Chapter 270 - 201: Slaughter Tower 3
He said flatly,
"Ming King, please continue."
The Ming King smiled warmly and said,
"These ruins open in stages, layer by layer. For now, it seems only the first three floors will be accessible, for those below the Grandmaster Realm. The fourth floor and above are for the Grandmaster Realm, and I estimate they will open in a few more days.
"Why don’t we each let our disciples go in to explore and train first? After they come out, we can then go in and take a good look at what’s on the upper floors. Out here, let’s value peace. As for inside... well, peace is best, of course."
If there was real treasure inside, peace would be impossible. At that point, it would come down to one’s own fortune and ability.
Li Xingtuo discussed it with the Grandmasters around him for a moment, appearing slightly hesitant.
This rule seemed quite ordinary; it was the standard procedure for exploring ruins, with no apparent problems.
But the key was that their side had Lu the Third, who had entered before. It was equivalent to them holding a strategy guide, while the Great Li side was completely in the dark, knowing nothing.
They could say the disciples would enter and rely on their own abilities, but the opposing side had the first-mover advantage. If a fight broke out inside, their advantage would be too great.
But if they didn’t let their disciples enter, the young experts of the Western Regions would be free to explore the ruins and seize all the benefits. They feared that afterward, several more rogue Grandmasters like Lu the Third or the Black Wind Elder would emerge. It was even possible that, years from now, a few more Ming Kings could appear.
The conflict between the Central Plains and the Western Regions, in matters of both nation and the martial world, had stretched on for a thousand years. Naturally, no one present wanted to see the Western Regions gain such power.
The Ming King didn’t press them for an answer, simply maintaining his compassionate smile.
This was his overt scheme. Either their disciples would easily obtain opportunities, which he would naturally be happy with, or the outstanding disciples from the Central Plains would come in to be slaughtered, which was also fine by him.
No matter what they chose, the Western Regions was guaranteed to win this time. This was a "win-win."
On the Great Li’s side, the leading Grandmasters conferred for a moment and came to a consensus.
Li Xingtuo said resolutely,
"I will send disciples into the ruins.
"First, my Sect still has disciples trapped inside who must be found.
"Second, an ancient ruin is both a danger and an opportunity. If they can brave it, it will be tremendous training for the disciples, an opportunity not to be lightly discarded.
"Third, the Western Regions’ ambition to encroach upon the Central Plains has never died, and in recent years, there have been signs of its resurgence. The Western Regions has also produced many young experts. If they are allowed to easily draw power from these ancient ruins, aren’t we just sitting back and watching them grow strong? For this reason, my Cloud Mountain Sword Sect will not stand idly by."
Master Kongming placed his palms together.
"Amitabha. These ruins have an affinity with Buddhism, and we have received a decree from Master Zhiling. Therefore, this old monk has brought his disciples."
"Monk Huie Jue will be going in too?"
A Grandmaster asked.
The fair and handsome Huie Jue lowered his gaze and pressed his palms together.
"This little monk will go with several of my senior brothers."
The others were instantly reassured. Although Huie Jue’s cultivation was only at the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm, as a top disciple of Master Zhiling and a rare young high monk of the Bodhi Institute, his attainments in Buddhist techniques were exceptionally high. He was likely no weaker than a Third Transformation Realm expert.
"Sect Leader Li, which of your great disciples will you be sending in?"
Another Grandmaster asked.
Li Xingtuo said calmly,
"I have already sent a message to my eldest disciple, Qin Zhenyang, telling him to come find his junior brothers and sisters."
Qin Zhenyang, ninth on the Hidden Dragon List, who had distinguished himself at the two-sect tournament!
Several Grandmasters glanced at each other, now completely at ease.
With Qin Zhenyang and Huie Jue leading the team, the young disciples from Great Li should be safe.
Thus, the other Grandmasters all declared that they would still send their disciples in.
"Sect Leader Li is right! These ruins may be dangerous, but they are also full of opportunities. If we keep our disciples coddled at home, they’ll never achieve anything in the Martial Dao."
"Let the people from the Western Regions pick up treasures for free? I’ll be the first to disagree! I will summon my disciple here as well."
"The other side has the experienced Lu the Third..."
"What’s there to be afraid of? With the ninth on the Hidden Dragon List and the young master from the Bodhi Institute leading the way, no petty villains are worth fearing!"
Hearing this, Huie Jue quickly put on a humble expression and repeatedly said they were overpraising him.
Seeing that the other side had finished their discussion, the Ming King said with a smile,
"Since our fellow Daoists from Great Li have agreed, let’s make a deal—
"When the first three floors of this Slaughter Tower open, we will send our young people in to train. Each house will send one person. Once inside, they will seek their own opportunities based on their own abilities. How about it?"
Li Xingtuo, representing the group, indicated they had no objections.
"We will do as the Ming King says."
The Ming King chortled, the fat on his body trembling.
"Sect Leader Li is truly magnanimous, willing to send so many of the Central Plains’ finest to their deaths. This one will gladly accept them."
Li Xingtuo just gave him a faint glance, disdaining to engage in a war of words, and went to rest to the side with Lu Pei and the other Grandmasters.
From time to time, newly arrived Grandmasters would appear on the horizon and join one of the two sides.
It was rare for so many Grandmasters from both Great Li and the Western Regions to gather in such a small area, yet they bizarrely maintained a state of peace. Like well water not mixing with river water, they all quietly waited for the ruins to open.
「Two days later.」
The Grandmasters, who had been resting and recuperating, opened their eyes at the same time, looking toward the illusory image of the Treasure Tower that was growing brighter and brighter.
The body of the Slaughter Tower trembled slightly, vibrating like ripples on water and emitting circle after circle of colorful light.
The massive pit in the center of the basin, like the mouth of an abyss, suddenly erupted with a tremendous suction force, kicking up a gale. All the surrounding sand and dust were sucked into it, and the entire basin seemed to sink a layer lower.
The Grandmasters stood firm in mid-air, feeling the gale blow past as their clothes flapped loudly.
The Ming King laughed heartily, his voice like a great bell.
"It seems it’s about to begin. Everyone, are you ready?"
Behind him, a towering monk, twelve feet tall, bowed slightly.
"Master, this disciple is in peak condition, ready at any moment to eliminate demons for the sect."
This monk had a ferocious face like a yaksha. His skin was so dark it shone, and his body was abnormally tall and sturdy. He wore only a pair of shorts, revealing a body of lean, well-defined muscles that seemed to brim with power. He looked less like a monk and more like a strongman.