Chapter 3130: All's Fair in War—I Taught You That

Although they were only a few simple side dishes for drinks, and the portions weren't large, everyone on the high platform had fiery eyes.

This time each person had their own table in front of them, so there was no need to fight over food with others.

Paired with the immortal brew prepared by the Dao One Immortal Sect, a bite of dish then a sip of wine—that's pure enjoyment.

Before the assembly even began, many powerful beings of the Immortal Realm were already enjoying themselves comfortably.

Their movements had lost all former coarseness, instead being utterly relaxed and self-satisfied.

Some even couldn't help closing their eyes and sighing.

"Ah, this is the proper way to savor divine delicacies… you wretch, prepare to die."

But before he could finish speaking, that Immortal Realm powerhouse snapped his eyes open and immediately turned, shouting angrily.

He saw the fellow cultivator beside him stealthily stretching out his chopsticks, trying to snatch his side dish—how could he tolerate that?

Facing his companion's rebuke, the shameless fellow cultivator laughed.

"Hey, I noticed you haven't moved your chopsticks—I thought it didn't suit your taste."

"If you want to die, we can go onto the fighting platform right now—there's a ready-made one."

Gazing coldly at that old thing, this person repeatedly waved his hands.

"No need, no need, it's not that serious."

There are always some sneaky petty thieves; for a moment, everyone stared fixedly at the dishes on their own tables, worried that someone nearby might suddenly reach out and snatch them.

At the same time, Hong Zun also walked onto the high platform; initially, it wasn't yet time for these old seniors to make a move.

Since this is the Sword Immortal Assembly, with invitations sent to sword cultivators worldwide, it's only natural to give the younger disciples a chance to perform.

Thus the first half was basically the stage for the young sword cultivators.

He plopped down beside Shi Song, glanced at Hong Zun, and Shi Song frowned.

"Junior Brother, what's wrong? Your complexion looks awful."

"None of your business."

"Did you eat gunpowder this morning?"

"Even more infuriating than eating gunpowder."

Thinking back on last night's experience, Hong Zun felt awful all over, and naturally thought of Xu Jie—good, very good, it's that rebellious disciple again.

His gaze drifted gloomily toward the fighting platform; the assembly had begun, and all matches were randomly drawn.

Zhao Zhengping happened to be drawn for the first round.

At that moment, Zhao Zhengping stood on the platform holding a long sword, wearing a white robe with his hands behind his back, truly giving off a faint immortal aura.

An Immortal Realm powerhouse beside him smiled at Hong Zun and said.

"Fellow Daoist Hong Zun, Zhao Zhengping truly lives up to being the Senior Brother of the Divine Sword Hall—indeed, heroes emerge from youth."

"Hmm."

In response, Hong Zun merely nodded expressionlessly, yet he couldn't help feeling a secret joy, after all, this is his own disciple.

Back then, didn't he choose Zhao Zhengping precisely for his upright integrity?

Who has ever seen an infant still in swaddling clothes born with a "square" face? That's called having an aura of righteousness.

In this match, Zhao Zhengping's opponent was a disciple from another sect, and their cultivation levels were roughly equal.

Over these years, with Ye Zhangqing's help, this core group of the Dao One Immortal Sect has all received no shortage of fortunate opportunities.

Their talent and cultivation have gradually caught up to their peers in the Immortal Realm.

Although they still can't match top-tier monsters like Tianlin and Miao Qianqian, compared to others they are hardly lacking at all.

But just as that Immortal Realm powerhouse's words fell, the two sides exchanged salutations, and the referee on the platform announced the start of the match.

Zhao Zhengping suddenly pointed at the person behind him and said.

"Bold demon race, you still dare to come?"

"Huh???"

This sudden shout left the opposing disciple stunned—had the demon race invaded the Immortal Realm? Impossible, there's a huge Immortal City Beyond the Heavens guarding the entrance; how could they slip in silently?

Yet instinctively, the disciple still turned his head to look.

Upon seeing nothing behind him, he instantly realized he had been tricked.

His reaction wasn't slow, but by the time he turned back, the sword tip was already within two inches of his throat.

"Huh???"

His eyes were full of confusion—"No, I haven't even made a move yet."

On the contrary, Zhao Zhengping spoke calmly.

"All's fair in love and war, Junior Brother—you've lost."

"I……………………"

He opened his mouth, feeling something was off, and could only turn his head to the referee beside him.

"Senior, I haven't even made a move yet."

At this point, even the referee on the platform wore a strange expression—"No, this is the Sword Immortal Assembly; how could you use such dirty tactics?"

"Although we've long known your Dao One Immortal Sect isn't clean, with so many people watching now, are you not even bothering to pretend?"

"Just come out and cheat?"

"According to the rules, there's actually no prohibition; Zhao Zhengping's method wasn't a violation, and he did indeed seem to have won."

"But something still feels off; for a moment he had no idea what to do, so the referee could only look toward the high platform, hoping the big shots there would decide."

Meanwhile, on the high platform, countless gazes were locked onto Qi Xiong, all wearing strange expressions.

Being stared at by so many made his scalp tingle; Qi Xiong's mouth twitched as he spoke.

"Everyone, Zhao Zhengping is a disciple of the Divine Sword Hall and has nothing to do with me."

Huh???

It has nothing to do with you? The Divine Sword Hall isn't one of the thirty-six halls of your Dao One Immortal Sect?

Seeing Qi Xiong directly choose to pass the buck without hesitation, everyone's faces twitched, but someone still spoke up.

"Then what is the result of this battle…………………"

Hearing this, Qi Xiong, Wu Shou, Yun Xiantai and the other high-ranking members of the Dao One Immortal Sect all fell silent.

How should we talk about this result? Saying we won would definitely be inappropriate, but saying we lost—after all, Zhao Zhengping is our own disciple; who would twist their arm outward?

Simply, they collectively chose to remain silent.

Seeing Qi Xiong and the other high-ranking members of the Dao One Immortal Sect all silent, the crowd furrowed their brows even more deeply.

No, speak up, you guys.

Fortunately, at this moment, Zhao Zhengping on the platform, perhaps discovering his conscience, voluntarily sheathed his long sword and smiled at the referee and that disciple on the stage.

"Just now I was making a little joke; as a disciple of the Dao One Immortal Sect, I naturally wouldn't resort to such petty tricks. Let's start over."

Hearing this, the disciple opposite's complexion eased slightly, and he nodded, saying.

"Fine, then as you say, senior brother……………………"

Huh???

But before he could finish speaking, the sword tip was again pressed against his own throat, two inches away.

His words cut off abruptly, he gave Zhao Zhengping a doubtful look, opened his mouth, and asked doubtfully.

"Senior brother, what are you…………………"

"Didn't we just agree to start over? What are you doing?"

However, Zhao Zhengping's reply left that disciple dumbfounded, his eyes wide open.

"Junior brother, I already said before that all is fair in war; this is already the second time. You should understand that from the moment I said we'd start over, the match had already begun."

Huh???

Hearing this, the disciple fell silent, and the referee beside him also fell silent—is there even such an argument?