The two excused themselves and went to rest in their own courtyards to prepare for the tournament tomorrow, leaving Wei Chen alone.

Yes, this place had prepared an entire courtyard for each participant who passed the qualification. But judging from the scale of this venue, perhaps having a private courtyard for each participant was considered a normal thing in this world.

After that, Wei Chen flew to the roof of the Great Martial Stage, took out a barbecued drumstick, and ate it while enjoying himself, watching the people below busy themselves discussing the Dao and the combat techniques used by both Yun Feng and Zhang Tianlong.

…

Time passed, and it was soon time for the afternoon matches. Wei Chen continued his broadcast, commenting on the fights from time to time.

However, this time the matches were not as exciting as those in the morning. The people in the two arenas were not as strong as Yun Feng and Zhang Tianlong had been earlier.

To put it bluntly, they were like average people, while Yun Feng and Zhang Tianlong were at the level of MMA fighters, or even stronger. This caused the audience, who had anticipated the afternoon matches to be just as thrilling as the morning ones, to feel greatly disappointed.

As the matches came to an end, both Yun Feng and Zhang Tianlong were invited back onto the stage. This time, it was for them to choose the province they would represent.

The people in the stadium were all excited, especially those seated in the VIP area. They quickly began pitching their offers, trying to persuade the qualified rogue cultivators to join their side, with particular focus on Yun Feng and Zhang Tianlong.

"Young Expert Zhang. Choose our Murong Clan. We are the clan that serves under the Divine Vermilion Bird Emperor. Your fire combat techniques and cultivation methods are impressive, but we, the Murong Clan, possess the Sacred Vermilion Flame Scripture for you to study. Do not hesitate. Choose us and enjoy the privileges of the Murong Clan." One of the Murong Clan elders made his pitch.

Wei Chen listened to the Murong Clan elder and could not help but let out a knowing smile. He bet that the so called Sacred Vermilion Flame Scripture was a watered down version of whatever the heir or direct lineage of the Murong Clan actually cultivated.

And if his guess was correct, since the Murong Clan served under the Vermilion Bird Dynasty, then whatever the Murong Clan heir cultivated was probably already a watered down version of what the Emperor himself cultivated.

That meant what they were offering was a double watered down version meant for lackeys.

The name Sacred Vermilion Flame Scripture sounded grand and impressive, but Wei Chen did not believe their BS even a little.

He looked at Zhang Tianlong, hoping that this guy would not get scammed by an elder who talked such a big game.

Time passed, and it was time for the afternoon matches. Wei Chen continued his broadcast, commenting on the battles from time to time.

"Young Sword Master Yun, we, the Heavenly Sword Sect, are ready to receive you as a core disciple. Our Vice Sect Leader, Jian Heng, is confirmed to be a Heaven's Chosen. He is destined for greatness, so do not hesitate and join us. The Dao of the sword is long and arduous, and we will help you traverse this path." One of the Heavenly Sword Sect elders made his offer.

Yun Feng listened and seemed tempted.

"Do not listen to them, Junior Yun. We of the Murong Clan also possess renowned sword techniques. We also have pills that can help you regain your limb. Also…"

The voices of the elders pitching their offers reverberated throughout the stadium, as if the place had transformed into a marketplace where merchants shouted themselves hoarse to attract customers.

The competition to recruit both Yun Feng and Zhang Tianlong was fierce.

Yun Feng fell silent for a moment before turning toward the Heavenly Sword Sect and politely greeting the elder who was trying to recruit him.

"This junior thanks senior for your generosity, but this junior values freedom and loves to travel across the continent. I must decline your offer. However, I promise that I will enter the tournament representing the Azure River Province." Yun Feng said solemnly.

The elder from the Heavenly Sword Sect let out a disappointed sigh before nodding.

"As you wish, Sword Master Yun. But if one day you change your mind, do not forget that the doors of the Heavenly Sword Sect will always be open to you." The elder said with an understanding smile.

"Thank you for your generosity, Elder. This junior will remember this favor." Yun Feng replied politely, forming a prayer with his one remaining arm.

Zhang Tianlong nodded, then turned toward the Murong Clan elder.

"This junior, like Brother Yun Feng, loves freedom and enjoys traveling. I am afraid I cannot enter any sect. As for the province I wish to represent, I will enter as a representative of the Vermilion Bird Province. I want to fight Brother Yun and see whether I am stronger, or if his black sword is sharper." Zhang Tianlong said with a polite smile.

The Murong Clan elder, seeing that his recruitment pitch had failed, only let out a disdainful snort and did not even glance at Zhang Tianlong, dismissing him entirely.

As for the remaining two, since both of them wanted to enter the Vermilion Bird Province because its overall strength was a level higher than that of the Azure River Province, they could not reach an agreement. In the end, the referee had them decide with a fate coin.

It was a special coin used to determine the outcome with a simple heads or tails guess.

After the provinces were decided, the qualification rounds for the day came to an end, and so did Wei Chen's broadcast.

Wei Chen did not know where he should rest. He could not simply go and stay at Yun Feng's courtyard, since those courtyards were reserved exclusively for participants. It was similar to an Olympic village, meant only for competitors.

Wei Chen refused Yun Feng's invitation to stay with him, explaining that it would not be appropriate for an outsider to intrude on the participant courtyards.

After Yun Feng said goodbye to Wei Chen and called it a day, Wei Chen wandered around the stadium, flying about in search of an inn to stay at. Unfortunately, all the inns prepared by the venue were already full. He even witnessed a legendary display of someone trying to flex their status to get a room.

After flexing for a few minutes, that person was beaten up by the venue's enforcers and forced to camp outside in the wilderness near the venue.

While Wei Chen continued wandering around, hoping to stumble upon an available inn, he encountered a girl who looked naive and fresh, like a wild orchid. She was followed by a group of fierce looking men who appeared to be her bodyguards.

The girl cupped her fists and bowed. "Greetings. You must be Mr. Wei. Young Master Ximen wishes to invite you to his flying ark. We would be honored if you would accept our invitation as a guest." She said with a smile.

If Yun Feng were here, he would have recognized the girl at once. She was none other than Xiao Mei, Yun Feng's childhood sweetheart.

"Ah…. then lead the way." Wei Chen said, following the group toward the Ximen Clan's flying ark.

…

Xiao Mei led Wei Chen to the flying ark. Along the way, Wei Chen noticed that many servants and guards of the Ximen Clan behaved respectfully toward the girl guiding him.

She led him to the main cabin of the flying ark. No, the word cabin was not suitable to describe what Wei Chen saw.

It was a castle. Yes, a castle was the right word. A castle stood atop the flying ark, with six floors, each one seemingly decorated with jade and gold.

"Damn… I know that rich people love to show off, but this guy? It's next level." Wei Chen muttered to himself.

The girl leading him giggled at his remark, clearly agreeing with his statement.

Wei Chen followed Xiao Mei to the top floor of the castle. This entire floor was Ximen Hao's personal residence.

When he arrived, he found Ximen Hao sitting in a gazebo within an artificial garden, gazing out from the ship and watching the massive stadium below.

"Ah, Brother Wei." Ximen Hao greeted him with a friendly smile, gesturing toward the seat in the gazebo opposite him.

"Please sit, Brother Wei. We have much to discuss." Ximen Hao said, then poured tea for himself.

"Would you like tea or alcohol, Brother Wei? I have Thousand Fragrance Wine, reserved for special occasions." He asked.

"Tea will do. Did you not say you had something to discuss? If it is wine, I am afraid I would forget everything we discussed once I get drunk." Wei Chen replied humorously.

"Hahaha, Brother Wei jokes well. You are strong enough to defeat a Void Refining Realm expert. If you do not wish to get drunk, I doubt any alcohol in the world could make you drunk." Ximen Hao said, then poured tea into Wei Chen's cup.

"This tea is Spirit Cleansing Tea. One jin costs ten thousand spirit stones." Ximen Hao added, flexing his wealth.

Wei Chen smiled wryly as he sat down and accepted the teacup from Ximen Hao. He remembered that the last time he spoke with this man, Ximen Hao had been haughty and maintained an arrogant, holier than thou attitude.

This time, however, none of that remained. Perhaps it was because this man now perceived him as an expert at the Void Refining Realm.

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