Chapter 203 - 121: Center of Attention, Zhang Su is Here

Zhou Peng said.

He took a wooden token from his robes and waved it in front of Mo Tingzhu.

The wooden token was palm-sized. The character for "Competition" was carved on it, and the emblem of the Guiyuan Sect was on its edge.

It was the proof of registration.

"I signed up too. I probably won’t get very far, but if I can win a match or two, the trip will have been worth it."

Mo Tingzhu, for his part, was also self-aware.

He also took a wooden token from his robes, identical to Zhou Peng’s.

Bai Xuan gazed at the wooden token in her master’s hand, her eyes sparkling.

In a grand event like this, not even Zhou Peng, the strongest of the three, dared to claim he could place in the rankings. What hope did Mo Tingzhu have?

All three were entering with the mindset that it was the taking part that counted.

Although Zhou Peng was an Inner Sect Steward of the Guiyuan Sect, he knew in his heart that he was not among the top Huajin Martial Artists.

Within the Guiyuan Sect’s Inner Sect, there were quite a few Huajin disciples stronger than him.

The Five Elements Sect and Medicine Valley also had outstanding Huajin disciples.

What’s more, there were also masters among the Jianghu Cultivators.

To stand out among so many people and secure a ranked position was easier said than done.

Xie Guanchao was also well aware of the situation.

Although his Body Technique wasn’t bad, his overall strength was still a tier below.

He had signed up for the grand competition mostly to gain experience.

Mo Tingzhu’s thoughts were much the same.

He was a Jianghu Cultivator without the support and resources of a Sect. To have reached the Huajin Stage, he had already given his all.

Compared to those Major Sect Disciples, it wasn’t talent or perseverance he lacked, but resources and legacy.

"Master, what’s the prize for first place in the tournament for those below the Pill Force stage?"

Bai Xuan asked curiously.

She tilted her head, her eyes full of curiosity.

"That... I do not know."

Mo Tingzhu shook his head.

Although he was a Huajin Martial Artist, his sources of information were limited. He really didn’t know the specific rewards for the Three Sects’ Exchange Conference.

"Heh heh, I know about that,"

Xie Guanchao paused, then said in a low voice, "I heard the Three Sects have all put up some great treasures this time. The top three in the tournament below the Pill Force stage will each receive a Condensing Strength Pill. This is no ordinary elixir. Once consumed, it can condense one’s Inner Strength into Pill Force, allowing them to personally experience the Pill Force stage."

He kept his voice very low, so only the few people around him could hear.

"Anyone who has experienced the Pill Force stage, even once, will have their success rate for Embracing Pill increase by over thirty percent. And there are no hidden dangers; the foundation it builds is just as solid."

After Xie Guanchao finished speaking, his gaze swept over Mo Tingzhu’s face.

Upon hearing this, Mo Tingzhu’s eyes shot wide open. "Is that true?"

His voice had risen unconsciously, drawing sideways glances from a few nearby disciples.

"Absolutely true!"

Xie Guanchao nodded with certainty.

Mo Tingzhu’s gaze then turned to Zhou Peng.

And Zhou Peng nodded as well.

He had naturally heard the news as well: three Condensing Strength Pills, awarded to the top three Martial Artists in the tournament below the Pill Force stage.

This was a reward personally decided by the Sect Leader, and the news had already spread throughout the Guiyuan Sect’s Inner Sect.

Excitement surged in Mo Tingzhu’s heart.

His breathing grew somewhat ragged.

He had originally thought he was just here to go through the motions and participate for the sake of it.

But now, he was genuinely tempted.

The Condensing Strength Pill... a thirty percent increase in the success rate of Embracing Pill. This was the elixir he had always dreamed of.

Mo Tingzhu was in his thirties.

He had roamed the Jianghu for over twenty years, going from an ordinary person to a Huajin cultivator, one step at a time.

Only he knew the hardships he had endured.

Without a Sect’s resources, without a master’s guidance, he had relied entirely on his own exploration.

That he had made it this far was thanks to his unyielding tenacity.

But Embracing Pill... for a Jianghu Cultivator, it was too difficult.

Mo Tingzhu was considered a remarkably talented Martial Artist in the Jianghu.

He had reached the Huajin Stage before even turning forty.

But as for Embracing Pill, he had basically given up hope.

He had seen too many Martial Artists at the Peak of the Huajin Stage fail to achieve Embracing Pill in their entire lifetime, ultimately dying in frustration.

He had also seen some lucky Loose Cultivators succeed in Embracing Pill, but such people were incredibly rare, like a phoenix feather or a qilin’s horn.

But with the Condensing Strength Pill, things would be different. Perhaps he, too, could achieve Embracing Pill!

’But... the top three?’

’Difficult!’

’Too difficult!’

Mo Tingzhu knew it in his heart.

There were only three Condensing Strength Pills, but there were at least a hundred Huajin Martial Artists participating in the tournament below the Pill Force stage.

The Three Sects’ Disciples, Jianghu Cultivators, heirs of Martial Arts Families—masters were as common as clouds among them.

His chances of breaking into the top three were slim.

But a slim chance did not mean no chance at all.

’What if?’

’What if I get lucky? If the opponents I face aren’t strong, or if they underperform, it’s not as if I have no chance.’

Mo Tingzhu clenched his fists, a new resolve hardening his gaze.

"Master, you have to fight your way into the top three! If you achieve Embracing Pill, I’ll get to bask in your glory too."

A hint of expectation also appeared in Bai Xuan’s eyes.

Although she was young, she could already sense her master’s craving to achieve Embracing Pill.

She knew how hard her master had worked all these years.

If her master could succeed in Embracing Pill, their lives would become much easier.

Xie Guanchao and Zhou Peng exchanged a glance.

But they said nothing.

Mo Tingzhu was a Jianghu Cultivator; he didn’t know the unspoken rules of the game.

In truth, had there ever been a Three Sects’ Exchange Conference where the Three Sects didn’t offer up precious treasures?

And the rules were always public and fair.

There was absolutely no under-the-table dealing; strength was what mattered.

But in all these years, how many Loose Cultivators had actually won a prize?

It wasn’t that there were none, but you could count them on one hand!

Since the Three Sects dared to offer such precious treasures, why would they be afraid of them being taken by Jianghu Martial Artists?

If that were to really happen, it would be the biggest joke in the world for the Three Sects.