Chapter 105 : It Was Time to Start Preparing for the Mission
Chapter 105: It Was Time to Start Preparing for the Mission
After listening to Fang Wuqi’s words, Long Tao found himself momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
He could only sigh inwardly. Was this what a true heaven’s favored son looked like?
Clearly able to rely on talent and family background to walk a broad, sunlit road with ease, yet deliberately choosing instead the thorn-choked narrow path.
He suddenly felt that his senior brother before him seemed to be enveloped in a radiant glow—an almost stubbornly idealistic brilliance. Then he looked back at himself.
Every day he either calculated how to complete System Tasks or schemed about how to earn more money.
Compared to Senior Brother Fang, he was practically a parasite loafing away in the Cultivation World, squandering spirit stones and spiritual energy for nothing.
“Alright, Junior Brother Long probably still has important matters this afternoon, so there’s no need to stay here listening to my rambling.” Fang Wuqi gently interrupted his thoughts.
“Senior Brother Fang, please take care as well.” Long Tao cupped his fists respectfully.
“Mm. By the way, I’m usually at the Red Blood Peak training grounds or the martial hall. If you need anything, just come find me anytime. No need to stand on ceremony.”
“Certainly!”
Watching Fang Wuqi head off toward the storehouse, Long Tao felt as though those earlier words had injected him with some peculiar energy.
That entire afternoon, while bent over his desk writing reports, even the tip of his brush carried an unprecedented vigor. Between the lines pulsed a sharp, striving spirit.
Yet when the report neared completion and his thoughts drifted once more to the Grand Competition mission arriving in just over a month, that surge of passion was like being doused headfirst with a bucket of ice water—instantly chilled through.
After more than a month of contemplation and analysis, one thing was certain: even if he suddenly activated some cheat-like boost and broke through to Qi-Refining Seventh Layer at an astonishing speed, forcing his way into the top four by sheer strength was still nothing but a fool’s dream.
More troublesome still— even if he truly had the strength to contend for the top four, the mission also required Nan Yuchen to enter the top four as well. If the two of them met prematurely in the elimination rounds, it would be too late even to cry.
At the current state of affairs, completing this mission through normal procedures was as difficult as ascending the heavens. Or rather, it was simply impossible.
Since the righteous path was blocked, he could only seek another route. In truth, that thought had taken root in his mind from the very beginning. He had never seriously considered participating in the Grand Competition as a mere Qi-Refining Sixth Layer cultivator.
The first path he considered was to go directly to the sect’s upper echelon and explain everything clearly.
Of course… he would conceal the matter of the System, and instead claim it was a mission given by that Deification Stage senior “Itinerant Merchant,” requiring him to participate in the Grand Competition and obtain a ranking together with Nan Yuchen.
In the past, such an absurd request would surely have earned him a kick down the mountain from the elders. But times were different now.
The upper echelon all knew he had some connection to that Deification Stage senior. Perhaps they really would show leniency.
However, though this method seemed straightforward, the chances of success were minuscule.
This was the sect’s grand event held once every three years.
Countless eyes within the sect watched it closely, and even friendly surrounding factions and major sects would send envoys to observe the ceremony. To have the entire sect cooperate in cheating under everyone’s gaze—helping a Qi-Refining Sixth Layer minor cultivator sneak into the top four— even if Long Tao had thick enough skin to step onto the stage and accept an award, the entire sect could not afford such disgrace.
There was no helping it… It was indeed too outrageous.
Even if he invoked that Deification Stage senior, the likelihood remained slim.
It could only serve as a last resort when utterly cornered.
The other, more promising approach lay in dissecting the wording of the System Task itself.
The phrasing “as competition personnel” was quite intriguing. Long Tao had noticed it long ago.
It specified “personnel,” not “competitor.” If the System allowed him to play word games, then the operational space within that phrasing seemed far greater than he had originally imagined.
What counted as competition personnel? Did referees count? Did coaches count? Did the one handing out towels count? Did the one watching the water dispenser count? Did the food delivery person count? Did even spectators count? There had to be loopholes to exploit.
Over the past month, he had not rushed to scheme.
There was still time; blindly scrambling about would only delay cultivation. But now… considering the time remaining, it was time to take action.
The first identity that came to mind was referee. As a referee, one could legitimately stand on the arena as official personnel.
The only problem was whether a little Qi-Refining rookie like him could survive unscathed amid the mutual bombardment of two Foundation Establishment cultivators.
But ultimately, everything depended on whether the System acknowledged it. Thus, with a trial mindset, he posed the question in his mind:
“System, when you say competition personnel, does that include roles like on-field referees? Or must it strictly be competitors?”
“Whether the Host is determined to be competition personnel depends primarily on the perception of others present. If the majority recognizes the Host as an indispensable figure in the event, and procedures are complete, then recognition will be granted.”
Long Tao’s eyes widened at those words.
This seemed to be the first time the System had given him such a complete and detailed answer. He did not even need to ask follow-up questions.
Suppressing his excitement, he forced himself to think calmly again.
The majority’s recognition… Though somewhat ambiguous, no matter how he looked at it, the identity of referee really did seem viable.
The sense of participation was strong enough.
Just as he felt exhilarated, as though a window toward mission success had finally opened, another thought struck him.
Wait… In all the duels he had seen in this world, there had never been any so-called referees.
The people of this world were not fools. If such an important position had never existed, there must be a reason.
Yet he did not even need to ask anyone or consult records.
He soon realized the answer himself.
This was a cultivation world; he could not mechanically apply the experiences of his previous life.
When two Foundation Establishment cultivators competed, with so many Golden Core and even Nascent Soul figures watching, forget about petty tricks—even the flow of spiritual energy within each person’s body could not escape the eyes of those great powers. There was simply no space for cheating.
Scenes written in certain novels—like secretly hiding forbidden talismans for a surprise attack—were pure nonsense here.
The moment someone dared to use such means, they would be blasted straight out of the arena the next instant.
During the Sect Grand Competition, every Golden Core cultivator below the stage was already the perfect referee.
There was no need to assign additional personnel on the field to enforce rules.
At that realization, the faint flame of hope in Long Tao’s heart dimmed once more.
But after several missions’ tempering, Long Tao was not someone who easily sank into despair. Soon… he finished the report Shi Manyu had assigned, walked out of the main hall, and headed onto the street outside to clear his mind.
The moment he opened the door, however, an unidentified object flew straight onto his face.
Long Tao hurriedly pulled it off, gagging in disgust. Looking closely at what lay in his hand, he discovered it was a large white cricket.
Most of the cricket’s body was white, etched with black patterns.
Even though Long Tao had little interest in insects, he had to admit—it was quite beautiful. If he sold it to those cricket enthusiasts, it might fetch a good price.
Just as he was considering whether to go into town and ask for a quote, a plainly dressed elder came running over with a smile, his face full of apology.
“Oh dear, oh dear, little friend, I’m terribly sorry. That white… cricket in your hand is mine. The little fellow likes to run around. Could you return it to me?”
“Oh, no trouble at all, Elder. You’re too polite.”
After taking back the white cricket, the unfamiliar elder seemed very pleased with Long Tao’s attitude and continued with a smile,
“For it to land on your face means you and I share a bit of fate. This old man’s surname is Gongsun. I am the Peak Master of Three Beasts Peak. Take this token as a token of thanks. You may come visit my peak anytime.”
Peak Master Gongsun of Three Beasts Peak? Long Tao found the name rather familiar.
“Could you be… um… the one who enjoys cricket fighting?”
“Oh my, what’s there to be embarrassed about? That’s me indeed. Look how beautiful this little fellow is—white body with black markings. I call it White Tiger.”
Looking at the cricket in the other man’s hand, Long Tao felt the name was both fitting and imposing.
Unfortunately, he had no interest in cricket fighting.
“Then this White Tiger… must be the strongest one you own?”
“Ah… no. It’s the weakest. But I just like it.”