Chapter 369

Through Wei Chuan Princess's explanation, He Pingsheng also came to understand what this so-called Nine Nations Competition was about.

When a country grows large, conflicts inevitably arise between them.

For instance, the border between Qi and Liang states is not fixed—it shifts sometimes toward Qi, sometimes back toward Liang.

Between nations, between clans, through countless marital ties, conflicts are unavoidable.

How are these conflicts resolved?

The cultivation world forbids nations from launching large-scale wars, because if cultivators wage such wars, the consequences would be catastrophic.

The destructive power is too immense.

It would cause countless mortal deaths and accumulate immense karmic retribution.

Thus, the Nine Nations Competition was established.

Every hundred years, these nine nations compete atop Tiwen Mountain to settle their hundred-year karmic debts.

Therefore, victory in this competition is vital to national interests.

The rules are simple: each nation selects ten participants.

Moreover, all ten competitors must be at the Golden Core realm.

Because Foundation Establishment is too low to be impressive.

As for Nascent Soul, that realm is too high—it risks sparking real fury, and each Nascent Soul is a rare resource in the cultivation world, the very foundation of a sect; few Nascent Soul cultivators are willing to compete.

Thus, Golden Core cultivators naturally became the competition's contestants.

Victory brings national benefits, and personal honor as well.

For the participating disciples, there is another great advantage: listening to the Dao.

Yes!

Listening to the Dao.

It is said that after each competition on Tiwen Mountain, two peak Soul Transformation elders personally impart teachings; for Golden Core disciples, this is immensely beneficial!

As for the claim that Golden Core cultivators cannot comprehend the Dao?

That's pure nonsense—each nation selects only ten, and most are surely at the Golden Core Passage level.

Only such cultivators possess formidable combat power.

"Why me?" He Pingsheng asked Wei Chuan Princess.

Wei Chuan Princess smiled and said, "You weren't originally selected… but when the Crown Prince heard you'd reached the Golden Core Passage, he specifically instructed that you must be included in the qualification contest."

He Pingsheng nodded.

Few knew about his Golden Core Passage.

But not no one.

For instance, Jingxin.

When she fought him back then, she knew—once she knew, she would have reported it to the imperial court.

So it's only natural the court knew.

"Even with the Crown Prince's recommendation," Wei Chuan Princess continued, "you're not guaranteed a spot in the Nine Nations Competition, since it represents national interests!"

"You must still pass the imperial selection tournament."

"Only the top ten finishers earn the right to compete in the Nine Nations Competition."

"He Dao You, you'll participate, right?" Wei Chuan said, watching He Pingsheng with eager anticipation.

He Pingsheng frowned and asked, "Uh… I'm unfamiliar with this competition. May I ask, Princess, were past participants always Golden Core Passage cultivators?"

"Yes," Wei Chuan Princess nodded. "Golden Core Passage is the bare minimum—if you don't have it, don't bother showing up."

He Pingsheng's face darkened.

That's problematic.

Among ordinary Golden Core cultivators, his combat power is quite strong.

But recalling the fight between Mi Cangyuan and Jingxin back then, He Pingsheng instantly lost confidence.

Could he now defeat Mi Cangyuan as he was then?

Probably not.

Back then, Mi Cangyuan himself said he could effortlessly kill a Nascent Soul beginner.

So it's easy to imagine he'd lose against a peak Golden Core Passage cultivator.

Seeing He Pingsheng hesitate, Wei Chuan Princess said, "He Dao You, the Nine Nations Competition is still ten years away, and Liang's selection is over nine years off!"

"No need to rush."

"Your cultivation might still advance further. And though only Golden Core Passage cultivators may compete, honestly, not all will be peak Golden Core—Liang probably doesn't have that many peak Golden Core Passage cultivators!"

"Do you understand what I mean?"

He Pingsheng nodded. "I understand."

"Also," Wei Chuan Princess continued, "if you earn Liang's qualification, regardless of whether you win the Nine Nations Competition, you may request one item from Liang's imperial court!"

"Provided, of course, that Liang possesses it."

He Pingsheng's eyes lit up.

That's perfect!

He'd been worrying about where to obtain the Metal-elemental Dao origin—Liang's imperial court should have it.

"Also," Wei Chuan Princess touched the sky-blue bracelet on her left wrist, pulled out a jade slip, and said, "The Ninth Prince said that if you agree to his terms, he'll grant you a special 【Merchant Guild Operating Right】—with this, you may operate a merchant guild anywhere within Liang territory!"

"The condition: only one guild, no branches allowed!"

She placed the jade slip before He Pingsheng. "He Dao You, this is the imperial decree granting you the merchant guild operating right—I'm giving it to you now."

"Honestly, it's a great deal. I think you should open a guild in the capital."

"With the Crown Prince's protection, wouldn't your wealth flow endlessly?"

He Pingsheng was tempted.

Merchant guilds were a highly profitable industry in the cultivation world.

Ordinary cultivators were generally barred from entering them—many major sects didn't even have one.

Even owning just one meant endless wealth ahead.

It was just participating in the Nine Nations Competition—fine, he'd accept.

Probably no traps involved.

"Alright," He Pingsheng took a deep breath. "I accept."

"Congratulations!" Wei Chuan stood, smiling and clasped her fists. "I wish you great success in the Nine Nations Competition. If I get more detailed information later, I'll send someone to deliver it to you!"

"He Brother, farewell!"

After settling matters with Wei Chuan Princess, she left with the items.

He Pingsheng saw her off at the gate.

Instead of returning to his elixir shop, he walked west along the main street outside the governor's mansion.

Not far ahead stood a sizable alchemy workshop.

It was a shop, similar to He Pingsheng's elixir shop.

But unlike his, this alchemy workshop was much larger—several times bigger.

"He Dao You … hehehe…" a short old man grinned at He Pingsheng. "What wind blew you here?"

He Pingsheng was now a celebrity in Hongshi City.

His fame as an elixir master was only part of it—secondly, his consort was Qiao Huizhu, who had endured eight or nine heavenly tribulations; that alone had made him famous.