Something’s Wrong with This Game — I Became a God by Mining!

Li Huaiyi and his companions’ spirits lifted as they looked at Lu Yunchen with eager anticipation.

A faint glimmer also flickered in Yun Ruo’s eyes.

Yang Ling suddenly realized that this bald monk wasn’t as detestable as he had thought.

“Master Jie Hai, the Ironclad Department is a government office, not a martial arts sect.”

Lu Yunchen’s expression remained cold. “We’ve never wished to meddle in martial world conflicts.”

Master Jie Hai smiled, his gaze sweeping over Yang Ling and the others:

“Is it that you dare not, or that you are unwilling?”

The Ironclad Department directors present all turned to look at Master Jie Hai, their eyes carrying a trace of sharpness.

Lu Yunchen’s face darkened. “Master Jie Hai, what do you mean by that?”

“Just this once, your director won’t be angry. This opportunity is extremely rare, after all—how often does the Water Qilin Cave open?”

“The younger generation gathered in this courtyard right now are likely to become the future grandmasters of Zhao State.”

“Let them spar and exchange martial arts skills; it will benefit everyone.”

Future grandmasters!

A flicker of fervor appeared in the eyes of the disciples from the Four Top-Tier Sects, as well as Li Huaiyi and the others.

Being regarded so highly was itself a fortunate thing.

In their hearts, they all harbored the ambition to contend for the position of grandmaster.

This was their ideal, their goal!

“Gentlemen, there is no need to say more. The Ironclad Department will not participate in this competition.”

Lu Yunchen said indifferently. “Furthermore, we do not have so many valuable items to offer as prizes.”

Li Huaiyi and the others were instantly filled with disappointment.

Master Jie Hai sneered, “The Ironclad Department is a large and wealthy organization. How could you have nothing to offer as prizes?”

“Master Jie Hai, say no more.”

The Fourth Prince interjected. “Director Lu, since I am here today, I would actually like to see how great the gap is between the Ironclad Department’s young talents and the disciples of the top-tier sects.”

“Let me provide the prize this time. If your director asks about it, just say it was my idea. That way, you won’t be held accountable.”

The several directors of the Ironclad Department exchanged glances, already tempted by the proposal.

Lu Yunchen showed a trace of surprise. After hesitating for a moment, he cupped his fists and said:

“I will respectfully obey the Fourth Prince’s command.”

Li Huaiyi and the others were overjoyed.

Being able to participate in the competition meant they also had a chance to obtain those precious prizes!

This was undoubtedly a huge boost to their cultivation!

“Excellent!”

Yang Ling cheered inwardly.

For this competition, he intended to go all out!

“The Four Top-Tier Sects are willing to offer such prizes, which shows they are all very confident in themselves.”

“This means that each side has at least one young Upper Seventh-Rank expert with strength unmatched by their peers!”

“So, my real opponents are only four.”

Yang Ling pondered thoughtfully, his gaze sweeping over those four figures one by one.

From the very beginning, he had already identified which of the young talents from the Four Top-Tier Sects who came today were the strongest.

Their three primary attributes were even slightly higher than Yun Ruo’s.

Fortunately, the internal cultivation techniques they practiced were still only Second-Rate; in fact, among the Seventh-Rank experts present today, some were only practicing Third-Rate internal techniques, with at most one or two Second-Rate martial arts techniques.

“Their Strength and Agility are both much higher than mine, but they are inferior to me in terms of internal cultivation techniques. That’s my advantage.”

“It seems that the control over First-Rate internal techniques by the various sects is indeed very strict. Even their own prodigy disciples don’t get easy access to them.”

Yang Ling sank into deep thought.

“Alright, I happen to have brought a martial art with me. It’s called the Seven-Inch Sword.”

The Fourth Prince smiled. “This is a Second-Rate martial art, primarily using Vital Qi to condense a sword. Although it’s only seven inches long, it’s more than enough to kill an enemy.”

“Able to condense a sword with Vital Qi?”

Master Jie Hai and the others’ expressions shifted.

Li Ruhai said solemnly, “The prize the Fourth Prince has offered is not cheap. Among the many martial techniques, few can actually mobilize Vital Qi. Although it’s only Second-Rate, its value is close to that of a First-Rate technique.”

“The prizes offered by us, the Four Top-Tier Sects, are far less generous than the Fourth Prince’s.”

Pei Ran nodded with a smile.

The martial artists present were all invigorated. A martial technique capable of mobilizing Vital Qi?

This was definitely a top-tier martial technique!

Under normal circumstances, Vital Qi was only used to support various techniques as a general enhancer.

Martial techniques specialized in mobilizing Vital Qi were extremely rare.

Anyone possessing such a technique could make Vital Qi unleash dozens or even several times its usual power!

This significantly boosted one’s strength!

The breathing of the martial artists present grew heavier once again.

“It seems the Seven-Inch Sword is indeed a good martial technique, since it’s earned praise from these Sixth-Rank experts.”

“At this rate, the prize the Fourth Prince is offering seems to be the most valuable.”

“The Divine Sect, Nine Immortals Dao Palace, and Arhat Temple are all offering things like elixirs and precious medicines.”

“Although the Extreme Flame Sword Manor also promised to teach an internal cultivation technique, it requires becoming an Outer Sect Disciple of theirs.”

“The value of the internal technique they offer may not be higher than the Fourth Prince’s martial technique.”

Yang Ling thought to himself.

The Fourth Prince smiled. “Everyone, now that the prizes are settled, shouldn’t we also set the rules for the sparring?”

“I suggest adopting a voluntary arena challenge format.”

Li Ruhai said lightly, “As long as one person can successfully defend the arena for three rounds, they will advance to the next sparring round.”

Master Jie Hai and the others exchanged glances, then nodded thoughtfully.

“That works. This way, there will be about thirty to forty people left for the next round.”

“Then, we’ll determine the winners from among these thirty to forty.”

The Fourth Prince added: “Suppose a Seventh-Rank expert from the Ironclad Department challenges a Seventh-Rank expert from the Divine Sect.”

“If they can defeat all the arena defenders from the Divine Sect, they will obtain the prize offered by the Divine Sect.”

“And vice versa.”

This rule was quickly settled.

Everyone immediately moved from the courtyard to the martial arts arena within the temporary palace.

The arena was very large, several times bigger than the courtyard.

Even if over a hundred people attacked simultaneously, there would still be enough room to move.

Right now, all the Seventh-Rank experts were rolling up their sleeves, eager to begin.

Lin Caiyi and the others watched with envy.

They weren’t strong enough, being only Eighth-Rank. Getting the chance to enter the Water Qilin Cave this time had already required all their wits and a great stroke of luck.

For a sparring competition like this, it would be very difficult for them to achieve a good ranking.

“Everyone, who will make the first move?”

Master Jie Hai said lightly. “Director Lu, why don’t you let the Ironclad Department be the first to defend the arena? It would be a show of hospitality to our guests.”

According to the current rules, going first definitely had no advantage and was easy to be specifically targeted.

Lu Yunchen thought for a moment, then nodded lightly:

“Fine, our Ironclad Department will go first.”

He glanced at Yun Ruo.

Just as Yun Ruo was about to step forward, Li Huaiyi had already arrived at the center of the martial arts arena:

“Li Huaiyi of the Ironclad Department. Who is willing to spar with me?”

“Li Huaiyi? He seems to be a disciple of the Valley of the Dead, possessing not only the Ironclad Department’s heritage but also the Valley of the Dead’s legacy.”

“The Valley of the Dead specializes in using poisons, so we need to be careful.”

After about a moment, a disciple from the Divine Sect slowly walked into the arena, smiling lightly at Li Huaiyi:

“Dongfang Haojie of the Divine Sect. Greetings, Brother Li.”

The Divine Sect disciples exchanged glances, each seeing a faint smile in the other’s eyes.

“I see. They intend to let their top experts advance first.”

Yang Ling suddenly understood. This Dongfang Haojie was the number one expert among the Divine Sect’s younger generation this time.

His status panel was very impressive:

Character: Dongfang Haojie

Class: Martial Artist

Strength: 79

Agility: 51

Spirit: 30

Martial Arts: Divine Path Heart Sutra (Second-Rate, Flawless Proficiency)

Divine Thought Palm (Second-Rate, Flawless Proficiency)

Flowing Light Body Art (Second-Rate, Skilled)

Faction: Divine Sect

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