eurekapd Chapter 549 I Have No Home
Chapter 549 I Have No Home
Although Bai Yin was very fond of Jiang Liqian, it was ultimately a matter between the father and daughter, and he couldn't interfere too much. However, Jiang Sheng hadn't come to Taikun Sect today to "catch his daughter," but rather as a senior figure who had been specially invited to provide support. So Bai Yin took the opportunity to invite him to sit on the platform.
Jiang Sheng didn't refuse. Without even glancing at Jiang Junze kneeling on the ground or Jiang Liqian, whose face was pale and whose body was tense, he took a step and followed Bai Yin.
Although the others had left, a secret telepathic message reached Xu You'an's ears as he wanted to examine his senior sister's wrist again.
"You inhuman, ghostly, filthy and vile monster, how dare you covet what you shouldn't have coveted?"
Xu Youan froze, his face turning deathly pale.
Jiang Liqian sensed something was wrong with him and asked worriedly, "Ayou, what's wrong?"
Xu Youan abruptly released her hand, which he had been trying to grasp, and retreated awkwardly, his long eyelashes revealing helplessness and self-loathing.
"Senior sister, don't touch me, I'm dirty."
Her heart clenched suddenly, and Jiang Liqian stared blankly at his bloodless face.
The air was filled with the noise of voices.
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This grand event attracted disciples from every sect, big or small, across all the major states. Even the remote Northern State had small sects supported by the city lords sending representatives, making it an unprecedented spectacle.
However, compared to the grand occasion of the competition, the elders and clan leaders who entered the viewing platform this time were in stark contrast to the current situation.
They all looked serious and solemn, even the elders who loved to tell jokes were unusually silent.
However, most of the disciples below the stage were participating in such a competition for the first time and were so excited that they rarely noticed that something was wrong with the atmosphere.
Jiang Junze was clearly not among these disciples.
When he turned to look at Jiang Liqian, his lips moved, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Finally, he spoke, his tone even carrying a hint of pleading: "Little sister, after the sect competition, go home with Father. Mother misses you terribly... You can stay a few more days, three or five months... or even three or five years, before returning to the sect. You've never been back before..."
Jiang Liqian raised her hand, directly stopping him from speaking.
“Senior Brother Jiang,” she said, “I have no home.”
All she had left was the peak.
His eyes trembled violently. Jiang Junze took a deep breath and turned his head away. He didn't know what else he could say given his status. The guilt in his heart almost overwhelmed him.
Although Jiang Liqian's commotion was quite loud, it was just a small, insignificant interlude compared to the upcoming sect competition. Soon, everyone's attention was focused back on the stands above.
Then, Master Baiyin, who was presiding over the competition, stepped forward and came into view. He was dressed in a scholar's cap and Taoist robe, and looked elegant and dignified.
After a brief opening, he explained the rules of the competition. Everyone only saw him wave his sleeve lightly, and sheets of ink-white spirit paper floated in front of each person.
"This competition is different from the past. I must remind you all in advance that this sect competition will not provide any care, treatment, or defense assistance. No elders, sect leaders, or clan leaders will support you or save your lives in times of crisis. This is a life-or-death contract. Those who sign this contract will leave their lives to fate and will not blame anyone. Our sect, including everyone present here, will not bear the slightest responsibility for your life or death."
"Those who are willing to sign this document will be considered to participate in this competition; those who do not sign will be considered to have automatically forfeited. You need not feel any psychological burden. This is a matter of life and death, so please think it over carefully and make your choice."
"The timer starts now. Anyone who has not signed after one incense stick has burned will be considered to have abstained."
As soon as Bai Yin finished speaking, a huge incense stick appeared in mid-air and lit above everyone.
The disciples of the three major sects could not and did not choose to abstain; they all readily signed their names on the life-or-death agreement. This was because they had the means, the ability, and, more importantly, the honor of their sects.
Though they are called the three major sects, aren't they just another kind of shackle?
The powerful families who come here need to be much more cautious. After all, outstanding descendants are the foundation for a family's continued existence. It is wise and reasonable to select only a few members of the family to participate in the competition.
These children did not have the power to choose for themselves and had to obey the arrangements of their families.
As for smaller sects, they are much more lenient. Although they have their own considerations, they will listen to the disciples' wishes. After all, the smaller the sect, the more limited the resources. Experience, opportunities, spirit stones... all these require them to fight for a certain degree.
The independent cultivators who came to participate in the competition had more freedom and a wider variety of choices. Some were willing to fight to the death for resources, some wanted to live a peaceful life, and some didn't care whether they participated or lost their lives. But the majority were still hesitant and didn't know how to choose.
In the end, only half of the people in the square signed the waiver, deciding to participate in the competition.
Not for any other reason than the unusual nature of this competition.
Since the sect competition began, there have been instances of signing life-or-death contracts, but there has never been a system where disciples were truly allowed to fight and kill without any protection.
After the incense was lit, Bai Yin immediately waved his sleeve and collected all the spirit papers.
He wasn't surprised that only half of the participants were willing to sign the death warrant. He even felt that he hadn't made it serious enough, as there were still too many people participating in the competition.
It's just that once a move is made, there's no going back; as long as they can accept their outcome, that's fine.
"Very well, now that your fates are decided, I will open the water gate for this competition."
Bai Yin stretched out his palm, and countless water droplets gathered towards him from all directions. In less than three breaths, a flowing, transparent water gate with a faint blue light formed in front of everyone.
Although it is called a water gate, it is more like a huge palace gate made of water, not only exquisitely decorated, but also more magnificent.
Bai Yin merely flicked a drop of water from afar, and the water gate slowly opened before everyone's eyes.
"This is the Water Moon Stone, which can clearly record everyone's actions and is also the scoring material for this competition." Bai Yin waved his sleeve again, and countless water droplets fell from the sky, landing precisely in the hands of those who had signed the life-or-death agreement. After the water droplets broke, they revealed a crystal-clear stone with a crescent moon imprinted on it.
"The Water Moon Stone contains a high-level spatial teleportation array, which can be used once every three days. However, the teleportation location is fixed and will not change regardless of the circumstances."
Bai Yin leisurely explained everything required for the competition, and with a slight lift of his hand, water columns surged from all around, delivering sheets of Water Moon Paper imprinted with special spiritual seals to each participant.