Chapter 520 - 40: Pinnacle Showdown

"Seven days... are you sure that’s enough time?" Zhuang Yuechan’s eyes filled with heartache as she wet a handkerchief and gently wiped the wounds on Song Changsheng’s body.

She hadn’t expected things to get to this point. He was originally just supposed to fight on behalf of Luoxia City, but he’d somehow ended up as a finalist.

"My injuries aren’t serious. The main issue is that the final blow consumed too much of my Spiritual Power. Seven days will be enough time. I just wonder who the Golden Crow Sect will send out."

The Golden Crow Sect’s original finalist had been Zhang Yuheng, but he was defeated by Yinn Shang and severely injured. It would be impossible for him to recover in less than a month or two, unless he was willing to disregard his future and forcibly consume his own foundations.

That was almost impossible.

Among the remaining four people, aside from Xia Qingxue, whose strength was unknown, the other three were likely a notch weaker than Jin Yue. Song Changsheng was still fairly confident.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

A knock sounded at the door. Song Changsheng swept the area with his Divine Sense and, discovering it was Song Qingxi and Song Xianyun, quickly opened the door.

"Changsheng, er... Miss Zhuang, you’re here too?" Song Xianyun said, his expression a little strange as he noted their intimacy.

Song Qingxi had long known about the two of them, so he wasn’t particularly surprised, just a little envious.

"You can just call me Yuechan," Zhuang Yuechan said, rising to her feet with graceful composure.

"Good, good, good. Excellent," Song Xianyun repeated, his face filled with gratification.

"Grandpa Twenty-one, what brings you here?" Song Changsheng said, quickly getting up and inviting them to sit.

"You’re representing Luoxia City in the tournament; of course the clan had to come cheer you on. You were magnificent today, actually managing to defeat that Jin Yue." Song Xianyun’s eyes were filled with pride. The Song Clan had really earned a lot of prestige this time.

At his words, Song Changsheng replied humbly, "I just got lucky."

"Luck is a part of strength," Song Qingxi said with a small smile. He then added, "Uncle, Yuann Tributor sent us to ask when you’ll be returning to Ling Province, so we can travel together."

The situation in Tuo Province was complex, and Song Changsheng had just been in the spotlight at the tournament. Yuann Tianshu was worried he might run into danger on his way back, which was why he had sent them to ask.

Song Changsheng shook his head. "I have to compete in the finals before I can leave. They’re in seven days."

"The finals?" Song Xianyun’s gaze sharpened, and he glanced over at Zhuang Yuechan.

"That’s right. My eldest senior brother and Senior Brother Niu are severely injured, so I’m the only one left for the finals. Don’t worry," he said, trying to reassure them. "The rules state that you stop once a victor is decided. I’ll be fine."

Song Xianyun pulled Song Changsheng aside and whispered, "If everyone actually followed the rules, I wouldn’t be worried. But you saw it yourself today—the Golden Crow Sect and the Celestial Vein Sect have no regard for the rules of the tournament.

The final in seven days will determine who controls Tuo Province. The Golden Crow Sect will surely resort to even more unscrupulous means. If they were facing someone like Yinn Shang, they might still have some reservations, but against you? I’m afraid they’ll stop at nothing.

They’re the high-and-mighty Direct Disciples of a Major Sect; they’ve never seen people like us as their equals. Even if you were to die at their hands, Luoxia City wouldn’t dare to start an open conflict with the Golden Crow Sect."

Hearing this, Song Changsheng sighed softly. Of course he had already considered everything Song Xianyun had said. But he had to fight this match. Not only did he have to fight, but he also had to win!

’Although the Song Clan reigned supreme in Ling Province, the province was ultimately too small and its resources too barren to support the clan’s future development.’

’But Tuo Province was different. It was a virgin territory, yet to be developed, and it held abundant resources. Even a small piece of it would be enough for the Song Clan to consolidate for a very long time.’

’That’s right. He planned to use this victory to secure a foothold in Tuo Province for the Song Clan.’

"No, you have to find a way to back out of this," Song Xianyun said, his tone resolute.

"Grandpa Twenty-one, trust me. I can handle this."

Song Changsheng was not a man who lacked self-awareness. He had decided to participate in the finals only because he was confident enough in his abilities. He couldn’t guarantee a win, but he was certain he could at least protect himself.

Seeing the determination in Song Changsheng’s expression, Song Xianyun let out a long sigh. He knew Song Changsheng had already made up his mind, and once he had, not even ten Flood Dragons could hold him back.

"Hah... do as you wish." Song Xianyun sighed, patted Song Changsheng’s shoulder, and left with Song Qingxi.

While Song Changsheng and his companions were agonizing over the finals, the Golden Crow Sect was facing a similar headache.

Zhang Yuheng’s defeat had cost them their ace in the hole, and choosing a new finalist had become a major problem.

The skills of Du Yu, Ma Tianyi, and Chen Rulong were all more or less equal. Any one of them could be sent, but by the same token, none of them felt like a safe bet.

Besides those three, there was still Xia Qingxue. The true strength of this little matriarch was a complete mystery; not only was it unknown to the outside world, but very few elders within the Golden Crow Sect itself were aware of her actual capabilities.

Logically speaking, as the Direct Disciple of Su Ding Master—the number one figure in the Daqi Cultivation World—Xia Qingxue’s strength should be extraordinary, making her the ideal replacement for Zhang Yuheng.

However, the finals were too important. Unsure of the full extent of her abilities, the elder leading the group dared not make a rash decision. He had no choice but to secretly report the matter to Bai Zimo.

Why "secretly"?

Because Bai Zimo, a Golden Core Master, was one of the vice-referees for the tournament. According to the rules, contestants were forbidden from having any contact with him from the beginning of the competition until the end. To do so would be a violation.

Bai Zimo mulled it over for a moment before saying, "Let Qingxue fight. Tell her to get herself into peak condition."