Players: All NPCs in the Sect Are Moles

As if sensing her confusion, Lin Qingfeng’s voice transmission echoed in her mind again.

[Lin Qingfeng]: "Little Sister, you’re getting caught up in appearances. The Great Dao is profoundly simple and can be found in the mortal world. People don’t cherish things that are free. What is easily obtained is easily discarded. Only by paying a price does one truly understand its value. This is what I call ’the sincerity of a seeker’s heart.’ I poured my heart and soul into building this marvel; it would be a shame if no one cherished it. Besides, the most important thing is that everyone has fun."

Su Ling’er listened to his words. ’I don’t really know what he’s talking about, but... it kind of sounds profound?’

’Is this the level Senior Brother is on? He can elevate collecting an entrance fee to the high plane of "the sincerity of a seeker’s heart"?’

’Fine, I guess I can accept that explanation!’

[Su Ling’er]: "Senior Brother is wise! I have been enlightened! This isn’t about copper coins. This is clearly a representation of all living beings’ yearning for the Great Dao!"

Lin Qingfeng: ...You’re catching on faster than I am.

She flew into the air again and announced to the still-enthusiastic crowd below, "Thanks to your generous support, the Guixi Sect, to give back to the community, is specially opening this ’Heaven-Ascending Run’ course as a Trial Ground for the public. Those who wish to experience it may purchase a ticket for entry. The price is one hundred copper coins per person."

"Additionally, the course is equipped with numerous bouncing mechanisms. Please proceed with caution, especially around the jump pads, lest you get stuck, unable to go up or down."

Her words completely ignited the crowd’s enthusiasm. Many martial artists, as well as purely curious commoners, swarmed the starting point, eager to sign up. Meanwhile, a few players from the Guixi Sect conveniently set up a table at the start and began acting as ticket sellers.

"Step right up, step right up, don’t miss out! The Guixi Sect’s immortal racetrack! A trial price of one hundred copper coins per person! Just one hundred copper coins!"

"One hundred copper coins, a price you can’t beat! One hundred copper coins, a deal you can’t refuse! Truly worth every coin, an honest price for all!"

"Still foolishly climbing wild mountains? They’re tiring and dangerous! What if you run into wolves or tigers? Here, the scenery is unparalleled and the mechanisms are ingenious! You can get a good workout and broaden your horizons at the same time!"

"And what’s the most important thing? Safety! You all saw it! Even if you slip and fall, there are platforms below to catch you, and a fairy maiden in the sky to personally catch you! This kind of treatment, this kind of prestige... where else can you find it? Not even the emperor gets this kind of fanfare when he goes out!"

Su Ling’er swayed, nearly falling off her sword.

She looked down at the excited crowd, an image instantly flashing through her mind:

Hundreds of burly men raining from the sky like dumplings dropped in a pot, while she spun like a top in the air, catching one only for another to fall; catching that one, only for the first one to throw up...

’What fresh hell is this?!’

She could only weep silently in her heart. ’Senior Brothers... um... I know you have to hype it up, but can you please not use me as a "selling point"?’

’With my small frame, if a two-hundred-pound warrior really fell on me... it would shorten my lifespan!’

But the players just snickered. "Since the fairy maiden has so solemnly entrusted this to us, then fine! We agree! By the way, we’ll only sell tickets for a few days. After that, I’m planning to go have fun somewhere else."

Su Ling’er: "..."

’Fine, them leaving is good too. Yes, very good.’

Amid the uproar, the "Wang Xiedi" who had just won the championship had, at some unknown point, vanished without a trace.

But this didn’t stop countless people from trying to find the new champion. Some had their eyes on the luminous gemstone he carried and wanted to buy it for a high price. Others coveted the promise from the Guixi Sect, hoping to get a piece of the action by paying a hefty sum, or even to marry into the opportunity. But the winner was nowhere to be found.

「...」

「Meanwhile, at one of Anhe City’s gates...」

The real Wang Xiedi and Li Chunfeng had finally arrived.

"We finally made it," Li Chunfeng said with a long sigh, clapping Wang Xiedi on the shoulder. "Come on, Xiedi, let’s head into the city and find a place to fill our stomachs!"

The two had just stepped through the city gate and had not taken more than a few steps when they were engulfed by a sudden wave of enthusiasm.

"Look! It’s the Heart-Protecting Mirror! The winner of the Heaven-Ascending Run is over there!" a sharp-eyed vendor shouted.

Instantly, the surrounding crowd swarmed them, three layers deep, blocking them in completely.

"Mr. Wang! May I ask if you are married? My third aunt’s second aunt-in-law’s niece is sixteen, beautiful as a flower, and destined to bring her husband good fortune!" a woman dressed as a matchmaker pushed to the front.

"Mr. Wang!" a bejeweled merchant cupped his hands. "Your luminous gemstone—I am willing to offer three thousand taels of silver for it!"

Before he could finish, another merchant pushed him aside. "Three thousand taels? You have the nerve to make such an offer! Mr. Wang, I’ll give you five thousand taels!"

"I’ll give you six thousand taels! Plus my two shops in the south of the city!"

"I’ll give you eight thousand taels! And my daughter!"

"...You’re ruthless!"

Wang Xiedi was completely bewildered by the scene. He stood in the middle of the crowd, not knowing what to do with his hands and feet.

’Heaven-Ascending Run? The winner? A luminous gemstone? What did I miss? Did my mighty body just tremble upon entering the city, causing everyone to flock to me? Or did I sleepwalk into a national martial arts championship and steal the emperor’s treasure? But my body didn’t even tremble!’

"Well, I’ll be!" Li Chunfeng watched from the side, clicking his tongue in amazement. He nudged him with his elbow. "Not bad, kid. When did you pull off something so earth-shattering behind my back? Spit it out! How could you keep such great news to yourself?"

"I... I really don’t know!" Wang Xiedi said with an innocent look, waving his hands frantically at the crowd. "Folks, you must have the wrong person! I am Wang Xiedi, and I’ve only just arrived here. I haven’t done anything!"

His words caused an even greater uproar in the crowd.

"Did you hear that! Mr. Wang is so humble!"

"Indeed! He’s clearly a master of his craft, yet he shows no arrogance. A true role model for us all!"

"That’s right! A role model for us all!"

Just then, a woman with a graceful figure and seductive eyes let out a delicate cry of "Oh, Mr. Wang!" and "accidentally" stumbled toward Wang Xiedi’s arms.

The intention was so obvious that Wang Xiedi, who had never experienced such a thing, instantly flushed red. But he immediately recalled his grandfather’s teachings: ’A true man must walk the world with honor and integrity. How can he claim another’s achievements or take advantage of a woman? That is the behavior of a charlatan who deceives the world!’

So, Wang Xiedi took a deep breath, planted his feet in a horse stance, twisted his waist, and in a "shoulder strike" posture, narrowly dodged past the woman’s side! His movement was so large that he almost bumped into the merchant who had made the highest bid.

After steadying himself, he cupped his fist towards the woman and shouted, "Miss! Please have some self-respect!"

The woman had expected to fall into a warm embrace, but instead, she lunged at empty air. Seeing that she was about to fall flat on her face, she quickly twisted her hips, took a few minced steps, and barely managed to steady herself, avoiding public embarrassment.

’Idiot! Blockhead! Even if you didn’t want to take advantage, even if you had to dodge, you could have at least put out a hand to steady me! What about chivalry? What about common decency? Did a dog eat it all?! You were just going to watch me fall? If I hadn’t been faking it, I would have lost all face today!’

At that moment, another wave, this one filled with killing intent, surged from a distance.

"That’s him! I’d recognize that face even if it were turned to ash!"

"He doesn’t have an ID above his head, so he’s probably an NPC, but I don’t care anymore! Just seeing his face makes my blood boil!"

"Exactly! So what if he’s an NPC? He must be a related character! Let’s beat him up first and see if all he can do is run!"

As soon as the words fell, several furious players charged toward Wang Xiedi.

"Hey! You with the Heart-Protecting Mirror! Prepare to die!"

"Today, I’m going to show you a world of pain!"

"Heart-Protecting Mirror, if you’ve got any guts, don’t run! Stand right there and don’t move!!!"

Hearing them shout about the event being "rigged," Wang Xiedi was even more confused, furiously complaining in his mind, ’What did I do? How am I part of a rigged event?’

Seeing the ferocious-looking men charging at him, he had no time to think. He grabbed the still-dazed Li Chunfeng and shouted, "Only an idiot would stand still! Feng, run!!"

The two of them scrambled through the crowd, pursued by two completely different groups. One was a throng of enthusiastic admirers shouting, "Mr. Wang, don’t go!" The other was a mob of enraged contestants roaring, "Don’t you run, you cheat!" The scene was utter chaos.