Chapter 122: Take It

The people on the island turned to look at the sound.

Ten or more cultivators descended from the sky, all dressed in white Zhao family robes.

The one who had spoken just now was a young cultivator with a cold expression, radiating the spiritual power fluctuation of Qi Refining peak.

Two elderly Foundation Establishment cultivators followed closely beside him.

Even Li Yuanqing, standing at the center of the arena, frowned darkly at their arrival.

“It’s Zhao Jiu Young Master—Zhao Chanzhen!”

“Why is he here?”

“Zhao family people?”

“Are they here to cause trouble?”

“The Zhao family and our Loose Alliance have coexisted peacefully for decades.”

“Why today?”

…

Li Yuanqing’s face turned icy, his brows lifting as he coldly asked the Zhao family: “What is your intent, Young Master Zhao?”

“Do you intend to interfere in our Seventy-Two Loose Alliance affairs?”

Zhao Chanzhen, facing the Foundation Establishment cultivator before him, showed no fear and replied:

“Heh, if this spiritual island is unclaimed, why can’t the Zhao family participate in the bidding?”

“Senior Li, isn’t that rather unreasonable?”

Li Yuanqing sneered: “Your Zhao family is already embroiled in a brutal war with the Lingyu Sect in Yunze Wilds—yet you still have time to bid for a trivial spiritual island like this?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chanzhen’s face darkened noticeably, clearly stung.

“The state of the frontlines is none of your concern, Senior Li.”

“The Zhao family has come here determined to compete for this island.”

“Be plain: if you think you can exclude us, it’s utterly impossible.”

Clearly, the Zhao family’s stance was unmistakable.

The two Zhao Foundation Establishment Elders also glared sharply at Li Yuanqing.

The atmosphere in the arena turned strangely tense.

Li Yuanqing was utterly baffled—why would the Zhao family suddenly interfere like this?

And with such firmness.

To break decades of balance and clash with the Zhao family over an island of little value?

It would be hardly worth it.

After weighing his options, he spoke bluntly: “The current bid for this spiritual island has reached twenty thousand spirit stones.”

“Young Master Zhao, will you raise your bid?”

Zhao Chanzhen, seeing Li Yuanqing relent, smirked slightly: “I believe the overall value of this island doesn’t warrant that price.”

“A different method of bidding is needed!”

Li Yuanqing’s face twitched as he growled: “What other method?”

Zhao Chanzhen immediately said: “In the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme—truth must be settled through combat.”

“Here’s the proposal: any cultivator present who can afford ten thousand spirit stones may enter the contest for this island.”

“Life or death is irrelevant; draw lots for opponents, and the final victor pays ten thousand spirit stones to claim ownership.”

“Fair and just—both our Loose Alliance and the Zhao family will accept the outcome.”

“If you lack the strength to defend the island, what good is winning it?”

Zhao Chanzhen fell silent, awaiting the Loose Alliance’s response.

His words, though crude, carried undeniable logic.

But in truth, he intended to crush them with force, to seize the island at minimal cost.

Even if the spirit vein was scattered, it was still a Rank-Two one.

All these Loose Alliance members were Qi Refining families—none possessed Foundation Establishment cultivators. How could they match the Zhao family’s depth?

The cultivators present began murmuring among themselves.

No one expected this twist.

Li Yuanqing’s expression shifted uncertainly as he turned to consult with several Loose Alliance elders.

Moments later.

Li Yuanqing returned to the arena and addressed the Zhao family: “A combat-based resolution isn’t unacceptable.”

“But our Loose Alliance adds two conditions.”

“First: only Qi Refining cultivators may compete; combat must be controlled and non-lethal. Any death results in disqualification.”

“Second: the payment must be raised to fifteen thousand spirit stones.”

Li Yuanqing had clearly seen through the Zhao family’s scheme—he had raised the price by five thousand.

Now, even if the Zhao family won the island, the Loose Alliance’s loss remained within acceptable limits.

“Agreed!”

Zhao Chanzhen turned and spoke briefly with his two Elders, then nodded in acceptance.

Both sides reached consensus.

Next, Li Yuanqing ordered the chairs removed, clearing a larger open space in the center.

“Alright, you’ve all heard it. If you want this island, come forward to register and draw lots.”

“I will serve as referee—your safety is guaranteed.”

No sooner had Li Yuanqing finished speaking.

More than half the cultivators who had bid earlier fled the arena.

On the Zhao side, Zhao Chanzhen himself stepped down—his entrance made the faces of the Loose cultivators grim.

“Alas! It’s Zhao Chanzhen himself entering!”

“Friend Qin, I advise you not to enter the contest,” Wu Jiang sighed, hesitating to warn him.

Qin Ming frowned: “What’s so special about this Zhao Chanzhen?”

“He’s among the strongest of the Zhao family’s younger generation, with exceptional talent—he’s already reached Qi Refining peak at a young age.”

“It’s said he’s mastered the Zhao family’s ‘Qianyuan Sword Art’ to perfection.”

“I’m not saying this to discourage you, but the Loose cultivators who signed up so far won’t stand a chance against him,” Wu Jiang explained.

Qin Ming nodded.

But he was quite satisfied with this island—it suited his solitary cultivation perfectly.

If he sought another, he might not find one better.

Moments passed.

Qin Ming made his decision.

Fifteen thousand spirit stones—he could afford it.

As for Zhao Chanzhen—how did he compare to the core disciples of the Lingyu Sect he’d already killed?

Then.

Under Wu Jiang’s stunned gaze, Qin Ming walked into the arena.

Wu Jiang froze in disbelief: “Didn’t I make myself clear?”

…

Qin Ming registered, drew a lot, then stepped back to wait outside the arena.

The number of participants in the combat was small.

Fewer than twenty cultivators.

All were Qi Refining late-stage or peak cultivators confident in their strength.

The rest, seeing Zhao Chanzhen enter, had abandoned the contest.

As soon as the lot-drawing ended, the combat began.

The first pair of cultivators stepped onto the arena.

Instantly,

Brilliant spells flew wildly across the ground.

The spectators gasped in awe.

After all, combat between Qi Refining late-stage cultivators was rare for lower-level Loose cultivators to witness.

The match ended swiftly.

One of the combatants was a beast-tamer who summoned a Rank-One late-stage black panther beast.

With a two-on-one advantage, he won easily.

After two more matches,

a Daomei Qi Refining ninth-layer cultivator drew Zhao Chanzhen as his opponent.

Zhao Chanzhen severed his arm with a single sword strike and kicked him out of the arena.

Seeing such devastating Sword Art, all remaining combatants paled.

Every subsequent cultivator who drew Zhao Chanzhen immediately forfeited.

Qin Ming also entered twice, facing only Qi Refining late-stage opponents.

Yet under his spiritual sense, comparable to that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his opponent’s spells were riddled with flaws.

He casually cast a few basic wood-element spells and sent his opponent off the arena.

As expected.

The final decisive match remained between Qin Ming and Zhao Chanzhen.

Zhao Chanzhen regarded the plain-looking Qin Ming across from him with solemn eyes.

A flicker of caution passed over his stern face.

One truly cannot judge a person by appearance.

He had just watched Qin’s two previous battles—easily, effortlessly—he had defeated his opponents using nothing but basic spells.

He probably hadn’t even shown his true strength yet.

The atmosphere in the arena instantly reached its peak.

Just as everyone assumed

that a fierce, thrilling battle was about to begin,

suddenly,

Zhao Chanzhen’s eye twitched, and he muttered, “I yield. I withdraw.”

(End of Chapter)