This time, there were a total of 16 people competing for the position of the Dafang Sect's Sect Leader. Among them, there were five from the Jiang Clan, which was the only clan with a full quota. There were four from the Zhou Clan, three from the Yuan Clan, three from the Chen Clan, and one from the Wang Clan.
The place where the Sect Leader Preliminary was held was called Dafang Grotto. It was a mysterious cave that the founder of the Dafang Sect had accidentally discovered and had a fortuitous encounter in it. Since then, Dafang Grotto had become the Dafang Sect's forbidden land. Outsiders were not allowed to enter easily.
There were five entrances to Dafang Grotto, distributed in different directions. The cave number five that Mo Wen was at was one of them. There were another four cave entrances that belonged to the other four clans. Only by passing through a passageway that was neither too long nor too short could one reach the central area of Dafang Grotto. If the candidates successfully reached the central area of Dafang Grotto, they would have completed the first round of the assessment.
According to Wang Yinru, the entrance to the mysterious place was also in the central area of Dafang Grotto. Only by reaching that place would one have the opportunity to enter the mysterious place.
Mo Wen's silhouette flashed and he flew into the cave in front of him. The cave was pitch-black, and he disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"As expected, he went in."
"Follow the plan."
The two middle-aged men who were guarding outside the cave looked at each other, and a cold light flashed in their eyes. Then, they took out a small conch from their bosoms and blew it into their mouths.
However, the conch didn't make any sound. Instead, it emitted a formless wave that slowly spread out.
At this moment, the crowd in the square had not dispersed. Instead, there was a lot of discussion.
On the platform in the center of the square, there were five big screens hanging. On each screen, there was a scene playing.
It was the live broadcast of Mo Wen and the others' preliminary at the five cave entrances. Hence, the candidates' every move was being monitored by the Dafang Sect and was being broadcasted in front of everyone.
"What's going on? Why did the Dafang Sect publicize the candidates' experiences? Aren't they afraid of revealing the Dafang Sect's secrets? "
"It's a little strange. During the Dafang Sect Leader Selection, the assessment process wasn't publicized, especially when it involved Dafang Grotto. Didn't the Dafang Sect hide that place and not allow outsiders to enter? "
"Who cares so much? Let's just watch the show. It's a feast for the eyes to see so many young experts fighting each other."
"Interesting. Coming to the Dafang Sect to participate in the Sect Leader Selection Conference isn't that boring."
"Look at the fifth entrance. Why is there only one person? The other caves all have at least three people. "
"That person is probably from the Wang Clan. It's already good enough that the Wang Clan can participate in the Sect Leader Selection. With his strength alone, he might not even be able to pass the first round. After all, the assessment inside is aimed at four to five ancient martial art practitioners in the Qi Nucleation realm. It won't be easier just because there are fewer people. It's almost impossible for him to succeed alone. "
"Only one person is qualified to participate in the sect leader examination. Isn't that Wang Clan a little too pathetic? Speaking of which, why haven't I heard of such a clan in the Dafang Sect? "
"I don't know either. When did the Wang Family appear? However, I do know the rumors about the Dafang Sect's five aristocratic families, but it seems like there have only been four aristocratic families. Could that Wang family be the fifth aristocratic family? "
…
There was a lot of discussion in the square. Many people were from the small influences in the ancient martial arts world. Some of the small influences had only appeared in the series of the three big mountain ranges after the Wang Clan had been annihilated, so they didn't know about the Wang Clan.
There were only a few people present who knew about the Wang Clan's incident. These people were very secretive about the Wang Clan's murder case. With the Jiang Clan present, they wouldn't talk about it at all.
So, there weren't many people who knew about the Wang Clan and the incident that year. Mo Wen's appearance naturally caused many people to be surprised.
"What is the Dafang Sect's purpose in broadcasting the assessment video?"
Hu Qiongqi frowned. He didn't understand the Dafang Sect's intention in doing so. He didn't seem to have heard of such a thing before. Could it be that the process of the assessment and the secret of the Dafang Grotto were publicized just so that they wouldn't be bored?
This conclusion obviously couldn't be established. The Dafang Sect wouldn't do such an idiotic thing.
"I'm afraid this matter isn't the Dafang Sect's decision, but the Jiang Clan's. The Jiang Clan is now monopolizing the power of the sect. Usually, their words are final. The other three aristocratic families basically don't dare to oppose them. Ever since the Wang Clan was annihilated, the Jiang Clan has violated many of the rules set by the Dafang Sect's ancestors. "
Hu Guiyuan smiled. The current Dafang Sect was no longer the Dafang Sect of the past. It had become the Jiang Clan's word. Perhaps if the Jiang Clan continued to be in power, the Dafang Sect would most likely cease to exist and be replaced. It would become the Jiang Clan of the ancient martial arts world.
"Then what is the Jiang Clan's purpose?" Hu Qiongqi frowned.
"The secret of the Dafang Grotto is no longer a secret in the series of the three big mountain ranges after a few hundred years. All the slightly stronger ancient martial arts influences know about it. In fact, the four big influences in the series of the three big mountain ranges, including the Hu Clan, have all entered the so-called forbidden land. However, they have all come up empty-handed. "
Hu Guiyuan glanced at Hu Qiongqi and said plainly, "Back then, the founder of the Dafang Sect made his fortune because of that secret land. It was not a secret. Hence, many people thought that there were many treasures inside, or many fortuitous encounters and resources that could allow a sect to develop and become stronger. Back then, in order to enter that place, the other three big influences in the series of the three big mountain ranges had paid a huge price to obtain the right to enter that place.
"However, the result was a painful lesson. Including our Hu Clan, not only did the three big influences not obtain any benefits, but they also lost a large number of experts. Many of them in the Qi Nucleation realm and even in the Embryonic Breathing realm died inside. In the following decades, the three big influences tried to explore a few more times, but the result was no different from that year. Hence, as time passed, no one paid attention to that place anymore. "
"In fact, the Dafang Sect has guarded that cave for a few hundred years. Other than the founder of the first generation, there has been almost no other gains. If the Dafang Sect is like this, what about the few of us influences? "
Hu Guiyuan's words surprised Hu Qiongqi. It turned out that the other three big influences had long been in contact with the mysterious forbidden land of the Dafang Sect, including their Hu Clan. However, he did not know about it at all.
"So, what you mean is that the Dafang Sect is now publicizing the Dafang Grotto's image to the public? Does it have the intention to completely publicize that place?"
Other than this, Hu Qiongqi could not think of any other possibility. Otherwise, there would be no need to publicize the process of the assessment. There must be a motive for doing so.
"Of course, it is impossible to completely publicize it. However, since more people know about it, then the Jiang Clan will publicize the experiences of the five founders of the Dafang Sect. What do you think the result will be?"
Hu Guiyuan laughed coldly.
"The result will be that many people want to enter that place to search for treasures. They fantasize about encountering a fateful encounter and becoming strong in a single step."
A look of understanding flashed in Hu Qiongqi's eyes. At this moment, he had also reacted.
Back then, in order to enter that place, their Hu Clan had paid a huge price, allowing the Dafang Sect to earn a lot. It could be said that regarding this matter, the other three big factions in the series of the three big Mountain ranges had all been cheated by the Dafang Sect. Not only had they suffered a double loss, but they had not even gotten a single strand of hair, let alone treasures.
However, the three big factions could not blame the Dafang Sect for that matter. This was because they had taken the initiative to go to the Dafang Grotto to discuss this matter. Now that they had suffered, they could only suffer in silence.
Now that the Dafang Sect had cheated the three big factions, it was obvious that they wanted to use the Dafang Grotto as a gimmick to continue cheating others. Anyway, it had been a few hundred years, and the Dafang Sect had not obtained any benefits from that place, so there was no point in continuing to guard it. They might as well exchange it for something practical.
"To the Dafang Sect, that place has always been tasteless, but it would be a pity to abandon it. Moreover, it is too dangerous inside, so they do not dare to touch it casually. However, due to the rules set by the founders of the sect, they could only guard it from generation to generation. However, now that the Dafang Sect has become the sole authority of the Jiang Clan, who knows how many rules have been broken by the ancestors. They basically do not care about the sect's rules. This matter is probably also the Jiang Clan's idea. "
A long time ago, the Dafang Sect was a sect. Although there were five big aristocratic families, the sect was still the most important, and the aristocratic families kept each other in check. However, now, the Jiang Clan's ambition and desire did not care about the sect's benefits at all. They had turned a sect into a family's property, continuously squeezing the sect's benefits to develop the Jiang Clan's power.
If this went on, the Dafang Sect would sooner or later only exist in name. From a sect, it would become a Jiang Clan. As for the other three big aristocratic families, there were only three paths they could take: Completely break away from the Dafang Sect, completely attach themselves to the Jiang Clan, or be completely exterminated by the Jiang Clan.
"The Jiang Clan's actions are no different from killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. They are short-sighted. If another shocking treasure appears in that place and is obtained by others, the Jiang Clan can only watch helplessly. Although that place seems to be of little value now, it is hard to guarantee that there will not be opportunities in the future. "
Hu Qiongqi laughed coldly. The person who had thought of this plan was too concerned about the immediate benefits.
"There have not been any fortuitous encounters in a few hundred years. Who knows when the next one will appear? In another few hundred years, whether or not the Jiang Clan will still exist is a question. Moreover, if someone can obtain a fortuitous encounter in that place, whether or not they can leave the Dafang Sect alive is a question. Do you think the Jiang Clan is a kind person? "
Hu Guiyuan dared to guarantee that if there was a fortuitous encounter that was enough to tempt the Jiang Clan, the Jiang Clan would definitely kill and snatch the treasure.
"Eh, that person looks a little familiar."
Hu Qiongqi let out a soft cry of surprise, as if he had discovered something. His eyes stopped on the screen of cave number five.
"You know that youth?"
A glint of curiosity flashed in Hu Guiyuan's eyes. Wasn't that Wang Yinru's son? Could it be that his son knew him? (To be continued.)
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