Chapter 374: The Competition Is a Bit Fierce!

The moment Old Seven heard Elder Shu Wangtian explain the purpose of his visit, he already vaguely understood the man’s true intention.

After all!

In the third-rank tournament,

if one could win a place and rank near the top, then one could seize this chance to gain both fame and profit, and upon returning, secure a promotion. With Elder Shu’s support, it would all come naturally.

But losing the tournament also carried risks.

Especially if the man in question was only a newly advanced third-rank martial artist—if he lost badly, not only would he fail to accumulate any reputation, he might instead become the subject of criticism and find his future promotion blocked.

Old Seven chose his words with great care.

“As for the third-rank tournament, if I remember correctly, the number of registered participants has already exceeded three hundred, hasn’t it, Wangchuan?”

At the end, he simply tossed the question to Wangchuan.

Wangchuan immediately understood and smoothly picked up the thread.

“In reply to Old Seven, seven days ago, the number of martial artists participating in the third-rank tournament had already broken through three hundred. According to the figures Ergou reported today, the number of registered third-rank martial artists has now exceeded four hundred and fifty!”

The moment these words were spoken, everyone on the Gold Coin Gang’s side was visibly moved!

Elder Shu had clearly never expected the Sanhe Commandery hall’s martial tournament to have drawn such astonishing popularity.

“So many third-ranks?”

Shu Wangtian frowned slightly and said, “Wouldn’t that make it a true clash of dragons and tigers, with the competition stretching on for a very long time?”

Wangchuan immediately grasped the refined meaning hidden beneath the words and explained at once:

“In fact, with precisely that concern in mind, we will hold an elimination round beforehand and weed out the relatively weaker batch of third-rank martial artists! The same will apply to the first-rank and second-rank divisions as well! That way we can compress the competition time.”

“Oh?”

Elder Shu and his disciple Chen Libin both had their eyes light up.

The latter could not help asking eagerly,

“May I ask what form this elimination round will take?”

“The specific method has not yet been finalized. Once headquarters has made its ruling, we will certainly notify Elder Shu at the first opportunity!”

Wangchuan gave Shu Wangtian all the face he could.

One of our own, after all!

Old Seven cast him an approving look, then said to Shu Wangtian,

“That’s right. Once the specific format is settled, we will notify Elder Shu immediately.”

People of the Jianghu treasured face above all else.

With both Ghost Old Seven and Wangchuan giving him such face, Shu Wangtian naturally felt quite pleased.

Chen Libin then asked,

“I have heard that many disciples from famous sects and great schools have come for this martial tournament, including some descendants of great clans and noble families. It is said that experts are as numerous as clouds. I wonder whether Brother Wangchuan has any grasp of the situation?”

He wanted to understand the details of his potential competitors.

Shu Wangtian also turned his gaze toward Wangchuan.

The latter smiled faintly. This truly was the right person to ask.

“Yes.”

“At present, among the ones I remember clearly, there are already three disciples from the Wudang Sect, and people have also been sent by Emei, Qingcheng, Kongtong, the Salt Gang, and the Beggar Sect. There are also descendants from the Eight Great Families of the capital, including the Seventh Young Master of the Ouyang Family, ‘Iron Sword’ of the Nangong Family, ‘Little Ghost Hand’ of the Dongcheng Family, and the third son of the Li Family of Tiance Manor...”

As Wangchuan recited the names of these sects and capital disciples, Chen Libin’s expression immediately grew much uglier.

Each and every one of these third-rank martial artists either came from a famous sect and great school, or possessed heaven-reaching backing!

And many of them had already made something of a name for themselves in the Jianghu.

None of them were weak!

For Chen Libin, who had only recently advanced to third rank, this was without question an enormous challenge.

Wangchuan continued,

“Beyond these people, there are in truth also some third-rank martial artists from common backgrounds whose strength is far from weak. The third-rank tournament is destined to be a true clash of dragons and tigers!”

Chen Libin’s expression grew grave.

Shu Wangtian also could not help frowning slightly.

With his Jianghu experience, he already knew that his disciple would find it very difficult to seize any real opportunity in this martial tournament. After a moment’s thought, he said,

“Libin! You have only just advanced to third rank and have not had much time. You still need time to settle and consolidate your cultivation. For this third-rank tournament, just treat it as a chance to come see the heroes under heaven. Forget about rankings and such... In any case, if you lose to disciples of these famous sects, it will not be disgraceful.”

“Yes.”

Chen Libin nodded.

It was as though Shu Wangtian had set down a burden in his heart. His expression relaxed, and he turned to Old Seven with a smile.

“Old Seven, your Caobang hall is making such a grand affair of this. You must surely have some purpose behind it. You cannot possibly allow all the heroes under heaven to trample the prestige of your Caobang into dimness!”

As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward Wangchuan and said,

“Looking at Wangchuan here, I’d say his strength and foundation are far from ordinary. This martial tournament is meant to pave the way for him, isn’t it?”

In Shu Wangtian’s view, Wangchuan should be able to distinguish himself within it and begin to show his edge.

Wangchuan’s heart tightened inwardly:

These old Jianghu veterans truly were sharper than the next!

This was only their first meeting, yet the man had already caught the scent of it.

Old Seven gave a hearty laugh, then lowered his voice and explained, “To tell the truth, this martial tournament was Wangchuan’s own proposal. If it succeeds, then we can push him upward—push him right beneath the noses of the great men above. In the future, once he rises with the wind and transforms into a dragon, sitting in command over a region, he will also become one more strong arm for Hall Master Yin!”

“...”

Shu Wangtian’s eyes contracted slightly, and shock appeared within them.

Twenty years old.

And holding a martial tournament!

Stirring up such an enormous spectacle!

This...

Shu Wangtian was genuinely shaken.

Before this, when he had heard the various things about Wangchuan, he had only thought that this young man had decent talent, was loyal and courageous, and would make a good subordinate.

But now—

Shu Wangtian no longer dared look down on this young man in the slightest.

Timing, position, and human harmony!

He possessed all three!

Shu Wangtian understood perfectly well that for such a massive undertaking to succeed, it absolutely could not be a matter of simply putting out a few thousand taels of gold!

It required the approval of the Caobang’s upper ranks.

It required official support as well!

The support of Hall Master Yin and Ghost Old Seven!

And beyond all that,

it also could not be done without Wangchuan’s own ability.

“Remarkable.”

Shu Wangtian rose to his feet and could not help sighing as he looked Wangchuan over again. Slowly nodding, he said,

“If this succeeds, Wangchuan is very likely to become the youngest Hall Master in the entire history of your Caobang! His future is immeasurable!”

Chen Libin was equally stunned. He could hardly believe that this martial tournament had been stirred into being by a young man more than ten years younger than himself.

Wangchuan remained neither arrogant nor servile, and replied modestly,

“Elder Shu overpraises me. In truth, everything is only the result of Hall Master Yin’s and Old Seven’s support and recommendation. Now that the scale and scope of the martial tournament have already exceeded expectations, where matters will ultimately lead is no longer something this junior can fully control. I can only take it one step at a time.”

Chen Libin nodded silently.

He too did not believe that Wangchuan would still be able to truly distinguish himself in a martial tournament filled with experts as numerous as clouds.

Shu Wangtian noticed this and could only shake his head inwardly.

What people feared most was comparison.

His disciple, placed within the Gold Coin Gang, truly was capable, bold in battle and daring in bloodshed. He had the shadow of Shu Wangtian’s younger self.

But when compared with Wangchuan like this, the gap became somewhat too large.

“Wangchuan.”

“Give my disciple a bit of guidance.”

“Let him know the difference between a third-rank martial artist and a true third-rank expert.”

Elder Shu proposed.

Chen Libin caught the deeper meaning in his master’s words. He was stunned at first, but then blazing fire ignited in his eyes, and his fighting spirit surged high.

“...”

Wangchuan looked toward Old Seven.

The latter gave a subtle nod and said,

“Since it is Elder Shu’s request, then spar a little with Helm Leader Chen.”