"The three of us naturally noticed the suspicious circumstances, but when the Mulan forces advanced earlier, they captured quite a few cultivators. Most of them were fellow cultivators from the Nine Nations Alliance, though not a few were also disciples dispatched from our various sects. According to the envoy, this batch numbers a full thousand people." Zhiyang Shangren said with a grim expression.
"What do you mean? Are they saying that if we refuse the wagered duel, they'll dare execute the prisoners? If so, aren't the Mulan people afraid we'll retaliate with other means?" Elder Kuang blurted out in shock.
"The envoy didn't explicitly say they'd execute the prisoners, but he kept saying they were giving us a chance to rescue these cultivators. Ten rounds of wagered duels — in addition to staking these materials, they'll add over a hundred captured cultivators for each round. As long as we win, those people will be released," Zhiyang Shangren continued.
Upon hearing this, the old monsters present exchanged glances.
At first glance, these thousand-plus cultivators didn't seem like many, and most were low-level cultivators with unremarkable cultivation — it seemed like there was no reason to be coerced by the other side. But if anyone actually proposed not rescuing them, they would immediately become the target of everyone's censure.
After all, these cultivators themselves weren't particularly important, but the families and sects — large and small — they represented were exceedingly numerous. Moreover, quite a few of them had been captured by the Mulan people while trying to stall the offensives of the Dharma Masters. If they weren't rescued, the army's morale would suffer a severe blow before the battle even began, and the low-level cultivators would become deeply disheartened. Many of them would no longer fight with everything they had.
"I never expected these barbarians from the grasslands to come up with such a scheme. In their previous invasions, they rarely resorted to stratagems, but this time their opening move is truly sinister. Even knowing it's a trap, we have no choice but to jump in," Long Han sighed, expressing his agreement.
Everyone understood Long Han's words. They all felt equally helpless, silently cursing the cunning of the Mulan people.
"It seems everyone understands — whether we want to or not, we must accept this wagered duel. No matter what the other side's intentions are, we must thoroughly defeat their Dharma Masters in the wagered combat. Otherwise, the blow to morale would be devastating. Furthermore, judging from the way they've proposed the duel, it doesn't seem like they plan to tamper with anything during the fights. They most likely have something else in mind. So participating fellow cultivators need not worry about suffering any hidden disadvantages. If anything goes wrong, we will step in directly to stop the battle. Of course, since this is a death match, whether or not you wish to participate is entirely voluntary. The three of us won't compel anyone." Zhiyang Shangren swept his gaze across the assembly in the hall and spoke solemnly.
"Voluntary?" When these words reached the ears of the assembled old monsters, everyone sneered inwardly, then exchanged glances in silence.
Nobody was a fool. Setting aside the suspicious nature of this wagered duel, even without such concerns, no one was willing to fight a death match. After all, having cultivated to their current realm, every one of them had endured centuries of bitter practice to finally reach this point. How could they casually risk their lives?
Han Li remained equally composed, with no intention of stepping forward. While he didn't mind contributing to this great battle, it had to be under conditions that wouldn't endanger his life. The last battle at Yellow Dragon Mountain had nearly cost him his life, and he had no desire to experience that again.
Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces in the hall, Hehuan Old Demon's expression darkened, and he let out a cold snort. The sound was bone-chillingly cold, causing the complexions of the seated cultivators to shift slightly, yet everyone remained firmly in their seats, with no one rising to speak.
Zhiyang Shangren saw this and shook his head, a hint of helplessness crossing his face. Wei Wuya narrowed his eyes and said nothing, his thoughts unknown.
Zhiyang Shangren did not let the awkward situation linger any longer and spoke up once more: "Before coming here, the two fellow cultivators and I discussed the matter. This wagered duel is simply too dangerous. Therefore, if a participating cultivator is victorious, all the rare materials won in the wager will belong to the winning cultivator privately — as compensation for the risk of participation. What do you all think? Moreover, as I understand it, several fellow cultivators seem to be lacking certain rare materials for their cultivation and have been unable to find them anywhere. The three of us do have some collections that could satisfy these fellow cultivators."
As soon as Zhiyang Shangren finished speaking, his gaze swept across the faces of several individuals. Han Li was unexpectedly among them.
Han Li felt a chill in his heart, a trace of confusion arising.
The others were no ordinary cultivators either, and similar looks of surprise and suspicion flickered across their faces.
Although Zhiyang Shangren had offered enticing conditions and most of those present showed some interest on their faces, for the moment no one stepped forward to volunteer for the wagered duel.
But just then, Wei Wuya — who had remained silent the entire time — suddenly raised his head and looked toward Suihun Zhenren beside him. His lips moved several times, actually sending a voice transmission over.
Suihun Zhenren, who had been bowing his head with lowered brows, changed expression. First, shock appeared on his face, followed by a look of mingled surprise and joy.
After listening to a few more sentences, Suihun Zhenren opened and closed his mouth silently, actually engaging in a discussion with Wei Wuya.
After a moment, Suihun Zhenren's face was filled with hesitation, his expression alternating between light and dark.
At the same time, the black-robed giant also sent a voice transmission to Hehuan Old Demon.
The old demon had maintained an air of complete indifference since arriving at the great hall, but upon hearing the voice transmission from this Grand Elder of his own sect, his brows immediately furrowed and his expression turned somewhat gloomy. No one knew what the giant had told him.
"Very well. As long as Shangren can keep his word, what harm is there in this humble one taking a risk just once?" Suihun Zhenren pondered for a moment, then actually spoke these words.
Upon hearing these words, the other old monsters were stunned.
But just then, Yunlu Old Demon also spoke up: