Asura Mad Emperor

Qinchuan's words immediately sent a shock through Ye He's heart.

Ye He of course knew who the man in the black robe was. He was the envoy sent by the Jiuxiang Ancient Kingdom, mingling within the crowd of the Heavenly Sword Sect and Red Blood Sword Sect. Even though on the surface he was the leader of the mission, in reality, he had to follow the arrangement of this man in black.

Despite the fact that the man emitted no aura whatsoever, Ye He knew just how terrifying these people were; even the most senior elders in their own sect were no match for this person.

However, the identities of these black-robed individuals were top secret, not even known to the disciples of the Burning Heaven Sect who were part of the mission, only a few Great Elders had heard of them. How Qinchuan managed to detect something was amiss at a glance was a mystery.

Moreover, it seemed that he had even ascertained the black-robed elder's identity.

Coincidence or speculation?@@novelbin@@

That black-robed elder also started to pay attention to Qinchuan at this moment, turning his gaze toward him.

A glint of sharp light passed through his eyes, which were like stars sinking and rising; his profound gaze landed on Qinchuan, only to find that this young man appeared to be a simple Meridian Opening Realm Cultivator, exhibiting not the slightest anomaly.

He then settled down and said coldly, "Since it is your sect that has called for this competition, it is naturally up to your sect to decide when to begin. I am but an obscure elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect, how could I possibly make such a decision?"

Qinchuan shook his head upon hearing this, saying no more.

His intent was simple; he wanted to wait until all the sects had made their moves before the start.

Just at that moment, several figures were seen arriving through the sky from afar outside the arena.

Qinchuan's expression shifted, and he silently mused, "Another one has arrived."

Indeed, among the group of people, there was another black-robed elder.

Upon seeing another group of people arriving through the sky and ascending the mountain, the disciples of the Burning Heaven Sect, having the two great Sword Sects as their precedent, did not react too strongly.

Nevertheless, most of the disciples still glared at these newcomers with hostility in their eyes, fiery light blazing as if they wished to tear the group apart.

"Humph, Tang Qingming, what business do you have at my Burning Heaven Sect?"

Chi Shan recognized the person from afar and loudly challenged him.

Tang Qingming was a Sect Leader of the Thousand Stars Sect with a Cultivation Level at the Supreme Saint Intermediate Stage.

Although the foundation of the Thousand Stars Sect was not as profound as that of the Heavenly Sword Sect or Burning Heaven Sect, it was not much inferior to the Red Blood Sword Sect.

There had been no past dealings or grudges between the Burning Heaven Sect and the Thousand Stars Sect, so it was clear why they would come to the mountain today without having to think too hard about it.

"Hahaha, Sect Leader Chi, I heard that the Burning Heaven Sect was holding a competition between elite disciples and elders, and I felt an itch to come have a look," Tang Qingming laughed heartily as he responded.

The party landed beside the people from the two great Sword Sects.

"Oh my, isn't this Elder Ye and Elder Wu? How come you have also come up here?"

As another chess piece of the Jiuxiang Ancient Country, Tang Qingming was already aware of Ye He and Wu Dong being there but pretended otherwise, greeting them with folded hands.

"Hahaha, like Sect Leader Tang, we are also here to lend some support to Burning Heaven Sect's competition," Ye He responded with a polite gesture.

"By the way, I've heard that the disciples of the Thousand Stars Sect are exceptionally talented. Would you be interested in having them exchange pointers with the elites of the Burning Heaven Sect?"

"Oh?"

"I've long heard that the Burning Heaven Sect is full of elite members and that the elders are as proficient as clouds. I've been looking forward to experiencing it for myself, but…"

Mid-sentence, Tang Qingming paused, turning his gaze toward Chi Shan.

But before Chi Shan could respond, he saw that a Meridian Opening Realm junior standing beside Chi Shan suddenly spoke up.

"If you want to participate in the competition, then participate. Stop with the needless chatter," the junior interjected.

"If you wish to compete, bring forth a treasure of equivalent value to the Fusang Fruit or a Supreme Dao Artifact to serve as the prize stake."

The two seemed to be engaging in candid conversation, but in truth they were subtly and openly provoking the Burning Heaven Sect.

Qinchuan directly interrupted the two, stating the conditions for participating in the competition to Tang Qingming.

After hearing this, Tang Qingming didn't immediately agree, but instead turned his head and asked in a low voice, "Elder Ye, who is this child?"

When Ye He answered that Qinchuan was the Great Elder of the Burning Heaven Sect, it provoked a burst of laughter from the Stellar Gate crowd.

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But as much as they laughed, once they realized Qinchuan's words were to be taken seriously, Tang Qingming indeed took out a stalk of Yuan Breakthrough Demon Grass and his Lifebound Weapon, the Stellar Disk, placing them on the Treasure Distribution Stage.

After Tang Qingming placed the treasures on the Treasure Distribution Stage, Qinchuan remained motionless, steady as Mount Tai, without the slightest hint of announcing the start of the competition.

"What does this mean?"

Tang Qingming was puzzled and echoed the sentiment.

"Just wait!" Qinchuan gave him a glance and once again gazed into the distance, watching the road leading up to the arena outside the venue.

It wasn't long before Qinchuan saw another group approaching the arena from down the mountain.

This time it was the Zhi Yan Sect's people.

They had hardly arrived and before the crowd could exchange pleasantries, Qinchuan cut everyone off and got straight to the point.

If you want to participate in the Sect competition, you have to present a treasure first.

However, the Zhi Yan Sect was not as deeply founded as sects like the Heavenly Sword Sect, Red Blood Sword Sect, and Stellar Gate, lacking a Supreme Dao Artifact. Several elders pooled resources for quite a while before they managed to gather three Half-Step Supreme Dao Artifacts.

Only then did Qinchuan reluctantly agree to let them participate in the competition, though with evident disdain.

"These minor sects, why bother joining in the excitement? They don't even realize they are being used as pawns by others."

Seeing the Zhi Yan Sect coming forward in their poverty, seeking their own doom, Qinchuan couldn't help but lament. However, as much as he might feel for them, Qinchuan was not going to show any mercy later on.

Since they were enticed by the interests of the Jiuxiang Ancient Country, they had to be prepared to face the backlash.

And with these actions of Qinchuan, Ye He, Wu Dong, and others finally began to understand Qinchuan's intentions.

"It seems like he knew in advance that many sects would come to challenge?"

"Is he waiting for all the sects to arrive before beginning the competition?"

"What is this kid up to...?"

Not only the elders and Sect Leaders of the major sects had these doubts, but now even the elders from the Burning Heaven Sect themselves were confused.

The purpose of these sects' visit today was clearly not well-intentioned.

As everyone was waiting, two more major sects arrived at Burning Heaven Sect's grounds.

Qinchuan didn't waste any words, telling them to either bring out treasures to join the competition or to get lost.

Half an hour passed, and the major sects arrived one after the other at the Burning Heaven Sect, like vendors flocking to a market.

The number of sects at the arena kept increasing, with larger ones such as the Heavenly Sword Sect, Red Blood Sword Sect, and Stellar Gate, and smaller ones like the Zhi Yan Sect, Cold Water Sect, and Flowing Sand Holy Land.

All these sects came with the same excuse, to participate in the Burning Heaven Sect's Sect competition.

In total, nine major sects had arrived, and the two Treasure Distribution Stages were already piled high with an array of Spiritual Treasures and Supreme Dao Artifacts.

Others might not have noticed, but Qinchuan observed that within each sect, there was always one unremarkable old man in a black robe.

By this point, even the most oblivious disciples and elders within the Burning Heaven Sect could sense that something was amiss.

"It seems someone is scheming against the Burning Heaven Sect in secret."

Meanwhile, a voice began to spread among the disciples.

"The Burning Heaven Sect is doomed today. The old ancestor has passed away, the Sect Leader is confused, and they've let a Meridian Opening Realm child become the Great Elder. Everyone should quickly abandon the darkness and seek the light."

As these rumors spread among the disciples, some began to harbor different thoughts in their hearts.

Not just the disciples below, but even some elders on stage showed a look of indecision.