Chapter 230: The Coveted Quota, One Storm After Another

The dozens of cultivators gathered had varying levels of cultivation.

Some were merely at the early Qi Condensation stage.

Others had already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment!

Yu Xian had been alerted precisely because the two leading peak Foundation Establishment cultivators had attacked the formation guarding his courtyard!

“I thought you wouldn’t come out.”

One of the two peak Foundation Establishment cultivators said coldly as Yu Xian appeared. “I came by a few days ago and triggered your formation to send a message, but you completely ignored it. And now, with just a bit of force, here you are? What, were you actually afraid I’d break through your courtyard formation?”

“So it really is a mid-stage Foundation Establishment aura.”

The other cultivator also examined Yu Xian with a cold expression and said in a deep voice, “Are you hiding your cultivation? Pretending to be mid-stage Foundation Establishment?”

Yu Xian looked at the two calmly and asked in a steady voice, “Who are you? Why are you attacking my courtyard formation?”

“Hah, drop the act.”

The first one sneered. “I am Song Jie, disciple of Lu Mingyuan, a peak Core Formation expert from Golden Origin Sword Peak!”

“I am You Sheng, disciple of Elder Gu Yu of Gu Yu Peak, who is at the late Core Formation stage.”

The second introduced himself flatly and added coldly, “Yu Xian, we came here today to see what gives you the right, as a mere mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, to snatch one of the fifteen slots—and even have the Martial Elder protect you so strongly!”

Yu Xian frowned slightly.

What were they even talking about?

Snatched?

Protected?

He had been in closed-door cultivation for the past thirty-some days, breaking into late Small Pill Body stage—what the hell had happened outside?

Thinking for a moment, Yu Xian spoke again in a composed tone, “Senior brothers, what do you actually mean?”

“Still pretending?!”

Song Jie’s brows rose with anger. “You’re just a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator! Even if you’re decent in strength, you’re not nearly qualified to challenge peak Foundation Establishment, yet you used the Martial Elder’s influence to forcibly claim a slot? Greedy for rewards? Then you’d better make sure you have the power to take them—and live to use them!”

You Sheng also laughed coldly. “Craving rewards is one thing, but the Xuantian Secret Realm is no trivial matter. Don’t you realize? If you die in battle, and our remaining numbers are fewer than the Blood River Sect’s evil cultivators, and we lose the secret realm—that’s an unforgivable offense!”

Yu Xian finally understood.

So these two were jealous that he had taken one of the fifteen quotas.

Damn, had the slots become that crazy in just these past thirty days?

How generous were the rewards?

Too bad. If they had come thirty days ago, Yu Xian would have happily given up his spot.

But now…

Now Yu Xian didn’t plan to give it up.

He sighed internally—fate sure plays tricks. Then, maintaining a calm expression, he looked at them and said, “Whether I live or die in battle—how is that your concern? If you wanted to join, why didn’t you sign up earlier? Why come to me now?”

“Ridiculous!”

Song Jie barked. “If you die, no one cares. But if your death causes us to lose the Xuantian Secret Realm—that is a crime!”

“And what’s it got to do with you?”

Yu Xian’s tone turned cold. “Shouldn’t the Grand Elders be the ones worried about that? What are you so worried about? If you really are concerned, go to the elders and have them strike my name off the list, alright? Don’t come here to annoy me.”

With that, Yu Xian turned to head back into his courtyard.

He had made up his mind: unless his name was officially removed, he would go to the Xuantian Secret Realm!

These two had simply come to pressure him into giving up his spot.

But they were too late!

“Stop right there!”

“Damn dog, you don’t know what’s good for you!”

Yu Xian only smiled awkwardly and put on a troubled look. “Elder, this matter is a private affair between me and the Martial Hall Elder… Can I not answer? If the Martial Hall Elder gets angry, I can’t bear the consequences.”

“Private affair?”

Elder Lü Wanzhen glanced over Yu Xian, scanning his physique with a strange smile. “If it’s a private affair… then I won’t ask.”

Yu Xian shivered under the elder’s gaze.

This old man was definitely thinking something weird.

But since he dropped the question, Yu Xian relaxed and bowed. “Thank you, Elder.”

“You’re Yu Xian?!”

A loud shout interrupted them!

Not only Yu Xian, even Lü Wanzhen frowned and looked up.

A white-robed youth with a sword strapped to his back strode over quickly, glaring at Yu Xian. “You’re only mid-stage Foundation Establishment! How can you represent the sect to fight over the Xuantian Secret Realm and kill Blood River Sect scum?! That spot should be mine! I was in closed-door training and didn’t hear about it. Now I’m out and the list is full?! If you’re sensible, give me your quota!”

The young man had sharp brows and starry eyes, radiating an astonishing sword intent, like a sword drawn from its sheath.

Even Lü Wanzhen frowned. Though he was clearly annoyed, there was helplessness in his gaze. “Hua Zidu, what are you doing? Even if your master is a Grand Elder, you can’t act this rudely!”

Yu Xian narrowed his eyes. Song Jie and You Sheng posed no pressure to him—but this sword cultivator, Hua Zidu, was different.

His cultivation was only late-stage Foundation Establishment.

But the pressure he exuded was terrifying.

“Oh, Elder Lü, my respects.”

Hua Zidu casually cupped his fists and continued proudly, “I’m not being rude. I’m just stating the truth. A mid-stage Foundation Establishment like him wouldn’t survive even one strike from me. Taking a quota? He’s asking to die. I’m saving him!”

He turned to Yu Xian. “Did you hear me?”

Yu Xian looked at him calmly, then turned to Lü Wanzhen and said evenly, “Elder, I ask you to make a ruling.”

Lü Wanzhen hesitated but then barked, “Hua Zidu, I don’t care if your master is a Grand Elder! You’re openly demanding quotas from other disciples. That’s a blatant disregard for sect rules! If I arrest you now, no one can stop me!”

“What did I do?!” Hua Zidu laughed coldly. “I’m just talking to him. Since when was that against sect rules?”

He ignored Lü Wanzhen’s furious glare and turned back to Yu Xian. “You don’t have to give me your quota. But if you have guts—if you really believe in yourself—then fight me in the Martial Hall! If you can’t even beat me, a late-stage Foundation Establishment, what right do you have to go to the Secret Realm? You’d just die and embarrass the sect! Do you dare?!”

His voice boomed, drawing more and more spectators.

Even distant Core Formation cultivators turned to watch.

Hua Zidu had come out of seclusion?!

He was the legendary sword prodigy of Yuanjian Sect, a Heaven-born Sword Seed. Normally, such prodigies wouldn’t be allowed to risk danger—because even without any opportunities, they were guaranteed to reach the peak.

But now he was competing for a spot in the Xuantian Secret Realm?

And with Yu Xian—who was recommended by Li Cexuan?

Li Cexuan had sworn that Yu Xian had cross-realm combat power.

But Hua Zidu had actually slain peak Foundation Establishment cultivators.

If these two fought at the Martial Hall…

Even Core Formation cultivators were curious to see the outcome.

Yu Xian looked at him calmly.

After a moment, he shook his head. “I won’t fight you.”

“…Very well.”

Lü Wanzhen’s anger eased. He looked at Yu Xian, then at You Sheng, and asked, “Since you know your mistake, rise.”

The two rose.

You Sheng opened his mouth, but Yu Xian’s voice came first.

“Elder, these two came to my residence uninvited, attacked my protective formation, and insulted me for no reason. I had no idea why. Please investigate.”

You Sheng’s face changed instantly.

Song Jie, who had been quietly watching, also panicked. “Elder, we didn’t attack! We just wanted to talk to him. He was rude and said You Sheng eats feces!”

You Sheng trembled with rage. “Exactly! Elder, please deliver justice!”

Lü Wanzhen was no fool.

He knew these two had come to steal a spot—plain and simple.

Though Yu Xian had gotten in through connections, the fact was that the elders had already approved him.

But today, seeing Yu Xian’s composure, manners, and lack of arrogance, Lü Wanzhen’s disapproval softened.

He asked, “What exactly did you want from him?”

The two looked nervous and uneasy.

In the end, Song Jie stammered, “We… wanted to offer to go in his place. He’s young and has a bright future. We thought we could protect him as senior brothers.”

“Oh? Protect him? Go in his place?” Lü Wanzhen turned to Yu Xian. “Do you agree?”

“I do not.”

Yu Xian replied flatly. “But I thank them for their kindness.”

Lü Wanzhen nodded in approval.

Yu Xian had handled it smoothly. If he truly had the strength to fight across realms, and such maturity—his future was limitless.

Lü Wanzhen then glanced coldly at Song Jie and You Sheng. “He said no. Why are you still here? Waiting for dinner?”

The two immediately bowed and fled in embarrassment.

The onlookers scattered.

“Thank you, Elder, for standing up for me.”

Yu Xian let out a relieved breath and bowed deeply.

Lü Wanzhen gave him a long look, then asked, “Yu Xian, can you really fight against peak Foundation Establishment? Why is Li Cexuan backing you so strongly? Didn’t you reject being his disciple? Or… have you changed your mind?”

Yu Xian didn’t know how to respond.

Clearly, Li Cexuan was scheming something.

But if he told the truth, it’d sound absurd—and potentially suicidal.