Chapter 501: Lu Chao's Suggestion

According to the plan devised by Qian Zeng, Qian Ya, and the others, the Thunderbolt Sect was certain to send one of its top two disciples for the first match. Even in a loss, they would still want to project the Thunderbolt Sect’s power.

That was why they had sent out Second Senior Brother Ren Tang to face them.

But as it turned out, the Thunderbolt Sect sent out its weakest disciple. Just like that, their Second Senior Brother was wasted on an easy win.

At that moment…

Qian Zeng and Qian Ya began an emergency discussion, debating whether to devise a new plan. In the end, however, most of the Elders shook their heads and vetoed the idea. They couldn’t afford to let their composure be shaken, or they would only make more mistakes.

“Let the first match begin!”

The announcement was boomed out by one of Xiao Ru’s subordinates.

In the blink of an eye, the first match was over. Second Senior Brother Ren Tang had defeated his opponent almost instantly. Afterward, the subordinate announced that the Qianjian Sect had gained one hundred points and then declared the start of the second match…

Then, the same subordinate of Xiao Ru’s began a countdown, “Three, two, one… Disciples for the second match, step forward!”

On the Qianjian Sect’s side, Third Junior Sister Lu He stepped forward, her expression cold.

The disciple who stepped out for the Thunderbolt Sect once again sent a tremor through the Qianjian Sect members—it was the second-weakest disciple from their ranks.

Now, Lu He would also be wasted.

At this, a flustered Qian Ya cried out, “Third Junior Sister, don’t win so quickly!”

Under these circumstances…

They needed Lu He to stall. They had to have enough time to reconvene and change their lineup.

And so, Lu He didn’t finish her opponent instantly. Instead, she drew out the fight.

Across from the temporary arena…

The upper echelons of the Shengting Sect and the Thunderbolt Sect were gathered together. They watched the panicked Qianjian Sect, sneering amongst themselves.

Shengting Sect’s Senior Brother, Feng Xianyin, was with Chi Xingxun at that moment…

He too was watching the frantic Qianjian Sect, and asked with a smile, “Brother Chi, what do you think the Qianjian Sect will do for the third match? Will they switch their disciple, or will they stick to their original lineup?”

Chi Xingxun replied with a faint smile, “My guess is they’ll play their ace in the third match.”

As he spoke, he pointed to the Qianjian Sect lineup list in Feng Xianyin’s hand. Their ace was the Fifth Junior Brother.

A fighter whose strength was on par with Third Junior Sister Lu He.

As for Qian Ya, she was listed as second to last.

The two in the middle were the relatively weaker Fourth and Seventh Junior Brothers. As for the young Sixth Junior Sister from before, she was only at the Creation First Layer, not yet strong enough to participate in this competition.

“They can’t afford to gamble anymore,” Chi Xingxun added with another smile. “If they lose this, they lose everything. Their only choice is to go all-in and send out their ace.”

Feng Xianyin politely praised his analysis, but then immediately shook his head.

“That’s not a given. Logically, you should be right, Brother Chi.”

“But… Haha!”

Feng Xianyin couldn’t help but laugh. “But it doesn’t matter to me. They can plan however they want. I have someone from the Qianjian Sect who will give me a hand signal. If there’s no signal, it means the Qianjian Sect is sticking to the list.”

As he said this, Feng Xianyin’s gaze shot directly across to Ren Tang.

Even with the list, he still needed Ren Tang to signal him. He needed Ren Tang, the mole within the Qianjian Sect, to give him confirmation.

No matter who they sent out for the third match, he would know instantly.

For the Shengting and Thunderbolt Sects, this was a battle they could not possibly lose.

Meanwhile, the Qianjian Sect was deep in a tense discussion…

Master Tian wasn’t part of the discussion; he was still attending to Lu Chao. Utterly flustered, he asked, “Young Master Lu, what do you think we should do? Should we stick to the original list, or…?”

Lu Chao gazed at the fight on the temporary stage, watching Lu He deliberately stall for time…

He spoke softly, “During the first round of the promotion tournament, all of your Elders suffered a collective cultivation deviation, correct?”

Slightly taken aback, Master Tian immediately confirmed his account.

Lu Chao’s eyes were cold as he continued…

“Now, let’s assume that among the core members of your Qianjian Sect who created that list, there is a mole. In that case, no matter who you decide to send out, the enemy will know instantly.”

“Therefore, how you arrange the lineup no longer matters. The crucial point is how to keep the Thunderbolt Sect from finding out.”

Lu Chao’s words made all the color drain from Master Tian’s face. He couldn’t help but glance over at the core disciples and Elders deep in discussion.

“I suggest you first focus on ensuring there *is* a next match. Otherwise, none of this matters…”

“And I further suggest that you have Senior Sister Qian decide the lineup herself and tell absolutely no one. That will leave the mole blind and force the Shengting and Thunderbolt Sects to guess, hopefully causing them to misplay their hand.”

Master Tian stared at the calm and composed Lu Chao, his own lips trembling slightly…

After thanking Lu Chao, Master Tian rushed over to Qian Ya without a second thought and whispered a few words in her ear.

Instantly, Qian Ya, who had been slightly panicked, shuddered violently. She subconsciously glanced toward Lu Chao.

Her expression shifted from shock and doubt to resolve, and she gave a firm nod.

As Master Tian returned to his spot, Qian Ya suddenly addressed everyone in a low voice, “Father, esteemed Elders, from now on, I will decide the lineup myself. Is it alright if I have the final say?”

Everyone was stunned.

“I suspect there is a mole among us. Our lineup has been exposed, so we absolutely cannot let the enemy know our new plan.”

Qian Ya continued, and her words caused Ren Tang’s expression to shift for a fraction of a second before he quickly composed himself.

Then, his gaze turned incomparably sinister as he looked toward Lu Chao and Master Tian. ‘It must be that Lu Chao’s doing,’ he thought.

And so, Qian Ya received the approval of all the Qianjian Sect’s core members…

And so, Lu He won the second match.

And so, Ren Tang was unable to give Feng Xianyin the signal. He had no idea who Qian Ya was going to send out.

Finally, as Xiao Ru’s subordinate announced the start of the third match and once again began a three-second countdown…

Qian Ya suddenly shouted, “Fifth Junior Brother, you’re up!”

She had decided to send out their ace, the Fifth Junior Brother, just as Lu Chao had advised Master Tian.

No matter what, they had to guarantee there would be a next match, or nothing else mattered.

Meanwhile, on the opposing side, having received no signal from Ren Tang, Feng Xianyin assumed the Qianjian Sect was sticking to their original list.

So his decision was, “Send out the Thunderbolt Sect’s Senior Brother…”

According to the list, the next opponent should have been the Qianjian Sect’s Fourth Junior Brother. The Thunderbolt Sect’s Senior Brother could eliminate him with ease.

Especially with the boost from Xiao Ru’s Elixir Pills, it would be child’s play.

“The Rising Moon City Promotion Tournament is as good as over,” Feng Xianyin said, immensely pleased with himself. But when he saw the Qianjian Sect’s Fifth Junior Brother leap onto the stage, he was completely dumbstruck. He whipped his head toward Ren Tang, his eyes practically shooting flames.

‘What the hell is that bastard playing at? They switched fighters, so why didn’t I get the signal?!’