The spots for the Spirit Pool baptism should go to those who have performed exceptionally. If Liu Hui, Jin Sanpang, and Niu Kexin don’t count as exceptional, then who does?

The moment Mo Qi spoke, he immediately received the support of the Feng Family, the Liu Family, the Long Yang Sub-Palace, the Five Poison Sub-Palace, and the Suffering Cultivation Sub-Palace.

Liu Hui, Jin Sanpang, and Niu Kexin’s success was tied to their own vital interests, so naturally, they wouldn’t back down.

However, they only comprised four Sub-Palaces in total. Compared to the remaining ninety-six, their voice was practically insignificant.

"By all rights, they do qualify for the Spirit Pool baptism spots, but those are the old rules! This time, we’re not looking at performance. We’re focused on distributing the spots evenly."

"Yes, that would be much more fair and just."

"Exactly. We’ve thought it over. We should give everyone a chance, to demonstrate our magnanimous and righteous spirit!"

"The future of the Hall of Envoys depends on everyone working together in sincere unity, not on the heroism of a select few."

The experts from the various Sub-Palaces chimed in one after another, every word dripping with what they claimed was an upright, incorruptible, and noble ambition to look out for their disciples.

"Young Fellow Mo, I hope you can understand the good intentions of us old folks. We truly are thinking of the future of the Hall of Envoys!" an Immortal expert from another Sub-Palace said to Mo Qi, beaming.

Mo Qi: "..."

’If it weren’t for the fact that none of you dared to accept the challenges from Qian Duoduo and the others, I might’ve actually fucking believed you!’

’Could you be any more shameless?’

’Fair and just?’

’Isn’t it ridiculous to hear words like that coming from a bunch of Immortal Ancestors like you?’

’To have become such venerable Immortals, which one of them didn’t climb here by stepping on the corpses of millions?’

’Which one of them doesn’t have hands stained with blood?’

’Which one of them hasn’t hoarded resources that should have been distributed among thousands, or even tens of thousands, of people?’

’And "righteous spirit"... The word "sanctimonious" doesn’t even begin to cover these empty platitudes. This is just bare-faced lying, isn’t it?!’

"Young Fellow Mo, no need to be angry. Take our Feng Family’s spot!" the Feng Family Immortal Ancestor said, a pained look flashing across his face.

The resources in the Spirit Pool had been crowdfunded by the powers of every Sub-Palace at an enormous cost.

Even the Feng Family’s Immortal Ancestor felt his heart ache at the thought of giving it to Mo Qi for nothing.

Mo Qi gave the experts from the various Sub-Palaces a long, hard look, then sneered coldly.

"I appreciate the kind offer, Senior, but it’s not necessary."

"Young Fellow Mo, don’t be so quick to refuse. You probably don’t know the wondrous uses of the Spirit Pool," the Feng Family Immortal Ancestor quickly urged. "The Spirit Pool contains the essence of Spirit Medicines from all one hundred of our Sub-Palaces, as well as countless secret formulas and miraculous elixirs that are beneficial for one’s Cultivation."

"Based on past experience, any disciple who receives the Spirit Pool baptism will see a huge leap in their Cultivation. Furthermore, their talent and Martial Dao foundation will be improved and solidified. It is an incredibly rare opportunity!"

If it had been anyone other than Mo Qi, the Feng Ancestor wouldn’t have bothered explaining so much.

Not to mention, they only had one spot in total, which wasn’t even enough to go around for the Feng Family’s own disciples!

Mo Qi barely lifted his eyelids. ’Raise my Cultivation? Solidify my foundation? Improve my talent?’

’Seems pretty ordinary...’

’My Medicinal Pills can do all of that!’

With that thought, Mo Qi waved his hand dismissively.

"You should give this opportunity to one of the Feng Family’s disciples instead. Alright, my mind is made up. You needn’t say more, Senior."

The Feng Family Immortal Ancestor’s expression froze for a moment. His favorable impression of Mo Qi immediately soared to a new height.

He thought Mo Qi had refused the opportunity out of some noble, righteous principle, thereby yielding the spot to the Feng Family.

’Such conduct is truly admirable!’

What he didn’t see was that Mo Qi’s gaze had already fallen on the distant Pig Emperor, the corners of his mouth curling into a strange smile.

Although Mo Qi didn’t particularly care for this so-called Spirit Pool, he wasn’t the type to take a loss lying down.

Just when everyone thought he had compromised, his plan was, in fact, only just beginning.

’You have your schemes, and I have my countermeasures. You can’t win back face with just a few cheap tricks!’

’Think you can turn the tables just by relying on the Spirit Pool? You sorely underestimate me, Mo Qi. Often, being given an opportunity is not the same as being able to seize it. Today, I’ll make sure you all learn that lesson firsthand!’

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Mo Qi started walking toward the Pig Emperor.

However, before he had gotten far, his path was blocked by Huangfu Yu.

"Mo Qi, just you wait. The day the Spirit Pool baptism ends will be the day you die!" Huangfu Yu sent via voice transmission.

Mo Qi: "???"

"Will you dare to fight me then?" Huangfu Yu added.

Mo Qi had a sudden realization. ’Ah, so that’s what this idiot is planning.’

’He wants to use the Spirit Pool baptism to increase his strength and then get his revenge on me.’

’The sheer shamelessness is astounding. How does he have the nerve to say something like that out loud!’

’But then again...’

"Heh, if you want a fight, I’m game anytime. I’m just afraid you’ll be the one who doesn’t have the guts to show up," Mo Qi laughed.

Huangfu Yu’s expression instantly turned cold. Mo Qi’s disdainful words infuriated him.

Before he could open his mouth to retort, Mo Qi spoke again. "Oh, my apologies, my mistake. I must have misunderstood. After all, you have an Immortal Master to look after you. With him around, of course you’ll dare to fight. Even if you lose, he’ll save you. You can’t die, right?"

Huangfu Yu was so furious it felt like smoke was pouring from his ears. Mo Qi’s words were as grating as could be, cutting deeper than a hundred knives.

It was a clear mockery of his dependence, his lack of self-reliance—painting him as more delicate than a flower in a greenhouse.

"Hmph, you..."

Just as Huangfu Yu was about to say something, Mo Qi cut him off impatiently.

"Alright, alright, run along and find your master. Otherwise, if I lose my patience and decide to beat you up, he’ll just have to step in again."

Huangfu Yu: "..."

He was so furious his liver ached. ’What the actual fuck,’ he thought.

Mo Qi was, without a doubt, the person he wanted to kill more than anyone else in his entire life. No one else even came close.

"Qian Duoduo, get over here. Have a nice little chat about life and ideals with our friend Huangfu Yu. Keep him from pestering me, he’s driving me crazy!"

Mo Qi waved him over, and Qian Duoduo, face full of excitement, scurried over gleefully.

"Don’t you worry, bro, I’ll have a *real* good chat with him," Qian Duoduo vowed, thumping his chest. "I absolutely will not let him bother you again."

With that, Qian Duoduo’s face split into a wide grin as he turned to Huangfu Yu, looking at him the way a father might look at his foolish son.

"Heh heh."

Huangfu Yu: "..."

A very bad feeling crept into his heart.

"Come here, little fella. Come to Grandmaster Qian. I’ve got something nice for you."

Qian Duoduo put on a "benevolent" expression. He pinched a candy ball between his fingers and wiggled it at Huangfu Yu with a gesture he clearly thought was "alluring," but in reality, was just "cringey (and idiotic)."

’Where is my sword? Bring me my sword! I’m going to hack this bastard to pieces!’