Chapter 628: Rules for Allocating Quotas

"I... have nothing to say!"

After thinking for a long time, Luo Zhao let out a sigh.

He really couldn't figure out what was going on.

The gourd contained [Thousand Cups Drunk] bought early this morning from Pufang Studio; how could it have turned into a miraculous healing elixir?

It could be said that now he was at a loss for words, unable to explain himself no matter what.

If he hadn't stolen someone else's belongings, why would the other party know that his storage ring contained this medicinal wine that could heal injuries?

Admitting to the theft... felt utterly unjust.

After all, as renowned masters, mindful of their status, he had at most exchanged verbal jabs, never even moving against Master Hong... when had he ever stolen anything!

And such precious medicinal wine at that!

"You need not feel wronged. If you suspect we are framing you, today after treating Master Hong's injuries, there is still a cup of medicinal wine left. I can show it to you now!"

Knowing what was on his mind, Zhang Xuan said calmly, turning his wrist to reveal a wine glass in his palm, its aroma wafting and spreading around.

"Who would like to test the effect of this wine?"

He looked around.

"I will..." Feng Yu stood up, his face resolute.

"Oh, Master Bi, how about you?" Zhang Xuan said, lowering his head.

"..." Feng Yu.

"Ahem!"

Bi Jianghai, who was drinking wine, nearly choked. He had to stand up, looking helpless: "I'll do it myself!"

With that, he brought his fingers together like a sword, and a burst of true energy shot out, instantly cutting a wound on his arm, blood flowing.

Smiling lightly, Zhang Xuan poured the wine from the cup over it.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle!

After a few breaths, the wound healed completely without a trace, exactly the same effect as the medicinal wine on the table earlier.

"Your Highness, Master Wu, can this prove it now?" After doing this, Zhang Xuan clasped his fists again.

"It can prove it."

Ye Qian nodded.

Knowing exactly what was in the other's storage ring and producing something with the same effect was solid evidence.

"As a five-star renowned master, stealing another's treasure and claiming it as his own is utterly unforgivable!"

Flicking his sleeve, Ye Qian looked at Luo Zhao again, his eyes full of anger and disgust.

He had previously had some goodwill toward this renowned master from a vassal state, but never expected him to do something so shameful.

"Master Hong, Master Zhang, for such a renowned master to appear in the Huanfeng Empire is my fault. May I ask... how do you wish to handle this?"

From Master Hong's earlier address, he also knew the young man's surname was Zhang.

"Although he stole my things, today is the prince's banquet for honored guests, a joyous occasion. I do not wish to cause trouble. As long as he hands over that gourd of medicinal wine, I will not pursue the matter further!"

Master Hong clasped his fists.

"I share Master Hong's thoughts!" Zhang Xuan also nodded.

"Not pursue?"

Everyone was stunned.

They had thought that with Luo Zhao's relentless pressure and the prince backing him, Master Hong would surely make him suffer, even strip him of his master qualification. Never did they dream that he would only ask for the medicinal wine and then let it go...

What magnanimity!

Look, both are five-star renowned masters from vassal states. One constantly tries to ruin the other, while the other, clearly in the right, remains neither humble nor arrogant, graceful and generous!

Even the prince and Master Wu looked at Master Hong and Zhang Xuan with greater respect.

"Master Luo, did you hear? This bottle of medicinal wine—will you return it or keep it?"

The prince looked over.

"I... will return it!" Luo Zhao was also dazed.

He had thought that after successfully framing him, the other would press the advantage and ruin his reputation. Never did he dream that they had no such intention.

"Since you return this bottle of medicinal liquid, Master Wu, let this be our Hongfeng Empire's gift to you!"

Master Hong clasped his fists.

"This..."

Wu Zhen hesitated for a moment, then a flash of excitement appeared in his eyes, and he nodded: "I, on behalf of the Sixth Princess, thank Master Hong!"

This was a miraculous healing elixir; any flesh wound, with just a drop, would heal completely. With this, even if injured in the future, there would be no fear!

"It's nothing."

Hong Qian clasped his fists and sat down, then turned to look at the young man not far away, his curiosity growing stronger.

Earlier, when Luo Zhao, Chen Yue, and Feng Yu joined forces to pressure him, he had already prepared to be humiliated. Never did he dream that Master Zhang would step in and turn the tide.

Not only that, but he also nearly broke Luo Zhao.

He knew perfectly well whether Luo Zhao had stolen his things. How... did it become irrefutable fact that the other couldn't refute?

"Master Zhang, about what just happened..."

Unable to contain himself, he transmitted his voice.

"Oh, just a little trick to fool others, taught by my teacher, nothing worth mentioning!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

What had just happened was clearly a setup by Luo, Chen, and Feng to make Master Hong fall into the trap and be humiliated. If that had succeeded, their chances for the Huaqing Pool quota would have been lost.

So he couldn't help but intervene.

As for the medicinal wine that could heal injuries, when Master Hong provoked Luo Zhao into using martial techniques, the Library of Heaven's Path had seen his flaw of being overly fond of wine, making it simple to deduce that his storage ring contained fine wine.

In fact, the gourd contained ordinary wine; it could heal because, when he shook the gourd, he infused it with a few strands of true energy.

Heavenly Dao true energy was formless and intangible; mixed into the pungent wine, even six-star renowned masters couldn't detect it, let alone the others.

That Master Hong later let the matter go was naturally also his intention.

Expelling a five-star renowned master was a serious matter; if pursued, it would inevitably bring in people from headquarters. The earlier explanation might fool them for now, but under detailed investigation, it would easily expose flaws.

Especially the source of the medicinal liquid—could he have 'Master Yang' appear again?

It was better not to pursue it and instead leave a good impression on the prince and the others.

Things turn into their opposites when they reach the extreme; prosperity inevitably declines. Having gained an advantage, one must remember not to corner a desperate foe.

Knowing it was taught by Master Yang, Master Hong scratched his head and asked no more.

Matters involving a high-level master like Master Yang were beyond his understanding. Rather than dwell on them, it was better not to think about them.

...

"Thank you all for the gifts. Today, besides welcoming Master Wu and the others, there is another matter that, I believe, everyone understands without my saying!"

Knowing that pursuing this matter further would cause him to lose face before the senior students, Prince Ye Qian looked around and changed the subject.

"Understood!"

Hearing that the main event was coming, everyone sat up straight, their expressions solemn.

Tonight's banquet had two purposes: first, to welcome the guests and let everyone get to know the senior students from the master academies; second, to determine the reallocation of quotas.

The welcome—only Master Wu had come, and with so many incidents, it couldn't proceed. It was better to directly allocate the quotas, perhaps salvaging some dignity.

"The Huaqing Pool is the foundation of our Huanfeng Empire. It has great effects on cultivators at the He Ling realm and above. After layers of assessment, you have come to the capital, naturally to enter it for cultivation and greatly advance your cultivation!"

Ye Qian smiled: "However, this year is different from previous years. We need to take three quotas from you all!"

"I know these quotas are very important to you, so I have invited you here to discuss and set a rule that, without harming goodwill, can smoothly select them and not delay the opening of the Huaqing Pool tomorrow."

"We will follow Your Highness's decision!" Everyone clasped their fists in unison.

"Since this concerns everyone's quotas, I dare not act arbitrarily. Let's think together and propose good methods for discussion!" Ye Qian said.

"Your Highness, the four vassal states—Hongfeng, Fengyuan, Qianfeng, and Zhuyue—will share three quotas. Some will get them, some won't, which is unfair. I have a suggestion, if I may speak!"

After a moment of silence, Chen Yue stood up and spoke first.

"Let's hear it!" Ye Qian looked over.

"Simple. Since each vassal state has only three quotas, I suggest we take the vassal states as units and hold a competition among the four states. The last place... loses its qualification directly!"

Chen Yue stated his idea: "As for how to compete, that's simple. The top three from today's competition are all here. Let them compete among themselves, best of three! That is, each vassal state sends its top three to compete, one match per person. Winning two consecutive matches means the vassal state wins... If they lose, they have to accept defeat!"

"I agree with Master Chen's method! The quotas involve their own interests, so they will naturally compete harder. Moreover, even if they lose, it's only because they are outmatched, and they can't blame their respective vassal states!"

Feng Yu also spoke.

"I also agree!"

Luo Zhao nodded in agreement.

"Striving for quotas through one's own efforts aligns with the Master Teacher Hall's spirit of self-improvement!" Wu Zhen nodded.

"Very well!"

After thinking it over, Ye Qian also nodded in agreement.

The other's suggestion was, frankly, not bad.

Using vassal states as units could better inspire cultivators to unite and share a common hatred, motivating them to work harder.

"However, since there is a competition, there must be content. Do you have any thoughts on the content of the competition?"

Ye Qian continued to ask.

"I have also considered this."

Chen Yue smiled and continued: "For competitions among renowned masters, a grand competition is most suitable. However, such a competition involves many aspects and countless contents. For a simple quota allocation, there's no need for such complexity. Why not compete in cultivation? The Huaqing Pool aids strength; to obtain quotas, the strongest martial power is most direct and simplest!"

"Yes, martial competition is best!"

"It saves trouble too."

Feng Yu and Luo Zhao chimed in.

"Hmph!"

Hearing this, Master Hong and Zhang Xuan exchanged glances, finally understanding their purpose.

The top three from the other three vassal states had all taken He Ling pills, greatly advancing their cultivation. Even the weakest was a level above Luo Xuan and the others. If it came to martial competition, how could they be opponents?

Even if Zhang Xuan, that freak, was not afraid, each person could only compete once, best of three... If Luo Xuan and Bi Jianghai lost, there was no way.

It seemed that knowing interception wouldn't work, they had come up with this plan.

Utterly shameless!