The people on the island turned to look at the source of the sound.

They saw more than ten cultivators descending from the sky, all dressed in the white attire of the Zhao family.

The person who had spoken was a young cultivator with a stern face, exuding the mana fluctuations of a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.

Two Foundation Establishment Stage elders followed closely by his side.

Even Lim Yuanqing, standing at the center of the field, looked at these newcomers with a sullen expression.

"It's actually the ninth son of the Zhao family, Zhao Chanzhen!"

"Why has he come?"

"People from the Zhao family?"

"Could they be here to cause trouble?"

"The Zhao family and our Loose Alliance have always been at peace for decades."

"Why today..."

...

Lim Yuanqing's face turned cold, and he raised an eyebrow, asking the Zhao family members in a cold voice, "What is Young Master Zhao's intention here?"

"Do you intend to interfere in the matters of our 72 Loose Alliances?"

Zhao Chanzhen faced the Foundation Establishment cultivator before him without any fear and said,

"Heh, since this Spirit Island is ownerless, can't our Zhao family participate in the bidding?"

"Elder Lim, this seems a bit unreasonable, doesn't it?"

Lim Yuanqing sneered upon hearing this, "Your Zhao family is getting battered in the Yunze Wilderness against the Spirit Feather Sect, and yet you have the time to bid for this insignificant Spirit Island."

Hearing these words, Zhao Chanzhen's face became difficult to look at, clearly somewhat rattled.

"The situation at the front lines is not something Elder Lim needs to worry about."

"Our Zhao family is here this time to definitely participate in the contest for the Spirit Island."

"To put it plainly, it is absolutely impossible to exclude our Zhao family."

Clearly, the Zhao family's stance was very firm.

The two Foundation Establishment elders from the Zhao family also had a sharp glint in their eyes, staring intently at Lim Yuanqing.

The scene instantly became filled with a strange atmosphere.

Lim Yuanqing was also puzzled, wondering why the Zhao family was meddling for no apparent reason.

And with such a firm attitude.

It didn't seem worth it to fall out with the Zhao family over a low-value island and break the long-standing balance.

He considered for a while and asked straightforwardly, "The current bid for the Spirit Island is already at twenty thousand Spirit Stones."

"Is Young Master Zhao going to raise the price?"

Zhao Chanzhen, seeing Lim Yuanqing relent a bit, slightly curled his lips, "I think the overall value of this island, when assessed, doesn't justify this price."

"The bidding should be conducted differently!"

Upon hearing these words, Lim Yuanqing's face twitched again as he asked in a deep voice, "How should it be conducted?"

Zhao Chanzhen immediately replied, "In the Cultivation Realm, strength is respected; naturally, the truth should be revealed through a magic duel."

"Here's the proposal: any cultivator present who can afford ten thousand Spirit Stones can participate in the contest for this Spirit Island."

"Life and death do not matter; draw lots for the dueling. The final victor only needs to pay ten thousand Spirit Stones to claim ownership of the Spirit Island."

"Fair and impartial, the result will be recognized not only by your Loose Alliance but also by our Zhao family."

"If someone doesn't have the strength to protect the island, what use is there in buying it?"

Finished with his statement, Zhao Chanzhen waited for a response from the Loose Alliance.

His words, though appearing straightforward and logical, were essentially a ploy to pressure them and seize the island at minimal cost.

Even with the Spirit Vein being scattered, it was still a Tier Two.

The members of the Loose Alliance were all from Qi Cultivation Clans, without any Foundation Establishment cultivators, how could they compare with the deeply rooted Zhao family?

The cultivators present began to discuss fervently.

No one had expected such a turn of events.

Lim Yuanqing's expression fluctuated as he turned around to discuss with several high-ranking members of the Loose Alliance.

Moments later.

Lim Yuanqing returned to the field and said to the Zhao family, "Deciding the ownership through a magic duel is not unacceptable."

"However, our Loose Alliance has two additional conditions."

"First, the cultivators participating in the duel should only be in the Qi Cultivation Stage, and the duels should be friendly, with no life-threatening injuries, or their participation will be voided."

"Second, the Spirit Stone payment should be increased to fifteen thousand."

Lim Yuanqing clearly saw through what the Zhao family was planning and directly increased the Spirit Stones by five thousand.

In this way, even if the Zhao family seized the Spirit Island, the damage to the Loose Alliance would be minimal and within an acceptable range.

"Agreed!"

Zhao Chanzhen conferred with the two elders for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

Both sides had reached a consensus.

Next, Lim Yuanqing ordered the chairs to be removed, leaving a larger open space in the center.

"Alright, you've all heard it."

"Anyone interested in this island can step forward to sign up for the draw."

"I will preside over the duel as the judge so you can be assured of safety."

Just as Lim Yuanqing finished speaking.

Most of the cultivators who were bidding earlier promptly ran away.

From the Zhao family's side, Zhao Chanzhen surprisingly took to the field himself, and at his presence, the faces of the many loose cultivators turned grim.

"Sigh! I didn't expect Zhao Chanzhen to take action himself."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I... advise you not to compete," Wu Jiang sighed, hesitating as he advised.

Qin Ming furrowed his brow, "Is there anything special about Zhao Chanzhen?"

"This person is among the top of the Zhao family's young generation, highly talented in cultivation, and at a young age has already achieved Qi Cultivation Perfection."

"It is said he has mastered the Zhao family's 'Qianyuan Sword Technique' to a state of mastery."

"I don't mean to sound discouraging, but those loose cultivators who just signed up probably won't stand a chance against him," Wu Jiang explained.

Qin Ming nodded upon hearing this.

Yet, he was quite satisfied with this island, as it was perfect for him to cultivate alone.

Finding another island wouldn't likely present a better option than this place.

In just a moment.

Qin Ming made up his mind.

He could afford the fifteen thousand Spirit Stones.

As for Zhao Chanzhen...

How would he fare compared to those core disciples of the Spirit Feather Sect who had died at Qin's hands?

Subsequently.

Under Wu Jiang's watchful gaze, Qin Ming walked into the field.

Wu Jiang was momentarily stunned, "This... wait, did I not make myself clear?"

...

Qin Ming stepped forward to register, drew a lot, and then retreated to the outskirts to wait.

There weren't many cultivators participating in the magic duel.

Fewer than twenty cultivators were involved.

These were all cultivators confident in their abilities, being late-stage Qi cultivators and Qi Cultivation Perfection cultivators.

The others probably gave up the contest after seeing Zhao Chanzhen step into the field.

After the lot-drawing ended, the duels began immediately.

A loose cultivator with the first draw took the stage to engage in the magic duel.

In an instant.

Gorgeous magic flew amidst the field.

The spectacle wowed the observing cultivators present.

After all, dueling among late-stage Qi cultivators was a rare sight for these low-level loose cultivators.

The magic duel quickly reached a conclusion.

Among the competing cultivators, one was actually a Beast Tamer, who summoned a late-stage Tier One Black Panther Demon Beast.

Equating to a two-against-one scenario, it easily secured a victory in the duel.

After two consecutive rounds.

An unfortunate loose cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer drew against Zhao Chanzhen.

He had his arm severed by a single sword strike and was kicked out of the field.

Seeing such sharp sword techniques, the participating cultivators changed color.

The subsequent loose cultivators who faced Zhao Chanzhen all invariably conceded.

Qin Ming also stepped up twice, encountering late-stage Qi cultivators both times.

But enveloped by his Divine Thought comparable to the Foundation Establishment Stage, their magic was riddled with holes.

He effortlessly cast several Wood Elemental Basic Spells to send them out of the field.

As expected.

The final deciding match came down to only Qin Ming and Zhao Chanzhen.

Zhao Chanzhen's gaze was heavy as he looked at the ordinary-looking man standing opposite him, Qin Ming.

A flash of vigilance passed over his cold stern face.

Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover.

Having watched Qin's two previous duels, he noted they were executed with ease and grace, using only basic spells to defeat opponents.

It seemed the true skills hadn't even been displayed yet.

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly reached a climax.

Just when everyone thought.

A thrilling and heated battle was about to unfold.

All of a sudden.

Zhao Chanzhen's eye twitched unexpectedly, hesitating before saying, "I concede! I forfeit."

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