Chapter 262: For the Pursuit of Fame and Profit

At this moment, the sun was gradually setting, the sky dyed in an orange‑red hue. That lingering afterglow stretched across the horizon like a brilliant ribbon, as if nature had painted a breathtaking picture. As time passed, the ribbon narrowed, its color deepened, and finally vanished on the distant horizon.

A gentle breeze brushed by, bringing coolness that brushed people's faces and hair. Leaves rustled, seeming to whisper the day's story.

The registration for the big competition, which should have closed at dusk, suddenly blew up!

I want to register!

Wait, I was first!

Eh eh, what queue are you joining?!

All of a sudden, a long line of Lianqi disciples queued to register, and the disciples hosting the competition wore shocked expressions.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator nearby watched the scene and couldn't help but say happily: "Junior Brother Hu, you still have tricks!"

Hu Bing laughed: "Senior Brother Pang De, that wasn't my idea."

Oh? You dared to schedule the true masters to come observe this competition and then choose followers—wasn't that what you said? Pang De said, surprised.

Hu Bing smiled: "It was a suggestion from a seasoned junior brother, but as he said, many come for fame and profit."

Ha ha ha, it doesn't matter; the more we earn, the better. Your share will naturally be given after the competition ends, but this time many newcomers have arrived, and we don't know how capable they are. Pang De laughed.

So this Lianqi Competition is nothing more than a tool for some to earn Spiritual Stones; with fifty participants they can recoup costs and make a small profit.

Now, with nearly four to five hundred participants, aside from the new entrants of Green Mountain Sect and those early‑stage Lianqi disciples who didn't come, almost all mid‑ and late‑stage Lianqi cultivators of Green Mountain Sect are present!

Big money!

Even if they give everything to the higher‑ups, they can still earn a lot!

As Yan Buji said: The world is bustling, all for fame and profit.

Whether seeking fame or vying for profit, joining such a grand contest is surely the fastest shortcut.

Then senior brother, go handle yours later; I guess tonight your sect's caves will be trampled. Hu Bing laughed.

Those who fight for fame and profit will stop at nothing; bribing the organizers to weaken one's opponents is not unreasonable, right?

Hehehe. Pang De sneered.

Cultivation for them has become business.

And for Yan Buji on the other side, it's naturally a great platform to showcase himself.

First, fame is essential.

I must let the Lianqi disciples of Green Mountain Sect know that Accumulation Device Peak has a cultivator named Huang Hao! Yan Buji squinted.

Second, how to use this grand contest to gain more profit requires good relations with Hu Bing's side.

He doesn't trust anyone who can bring business to Green Mountain Sect; such contests won't have hidden bets.

Find the right moment; if his odds are high, losing a fixed match is fine.

But that also contradicts his premise of gaining fame, so if Yan Buji sees someone truly able like Yun Hua, a Lianqi cultivator who defies the heavens, he'll simply have Hu Bing place a bet to earn Spiritual Stones.

If not, then first gain fame, then wager his entire fortune for a chance to make big money!

So I can't just push straight through at the start; a back‑and‑forth, more challenging approach is better. Yan Buji squinted; this way, even if he reaches later rounds, his odds stay stable, not swinging wildly.

Having settled the strategy, Yan Buji planned to seal some of his methods for the early matches.

The next day.

Arriving at the plaza, he saw platforms erected within a day, many cultivators maintaining formations, and the surrounding disciples had fire in their eyes, ambitious looks.

Whoa, so many people?

Five days of fighting?

With this many participants, each battle's duration is uncertain; five days might not even be enough.

Yan Buji walked over, looked at the huge stone tablet listing the competition process and match pairings, and couldn't help pinching his chin.

Hmm, still reasonable.

Although it doesn't list the contestants' basic info, once on the arena it's all based on personal strength, Yan Buji doesn't mind.

Even Foundation Establishment Cultivators can fight.

He has Accumulation Armor, Shaqi Armor, two kinds of spirit shield techniques, plus wind‑adjusting, lightning‑flash exotic techniques at extreme speed, and with the Earth‑fire from the Sculpt Fire Technique and the Magic Power Golden Wheel, he's not afraid of duel arts.

If someone forces him to use Qi‑tight secret arts and spear tactics, that also counts as a strong opponent.

But if he truly meets a foe he must give his all, he'll probably have to reveal some Martial Dao Profound Skill.

Yan Buji also noticed that many Lianqi Phase disciples have some martial skills; perhaps they haven't learned Martial Dao Profound Skill, but they still possess close‑combat ability.

If one merely uses Tianxin Four‑Formulas, that's fine; but if someone can display both Magic Power and True Essence attributes, Yan Buji wouldn't keep it hidden.

Having the idea, Yan Buji immediately stood at the arena side, waiting for the start.

Today's matches aren't his, but they don't prevent him from watching the strength.

Green Mountain Sect Lianqi Competition, officially begins!

This competition will be judged by Elder Wang Duo and Elder Chaoyang of the Disciple Hall and Labor Hall; arena tactics are unrestricted, but if a opponent wins they may not continue to act, otherwise their participation rights are revoked!

Yan Buji saw a Foundation Establishment Cultivator step onto the stage loudly stating the rules, then flattered the two Elders: "Elder Wang, Elder Chaoyang, do you two have anything else to say?"

Elder Wang waved his hand, looking indifferent.

Elder Chaoyang coughed, stood up and said: "All of you are the outstanding talents of our Green Mountain Sect; in intra‑sect competition remember not to harm lives, harmony is precious."

Yes, Elder Wang!

Seeing the surrounding contestants shout together, Chaoyang sat down satisfied: "Begin."

First duel, start!

As the duel began, Yan Buji watched with interest for a while, then lost interest.

Although you have some foundation, it's not enough; your concealment of your magical wave is poor.

Using techniques draws magical resonance. In short, if you cannot hide the subtle fluctuations when you wield magic, any master can read your aura and predict the next technique you'll employ.

Although this is hard for most cultivators to discern, at least they should be able to notice it.

Obviously, the two contestants' combat techniques failed to pique Yan Buji's interest.

A string of over ten bouts produced no remarkable figures.

Just as Yan Buji was about to leave, he suddenly saw a practitioner of the Eighth Layer of Refining Qi on the stage instantly dispatch another disciple of the same level, and was greatly surprised.

"So there are experts after all."

The person standing on the stage withdrew his magical power, shook his head, and disdainfully looked down: "Too weak, not a single one I can fight?"