Journey to the head

Chapter 600: The Three Noes

The second group is the Qinglian Zhenzong group.

Although Qinglian Zhenzong is the weakest in terms of overall sect strength, it is not necessarily weaker than the other three parties just by selecting three Jindan to participate in the competition.

Lu Qian was not upset about the result of the draw. In other words, no matter which group he was drawn into, he would still play. After all, there were six teams competing for two qualifying spots. Even if he couldn't beat the four teams, he could still qualify as the second in the group.

The only thing to worry about is that since both parties have a grudge against each other, the Qinglian Zhenzong will not only not hold back in this battle, but may even resort to ruthless and underhanded tactics.

Xuanwei Sect also announced the rules of the match, which strictly prohibited fatal attacks. If one side conceded defeat, the other side could not continue to attack. There would be at least one Yuanying Lingjun from Xuanwei Sect as the referee for each match, and Miaomiao Xuanjun would also be present to watch the match.

However, the dynamics of a Jindan fight are extremely fast, and anything can happen in a split second. If one fails to hold back, serious injuries or even death may occur.

It is impossible to measure whether this was "intentional" or not. Even if there is severe punishment after the game, death is real death.

Even if the injury is not that serious, you may not be able to continue playing. Competitions come one after another and they don’t wait for anyone. If you were injured in the last game, you can either continue to play in the next game or ask for a substitute. If you don’t play, it’s equivalent to giving up and admitting defeat.

According to the rules, whether it is the group stage or the knockout stage, there is one game per day. If the game is not completed on the same day, it will be postponed. In this way, there are 60 group stage games and 8 knockout stage games. It will take at least 68 days to complete all 68 games.

For a competition, it takes two or three months, which is a long time and very rare. But this is also one of the designs of Xuanwei School. By extending the competition time, the huge flow of customers and merchants will stay in Meihuafang and the City That Never Sleeps for a longer time, and obtain more amazing profits.

But even if this extends the game time and gives the players more time to recover, it will be too late if they are seriously injured.

From this perspective, if one side wants to stop the opponent, they just need to seriously injure the opponent, so that the opponent will have difficulty continuing.

Lu Qian had no intention of stopping the Sikong family or the Qinglian Zhenzong. First, he was not sure of their strength. Second, even if he succeeded, the other party was big and powerful, with many substitutes. He could just replace them to participate. How could he stop them successfully?

But on the other hand, the Sikong family or the Qinglian Zhenzong may very likely block the Chongming Alliance.

Be extra careful in this regard.

"There is one more thing I want to explain to everyone." Yuanying of Xuanwei Sect said, "Although we are competing on the same stage this time, it is also for the purpose of making friends through martial arts and enhancing understanding and unity. Since the four sects of Cangzhou are the pillars of Cangzhou, they will naturally not bully the weak. After discussion among the four sects, in this competition, each participating Jindan can only use one secret treasure."

After this was said, everyone had different reactions. The four Cangzhou clans had calm expressions, as they had already discussed it. Most of the other team members breathed a sigh of relief and praised the team endlessly.

Secret treasures are different from magic weapons. They do not require years of painstaking refinement and nurturing. You can use them by activating spiritual power after getting them. Their power is comparable to that of magic weapons.

However, the materials are precious and it is extremely difficult to refine, so it is very valuable and can only be produced by high-ranking sects. Many secret treasures can be used by foundation-building feathered warriors, and they are also protective items given by large sects to core disciples. Their value on the market is much higher than that of ordinary magic weapons.

Even now, the Yunshan Sect does not have the means to refine secret treasures on its own. Although there are many secret treasures in the sect, they are all spoils of war over the years.

The four powerful Cangzhou clans must have many secret treasures. If they were to use them without restraint in the ring match, it would be difficult for other teams to resist. Such self-restraint clauses immediately won the applause of everyone.

"After the opening ceremony tomorrow, the first day will be the group stage for Group 1, the second day will be Group 2, the third day will be Group 3, the fourth day will be Group 4, the fifth day will be Group 1 again, and so on." The Yuanying of Xuanwei Sect finished explaining the rules, "Now the four groups will draw lots to determine the order of the fifteen games in each group."

The four groups gathered together, and the six teams belonging to Group 2 stood together. Lu Qian saw the Qinglian Zhenzong team at a glance, and his heart was heavy.

It’s not easy to deal with.

Two are in the perfect golden elixir stage, and one is in the late golden elixir stage!
It was indeed a powerful Yuanying Sect. And theoretically speaking, as long as he was not afraid of being criticized, the current Qinglian Zhenzong's ruler, Feng He Zhenren, who was about to form a Nascent Soul, could also be a substitute in the next game.

Jindan of Qinglian Zhenzong also looked over, glanced at Lu Qian coldly, and said nothing.

The other teams also looked at each other, those who knew each other greeted each other, those who didn't know each other exchanged names and bowed to each other.

"What a pity. The Huaiyou Alliance team was lucky enough to be placed in the third group." Master Cangfeng said, "The Sikong family will definitely not make things difficult for them. They have a chance to qualify."

This time, the Huaiyou Alliance sent one late Jindan and two middle Jindan masters, from Huaiyou County, Qingyuan County and Dongping County respectively. Among them was my old friend Yaoming Zhenren.

Their team's overall cultivation level is above average among the twenty-four teams, and now they are lucky enough to be divided into three groups, so they really have a chance of qualifying.

Gu Nishang snorted coldly: "It would be best if they qualify. Wait until the knockout rounds to see how I punish them."

He had already confirmed in his words that he would be able to advance to the next round. Such an arrogant statement made the opponents around him frown slightly and glance over at him.

Suddenly, a strange golden elixir with a pale and green face, especially above each eye, there was a green talisman stuck to completely seal the eyes, and saluted Lu Qian and the other two: "Are you a fellow Taoist from the Chongming Alliance? I forbid you to look at me, and I am here to pay my respects to you, my two fellow disciples."

Lu Qian's heart moved, and the information about the various forces and golden elixirs in the counties of Cangzhou unfolded in his mind like a scroll.

In the southwest of Cangzhou, apart from the Spirit Beast Sect, it is one of the most powerful Jindan forces. It prohibits teaching and does not respect real people.

Then, his two fellow disciples are——

Lu Qian stepped forward and bowed, "Lu Qian of the Yunshan Sect, I am honored to meet the Master of No Seeing, No Hearing, and No Speech."

He didn't listen to the real person. His face was sallow, his eyes were sharp, and there was a blue talisman sealed on each ear.

The silent immortal has a ruddy face, a square head and big ears, and a bright red secret symbol is sealed on his mouth.

The silent master blinked and returned the greeting.

But the Immortal looked directly at Lu Qian, understood his lip language, and spoke: "So it's the famous Tian Yuanzi, no wonder you are so confident."

His voice was very strange, dry and hoarse, and the pitch was so high that it hurt people's ears.

Lu Qian knew it well. He knew that this was because his ear canals were blocked and he couldn't hear any sound feedback at all, so he didn't know the consequences of his words.

Just as Lu Qian was about to answer, Immortal Bu Shi smiled and said, "Beside Tian Yuan Zi, the one with an unstoppable aura must be Immortal Cang Feng of the Ming Yu Sword Sect. The other one with an extraordinary fiery and fierce aura must be Fairy Jing Xia."

"All the masters of Chongming Alliance have come out. We are ashamed of ourselves."

Lu Qian's heart sank. These few words were really flattering. This Bu Shi Zhenren was not as friendly as he seemed.

The Forbidden Sect is located in the southwest corner of Cangzhou, further south of the Spirit Beast Sect. It is an independent Jindan sect and has never had any connection with the Yunshan Sect, so there should be no conflict.

Is it just because Gu Nishang spoke out of turn and she was unhappy so she is secretly targeting us?
As soon as he said this, everyone looked at him even more unfriendly.

Humph, Tian Yuanzi? But he is only in the early stage of Jindan, where does his confidence come from?
They say a person's reputation is like the shadow of a tree. Today I see that it is an exaggeration.

It is said that Yuanying was surrounded and killed, but in fact no one saw it with their own eyes. Maybe Yuanying was already seriously injured, and was picked up by someone, and then attached himself to Xuanwei Sect and became famous.

There are also reports that he killed Sikong Heng from the Sikong family. Who knows if it was with the help of the Spirit Beast Sect?
Some even sneered: "In the absence of heroes, a young man has become famous."

"You!" Gu Nishang was furious, and golden crow green flames swept up, but was held down by Lu Qian.

He just smiled slightly and said: "You are absolutely right. I am just a newly promoted Jindan with low cultivation level. It is just because of my luck that I have gained a little fame, but I am still just a latecomer after all." Everyone was slightly stunned to hear him being so humble, which was completely different from the arrogant impression they had just had.

"The name of the 'Three Nos' of banning religion is well-known, and everyone in the surrounding prefectures knows about it. It is truly the pillar of our Cangzhou in the southwest."

"And all of you fellow Taoists are seniors whose reputations are known far and wide and who are feared by the people. I am very lucky to meet you today."

Lu Qian turned to the other team beside him and bowed to a Jindan who was carrying two swords on his back: "You must be Qiong Fei Sanren, you are famous for killing dragons with two swords and searching for treasures in lakes."

Then he bowed to the fat man and said, "Are you the Immortal Xiaolong? Who doesn't know that he can kill all evildoers and villains with a single thunderbolt?"

There was also a strange monk who was wrapped up tightly, with only his eyes showing: "I have seen the Taoist Wudi, who has been hiding his name for three hundred years. His battle in the sky shocked the world. I have long admired him."

……

After going around in this way, except for the three real people of Qinglian Zhenzong, Lu Qian greeted the other twelve Jindan in turn. What he praised were all the proudest deeds of these Jindan in their lives. They were all secretly happy, and their eyes softened when they looked at Lu Qian.

Lu Qian smiled again and said, "Just now Fairy Jingxia was outspoken, but she was only targeting the Huaiyou Alliance, and she had no other intentions. It is a blessing for us to have the honor of competing on the same stage this time. I hope you can give us more advice."

No matter what the Zhu Jindan really thought in their hearts, as the lord of a county, they could not lose their manners, so they naturally showed courtesy and were in a happy mood for a while.

The three Jindan of Qinglian Zhenzong were proud of their status, and they had always been the only ones to greet others. How could they take the initiative to greet others? At this moment, Lu Qian and his friends were mingling with everyone, while the three stood alone, with ugly faces and indignant eyes.

Gu Nishang couldn't help but roll her eyes as she watched Lu Qian getting along well with everyone and chatting happily with everyone.

What a troublesome situation...

Naturally, Master Zang Feng would not miss this good opportunity, and he also took the opportunity to make friends with several Jindan Lala.

The rest of the Chongming Alliance stood far to one side. Kan Yuanzi stroked his long beard and said to Wei Zhaixing beside him: "Zhaixing, a sect leader should be like this. This competition is just a stage for others to fight bravely, but for a qualified sect leader, it is a rare social occasion."

Wei Zhaixing nodded: "Reputation is earned through hard work, not just talk. There is no need to show off your abilities. Once we really get on the stage, they will naturally know how powerful...Master Lu is. By then, it will be clear who is the weakling."

Li Da looked at him with a complicated expression and said nothing.

In front of Lu Qian, Bu Shi Zhenren still had a smile on his face. Just as he was about to say something else, a cultivator from Xuanwei Sect came over with a lottery tube and organized everyone to draw lots to decide the order of the competition.

These are all made of special materials and are marked with special prohibitions, so monks cannot cheat by using spiritual power.

As soon as the results came out, everyone's attention was focused.

Gu Nishang was cheered up, and Master Zangfeng looked sharp.

The first match of Group 2.

Lu Qian, Gu Nishang, and Master Cangfeng versus Master Qiongfeisan, Master Xiaolong, and Taoist Wudi!
Both parties are happy.

Qiong Fei San Ren said with a smile: "I didn't expect that the first match would be between us and Chong Ming Alliance. Let's make friends through martial arts, so as not to hurt the harmony."

Lu Qian also smiled: "That's right, that's right."

Continuing to watch, the Yunshan School's matches were the first, third, sixth, ninth and thirteenth matches of the second group.

Among them, the ninth match was against the Qinglian Zhenzong, and the thirteenth match was against the Forbidden Sect Three Noes.

Jindan of Qinglian Zhenzong was a little disappointed and curled his lips, while Sanbu of Jinjiao had a blank expression on his face.

After the matches were confirmed, the teams were hypocritical and polite to each other. On the surface, they seemed to be very close to each other, but secretly they were all calculating who was the weak one and who would be easier to bully.

Amid the commotion, all the groups had finished drawing lots, and the monks from Xuanwei Sect called everyone together again.

Under the gaze of everyone, Miaomiao Xuanjun spoke.

"It is an unprecedented feat to mobilize the strength of Cangzhou to hold this competition. It can not only improve our state's military preparations and increase our combat power, but also enhance friendship and strengthen unity."

"The spectators of this competition include not only the monks from our state, but also people from surrounding states, as well as your friends, relatives, and fellow teachers."

"So you must go all out and fight with style and grace in front of 48,000 spectators."

"Let everyone see the heroic figure of my Cangzhou master!"

Everyone agreed, and Miaomiao Xuanjun smiled and nodded.

"Of course, we need to get everyone to work hard, and it's not enough to just talk a few words."

"As the co-leader of Cangzhou, my Xuanwei Sect has already prepared prizes for everyone!"

When this was said, everyone was naturally excited. Everyone was looking forward to what the Xuanwei Sect, which was rich in the whole state, would give as a reward.

With a swish sound, a piece of silk cloth was spread out, and the Xuanwei Sect's Yuanying recited loudly.

"Xuan Jun's decree!"

"It's not easy to participate in the competition, and everyone will get a prize! The higher the ranking, the greater the reward. I hope you will do your best and strive to be at the top."

"Those who fail to qualify from the group stage will be rewarded with a top-grade magic weapon embryo!"

Lu Qian heard someone making a surprised sound. He didn't expect that even those who were eliminated in the group stage could get a prize. The reward was really not bad.

A top-grade magic weapon embryo was already a rare item. Of the 72 Jindan contestants present, only a little more than half had top-grade magic weapons.

"Those who enter the knockout round and rank in the top eight but fail to make the semi-finals will each be rewarded with a top-grade magic weapon embryo and a secret treasure!"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then their expressions became agitated and their breathing became heavy.

Wow, this upgrade is too big!

These are twelve top-grade magic weapon embryos and twelve secret treasures. The Xuanwei Sect is truly wealthy and awe-inspiring.

Try your best to get into the top eight!

"And the fourth place prize—"

(End of this chapter)