Chapter 402: The Air is Thick with Gunpowder

"Damn it! If I weren't over the age limit, I'd be in there for sure. These rewards are just insane." An old man stomped his foot in frustration, his regret plain to see on his face.

"You old coot, what good would it do even if you could compete? You think you could beat anyone? You'd probably just get yourself cut down and that would be the end of you," someone nearby taunted with a laugh. The two seemed to be acquainted.

"Yeah, we can only dream. It's best not to even think about it. Those rewards are basically reserved for the disciples of the top Major Sects." Many people sighed, filled with an envy they could do nothing about.

"Sigh, I guess we can only blame ourselves for not being good enough."

Discussions rippled through the Four Major Regions, showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.

At that moment, somewhere in the crowd, Li Zhengyi of the Cloud Mist Sect witnessed the scene. His eyes, practically bloodshot, burned with excitement.

Chu Feng had told him about the Essence Enhancing Pills before, but he never imagined there would be so many other rewards.

Especially the prize for first place: fifteen years' worth of Essence Enhancing Pills. The sight made his breath catch in his throat. He made a silent vow, 'I *must* take first place!'

But the poor guy had no idea that his master was already six feet under, obliterated by a Celestial Tribulation until not even ash remained.

Chu Feng hadn't told him yet, planning to break the news after the competition was over.

After all, telling him now would only affect his performance.

In truth, Chu Feng wasn't too worried about it. Even if he didn't say anything, Li Zhengyi's master had most likely left some kind of message for him.

As for the Cloud Mist Sect's exact location, Chu Feng didn't know. In fact, very few people did.

The Sect remained completely hidden on a day-to-day basis, its existence unknown to the world.

"First place... I *will* take it!" Li Zhengyi clenched his jaw, vowing silently.

"The championship? Oh, that's definitely mine," said Ling Yun'er, the female disciple from Spirit Sword Valley. Her laugh was like silver bells, carrying a bewitching tone that sent those around her into a daze, as if their very souls were being ensnared.

"Yun'er, the championship is destined to be yours. I'm sure you can take it," a young man beside her said at that moment, his eyes filled with a greedy, murderous light.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Ling Yun'er of Spirit Sword Valley said, covering her mouth with a smile. "But if you end up facing me, you're done for. You won't make it out alive. So, you should pray you don't draw me as an opponent."

"Hah. If we do meet, it's not certain who will be the one to die. Your little tricks are useless on me. If I run into you, I'll cut you down for sure!" Bai Xue said.

After all, who among those who had made it this far was a pushover? Whose willpower wasn't resolute?

Therefore, Ling Yun'er's Charm Technique had little effect on these people. It could only be used to beguile those with weaker wills.

"Well, well. Has the Celestial Sword Sect gotten this arrogant? To speak so brazenly?" two strangely dressed men sneered at that moment.

The two of them looked like ghouls, an unsettling sight to behold.

"Hah. Blood Blade Manor. You're nothing but the dregs of the Martial Arts Realm, a pile of trash. Since you dared to show your faces here to compete, you'd all better stay in line. If you try to stir up any trouble, I'm afraid none of you will be leaving this place," Bai Xue retorted.

"Is that so? We of Blood Blade Manor make our living licking blood from the tips of our blades. Do you think we're afraid of a threat like that?" the two men said, glaring at the crowd with grim expressions, a cold glint swirling in their eyes.

"Save your breath. People like you are dead men walking. You'd better pray you don't run into me, or I'll make sure to cut you down!" Bai Xue said, no longer bothering to waste words on them.

After Bai Xue left, a grim killing intent also flickered in the eyes of Spirit Sword Valley's Ling Yun'er.

Bai Xue was right. If her Charm Technique was ineffective, her actual combat strength wasn't all that impressive.

Furthermore, she had been extremely lucky during the regional qualifiers and hadn't run into any truly powerful opponents.

If she had, she might not have even made it into the top ten.

"Miss Yun'er, that little wench from the Celestial Sword Sect is a dead woman walking. Once we run into her, we'll take care of her for you. However... if Miss Yun'er were to join us for a 'private discussion' tonight, perhaps we could be persuaded to help you kill her right now," the two from Blood Blade Manor sneered.

"Get lost!" Ling Yun'er of Spirit Sword Valley snapped.

"It seems you lot from Blood Blade Manor don't know your place!" a young man in a long robe snorted coldly at that moment.

He carried three swords on his back. He was Li San, a disciple of the Three Swords Sect!

"Well, well, another one from the Great Snow Mountain. It seems all of you from the Great Snow Mountain are quite arrogant!" the two from Blood Blade Manor sneered.

"Therefore, once this Martial Arts Grand Ceremony is over, it will be time for a change of leadership at the Great Snow Mountain," Ling Yun'er of the Spirit Sword Sect said coldly.