Chapter 132: This First Truth Is So Easy

The people from the Northern District looked at Ye Jiuyao, exchanging glances, none daring to make the first move. Not to mention taking action, they didn’t even dare to speak. One by one, their eyes alternated between Ye Jiuyao and their companions beside them, anxiety evident even in the trembling of their legs.

“Hey, are you going to fight or not?!” Ye Jiuyao raised his voice, seeing how timid the Northern District people were, making him even less inclined to engage.

“Elder…” one began.

“Sigh… a bunch of useless fools. Come down,” the elder of the Northern District sighed, scolding them softly, though without much intention to punish. Instead, there was a sense of lamenting being born at the wrong time.

Qian Qing looked at Ye Jiuyao with a touch of admiration in his eyes, then stood up to announce the results of the competition.

The outcome stunned everyone.

The initially favored Eastern District fell to third place; the underdog Southern District took first; the Western District, previously third, plummeted to fourth; and the Northern District remained the perennial runner-up.

“How about it, is first place satisfactory?” Ye Jiuyao asked Bai Mei as he approached.

But Bai Mei shook his head, then added, “There’s still the individual competition.”

“Sigh, I’ll just have them give it to me directly,” Ye Jiuyao said.

Bai Mei was speechless.

How had it been so hard for him to win first before, but here it was just a matter of a word? Meanwhile, Ning Ling, Mad Bear, and the others were utterly bewildered, feeling like mere props.

“Qian Yuzuo, give me the prize for the individual competition too. I’m in a hurry to go home to eat, bathe, and sleep…” Ye Jiuyao bluntly told Qian Qing.

The others from the two districts could only glare helplessly but said nothing. As for Qian Qing, he simply looked at the two district representatives, his eyes asking silently. They responded with bitter smiles and nodded.

“Fine then,” Qian Qing said.

“Give me the prize. I’m in a hurry,” Ye Jiuyao said again.

After all, he’d already been given first place; he wasn’t about to forgo the reward. The reputation benefited the sect, but the rewards were his own. So Ye Jiuyao shamelessly pushed his luck once more.

Everyone thought this was a bit much. The upcoming battles involved only the two districts, beginning with a chaotic free-for-all, then moving to one-on-one matches, following a best-of-three format lasting up to two hours. Yet this guy wanted the prize immediately, not even willing to wait a moment. What delicious things could possibly be waiting at his home?

Their imaginations ran wild, picturing the abode of the Southern District’s Qian Yuzuo disciple.

“Here,” Qian Qing said. Known for his calm demeanor, he was not troubled by Ye Jiuyao’s unreasonable demands since everyone else had agreed. He was merely there to supervise. The process or outcome mattered little; what counted was discovering talent. Obviously, Ye Jiuyao was such a talent.

Though one person’s success cost many candidates, Qian Qing felt it was worth it—after all, one talent could defeat a host of others, proving he was one in a million.

After receiving the reward, Ye Jiuyao approached Bai Mei again, asking once more, “Is this the end of it now?”

Bai Mei had no reply. Everything seemed changed—from what was promised as a prestigious contest to this farce. Had he been leading his disciples into a fake competition all along?

“Old Bai Mei, remember to give me the other reward as well. I don’t work for free unless it’s for the people,” Ye Jiuyao said with grandiose flair, instantly earning fresh respect from the crowd.

Especially from the envoy of the Fan Shi Kingdom.

That ethereal figure rose gracefully and approached Ye Jiuyao. “Might I invite you to join Fan Shi Kingdom? I can report to the central court to allow you to cultivate in the great realm, so your talents won’t go to waste…”

“Fairy, isn’t this inappropriate? Besides, isn’t Fan Shi Kingdom all women? Why do you want to recruit me, your disciple?” Bai Mei frowned, displeased.

“Friend Bai Mei, please don’t misunderstand. I only have Ye Jiuyao’s future in mind—nothing else,” the fairy replied.

Ye Jiuyao himself was speechless. Without saying a word, the two of them were already at odds. This felt somewhat disrespectful. So he said, “Ahem, may I say something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Please do.”

“Well then, here it is.” Ye Jiuyao tentatively spoke.

They nodded in agreement. Ye Jiuyao said: “Cut the crap. I haven’t said anything, yet you’re already thinking of buying and selling me. Do you take me for a piglet?!”

Suddenly, Ye Jiuyao cursed outright.

Bai Mei and the fairy were stunned, feeling they hadn’t meant anything of the sort.

“You’ve really disappointed me, trying to trade me off. I don’t care—I’m emotionally hurt. You owe me compensation…”

“Not too much, just a hundred or so Sage Pills. I won’t be picky about those…”

“…”

Everyone was collectively dumbfounded.

This was shamelessness beyond belief—indirectly demanding compensation, and from such a mighty cultivator no less.

“Shameless!”

“Absolutely shameless!”

“This is the first time in my life I’ve seen such a shameless person!”

“Hmph, who can deny it!”

“…”

The crowd murmured, and the female disciples of Fan Shi Kingdom showed looks of disdain.

How could there be such an audacious man? His face was thicker than the city walls, and he was utterly blinded by money.

“Fine, just give me something. I’m in a hurry to go sleep,” Ye Jiuyao said again, his face matching the urgency in his words.

“How embarrassing…” Bai Mei looked at Ye Jiuyao with a pained expression. He had hoped that winning first place would bring him glory, but now all dignity was lost—completely and utterly.

Still, Bai Mei dared not speak out.

This master was petty to the extreme; if he offended him, the master might just go back to the sect and take the other two as teachers instead, leaving Bai Mei at a great loss.

So Bai Mei gave in.

“Hahaha… My disciple speaks the truth. I have truly hurt his feelings. Here, take this Sage Pill,” Bai Mei said reluctantly, producing a small vial from his universe ring. The moment it appeared, a faint fragrance spread out.

Ye Jiuyao snatched it immediately and quickly left Bai Mei’s side.

“Out of respect for the Fan Shi Kingdom’s fairy, I’ll forgo that other reward. I’m in a hurry to rest. Everyone else, enjoy the competition—I’m off to rest now…”

“That first place was really easy,” Ye Jiuyao’s words had barely finished when he vanished completely.