Chapter 177: The Questions of the Ten Nations Grand Tournament, Besieging the Fiendcelestial Cult

After Yan Shi stated the identity of his master in the room, he had been staring at Ye Ping.

To his surprise, there wasn’t a single trace of shock in Ye Ping’s eyes.

There was something unusual about it. After all, Yan Shi had been prepared to see a drastic change in Ye Ping’s expression.

However, Ye Ping’s expression and gaze seemed rather calm, as if he had guessed it long ago.

‘This guy is quite determined.’

Yan Shi thought to himself secretly. However, he did not seem particularly surprised and simply looked at Ye Ping while waiting for his answer.

After hearing the words of the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty relayed by Yan Shi, Ye Ping indeed did not seem surprised.

After all, he had handed over a supreme-grade ancient treasure and Ye Ping would believe it even if Yan Shi said that he was the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty.

A supreme-grade treasure was almost enough for him to purchase a first-rank sect.

Even if he was not the Crown Prince, he shouldn’t be too far off since he was that generous.

After glancing at Yan Shi, Ye Ping immediately roughly figured out the reason he had come to see him.

It was no wonder that Yan Shi had given him a supreme-grade treasure. It turned out that he probably wanted to suck up to him.

However, what made Ye Ping curious was what he saw in him.

‘Is it because of the battle with Huangfu Tianlong?’

Ye Ping was indeed curious. If it was for that matter, the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty was really tactful.

A genius had just appeared in the Ten Nations, yet he was so quick to cozy up to him. A Crown Prince like him really had terrifying means.

At this moment, Yan Shi spoke up.

“Fellow Daoist Ye, you’re so young and talented. I heard that you fought and defeated the genius of the Nan Nation. My master admires you very much, can you allow my master the honor to meet you?”

Although Ye Ping was very proud of himself, Yan Shi knew that the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty needed Ye Ping, and to be more precise, they needed Ye Ping’s non-poisonous pill.

As for the so-called defeat of the Nan Nation genius, Huangfu Tianlong, he felt that there was nothing worth bragging about.

So what if the Nan Nation genius was powerful?

So what if Ye Ping was powerful?

There was no lack of geniuses in the Great Xia Dynasty and the Crown Prince definitely wasn’t short of having a genius by his side.

Even if Ye Ping’s talent was strong and he was a genius, he was only a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator.

There were powerhouses in the Tribulation Transcendence realm by the Crown Prince’s side.

They could easily destroy the world, and hence, they were not after Ye Ping’s abilities or his talent.

They were merely after the non-poisonous pill.

However, he could not say those words, and sometimes, he could not voice his desires either. Otherwise, Ye Ping might get arrogant and they didn’t want that.

Yan Shi had seen countless geniuses before and had even helped the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty poach countless talents.

Hence, Yan Shi understood geniuses the most. What they were most afraid of was geniuses without vision and the ability to look at things from a greater perspective.

He was fearless because of ignorance.

However, Yan Shi was not too worried about Ye Ping because he had investigated before and found out that Ye Ping had a good relationship with the crown prince of the Jin Nation. Besides, the students of the Jin Nation Academy were also aware of what the Great Xia Dynasty was like.

He knew how supreme the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty was, and hence, he was very confident.

At this moment, Ye Ping’s voice sounded.

“Fellow Daoist Yan Shi, thank you and the Crown Prince for thinking so highly of me. However, I’m still willing to drink tea. I don’t like following others or working for others.”

“Of course, thank you for the gift from the Crown Prince. I have nothing to give to him in return. Here’s some new tea from Jin Nation, please give it to the Crown Prince as a return gift.”

Ye Ping smiled calmly. The purple jade bead was worth a lot of money, and it was also a gift from the Crown Prince. Hence, Ye Ping had to accept it. However, he definitely wouldn’t work for someone else.

Ye Ping had always believed in a standard rule.

That was, he would never work for someone.

Besides, the profession of the Crown Prince was also a highly dangerous one, and since ancient times, Crown Princes usually suffered terrible fates, be it in the world he came from or the current one he was in.

Hence, when he found out that Li Yu was the Crown Prince, Ye Ping honestly considered persuading Li Yu to give up his title sooner.

Later on, he learned that Li Yu’s father had given birth to several princes who were much younger than Li Yu and thus did not have much to say anymore.

Besides, Li Yu was only the crown prince in Jin Nation, and if he really had a huge supporter, he would not have his position snatched away.

Besides, the Great Xia Dynasty would never tolerate a rebellion. It seemed that they would not care about the matters of the Ten Nations, but during a critical juncture, the Great Xia Dynasty will definitely step in to maintain order.

Hence, Li Yu the Crown Prince was still doing fine.

However, the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty was in great danger.

He had a large number of siblings. Ye Ping did not believe that no one was jealous of him and coveted his position as the crown prince.

The Great Xia Dynasty was in charge of the Jin Nation, but who was in charge of the Great Xia Dynasty?

To put it bluntly, the four other dynasties and even some blessed lands would not only choose not to help him, they would even kick him when he was down and support other princes. Their wish was for them to fight hard and go toe-to-toe against each other.

When the time came to fight for the throne, there would definitely be countless benefits, and even if there were none, the internal strife would consume much more resources than an external battle.

Hence, the battle for the throne of the king of the Great Xia Dynasty was definitely extremely terrifying.

Ye Ping originally did not like to take gambles, especially when it came to royals. Even if he made the right bet, it might not necessarily be a good thing.

Once a person lost their value, they would be killed.

‘Isn’t it good to practice immortal cultivation properly in the sect?’

‘Must you be involved in the affairs of the royal family?’

“Hehe, Fellow Daoist Ye, you’re really humorous.”

Yan Shi chuckled. He was actually confused and clueless about what Ye Ping meant.

‘It doesn’t seem that you’re turning the Crown Prince’s offer down because you want to take the gift.’

‘However, you don’t seem to want to see the Crown Prince.’

If he was just trying to poach an ordinary genius, Yan Shi would leave right away. So what if he had to lose the purple jade bead?

The Crown Prince was not short of purple jade beads.

However, the problem was that the Crown Prince was not after Ye Ping’s abilities or talent.

He was after the non-poisonous pill formula.

The matter of the non-poisonous pill was of great importance, and hence, Yan Shi wanted a definite answer.

He looked at Ye Ping.

“Fellow Daoist Ye, although I don’t know what concerns you have, you will definitely command great power in the Great Xia Dynasty if you follow the Crown Prince.”

“If Fellow Daoist can really help the Crown Prince, you might be conferred the title of marquis in the future.”

Yan Shi said seriously.

However, those words were purely meant for fooling others.

The conferment of a marquis was an important matter. Unless the Crown Prince was made emperor, he would not be able to confer any title even if one gave up a lot.

Of course, impossible and unable to say were two different things. Yan Shi was good at poaching others, but he knew that all cultivators were greedy and geniuses were arrogant, not because they ignored everything, but because the profits offered were not up to satisfaction.

There was nothing wrong with Yan Shi’s thoughts at all. Unfortunately, the person he met was Ye Ping.

“You’re right, Fellow Daoist Yan. However, I’m still going to stay firm in my decision. I don’t want to join any force or be embroiled in any battle. We can still drink tea, though. If there’s nothing else, forget it.”

Ye Ping asked.

No matter what, he would not join the force of the Crown Prince or be embroiled.

‘Isn’t it good to practice immortal cultivation properly in the sect?’

Yan Shi fell silent.

However, he was not aggressive or proactive enough. He smiled calmly.

“Fellow Daoist Ye, you are indeed very extraordinary. You managed to stay calm despite the poaching of the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty. I like making friends, are you willing?”

That was the means that Yan Shi often resorted to, and in fact, the status of the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty would often result in negative effects. After all, geniuses were too arrogant, and the more one tried to poach them, the more arrogant they would be.

However, forcing would not work either, and he couldn’t afford to lose a genius just like that.

Hence, Yan Shi would often try to make friends with them to make them lower their guards and then resort to all means to broaden their horizons so that they would understand how vast this world was.

By then, the geniuses would take the initiative to join the Crown Prince.

The ignorant were fearless.

For example, eating the best food and living in the best conditions in a village would cost less than two taels of silver a year.

If one had 10,000 taels of silver and then someone gave him 100,000 taels of silver to do something he didn’t want to, they definitely wouldn’t agree.

It was because one would not need silver at all. Those 10,000 taels of silver would last him a lifetime and even if he was given 100,000 taels of silver, it would be meaningless too.

However, if one took a trip out to see the big city, ate a meal worth dozens or even hundreds of taels, and spent a few thousand taels, one would realize that the amount of silver they had wasn’t enough at all.

In that case, if one was given 50,000 taels of silver to do something they didn’t want to, they would still do it anyway.

It was the same for geniuses. They were now carefree and did not have to worry about their wellbeing. Hence, they were living in a small village that they hadn’t left yet.

Yan Shi’s idea was to take those people out of the village.

He wanted them to see and understand how vast this world was so that they would know how great it would be to work under the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Hearing this, Ye Ping smiled.

“As the Saints have said, the more friends you have, the more options you’ll have in life. I do like making friends, but Fellow Daoist Yan, this is a new tea from Jin Nation. I’m giving you one as a greeting gift.”

“Don’t stand on ceremony with me and don’t give me any gifts. You might be a disciple of the Crown Prince and all your actions represent the Crown Prince, but I will not accept your gift.”

Ye Ping took out the second bag of new tea and handed it to Yan Shi.

He sounded extremely sincere.

However, Yan Shi couldn’t help but be slightly stunned.

For some reason, he always felt that Ye Ping was setting him up, but he was indeed the disciple of the Crown Prince and was naturally generous too. Hence, he immediately took out a light blue bracelet.

“Fellow Daoist Ye, it might just be a bag of new tea but it’s the thought that counts. I am a disciple of His Highness, the Crown Prince, so my actions do represent the Crown Prince. He is magnanimous and is never stingy. However, he cares a lot about etiquette.”

“So, take this Blue Flame Bracelet as a meeting gift. It’s just a small gift that’s not worth mentioning.”

Yan Shi handed the Blue Flame Bracelet to Ye Ping. It was an ancient treasure, but not a supreme-grade one. However, it was still worth a lot of money.

“Brother Yan, you are really polite but I don’t want it.”

Ye Ping said with a firm expression, but he was still staring at the Blue Flame Bracelet.

“Fellow Daoist Ye, gift-giving goes both ways, please accept the gift.”

Yan Shi knew that Ye Ping was just being polite, so he continued to insist, but he was honestly a little upset. However, if he could befriend Ye Ping, it wouldn’t be considered much.

“No, no, this is a treasure given to me by the Crown Prince. If you give me any more gifts, I would seem like a greedy person. I refuse to accept it.”

Ye Ping said with a look of determination.

“It’s alright, Fellow Daoist Ye, the Crown Prince and I are separate individuals. You and I are friends.”

Yan Shi continued.

When Ye Ping still wanted to continue to pretend, Yan Shi could not help but say helplessly, “Brother Ye, if you don’t want it, I’ll throw it away and take it as a gift for you.”

After hearing that, Ye Ping accepted the treasure in a moment of helplessness, but when he thought about it, he took out a fresh bag of tea again.

After all, Yan Shi had given two treasures, and hence, if he gave two fresh bags of tea again, it would seem like he was taking advantage.

If he gave him one more, they would be even.

Yan Shi was quite speechless. He did not know what the fresh bag of tea meant. Ye Ping gave him three bags of tea in a row. He didn’t need the tea because there was plenty in the Great Xia Dynasty.

However, he could not embarrass Ye Ping and thus had no choice but to accept it.

“Fellow Daoist Ye, this is my voice transmission token. If there’s anything, you may use it to contact me directly. Within the Great Xia Dynasty, this voice transmission token can be used to contact me.”

“Even if there’s no trouble, feel free to speak to me. We are purely friends, it won’t have anything to do with the Crown Prince.”

Yan Shi spoke and then left directly without any delay.

Before Ye Ping could continue talking to him, Yan Shi vanished in the room, leaving behind only a voice transmission token.

At this moment, Ye Ping couldn’t help but fall deep into thought in the room.

Yan Shi did not continue to mention the Crown Prince, and hence, he couldn’t help but have a good impression of him.

Honestly, Ye Ping thought that Yan Shi was just a lackey before this, but now, he felt that those who could work for the Crown Prince were definitely not fools. Only an upstart would have lackeys who were arrogant and put on airs.

The royals were very particular.

While Ye Ping was thinking about it, a bright and clear voice sounded all of a sudden.

“Let me in, I’m the crown prince of the Jin Nation and my master is Ye Ping. How dare you stop me?”

Someone said loudly.

Ye Ping couldn’t help but be stunned.

Soon, Ye Ping’s expression became strange and he couldn’t help but take his words back.

People really should not be compared to each other.

The subordinate of the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty was far more well-mannered than Li Yu.

‘No wonder he’s just the prince of a tiny nation. He deserves it.’

Creak!

Ye Ping pushed the door open and looked at Li Yu who was being stopped outside.

“Let him in.”

In an instant, the disciples, who were guarding outside the courtyard, immediately let him go.

In their eyes, Ye Ping’s status was higher than Li Yu’s.

“Master, Master.”

After being released, Li Yu hurriedly rushed over excitedly. When he arrived in front of Ye Ping, Li Yu immediately spoke up.

“Master, are you not going to participate in the Ten Nations Grand Tournament?”

Li Yu especially came to the Jin Nation Academy for that matter.

“Are you here for this?”

Ye Ping walked into the room and questioned somewhat calmly.

“Yes, of course. Master, I have insider news that the Great Xia Dynasty Academy will be opened within five years. If you don’t participate in the Ten Nations Grand Tournament, you won’t be able to enter the Ten Nations Academy.”

“If you don’t enter the Ten Nations Academy, you can’t enter the Great Xia Dynasty Academy, which is much harder to enter than the Jin Nation Academy.”

Li Yu said with great anxiousness.

On the other hand, Ye Ping seemed very composed as he took out a fresh bag of tea from the table beside. He wanted to hand it to Li Yu, but when he saw that Li Yu was empty-handed, he put it away.

Immediately afterwards, Ye Ping said in a calm tone, “I have my own plans, don’t ask me about such things again in the future.”

Ye Ping did not want to continue to answer about the Ten Nations Grand Tournament.

If he said he wouldn’t go, he wouldn’t.

No matter what happened, he would not participate.

However, in the end, Ye Ping pointed at the Blue Flame Bracelet and purple jade bead on the table. “By the way, Li Yu, how much do you think these two items are worth? Can you help me sell them? I need some Spirit Stones.”

After he said that, Li Yu did not want to answer at all. He just wanted to persuade Ye Ping, but after seeing these two treasures, Li Yu was stunned.

“These are supreme-grade ancient treasures, the ancient essence soul pearl and a bracelet made with Blue Spirit fire. Master, do you lack Spirit Stones? I can buy these from you.”

Li Yu’s eyes widened.

He knew that these two items were worth a lot of money.

“How much are you going to offer?”

Ye Ping asked curiously.

“Master, I’m not an adult yet, please charge me a cheaper price. How about 5,000 superior-grade Spirit Stones? Is it enough? If not, I’ll go borrow more.”

Li Yu said.

“Get lost! Be more serious.”

Ye Ping could tell that Li Yu was offering random prices.

“Master, I’m serious, I can’t afford these two items, they’re too valuable. However, I know of someone who can but we have to wait for a while. My rough and conservative estimation of the price of these two items is at least a million superior-grade Spirit Stones. How many Spirit Stones do you need? Why don’t I give you some?”

Li Yu asked curiously.

‘A million superior-grade Spirit Stones?’

Ye Ping was a little surprised and shook his head at the same time to turn down Li Yu’s offer.

Li Yu was the Crown Prince who was rich but also poor at the same time. Crown Princes had to dress up.

“How long do I have to wait?”

Ye Ping asked.

“One to three months.”

Li Yu said.

All of a sudden, Ye Ping could not help but frown.

That was indeed a bit slow.

Besides, it was a gift from the Crown Prince, and if he sold it, it wouldn’t be too good. After all, if he sold the gift and word about it got out, he would be at fault.

At the thought of this, Ye Ping couldn’t help but frown.

He didn’t want to do anything but obtain Spirit Stones.

On the other hand, Li Yu seemed to have seen through Ye Ping’s thoughts and couldn’t help but be curious.

“Master, do you need Spirit Stones? I do know a way to earn Spirit Stones quickly.”

Li Yu said.

After hearing that, Ye Ping was energized.

“What solution do you have? How fast can it be?”

Ye Ping was even more curious.

“The reward for coming in first place in the Ten Nations Grand Tournament is a million superior-grade Spirit Stones. If you’re lucky, the Ten Nations Grand Tournament can theoretically end within seven days.”

Li Yu said.

At this moment, Ye Ping was stunned.

‘There are Spirit Stones to be rewarded for the Ten Nations Grand Tournament?’

At this moment, in the Ten Nations Academy’s main hall.

The Ten Nations Academy Master stood respectfully in front of a middle-aged man and seemed rather sincere.

A middle-aged man said calmly.

“Academy Master Chen, this map shows the lair of the Fiendcelestial Cult in the Wei Nation. The Heavenly Supervisory president has said that there will be an extra assessment for the Ten Nations Grand Tournament this time where the candidates will have to besiege the Fiendcelestial Cult. Are you aware?”

A voice sounded.

The expressions of the Ten Nations Academy Master changed. ‘There’s an extra assessment?’

‘They have to besiege the Fiendcelestial Cult themselves? This is unprecedented.’

However he did not have any complaints, nor did he dare to have any complaints. He could only say so seriously.

“Yes, Lord, I will carry out your orders to the best of my ability.”

After saying that, the middle-aged man nodded but he still gave an explanation in the end.

“This is an order by the higher-ups. Don’t make any mistakes.”

After saying that, the middle-aged man directly disappeared.

The Ten Nations Academy master couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Immediately after that, he was curious and surprised.

He was curious because the Heavenly Supervisory had never intervened in the affairs of the Ten Nations Academy. And he was surprised because the head of the Heavenly Supervisory gave that order himself.

The head of the Great Xia Dynasty Heavenly Supervisory was second only to the Emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, and even the Crown Prince had to be respectful to him.

He was above all else and second only to one.

He couldn’t figure it out but he did not mull over it.