Chapter 50: The Sword Pavilion Meeting

As the master of Dahe坊 (Dahe Market), the Sword Pavilion established by the Yuding Sword Sect here did not possess much presence under normal circumstances.

Its only sense of existence came once a month during rent collection, much to the private resentment of the local rogue cultivators.

As for the Zhongding House opened by the Yuding Sword Sect, it was merely a restaurant.

With people coming and going, it was steeped in worldly atmosphere; at times, even the cultivators entering and exiting found it difficult to associate Zhongding House with the Yuding Sword Sect.

Therefore, even though the Yuding Sword Pavilion was the most conspicuous and towering structure in Dahe Market, in the hearts of the local rogue cultivators, it was far less significant than places like the Spirit Medicine Pavilion or the Myriad Treasure Tower.

But after today, everyone would have to look directly at that tower-like Sword Pavilion.

There were three days remaining until the opening of the Dao Discussion Platform.

Inside the Sword Pavilion, a man with a resolute countenance sat in the high seat, clad in a golden robe that displayed the imposing majesty of a Golden Core cultivator.

Pang Renxiong, a Golden Core Superior of the Yuding Sword Sect.

Below him sat eight Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Seven were inner sect disciples who had just rushed from the sect, while the other was an outer sect deacon stationed permanently at this location.

Sitting high above, Pang Renxiong remained silent.

Below him, Deacon Miao had already begun reporting various matters with utmost respect.

"The five-market trade fair, uniting Xuelian Market, Taishan Market, Liuguang Market, and Lancang Market, will commence tomorrow, and the city's grand array will be fully deployed. The entry fee is tentatively set at one low-grade spirit stone. This trade fair will last for seven days, strengthening the cooperation and exchange between our Dahe Market and the other four markets."

"Following the conclusion of the Dao Discussion Platform's opening, the sect-mandated auction will also begin. The participation criteria are from the late stages of Qi Refinement up to below the Nascent Soul stage. Luo Tianhong will serve as the host, and we request Elder Pang to preside over the event."

Above, Pang Renxiong nodded, his expression as solemn as before.

Although it was stated as "below Nascent Soul," in reality, not many Golden Core cultivators would participate in this auction.

According to the information he had received, there would only be about four or five.

He alone was more than capable of controlling the scene.

An auction of this level was primarily targeted at Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators.

His gaze swept across the room, and an inner sect Foundation Establishment cultivator tactfully stepped forward.

"Tianhong will certainly complete this task perfectly!"

Next, he went through the various important items to be included in this auction.

Some of the precious natural treasures were to be arranged strictly according to their value.

Otherwise, if they failed to sell or did not fetch a high price, it would be a loss for the Yuding Sword Sect.

"If this is held successfully, we shall establish it as a precedent: the Dahe Auction will be held once every ten years."

Pang Renxiong defined the nature of this event, causing Luo Tianhong, who was responsible for the auction, to feel a surge of nervousness.

There was too much profit to be made from such an affair.

He could not afford any mistakes.

Coincidentally, the Luo family was famous within the Yuding Sect for their vast knowledge and expertise, making them highly skilled in handling such matters.

"The focus must remain on the opening of the Dao Discussion Platform," Pang Renxiong remarked.

Deacon Miao nodded hurriedly. "All preparations for the opening are complete. The procedure is as follows."

As he spoke, he detailed the original origins of this Dahe Market Dao Discussion Platform opening.

From the initial capital investment to the construction process, they had bypassed the formation masters of Tianfan City and instead utilized the internal formation masters of the Yuding Sect, with a high level of participation from the cultivators of Ailao Mountain in the Yuding Domain.

Then, regarding the invitations sent out before the opening, most had received responses.

Representatives from dozens of nearby cultivation families and the powers of seven markets would be coming to witness the ceremony.

Finally, the focus shifted to the various programs during the opening.

"For the music and dance, we have entrusted the Tianxiang Pavilion, an industry under the Hehuan Sect. They will be responsible for the warm-up and various performances during the intervals."

"The Human-Monster Battle is set for the beginning. We will include three relatively weak second-order demonic beasts. Currently, several Foundation Establishment cultivators have signed up to participate in this battle. The prizes for the winners, besides all the materials from the slain beast, will include top-grade magical tools, Qi-Harmonizing Pills, and a sword pill refined by our sect."

"The Eighteen Death Matches of the local gangs is a program I specifically added recently. Although it only involves Qi Refinement stage cultivators, it involves life-and-death struggles between people, making it no less entertaining than a second-order human-monster battle."

At this point, the other Foundation Establishment cultivators also grew interested.

Most of this batch of Foundation Establishment cultivators had emerged within the last two or three hundred years.

They were all sword cultivators who pursued combat.

However, in recent years, most battles had been against external demonic beasts.

Battles between cultivators were mostly limited to sparring.

Now, being able to witness large-scale death matches between cultivators, everyone had an interest in watching the spectacle.

"I heard from Sun Shou that this isn't as simple as two gangs clashing?" Luo Tianhong asked curiously.

Deacon Miao nodded. "Indeed, the Daliang Gang has the support of the Lianyun Merchant Alliance behind it."

Upon mentioning the Lianyun Merchant Alliance, Luo Tianhong and the other two cultivators were immensely surprised.

"Is it that rogue cultivator alliance that rose two hundred years ago? I heard they already have as many as twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators internally."

With over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators, this force was no longer small.

They only lacked a powerful Golden Core leader; otherwise, they would be comparable to a medium-sized sect.

"Yes, they were also one of the earliest merchant alliances to settle in Dahe Market, and they know their limits. They won't compete with us for the mainstream natural treasures."

Deacon Miao nodded. "Therefore, we did not interfere with them this time; we are simply letting them fight."

"In that case, isn't the Poshan Gang destined to lose?"

"Pretty much! I looked at the lists submitted by both sides; the cultivators sent by the Poshan Gang are indeed quite mediocre."

Deacon Miao casually handed out seven lists. As everyone looked through them, they all broke into laughter.

The members sent by the Poshan Gang were all bottom-of-the-barrel types; there were even those at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement.

Deacon Miao thought for a moment and then said cautiously, "However, the outcome isn't that absolute. After all, a group of rogue cultivators who make a living in the mountains every day certainly won't lack the courage to fight to the death."

"That's how it should be. The more tragic the battle, the easier it is to stir up the audience's atmosphere," Luo Tianhong laughed heartily.

The others also smiled, the atmosphere relaxed and filled with anticipation for the upcoming battles.

Perhaps disliking this relaxed atmosphere, Pang Renxiong snorted from above.

"Miao Zhen, has the Prodigy List been settled?"

Deacon Miao's expression turned solemn, and he nodded quickly.

"That Dharma treasure has been nurtured within the foundation of the Luofeng Mountain Dao Discussion Platform for a hundred years. There will certainly be no error when the time comes."

Pang Renxiong said with a deep gaze, "As long as there are no errors. If a problem arises, none of you will be able to bear the responsibility."

Everyone instinctively lowered their heads.

The Dao Discussion Platform was not only a major industry of the Yuding Sect, but it also involved the Yuding Sword Sect's strategic plan for attracting external talent.

The Yuding Sword Sect was a sect primarily based on master-disciple inheritance. Even though there were some small families within the sect, they had little influence.

This was because the path of the sword cultivator placed extremely high requirements on a cultivator's aptitude.

Consequently, even though the Yuding Sword Sect had established dominance over this domain, the number of cultivators within the sect had never significantly increased.

As a result, the Yuding Sword Sect's level of control over the Yuding Domain had never been high.

To this end, the high-level members of the Yuding Sword Sect had devised a plan.

That was to promote the Dao Discussion Platform throughout the entire domain.

The function of the Dao Discussion Platform was similar to that of a secular arena.

Its main purpose was to provide a fair place for combat to cultivators who enjoyed fighting.

Winners would gain fame and cultivation resources, and simultaneously, their names would be recorded on the Prodigy List.

The Prodigy List rankings were settled once a year. Those with high rankings would not only receive massive rewards but might even have the opportunity to join the Yuding Sword Sect.

They could become outer sect deacons or inner sect disciples.

For those with suitable aptitude, even Golden Core cultivators would step in to take disciples, helping them ascend to become Foundation Establishment true disciples.

This was the Yuding Sword Sect's plan: through the Dao Discussion Platform, they could not only earn spirit stones but also discover outstanding talent to fill the shortage of cultivators within the sect.

If developed properly, they could also better control the Yuding Domain.

Of course, such things, as well as the atmosphere of martial combat, required long-term cultivation.

And the performance during the opening would set a good tone for future development.

After discussing a few more matters, the meeting in the Sword Pavilion was nearly over.

Before the meeting adjourned, Pang Renxiong made a solemn remark.

"Keep those rogue cultivators in the outer districts in check, especially those劫修 (robber cultivators) who like to kill for treasure. Arrest and deal with every single one you catch. Do not let these robbers tarnish the reputation of Dahe Market."

(End of Chapter)