Chapter 155: The Tournament Begins

Meng Youyou swayed her slender waist like a water snake, gracefully walking toward Jiang Li, her breath fragrant like orchids: “Of course it’s because I like you.”
The Holy Maiden Jingxin widened her eyes, heart trembling—th-this woman… does she have no shame?!
“Come, come, these are sunflower seeds unique to the Eastern Sea. The aftertaste lingers sweetly on your lips. And this big, juicy sea watermelon—refreshing and thirst-quenching.” The Eastern Sea Dragon King interrupted inappropriately, introducing his Eastern Sea specialties and sharing them around.
“I’ll take a bag of seeds,” Ji Zhi didn’t hold back, cracking them open right away.
“I’ll take half a slice of watermelon.”
“Come on, everyone have some melon,” the Eastern Sea Dragon King handed out watermelon and seeds, and everyone thanked him.
“Holy Maiden Jingxin, would you like a slice too?” the Dragon King asked warmly. The other three Dragon Kings quickly dragged their tactless big brother away—can’t he see the glare she’s giving him?
Though the Pure Land of the Mortal World had no Tribulation Stage cultivators and no sect-protecting Immortal Artifacts, it was still one of the Six Great Sects, unshakable. The reason: they possessed an Immortal Peach Tree capable of battle—its power unmatched.
If they really angered the Holy Maiden Jingxin and she brought the Immortal Peach Tree to smash the Dragon Palace—then what?
The Tower Master of Tianji Tower stared fixedly at Jiang Li, already plotting the headline for the next issue of Tianji News.
The Tower Master was Ji Zhi’s special guest, invited to commentate and analyze the tournament.
“Why do you like me?” Jiang Li asked, confused.
Meng Youyou’s gaze was seductive: “Of course because you’re strong. You’re the strongest in the Nine Provinces, the only one at the Mahayana Stage. As a woman, is it wrong to want a safe harbor?”
“Of course it’s wrong,” Jiang Li analyzed. “If you like me because I’m strong, then what you like isn’t me—it’s the Mahayana Stage.”
Meng Youyou was stunned: “But… aren’t you Mahayana Stage?”
“I am Mahayana Stage, but Mahayana Stage is not me. Do you get what I’m saying?”
Jiang Li said it as if it were obvious, a simple truth. Meng Youyou nodded instinctively.
“Then what I like is your resolve—you act with principles, stay true to your heart, unwavering.”
Jiang Li continued, “But I don’t like you right now. If I did, that would mean I’m no longer unwavering. And you wouldn’t like someone who’s lost their resolve.”
Meng Youyou thought for a moment before saying, “You uphold justice and act fairly. Since you became the Human Sovereign, the atmosphere across the Nine Provinces has lightened—less scheming and backstabbing.”
“Then you should like Ji Zhi. Sometimes I act with selfish intent—not exactly fair.”
“You’re well-read and knowledgeable?” Meng Youyou said, a little unsure.
Jiang Li still disagreed with her reasoning: “In terms of knowledge, I’m no match for Immortal Changcun. So you shouldn’t like me, but rather the old man himself.”
“I’ll ask you again—why do you like me?”
“Yeah… why do I like you?” Meng Youyou murmured, dazed, eyes confused. She was stuck, unable to come up with a single reply, instead falling into contemplation about the very reason she liked him.
It seemed like an incredibly difficult question. Meng Youyou was lost in thought, completely baffled.
Everyone turned their heads to look at Holy Maiden Jingxin. She had remained silent from the start, but now wore a lovely smile, chin slightly lifted—radiantly beautiful, as if she were the true winner.
The Holy Maiden Jingxin had chosen a path harder than Ascension itself. Everyone genuinely respected her.
“Have you found the right candidates?” Ji Zhi stepped forward to ask.
“Don’t worry—they’re the best of the best. You’ll be impressed for sure,” Jiang Li patted his chest, full of confidence.
“Then I’m reassured.” Ji Zhi had originally planned to use his Double Pupils to preview the tournament, but Jiang Li’s words filled him with anticipation—he was now content to wait.
“It’s been a long time, Human Sovereign Jiang.”
“Human Sovereign Jiang, still as dashing as ever.”
After the drama, everyone finally began greeting Jiang Li.
“It’s about time. Let’s get started,” Ji Zhi reminded everyone—Jiang Li had arrived practically on the dot.
The Great Zhou placed great importance on this tournament, pouring in massive resources to construct a colossal platform of solid refined stone. Even a Nascent Soul Stage attack couldn’t leave a scratch. If this stone were used in artifact refinement, who knows how many Spiritual Treasures it could produce.
Jiang Li and the others were seated on an elevated side section of the platform, able to see everything onstage as well as the surrounding audience.
“Cool winds in golden autumn, clear skies and bright days—in this season of hope and harvest, the grand tournament officially begins. First, on behalf of the Great Zhou Dynasty, I offer sincere thanks to all our honored guests, and heartfelt greetings to all participating cultivators…”
“…Fellow cultivators, the importance of Spiritual Treasures to us needs no explanation. Through the enlightenment of the Nine Provinces’ greatest treasure—the Yin-Yang Heaven Seal—our Spiritual Treasures have become smarter and more versatile. Our goal is mutual promotion and progress between cultivators and their treasures—to build a mutually beneficial and symbiotic relationship…”
Ji Zhi gave a speech on stage. Whether it was Jiang Li sitting beside him or the audience below, everyone was fighting off sleep.
At least Buddhist teachings, though soporific, bring insight—this long and clumsy speech, on the other hand, was utterly useless!
At that moment, everyone envied the Bodhisattva Elephant—eyes closed, who could say whether he was cultivating Heavenly Eye or just napping?
As they sat up on stage, cultivators below noticed them. Sleeping through Ji Zhi’s speech wasn’t exactly a good look.
“…Finally, I wish you all excellent performances and outstanding results!”
Ji Zhi finally finished, adding, “Let us now welcome the 72nd-generation Human Sovereign of the Human Sovereign Hall—Cultivator Jiang Li—for a speech.”
A sparse round of applause came from the audience.
Drowsy, Jiang Li stood up: “The tournament begins. Speech over.”
Thunderous applause erupted.
Tower Master Tianming Daoist of Tianji Tower, a peak Fusion Stage cultivator, was famous for loving Spirit Stones and playing all sides. Yet no one doubted his expertise. From Qi Refining to Fusion, from cultivation methods to tens of thousands of combat techniques—he knew it all like the back of his hand.
He was the perfect choice for commentary.
Ji Zhi hadn’t paid him much Spirit Stones—he simply promised to waive half of Tianji Tower’s taxes after the tournament.
Tianming Daoist happily agreed. Tianji Tower thrived in Great Zhou, but the high taxes pained him. Halving those taxes? He’d laugh himself awake.
Baize Emperor Baixue Ling would also have been a great commentator, but as a sovereign of her own nation—equal in status to Ji Zhi—it wouldn’t be appropriate to have her serve as a commentator.
The tournament was divided into Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul groups, and would proceed in that order. The Foundation Establishment cultivators would go first.
“The first match will be between Yunfan of Great Zhou’s Huayun Sect, and Hubone of the Baize Dynasty.”
The Huayun Sect was the first sect Jiang Li had joined, and the target location of his second system mission—where he was told to defeat Yunbo of Huayun Sect.
“Since his surname is Yun, he’s probably a descendant of Yunbo.” Seeing an old acquaintance’s legacy, Jiang Li showed a faint smile.