The sun rises in the east, the night retreats to the west, waxing and waning, life goes on endlessly.
Early in the morning, the people on the mountain left their small residential buildings right on time, heading down the mountain towards the competition grounds.
The fourth round of drawing lots was about to begin. Everyone, whether they had lost their qualification to compete or were still participating, rushed there.
This time, the crowd going to watch the spectacle seemed exceptionally complete.
This was because this round of drawing lots determined that many people could advance directly to the Ding district competition.
Furthermore, because the previous drawing had resulted in three consecutive hits, everyone wanted to see if there would be four consecutive hits, or if someone would advance from the district competition purely by drawing lots. After all, according to the competition rules, the probability of drawing a blank token in the fourth round was far too high.
Over this matter, many people had been discussing it from yesterday until now. On the steps leading down the mountain, everyone was still chattering, with occasional remarks like “that fellow is too lucky”, which had been the most discussed topic over the past two days.
Before the fourth round of drawing lots had even begun, it already gave people a feeling of how joyful the drawing of lots was.
The four Longguang Sect rejects were the last to leave their residence, because no one liked being constantly stared at. Yu Qing, who had hit the lot three times in a row, deliberately delayed his departure. Although he would inevitably be stared at eventually, he still disliked being pointed at and stared at on the road.
Being stared at on the competition grounds was slightly better, as he was mixed in the crowd and others shared the attention.
He also felt it himself. Originally, having the mindset of a young man, he quite enjoyed the lively atmosphere. But ever since he achieved the title of Tanhua in the capital of the Jin Kingdom, he had become low profile.
Of course, there was no other choice, as he was afraid of being recognised.
On the steps leading down the mountain, the four Longguang Sect rejects were looking down from above, walking at the highest point, and also at the very back.
Looking at the figures ahead on the path below, Nan Zhu cheerfully remarked, “Out of twelve tokens, eight are blank tokens. With your luck, old fifteen, there is a high chance you will become the first person in the history of the Chaoyang Assembly to advance to the grand district competition purely by drawing lots.”
At this joke, only Baili Xin’s mouth curved slightly.
Mu Ao Tie, after his defeat yesterday, had an expressionless face, and a trace of melancholy even appeared in his eyes.
Yu Qing was disdainful. He did not want to gain this kind of fame, and it was impossible for him to draw a blank token again.
After Nan Zhu finished speaking, he looked at the reactions of the other three and suddenly felt bored.
On the competition grounds, the twelve competitors arrived one after another, standing sparsely in one area.
It has to be said that Xiao Chang Dao and Wu Rong Gui’s stance remained firm, always standing by Chan Shao Ting’s side.
However, this time Yu Qing also moved closer to the three of them, standing right beside them, making Chan Shao Ting glance at Yu Qing from time to time, feeling quite strange.
Xiao Chang Dao had an even more peculiar feeling. He did not know if it was his illusion, but occasionally when his gaze met Yu Qing’s, he always felt something was wrong, as if this fellow was coming for him.
However, he was no longer afraid now. After Wu Rong Gui defeated Mu Ao Tie, he had gained the confidence to handle it.
In fact, his feeling was correct. Yu Qing was indeed coming for him. The scores that needed to be settled would still be settled with him.
Yu Qing knew that this person was doing those things behind his back just to stand out and advance from the district, striving for a good future. He would not let this person get his wish.
Using despicable means to seriously injure people from his Linglong Temple, and still wanting to advance?
He swore to shatter this person’s sweet dream and kick him out from the threshold of advancement.
However, his chances of blocking him this time were indeed quite low. Out of the twelve tokens, eight were blank tokens, and only four had numbers. This meant that both he and Xiao Chang Dao had to draw one of those four numbered tokens to have a chance to duel.
The probability of meeting was inherently low. Naturally, he had to stay close to Xiao Chang Dao. Based on the experience summarised from previous drawings, when the twelve people formed a circle later, he must follow closely behind Xiao Chang Dao to have a chance to use the Observation technique to draw a token that matched Xiao Chang Dao’s for a duel.
But the prerequisite was that Xiao Chang Dao must first draw a numbered token, and the others who drew before him must not draw the corresponding numbered token.
In the viewing stand, Xiang Lan Xuan, disguised in a black cloak, arrived again.
This time she knew very well that the Tanhua scholar could not possibly draw a blank token again no matter what, because she had forcefully arranged it. Therefore, this time she would definitely be able to see the Tanhua scholar compete in a test of strength with someone.
The fourth round of competition only had four people, meaning only two matches needed to be fought.
These two matches were combined with today’s drawing of lots, to determine the final top ten of the Ding Yin district.
On the main stage, Wu Tian saw that the time was about right. He glanced at the viewing stand, and regardless of whether there were still people coming to watch the fun, as long as the competitors had all arrived, it was fine. He turned and went to the backstage.
The people backstage were already prepared. Wu Tian appeared and greeted them, “The front is ready, we can begin.”
Someone handed him a token.
Just as two Kunling Mountain disciples were about to flip over the background wall with the tokens hanging on it, Qin Fu Jun, who was participating in the supervision, suddenly spoke up, “Wait!”
The eyes of Wan Li Qiu, Gan Ju, Sun Lian Xing, and a group of Kunling Mountain disciples all fixed on her.
Gan Ju said in a deep voice, “Junior sister, what do you want to do again?”
Qin Fu Jun did not explain anything to him, but only asked Wu Tian, “If you take this token out there, what do you plan to say later?”
Everyone was stunned, not knowing what she meant.
Wu Tian replied cautiously, “Naturally, it is the same as before. I will explain the situation to everyone, go through the motions first, and let the competitors raise their hands to vote.”
Qin Fu Jun immediately rejected this, “No! If you do it the same way as before, it is very likely that we will not get the result we want, and an accident might occur.”
Gan Ju said, “Junior sister, can you stop making a fuss? Following the old method is the rule, there will be no mistake, do you understand?”
“Enough, let your junior sister finish speaking first.” Wan Li Qiu spoke up to stop him, then raised his chin slightly, signalling Qin Fu Jun to continue.
Qin Fu Jun first bowed to her master to accept the order, and then asked Gan Ju in return, “Senior brother, do you know how many people did not raise their hands in agreement last time when Zhang Zhi Chen was arranged to draw lots last?”
Gan Ju thought for a moment and hesitated, “It seems like seven or eight people.”
Qin Fu Jun asked, “Why did they not raise their hands in agreement?”
Gan Ju seemed to understand something and hesitated, “Perhaps they are quite confident in their own strength?”
Qin Fu Jun said, “Exactly, they are confident, or they disdain taking such an advantage. Senior brother, then do you know that most of those seven or eight people are still among these twelve today?”
Gan Ju opened his mouth, rendered speechless. He had truly not paid attention to this, not being as meticulous as a woman.
Qin Fu Jun’s bright eyes swept over the crowd again, “Furthermore, Zhang Zhi Chen’s fellow sect members have already exposed their flaws in the previous competition. Do you think the majority will definitely raise their hands among these twelve?”
At these words, everyone looked at each other, feeling a sense of shame.
Qin Fu Jun sighed, “Therefore, if we want to complete the sect’s assignment, we can no longer follow the old rules. Otherwise, there is a high probability that we will ruin the matter.”
She turned and stared at Wu Tian, pointing at the token in his hand, “There is no need to let them vote by raising their hands. Just give the token directly to Zhang Zhi Chen. There is no need for any other fancy reasons. The only reason is that he has not fought a single match before, and that is simple enough!”
Everyone understood immediately. Wan Li Qiu raised his hand to stroke his beard, nodding slightly. The look in his eyes as he looked at his personal disciple revealed a trace of gratification. “Correct, let us do it this way. Sun Lian Xing, what do you think?”
Sun Lian Xing hurriedly bowed and said, “Deacon Qin’s words are reasonable. This is the safest way to handle it!”
Gan Ju, standing aside, remained silent. He also noticed his master’s appreciation for his junior sister. He clearly felt that he had been outshone by his junior sister, and he secretly frowned.
After the consensus was reached, Wu Tian left the backstage and came directly to the front stage.
The background wall with the tokens was flipped over. Suddenly, someone in the viewing stand said in surprise, “It seems to be an odd number. Eh, why is one token missing?”
This remark immediately caused a stir. People gradually noticed that there were twelve people drawing lots, but only eleven tokens were hanging on the background wall.
In the eyes of Xiang Lan Xuan, who was watching coldly from the viewing stand, a knowing and mocking expression appeared.
Wu Tian scanned the rising noise, ignored it for now, walked straight to the edge of the front stage, locked his gaze directly onto Yu Qing among the competitors, and shouted on the spot, “Zhang Zhi Chen, please come on stage.”
The scene was instantly silent for a moment, followed by various murmurs and discussions.
Yu Qing, standing among the competitors, also paused for a moment. His gaze lingered on the eleven tokens on the background wall, feeling that something was not right, but he still flashed up onto the stage and landed in front of the other party.
Wu Tian was not polite either. He revealed a token on the spot, held it above his head, and showed the number on the token to everyone on both sides.
The number on the token was the character “One”, meaning token number one.
Wu Tian held the token and said loudly, “Everyone has received the rules of the competition. Because each district is only allowed to have ten people advance to the grand district competition, and after three rounds of competition in the Ding Yin district, twelve people remain. This means there are two extra people, and two people cannot advance.
Who advances directly and who does not cannot be decided by mere words. For the sake of fairness, this fourth round of drawing lots was established.
The twelve people will draw lots for another round. Among the twelve tokens, there are eight blank tokens. According to the old rules, those who draw a blank token will advance directly. Among the remaining four tokens, there are two ‘ones’ and two ‘twos’. Those who draw corresponding tokens will fight another match immediately, and the two winners will advance. Today, the final ten people advancing from the Ding Yin district will be decided. Everyone relies on their own strength and their own luck!”
Saying this, he lowered the token in his hand and handed it to Yu Qing.
Yu Qing stared at him with wide eyes for a while, not wanting to take it at all. However, Wu Tian gestured for him to take it and said publicly, “This is your token.”
The whole venue watched quietly.
Yu Qing finally could not help but ask, “What does this mean? Do I not need to draw lots?”
“In this round, you do not need to draw. You are the number one token!”
Wu Tian told him straightforwardly, and then said loudly to the crowd, “Perhaps everyone has doubts, but this is the Chaoyang Assembly. The Chaoyang Assembly is a place for martial arts competition. It is unfair for someone in this district to go through four rounds of competition without fighting a single match, relying entirely on good luck in drawing lots to get by. Therefore, among the remaining four people duelling, there must be a place for him. He must fight a match no matter what!”