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Chapter 226: How Could They Possibly Bypass?

As they watched the smiling and seemingly harmless youth slowly approach the stage, the gazes below were filled with complex emotions.

Many among them harbored both love and resentment towards Chu Liang.

When the team representing Silver Sword Peak first started selling clues, they did it discreetly, taking advantage of the information gap. However, when someone realized this and attempted to profit by selling the answers they purchased, they discovered that nearly everyone had already made their purchases.

They were given absolutely no chance to profit from reselling.

When Chu Liang decided to sell clues and answers for the second time, some people were cautious and wanted to buy early to resell at a lower price, so that they would at least break even.

There were some who had already agreed to share the answers freely to prevent this unscrupulous merchant from profiting.

However, they didn't expect him to change the sales format this time around.

The final form of exchanging answers by gathering the Five Elements Talismans made everyone uncertain of whether they could obtain the answers, yet it also made everyone eager to give it a try.

Unknowingly, they all fell into the trap.

The purchase of a box in exchange for potentially obtaining the answer from the legitimate source was structured such that the cost of one box was only one sword coin. Additionally, it came with a complimentary Golden Vein Berry that was valued at two sword coins. Essentially, this arrangement meant that the box was free.

Moreover, the attractive design of the Five Elements Talismans was enticing, and by buying five boxes, they could potentially complete the collection...

In theory, several individuals just had to pool their resources and complete one collection in exchange for the complete answer. However, what actually happened was the complete opposite.

The act of collecting these cards became somewhat addictive. Later on, many even began offering high prices to buy Earth Character Talismans, forgetting why they had started in the first place.

In the final two days of the sales, the Earth Character Talisman that had high rarity started appearing frequently in the boxes of berries sold. As a result, many were able to complete their collection of the Five Elements Talismans.

This proved that Chu Liang's claim that there was an even distribution of Five Elements Talismans was indeed true. However, most of the Earth Character Talismans were found in the final batch of berry boxes. This accumulation at the very end might have been the reason why the sales of the berries multiplied several times over what was expected.

With all this going on, there was almost no chance for those intending to resell the clues and answers.

Chu Liang had been the only one making a profit and it was inevitable that people would be jealous of him.

But even if they were envious, they had to wait, as indeed only he held the answers to the second stage clues.

In fact, during past Mountain God Memorial Ceremonies, the first stage would still be ongoing at this time. It was quite common for people not to have solved the clues of the second stage yet, and there was no need for anyone to feel impatient.

Those with integrity could choose to continue contemplating the puzzle at their own pace.

However, Chu Liang had already solved the puzzle and made the answers available for purchase. If you chose not to buy them while others did, any clues you managed to solve would just be meaningless.

They had no choice but to helplessly follow along what the others were doing.

"Dear fellow disciples," greeted Chu Liang with a smile that resembled the spring breeze.

"After seven days of diligent effort, all of you here have managed to collect the Five Elements Talismans. Now, as promised, I will share the answers to the second stage puzzle with you all."

With this, he took the four drawings and hung them around like lanterns. Then, he positioned a candle in the center.

"That is the answer!"

At this moment, it was a sunny day outdoors, so there were no shadows to be cast.

However, the disciples of Mount Shu were not stupid. With his arrangement, they naturally grasped the meaning behind it.

"So, it seems these four paintings aren't meant to be laid flat on the ground, but to be set upright! No wonder they didn't fit together like a puzzle!"

"You'd need to layer them together and shine a candle through to reveal the actual image!"

"..."

As realization dawned on the crowd, cries of astonishment echoed continuously.

In an instant, some rushed back, eager to experiment with the discovery. Soon after, the bustling Red Cotton Peak had cleared out.

Only the members of the Silver Sword Peak team remained.

Lin Bei turned to Lackey A, who managed the accounts, and inquired, "How much have we earned altogether these days?"

With a succinct response, Lackey A replied, "We made a killing."

...

Chu Liang did not directly reveal the location indicated by the second puzzle. Instead, he merely demonstrated the method to solve it.

Subsequently, members of other teams returned to their respective locations, endeavoring to solve the puzzle independently. Eventually, they realized that it led to the valley at the Treasured Pagoda Peak.

This distinctive landmark was recognizable at a glance to most people, and even for those who couldn't identify it initially, they were able to locate it by asking around.

After all, there was already a growing swarm of people heading in that direction.

The initial group to reach the valley at Treasured Pagoda Peak comprised approximately a dozen individuals. They arrived swiftly and quickly pinpointed the location of the massive rock.

Just as they were about to push the rock, a series of "Hreeooorrh" cries resonated through the air! A silver streak darted forward like lightning!

Bang!

The young Baize wasn't as gentle with others, especially those not named Chu Liang. This behavior was particularly evident since the task had been assigned by the higher-ups of Mount Shu, granting it permission to assertively bump into individuals without facing repercussions!

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh—" exclaimed the disciple closest to it, who was headbutted into the sky and promptly transformed into a mere speck in the sky.

It's the Little Baize!" someone shouted.

"Even Mount Shu's guardian celestial beast is guarding the checkpoint?"

"Don't panic, Little Baize isn't good at fighting. There are plenty of us here, we can totally... Wait, what's that?!"

As the Baize youngling came to a stop and revealed its entire body, the exclamations suddenly ceased.

Because at this moment, its appearance was completely different from the usual.

In addition to its original scales, it now sported a layer of lightweight and resilient silver chain armor, likely an enchanted defensive equipment. Its horns were adorned with layers of golden talisman paper, appearing to be some giant spirit talismans that could greatly enhance its force of impact...

Clouds of qi enveloped its hooves, each bound with a whistling-wind bead that was specially used to enhance the speed of spirit beasts. Additionally, it was equipped with some other less obvious enchanted tools.

The Baize youngling was fully equipped!

It possessed extremely powerful innate talent. Even in its youth, it possessed the speed and strength akin to a creature at the fifth realm. However, it lacked skill in combat, knowing only a single headbutt.

While individual disciples of Mount Shu would be far from a match for it, the combined efforts of one or two teams would be enough to drive it away.

Under normal circumstances, there should only be three to five teams remaining at this stage, and these teams are typically top-notch in their strength, unlikely to be stumped by this challenge.

When the higher-ups of Mount Shu were organizing this event, they would have never expected that almost all the teams participating in the Mountain God Memorial Ceremony would gain access to this puzzle. And now, all these noobs were rushing toward Treasured Pagoda Peak.

Meanwhile, the Baize youngling had undergone a powerful upgrade.

How could they possibly bypass the Baize youngling?

With the Baize youngling equipped with this array of enchanted tools, its speed and strength have been elevated to an unprecedented level. This changed the situation entirely.

Even if a sea of third-realm disciples swarmed toward it, they wouldn't be able to harm it in the slightest.

Thud, thud, thud, thud—

The dull thuds of headbutts striking their targets rang out continuously, and the initial group of around a dozen Mount Shu disciples who rushed over seemed to disperse like raindrops, their clamorous echoes fading into the distant forest.

Among them, a chubby youth fell to the ground. Although not heavily injured, he found himself unable to get up for a moment.

At that moment, a hand reached out from the side and helped him to his feet.

"Thank you," the chubby youth expressed his gratitude immediately.

"No need. As fellow disciples, we should help each other," the other disciple responded.

The chubby youth raised his head and saw a young man with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and slightly tanned skin. At a glance, he exuded a vibrant aura.

It was indeed Lin Bei.

"Senior Brother, you... look familiar?" the chubby youth frowned.

"I'm from the Silver Sword Peak team. I sold you the answer to the first puzzle before," Lin Bei smiled.

"Oh yeah, I remember you!" The chubby youth stood up, rubbed his sore bottom, and said, "We also got the answer to the second puzzle from you."

"Now that you've gotten the answers, why aren't you going in?" Lin Bei asked.

"Haven't you seen it? Little Baize is guarding over there and it's not letting anyone get close!" The chubby youth replied. "It hurts like crazy if you get headbutted by it."

"It's truly frustrating to have the final puzzle right in front of you but be unable to solve it," Lin Bei said with a sigh. "What can you do? Oh? How about I help you distract the young Baize, and you take the opportunity to get the third puzzle?"

"Huh?" The chubby boy was surprised. "Can you do that? And even if you can, I feel bad..."

"What's there to feel bad about? We're bros, right?" Lin Bei patted his chest and said, "How about thirty sword coins?"

"Well..." The chubby youth hesitated for a moment.

He had already spent several dozen sword coins on the first and second puzzles... He had invested quite a sum, but with the third puzzle right in front of him... If he takes the risk and is fortunate, he could potentially emerge as the champion of this year's Mountain God Memorial Ceremony.

The chance for fame and fortune was right there!

After much deliberation, he clenched his jaw and said, "Fine! I'll give it to you!"

Lin Bei immediately flew boldly and confidently towards the central crater, where the Baize youngling was wreaking havoc. Despite the chaos, he exuded unwavering confidence.

He flew straight to the giant rock. At this moment, the Baize youngling had just knocked away a new group of disciples who came to explore.

Lin Bei stepped forward and shouted, "Hey, look here! It's an enchanted artifact!"