Chapter 199: Prominent Figures

As the Four Great Golden Core Masters spoke, the inner sect disciples following behind also whispered among themselves.
“He’s still only in the later stage of Foundation Establishment. How could he have the ability to establish a Hundred Battles Arena?”
“I guess he’d lose after just a dozen battles.”
“Even winning a dozen battles would be luck. Any of the Golden Core Masters stepping onto the arena would end this farce.”
“What on earth are the Sect Master and the Supreme Elders thinking? With such cultivation, how can he defend the Hundred Battles Arena?”
Su Che heard all these words clearly through his spiritual sense. Yet he wasn’t annoyed at all. They were merely expressing their thoughts and doubts, which wasn’t a big deal.
“Brothers and sisters, if there’s nothing else, I must take my leave. I still want to check out some other shops,” Su Che said with a bow.
“Don’t rush off, Junior Su.”
Wu Ze, who had a Fire-type Heavenly Spirit Root and a rough temperament, spoke bluntly, “You hide on the top of Mysterious Peak all day. It’s not easy to see you. I definitely won’t let you go!”
Nan Xin covered her mouth and smiled, “Brother Wu, he’s not a girl. What’s there for you to be reluctant about? Could it be you have some other preferences?”
“Haha…”
This remark caused everyone to burst into laughter.
Su Che frowned, deeply annoyed by such jokes. Of course, he also understood that their purpose here was to provoke him, hoping to make him lose control and challenge them prematurely. That way, they could assess and analyze his abilities in various aspects. During this time before the Hundred Battles, they could also come up with ways to counter him.
Know yourself and your enemy, and you can win a hundred battles. Everyone understood this principle. It had nothing to do with their character—it was just a strategy…
Su Che didn’t want to waste more energy on them. He spoke plainly and loudly, “I’m very clear about your intentions, brothers and sisters. Let me repeat what I said earlier: Before the Hundred Battles, I won’t go to the Competition Peak to spar with anyone. If anyone dares to fight privately inside the sect, they may attack me now.”
At these words, the place fell dead silent.
No one expected Su Che to be so straightforward, speaking without hesitation and ignoring the dignity of those Golden Core Masters. Was it arrogance or honesty? It was hard to tell at first.

“If you want to fight, go outside the shop and don’t disrupt others’ business. I’ll go outside and wait for you for fifteen minutes.” With that, Su Che stepped away. The true disciples and inner disciples blocking his path instinctively stepped aside, clearing a path for him. No one dared to stop Su Che! Everyone wasn’t stupid; no one would deliberately violate the sect’s rule against private fights, especially during such a sensitive time. Outside the Treasure Shop, Su Che stood alone in the open space. Hundreds of disciples had gathered outside, drawn by the fame of “Su Che” and eager to see him in person. Five days ago, an official announcement regarding the Hundred Battles Arena had been issued within the sect, reminding all true disciples that none of them were allowed to leave the mountain for two months, as everyone must be prepared for battle. This matter caused a huge stir within the Tianxuan Sect, as the position of top true disciple hadn’t been held in nearly a thousand years. Four hundred years ago, a peerless genius disciple was allowed to establish the Hundred Battles Arena, but he was defeated in the ninety-second match and failed to win the top title. The one who defeated him was just a true disciple with average skills, but his cultivation techniques and magical artifacts happened to counteract the genius disciple’s abilities, preventing him from fully utilizing even 30-40% of his strength. This shows that there is no absolutely invincible power or person in the world—someone who can defeat someone at the early Golden Core stage might be defeated by someone at the late Foundation stage due to opposing attributes. All things in nature have their counterparts; that’s the truth. Though that genius disciple didn’t achieve a hundred victories, his strength, charisma, and courage still impressed countless people, earning him respect despite his defeat. That person was the current supreme leader of the Tianxuan Sect. Now, the supreme leader himself is taking the initiative to order Su Che to establish the Hundred Battles Arena—what could be his intentions? At this moment, the onlookers were discussing eagerly. Some said, “Back then, when the supreme leader established the Hundred Battles Arena, he was already at the early Golden Core stage, while Su Che was only at the late Foundation stage. I wonder how many matches he can last?” “It doesn’t matter how many matches it is; receiving such an honor is already proof of his strength.” “Exactly! He only has a dual-attribute Earth Spirit Root, yet he advanced to the late Foundation stage before even turning twenty. Just that alone already makes him surpass the supreme leader of those days…”

“Not only is he the supreme leader of the sect, but in the entire cultivation world, only Tianyin of Wuji Gate can be compared to him, right?”
“Tianyin is slightly inferior, isn’t he? I remember Tianyin reached the later stage of Foundation Establishment at 21 and completed the Golden Core at 26… Am I right?”
“That’s correct!”
As they spoke, someone shouted loudly, “Senior Su, well done! On the day of a hundred battles, I’ll come to cheer for you!”
One person speaking triggered countless others to follow:
“Senior Su, win a hundred battles and create a miracle for us inner sect disciples!”
“Senior Su, we’re all waiting to call you the top chief disciple!”
“A hundred battles, a hundred victories!”
“Senior Su…”
Standing in the center of the open area, Su Che could only smile and wave back at everyone repeatedly.
To be honest, if he were targeted by insults and mockery, Su Che could ignore them calmly; but being praised and cheered by everyone like this made him feel a bit embarrassed…
The Hundred Battles Arena challenged the status, reputation, and interests of all chief disciples. However, it had no impact on the thousands of inner sect disciples of Tianxuan Sect or even more outer sect disciples. Instead, it made him an idol in their eyes.
At this moment, amidst the crowd’s cheers, Su Che suddenly realized that the Hundred Battles Arena was likely the best protection measure the supreme leader could think of for him.
Taking this opportunity to become a renowned figure within the sect, those who wanted to trouble or harm him would surely have to think twice.
Whether he could win a hundred battles or claim the top position became less important.
Four hundred years ago, the supreme leader also failed to achieve the top position but gained a lot from that Hundred Battles Arena. Now, he was giving Su Che such a rare opportunity…
“If my master treats me like this, and the supreme leader does the same, plus Grandmaster Zixiao… From today on, Tianxuan Sect is my home.”
It was from this moment that Su Che truly regarded Tianxuan Sect as his home, not just a sect that benefited his own development.
At the same time, inside the supreme leader’s hall, the supreme leader and the four supreme elders sat together, watching the scene on Wuhua Peak through a water mirror.
Thanks to a function of the sect’s protective array, the supreme leader and the others could observe many events happening within the sect at any time. This was also the main reason why no one dared to commit misdeeds inside the sect.

Of course, one cannot eavesdrop on private matters taking place inside. Such behavior is also prohibited by the rules.
“I can no longer remember exactly how many years it has been—no true disciple has ever come to me to apply for the Hundred Battles Arena…”
The Supreme Patriarch shook his head gently and said, “The true disciples of recent generations are somewhat disappointing.”
Elder Qingxuan stroked his snow-white beard and chuckled, “Younger brother Patriarch, do you think everyone is as crazy as you? Back then, I didn’t have the courage to set up the Hundred Battles Arena either. My greatest fear was being defeated by some senior brother or sister in the very first match, becoming a laughingstock for centuries.”
Zixiao played with two blank thunder beads in his right hand and asked, “Did Elder Patriarch ask Su Che to compete in the arena to make up for your past regret, hoping to see him fight a hundred matches?”
The Supreme Patriarch actually nodded in agreement. “The position of chief true disciple is of great significance. Almost every time a chief true disciple emerges, it means that our sect’s overall strength will advance by a huge step over several hundred years. Of course, I hope to witness another glorious era for Tianxuan Sect during my lifetime.”
Elder Guangwu, however, expressed concern, “Those noisy kids are not entirely wrong. Su Che is only in the later stage of the Foundation Establishment phase, and his cultivation level is quite low. I’m afraid he won’t last long.”
Elder Muye guessed softly, “If those nine true disciples at the Golden Core stage don’t enter the arena early, they should be able to last through sixty matches. After all, that boy has already defeated two Golden Core elders from the Taiyi Sect alone.”
The Supreme Patriarch remained silent with a smile.
Zixiao, on the other hand, cheerfully switched the thunder beads to his left hand. “I bet he will win all hundred matches and become the chief. Brothers, who’s interested in betting with me?”
“No betting!”
Elder Qingxuan blew on his beard. “You’re the one who loves to cheat. You have no credibility at all.”
“Exactly,” agreed both Elder Guangwu and Elder Muye.
“Really? Is my credibility that bad?” Zixiao looked aggrieved.
“Yes!” The three elders nodded simultaneously.
“I’ll bet with you!”
Unexpectedly, the Supreme Patriarch responded with a smile, saying, “I bet he will lose in the ninety-second match.”
At these words, even Zixiao was stunned.
What did this mean?
Back then, it was the Supreme Patriarch who lost in the ninety-second match. Could it be that he had already planned something…
Zixiao immediately said, “Brother, if we play dirty behind the scenes, the bet becomes invalid!”
“That won’t happen.”

The Supreme Patriarch had a profound gaze; his eyes seemed to transcend spatial distances and landed directly on Su Che’s face on Wuhua Peak. He said in a deep voice, “I merely hope that my tendency to lose every time I gamble can play a role this time as well.”
Only then did the four Supreme Elders realize that the Supreme Patriarch actually hoped they would lose.
It turned out that among those present, the one who most wanted Su Che to win first place was him!
At this moment, on Wuhua Peak, Su Che suddenly felt his face burning and his ears getting hot—a rather strange sensation.
“Perhaps Master is not used to being the center of attention and is still a bit tender-hearted. It’s okay; one will get used to such things over time…” Old Hei thought.