Chapter 55: The Xuanwu City Tournament of Chosen Prodigies (Part 8)

As Xing Tianjia was forced to withdraw, the contestants in the Emperor Realm quickly realized how formidable Li Yuanyuan was, and consequently, no one dared to challenge her rashly thereafter. When the battles concluded, Li Yuanyuan smoothly claimed first place in the Emperor Realm.

Seeing that all rank-based competitions had ended, the host of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion assembly stepped back onto the arena stage and announced in a resounding voice, "Respected victorious prodigies, we will now commence the second round of contention. The rules remain unchanged, with no age restrictions. Those who successfully challenge upwards shall have their rewards doubled. I now declare the second round of the elite challenge match officially underway!"

Scarcely had the host's voice faded when the victors of the Origin Pill Realm began challenging the victors of the Heavenly Spirit Realm. Given such challenge rules, few managed to succeed; after all, the victors of each major realm were by no means weak. Within the Origin Pill Realm, only Qin Tian succeeded in his challenges, his hands practically overflowing with rewards. Aside from Jiang Qian, whom he chose not to challenge, Qin Tian took down all the other nine opponents, instantly drawing roaring cheers from the onlookers.

Following this, Jiang Qian, Hu Ling'er, and Ye Wushuang also advanced triumphantly all the way, succeeding in their challenges, and their names instantly spread far and wide across Xuanwu City.

Next came the recruitment phase of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Naturally, they hoped to have Qin Tian, Jiang Qian, Hu Ling'er, Ye Wushuang, and Li Yuanyuan join the pavilion. However, without Liao Chen's nod of approval, the five of them would not casually consent.

"Elder Xu, it is not that we are unwilling to join the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, but our sect rules forbid us from joining any external factions!"

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Elder Xu. Accompanying our Master to Xuanwu City this time is merely passing through; we have no intention of joining other forces."

Jiang Qian and Li Yuanyuan directly rejected the invitation from Elder Xu of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Only then did Elder Xu realize that the five of them actually hailed from the exact same sect. Yet, faced with such peerless prodigies, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion was utterly unwilling to give up so easily, prompting Elder Xu to request an audience with their master. Right at that moment, Liao Chen arrived uninvited.

"Greetings, Master!" Upon seeing Liao Chen, the five disciples immediately cupped their fists and bowed in salute.

Elder Xu, standing nearby, had not expected the Master of Chengguang Sect to be so young. He could not even fathom the other party's cultivation realm, which instantly left him greatly astonished. He exclaimed in awe, "Sect Master Liao is truly young yet promising, with a cultivation base unfathomable to the extreme. This old man, Xu Zhiqing, is filled with utmost admiration!"

Seeing that Elder Xu wished to see him, Liao Chen smiled and said, "Elder Xu, a pleasure to meet you! I heard you wished to see me, so I came uninvited!"

Elder Xu laughed heartily and got straight to the point. "Indeed! This old man did wish to meet Sect Master Liao, though I never expected to have the supreme fortune of fellow Daoist granting me an audience. During this Prodigy Assembly, all five of your disciples effortlessly claimed first place, truly opening this old man's eyes. I wonder how your esteemed sect manages to nurture such extraordinary prodigies? I hope you might generously enlighten me."

Liao Chen chuckled politely and replied, "Actually, I haven't put much effort into teaching these disciples; it is merely that they are naturally gifted and work hard on their own!"

"Hahaha! If fellow Daoist Liao is unwilling to share, then so be it; I shall press no further. However, according to the traditions of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion's past prodigy assemblies, all victors are granted the opportunity to join our Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Since your five prodigies are constrained by sect rules and cannot join us, this old man has a somewhat presumptuous request: I hope the five young friends might become honorary patrons of our Myriad Treasures Pavilion. This position of honorary patron is merely a title; relying on this token, the five young friends can enjoy numerous benefits within our Myriad Treasures Pavilion—such as receiving discounts when purchasing items they desire, obtaining information completely free of charge, and even receiving special preferential treatment when consuming goods at any Myriad Treasures Pavilion establishment, and so forth." Elder Xu spoke eloquently, entirely unconcerned that Liao Chen might refuse.

Upon hearing this, Liao Chen asked with a hint of skepticism, "Elder Xu, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Pray tell, what responsibilities must one fulfill after becoming an honorary patron of your Myriad Treasures Pavilion?"

Elder Xu replied with a solemn expression, "Actually, as honorary patrons, you are not required to do anything for the Myriad Treasures Pavilion on ordinary days. However, we do hope that the five fellow Daoists might lend a helping hand should the Myriad Treasures Pavilion ever find itself in dire straits. Such a request cannot be considered too excessive, can it?"

Liao Chen nodded and said, "Indeed, it is not excessive at all! Since that is the case, let them all become honorary patrons of your Myriad Treasures Pavilion!"

Overjoyed, Elder Xu immediately cupped his fists and expressed his gratitude, "Many thanks, fellow Daoist Liao, for your generosity!"

With that, Elder Xu produced five golden honorary patron tokens and handed them respectively to Jiang Qian and the other four. After distributing the tokens, Elder Xu retrieved yet another pitch-black token and said, "Fellow Daoist Liao, this token is our pavilion's Supreme Patron Token. Holding this token, you can purchase anything at any of our pavilion's branches at a thirty percent discount. Furthermore, this token grants you the authority to summon Great Saint Realm experts of our pavilion to serve you. Please kindly accept it."

Liao Chen accepted the token and smiled, "Elder Xu, with an item of such immense value, surely you aren't just giving it to me for nothing?"

Elder Xu explained, "I perceive that fellow Daoist has boundless prospects ahead. Presenting this supreme token is simply to forge a favorable bond with you. Should the Myriad Treasures Pavilion ever face a devastating calamity, I merely hope that fellow Daoist might intervene just once. On ordinary days, no demands will be made of you."

Liao Chen had not expected the other party's request to be so straightforward. He nodded and said, "Very well, I shall accept this token. Elder Xu, if there is nothing else, we shall set off back to our sect. If fate permits, we shall meet again!"

"Farewell to all fellow Daoists!" Without further ado, Elder Xu cupped his fists and watched respectfully as Liao Chen and his party departed.

Scarcely had Liao Chen and his group left Xuanwu City when they were swiftly targeted. A band of Saint Realm experts surrounded them tightly. The leader was named Yao Tianba, the commander of the Northern Barbarian Mercenary Corps, whose subordinates were all experts of the Saint Realm and above. The number of people he brought totaled fifteen.

Liao Chen asked with a hint of curiosity, "Are you fellow Daoists intending to rob us?"

Yao Tianba sneered, "Brat, you're smart! Hand over the Saint Origin Pills and the netherworld shoreside flowers, and I can spare your lives!"

Liao Chen chuckled and replied, "We can hand over both the medicinal pills and the netherworld shoreside flowers, but I wonder where you all hail from and how I should address you?"

Yao Tianba proclaimed proudly, "Brat, what does it matter where we come from? To tell you the truth, we hail from the Mercenary Sanctuary of the Liyuan Continent, the City of Sin! I am Yao Tianba, commander of a three-star mercenary corps. Well? Do you realize how formidable this daddy is now?"

Originally, Yao Tianba assumed that upon hearing the reputation of his three-star mercenary corps, Liao Chen would be frightened out of his wits. Instead, Liao Chen wore a look of utter bewilderment, showing not the slightest trace of fear.

"Hey, brat, are you scared out of your mind? Quickly hand over the pills and spiritual herbs! Otherwise, I'll take your dog lives," a minor mercenary henchman loudly warned.

Liao Chen said coldly, "The medicinal pills and spiritual herbs are right on my person. If you have the ability, come and get them yourselves!"

Seeing that Liao Chen actually dared to toy with him, Yao Tianba grew rather furious and declared, "Good grief! Since you dare to play games with this daddy, you might as all go die! Brothers, slaughter them all, leave none alive!"

"Understood, Commander!" the mercenary members shouted in unison.

At this moment, the ones most anxious and terrified were Duan Yiming's parents. Originally, they had believed that joining the Chengguang Sect would allow them to live a life free from worries about food and clothing. Now, before they could experience even a single day of the good life, they were about to lose their lives at the hands of mercenaries, filling their hearts with a complex swirl of emotions. Leaving at this point was utterly out of the question; reason and sentiment alike forbade them from doing so. After all, Liao Chen had previously saved their lives, and if they were to flee now, their consciences would weigh heavily upon them.

Yet, if they were to drop to their knees and beg for mercy, it seemed somewhat too late. Since these mercenaries had surrounded them so tightly, they surely would not let a single person escape. In this plight, they could only pin their hopes on the experts of the Chengguang Sect successfully turning the tables and slaying these mercenaries.

Soon, the band of mercenaries launched their assault. Liao Chen signaled Jiuling and the others to make their move; these adversaries were mere Saint Realm cultivators and were simply unworthy of his personal intervention. Meanwhile, Qin Tian and Li Yuanyuan also requested to join the fray. Liao Chen reminded them, "Exercise caution!"

The two nodded, drew their weapons, and plunged into battle against the mercenaries.

Jiuling and the others possessed the cultivation base of the peak Great Saint Realm, making these mercenaries no match for them whatsoever. Soon enough, four of them were slain. Seeing this, Yao Tianba grew somewhat alarmed and prepared to capture Qin Tian and Jiang Qian to coerce Liao Chen into handing over the pills and spiritual herbs.

Jiuling quickly perceived Yao Tianba's intention and flashed directly before him, declaring, "Your opponent is me!"

Without waiting for Yao Tianba to reply, he raised his weapon and attacked. Only then did Yao Tianba realize that his opponent was no ordinary Saint Realm cultivator, but an expert on par with himself—a Great Saint Realm powerhouse.

Once Yao Tianba was intercepted, Jiang Qian, Hu Ling'er, and Ye Wushuang also requested permission to join the battle. Liao Chen nodded, signaling the three of them to likewise mind their safety.