Chapter 510 - 175: The Second Wager, the Preliminaries Begin

However, how long had it been since Yang Jing broke through to the Qi Eating Realm? At most, it had only been a few months, and his foundation was still shallow.

Even if he cultivated the Mountain-Breaking Seal, there were still twenty-six or twenty-seven other Qi Eating Realm disciples competing in this Fushan Grand Tournament. Each was a sect prodigy who had broken through years ago and had an incredibly solid foundation. There was no shortage of top-tier talents among them, some of whom cultivated Top-grade True Skills.

For Yang Jing to fight his way through a competition teeming with hidden experts and break into the top eight would be a monumental task.

Qin Gang also frowned, his gaze toward Bai Bing holding a hint of hesitation. "Peak Master Bai, aren’t your conditions a bit too steep? Why not relax them a little?"

He did want to win, but Bai Bing’s condition was simply too harsh. How could a newcomer like Yang Jing, who had just entered the Qi Eating Realm, possibly fight his way through round after round to reach the top eight?

It was as if Bai Bing was deliberately trying to hand him the Bone Jade Pill and the Frost Treasure Sword. Even winning would feel dishonorable.

Hearing this, Bai Bing simply shook her head gently, her tone resolute. "There’s no need."

Seeing her resolute attitude, which didn’t seem feigned, Qin Gang said no more. He nodded and said, "Since Peak Master Bai is so confident, then let’s make a bet."

To the side, Sect Leader Cao Zhen raised an eyebrow. He tapped his fingers on the small table before him. ’Something’s off,’ he thought.

At first glance, this bet seemed extremely unfavorable for Bai Bing.

The stakes she put up were more valuable, and the condition she proposed was incredibly harsh. Almost no one believed Yang Jing could break into the top eight, making it highly probable that Bai Bing would lose.

But Cao Zhen knew very well that Peak Master Lingxi, who was usually as cold as an iceberg, was by no means someone who acted on impulse. On the contrary, she was a meticulous and exceptionally intelligent person.

For her to dare make such a wager, she must have her own reasons and confidence to back it up.

Cao Zhen immediately set down his teacup and said with a smile, "Very well. Since Peak Master Lingxi and Peak Master Zhenyue are in such high spirits, I will bear witness to this bet for you both."

After speaking, his gaze swept over the area in the square below where the Lingxi Peak disciples were gathered, and a thought crossed his mind. ’I’ll have to pay more attention to Yang Jing during this Fushan Grand Tournament. To be valued so highly by Peak Master Lingxi, to the point where she would wager a great treasure on him... perhaps there’s more to this boy than meets the eye.’

...

Time passed slowly.

Nearly an hour later, Chief Elder Ouyang Jingxuan, who was on a secondary platform, slowly rose to his feet. He strode onto the high platform, bowed to Cao Zhen in the main seat, and said formally, "Sect Leader, it is time for the preliminary round to begin."

Cao Zhen nodded slightly, his voice steady and powerful. "Begin."

Ouyang Jingxuan bowed once more, then turned and departed. With steady steps, he descended the high platform and walked directly to the front of the large, specially cleared open space below the fighting ring.

He came to a stop, his gaze sweeping over the thousands of disciples in the square. He naturally exuded an imposing aura without any sign of anger.

Almost simultaneously, dozens of Main Peak Stewards in blue Steward’s robes fanned out toward the gathering places of each peak’s disciples, loudly announcing the instructions for the preliminary round.

"All disciples who have registered for the Fushan Grand Tournament, proceed immediately to the open area below the fighting ring and assemble! Prepare for the preliminary round to begin!"

Yang Jing was standing with Fang He, Ma Qiang, Yan Chenglong, Lin Ziheng, and the others, chatting in low voices. When they heard the announcement, they immediately fell silent.

He exchanged a look with Fang He, Yan Chenglong, Zhang Hengyi, Zhao Xuexiang, and Lin Ziheng, and then they all headed toward the open area together.

At the same time, the Inner Strength Realm disciples from Lingxi Peak who had also registered for the competition began to move, following behind them.

From Lingxi Peak alone, more than seventy disciples had registered for the Fushan Grand Tournament. Among them, three were at the Qi Eating Realm—Yang Jing, Fang He, and Yan Chenglong—while the rest were all Inner Strength Realm Martial Artists.

It wasn’t just Lingxi Peak; the participating disciples from all the other peaks were also converging on the open area.

For a moment, the sounds of footsteps and rustling robes intertwined, merging into an orderly wave of sound.

Walking among the crowd, Yang Jing gave a cursory glance around. He saw a dense mass of participating disciples pouring in from every peak. A rough estimate put their number at six or seven hundred.

To stand out from such a massive group would be no easy feat.

Soon, Yang Jing followed the crowd into the open area. He noticed that the bluestone slabs underfoot were already marked with ink lines, forming a grid of squares three feet long and three feet wide.

The squares were evenly spaced and neatly covered the entire open area, perfectly accommodating all the participating disciples.

Just then, an ancient and powerful voice, like the tolling of a great bell, echoed across the entire venue. It resounded clearly in everyone’s ears, blanketing the whole of Fushan Square.

Ouyang Jingxuan’s gaze was like a torch as he swept it over the hundreds of disciples standing before the squares. He announced in a booming voice, "All disciples participating in the preliminary round, each of you find a square and stand inside it! Make no mistake! Shortly, anyone who cannot withstand the pressure and voluntarily steps out of their square will be eliminated! This preliminary round will only retain the top two hundred disciples to advance to the main tournament!"

All eyes focused on the 693 disciples participating in the preliminary round.

Over at Yunxi Peak, Sun Ningxiang finally spotted Yang Jing. She let out a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she felt a pang of anxiety for him as he was about to participate in the preliminary round.

At that moment, a Main Peak Steward at the Qi Absorption Realm announced loudly.

"The Fushan Grand Tournament preliminary round is about to begin! Disciples, prepare yourselves—"