Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 265 - 203: Li Ping’an Enters the Final Contest!

Chapter 265: Chapter 203: Li Ping’an Enters the Final Contest!

Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect was thinking of letting Li Ping’an win, so he could beat him up in front of Junior Sister Zixia and the other cultivators to vent the rage in his heart.

Head of Heavenly Mist Sect, Mo Liqi, didn’t really care, but because Wang Tianran publicly flirted with a female cultivator of Yanyue Sect, she, being a female cultivator herself, had a very poor impression of him and naturally did not want to see Wang Tianran win.

Head of Immeasurable Sect, Taishu Yiqing, was originally a warrior and a person of integrity who believed in repaying kindness. Li Ping’an previously stained his own reputation in order to save the face of the Immeasurable Sect, owing him and his sect a great favor, so he too wished for Li Ping’an to win.

Night Traveler, Muqiang Baoshan, had now become indifferent to Li Ping’an’s identity, almost certain that this cultivator from Mount Longhu, Li Ping’an, was likely to be his life-saving benefactor, the leader of the Five-Finger Mountain Axe Gang, Supreme Treasure.

Of course, the primary concern of Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Four Great Noble Flame Cloud Sect, Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect, Head of Heavenly Mist Sect, Mo Liqi, and Head of Immeasurable Sect, Taishu Yiqing, was not personal grudges but the interests of their own sects.

The strength of King Tianran, The World’s Foremost Talented, was clear for all to see; if they allowed Wang Tianran to advance to the final competition, their ranks of the Four Great Noble Paths might become only three, since none of them wanted to lose the spot to him.

But, to save face in front of the other cultivators, the leaders of the Four Great Noble Paths, including Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of Flame Cloud Sect, Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect, Head of Heavenly Mist Sect, Mo Liqi, and Head of Immeasurable Sect, Taishu Yiqing, still had to act fair and just, and rose to their feet, pretending to question:

"Wang Tianran, conceding to Li Ping’an in this way seems to breach the rules, doesn’t it?"

"No offense, but the two of you are making a mockery of this competition. At the very least, you should have fought it out. Instead, neither of you is willing to make a move."

"You are not even putting on a pretense; do you have no regard for all the Taoist sects under heaven?"

"I can see that you’ve known each other from before and even have a good relationship. Neither of you wants to beat the other, but there should still be a process to go through; otherwise, it will be hard to convince the crowd!"

"Exactly! That’s right! That’s the principle we’re talking about!"

Li Ping’an took the opportunity to immediately stir things up, saying:

"I don’t accept this! How can a competition be conducted like this? Even if I win, the Taoist sects under heaven would scorn me!"

After speaking, Li Ping’an further fueled the fire among the cultivators:

"Fellow cultivators, you’ve come from far and wide to attend the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master; surely it’s not to watch Wang Tianran, this fatty, make a fool of himself here? Forget about me; I believe you wouldn’t accept this either, right?"

"Right!"

Provoked by Li Ping’an’s words, the cultivators’ anger flared, and they shouted in unison:

"We do not accept this! The competition must be redone! We must go all out!"

"Hahahaha!"

Facing the opposition and dissatisfaction from everyone, Wang Tianran laughed disdainfully, then stood with his hands clasped behind his back, displaying his true arrogant nature and looking down on everyone, he said:

"Let me remind you, I joined the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master merely as a lark, and I’ve told you this before!"

"Although I’ve joined Yanyue Sect, I was without a sect previously, did not learn their techniques, and have mastered the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. While you call me The World’s Foremost Talented King, I dare not accept such misplaced praise. However..."

Wang Tianran surveyed the entire assembly, including Li Ping’an, then continued arrogantly:

"Not to mention the sect masters, just look at the cultivators of various sects and sects participating in the competition, ask yourselves: Who is my equal? Who could possibly defeat me? Huh?"

"If I were to reach the final competition, I would surely take the top spot, and thus the Four Great Noble Paths would become three, and I alone would receive the Imperial Court Offering!"

"As I said, I didn’t belong to any sect before, and I have no intention of founding one; I just want to coast through life, so even if I receive the Imperial Court Offering, it’s of no use to me!"

"Therefore, I concede, Li Ping’an wins; this outcome is the best for everyone, isn’t it?"

"..."

Everyone fell silent, especially the disciples of the Four Great Noble Paths; they agreed with Wang Tianran’s words – they were no match for him. If Wang Tianran reached the final round, one of them would lose the Imperial Court Offering that rightfully belonged to their own sect, a blame too significant for anyone of them to bear within their own sects!

"But..."

Some of the lesser sects, particularly those eliminated in the first round, didn’t care for subtlety. They believed Wang Tianran was certain to win in the end. If they let Wang Tianran win this match, then one of the Four Great Noble Paths would inevitably lose strength from not obtaining the Imperial Court Offering.

This outcome was most desired by those lesser sects who would dare pull down the Emperor to survive, with a ’better you die than me’ mentality; they timidly exclaimed:

"But you and Li Ping’an should at least try your best to fight a match, otherwise... it won’t convince the public!"

"Hmph!"

Wang Tianran was naturally aware of their ulterior motives but did not expose them. Instead, he spoke authoritatively:

"I, Wang Tianran, do not need to explain my actions to you, nor will I listen to you! If anyone is dissatisfied with my concession, feel free to challenge me, Wang Tianran! Huh? Who dares?"

"..."

The scheming cultivators knew they were no match for Wang Tianran. Faced with his forceful challenge, not one dared to respond, all of whom lowered their heads.

"An angry Wang Tianran sure is domineering! This seems to be the real Wang Tianran!"