I looked at the crystal box on the stage.
The White Bone Reanimation Grass within made me too eager, and my gaze never left it.
My hands also instinctively clenched into fists, because I wanted that medicinal herb so badly.
My expression and emotions, in turn, attracted the attention of my uncle-master beside me.
My uncle-master looked at me, frowning slightly, and asked, "Little Qin, what's wrong?"
As soon as my uncle-master spoke, Old Mo and Little Yao beside me also turned their heads to look at me.
I didn't hide anything and stated directly, "Uncle-master, I want to go on stage!"
My words were solemn, and my eyes held determination.
My uncle-master knew I wasn't someone who sought fame, and merely asked softly, "You want that medicine?"
I nodded: "Yes, I want that medicine. It can help..."
Before I could finish speaking, my uncle-master raised his hand to stop me, not letting me continue.
My uncle-master had likely guessed my thoughts.
He took a sip of wine and then nodded slightly, saying, "Go ahead!"
My uncle-master's understanding made me very happy.
I immediately said, "Thank you, Uncle-master."
As soon as I finished speaking, Old Mo became excited again, "Master, why? If Old Qin can go, I want to go too."
My uncle-master rolled his eyes, "Can your intentions be the same as Little Qin's? You, boy, just love showing off. Fine, fine, since Little Qin is going. You can go practice too!"
Old Mo was instantly invigorated, "Hahaha, alright, Master. When I go up, I definitely won't disgrace you. I'll punch the seven sects and step on the noble families."
My uncle-master was somewhat speechless, "You, be more low-key about things!"
As we were talking. The chief referee, Daoist Liuyun, had already addressed the crowd, "The young generation challenge match, first round, begins now!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the gongs and drums around the stage were struck again. "Dong dong dong..." The horns also blared throughout the Wudang Mountain. "Weng weng weng." The greatest Daoist alliance gathering in a hundred years was commencing.
"Ah! I'm so excited."
"It's started!"
"Damn it, I'm going first!"
"The chance to become famous overnight is here."
"..."
Instantly, cheers erupted. Many of the younger generation, especially rogue cultivators, stood up, eager to get on the stage. After all, the first one to go on stage was bound to be remembered. Moreover, many understood that the masters aiming for the championship would not appear early. They would definitely wait until later, after most people were eliminated, before showing themselves. If they went on stage now, facing the world's masters, they would inevitably become targets, and their chances of winning would be slim.
Therefore, the strongest disciples of the major sects, and even ordinary disciples, basically did not move. Only a crowd of rogue cultivators were clamoring.
Old Mo, upon hearing this, also stood up directly, ready to go on stage. But he was held back by my uncle-master, "What's the hurry?"
When Old Mo was held back, he obediently sat down. At the same time, several people on both sides of the stage rushed towards the platform. However, someone was faster, and a figure leaped onto the stage. The newcomer was dressed in a green Daoist robe, holding a peach wood long sword, tall and thin, and somewhat handsome. As the young man stepped onto the stage, someone exclaimed, "Look, it's Liao Wei."
"Is that the rogue cultivator from the Northwest?"
"Yes, he's quite famous in the Northwest. Last year, the most rampant haunted house in West City was resolved by Liao Wei. Among the younger generation, his Daoist cultivation is considered quite high."
"..."
Many people below began to discuss. Many young Daoists who were preparing to go on stage saw it was him and stopped in their tracks. If they went up now, they would just get beaten. Many of them backed out, their steps halfway to the stage, and they retreated.
However, there were those who didn't believe it. A young man in black directly flipped onto the stage. The two looked at each other. The young man in black directly said, "Li Cong of the Little Yue Temple in Guangxi, please enlighten me, fellow Daoist."
As soon as he finished speaking, another round of discussion erupted from below, "Yo! A fellow from Guangxi!"
"The Little Yue Temple still has some standing in Guangxi. This Li Cong also has some skill. They should be evenly matched."
"..."
On the other side of the stage, the young man in white also cupped his fists. "Liao Wei, a rogue cultivator from the Northwest, please enlighten me."
After the two introduced themselves, the referee for the first match, Yunxia Gu, immediately shouted, "Match begins!"
As soon as the words fell, the two attacked simultaneously, both unleashing their cultivation. A strong wave of internal energy vibrated. Li Cong made the first move, slashing through the air. Liao Wei raised his hand and produced a talisman.
With a "bang," the talisman's light flashed, repelling Liao Wei. He then counterattacked with a sword thrust. Li Cong, unwilling to be outdone, chanted a spell and simultaneously cast a talisman seal: "Calming Spell!"
But this talisman seal missed entirely. The two clashed swords, producing "bang bang" reverberating sounds. The waves of internal energy that followed left many onlookers stunned.
"Do they have to be this intense? The first match is already this fierce?"
"This must be at least Nascent Qi mid-stage or peak. The moves are so fast."
"The two are so strong, and they're both from small sects or are rogue cultivators. If the major sects come out, what's the point of fighting?"
"..."
Many young Daoists who wanted to try their luck or make a name for themselves were shocked and amazed after witnessing their duel. If the first match was this fierce, how could they possibly fight later? Let alone make a name for themselves, it seemed they wouldn't even be qualified to be cannon fodder on stage.