Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1440 - 1440 0814 Immunity_2

Chapter 1440: Chapter 0814: Immunity_2 Chapter 1440: Chapter 0814: Immunity_2 Qi Tian gained some understanding of how these major forces in Wanjie City thought and asked again, “I have another question. Why does contesting such a secret realm require the presence of a Nascent Soul Master? Why not have the Gold Core Stage or Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators contend for it?”

Sun Xiqi explained, “Previously, lower-level cultivators have been allowed to compete, but the results were far from satisfactory. Mainly because after the competition ended, there were still Nascent Soul Masters who were dissatisfied with the outcome. Historically, incidents have occurred where, after the results were announced, Nascent Soul Masters would violently harm others, leading to significant casualties. In the end, it escalated into a massive chaotic battle involving cultivators of all realms, and the consequences were catastrophic. Since then, whenever such situations arise, they are usually resolved by Nascent Soul Masters; they represent the highest tier of combat power we, the Sacred Cultivation Places, can offer. After both parties compete, the result can generally be considered final, and overturning it becomes almost impossible.”

Qi Tian nodded and did not inquire further.

Yi Xuwen then said, “The situation has been briefly explained. Now, let’s discuss what we should do next. As per tradition, dispatching someone to fight is an obligation that every prominent force in Wanjie City must fulfill without room for negotiation. According to the convention, first-tier forces must send three Nascent Soul Masters, second-tier forces like ours need to send two, and third-tier forces must send at least one Nascent Soul Master.

As for who other forces choose to send into battle, we will not interfere. Let’s discuss who we should send now. Qi Tian, today, I’ve exceptionally allowed you to join the National Master Manor. I have already made it very clear earlier that I hope you will fight for the National Master Manor. You are aware of this, so among the two spots we have to fill, one will be yours. Do you have any objections?”

Qi Tian shook his head and said, “I can fight for the National Master Manor, but shouldn’t the Manor provide me with some compensation? Moreover, I hope the Mansion Master can make a public promise that once the conflict ends and I safely return, I will enjoy all the entitled benefits.”

Yi Xuwen readily nodded and said, “No problem, I can agree to that. What about the rest of you? Any objections?”

The gaze of Qi Tian and Yi Xuwen then fell on the other Nascent Soul Masters’ faces, including Cheng Daoran. No one raised any objections. Qi Tian then put his mind at ease. Of course, whether Yi Xuwen’s promise could be fulfilled would depend on the final outcome. But since everyone had now made a promise, if they tried to go back on their word later, they wouldn’t be able to blame Qi Tian for reacting harshly.

Yi Xuwen continued, “As for the compensation, how do you feel about fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones?”

Qi Tian, after a brief contemplation, nodded in agreement.

Without saying another word, Yi Xuwen tossed a Storage Bag to Qi Tian, which contained exactly fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones.

Once Qi Tian had put away the Storage Bag, Yi Xuwen said, “Now let’s discuss who should take the second spot. Should one of you Elders volunteer?”

The Elders sitting in front of Cheng Daoran each kept their eyes fixed on their own duties, none of them volunteering to step forward. Yi Xuwen’s gaze swept over them one by one, finally pausing on Cheng Daoran for a moment.

Cheng Daoran, too, was reluctant to go, but with his master looking at him, he couldn’t show no reaction at all. He was about to stand up, but just as he showed signs of getting up, Yi Xuwen sternly glared at him, indicating not to rise.

This wasn’t because Yi Xuwen was particularly protective of his disciple, but because Cheng Daoran had recently advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage and needed time to stabilize his realm. Besides, Cheng Daoran’s combat skills truly troubled him—if Cheng Daoran were indeed sent to the battlefield, there was a real chance he might lose his life.

Yi Xuwen said, “Since none of you are volunteering, let’s decide by drawing lots, as is customary.”

Yi Xuwen deftly took out a box, asking every Elder to write their name on a piece of paper, crumple it up, and toss it into the box. Then, Yi Xuwen drew a name from the box to see who would be chosen for the mission.

Soon, Yi Xuwen pulled out a crumpled paper, unfolded it, and saw that it bore three characters—Sun Xiqi.

When Sun Xiqi saw his name, his face darkened. Recently, every time they used this method to decide who would take on a mission, he had been selected. It had happened several times already; last time, he was assigned to protect Cheng Daoran, and just before, he had invited Qi Tian to join the National Master Manor. Now, he was needed again to charge ahead for the Master Mansion, forcing him to reflect whether he had offended the Mansion Master. Why else would he always be stuck with these thankless tasks?

Yi Xuwen said, “Elder Sun, I didn’t expect you to be chosen again. It’s the will of heaven, and the will of heaven must not be defied, so you cannot refuse. However, since you’ve been selected three times in a row, according to the rules of our National Master Manor, you’ll have the task exemption right for the next ten years and won’t have to carry out any sect tasks.”

Although Sun Xiqi was very displeased, things had progressed to this point and, unhappy as he might be, there was nothing he could do but grudgingly accept the assignment.

Yi Xuwen continued, “If you really don’t want to undertake this mission, there is a way around it, but only if you can offer sufficient benefits. Then, you could have the exemption right. Would you like to exercise this right?”

Sun Xiqi hesitated immediately. He well knew what the exemption right meant—essentially, offering enough cultivation resources as compensation, either to pay other participating Nascent Soul Masters or to hire another Nascent Soul Master to fight in his stead, a common practice in Wanjie City. Of course, exercising such a right required a fortune in cultivation resources, beyond the reach of many. Historically, however, some had done so, and if Sun Xiqi insisted on this, it wouldn’t be considered breaking the rules, and others wouldn’t blame him for it.

Yi Xuwen did not rush him, waiting for Sun Xiqi to make his decision.

Finally, Sun Xiqi sighed and said, “I might as well go on the mission with Qi Tian, hoping I can make it back alive.”

Yi Xuwen said nothing but handed a scroll to Sun Xiqi, saying, “Here are the time and place for the mission. You two go together. I hope you both can bring glory to our National Master Manor and not disgrace our name. I and the other Elders will await your triumphant return to hold a feast in your honor.”

Sun Xiqi’s face was a bitter smile. The Mansion Master made it sound easy, as if the mission would be very simple, but he knew very well that if it were so, the other Elders wouldn’t have all feigned ignorance just now. It was precisely because they knew the grave dangers involved that they had all avoided it, fearing to lose their lives in the mysterious realm.

They were afraid of dying, and so was Sun Xiqi, but the Mansion Master had specifically chosen him, and he had no choice but to go. Of course, he could exercise his exemption right and offer sufficient cultivation resources, but extracting such a massive amount all at once would be like peeling layers off his own skin, which he could hardly bear. As a result, he had no choice but to accompany Qi Tian on the mission.

As Sun Xiqi and Qi Tian left the National Master Manor together, Sun Xiqi said with a laugh, “From now on, we’re fellow disciples and should look out for one another. Qi Tian, rest assured, should you encounter any difficulties, you can come to me. I will not refuse as long as I’m able to help.”

Qi Tian responded with a smile, “Elder Sun is absolutely right; we do need to look out for each other. As you know, I’m just a Gold Core Stage cultivator with limited abilities. When we enter the mysterious realm, I will surely be hard-pressed. I hope you’ll take good care of me there and not leave me in the lurch.”

The corner of Sun Xiqi’s mouth twitched slightly. He had intended to have Qi Tian back him up, but didn’t expect Qi Tian to beat him to it and say those words first, proving himself to be quite the slick operator.