The restaurant was the liveliest place, as everyone ate there, and it subtly became a hub for gossip and conversation, a place where people would discuss news and interesting stories.
Therefore, it was never short of people, and it was an excellent place to get information, especially gossip.
While gossip is unreliable, it's generally quite accurate, at least revealing some trends and clues.
After all, there's no smoke without fire.
Qin Chuan didn't say or ask anything, simply eating and listening, as he knew nothing about this place.
During his meal, he did hear some news.
For example, the three major powers in the royal city: the royal family, the Puppet Sect, and the Demon Cloud Palace. The
city lord's mansion was essentially the royal family's; a member of the Great Wind Dynasty's royal family held the position of city lord, so the city lord's mansion was essentially the royal family's. As
for the remaining two, the Puppet Sect and the Demon Cloud Palace, Qin Chuan only knew the names, but many things were related to these three forces.
The three major powers in the royal city essentially represent the three major powers of the dynasty. However, there's a vague sense that the Great Wind Dynasty seems to be on the verge of collapse.
All three powers have their headquarters in the royal city, a vast city. The dynasty is bordered by a million-mile-long mountain range on one side and the sea on the other, with only one side connecting to the interior and the other to external enemies.
Its strategic location is excellent, offering convenient access and escape in case of emergency. It boasts abundant resources and an unparalleled geographical and strategic position.
Therefore, even the royal palaces of the three major powers are located in the royal city.
The three powers fight each other, but not for the Great Wind Dynasty itself. This so-called dynasty is, in their eyes, insignificant.
The royal family is merely another power.
At this level, profit is key; who owns the dynasty is irrelevant. The main focus is on resources, which the three powers have always distributed equally among themselves.
Now, a celestial pool has been discovered, offering immense benefits to martial artists below the War God realm. The three powers are currently arguing over this celestial pool.
Finally, a solution was agreed upon: a martial arts competition would determine the ownership of the Immortal Pool. The Immortal Pool's greatest benefit is increasing strength, the possibility of breaking through to the War God realm, and the power level within that realm.
Even within the War God realm, the difference in strength between individuals of the same level is vast, which is crucial. If someone undergoes the baptism of the Immortal Pool and enters the War God realm, their strength will increase by at least 30% compared to those who haven't, and it's even possible for it to double or triple—it all depends on potential.
Therefore, the Immortal Pool is a valuable resource. Because of its small size, it can only be used by a few people, so it doesn't qualify as a true blessed land, but its nature is similar.
It can be considered a miniature blessed land.
This Immortal Pool is a good place, only too small in scale, but it's truly a valuable resource, so the three major powers will strive to acquire it for their descendants.
Since the younger generation needs it, the competition rules stipulate that only those below the War God realm can participate.
However, no one other than the three major powers can participate; this is the advantage of power—once a valuable resource is discovered, it can only be allocated by them.
This time, the royal family and the Puppet Sect discovered it, but the Demon Cloud Palace also found out and naturally wanted to get involved. There was no other way; it had always been this way—equal distribution.
Alternatively, it could be distributed through martial arts competition. The main reason was that such a celestial pool was too small; otherwise, it would be better if the three forces each contributed a few people.
However, the celestial pool could only be used by four people, and the celestial energy within could only sustain four.
Perhaps, since there were four people, each of the three major forces could have one, leaving one remaining.
But this last one couldn't be allocated, so they simply distributed it through martial arts competition. Those who lost received no spots, while those who won received four.
This way, everyone could exchange skills and encourage the younger generation's cultivation speed.
For the past two years, such opportunities have been decided in this way.
The three forces each send three people, and they fight in rotation. For example, the royal family and the powerful Puppet Sect fight once, then the Puppet Sect fights the Demon Cloud Palace, and then the Demon Cloud Palace fights the royal family again. After one round under the rising sun, six people have participated, leaving three.
These three then fight another round, and the winner is determined by who has the most wins.
If the number of wins is the same, the winner will compete again until a final winner is determined.
External aid is allowed, but the strength cannot exceed the War God realm; there are no age requirements.
Qin Chuan was stunned upon hearing this news. In such a competition, his participation would be considered cheating. Below the War God realm, he was invincible, at least that's how it had been so far.
This Immortal Pool was a valuable resource; how could he secure a spot? As for stealing, Qin Chuan didn't consider it. All three major forces possessed War God realm members, and he didn't know how many. He wasn't afraid of those below the War God realm, but against a War God realm member, he would only be able to flee for his life.
The competition started in three days, so to secure a spot, Qin Chuan had to find three forces within those three days, gain their approval, and even require his assistance.
If the three major forces were full of talented individuals, not lacking in manpower, and all seemed confident of victory, then he would have no chance.
He didn't know anyone here; even if he boldly offered himself, it would be useless. They would probably think he was crazy, especially if they didn't intend to bring in external aid.
"By the way, I heard that all three factions have hired an outside helper. Today is the last day. As long as you have the strength, you can apply to be an outside helper wherever you want. Once you're hired and make a significant contribution, you'll receive considerable benefits, and you might even be able to use a spot in the Immortal Pool."
At this moment, a voice came, startling Qin Chuan.
It was truly a case of finding something without even looking for it. Now, he just needed to consider where to apply for the outside helper. He was definitely confident in his own strength.
Qin Chuan even felt that wherever he helped, that place would win, so he needed to think carefully about who to help.
The main problem was that Qin Chuan didn't know much about the three major factions, only a little bit.
For example, the Puppet Sect.
These people were skilled at creating and controlling puppets. The puppets had no sense of pain, were incredibly violent, and fought recklessly, which was what made the puppets so powerful.
Puppets were divided into humanoid, beast-like, and even plant-like forms.
However, plant-like puppets were the rarest and more special, like Qin Chuan's Golden Dragon Vine. Plant-like puppets were not weak; they belonged to the control type and were relatively rare. They could change the course of the battle at crucial moments.
The remaining humanoid and beast-shaped puppets each have their own strengths, and puppets are not so simple. Legend has it that the most powerful puppets come in many forms, such as puppets made from divine artifact materials, and the most direct method is to refine the corpses of peerless masters into puppets—this is incredibly terrifying, though it sounds a bit evil.
Qin Chuan felt he could rule out the Puppet Sect, leaving only the Royal Family and the Demon Cloud Palace.