Upon hearing this, Wang Wu was not surprised at all. He had expected it because this is the standard way these major powers, like the Nine Alliances, Three Conferences, and Two Sects, handle personal vendettas.
After all, these are colossal powers that have existed for countless ages, with nurous factions inside.
Take the Hidden Origin Association, for example. Inside, the Seven Domains are seven different factions. If soone in the Frost Domain dies, will the other six domains rush over angrily to declare war on the other side?
They’d probably just grab a chair to watch the spectacle unfold!
War can only be triggered when the greatest interests clash.
For example, even if today Wang Wu, who was in the right, acted unreasonably and slaughtered Yu Sheng and his group, destroyed their Spirit-Catching Ship, it would be difficult to alarm the Daluo of the Mountain and Sea Immortal Alliance. At most, it would only reach the level of sothing like the Hidden Origin Elder Council.
Of course, that would already be terrifying and with dire consequences.
When Wang Wu previously killed Senior Sister Qin, despite the significant commotion, the half-step Daluo of the Hidden Origin never showed up.
Throughout, only Elder Hui and the Qin Family conducted so investigations.
A few years passed, and it all went silent.
After all, to a Daluo, even a Taiyi is rely kindling, beyond your will to decide.
Wasn’t the Frost Monarch, so formidable, obediently handing over the Vermilion Bird Array Soul?
So, for Yu Sheng, to prevent Wang Wu from hiding in the Spirit-Catching Ship without coming out, he took this step and applied to duel at the Celestial Heaven Trial Hall, a level above personal vendetta duels.
With official endorsent, as long as agreed upon, killing the opponent ans just that—killing.
Moreover, the victor will not only gain fa in the Cultivation Realm but also be listed on the Trial Hall’s board, a highly valuable board that openly represents authority and rewards.
At this mont, Wang Wu hesitated indeed.
Because he knew nothing about the Celestial Heaven Trial Hall, and such things weren’t included in Lu Tong’s travel notes.
"I refuse! I still prefer to unfold a personal vendetta duel here, after all, there are no restrictions."
Wang Wu quickly made a decision; if he truly faced the Trial Hall one-on-one, he would absolutely be crushed by Yu Sheng with no ti to strategize or any chance for a surprise attack.
The key is, he can’t rally people.
But here, he indeed could, and of course, Yu Sheng could rally too.
These things were also recorded in the travel notes.
Hearing Wang Wu’s unwillingness to go to the Trial Hall didn’t surprise the elder across; only a fool would go, and Yu Sheng’s true intention wasn’t aid at the Trial Hall; the point was the official endorsent.
With this official endorsent, Yu Sheng might even proceed through various maneuvers, like accidental destruction or whatnot, to destroy the Spirit-Catching Ship of the Frost Domain.
The Hidden Origin would have nothing to say.
It would be a rather thrilling, small-scale war with low transparency.
The key is there won’t be any repercussions, it wouldn’t trigger a war between two major powers, and everyone from top to bottom would find it delightful.
Those Dark Zone casino bosses had already caught wind and set up various betting tables.
"Alright, given the circumstances, you and Yu Sheng need to sign a personal vendetta duel docunt, agreeing not to affect the normal Spirit-Catching operations of other Spirit-Catching Ships within five years without the involvent of outsiders. Then, you will fight to the death. The Mountain and Sea Immortal Alliance declares that this duel is a personal matter between the two of you, and they won’t hold Hidden Origin accountable for Wang Wu upon the destruction or killing of Yu Sheng or his resources."
"Also, I hope you can duel with style, with creativity, and with brilliance, moving forward relentlessly!"
"Additionally, if no victor erges within five years, then neither of you can pursue each other again unless you prepare to initiate a new personal vendetta duel."
With that, the elder threw the docunt to Wang Wu.
After signing and imprinting his palm and soul seal using Divine Thought, the docunt took imdiate effect.
As soon as the elder from the Mountain and Sea Immortal Alliance walked away, another golden light descended, and it was the Black Emperor, Lord of the Black Domain from the Hidden Origin Association, an old acquaintance.
He gazed at Wang Wu with a complicated expression for a while before shaking his head with a smile, "Wang Zhige, you’ve picked the wrong na; you should have been called Wang Wu. Zhi Ge, Zhi Ge, see, without stopping the battle, you can’t find peace."
"I’ve just been to the Mountain and Sea Immortal Alliance’s Spirit-Catching Ship, asked Yu Sheng, and signed the personal vendetta duel docunt. Do you know what this ans? It ans you’re putting the Spirit-Catching Ship of the Frost Domain on the table."
"But first, let’s follow procedure. Are you sure you want to accept this personal vendetta duel? Though you’ve signed one copy, if you don’t sign the Hidden Origin’s copy, it doesn’t count as established. Anyway, it’s not too late to regret, just a re apology plus five hundred Great Cold-Crying Birds, young man, don’t be impulsive."
"Thank you, Senior, but I have no other choice!" Wang Wu resolutely refused; how big of a deal is this, he can rally people too.
"Alright, you and I are considered equals now; you certainly have the right to decide, and I understand you. Now the Frost Domain is struggling, the Frost Monarch is injured and in seclusion, and Cyan Frost City is even more perilous. I admire you for stirring such a storm here."
"Good luck to you!"
"Co, sign this docunt."
The Black Emperor chuckled, seemingly indifferent, "Actually, you should have chosen the Trial Arena in Outer Heaven, so you both could have a fair and just duel, unlike now, where the commotion is overwhelming. All unrelated Spirit-Catching Ships within five hundred thousand miles have left, and everyone’s waiting for your duel. By the way, Yu Sheng is likely to invite a Tier Seven Taiyi, you better be prepared."
With that said, the Black Emperor left on his own.
Wang Wu stood quietly in place for a mont, not thinking much, or perhaps there wasn’t much need to think. Whatever happens in Cyan Frost City, he doesn’t need to worry about it, but he must hold up his end on the Spirit-Catching Ship.
It’s not just about the personal duel with Yu Sheng; there’s also the Special Spirit Tax, because the nature of these two matters is different.
The personal duel is not ant to bring glory to the Hidden Origin Association. If he dares to let a personal grudge duel affect the paynt of the Special Spirit Tax, then he might have to revisit the Great Wilderness Sin Prison Tower.
Now, there’s less than five months until the next Special Spirit Tax is due, but he currently only has twenty-six Great Cold-Crying Birds in hand, far from the five hundred needed.
This situation is quite like a leaky house encountering a rainy night, or a broken ship facing headwinds.
Because the Special Spirit Tax in the Frost Domain is not paid by one person alone; it’s a tax spread out over a vast population of hundreds of billions of mortals, tens of millions of cultivators, tens of thousands of Earth Immortals, and hundreds of Taiyi True Immortals.
For example, the Spirit Capture Team led by Shuang Liuyun wasn’t fighting alone; other Spirit-Catching Ships often had six or seven, or even seven or eight strong Taiyi cooperating.
So under normal circumstances, gathering five hundred Great Cold-Crying Birds in a year is no big deal. In fact, there should be a surplus; otherwise, how can one’s own forces develop and grow, right?
The problem in the Frost Domain now is that the Frost Monarch is injured and in seclusion, Lu Tong has been nominally executed, and the Shuang Family wants to take this opportunity to clear the court of traitors. Everything has piled up at once.
Otherwise, just bring Lu Tong over here to sit, and what would be the problem?
Fortunately,
As long as he can get through this hurdle, all problems will cease to be problems.
Hmm?
Ah!
Wang Wu suddenly seed to sense sothing and quickly turned his head; he rubbed his eyes hard and saw Qingxue standing elegantly at the ship’s bow, looking at him with a gentle smile.
What the heck?
How does it seem like Qingxue has beco more radiant after not seeing her for so many years? And that attitude, so gentle.
But, why have you co out of seclusion?
News travels so fast?
Have you been secretly keeping an eye on all this ti?
"How are you?"
Qingxue spoke calmly, an ordinary question yet filled with countless words unsaid.
Wang Wu grinned, showing his teeth, "I’m quite well, have been eating heartily and sleeping soundly. But, why have you co? Didn’t your Master say you needed to remain in seclusion for five hundred years?"
"Recently, I gained so insights and made a small advancent, so I ca out of seclusion. I was worried about you, so I ca." Qingxue said as she glanced at the Spirit-Catching Ship with a hint of sentintality, "Before I ca, I received a spiritual ssage from my Master. She said she might be going into seclusion for ten thousand years and won’t co out unless there’s a major issue. She wanted to tell you not to worry, and also, she thanks you for saving Lu Tong. She said she’s reassured leaving the position of Lord of the Frost Realm to you."
"Really?"
Wang Wu was very happy. Being praised by the Frost Monarch felt like a great achievent to him. After all, she might advance to a half-step Daluo too.
This is a powerful backing that he feels deeply secure in holding onto.
And he’s been striving hard precisely to cling to such powerful backing for the future!
He now counts as a semi-loyal minister, doesn’t he?
Qingxue looked at him with a half-smile, "You seem to care a lot about my Master’s opinion?"
"Why, of course! You can’t not care, could you dare not care? Lord Frost Monarch is the backbone of our Frost Domain, providing us shelter from storms. Her praise is certainly a joy." Wang Wu was genuinely happy; at this mont, he felt all the prior pressure vanish without a trace. With Qingxue around, nothing seed like a problem.
"Oh, since you like being praised so much, next ti I see my Master, I’ll ask her to praise you more!" Qingxue seed quite happy too, smiling more this ti than in all their past etings combined.
"No! Please don’t, don’t ruin my image in Lord Frost Monarch’s eyes, I’m too ashad to face that."
"So, are you trying to cover sothing up?"
"Of course not, as long as you don’t say anything, who would know?"
Qingxue smiled again, "How do you plan to deal with that Yu Sheng? A personal duel is akin to a small-scale war, and we are sowhat lacking in manpower on our side."
"Huh? You’re asking ? Of course, I’ll follow all of Qingxue’s orders!" Wang Wu half-joked but was genuinely earnest too.
Because he has seen Qingxue’s capabilities firsthand. To be honest, she would be the most suitable person to lead the Frost Domain.
"Don’t be lazy, aren’t you seeking experience? This matter could serve as your opportunity. With good fortune, advancing to Taiyi could co naturally to you." Qingxue finished, seeing Wang Wu about to argue, she added, "This is also from my Master, conveyed through ; handle it as you see fit!"
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