Chapter 2240: Chapter 2244: Stop Right There
Domain Lord’s Mansion, within a grand hall.
After the Mingqian Banquet ended, Zhang Yubo led the top three contenders from each realm and their affiliated Unity Realm Stage powerhouses to this place.
At this moment, dozens of long tables were arranged in the center of the hall, covered with various Spiritual Herbs and Spiritual Fruits, while many bookshelves lined the walls. Each shelf compartment held a Jade Slip, guarded by a layer of energy shield for protection.
These were all the treasures of the Domain Lord’s Mansion and Wind Demon Sect. No one dared to keep any for themselves; if caught, that would be deceiving Princess Chang, and this wasn’t to be taken lightly.
"Everyone, these are all the cultivation techniques, combat skills, and Spiritual Herbs and Spiritual Fruits in my Domain Lord’s Mansion and Wind Demon Sect."
A tinge of soreness flickered in Zhang Yubo’s eyes; many of these items were ones he risked his life to acquire, and he hadn’t expected them to be laid out here for anyone to choose.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yubo shot a fierce glance at Jiang Chen.
"To ensure fairness, the selection process will occur simultaneously. All of you have two hours to choose your Spiritual Herbs and Spiritual Fruits, cultivation techniques, and combat skills!"
Zhang Yubo took a deep breath, suppressing the pain in his heart, and spoke loudly, "Please remember, first come, first served. Whoever grabs it first owns it; once taken, it cannot be put back. Each person can only take three herbs and fruits and choose one cultivation technique or combat skill; absolutely no hoarding or snatching someone else’s is allowed. Do you all understand?"
"Understood!"
The crowd responded aloud in unison.
Jiang Chen had already spotted several Spiritual Herbs and Spiritual Fruits needed by Wu Xianxia and was getting eager.
"Very well, the timing starts now!"
Zhang Yubo announced loudly.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Silhouettes flitted outward, rushing towards the Spiritual Herbs and Spiritual Fruits. Since they were all visible there, if someone reached what they had their eye on first, that wouldn’t be good.
Jiang Chen also leaped forward, but as soon as he entered the area of herbs and fruits, he suddenly felt several presences locking onto him.
With a slight furrow of his brows, Jiang Chen scanned around, noticing that those from his academy had someone from the Domain Lord’s Mansion or Wind Demon Sect nearby.
"Hey! I saw it first!"
A shout rang out, and Jiang Chen focused to see Yun Tao speaking, a Domain Lord’s person beside him holding a Spirit Herb needed for refining a God Concealing Pill.
"Domain Lord Zhang, Sect Master Zhang, what do you mean by this?"
Hu Yiqiu and the others also noticed the situation, speaking in a deep voice.
"Elder Wine-crazed, first come, first served; if you can’t grab it, you can’t blame me. Others can’t be prohibited from picking it first, right?"
Zhang Qingyuan sneered as he spoke.
Hu Yiqiu and the others frowned slightly and their expressions turned indifferent.
However, this rule was indeed irrefutable; the first come, first served principle highlighted fairness, leaving them nothing to argue about.
Princess Chang glanced at Hu Yiqiu and his group, opening her mouth but saying nothing; if she helped further, it would appear too biased.
It wouldn’t look good to assist others in oppressing a Domain Lord.
"Playing like this?"
Jiang Chen smiled faintly, turned towards Zhang Yubo and Zhang Qingyuan, and said loudly, "Master, this game is quite fun!"
Hu Yiqiu and his companions paused, looking at Jiang Chen, while Yun Tao and his group also turned their gaze to him.
Jiang Chen chuckled lightly, glancing at the person glaring at him, secretly musing, "Want to play? I’ll play along!"
Whoosh!
Jiang Chen’s figure flashed, aiming for a Grade Six Spirit Herb nearby.
Swoosh!
A figure darted faster than Jiang Chen, taking the Spirit Herb first.
The person watching Jiang Chen was a Virtual Refinement Realm Peak cultivator from Wind Demon Sect, whose speed far surpassed Jiang Chen’s.
Whoosh!
As soon as the herb was seized, Jiang Chen altered his path, heading for the opposite long table, grabbing at a Grade Seven Spirit Fruit.
Swoosh!
The person again jumped beside Jiang Chen, snatching the Grade Seven Spirit Fruit first.
Jiang Chen’s lips curved slightly, his hand didn’t retract, but instead bumped into another fruit next to the one he wanted.
Whoosh!
An illusionary shadow appeared, and a hand already holding a fruit swiftly reached over, snatching the fruit Jiang Chen intended to grab as well.
Hu Yiqiu and the others looked at Jiang Chen puzzledly; the Spirit Herbs and Fruits he chose were not needed for refining the God Concealing Pill, so what was he doing?
Others noticed the Domain Lord’s Mansion and Wind Demon Sect targeting Jiang Chen and his companions, and were watching his side. Seeing him lose three times in a row, Pang Guang and others couldn’t help but feel sorry for Jiang Chen.
"Ha ha!"
A chuckle sounded, causing everyone to pause and look at Jiang Chen in surprise; was this guy provoked? Others snatched three times and he still managed to laugh?
Hmm? Three times?
Pang Guang suddenly realized something, his lips curled into a smile, praising Jiang Chen.
"Senior, isn’t the Domain Lord’s Mansion treating you well? It’s one thing to snatch Grade Six and Seven Spirit Herbs, but why would you grab a Grade Two Gathering Fruit? Do you still lack this?"
Jiang Chen teased, looking mockingly at the Void Refinement Realm powerhouse from the Domain Lord’s Mansion in front of him.
The man paused, having only focused on snatching without truly seeing the last fruit. Upon lowering his head, his expression shifted.
In his right hand, he held a Grade Seven Spirit Fruit, along with a scarlet Gathering Fruit.
"Senior, you’ve chosen three different Spirit Herbs and Fruits. You can go pick a cultivation technique or combat skill now! Remember, once in hand, it cannot be put down, and you can’t take more than allowed!"
Jiang Chen mocked with a smile, taking a Grade Seven Spirit Herb from beside him slowly, and said loudly, "Senior brother, everyone, I’ve got one of my targets!"
"Haha!"
"Good lad!"
"Well done!"
Hu Yiqiu and his group laughed heartily.
Zhang Yubo and Zhang Qingyuan’s expressions turned grim, staring at Jiang Chen in disbelief; they hadn’t anticipated their plan would be so easily disrupted!
"Haha! Alright, time for us to start as well!"
Yun Tao laughed aloud, his figure flashing as he started darting across the hall.
Jian Wuheng and others imitated him, and suddenly, the whole hall was filled with moving figures.
"Stop! What are you doing? Are you trying to take advantage of the chaos to grab more?"
Zhang Qingyuan shouted angrily.
"Sect Master Zhang, with your people around, especially with Senior Tan right here, do you think anyone could get away with snagging extra under his watchful eyes?"
Jiang Chen taunted Zhang Qingyuan.
Zhang Qingyuan froze upon hearing this, gritting his teeth and glaring at Jiang Chen fiercely.
Buzz!
As if in coordination with Jiang Chen, a majestic aura enveloped the entire hall right after he finished speaking.
Everyone glanced at Senior Tan, falling silent.
With a smirk, Jiang Chen joined in the chaotic scramble.
