Chapter 478: Tournament Judge Translator: Tim Editor: GlobeGlotter

“Brother Xiang, I fear Sect Leader Wang may never return,” Feng Wu said softly, his eyes narrowing.

Xiang Mingwang was startled. “The tournament’s held every five years; it’s a major event for the hidden sects. Even if Sect Leader Wang is busy, how could he miss it? Doesn’t he want his sect’s geniuses to enter the spirit well? Even if he doesn’t care about that, doesn’t he want the crystal?”

Xiang Mingwang doubted Ye Mo’s heritage was so valuable that he’d skip the tournament. He was giving up a chance at great heaven!

“Because Ye Mo’s brought someone to the tournament, and he’s sitting in the Thirty-Six Rivers region,” Feng Wu stated plainly. He didn’t explicitly say why Wang Lenchan didn’t come, but everyone understood. Ye Mo was here, but Wang Lenchan wasn’t.

“What? Ye Mo’s here?” Xiang Mingwang’s face changed, and he abruptly stood. The man behind him also seemed shocked and quickly left, returning a moment later with a face as grim as Xiang Mingwang’s. He’d obviously seen Ye Mo.

Zeng Zhengxia stood up. “We were supposed to have four judges, but since Sect Leader Wang isn’t here, we’re short one. Considering Ye Mo’s newly risen sect and Flowing Snake’s renowned pills, perhaps he could substitute. What do you think?”

Feng Wu looked at Zeng Zhengxia in surprise, then considered it.

“No, Ye Mo’s too junior to judge this tournament,” Xiang Mingwang immediately objected.

“That’s right, Sect Leader Zeng. Ye Mo is only in his twenties, at most in the Earth Level Primary stage. I agree with Sect Leader Xiang,” a middle-aged man behind Feng Wu said, rising.

Feng Wu’s face cooled. “Zheng Chao, we’re discussing important matters; you needn’t intervene.”

“Martial Brother?” Zheng Chao stared, surprised by Feng Wu’s tone. Before he could speak, a middle-aged woman stopped him.

“Brother Feng, what’s your opinion?” Xiang Mingwang might ignore Zeng Zhengxia, but he needed Feng Wu’s input. He didn’t believe Ye Mo could kill Wang Lenchan.

Feng Wu hadn’t planned to speak, but since Xiang Mingwang asked, he couldn’t remain silent. “Our tournament’s always been about power and fame. However, this is a peaceful era, even supported by the government; there shouldn’t be any unexpected trouble. So I believe we can set aside the matter of power. Sect Leader Zeng suggests Ye Mo, and his reaching this stage at such a young age proves his genius. I agree with Brother Xiang’s principled view, but Sect Leader Zeng’s point is also sound. It’s a difficult decision.”

For once, Xiang Mingwang didn’t act rashly; he contemplated. It was strange that Zeng Zhengxia, ranked fifth, dared make such a proposal, and Feng Wu wasn’t supporting him. What was happening?

The middle-aged woman approached Feng Wu and whispered, “Martial Brother Feng, I believe we should agree with Sect Leader Zeng.”

Feng Wu had only guessed; now that someone from his sect supported him, he looked at the woman confusedly. “Martial Sister Caiji, why?”

She replied carefully, “Sect Leader Wang definitely went to find Ye Mo last night, and as you said, he wouldn’t let Ye Mo go easily. Yet Ye Mo’s here, and we haven’t seen anyone from the Wang family—not even at their residence this morning. There’s only one explanation: the people Wang Lenchan took with him last night are dead, likely killed by Ye Mo. We didn’t offend him last night, and there are only four crystals; even if we disagree, we won’t get an extra one. We might as well show goodwill.”

Feng Wu nodded. He’d considered this, but it would offend Xiang Mingwang.

As if reading his mind, Caiji smiled. “Martial Brother Feng, if Ye Mo killed Wang Lenchan, he’s no ordinary person. Whether he or someone else did it, we shouldn’t offend him. I don’t believe Xiang Mingwang would hold a grudge over one spot.”

Feng Wu made up his mind. He smiled, breaking the silence. “Since we’re in a difficult situation, let’s listen to Sect Leader Zeng and let Ye Mo substitute for Sect Leader Wang. After all, there are only four crystals; one less judge makes splitting them difficult.”

Xiang Mingwang agreed; it was two votes against one.

…

When Zeng Zhengxia asked Ye Mo to judge, Ye Mo protested, “Brother Zeng, I really don’t want to judge; it’s a waste of time.”

Zeng Zhengxia smiled mysteriously. “Brother Ye Mo, would I harm you? Do you think this judging is free? The top three cultivate in the spirit well for three months, right? The well produces four crystals every five years. Those crystals are the judge’s reward. Hehe, you haven’t seen these crystals yet, but once you do, you’ll understand why this wasn’t a waste of time.”

Crystals in the spirit well? Ye Mo wondered if they were spirit stones and immediately nodded.

…

Three hundred and twenty people entered the tournament. Only one in a hundred would enter the spirit well. The competition was fierce.

The rules were simple: the first four rounds were elimination rounds. Three hundred and twenty people would duel one-on-one.

To avoid black-level participants facing each other early, the eleven black-level participants were seeded for the first round, numbered one to eleven. After the first round, there would be no more seeding.

Han Yan was black level, number ten. Her first opponent was number 311.

Though the participants were all elite, their movements were full of flaws to Ye Mo’s eyes. There was no point in watching them.

Han Yan was at the peak of the Black Level Primary stage; her opponent was at the Yellow Level Tertiary stage. Despite Han Yan’s lack of powerful moves, she beat her opponent in a few moves.

Other than a few evenly matched fights, the duels ended quickly. Around 1 p.m., the first round ended, leaving 160 participants.

Round two began at 2 p.m. Ye Mo had little to do as a judge; auxiliary judges were also present. Only in case of indecision or accidents would the four main judges be needed.

The morning round went smoothly, but the afternoon fights were more intense.

Suddenly, two girls caught Ye Mo’s attention; he knew both of them.