Chapter 3139: It's All Just for a Meal

The Zhang-surnamed sword cultivator strode down the platform, leaving Hong Zun alone standing foolishly on the stage.

Besides, there was a referee to the side with his mouth open, not knowing what to say.

In his heart, he had already been cursing nonstop.

If what just happened was merely a bit of bluster, then now it is outright corruption.

Damn it, is the Dao One Immortal Sect really trying to monopolize everything?

This is already as corrupt as it gets; do you think everyone here is an idiot? You guys are really playing like this, huh?

How could that little trick by the Zhang-surnamed sword cultivator earlier escape the notice of so many eyes present?

Originally, it was just you master and disciple playing around among yourselves, which would have been fine—just disgusting everyone a bit.

But now you've pulled this stunt, and the nature is completely different—what do you mean? Did you secretly bribe someone?

On the high platform, there was an old sword cultivator with a fiery temper who could no longer hold back and wanted to shout a rebuke.

This had already crossed the line, but before he could speak, a mental transmission sounded first.

"Hold on, fellow cultivator."

Huh???

Upon hearing this, that sword cultivator expert turned his head to look down at the stage; the mental transmission was from the very Zhang-surnamed sword cultivator who had just lost.

Seeing him nod slightly at him, this person darkened his face and directly sent a mental transmission cursing.

You surnamed Zhang, cut this act; no matter how many benefits Hong Zun gave you, I could never do such a thing—you've utterly disgraced the Zhang family, you shameless wretch.

After being bombarded with that tirade of anger, upon hearing it, the Zhang-surnamed sword cultivator was not the slightest bit annoyed, and calmly replied via mental transmission.

Oh, so fellow cultivator, you don't want to eat?

What food?

It's the food personally made by Ye Zhangqing.

What do you mean by that?

Haha, that's why I told you to hold on, fellow cultivator—don't you wonder why those few disciples of Hong Zun earlier were so insistent in praising him?

That's not nonsense; Hong Zun just wants to make a name for himself through this.

Right, then what do you think the price is that Hong Zun—or the Dao One Immortal Sect—offered to make them go to such lengths, even sacrificing their own reputation?

What do you mean by that?

Let me put it another way—what is the Dao One Immortal Sect's biggest trump card these days?

That goes without saying—it's obviously Ye Zhangqing's cooking skill. Wait, what do you mean…

Exactly. The Dao One Immortal Sect wants to promote Hong Zun, and the payment is the food made by Ye Zhangqing; as long as we cooperate, we can also get a meal—so, fellow cultivator, do you want to eat?

This…

As the Zhang-surnamed sword cultivator gave that analysis, that sword cultivator fell silent; if that's the case, then it's not impossible to discuss.

As for the Zhang-surnamed sword cultivator, he wore a look of having seen through everything; if not, he wouldn't have acted that way just now.

However, when his gaze fell upon Ye Zhangqing on the high platform, the Zhang-surnamed sword cultivator still sent a mental transmission.

"Young Master Changqing, Zhang Mou will not disgrace the mission."

Huh???

Originally sitting on the platform, equally clueless, Ye Zhangqing stared oddly at Hong Zun; upon suddenly receiving this mental transmission, he was completely stunned.

Following the direction of the transmission, he saw the Zhang-surnamed sword cultivator who had just lost, now smiling and nodding at him.

But he didn't understand a single word of what he said.

"What does 'not disgracing the mission' even mean? Why don't I know anything about it?"

Before Ye Zhangqing could ask, the Zhang-surnamed sword cultivator had already withdrawn his gaze; at the same time, Ye Zhangqing's mind began to receive mental transmissions from others one after another.

It turned out to be the Zhang-surnamed sword cultivator's earlier remarks, which quickly spread among the sword cultivators.

If it were anything else, everyone would utterly despise it; what a joke—we're holding this Sword Immortal Grand Assembly on the principles of fairness and justice, how could there be behind-the-scenes manipulation?

But having said that, if we could get to eat Ye Zhangqing's food, then this matter isn't impossible to discuss.

So, although on the surface nothing seems strange, in secret the sword cultivator experts had already communicated via divine sense.

Each one already had their own calculations in mind; even the few with the hottest tempers, though somewhat displeased, also agreed.

"It's just an empty title—can the First Sword Cultivator compare to a meal from Ye Zhangqing?"

"Yeah, what can the First Sword Cultivator have? Don't you already have those treasures yourself? But Ye Zhangqing's food—when will you ever get a bite relying on yourself?"

"Exactly, you usually struggle to eat a ration, so what are you hesitating about?"

They were quickly persuaded, so at this moment, Ye Zhangqing's mind was continually receiving mental transmissions from sword cultivator experts.

"Young Master Changqing, we know that we must let Fellow Cultivator Hong Zun win."

"Young Master Changqing, this time the First Sword Immortal will definitely be Fellow Cultivator Hong Zun—I'm saying it."

"Young Master Changqing has given an order; how could we not follow? Rest assured, just watch us demonstrate our abilities next."

With such mental transmissions constantly echoing in his mind, Ye Zhangqing was completely bewildered.

"No, what order do I have? I myself don't even know."

"Does this involve me as well?"

I originally thought this was a scheme cooked up by Hong Zun and the third senior brother, but now, out of the blue, how does it even involve me?

Ye Zhangqing was genuinely dumbfounded—what on earth is this bewildering development?

I haven't even signed up for the Sword Immortal Grand Assembly, so what does it mean that there was already a plan? Shouldn't they have told us in advance? Why keep us in the dark?

Regarding this, Ye Zhangqing is completely at a loss—I don't know any plan myself; you guys should at least explain it clearly.

Moreover, it's not just Ye Zhangqing; Qi Xiong and their fellow senior brothers also received the same mental transmissions from the sword cultivator experts, with much the same meaning.

They all complained why the plan wasn't disclosed in advance—could it be that they don't trust everyone?

Then it's about showing loyalty, saying that whatever plan the Dao One Immortal Sect has, they will surely cooperate. The title of the number one sword immortal must belong to Hong Zun.

Terms: Dao One Immortal Sect, Hong Zun. Also, 'the title of the number one sword immortal' is just a description, not a proper name, so we exclude it. Therefore only those two terms are needed.

In an instant, Qi Xiong and the others exchanged glances, likewise sending secret voice transmissions.

Terms: Qi Xiong. Also, 'et al.' is generic, so only Qi Xiong.

"Junior brother, what the hell is Hong Zun up to?"

"I don't know."

"Damn it, I don't know—this damn Sword Immortal Grand Meeting, all the participants have been bribed by him."

"What the hell does Hong Zun want to do?"

"Senior Brother, how did Hong Zun manage to bribe so many people?"

"Did he go to the Sect's treasure vault?"

"No, he didn't."

"Qi Xiong and the others also had their eyes bulging; their Dao One Immortal Sect had some damn plan."

"You damn bastards, we didn't understand a word of what you said—what's the point of having a plan if you don't say it early?"

"We basically have no plan at all; what the hell kind of plan does Hong Zun have?"

"Their gaze fell on Hong Zun again; at first they didn't think much of it, but now the situation keeps getting bigger, even a bunch of prominent sword cultivators have gotten involved—what the hell does Hong Zun want to do?"

"Qi Xiong's face darkened as he gritted his teeth and muttered to himself."

"Does this bastard just want the title of Number One Sword Immortal that badly?"