Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

174: The event officially kicked off.Qin Yue knew that things had come to this; the arrow was on the string and had to be shot.

Retreating would only bring more shame to Miaoling Pavilion and to her, Qin Yue, permanently nailing them to the pillar of disgrace.

Moreover, Miaoling Pavilion was already like a fallen tree with scattered monkeys, on the verge of closing down.

Even if they lost, how much worse could it get?

She took a deep breath, suppressing the anxiety in her heart, and gave Lin Jingyu an encouraging and trusting look, her voice as steady as possible: ”Jingyu, just do your best. Go all out, don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

No matter what, this child, Lin Jingyu, was stepping forward for Miaoling Pavilion.

Otherwise, he could have happily left after earning six thousand Spirit Stones.

Regardless of the outcome, Miaoling Pavilion owed him this favor.

However, thinking back to how he had danced on a knife’s edge before, unmoving and confident.

She also felt a bit of anticipation in her heart and chose to trust this young man who had repeatedly created miracles.

Lin Jingyu returned her gaze with a reassuring, confident smile, his eyes clear and firm, as if saying, ”Trust me.”

With a Heaven-Defying Legacy like the Taihao Elixir Canon, if he were to lose to a Cultivator like Liu Lili, who was a half-baked, ill-intentioned individual with only some talent.

Then he really should just find a block of tofu and bash his head in.

His confidence stemmed from his Mental Energy and solid techniques, as well as the perverse requirements of the Taihao Elixir Canon.

Actually, he only learned after exchanging with Qin Yue and Yun Momo.

It turned out that the current Alchemist assessment didn’t require Mental Energy to be used for three tasks at once, nor memorizing all Spiritual Plant knowledge.

The requirements for a Trainee Alchemist in this Elixir Canon were far higher than those for a formal Alchemist.

Generally, if a formal Alchemist could manage two tasks at once, they were already considered a genius.

To expand her influence and thoroughly trample Miaoling Pavilion underfoot, Li Duoduo directly channeled her spiritual power and shouted loudly towards the outside of Tianfa Pavilion’s main gate, her voice like rolling waves, carrying far away:

”Daling Pavilion and Miaoling Pavilion are having an Alchemy gambling match! Right here! Don’t miss the excitement! Everyone come and watch! Come see Miaoling Pavilion’s crushing defeat!”

She wanted everyone to witness Miaoling Pavilion’s failure, thereby striking a blow against her opponent and enhancing her own reputation.

This voice was like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand ripples.

On the market street, countless Cultivators were drawn by this sudden news, stopping in their tracks, listening intently, and then surging towards Tianfa Pavilion like a tide.

The news spread rapidly, from one to ten, then to a hundred, with more and more people rushing over upon hearing it, filled with curiosity to watch the spectacle, surrounding the entrance of Tianfa Pavilion until it was impenetrable, a clamor of voices.

A private gambling match instantly turned into a public event.

The First Manager of Tianfa Pavilion, seeing this, frowned deeply, a look of helplessness on his face.

The pavilion was a place of tranquility; how could such noise and congestion be allowed?

He had no choice but to personally step forward to coordinate, discussing briefly with the Alchemist Association’s Deacon who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Ultimately, it was decided to move the competition to the Alchemist Association’s dedicated arena, where the venue was spacious, facilities complete, and more suitable for public competitions, also accommodating more spectators.

Soon, the news spread, and the crowd surged towards the Alchemist Association again.

The circular stands, capable of holding thousands of people, were almost completely filled in a short time, with latecomers having to squeeze into the aisles and crane their necks from the back.

Among the crowd, one could even see many Late Stage Qi Refining masters and the First Managers of various shops.

Clearly, this sudden gambling match had evolved into a grand event in Southeast Market Town, attracting attention from all sides.

The previous clashes between the two great Elixir Pavilions were all in the shadows, bloody and unseen by outsiders.

This was their first direct confrontation, a huge draw.

The Vice President of the Alchemist Association, Elder Gu Yue, an old man with white hair and beard, full of vigor, looked at the dense crowd below, stroking his beard and sucking his teeth in distress.

”If we charged an entrance fee, even just one piece per person, it would be a considerable income... What a loss, what a loss...”

He muttered in a low voice, his shrewd business mind immediately working.

However, his eyes darted around, and he immediately had an idea. He beckoned his trusted steward and quickly whispered a few instructions.

The steward understood perfectly and immediately nodded and bowed, going to arrange it.

Before long, near the entrance of the arena, a simple but conspicuous betting table was quickly set up.

One side of a wooden sign read ”Daling Pavilion,” and the other side read ”Miaoling Pavilion,” with several association clerks standing nearby to register and collect bets.

The rules were simple and crude: those who bet on the winning side could proportionally divide all the Spirit Stones wagered, and the Alchemist Association, as the house, would only take a ten percent cut as a service fee.

No matter who won, the association would make a steady profit. Immediately, a large number of Cultivators placed their bets, making the scene even more lively.

Lin Jingyu stood in the center of the spacious circular arena, the bluestone floor gleaming, surrounded by rising tiers of stands, countless gazes focused on him—curious, scrutinizing, doubtful, and disdainful.

In front of him was a standard Pill Furnace provided by the Alchemist Association, brass-colored, about half a person’s height, with three legs and two ears. Basic fire-gathering runes were carved on its body; it was unadorned but sufficient for use.

The air was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance and an invisible pressure of competition.

Opposite him, Liu Lili also stood before her Pill Furnace, taking a deep breath, trying to calm her mixed emotions of nervousness and resentment, her eyes fixed on Lin Jingyu as if she wanted to devour him alive.

Lin Jingyu took a deep breath and calmly walked towards the judges’ table at the side of the arena.

Seated at the judges’ table were several Cultivators with steady auras, including Tianfa Pavilion’s First Manager, Shui Sheng, and two Senior Alchemists from the Alchemist Association.

He walked up to Shui Sheng, this elegant and beautiful middle-aged female Cultivator, and respectfully handed over the seven heavy, bright red Spirit Stone cards with both hands.

His tone was respectful yet steady: ”Manager Shui, these are the stakes from both sides. I trouble you and the Seniors of the association to keep and notarize them together.”

Shui Sheng raised her deep eyes, her gaze falling on Lin Jingyu, carrying a hint of imperceptible scrutiny and a meaningful smile.

She extended her slender jade hand, took the stack of Spirit Stone cards, weighed them lightly, and parted her red lips, her voice soft but with undeniable authority: ”Agreed.”

She was not angered by Lin Jingyu’s previous ’use’ of the rules; instead, she developed a hint of curiosity and admiration for this calm, intelligent, bold, and meticulous young man.

Li Duoduo also snorted coldly, twisted her waist, walked forward, and placed her seven equally new Spirit Stone cards into the tray in front of Shui Sheng, making a crisp sound.

She glared fiercely at Lin Jingyu, gritting her teeth and growling in a low voice: ”Kid! You just wait! I’ll be waiting to see you beg for mercy on your knees!”

Lin Jingyu merely glanced at her indifferently, a confident arc curving his lips, then turned and walked without hesitation towards the quiet, standard Pill Furnace in the center of the arena.

His steps were steady, his heartbeat calm, and his mind clear. An Alchemy competition concerning a huge amount of Spirit Stones, personal dignity, and the reputation of two great Elixir Pavilions was about to officially begin under the watchful eyes of thousands!