Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1087: Borrowing the place

At that precise moment, Lu Bihai of the Martial Alliance rose to his feet. "Esteemed everyone, may I have your attention for a moment?"

He then turned his gaze towards Kwon Qianhong, offering a cupped fist salute. "I offer my apologies for the intrusion, Fellow Daoist. I hope the distinguished Soaring Feather Trading Company will not take offense if I borrow this venue for a brief personal announcement."

"Naturally. Since the auction has officially concluded, Daoist Lu of the Martial Alliance is most welcome to utilize this gathering with the Trading Company's full consent," Kwon Qianhong replied cordially, returning the salute with his own cupped fist.

"Thank you!" Lu Bihai affirmed with a nod, reinforcing his gesture with a shake of his fist and hand salute. He then faced the assembled crowd in the auction hall once more. "Everyone, I have a proposal that has occupied my thoughts for some time. It concerns a matter of considerable importance to many of you present, which is why I feel this moment is opportune."

As these words were spoken, the Elders of the Ember Palm Pavilion felt a spark of interest ignite within them. They had been anticipating such a moment, their focus now shifting from Chu Ren, with whom they could converse at a later time—this matter was far more pressing.

Lu Bihai continued, "It is high time that the rivalry between our three great Sects reaches some form of conclusion. However, there appears to be no clear victor in terms of continental influence, nor a viable method to determine one. The end seems perpetually distant. The current path seems to be leading towards an all-out confrontation, which should, after all, only be the very last resort when all other avenues have been exhausted. This is hardly ideal from our perspective either; we are adherents of the Righteous Path, not mere savages."

His statement elicited murmurs of agreement throughout the auction hall. However, a significant portion of the attendees, particularly the mercenaries seeking employment, remained conspicuously silent, their hopes pinned on the prospect of widespread conflict that would generate ample work.

Representatives from the other two major Sects narrowed their eyes at Lu Bihai. They were uncertain of his intentions, as the Martial Alliance was not typically expected to interfere so directly. Their usual role was to ensure adherence to the rules, witness outcomes, and perhaps mediate disputes, not to actively dictate the course of events.

"And since the topic of a tournament has been raised," Lu Bihai then proclaimed, "how about we decide the matters between the three Sects through a martial tournament?" He elaborated, "In fact, we can utilize the tournament that the esteemed Daoist of the Soaring Feather Trading Company has been promoting. If Arena Owner Qian has no objections, we shall simply divide the tournament into two distinct sections: one for the Sects' competition and another for general participants."

"I have no objections whatsoever; indeed, I warmly welcome such a proposition!" Qian Ying declared, standing up with a broad grin and offering a cupped fist salute to Lu Bihai.

"The Ember Palm Pavilion wholeheartedly supports this proposal," announced the Inner Court Elder of the Ember Palm Pavilion, executing a similar hand and fist salute.

"Wha-... How can you-...?! Furthermore, can you even make such decisions without consulting your main Sect?" the Inner Court Elder of the Crystal Wood Sect exclaimed, pointing a finger at his counterpart while simultaneously sending a sound transmission: [Are you out of your mind? That pill just...]

He was clearly concerned that the Seven Extreme Swords Sect might gain an undue advantage from this proposal, given the recent auction results.

The Seven Extreme Swords Sect harbored similar thoughts, viewing the turn of events as a fortuitous opportunity. Their Inner Court Elder rose with a booming laugh. "Hahaha, are you perhaps afraid to compete? Of course, we can make these decisions! We are officially dispatched representatives of our Sect, so any agreement we reach becomes the definitive stance of our main Sects. The Seven Extreme Swords Sect also champions this proposal! In truth, this is how it should have been decided from the very beginning!"

'This cunning old fox,' mused one of the Outer Court Elders of the Crystal Wood Sect, his eyes narrowing. The possibility of a martial tournament had been previously discussed among the three Sects, but it had been rejected by all. They had found more latitude and opportunity for manipulation within the current, less-defined struggle for influence, rather than engaging in a straightforward contest.

A direct martial tournament now decidedly favored the Seven Extreme Swords Sect, especially after their acquisition of the Heaven Turning Pill.

However, with two of the three Sects now endorsing the proposal, considerable pressure was immediately placed upon the remaining Crystal Wood Sect.

But their Inner Court Elder, after receiving a swift reply via sound transmission from the Ember Palm Pavilion, first displayed an enlightened look, then a gleeful one. Tipping his head back, he burst into hearty laughter, "Hahahaha! Scared? As if! If that's the case, then our Crystal Wood Sect fully supports this proposal as well!!!"

This abrupt change in demeanor startled even his own Sect members, let alone the Seven Extreme Swords Sect. Yet, no one allowed them much time to ponder this shift.

The instant the Crystal Wood Sect voiced their agreement...

"Then it is settled!" Lu Bihai unfurled a scroll he had already prepared. It floated to the center of the room, and the three Elders representing their respective Sects affixed their seals to the document.

"It is now official! I hereby declare that the competition between the three Sects will be determined through a tournament!" Lu Bihai proclaimed victoriously, eliciting cheers from the crowd as a significant alteration occurred in the blink of an eye.

"One moment!" Just then, a voice sliced through the general excitement, drawing everyone's attention to Wei Yuanjie. The three Elders of the Ember Palm Pavilion were the most astonished by this person's intervention.

After all, everything had proceeded roughly according to their scheme thus far, but this particular turn of events was not part of the plan they had been briefed on.