Chapter 412

"You speak!"

Liang Huaqiu looked at He Pingsheng, asking him to make a judgment.

He Pingsheng said: "I can't explain it clearly. First, I don't know Tian Jia Shen's strength; second, I don't know Xiao Xuan's current strength either!"

At that moment, images appeared on the four magical barriers atop the stage.

Everyone's gazes turned toward them.

The Liang state's cultivators naturally fixed their eyes on the last platform.

Xiao Xuan and Tian Jia Shen had already begun fighting.

This time, Xiao Xuan did not repeat his arrogance against Wang Dun—he fought with caution, his defense flawless.

Under these circumstances, Tian Jia Shen clearly fell into disadvantage.

"It's over!"

Zhen Yu's eyebrows knitted together. "This man from Qi is surprisingly strong!"

Boom…

With Zhen Yu's words, Tian Jia Shen was blasted flying.

Then, faced with Xiao Xuan's Seven Arrows Descend from Mount Tian, he could only surrender.

Xiao Xuan became the first victor of this grand match.

Tian Jia Shen descended the stage, dusty and disheveled, bowing to Zhen Yu: "Forgive me, Elder… I… I gave it my all!"

"But his technique is strangely peculiar—he seems to control the Five Elements, constantly countering me at every turn!"

"Whenever I fought him, I felt restrained, unable to unleash my full power!"

He spoke truly.

"Hmm…" Zhen Yu was philosophical. He smiled. "No matter. Xiao Xuan has a Void Spirit Root—formless and shapeless, yet capable of assuming any form. He can mimic any elemental affinity!"

"You couldn't defeat him—it's understandable."

Tian Jia Shen glanced at Wang Dun, and the more he looked, the more terrifying he found him.

Wang Dun had crushed Xiao Xuan with two punches, leaving him no chance to resist—his combat power was unimaginable.

After glancing at Wang Dun, Tian Jia Shen turned to He Pingsheng. "Perhaps only He Daoyou can turn the tide."

The memory of He Pingsheng's single technique shattering a third-rank defensive array was still vivid.

Zhen Yu also smiled, looking at He Pingsheng. "I believe he can."

"Qi state's Xiao Xuan!" asked the Nascent Soul host. "Will you fight tomorrow, or continue now?"

Since Xiao Xuan had won, it was up to him.

Everyone turned to look at Xiao Xuan.

On the stage, Xiao Xuan gave a cold smile and uttered two words: "Continue!"

"Good!" the host said. "Rest for half an incense stick's time… Liang state's second contender, prepare yourselves!"

Half an incense stick later, Liang state's second contender, the ascetic monk, stepped onto the stage and battled Xiao Xuan.

This time, after only six exchanges, the ascetic monk was trodden under Xiao Xuan's foot.

"Continue!" Xiao Xuan's loud voice echoed across the arena.

Only now did everyone realize: it wasn't that Xiao Xuan was weak—it was that his earlier opponents had been strong.

He'd been crushed by Wang Dun ten days ago only because Wang Dun was too powerful.

During the break, the white-haired Long Yuan Daoist approached Liang state's territory, bowing politely to Zhen Yu: "Disciple Long Yuan of Qi, pays respects to Elder Zhen Yu."

Zhen Yu said: "Long Yuan… I've heard of your name."

"Sit."

"Yes."

Long Yuan sat carefully opposite Zhen Yu, then said: "I have a humble request."

Zhen Yu said: "Speak."

Long Yuan took a deep breath. "According to tradition, the Nine States Competition aims to resolve century-long disputes between nations with minimal cost."

"Your Hongshi County originally belonged to our Qi state."

"But twelve hundred years ago, you defeated us in the competition, and since then, Qi has had no one capable of reclaiming it."

"This time, Qi will reclaim Hongshi County."

"Of course, if you defeat us, we will hand over Shangdang County as well."

Zhen Yu nodded. "This matter has already been settled."

When Qi lost Hongshi County, Liang state had a peerless genius: Liang Tianjian.

Liang Tianjian had once single-handedly suppressed all eight other states in the Nine States Competition.

He was simply too strong.

Unfortunately, Liang Tianjian later vanished.

Yet Qi had never reclaimed Hongshi County in subsequent competitions.

"There's more!" Long Yuan continued. "Our dispute with Liang state isn't limited to this."

"Oh?" Zhen Yu frowned slightly. "What else? Speak."

"Yes," Long Yuan said. "Two people from your Liang state—Qiao Huizhu and He Pingsheng—are originally from our Qi state."

"Therefore, after this competition ends, please return these two to Qi."

"That is incorrect!" Zhen Yu immediately refused. "Absolutely not. In the cultivation world, though cultivators have national affiliations, their ultimate duty is the Dao. Even if they were born in Qi, Qi has no right to restrict their freedom!"

"This is written in the Nine States Pact: He Pingsheng and Qiao Huizhu have absolute freedom to travel to any nation."

"If you disagree, go to the Sacred Mountain and seek judgment from the Two Holy Masters."

Long Yuan said: "Very well. Let's drop this matter."

Long Yuan never expected this proposal to pass—it was unreasonable.

But he raised it anyway, as a tactic: start with an extreme demand, and when refused, present a reasonable one.

First, make an outrageous request. When denied, then make a moderate one.

"Our reason for demanding He Pingsheng, Elder Zhen Yu, you likely know," Long Yuan said. "It's because this little thief stole our Qi royal family's Tianque Divine Spear."

"We Qi state must pursue this matter."

"Either arrest him for theft, or settle this karmic debt today through the Nine States Competition."

Long Yuan bowed respectfully again. "Elder Zhen Yu, I hope you understand."

Zhen Yu, unaware of the full context, said: "Wait a moment—I'll call He Pingsheng over."

Soon, He Pingsheng arrived.

"He Pingsheng!" Long Yuan looked at him. "In the Divine General Mountain, you took our Qi state's Tianque Divine Spear. Many witnessed this, and you've used it since—am I wrong?"

He Pingsheng said: "Correct. That did happen."

"Good!" Long Yuan said. "Before the secret realm opened, I clearly stated: enter to comprehend spear intent and seek rare treasures—not to take the Divine Spear!"

"That spear belongs to our Qi ancestral lineage!"

"Return it."

He Pingsheng sneered. "I found it within the secret realm—it is my destiny. If you truly value reason, you wouldn't ask me for the spear."

"Impossible!" Long Yuan shook his head. "Even if you refuse today, Qi will keep demanding it from you in the future!"

"Then this karmic debt will never end!"

"Better yet—since this is a karmic debt between Liang and Qi, let's settle it here, in the Nine States Competition."

"What do you say?"