Cultivation: But Not a Game-Chapter 135 - 66: Final Preparations Before the Year-End Exam

Chapter 135: Chapter 66: Final Preparations Before the Year-End Exam

As time passed, spectators began to enter the arena in succession, for what would be the last match of the year. The audience was much larger compared to the previous minor matches, with many high-ranking members of the guild present.

The contestants also entered the arena one by one, gathering in the waiting hall.

As soon as Su Yu entered, several people greeted him.

Besides familiar faces like Wei Xia and He Shoucheng, even those he didn’t know well, like Zhou Xuan, Cao Ze, and Lan Yiyi, greeted him warmly.

Su Yu remembered a saying, "When you are weak, the world is full of malice towards you, but when you are strong enough, the world is full of goodwill and everyone around you is kind."

He waved back at each one and, after joining a group of familiar faces, asked:

"Mr. Wei, have you found that treasure yet?"

Wei Xia waved it off, somewhat speechless:

"Don’t even mention it, we couldn’t even get through the door."

"Couldn’t defeat that monster stronghold?"

"Exactly, that monster stronghold is a bit strong, and we don’t have enough people to break through."

"By the way, I noticed something interesting about that monster stronghold. During the attack, I found that some of the monster generals were all practicing the Qi Refining Heart Skill and wielding Magical Treasures. I bet the leader of that monster stronghold has already opened the underground lair and taken the treasures inside."

Wei Xia suggested to him:

"You should be leading a team now, right? How about gathering your people to take down that monster stronghold after the competition? There’s a good chance of obtaining those Magical Treasures and Heart Skills after defeating those bosses."

Su Yu nodded with interest:

"We can try after the competition."

Heading to the sect wouldn’t be immediate after the competition; arriving within a month would suffice.

With the speed of a Spiritual Wing Flying Ship, it would take about half a month to travel from Thousand Feather City to the Profound Sect Immortal Gate. There’d still be half a month left for him to handle any loose ends, more than enough time to gather the three major teams for a big operation.

Conquering the monster stronghold might yield Advanced Magical Treasures and Refined Level Dao Skills, which could directly create several masters.

Additionally, there’s an underground lair beneath the monster stronghold, which could be seized as a base for the three major teams, serving as a resource area.

These kinds of lairs built by experts are always established over Spirit Veins. The abundant Spiritual Qi can support cultivation, continuously converting into Spiritual Qi experience, and could serve as a perk for the team, or even generate income through rental.

Moreover, the lair would definitely have high-quality spiritual fields, suitable for planting high-quality Spiritual Medicines.

Wei Xia was very pleased:

"Then it’s settled."

Su Yu nodded:

"I’ll arrange for my men to prepare in advance!"

He then opened his communicator and contacted Gu Zhiqiu, Gu Yao, and Hu Qingfeng, as well as the recently promoted deputy leaders of the second and third teams, Tang An and He Dongyu, to prepare for the team operation.

Tang An was a small team leader from the original second team, aged 29, with the Advanced Qi Refining Heart Skill at 72 layers, and two sixth-tier Magical Treasures.

He Dongyu was also a small team leader from the original third team, aged 33, with the Advanced Qi Refining Heart Skill at 81 layers, also possessing two sixth-tier Magical Treasures.

Both were relatively young, being among the top twenty during their debut year, with considerable strength and potential.

Most importantly, both had pledged their loyalty to him, and after over half a month of assessment, he promoted them to deputy team leaders. They were currently in a probationary period, and Su Yu would decide whether to make their positions permanent before heading to the sect.

After closing the communicator, Su Yu started chatting with the group.

It wasn’t long before the conversation shifted back to him, with He Shoucheng asking in a low voice:

"Mr. Su, it’s your last battle today. Are you confident you can defeat Ding Lingyu?"

Wei Xia also looked on with curiosity and anticipation.

Su Yu smiled faintly, nodded, and said:

"You’re not the first to ask me this, and my answer has always been the same: I will win this battle!"

"Awesome!"

He Shoucheng gave a thumbs up and turned to call over his brother-in-law, Zhang Yuncheng, who had entered with him, saying:

"Go to the Thousand Feather Tower and place a bet for me."

"Bet on whom?"

"Of course, bet on Su Yu coming in first."

"How much?"

"Hmm, 50 gold."

He gestured for his little brother to leave, and then turned back, a bit embarrassed to find that while he was talking, Ding Lingyu had arrived and overheard him.

But Ding Lingyu only gave him a slight glance and then said to Su Yu:

"May I have a word with you?"

He Shoucheng, feeling awkward, quickly said:

"You two chat, I’m going to the restroom."

He turned and left.

Beside them, Wei Xia, Gu Zhiqiu, Zhuang Zhuo, and others also stepped aside to give them some space.

The two moved to a window, and Su Yu, curious, asked:

"What’s up?"

Ding Lingyu glanced around and asked quietly:

"Did my father approach you?"

"....."

"He did."

"Did he try to make a deal with you, offering a price for you to go easy in the competition?"

"Uh...."

Ding Lingyu said sternly:

"I don’t need anyone to go easy on me."

Su Yu was quite surprised, looking up to see Ding Lingyu’s serious expression. He shook his head and said:

"I didn’t agree."

Ding Lingyu breathed a sigh of relief and said seriously:

"Don’t let any external factors affect you. Compete against me fair and square. If you can beat me, that’s your skill. Giving you the opportunity is no problem; if I can’t even beat you, how could I compete with others?"

For the first time, Su Yu took a serious look at him, nodding slightly:

"Don’t worry, I’ll give it my all."

Ding Lingyu made a slight bow and left.

Wei Xia, He Shoucheng, and the others came back over and asked quietly:

"What did he say to you?"

"He told me to do my best, not to hold back at all."

"Oh....."

Everyone felt it was pointless to mention; since the two were evenly matched, why would anyone hold back?