Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 201 - 201 0191 Cutting off Other Peoples Chances_2

Chapter 201: Chapter 0191: Cutting off Other People’s Chances_2 Chapter 201: Chapter 0191: Cutting off Other People’s Chances_2 Just now, Qi Tian’s punch that sent He Xiaojian flying out caused quite a stir in the Golden Roc Hall. No matter how you look at it, He Xiaojian is a well-known figure in Golden Roc Hall. He ranks among the top ten in the half-step Foundation Establishment stage, albeit at the tenth position. But given that the Golden Roc Hall is brimming with formidable figures, his ranking is quite telling.

It was because Qi Tian created such a miracle that alerted the disciples of Golden Roc Hall who didn’t appear immediately. If they had swarmed him, it would have been enough to overwhelm Qi Tian.

Not long after Liu Wei and Yuan Jingxian appeared, several teams of varying numbers walked out from the Golden Roc Hall. Some teams only consisted of two or three people, while others had as many as a dozen people. These teams had one thing in common; there was at least one person in the team who was either at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage or at the peak of Qi Cultivation.

Speaking of which, cultivators at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage could still be considered to be in the Qi Cultivation Period, but it’s not exactly the same, hence they are referred to as half-step Foundation Establishment. Although they have already set foot into the Foundation Establishment Stage, they still fall short when compared to those in the actual stage. Such cultivators are in an uncomfortable state, akin to only eating half a meal. The hunger felt when half-full and half-hungry is even more unbearable than being completely famished.

Under normal circumstances, cultivators only reach the half-step Foundation Establishment stage due to some deficiencies in their conditions, lack of talent or other reasons, causing their realm to stall at this stage for a while. Those who are truly extraordinary don’t need to spend time in the half-step Foundation Establishment or half-step Golden Core stages. They either pass these phases swiftly or almost negligible time at these stages.

There are not many who can fall into this category. For instance, Mansion Master Xiao Xiaowu didn’t stay in the half-step Foundation Establishment stage for more than a few days. Huang Liuyan spent even less time than Xiao Xiaowu. There is also that missing Wang Shaofeng who also breezed through it. But these types of people are in the minority. Most cultivators, even those selected as the elite inner disciples of Golden Roc Hall stand out among their peers due to their superior talent. However, when compared to Xiao Xiaowu and Huang Liuyan, they fall short and begrudgingly halt temporarily at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage. But according to the historical experience of the Imperial Master Mansion, nearly all of the half-step Foundation Establishment disciples from the Golden Roc Hall could break through to the Foundation Establishment stage in a short period, ranging from a few months to not more than ten years.

Compared with the prolonged lifespan of 200 years in the Foundation Establishment stage, this window of time is insignificant. However, most cultivators are impatient. The benefits of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage as early as possible are just too great. Therefore, practically all cultivators stuck in the half-step Foundation Establishment stage are eager for a spiritual elixir or miracle medicine that can hasten their advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage. The existence of the Foundation Establishment pill provides them with such an opportunity to drastically reduce their half-step Foundation Establishment period. Historically, there have been multiple cases of half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators consuming the Foundation Establishment pill and directly advancing to the Foundation Establishment Stage, and even numerous instances where Qi Cultivation Peak cultivators consumed it to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, the herbal ingredients required to make the Foundation Establishment pill are very hard to find. Many people, even when they know that others have the herbs to make the pill, would not sell it to them, or even refuse to exchange information. The mentality of “if I can’t have it, neither can you” is quite widespread.

Now, Qi Tian had fittingly challenged people at the Golden Roc Hall with the Purple Fire Fruit and Sha Mu Thorn, immediately grabbing the attention of the Imperial Master Mansion disciples who intended to concoct the Foundation Establishment pill. They have all taken action, whether willingly or unwillingly. Their desire to get the Purple Fire Fruit and Sha Mu Thorn was no less than that of He Xiaojian. Some of them even contemplated the idea of seizing forcefully like He Xiaojian, but were deterred by Qi Tian’s surprising strength, Luo Xia’s personal intervention, and the presence of two people who kept a watchful eye, thus ensuring that no second He Xiaojian emerged.

Qi Tian mentally tallied the number of teams that had emerged. There were thirteen. Each team represented a different interest group, all with many supporters behind the scenes.

Qi Tian cupped his hands and made a bow towards the group, saying, “Qi Tian greets all senior brothers and sisters.”

None of the people who had come out were in the Foundation Establishment stage. After all, they were at the entrance of the Golden Roc Hall, and they didn’t need to show up themselves to ensure that Qi Tian would abide by the rules and conduct himself properly.

“The sudden appearance of so many senior brothers and sisters made me quite nervous. But amidst this anxiety, I am somewhat secretly delighted. My plan to challenge and gamble with others finally has a chance of coming to fruition. Senior brothers and sisters, who will come first?” Qi Tian said unhurriedly.

“Qi Tian, are you sure you won’t sell the Purple Fire Fruit and Sha Mu Thorn? If you name a reasonable price, even if it’s a bit high, I can figure out a way to pay you.” A woman who had achieved Half-step Foundation spoke up. She was dressed lavishly and of high status, clearly someone who was not lacking in money.

Qi Tian smiled and said, “Since someone wants to buy, I am not a person who denies others opportunities. If someone offers me ten thousand spirit stones, I will sell them the Purple Fire Fruit and Sha Mu Thorn. Are there any senior brothers or sisters who wish to buy?”

The surroundings were filled with gasps. The disciples of the Golden Roc Hall knew very well the value of spirit stones. No one could afford such a large amount on their own. Even if everyone contributed together, it was doubtful they could gather five thousand. Spirit stones were hard to come by in the world of cultivation within the whole Great Zhao, let alone in the Imperial Master Mansion. They were all struggling to accumulate enough for their own cultivation, let alone use them as currency.

Qi Tian shrugged his shoulders regretfully. He genuinely wanted to sell the Purple Fire Fruit and Sha Mu Thorn. Although the price of ten thousand spirit stones was undoubtedly far more than the worth of the Purple Fire Fruit and Sha Mu Thorn, if Qi Tian continued to use them as bait, he could definitely fetch a price no lower than ten thousand spirit stones. All things considered, selling for only ten thousand spirit stones was rather a loss on his part.

“Since no one is willing to offer a price I find suitable to buy the Purple Fire Fruit and Sha Mu Thorn. I’m sorry, brothers and sisters, if you want them, there is only one way left. That is to follow the rules of the game I set, gamble with me, win and you can take the Purple Fire Fruit and Sha Mu Thorn. If you lose, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to leave behind your bet.” Qi Tian announced.

The dozens of teams that had gathered around him, as well as the disciples of the Golden Roc Hall who were spectating, surrounded Qi Tian so closely that even water couldn’t trickle through. After listening to his demand, a loud murmur immediately erupted from the crowd.

Qi Tian, unmovable as a mountain, laughed, “Who’s willing to gamble with me? I should remind everyone, don’t hesitate, there’s only one set of Purple Fire Fruit and Sha Mu Thorn. If you don’t want it, if you pass it up, someone else will defeat me, take the first step and snatch it. Then, there will be none left for you.”

Being well-versed in the ways of the world, Qi Tian began to stir the pot. He voiced the worries of the surrounding disciples of the Golden Roc Hall. Almost immediately, someone stepped forward.

“Qi Tian, I’ll fight you.”

“I’ll fight you, Qi Tian, choose me, I’m the weakest of all the Half-step Foundation ones in the Golden Roc Hall. I’m only a bit stronger than He Xiaojian. Fighting me, you won’t be cheated, you won’t be deceived.”

“Qi Tian, choose me. I’m a girl, with delicate hands like jade, weak as a chicken, defeating me would be the easiest.”

…

For a moment, all sorts of appeals arose. Everyone hoped that Qi Tian would choose them so that they could seize the opportunity to wrest the Purple Fire Fruit and Sha Mu Thorn from his hands before the others, thereby eliminating the chances of others getting them.