A free-for-all?
Everyone looked at Li Nan in confusion, not understanding what he meant by "free-for-all."
Li Nan explained, "A free-for-all means there are no specific rules. During the competition, you can use any means necessary."
"You mean we can launch sneak attacks?"
a disciple asked, bewildered.
Li Nan chuckled. "Not just sneak attacks. You can also make threats, knock people out from behind, take hostages, and form teams and alliances... as long as you can achieve victory, anything goes."
"This..."
Everyone present was stunned speechless.
No one had expected the final round of this Holy Spirit Competition to have such rules.
A young woman in green frowned. "By that logic, wouldn’t we just become bandits?"
The other disciples nodded, feeling the same way.
Sneak attacks and knocking people out from behind were dishonorable tactics. They were fine to use against Demon Beasts, but against other humans, it was a bit unseemly and lacked martial virtue.
Even some of the spectating Patriarchs began to object.
Li Nan’s voice turned cold. "Don’t you think this is closer to reality? In the real world, there’s no such thing as ’cruel’ or ’despicable.’ There is only winning and losing. The winner lives, and the loser dies."
"This round doesn’t just test your talent; it tests your overall capabilities. The one who can survive in the most complex environment and be the last one laughing—that is a true expert."
Hearing this, everyone fell silent, inwardly agreeing.
The rules were indeed unfair, but they were also very realistic.
In the real world, no one is bound by rules or goes easy on you.
Li Nan continued, "There’s one more rule you must remember clearly: no matter who you defeat, you can take all the Treasures on their person."
"What?"
Patriarch Wu and Patriarch Mu, who had just been gloating, instantly paled.
’What the hell!’
Wouldn’t their sons become public enemy number one?
After all, the three of them were ranked extremely high and were carrying a large number of Treasures.
A cold sweat trickled down Barbarian Tyrant’s back. "Don’t panic. Our sons may be ranked high, but the one with the most Treasures is that Su Mo."
"Right, that Su Mo has over a hundred million Points. He has the most Treasures, so the other disciples will definitely target him first."
"I heard he’s hiding a Treasure Mountain on him."
Patriarch Wu and Patriarch Mu forced themselves to remain calm.
Not far from the three of them, a portly, middle-aged man broke into a cold smile.
This man was none other than Ren Fan’s father, Ren De.
Ren De stared at Su Mo and sneered, "Heh, you little bastard. You have so many Treasures, and you love the spotlight, don’t you? Let’s see if you make it out of this alive."
A subordinate beside him said sinisterly, "Under these rules, that little bastard is a dead man for sure."
Ren De asked, "How is that matter I had you take care of?"
The subordinate whispered, "It’s done. I’ve contacted a total of fifteen participating disciples to work for the Young Master. We’ll definitely be able to kill him."
Ren De nodded in satisfaction.
Back in the plaza, Wu Hao said, his heart pounding with fear, "Uh, why do I get the feeling these rules were designed specifically for us?"
Mu Qing said, "Isn’t it obvious? We have the most Treasures, so they’ll definitely try to kill us first."
"Look, the Hua Celestial Sect is already staring at us,"
Man Mountain cried out in alarm.
Wu Hao and Mu Qing looked toward the Hua Celestial Sect at the same time. Sure enough, the sect’s disciples were eyeing them like three fat sheep.
Cold sweat broke out on all three of them.
Man Mountain frowned. "Why do I feel like they aren’t just looking at the three of us?"
"Could it be... the Hua Celestial Sect is also targeting Elder Su as a fat sheep?"
Wu Hao guessed.
Mu Qing nodded. "Elder Su has the most Treasures. He’s definitely a target. They might even team up to take him down."
The three of them turned to look at Su Mo in unison.
However, Su Mo remained completely unfazed.
He was indeed a fat sheep.
But they would need to have the skill to hunt him.
Ren Fan sneered. ’This idiot. He’s acting all calm on the surface, but I bet he’s scared to death on the inside.’
"Young Master, our men are in position. Should we take him out?" his follower asked.
Ren Fan’s expression turned vicious. "I want to be the first to take him down! We’ll snatch all the Treasures from him, keep some for ourselves, and scatter the rest. That way, no one will target us."
"What a brilliant idea! Young Master Ren Fan, you are truly both wise and courageous,"
the follower praised him with a thumbs-up.
’With Treasures scattered on the ground for the taking, who would bother robbing them?’
’Isn’t it better to just pick them up?’
Li Nan continued, "Next, I will announce the prizes for this Holy Spirit Competition. The first-place champion will be rewarded with nine Holy Spirit Pills."
"What? The prize is Holy Spirit Pills?"
"That’s incredible stuff!"
Almost everyone screamed with excitement at the same time.
Only Su Mo looked completely bewildered. "The what now?"
"Elder Su, Holy Spirit Pills are amazing! Not only can they help a Martial Artist enter the Grand Martial Artist Realm, but even a Grand Martial Artist can continue to take them," Mu Qing explained excitedly.
Man Mountain said emotionally, "Nine Holy Spirit Pills are enough for a Martial Artist to skip a Realm in their Breakthrough and gain the qualifications to advance to Martial Monarch!"
"The champion of the last Holy Spirit Competition, Fairy Jinghong, probably managed to advance to the Martial Monarch Realm in just five years because she obtained the Holy Spirit Pills," Wu Hao said with envy.
Su Mo’s brow remained furrowed.
’Holy Spirit Pills are good, but they’re useless to me.’
What he needed was the Nine-Hearted Demon Fruit.
Only the Nine Dragon Venerable Pill, refined from the Nine-Hearted Demon Fruit, could allow him to achieve a Breakthrough.
"Second place will be rewarded with one Tier Five Spiritual Soldier!"
Li Nan continued to announce.
An uproar erupted!
Everyone grew excited once again.
A Tier Five Spiritual Soldier was a Treasure that only a Martial Monarch was worthy of possessing. It could greatly enhance their combat power.
"Is the Holy Spirit Manor going all out this time? They’re even willing to give away a Tier Five Spiritual Soldier."
"A Holy Spirit Pill, a Tier Five Spiritual Soldier... either one is a priceless Treasure."
"Tsk, tsk, the Holy Spirit Manor is really making a grand gesture."
At this moment, even the Patriarchs watching from outside the plaza grew excited.
’Why isn’t it the Nine-Hearted Demon Fruit yet?’
Su Mo looked anxious.
If the Nine-Hearted Demon Fruit wasn’t among the prizes, then he would have participated in the Holy Spirit Competition for nothing.
Just then, Li Nan finally announced, "Third place will be rewarded with three Nine-Hearted Demon Fruits."
Although the Nine-Hearted Demon Fruit was also extremely precious, it paled in comparison to the Holy Spirit Pills and the Tier Five Spiritual Soldier.
Therefore, the crowd’s reaction was nowhere near as intense as before.
Only Su Mo’s eyes lit up.
Li Nan said flatly, "In addition, each of the top ten finishers will receive a Celestial Heart Pill. Anyone under the age of thirty who consumes it can slightly improve their aptitude. Alright, the rules have been announced. The third round begins now."
"Let’s do it!"
"Even if we can’t get into the top three, making it into the top ten and getting a Celestial Heart Pill would be fantastic."
"For the Celestial Heart Pill, charge!"
"Find teammates first! Don’t let someone treat you like a pushover and kick you out right away."