Chapter 99: Nantian Yijian's Decision

"

Sigh...

here we go again."

Watching Nantian Yijian wail pitifully, Lu Chen couldn't help but feel both amused and helpless. He summoned the Green Sovereign Divine Tree to lift the wooden plank.

Jun Laoye stepped in from outside the cabin, suddenly remembering Nantian Yijian. "Damn it, I forgot that Little Jian is still resting over there."

He hurried forward, jumped in front of him, and forcefully pulled him out.

Jun Laoye brought Nantian Yijian over to Lu Chen, brushing the dust off him and putting on a theatrical display of grief. He wailed. "Who... who could do this to my brother?"

Nantian Yijian looked at Jun Laoye, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and quickly stood up to embrace him. "Little Jun, I'm fine. Don't cry. It's just... we still haven't found out who buried me."

"Ever since the last demonic beast hunting competition, they've taken every chance to knock me out and bury me whenever I let my guard down. It's happened more than ten times already. And they always complained that my guqin playing was unbearable."

"How can you call this fine? You were trapped under the rubble for so long, and I didn't even notice. Don't worry, I'll find the culprit for you!"

Jun Laoye looked at Nantian Yijian, his cries growing even more intense. Just as the two of them clung to each other, overwhelmed with emotion, a voice suddenly rang out beside Jun Laoye, "Second Young Master, I think I just saw you leave Brother Yijian over there."

The cabin fell into an awkward silence. Jun Laoye's body went rigid as he shot the speaker a frantic glare, subtly shaking his head to signal him to leave.

The cultivator was an honest one. Believing Jun Laoye hadn't heard, he raised his voice and repeated, "Second Young Master, I just saw you put Brother Yijian down there yourself."

Nantian Yijian heard someone calling out to him from behind. "

Huh?

Did someone call me?"

He pushed Jun Laoye away slightly and tried to turn around.

Jun Laoye, however, pulled him back forcefully. "No... no one, you must have misheard."

He hugged him tightly again, turning his face away and smearing spit across his cheeks to fake tear tracks.

"Little Jun, I'm really fine now. You can let go."

Nantian Yijian struggled to get up, but Jun Laoye was entirely in character, pounding Nantian Yijian's back with clenched fists. Nantian Yijian pushed him several times, but he couldn't break free.

Jun Laoye wailed, dabbing at his eyes. "No, you don't have to hold back your grief. It's all my fault for being such a useless big brother, letting my brother lie trapped under the rubble for so long, and we still don't know who did this."

The cultivator who had spoken earlier looked like he was about to speak again, but was dragged away by another and sent to clean up the next area.

As he walked away, he muttered innocently, "But the Second Young Master told me to repeat it. Why are you dragging me away?"

This little scene sent waves of laughter through the crowd within the cabin, washing away the heavy tension left from the earlier battle.

When Jun Laoye had finally exhausted his act, Nantian Yijian straightened and sighed. "Little Jun, I really am fine. Please, let go."

"Are you sure you're fine?"

Jun Laoye peeked with one eye, saw Nantian Yijian's expressionless face, and relaxed. Relieved that his "crime" hadn't been discovered, he slowly released him and told him about Lu Chen's ultimate victory.

"Really?" Nantian Yijian quickly leapt over to Lu Chen with a broad grin, arms outstretched. "Boss, where are the spoils you promised me? Give them to me!"

Lu Chen looked at Nantian Yijian's excited face and laughed. "Here. Some of the senior brothers held back this time, so we managed to claim all the spoils from those who fought in the arena."

He drew out a spatial pouch from his robe and tossed it over.

Nantian Yijian caught it and quickly opened it. "

Hahaha

, I'm rich!"

After Lu Chen added a few more items, the pouch now contained exactly two hundred sets of spoils.

Nantian Yijian laughed wildly as he counted the items. "So many! This is amazing!"

But halfway through, his laughter suddenly cut off.

Lu Chen frowned at the silence. "Little Jian, why did you stop counting? Are you unhappy with it?"

"Boss... how many are there in total?"

The grin was gone. With a calm, almost solemn expression, Nantian Yijian lifted his head. "I've been counting for so long and still can't finish. Could it be... that all of the spoils are here?"

Lu Chen nodded. "Some didn't step into the arena, so I added a few items to cover for them. That makes exactly two hundred sets. Enough to keep you occupied for a long while. Are you satisfied now?"

"I'm satisfied, yes. It's just... I never expected there would be this much."

Nantian Yijian looked down at the pouch, then at Lu Chen, his expression unusually complex. Pain, worry, reminiscence, and even sorrow were all mixed, but neither joy nor excitement was visible on his face.

Lu Chen quickly moved closer. "Little Jian, what's wrong?"

Jun Laoye and the others also rushed over.

"Little brother, what's troubling you? With so many resources, shouldn't you be happy?"

Song Ping added, "If you don't waste them, these resources will carry you to the late stage of the Qi Regulation Realm, maybe even all the way to Qi Condensation."

Nantian Yijian shook his head. "I'm fine. It's just... seeing so much at once reminded me of some unpleasant memories. It made me feel a little uneasy."

He glanced at Song Ping, then stood and gestured toward the cultivators nearby before turning back to Lu Chen. "If these resources weren't for me alone, but shared among them, wouldn't each of them be able to advance at least two realms?"

The cultivators around him froze at Nantian Yijian's words, their hands halting mid-motion. "Shared with us?"

In their minds, it was only natural to lose spoils after a defeat. No one had ever suggested otherwise.

Song Ping glanced at Nantian Yijian and said in surprise, "That would indeed help everyone advance several realms... But are you sure? These spoils were hard-earned by all of you."

This was also the first time he encountered a situation like this.

Nantian Yijian said firmly, "Yes, I want to return all the resources. I still remember the days when I was hunted. I know how painfully scarce resources are for ordinary cultivators, and I don't want anyone else to go through that."

Song Ping patted him on the shoulder. "I understand your intentions, but the rules of the Martial Merit Platform are set. Even if the juniors wanted to, they couldn't take them back."

"I have a plan," Nantian Yijian said. He stored away the spatial pouch and turned to Lu Chen. "Boss, you haven't voiced the wish Uncle Jun granted you yet, have you?"

"No, I haven't," Lu Chen replied. He inwardly nodded, realizing Nantian Yijian wanted to use this opportunity to ask Jun Wudi to alter the battle rules.

Nantian Yijian stepped up to him, fixing his gaze on Lu Chen. "Boss, can you give me this chance? I really need it."

"I understand what you're trying to do. You've always been kind," Lu Chen said, meeting his eyes. "If you're truly willing and have already made your decision, then go ahead. I'll always support you."

It was the first time he had seen Nantian Yijian so determined to do something meaningful. After patting his shoulder and brushing away his tears, Lu Chen nodded at Nantian Yijian. "Alright, I'll grant you this chance."

Jun Laoye stepped forward and pounded his chest. "You've really got it, Little Jian. Besides my Second Uncle, this is the first time I've seen someone so admirable."

Nantian Yijian broke into a wide grin. "

Hahaha

, I think so too! I'm just a brilliant, heroic, and beautiful gentleman."

He looked as carefree as ever.

Nantian Wan'er stood behind Lu Chen and whispered, "Brother Yijian, you're just a gentleman. 'Handsome' works, but 'beautiful' is usually used for girls."

"

Huh

, it doesn't make a difference," Nantian Yijian said, scratching the back of his head and smiling sheepishly. "Here, 'beautiful gentleman' is a phrase made just for me."

Song Ping looked at the four of them gathered together and said, "Who would have thought the younger generation would come this far? As your senior brother, I might have to step up my game."

Lu Chen laughed along. "

Hahaha

, Senior Martial Brother Song, you're exaggerating. You're only in your thirties. That's hardly old at all."

Song Ping rolled his eyes. "Watching you all fight so fiercely makes me feel ancient."

Lu Chen smiled and responded, "No way. You're a bloodline cultivator. You're bound to get much stronger."

By then, the tables and chairs in the cabin had been put back into place, with delicacies and fine wines arranged once more. The cultivators slowly took their seats as Jun Wudi ascended the arena, and the cabin fell into a quiet hush.

Song Ping glanced toward the Godslayer Squad. "Brother Lu, the senior brothers have called me. I should head back. Let's continue drinking later."

"Alright. Later, we'll drink to our hearts' content," Lu Chen said with a smile. "Whoever passes out first is the loser."

"

Hahaha

, fine. The future of the Serene Void Academy rests on you all. I'll support you from the shadows. For now, I must take my leave," Song Ping said.

He patted Lu Chen on the shoulder and performed a forward salute with both hands, then strode off toward the Godslayer Squad with his usual carefree air.

Lu Chen returned the salute with respect. "Don't worry, Senior Martial Brother Song. I'll take care of the juniors."

The gesture reflected the unique trust that was now shared between the old and new Chief Disciples of the Serene Void Academy.

Jun Laoye and the others followed, giving their own salutes.

Lu Chen turned and said, "Let's go. The banquet is about to begin."