“Old Xiao, calm down—private brawls aren’t allowed here…” Rong Zhuofan grabbed the fuming Xiao Qingfeng by the arm.
Back in Qingyun Province, the two of them had been at each other’s throats constantly.
But now that they were out of Qingyun Province, they surprisingly weren’t turning on each other.
After the people from Haoling Province left, Feng Qingran pulled out a list and handed it to Mo Jinghong. “Seventh Senior Brother, can you help me analyze who they’re likely to send out?”
Mu Qianjue, Ning Shiyue, and Baili Wenyue caught sight of the list in Mo Jinghong’s hand and instinctively crowded around.
The remaining few merely glanced at the list and didn’t move.
This time, ten people had come from Lingyun Sect to compete, and the extra one among them was the Demon Lord, Tang Chonglou.
Tang was Li Niang’s surname.
Li Niang had arranged for Tang Chonglou to join Lingyun Sect.
Meanwhile, Li Niang herself had come to Huoling Province under the identity of Lingyun Sect’s Grand Elder to investigate the matter concerning Miao Yin Niangzi from back then.
“Little Junior Sister is getting more impressive by the day—you can even get your hands on a list like this.” Liu Canglan was as elegant as ever, dressed in plain-colored brocade, his frame slender and upright like a orchid or a jade tree, with a refined and gentle temperament.
“I bought it from someone else,” Feng Qingran said plainly. She was well aware that Haoling Province definitely had detailed information on Qingyun Province too.
Qingyun Province had no shortage of sword cultivators—in fact, no province really did.
But they only had seven alchemists in the team, and three talisman masters.
Using them up in the first round would be quite uneconomical.
One peculiar thing about the Spirit Combat Tournament was that the winner of the first round could directly qualify for entry into the secret realm.
But the later matches were equally important to every province.
Haoling Province, however, was completely different—they just so happened to excel at producing alchemists and talisman masters.
“There’s something strange about this list,” Ning Shiyue said, her voice as clear as a silver bell.
“What’s so strange about it?” Baili Wenyue asked curiously.
“Aside from Sixth Junior Brother, there’s not a single person with the Baili surname on here. Isn’t that odd?” Ning Shiyue’s lively eyes glimmered with a hint of mystery.
Mu Qianjue leaned in for a closer look. “You’re right. Could it be that the Baili family looks down on participating in the Spirit Combat Tournament?”
“Impossible!” Ning Shiyue’s voice rose sharply, her tone certain.
Mu Qianjue’s hand, holding his white jade bone fan, paused. He was surprised by Ning Shiyue’s conviction—Fifth Junior Sister had never even been to the Spirit Combat Tournament before, so why was she so sure?
Baili Wenyue remained silent, his fox-like eyes lowered, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Qin Hanyan placed her jade-like hand on Ning Shiyue’s shoulder. “Shiyue, are you going to participate in the first-round talisman competition?”
Ning Shiyue snapped back to attention. “I want to compete in the later matches.”
“I disagree! While winning the first match is certainly important, your arrangement would put the entire Qingyun Province in a passive position!”
Rong Zhuofan’s gruff voice drew the attention of all the disciples.
Anger was written all over Rong Zhuofan’s face as he glared at Xiao Qingfeng.
Xiao Qingfeng said coldly, “I’m thinking about the whole of Qingyun Province. If we lose the first round, we’ll only be able to keep twenty people.”
Rong Zhuofan stroked his bushy beard. “I understand your reasoning, but if we send them out in the first round, that means they can’t compete in the later ones. What do we do about the matches after that?”
“Then what do you suggest? We have to win the first round. And if we want to win the second, Qin Hanyan has to go—none of the other alchemists stand a chance,” Xiao Qingfeng analyzed.
With three matches and two wins needed, they could choose to forfeit the last round.
After all, Qingyun Province had only selected three talisman masters, and they couldn’t afford to waste them.
“We only have one fifth-rank alchemist. There’s no way we’re using her in the first round,” Rong Zhuofan said, refusing to budge.
“Um… Sect Leaders, I’m at the late Core Formation stage. I can take the first match,” a grey-robed young man volunteered.
Both Xiao Qingfeng and Rong Zhuofan turned to look at the grey-robed cultivator.
This person had advanced to the late Core Formation stage through the Heavenly Ladder, so his realm wasn’t very stable. They were a bit hesitant.
“Sect Leaders, rest assured—I guarantee I’ll win,” the grey-robed man said firmly.
“What makes you so sure?” Xiao Qingfeng studied the disciple.
“I can swear an oath,” the grey-robed man said, raising three fingers, about to take a vow.
Rong Zhuofan immediately cut him off. “Once you swear an oath, there are karmic consequences. Cultivators never take vows lightly. Sit back down for now; we’ll discuss this further.”
The grey-robed young man’s eyes were resolute. “I, Su Yubai, know the consequences of taking an oath, but I am still willing to swear it—I will definitely win this match!”
A flash of white light passed before Su Yubai’s eyes, and the oath was sealed.
Both Xiao Qingfeng and Rong Zhuofan felt helpless. Su Yubai had forced their hand.
They had originally favored Dugu Jianyi. After all, an outstanding disciple like Dugu Jianyi was better saved for later matches.
But Qingyun Province simply couldn’t afford to take that risk!
When Feng Qingran heard Su Yubai’s oath, she turned to look at Dugu Jianyi—sharp-browed and handsome. “Second Senior Brother, I’d like to ask you for a favor.”
“Just say the word, Little Junior Sister.”
Feng Qingran leaned in and whispered a few words into Dugu Jianyi’s ear.
Dugu Jianyi’s dark eyes turned sharp as he shot a few glances at Su Yubai. “Don’t worry, Little Junior Sister. Leave it to me.”
Feng Qingran’s beautiful eyes sparkled. “Thank you, Second Senior Brother!”
Dugu Jianyi stood up, affectionately ruffled Feng Qingran’s hair, and walked over to Xiao Qingfeng and Rong Zhuofan.
Soon after, no one knew exactly what Dugu Jianyi said, but Xiao Qingfeng and Rong Zhuofan’s faces lit up with pleasant surprise. They then called Su Yubai over and had him leave with Dugu Jianyi first.
After the two left, Xiao Qingfeng and Rong Zhuofan seemed to be inspired by something—one headed toward Qin Hanyan, and the other toward Ning Shiyue.
