Win or Die

The Seventh Prince shook his head and remained silent. Killing someone from the Demonic Path didn't necessarily make one a good person or righteous; similarly, killing someone from the Righteous Path didn't necessarily make one a bad person.

Good or bad, who could really say for sure?

"Is that Jue Xin? I heard he betrayed his master and ancestors. Why would the Pill Alliance take in someone like that?" Xia Nuoxue asked with a frown, looking toward the Pill Alliance.

"It's all for profit," the Seventh Prince said with a light smile, his eyes filled with disdain. "They thought they wouldn't run into any major trouble, but they didn't expect the rightful owner to come knocking. That's why they're in such a hurry to resolve it. I expect that after this, regardless of the outcome, Jue Xin will have to leave the Pill Alliance."

By now, all the Major Powers understood the cause and effect of this match. Only the Ordinary Martial Artists were still kept in the dark, believing it was merely a gamble.

Just then, the Referee presiding over the match stepped onto the Competition Stage.

The Referee was a Middle-aged Man at the Peak Martial Emperor Realm. Dressed in a grey long robe, he stepped onto the stage and released his Aura, causing the Martial Artists watching the match to fall silent instantly.

"This match is between the Pill Alliance and the Huayu Sect. To my right is the Pill Alliance, and to my left is the Huayu Sect. The Pill Alliance has put up a divine artifact alchemy furnace and one hundred ninth-grade spirit plants as the stakes."

"And the Huayu Sect's stake is all of their current territory."

The audience nodded one after another; they had known about these stakes for a long time.

"I will now announce the Rules. Both sides will provide their own spirit plants and have one hour to refine Medicinal Pills. Once the pills are refined, they will be handed to the Judges for evaluation. Finally, a vote will be held, and the side with the most votes wins."

Everyone couldn't help but look toward the Judges' section.

"Wow! Jue Ming Pavilion, the Great Xia Dynasty, the Five Great Families of Yan City, the Zhengqi Sect… Almost all the top Powers of the Great Xia Dynasty are here. This judging panel is truly unprecedented!"

"Exactly. Think about how big this match is—a divine artifact alchemy furnace, a hundred spirit plants, and the entire territory of the Huayu Sect."

"…"

Once the crowd had quieted down, the Referee announced loudly, "Contestants, please take the stage."

"Azure Flame, good luck. Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Jue Wuya whispered.

Qin Ming also looked at Azure Flame with an encouraging gaze.

Azure Flame clenched his fists and walked onto the Competition Stage with a calm expression.

On the other side, Jue Xin snapped his eyes open upon hearing the Referee's voice.

He had been under immense pressure lately. Ever since he learned his master wasn't dead, he hadn't had a single day of peace, living in constant anxiety.

He was especially anxious when he learned that someone had come to the Alliance Leader demanding the divine artifact alchemy furnace.

He didn't dare look the Alliance Leader in the eye. Keeping his head down, he walked toward the Competition Stage.

"Jue Xin."

Jue Xin's body jolted. He stopped and looked toward Zhang Chongtian, bowing. "Alliance Leader."

Zhang Chongtian wore a fake smile. He sized Jue Xin up, stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and whispered into his ear.

"Jue Xin, this match is crucial. You are allowed to win, but not to lose. If you win, you can leave the Pill Alliance and no one will pursue you. As for losing… believe me, you definitely won't see tomorrow's sun."

Jue Xin felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. Shuddering, he whispered back, "Yes… Alliance Leader, I will definitely defeat that old man."

The Alliance Leader nodded in satisfaction. "Go! Go face your master."