821 Time for the Young People to Step Up

Everyone kept their eyes on Mu Qingfeng. Many of them looked doubtful but they mostly approved of Mu Qingfeng's words.

After all, Mu Qingfeng had mentioned that other than the Five Sects of the Holy Region, the minor sects had a stake in this as well. "Conducting examinations is not practical." Mu Qingfeng had been listening to the mutterings of members in the audience. He closed his eyes for a moment before continuing to speak. "After all, even the cultivation methods of the Five Sects are rather different. Thus, I suggest that we organise a fighting tournament!""Fighting tournament?" Everyone was slightly taken aback."How are we going to organise a fighting tournament?" "I don't think we could start a war now, could we? Also, there are so many sects. How much time would we waste on a fighting tournament?""Most importantly, we can't' hold it up here on the Heaven's Peak either!"Everyone present was confused. After all, a fighting tournament required judges and a good location. Also, no one wanted a massacre to take place at the Heaven Alliance Meeting."Pavilion Master Mu, how do you suggest we do it? In terms of swordplay, I, Mo Shanshi, cannot match up to you. However, I fear no one when it comes to the setting up of formations!" Mo Shanshi narrowed his eyes. He obviously disagreed with Mu Qingfeng. "You misunderstand me, Valley Master Mo." Mu Qingfeng shook his head and raised up both of his hands to call for silence."The fighting tournament that I suggest won't be between the leaders of the Five Sects.""If not the leaders of the Five Sects, then who?""That's right. If the leaders of the Five Sects do not participate, even if we do manage to choose an enforcer, he wouldn't have the authority to lead the masses.""Yeah, how do you lead the masses without invested authority?"The members of the audience fell into a heated discussion among themselves once more. After all, the point of the tournament was to choose a person who would serve as policymaker and law enforcer of the martial arts fraternity.Such a person… Had to be one of the leaders of the Five Sects or even one of the leaders of the minor sects. Otherwise, how would he be able to make policies and enforce laws?Mu Qingfeng broke out into a smile and turned to Chi Guyan, who was standing behind him."What I meant was that it would harm the harmonious relationship between the various sects if the sect leaders took part in the tournament. Also, it would be difficult to decide on winners. What we should do is to let the younger generation participate in our stead!""The younger generation?!" Everyone stared at Mu Qingfeng. Then, they turned to look at Chi Guyan. They were all beginning to understand Mu Qingfeng's words."So Pavilion Master Mu intends to let the younger martial artists represent their respective sects in the tournament?" Mo Shanshi had understood what Mu Qingfeng was getting at. "Mm, we'll set the age limit of participants to be below 30 years of age. This will be a good test of the future leadership of our sects. Besides, this would also give the minor sects an opportunity to stand out." Mu Qingfeng nodded. "I support Pavilion Leader Mu's decision!""So do I""Letting the younger generation take part in this tournament is for the best!"The various sect leaders shared a look with each other before three of them spoke out in support of Mu Qingfeng's suggestion. Just as he said, this was an opportunity for the minor sects.After all, no one wanted to live forever in the shadows of another. Moreover, the leaders of the Five Sects would undoubtedly dominate the competition if they took part in the tournament, which would defeat the tournament's purpose. The minor sects had a much greater chance of offering a successful candidate if the younger members competed instead.The tournament age limit of 30 years of age and below was fair. Mo Shanshi was quiet now.He knew that Mu Qingfeng wanted to let the younger generation of martial artists distinguish themselves. "Is it because of Chi Guyan?" Mo Shanshi looked at Chi Guyan knowingly. In terms of talent… Chi Guyan was unrivalled by leaps and bounds in the Holy Region.However, Chi Guyan was very young at only 17 years of age. Besides, she had not yet managed to break through to the Sage State.This was a key point to note. "I agree with Pavilion Leader Mu's suggestion. However, I want to make a small request!" Mo Shanshi was silent for a moment before he spoke."Please go ahead, Valley Master Mo." Mu Qingfeng replied casually. "If we are talking about giving the younger generation a chance, we'll have to be more inclusive. I suggest that the victory requirements be two wins out of three rounds, what do you say?" Mo Shanshi's lips curled up into a cold smile. However powerful Gu Chiyan was, she was only one person. It would be gruelling for a person who had not yet attain the Sage State to defeat one who was already at that level, much less achieve consecutive victories. "Two wins out of three rounds?""Yes. With this requirement, the rules would be more relaxed. The various sects could send out one competitor each, or even three!""Mm, Valley Master Mo makes sense!" Mo Shanshi's suggestion was quickly seconded by another sect leader. After all, there was strength in numbers. If a sect could not win another through a one-on-one fight, they would send several competitors to take turns in fighting the opponent so as to tire him out."I agree with Valley Leader Mo as well. Two wins out of three rounds would increase the fairness of this proposed tournament!" Another sect leader had spoken out. "Yes, I agree too!""Yes!""The judges will come from the Five Sects. They will decide on the victor."Very quickly, the other sect leaders began to speak out. Although they were unsure if they could win the Five Sects, it was their only chance to turn the tables. Mu Qingfeng frowned and turned to look at Chi Guyan without speaking. His displeasure was apparent from the questioning look on his face. After all, he had wanted the victor to be decided in just one round. To make sure that things went his way, he had tried to appeal to the other sect leaders and even raised the tournament age limit to 30 years of age. He had already done his best for the sake of ensuring a "fair fight".Now, things were not going in accordance with his plans. The results of the tournament would no longer be in his control if more fighting rounds were included. There was an exponential difference between the effort required to go through one fight and that required to go through two fights and beyond. Chi Guyan was aware of Mu Qingfeng's considerations. However, things did not always fall into place. There was no way that someone would always be in control.Chi Guyan did not speak but she nodded to convey her wishes to Mu Qingfeng."Alright, I will agree to Valley Master Mo's suggestion. Two wins out of three rounds it shall be. Does anyone else have anything to say?" Mu Qingfeng saw the nod from Chi Guyan and gritted his teeth before speaking. "I have no objections." A voice came from the Yin Yang Hall camp. It was Dao Hun."I have no objections either." Qian Yu turned to look at Ping Yang beside her before nodding slightly in agreement. "Mm." The new leader of Nine Pinnacles Mountain, Bai Fei, nodded curtly as well. "SInce everyone agrees, we shall begin. I, together with the leaders from the other Four Sects will form the panel of judges. The order of fighting will be decided through the drawing of lots. The minor sects are free to sign up for this tournament." Mu Qingfeng announced. "Sign up?" The other sect leaders quietened down and looked at each other. They were all waiting for someone among them to speak out. After all, none of them actually dared to pit themselves against the Five Sects. "Sign up if you want to. How do you expect the Five Sects to ever listen to you all if you can't even deal with losses?" Mo Shanshi smiled coldly at the silent people from the minor sects. They had been so excited only a moment ago. "Losses?" A minor sect leader had detected the hidden meaning in Mo Shanshi's words and swallowed the words that he had been planning to say. "This is a fighting tournament. Injuries and deaths are inevitable. What is there to be surprised about?" Mo Shanshi cast a sweeping glance over the people from the minor sects."Deaths…" The minor sect leaders were speechless. They could hear the concealed threat in Mo Shanshi's voice. Nevertheless, this was not entirely unexpected. After all, the Five Sects of the Holy Region had never held the minor sects in high regard.Of course, there was nothing wrong with what Mo Shanshi was saying. Injuries and deaths were indeed common in fighting tournaments. The problem was if they could afford to sustain these injuries and deaths among their membership. The future of these minor sects hinged on every one of their younger members, especially talented ones. Three young members from each sect… That was virtually all they had. "We, the Black Sky Palace, will not be taking part in the tournament!""The Red Rainbow Sect isn't taking part either!""The Purple Flame Realm… hehe, we're content being bystanders. We'll let the Five Sects sort this out among themselves.""We're giving up too.""We give up."Many of the minor sect leaders had spoken. They did not want to admit it but they were well aware that nothing good would ever come out of involving themselves in a conflict with the Five Sects."Cowards, all of you. We, the Xuanji Sect, will take up the challenge!" A voice rang out from the crowd. A figure stepped forward. It was a man in his forties. He wore a black robe and carried nine swords on his back. Three other people followed behind him. They were youths in their twenties comprising two men and a woman. A savage aura emanated from their bodies. This was the leader of the Xuanji Sect, Zu Lian. He was also known as Thousand Changes. "The Xuanji Sect?!""The Xuanji Sect has stepped forward. Well, perhaps only the Xuanji Sect has the strength to do so!""Yes, the influence of the Xuanji Sect is widespread in the War Pinnacle and Radiant Moon Empires. It can lay a claim to being the sixth most powerful sect in the Holy Region!"The members of the other minor sects were slightly surprised to see the Xuanji Sect step forward but it was not entirely unexpected. The Xuanji Sect was powerful in their own right. "We, the Shadow Sect, will sign up as well." Just as the crowd was focusing their attention on the people from the Xuanji Sect, a bright voice rang out."Shadow Sect?""They are going to sign up too?""I heard that the Shadow Sect was involved in a battle with the Heaven Dao Pavilion a few months ago. It seems that the Shadow Sect has been working on getting stronger in the past few years!"The members of the audience looked around in surprise. Before long, they had caught sight of a figure walking out of the Great Xia Empire camp. It was a lady. Her fair skin and flowing hair were accentuated by the small piece of cinnabar she wore on her forehead. She looked lovely but no one dared to treat her in a frivolous manner. Everyone knew that the Shadow Sect was headed by a woman. It was this woman who was keeping a vast organisation together. Her name was Wu Yuer. "To think that the low-lying Shadow Sect is beginning to rise. It seems that we'll have to look you in the eye in a few years!" The leader of the Xuanji Sect, Zu Lian, was unhappy at being upstaged by Wu Yuer and spoke to her in a condescending tone. "A sparrow will not understand the ambitions of a swan." Wu Yuer looked Zu Lian in the eye before turning away disdainfully. "Wu Yuer, how dare you speak to me in this way? You might be the leader of the Shadow Sect but I have seniority over you. Has no one taught you how to respect your elders?" Zu Lian's eyes flashed in anger. After all, there was bad blood between the Xuanji Sect and the Shadow Sect. The Xuanji Sect was only influential in the War Pinnacle and Radiant Moon Empires because of the existence of the Shadow Sect in the Four Great Empires. In the past, the Shadow Sect was but a lowly existence. They eked out a living by running small businesses and had a reputation among the sects for not engaging in honest work. However, in the past two years or so, the Shadow Sect had extended its claws towards the Four Great Empires, thus encroaching on the territories of the Xuanji Sect. The incident that had incurred the most hatred from Zu Lian was something involving a biscuit.