Chapter 311 - 176: One Against Ten! Overpowering All
"Do you have an objection?"
Liang Jingxing’s brow furrowed slightly.
Chen Sheng rose to his feet and walked slowly onto the high platform, speaking as he went:
"I’ve heard that for the second round of the arena tournament in the Wushan Contest, aside from the rule about consecutive victories, there is a second rule, one originally established jointly by Qingfeng Temple and Golden Spring Temple.
If someone were to challenge all other jade slip holders at once, upon victory, they would gain the right to decide the division of the Wushan Yuan Ore shares themselves. Even if a single faction were to take the entire fifty percent share, it would be permissible.
I wonder, does Elder Liang recall this rule?"
"You want to challenge the other nine all by yourself?!"
Liang Jingxing’s expression changed abruptly, filled with disbelief.
When Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple first established this rule, their intent was to leverage their sects’ power to seize a larger share of the Elemental Crystals. Unfortunately, doing so would have caused the Government Office and the other five major factions to unite against them.
Furthermore, neither Qingfeng Temple nor Golden Spring Temple ever produced a peerless prodigy capable of overwhelming all rivals. Thus, after the first few Wushan Contests, the rule essentially fell into disuse.
And so, no one ever brought it up again.
He never expected Chen Sheng to be the one to bring it up now.
"Fighting you one by one is a waste of time. If you all come at once, we can save some time."
A slight smile played on Chen Sheng’s lips.
"That rule does exist," Liang Jingxing confirmed again. "But have you thought this through? With your strength, if you proceed through the rounds normally, the Government Office is certain to win a considerable share. But if you lose this challenge, the Government Office will forfeit all rights to a share of the Elemental Crystals."
"I agree to this."
Chen Sheng bit out the four words, his tone as firm as hammered iron.
Nearby, the expressions of the various sect leaders changed drastically. They stared fixedly at Chen Sheng, their faces etched with disbelief.
"Arrogant!"
The gaze of Lu Canghai, Manor Master of Luoyun Manor, suddenly hardened, his expression turning cold and sinister.
He instantly understood Chen Sheng’s motive. It was clearly to ensure Luoyun Manor wouldn’t get even the slightest share. ’But what gives him such confidence?’
He refused to believe that Chen Sheng could truly dominate every genius of Ning’an Prefecture’s younger generation all by himself.
"Arrogance requires strength to back it up. And he has it!"
Sun Yuzhi’s voice was cold as she heard Lu Canghai’s exclamation.
"Hmph. I’m afraid the Government Office might just lose its chance to compete for any shares this time. You place a lot of faith in this kid, Vice Envoy Sun." Lu Canghai snorted, his tone sharp.
"Perhaps Manor Master Lu should worry more about whether Luoyun Manor will be going home empty-handed," Sun Yuzhi replied, her expression impassive.
Beside them, Bai Qing and Wangqingshan drew in a sharp breath.
At that moment, they finally understood the source of the confidence behind Chen Sheng’s earlier promise to increase their shares.
Chen Sheng hadn’t been planning to help them during the first-round melee. Instead, he intended to single-handedly crush all of Ning’an’s champions and seize the right to divide—or even claim entirely for himself—the remaining fifty percent of the Wushan Yuan Ore!
"Amitabha Buddha. Since Donor Chen is so confident, there is no harm in letting him try. This humble monk is actually quite optimistic about Donor Chen’s chances."
Monk Xuanbei said with a smile, seeming to support Chen Sheng.
But it was obvious he was certain Chen Sheng couldn’t possibly pull it off.
Lu Qingsong, the Sect Leader of the Iron Sword Sect, frowned deeply, his expression grave. He wasn’t as relaxed as the others; instead, he felt a growing sense of unease.
From what he had observed, Chen Sheng was never one to make empty boasts.
If he dared to make such a claim now, he must have the strength to back it up.
And it seemed Chen Sheng truly did have that strength.
With his Profound Gang Realm cultivation and his grasp of a Mental Realm, Lu Qingsong believed that aside from Zhang Daoming of Qingfeng Temple, who might have a chance, none of the other young fighters could even compare.
If Zhang Daoming chose not to get involved, Chen Sheng might actually be able to do it.
Below the arena, the reactions from the young geniuses holding the jade slips were even more intense.
"This is an outrageous insult!"
Lu Maozhi was the first to snap, his face flushing crimson. He felt profoundly insulted.
Flames of fury blazed in Monk Fazang’s dark gold pupils, and a faint, golden Buddha Light began to swirl around him.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles popped.
With this move, Chen Sheng was making it clear he didn’t consider him—or even Zhang Daoming—to be his equal.
The arrogance was simply off the charts!
Lu Xuanzhou and Li Xuance’s faces were grim. Beneath their shock and anger, a sliver of indescribable chill and... a faint flicker of unease passed through their hearts.
The last trace of laziness finally vanished from Zhang Daoming’s face. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze like a bolt of lightning, locking onto Chen Sheng on the arena as if trying to see right through him.
An unprecedented feeling of solemnity crept over him.
Wang Zilan’s lips parted slightly, her eyes filled with utter astonishment.
Wang Zhaoning and Li Danqing, on the other hand, fell into deep thought, momentarily at a loss as to how they should react.
’If Chen Sheng really fights all nine of them, should they join the fight or stay out of it?’
Liang Jingxing gave Chen Sheng a deep look. Seeing his resolute gaze and complete lack of hesitation, he finally let out a long breath.
He then turned to the nine slip-holders below and the various Sect Leaders on the platform. Channeling his True Essence, he made his voice boom across Wushan Mountain:
"Deputy Captain Chen Sheng of the Jingwu Bureau, in accordance with precedent, challenges the other nine slip-holders!"
"If Chen Sheng is victorious, the distribution of the additional fifty percent share of the Wushan Yuan Ore will be decided by his word alone! Even if he chooses to take it all, it is within the rules!"
"If Chen Sheng is defeated, the Government Office will automatically forfeit its right to compete for this fifty percent share! The remaining nine will then proceed with the tournament under the original rules to determine the new division!"
Then, Liang Jingxing’s gaze slowly swept over Zhang Daoming, Fazang, Lu Xuanzhou, and the others.
"You nine. Do you accept the challenge?"
No answer was needed. Nine auras—of varying intensity, but all undeniably powerful—erupted like ignited beacons, surging into the air with a roar.
Waves of battle intent clashed violently in the air.
Seeing this, Liang Jingxing said no more. He floated backward, completely vacating the vast bluestone arena.
In the center of the arena, Chen Sheng slowly turned, the sleeves of his jet-black robes stirring in the roiling currents of air.
His gaze, as calm as still water, swept over Zhang Daoming, Fazang, Lu Xuanzhou, Li Xuance, Wang Zhaoning, Li Danqing, Chen Yanling, and Shanming, finally pausing for a moment on Lu Maozhi’s face, which was twisted in shock and rage.
Raising a hand, Chen Sheng casually crooked a finger at the nine below the stage.
His calm voice was not loud, yet it clearly cut through all the noise and the sound of the wind, ringing in every person’s ears with an air of unquestionable poise and absolute confidence:
"All of you, come at me at once."
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A large 5,000-character Chapter for you, a bit late, my apologies.
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