Free Web NovelChapter 318: Drawing Lots
"Clang, clang, clang." A series of gongs sounded, and a middle-aged man slowly walked up from the competition entrance. This person was Wang Gang, the Imperial Advisor of the Mingyue Empire. Although he had no cultivation, he possessed a mind full of schemes.
Standing on the competition stage, Wang Gang was full of vigor. He first bowed towards the Imperial Family area, as the ruler of the Mingyue Empire, Emperor Huang Wuji, was there.
Emperor Huang Wuji nodded slightly in response. Wang Gang understood, cleared his throat, and then loudly declared, "Everyone, thank you for gracing our Mingyue Empire’s Martial Arts Arena today to participate in the annual Genius Grand Competition. On behalf of the Mingyue Empire and the Imperial Family, I express our gratitude. The distinguished guests who have come to our Mingyue Empire today include, from Lishan Dao—True Man Ziwu. From the Tianyang Divine Sect, the Second Elder—Liu Qingshan,..."
After a lengthy introduction, Wang Gang’s eyes turned to the several elders invited to the very center.
"Let us welcome with our warmest applause Grand Elder Shangguan Nan from the Tianyu Divine Sect, Vice Sect Leader Zhang Dao from the Shanhe Sect, and Sima Chun from the Demon Shadow Divine Sect."
When Wang Gang finished his last sentence, a wave of discussion broke out among the audience in the Martial Arts Arena.
"It’s truly remarkable that the Mingyue Empire was able to invite such figures this year. Those are important figures from Upper Sects. The strength of Majiren, who was just introduced, is already higher than that of our Emperor, Emperor Huang Wuji."
"Yes, it seems this year’s Genius Grand Competition will be exciting."
"You all don’t know, but I heard that these important figures from the Upper Sects are all here for the top three individuals. One is Huang Yu, the Emperor’s son, another is a monk named Miaofa, and the last is the most mysterious one from the Ice Moon Sect named Wanru. Their strengths might have already reached the Primal Spirit Realm."
"That’s not right. Didn’t they say their strength was only at the Eternal Realm? If they’ve broken through the Eternal Realm, that would be terrifying. Their average age this year is only around twenty. To have such achievements at that age means they will definitely be capable of reaching the Original Ancestor Realm in the future."
"You’re right. That’s why Upper Sects have come to our Mingyue Empire."
Hearing the discussions among the crowd, some also caught on to a few things. It seemed that these major sects had come to the Mingyue Empire specifically to recruit geniuses.
Wang Yufan, standing in the competitor’s area, also heard these discussions. His eyes swept towards the figures from the Upper Sects.
Wang Yufan could clearly feel that the strength of those few individuals was as formidable as that of Emperor Huang Wuji, who sat in the center of the Imperial Family in his yellow robes.
And as the discussions continued, many people also understood some truths.
Just then, another gong sounded.
"Silence... Today’s competition schedule will be announced by this official. The specific schedule is as follows: There are currently a total of one hundred and eight participants. They will be divided into twelve groups, with nine people in each group. The top three from each group will advance to the second round of the competition. From these thirty-six qualifiers in the second round, they will be divided into four groups again, with nine people in each group. The top three from each of these groups will then proceed to the third and final round. From these twelve individuals in the third round, the competition will select the final top five. These top five will be favored by the esteemed adults from the Upper Sects, gaining an opportunity to enter a sect, and will also receive generous rewards from the Mingyue Empire.
Of course, all those who reach the final round will have a chance to be favored by the esteemed adults from the Upper Sects. This will depend on your performance in the arena.
Alright, now all participants will draw lots. When I call your name, please come up to draw your lot in order." After Wang Gang finished speaking, the people in the competitor’s area lined up.
Wang Gang watched everyone draw lots, his eyes fixed on Wang Yufan’s name on the list in his hand.
Because every person drawing a lot would state their name when they drew it.
As the drawing process proceeded step by step, Wang Yufan heard a few somewhat familiar names.
"My name is Zhuge Lili, give me the lot," a person dressed somewhat like a man said to Wang Gang.
Wang Gang was stunned when he heard this. His list clearly indicated that Zhuge Lili was a female, so why was it a male?
"Speak, are you impersonating? Isn’t Zhuge Lili a female? What are you, a male, doing here? Do you know that impersonating a participant in this competition is a capital offense?" Wang Gang glared at Zhuge Lili.
Zhuge Lili, however, put her hands on her hips and said, "What’s the matter? I am a female. What’s wrong with me liking to dress as a man? Can’t you even tell that, old man?" Zhuge Lili untied the ribbon binding her hair, and her long hair flowed down.
Hearing this, Wang Gang’s old face turned beet red, and he said nothing.
Wang Yufan, however, was very surprised. Isn’t this Little Zhuge? Why would she come to participate in this Genius Grand Competition? Ever since escaping from the Nine-tailed Fox last time, Wang Yufan had thought he would never see her again, but he didn’t expect to run into her today. However, Zhuge Lili did not notice Wang Yufan at this moment.
After Zhuge Lili finished drawing her lot, she left with a happy expression.
As the drawing continued, it was soon Wang Yufan’s turn.
However, when Wang Yufan spoke his name, Wang Gang’s expression suddenly turned cold.
"You are Wang Yufan?" Wang Gang said in a low voice. freēwebnovel.com
"That’s right, what’s wrong? May I ask if there’s anything?" Wang Yufan asked.
"What’s wrong? You beat my son yesterday when you registered, you shouldn’t be unaware of that, right?" Wang Gang said.
"Oh, oh, you’re talking about that. So that little fatty was your son. It’s nothing, I helped you discipline him. I saw that little fatty was a bit disrespectful, so I reluctantly did it. You don’t need to thank me, just consider it me doing a good deed." After Wang Yufan finished speaking, he reached his hand directly into the lot-drawing box.
He pulled out a number with "Six" written on it.
"So it’s number six," Wang Yufan muttered. After speaking, Wang Yufan left directly. And looking at the departing Wang Yufan, Wang Gang’s face showed an angry expression.
