do. Believe in yourself, you can do it,” Sect Master Ying still spoke awkwardly.

But somehow, looking at that awkward face, Li Xiaobai read a different meaning; that seemingly straightforward and poker-faced appearance was clearly shouting danger.

Everything about confronting the Blade Sect and dividing resources was just the surface. This unassuming youth was definitely plotting something—the fierce fangs felt like they were about to be bared.