195: The conference began

"Welcome, friends from the Central Divine Land, to the 236th Zhengdao Kui Shou Competition."

"Since everyone has traveled thousands of miles to our Sect to participate in the competition, I'm sure you don't want to hear Zhang's nonsense. The rules remain unchanged from previous years. We will proceed with the first round of the competition. Representatives from each participating power, please come forward to draw lots."

Zhang Wudao stood on the high platform of the Supreme Dao Sect's competition grounds, his gaze sweeping across all the contestants and spectating Cultivators. He wore a smile and spoke in a calm tone.

It seemed that this session of the Zhengdao Kui Shou Competition was being hosted by him, the Vice Sect Master of the Supreme Dao Sect.

"I'll go draw the lots. Everyone, get ready. The first round will begin immediately after the drawing, which will determine the top six."

After reminding everyone, Zhou Muxi rose and flew toward the high platform. The other participating powers also sent representatives to draw lots.

A total of twelve Righteous Path powers were participating, covering almost all the major forces in the Central Divine Land.

The rules were simple: Sects would compete against each other, and the winning Sect would advance to the next round until the rankings of all Sects were finalized.

Before long, Zhou Muxi returned to the Haoran Righteousness Sect's team, brandishing the token in her hand, which had the number 'one' written on it.

"Arena number one. Let's go and see who our opponent is."

There were six matches in the first round, held simultaneously across six arenas. Besides the Saint Realm Expert referees sent by the Central Divine Land, over a million spectators were watching, ensuring no foul play was possible.

Led by Zhou Muxi, Mo Tianxiao and the others arrived at Arena One on the massive square, where another Sect had already arrived.

"The Haoran Righteousness Sect!?"

"What luck. It looks like we can only aim for the bottom six."

Upon seeing that their opponent was the Haoran Righteousness Sect, the opposing Sect immediately relaxed, as the outcome was already a foregone conclusion.

Facing a Sect that had consistently ranked second for several sessions, the contestants from the Liushui Sect had already given up.

After all, their original goal wasn't to fight Sects with Saint Realm Experts; their true opponents should have been the other Sects that also lacked a Saint Realm Expert.

"It seems there's a story behind this lot-drawing."

Mo Tianxiao looked at the opposing Sect and grumbled inwardly.

Was drawing lots even necessary? They should just eliminate all the Sects without Saint Realm Experts directly instead of going through this pointless process.

Zhou Muxi chuckled, "Don't underestimate these Sects. Aside from lacking Saint Realm Experts, their strength in other areas isn't weak."

"Oh? So will we lose?" Mo Tianxiao glanced at her.

Zhou Muxi stared at Mo Tianxiao, "While they aren't weak, they're still quite far behind a Sect like ours."

"Obviously."

"Since they don't have much strength, let the others handle this round. I'll just watch and see how the process goes."

Mo Tianxiao felt there was no need for him to act against such a Sect; the people Zhou Muxi brought were more than enough.

Zhou Muxi nodded, "As you wish. It's good to hide your strength anyway, since it's not the finals yet."

"I want to join in for fun too. Can you arrange a match for me?"

Huang Xiaoyao quickly raised her hand, her small face full of excitement.

She didn't often see such grand occasions and wanted to go up and have some fun.

Zhou Muxi looked at Huang Xiaoyao and the others, smiling, "Little sister's strength is certainly sufficient. If Sister Yun wants to participate, I can arrange it for you as well."

Huang Xiaoyao and Yun Sangyi, one at the Late Stage of the Dharma Idol Realm and the other at the Peak of the Primordial Spirit Realm, were more than enough to secure two victories. Zhou Muxi naturally didn't want to waste these two combatants.

Yun Sangyi glanced at Mo Tianxiao as if asking for his opinion. Unknowingly, she had subconsciously come to feel that she needed Mo Tianxiao's approval for such matters.

"Go if you want to. Just remember not to use the Blood God Palace's techniques."

Mo Tianxiao sent a voice transmission to remind her.

Yun Sangyi nodded slowly, "I will follow Elder Zhou's arrangements."

Zhou Muxi glanced at Mo Tianxiao with a deep look, feeling curious. This guy's way of managing people seemed to be quite something.

"The Zhengdao Kui Shou Competition officially begins. All participating powers, please begin the matches according to the procedure."

As the various powers got ready, the first round of the competition commenced.

Starting with combat strength matches, there were eleven bouts in total. However, due to the current state of the matching mechanism, a few unlucky Sects without Saint Realm Experts were all matched against Sects that had them, meaning the combat matches were destined to be one match fewer.

Half a month passed in a flash. The combat matches concluded, and the Sects began the auxiliary profession competitions.

The Liushui Sect, competing against the Haoran Righteousness Sect, couldn't even assemble experts for the four major auxiliary professions. Aside from hiring a Top-tier Alchemist and a Top-Tier Formation Master as external help, they didn't even have top-tier representatives for the other two professions.

Without exception, the Haoran Righteousness Sect successfully advanced.

Top-tier Alchemists like Zhou Muxi and Mo Tianxiao didn't even need to act. Just Old Man Jiu, the deacon who had joined the Haoran Righteousness Sect's Alchemy Hall, won the Top-tier Alchemist match against the opponent.

The first round of matches took a month to conclude.

"The real show is about to begin."

"What follows is the true battle for the leader of the righteous path. I wonder who will take the title this session?"

"Is there even a need to ask? It'll definitely be the Supreme Dao Sect again. They've been first for several consecutive sessions. Aside from the Haoran Righteousness Sect, which can put up a fight, the other powers are simply no match for them."

"It's hard to say. I feel the Haoran Righteousness Sect has a great chance of winning this time. Didn't you see that Elder Zhou is leading the team herself? She's already at the Peak Sage Realm; she's likely determined to win the title of leader of the righteous path this time."

"The Saint of the Supreme Dao Sect is also at the Peak Sage Realm. It's truly hard to say who the leader will be this session."

In the spectator stands, numerous viewers were discussing frantically, some placing bets and others cheering.

High in the void, three old men sat cross-legged in a small pavilion. Two were playing chess while one watched from the side.

"Little Friend Qingwei, your chess skills have improved, but unfortunately, you're still a step behind. This game is mine."

"Senior's chess skills are indeed formidable. It seems the title of leader of the righteous path might change hands this session."

"It's just an empty title; it doesn't matter who takes it. However, I promised the Zhou girl that if the Haoran Righteousness Sect wins this session, I will hand the Haoran Righteousness Sect over to her."

"Is that so? Senior is truly generous."

Daoist Qingwei poured three cups of tea and handed them to the two in front of him. "Speaking of which, the time is almost here. I wonder if you two Seniors have any thoughts?"

"Hahahaha, I know my Aptitude is shallow, so I'll stay behind. You're young and full of drive, but for me, guarding the Xuanhuang World is enough."

The other old man also spoke slowly, "I originally wanted to try along with Little Friend Qingwei, but unfortunately... you know what our lineage is best at. I spent five hundred years of my Lifespan to divine my future, and the result was certain death."

"Staying in the Xuanhuang World offers a glimmer of hope."

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