Chapter 50 - 50 Sword Pavilion Meeting 1
As the master of The Great River District, the Yu Ding Sword Sect’s Sword Pavilion was usually inconspicuous in this place.
The only noticeable moment was when collecting the monthly rent, which often left the local rogue cultivators grumbling under their breath.
As for the Zhong Ding Family established by the Yu Ding Sword Sect, it was nothing more than a tavern.
With people coming and going, and the worldly atmosphere being so strong, there were times when even the cultivators who visited couldn’t associate Zhong Ding Family with the Yu Ding Sword Sect.
Therefore, even though the Yu Ding Sword Pavilion was the most conspicuous high-rise building in The Great River District, it was far less prominent in the minds of local rogue cultivators than places like Spirit Medicine Hall and Wanbao Pavilion.
But after today, everyone would have to acknowledge the lofty Sword Pavilion that towered like a high tower.
There were three days left before the commencement of the Dao Debate Platform.
Inside the Sword Pavilion, a determined-looking man sat high up in a golden robe, displaying the mighty aura of a Golden Core Ascendant Master.
His name was Pang Renxiong, a Golden Core Ascendant Master from the Yu Ding Sword Sect.
Beneath him were startlingly eight Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Seven of them had just rushed over from the sect, and the other one was the External Sect Steward stationed here.
Sitting at the top, Pang Renxiong remained silent.
Below him, Steward Miao had already respectfully started to report various affairs.
“The joint trade fair of our district with Xuelian District, Taishan District, Liuguang District, and Lancang District will start tomorrow. The city’s big formation will then be fully activated. The entrance fee for the city is temporarily set at one Lower Grade Spirit Stone. This trade fair will continue for seven days, enhancing our cooperation and communication with the other four districts.”
“After the inauguration of the Dao Debate Platform, the auction appointed by the sect will also start. The participation criteria is Late Stage Qi Refinement to below Nascent Soul. At that time, Luo Tianhong will be the host, and Elder Pang, you are also requested to oversee the event.”
The man sitting above nodded, his expression remaining solemn as before.
Although it was said to be below Nascent Soul, in reality, the number of Golden Core Cultivators participating in this auction wouldn’t be too many.
Based on the information he had received, there were only four or five.
He alone was more than enough to control the scene.
This level of auction was mainly aimed at Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
He glanced around, and one knowledgeable Inner Sect Foundation Establishment Cultivator immediately stepped forward.
“Tianhong will surely fulfill this task successfully!”
Next, he briefly mentioned the various important items that would be part of the auction.
Some precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures needed to be strictly arranged according to their value for the auction sequence.
Otherwise, if there were any no-sale or low-price items, it would be a loss for their Yu Ding Sword Sect.
“If it is conducted successfully, then it will become a regular event, with a big river auction held every ten years.”
Pang Renxiong decided over this matter, and Luo Tianhong, who was in charge of the auction, couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Such an event could generate a substantial profit.
He absolutely couldn’t make any mistakes.
Fortunately, the Luo Family was famous in the Yu Ding Sect for their extensive knowledge and experience in managing such events.
“The main focus should be on the inauguration of the Dao Debate Platform,” Pang Renxiong added.
Steward Miao quickly nodded, “All the preparations for the inauguration have been made, and the process is as follows.”
As he described, the original cause and process of this inauguration of The Great River District Dao Debate Platform were all detailed.
From the initial investment to the construction progress, this time they did away with the Array Masters from Tian Fan City, and fully employed the Array Masters from the Yu Ding Sect. Among them, the Ailao Mountain Cultivators from the Yu Ding Realm had a high level of participation.
Next was the fact that before the inauguration, most of the invitation letters sent out had received responses.
Dozens of Immortal Cultivation Clans from nearby, representatives of forces from seven marketplaces, would all come to attend the ceremony at that time. The final point was centered on the various programs during the inauguration.
“The music and dance section is delegated to the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, a subsidiary of the Hehuan Sect. They are responsible for warming up the venue and performing various shows in between.”
“The battle between a man and a beast is scheduled at the beginning. At that time, we will put in three slightly weak Second Order Demon Beasts. Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators have already signed up to participate in this battle. In addition to all the materials from the killed beasts, the victor’s prize will also include a top-grade magic tool, a Qi Unifying Pill and a Sword Pill that our sect has refined.”
“The eighteen death duels between local gangs are a program I recently added. Although it’s only a battle between Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators, due to the life and death nature of it, it is just as exciting as the Second Order man-beast battle.”
When he mentioned this, the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators also became interested.
Most of these Foundation Establishment Cultivators emerged in the last two or three hundred years.
All were sword cultivators, and they sought battles.
But in reality, their battles in recent years were predominantly against demon beasts.
The battles among cultivators were often more of a sparring nature.
Now, the chance to see a large-scale deathmatch between cultivators would pique anyone’s interest.
“I heard from Sun Shou that this time it’s not as simple as a fight between two gangs?” Luo Tianhong asked curiously.
Steward Miao nodded, “Indeed, the Great Lake Gang has the backing of the Lianyun Business Union.”
Mentioning the Lianyun Business Union, Luo Tianhong and the other two cultivators were genuinely taken aback.
“You mean the rogue cultivator alliance that arose two hundred years ago? I heard that they already have over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators.”
Over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators – this amount of power was no longer small.
They were only missing a powerful Golden Core leader, otherwise they would be on par with a medium-sized sect.
“Yes, they were also one of the first business alliances to settle in The Great River District, and they always know their place. They don’t compete with us for mainstream heavenly materials and earthly treasures.”
Steward Miao nodded and continued, “So this time, we didn’t interfere with them and just let them fight.”
“So, the Broken Mountain Gang is bound to lose then?”
“Most probably! I have looked at the list of participants submitted by both sides. The cultivators sent out by the Broken Mountain Gang really can’t make it to the stage.”
Steward Miao casually passed out seven lists. Everyone looked at them and burst into laughter.
The Broken Mountain Gang had sent out all sorts of unqualified individuals, including even those at the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement.
Steward Miao thought for a moment, then spoke seriously, “But victory or defeat is not absolute. After all, they are a group of rogue cultivators who live in the mountains every day. They will fight to death without hesitation.”
“That’s great. The more intense the battle, the easier it is to stir up the atmosphere of the audience,” Luo Tianhong laughed.
The others also smiled, creating a relaxed atmosphere, all looking forward to the upcoming battle.
Perhaps not liking this relaxed atmosphere, Pang Renxiong above snorted.
“Miao Zhen, is the Sky Pride List ready?”
Steward Miao’s expression tightened, and he quickly nodded.
“The magic item has been nurtured in the foundation of the Luofeng Mountain Dao Debate Platform for a hundred years. There will be no mistakes at that time.”
Pang Renxiong said deeply, “It will be good if there are no mistakes. If there are problems, you all can’t afford to take the responsibility.”
Everyone instinctively lowered their heads.
The Dao Debate Platform is not only a significant part of the Yu Ding Sect’s business, but it also involves the strategic planning of the Yu Ding Sword Sect’s external talent recruitment.
The Yu Ding Sword Sect is a sect mainly based on master-disciple inheritance. Even if there are some small clans within the sect, none of them hold any influence.
The main reason is that the sword cultivation path has extremely high requirements for cultivator’s aptitude.
Therefore, over the years, even though the Yu Ding Sword Sect has established itself in this realm, the number of cultivators within the sect has not been able to increase.
As a result, the Yu Ding Sword Sect’s control over the Yu Ding Realm has never been solid.
For this reason, the upper echelons of the Yu Ding Sword Sect made a plan.
That is to implement Dao Debate Platforms throughout the realm.
The function of the Dao Debate Platforms is similar to that of the secular arenas.
It mainly provides a fair place for those cultivators who like combat.
The victor will gain fame and cultivation resources, and at the same time, be listed on the Sky Pride List.
The Sky Pride List is tallied once a year. Those with high rankings will not only receive a large number of rewards, but will also have the opportunity to join the Yu Ding Sword Sect.
Either as an External Sect Steward or as an inner sect disciple.
Those who meet the aptitude requirements will also be chosen by the Golden Core cultivators to assist in advancing to become Foundation Establishment True Disciples.
This is the plan of the Yu Ding Sword Sect. Through the Dao Debate Platform, not only can they earn Spirit Stones, but they can also find excellent talents to cover the deficiency in the number of cultivators in the sect.
As long as they develop properly, they can better control the Yu Ding Realm.
Of course, things like this and the atmosphere of combative debates need to be cultivated over a long period of time.
And the performance at the time of opening will also set a good tone for future development.
They discussed a few other matters and the Sword Pavilion meeting was about to end.
Before the meeting adjourned, Pang Renxiong solemnly mentioned a point.
“Manage the rogue cultivators in the outer city, especially those calamity cultivators who like to kill for loot. Catch and deal with each one as they are found. Don’t let these calamity cultivators tarnish the reputation of The Great River District..”