*Don* *Don* *Don*

It was clear from the first sound of the gong that the event had ended, but the sounds would continue for nearly the time to drink a cup of tea, for whatever reason the [Palace] considered worthy.

Yet, it wasn't as if the [Martial Path of the Herbs] persisted through this time, as since the first gong, the formations and runes set on the [Petal Stages], including the one on which Lo Dai and Bai Qi stood, froze. And while neither of them nor the observers around had a way to know, all of the herbs in the remaining grounds, barely a hundredth from the original grounds' size, disappeared as if they were nothing but illusions at the moment the sound resounded.

*Sigh*

"What a shame! I expected to cross blades with you at least a few times before the event finished." Between Lo Dai's honest sigh and his wry grin, it was clear that the young star of the [Pingheng Gong] had no greed in mind as he challenged Bai Qi, but something very different - to battle a strong opponent in such a setting.

Hit by the realization of Lo Dai having more desire to cross blades than to obtain his pouches or to boot him from the event, Bai Qi found himself sharing the same wry grin as his opponent. And while he didn't sigh, actually happy for such a challenge to end without making a fool of himself because of his fatigue, Bai Qi still lamented not feeling what a so-called local genius amounted to.

In truth, both Lo Dai and Bai Qi were pretty similar, at least in their manner of improvement. Granted, Bai Qi wasn't above using schemes or overpowering his opponents with his other abilities when he could - the two of them indeed never shied, even sought after, challenges. Especially the weapon-related ones, and losing such an opportunity, each of them feeling a challenge from the other, was a regretful matter. In fact, while Bai Qi had assumed that a protracted challenge would see him losing, his thoughts were an exact reflection of Lo Dai's;

Unbeknownst to them, the other participants, and nearly all of the [Delicate Forest Palace] personnel, the event had ended early. Exactly a cup of tea worth in time before the actual final and sole gong should have resounded. And even if someone noticed, the reasons for such a sudden interruption would be lost to secrecy, as the [Palace] Council never interfered in their events, less an actual threat to the power appeared. And even if they did, it would never be revealed with far more acceptable reasons given.

But this time, it was somewhat different, as the Council did interfere but had it done without revealing their interference. Indeed, no one would know or even suspect that the simple order to sound the gong several times was not a new way for the event to end, but actually to hide it was finished early!

"First of all, congratulations to everyone who has made it so far and remained to see the event's conclusion." The primary Elder council's member, the factual head of the [Delicate Forest Palace], Hudie Xiuying, the [Brave Hairstreak], voice resounded over all of the remaining grounds of this illusionary space, created after parts of the actual lands comprising the [Palace] territory, but at the same time being nothing than a reflection, only the herbs and connection to the [Roots of the Fairy] being authentic.

"I should also add that I am greatly impressed by the steadiness showed by all of you, with nearly every seventh of ten remaining until now, when usually I rarely see more than a fifth part of the starting participants by the moment the ending gong sounds." In all truth, Hudie Xiuying considered this more a display of cowardice and lack of resolve to fight anyone than actual perseverance. Yet, she didn't allow her thoughts to mix in, complimenting the members of the weaker powers and the rogues that participated.

"Now, while the active part of the event has finished, the event itself is still to do so. As soon as you are teleported out, your [Holding Pouches], each bearing your own mark, will enter the formation to be tallied herb by herb before the [Palace] officially announces the results. And this, to my knowledge, will take nearly an entire day, which stems from the amount of you, brave participants, to remain." In truth, Hudie Xiuying had a perfect idea of the time it would take down to a single breath. But, with most participants having no stamina left even to walk by themselves now that the motivation of the event wore off, she had actually made another change to the process, giving a full day of rest to some and a few bonuses to others while shrinking their numbers before the events were announced - in place of the few breaths it should actually take with the Saint-tier formation that governed over the event.

"With such a long wait and considering your state, the Elder Council has decided to slightly change the usual procedure to offer you two choices. The first one will be to return to [Baoshi Hua] and spend this time with the people of your powers, friends, or whoever accompanied you here. The other will be both more rewarding and far more dangerous, as we would send each of the willing ones to zones known to be inhabited by Spirit and even Saint beasts, though the latter no higher than the second level." The so-titled [Brave Hairstreak] did not need to elaborate on the second, and she didn't. Indeed, even the lowest tier of cultivators perfectly understood what her words meant. A zone inhabited by beasts meant danger as it meant hunting grounds, hunting that would mean both free resources and training.

"And while I do hope no one needs to be reminded, sending you in such a zone, for an entire day, and without any rest, means more danger than rewards, especially as it will be your own choice, and the [Palace] will give no support, at all." Hudie Xiuying had no need to explain this, and she was definitively not required to babysit anyone, yet she did, hoping to discourage the undecided participants. After all, each zone they sent someone, and they survived, meant fewer untainted training and hunting zones for the [Palace] disciples.

"Now, whoever chooses the first option, please touch your [Life Saving] formation runes." While in truth, Hudie Xiuying had no qualms in sending most of the participants to zones they would die off with ease, mostly leaving all of their claims for the spoils for the [Palace], she wasn't keen to do so either. Thus, she gave them the first - unheard of - option and even attempted to discourage some.

Once again, unbeknownst to anyone but the [Delicate Forest Palace] leadership and the previous participants, the [Palace] actually was always the one to benefit most from the [Martial Path of the Herbs]. They would not only obtain nine of ten herbs gathered in the event without doing anything, but they would go even further, always including a strategy to disappear claimants via the so-called free-training and loot strategy, thus obtaining even a better share. And this time, the only reason for the head elder to include a semblance of choice that went against their usual strategy was caused by nothing but the number of people that had nothing to contribute and whose claims were so low that the [Palace] leadership cared nothing of them.

Seeing that at least a hundred people reached for their life-saving tattoo-like imprint made the head elder inwardly scoff, though, once again, none of her thoughts reflected on her face or made her congratulating tone, which she had used for the speech, change in any way.

"As for everyone else, the ones who will decide to risk themselves in an uncontrolled environment, the procedure will be the same, with the slight difference that you actually have to imbue a bit of your own will for the formation to accept your resolve of continuing after such a hard test." While Hudie Xiuying and the [Palace] elders themselves didn't believe such words, her speech made a lot more people hesitate, even when she continued, announcing that everyone who participated in the second part without dying or having to retire because of wounds, would actually end with at least a half of their points added to their own total.

A masterfully played ploy, one that would allow the [Palace] to benefit most from the event, as they had always done, even in such an unprecedented situation.

***

Bai Qi had overexerted himself to quite a degree, but he could continue, at least for a bit. Yet, while a way to fight both Beasts and reunite ingredients in a fairly controlled atmosphere sounded nice, he actually thought about ignoring the second option.

It wasn't even because he wasn't sure of his survival, with Hudie Xiuying mentioning their gear and items would be returned right after they left the current formation. He simply felt no need to do so,

There was also the reason for his preference to be in top shape by the official announcement, with Xie Ru and, most importantly, Ma Su's situation being unresolved and unclear, respectively. Even his nearly newfound path of the [Ruler] went along with his thoughts, making Bai Qi reach for the bright, violet-colored mark on the back of his left hand, which looked akin to a cross formed by four petal-like shapes. And yet, as he touched it, his will wasn't one to leave but to continue. One so strong that the tattoo-like formation shone so bright that the change was visible even from Hudie Xiuying's position. And if someone saw the latter, at that moment, they would notice how her face first was crossed by a grin before suddenly turning sour, as if she had received some bad news...