Ye Qingcheng, Chu Mengyao, and Wang Xinyan might not have noticed, but Ye Bufan was already at the late Core Formation stage. Not the slightest disturbance could escape his senses.
Just now, from the living quarters of the overseas cultivators, Ye Bufan detected someone using a magical artifact to escape.
Without a word, Ye Bufan followed, trailing the shadowy figure.
The other party was quite cautious. Their magical artifact masked their aura, making it impossible for Ye Bufan to discern their identity as an overseas cultivator.
However, Ye Bufan soon realized that the person was extremely vigilant. They first roamed the underground city for a while before making a beeline for a restricted area.
"Impatient already?" Ye Bufan chuckled, surprised by their lack of composure.
Two minutes later, the figure appeared at the first restricted area they had passed through when being guided. Ye Qingyi had set a trap there, further enhanced by an attack formation created by Ye Bufan. The formation unleashed the full might of a late Core Formation stage cultivator. For someone in the middle Core Formation stage, Ye Bufan conservatively estimated they would be at least crippled, if not killed.
The person stood at the entrance of the "restricted area," hesitating for several minutes before finally approaching.
But strangely, upon reaching the entrance and reaching out, they immediately stopped. They glanced around warily before producing something resembling a compass.
The needle on the compass spun continuously, as if detecting the magnetic field and checking for danger.
"Since it's a restricted area, it's bound to be dangerous. How could the magnetic field here be normal?"
The so-called "restricted areas" within the underground city had all their settings meticulously planned by Ye Bufan and Ye Qingyi. Whatever they could conceive, Ye Bufan and Ye Qingyi could anticipate.
Seeing the compass needle spinning rapidly, the person deliberated for a while and ultimately did not enter.
"Quite careful and cautious," Ye Bufan observed from a distance. The figure then moved swiftly towards another location, seemingly preparing to head elsewhere.
Ye Bufan continued to tail them. This was not the time to rush; a long-term strategy was needed to catch a bigger fish.
Soon, the figure moved rapidly and finally arrived at the ancient tower. As the iconic landmark of the entire underground city, the person located the ancient tower.
Observing the constant flow of people around the tower, the individual secretly recorded everything in the vicinity, as if trying to map out the defenses. It appeared the ancient tower was also a target.
By observing the person's route, Ye Bufan understood that they were likely conducting reconnaissance.
With this information, Ye Bufan could largely determine the potential areas of their operations. This would allow them to be prepared for future encounters.
The shadowy figure eventually returned to their residence. Ye Bufan extended his spiritual sense and confirmed that the person had entered Yin Fan's quarters.
"Rupa." Ye Bufan was surprised to discover it was Rupa, one of the leaders of the Indian cultivators. Their movements were incredibly light and agile. The magical artifacts were detached from their limbs and stored in their spatial rings.
"To have such a good item." Ye Bufan's hand gleamed, already eyeing the opponent's magical artifacts.
The next morning, Bai Zizhen arrived early at the overseas cultivators' residence. After they had breakfast, he led them to the front of the ancient tower.
By then, the underground city's inhabitants had cleared an area overnight. The sects from the Nine Provinces occupied the left side of the ancient tower, while the overseas cultivators were seated on the right.
"Esteemed cultivators, this ancient tower is the place of inheritance for the underground city. Cultivators chosen by the underground city can enter the tower for cultivation. Within the tower, there are two distinct training paths: one for physical strength and one for mental power," Ye Qingcheng explained to the overseas cultivators.
The overseas cultivators gazed at the ancient tower with peculiar expressions, each harboring their own intentions.
"Today, according to our exchange charter, it is an exchange between the new generation of cultivators," Ye Qingcheng announced. "The Nine Provinces will send eight young cultivators as representatives to engage in combat exchanges with representatives from eight different regions. As this is an exchange, we shall stop at a point of mutual understanding. I hope everyone will exercise restraint in their actions."
"The rules have been presented to everyone. You may review them. If you have any objections, please raise them. If there are no objections, we will commence the first match in five minutes."
After Ye Qingyi finished her announcement, servants from the underground city distributed the competition rules to everyone present.
Noda from Sakura Island, Sam from Ao Zhi Alliance, and Johnsen from the United Kingdom exchanged glances, hesitating to speak, their thoughts inscrutable.
This naturally did not escape Ye Bufan's notice. He knew that the opposing side was likely planning some mischief, revealing their true intentions.
"A mere competition between cultivators is rather dull. I believe we can add some stakes to make this martial arts exchange more interesting," Noda from Sakura Island suddenly interjected.
Ye Bufan's lips curved slightly. This scene was exactly like the martial arts convention previously. These individuals clearly had ulterior motives.
Ye Qingcheng turned to look at Ye Bufan. For this exchange, Ye Qingyi had delegated Ye Bufan to take charge. Bai Zizhen, Song Mingqin, and others also shifted their gaze to Ye Bufan.
"Mr. Noda, how do you propose we add more interest?" Ye Bufan inquired, stepping forward.
"To add interest, naturally, we should support our combatants," Noda replied. "Suppose our cultivator from Sakura Island faces a cultivator from your Nine Provinces. I will support our cultivator, willing to wager one spirit stone. You will also need to provide an equivalent value in spirit stones. If our cultivator from Sakura Island wins, your items will be ours."
Ye Bufan observed Noda, who appeared extremely confident, and then smiled.
"It seems Mr. Noda has great confidence in the cultivators of Sakura Island," Ye Bufan remarked.
Noda smiled confidently, waved his hand, and said, "Ye Bufan, isn't it? We cannot bolster the morale of others while crushing our own. At the very least, we need trust."
"Who says I lack confidence in our own cultivators from the Nine Provinces?" Ye Bufan stated. "How about this: I will wager five spirit stones. Shall we try it out first?"