Mythical Scroll Artist: Starting with the God of Wealth, Zhao Gongming

Chapter 174 Silver Rank Promotion Tournament

Three days later, the qualifying rounds began, drawing great attention from all citizens of Yaoyang City.

Inside the Ghost King Club, new and old members gathered to prepare for this tough battle.

The requirements for the Silver Rank promotion tournament are also very simple: participate in a special Silver Rank battlefield tournament where there is only one defensive fortress, and successfully defend it against a large number of monsters and other clubs' Bronze Rank teams.

Furthermore, the use of Silver-tier scrolls is permitted in this battlefield competition.

In other cities, the qualifying rounds would be quite difficult.

However, Yaoyang City only has five established clubs in total, and each club can only send one team.

This is obviously not difficult for the Ghost King Club now.

If it weren't for Bai Shiqi and Zhao Qinghe, there would be no need to take it seriously at all.

"Second Brother, I'm counting on you for this battle," Xue Lingling said solemnly. "The five major clubs have been quiet for so long, they must be up to no good."

"Don't worry, I can handle this little situation." Xue Zhengying smiled indifferently, calm and confident.

Putting everything else aside, his cultivation level of seventh-level spiritual power alone is enough to deliver a devastating blow.

Zhou Qi whispered a reminder: "According to information provided by several transfer members, Bai Shiqi and Zhao Qinghe have completed the gauntlet matches and will most likely appear in this promotion match in person."

"Really? That's perfect."

Upon realizing this, Xue Zhengying's lips curled into a cold smile.

Bai Shiqi was alright; he just thought of him as a young master from a noble family who had descended to earth to experience life.

But Zhao Qinghe is different.

Since returning from the Zerg-infested world, he has heard his little sister recount many of the grievances she suffered at the Necropolis over the years.

Therefore, he will definitely need to keep a close eye on Zhao Qinghe.

But scions of noble families are still scions of noble families, and they should still be treated with respect.

……

Yaoyang City, Zhantian Club.

Shiraishi Qi rushed over from his hospital bed early in the morning, just to crush the Ghost King Club in the Bronze League.

Although he knew perfectly well that even if this wave was contained, it would only be temporary and would certainly not be able to stop the rise of the Ghost King Club in the future, he still had to save face for the Peak Dojo.

At least during his mission, he should keep the Ghost King Club under control as much as possible.

Otherwise, returning in disgrace would not only be difficult to explain, but would also invite ridicule from other prominent families.

Therefore, he made thorough preparations for this sniping attempt in the qualifying rounds.

Looking at Zhao Qinghe on the side, he was even more prepared than him, and directly brought out the strongest high-level scrolls in his hands. For this purpose, he even specially transferred a few thugs from the club under the Zhao family.

"Tsk~ Is it really that serious?" Shiraishi Qi was both amused and exasperated, completely understanding.

This guy is even more ruthless when he fights with his own people than an outsider.

Anyone who didn't know better would think Zhao Qinghe was the representative of Dengfeng Dojo.

"Better safe than sorry," Zhao Qinghe sneered inwardly. "This time, I'll make those 'siblings' from the Xue family clearly realize the difference in their abilities!"

Are you kidding me? A once-powerful founding family wants to rise to power right under his nose? Dream on!
“Brother Bai, there’s no need to be sarcastic,” Zhao Qinghe teased. “If one of the founding families of your Dengfeng Martial Arts Academy were to show signs of rising to prominence, your major clans would certainly be restless as well.”

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi Qi fell silent.

As a member of the founding family, he certainly knew what the rise of a small founding family meant.

The rise of other ordinary families poses no threat to the founding families. No matter how powerful they are, they cannot shake the position of the major founding families.

But those original founding families that have fallen from grace are different.

Once these families rise to power, they could truly shake the core interests of these major clans. Even if he was unwilling to see this internal strife, based on his understanding of his family elders, they certainly wouldn't stand idly by.

……

Inside the Ghost King Club.

With ten minutes left until the qualifying round, Xue Lingling stood in front of the league device, waiting to draw the battlefield map.

Wu Xian, however, chatted with Xue Zhengying out of curiosity, "Speaking of which, the Zhao family and the other major families have been secretly targeting your Xue family quite a bit over the years, haven't they?"

“Of course,” Xue Zhengying said noncommittally, “but due to the special nature of the founding family, they can only cause trouble in secret at most, and dare not do it openly.”

"Why is that?" Wu Xian asked, puzzled.

From the perspective of the founding families, the simplest and most direct approach would undoubtedly be to eliminate dissidents and eradicate these potential threats from the root.

Xue Zhengying laughed and said, "Because once the [Founding Core] of each founding family is activated to self-destruct, it will damage the very foundation of the entire Divine Realm."

Wu Xian suddenly realized that they had a "nuclear peace" trump card.

"Therefore, they not only dare not act forcefully, but also have to acknowledge the identity of my Xue family and provide some symbolic support." Xue Zhengying continued, "The behavior of Zhao Qinghe now has actually crossed the line."

So we can go all out later, because we're in the right, understand?

Wu Xian's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded knowingly.

Xue Zhengying's words were very simple; he clearly wanted to teach Zhao Qinghe an unforgettable lesson.

To put it bluntly, as long as Zhao Qinghe's life isn't harmed, the Zhao family will have no choice but to accept whatever happens.

"By the way, since every founding family has this trump card of self-destruction, what if some families are at their wits' end and do something irrational?" Wu Xian suddenly thought of a loophole.

“This situation is unlikely to occur,” Xue Zhengying shook his head and smiled, “because even if only one person remains in the family, as long as the founding core is still alive, there is still a glimmer of hope.”

Moreover, building the realm of the dead is the belief and pursuit of every founding family; even if they completely decline, there's no need to fight to the death.

Wu Xian understood, "What if there really is such a madman?"

“Then the divine realm can only accept its bad luck,” Xue Zhengying said with a shrug. “If I remember correctly, the Divine Capital Dojo encountered a similar situation more than a hundred years ago. The divine realm was severely damaged and has only just barely recovered.”

Later investigations revealed that the already limited resources were further reduced through layers of kickbacks by lower-level staff, leaving only a tiny amount by the time it reached the family.

Since that incident, all the major martial arts schools have quietly increased their support and attention to the founding families of the past, in order to prevent such desperate acts from happening again.

The rule that allowed my younger sister to be accepted by the Necronomicon in the first place was established back then.

Wu Xian clicked his tongue and nodded. I knew it! There's never a shortage of barefoot brutes or honest people who've been pushed to the limit.

When oppression exceeds a certain limit, it will inevitably backfire.

While chatting, Xue Lingling, amidst everyone's anticipation, pressed the button to draw a random map.

Various battlefield maps flashed by in turn, finally settling on the eerie abyss map.

"Haha, the president has great luck!" everyone cheered in unison.

In various live streaming rooms, viewers cheered enthusiastically.

Even Bai Shiqi and Zhao Qinghe from the Zhantian Club couldn't help but applaud.

This is undoubtedly the most suitable result for Ghost King Club, the most suitable result for this promotion battle, and a result that satisfies all parties.

“It seems even the heavens are on our side,” Xue Lingling said, quite pleased with her luck. “This battle will truly solidify the Ghost King Club’s status and let the entire league know that the Ghost King Club has arrived!”

Upon hearing this, the members were all excited and their morale soared.

The previous Bronze League was just a local, small-scale event. Only by advancing to the Silver League could one truly enter the ranks of club leagues.

(End of this chapter)