Without a doubt, Hong Xuan was definitely steering his developnt toward a profession capable of advancing into the Crimson Fla Responding Thunder Great Exalted, and this advantage would only increase his chances of gaining recognition.
"Crimson Fla Responding Thunder Great Exalted..."
Jiang Shumo mulled over the na, feeling equally helpless. "Yuandu holds the advantage. Having worshipped it for so many years, its Spiritual Essence might truly bestow a certain level of favor upon them."
You Shan frowned beside him, asking hesitantly, "If things really reach a point of no return, the thod provided by Yuandu is indeed a valid solution, right?"
"Or is there a trap hidden within?"
"No..." Chong Jingtian shook his head, his eyes dark and profound. "The thod they provided is excellent. I have interacted with people from the Royal Court, and Wu Chenpei is right. If we follow his instructions, the probability of success is very high."
"But the problem lies precisely in how perfect this thod is. Hong Xuan was discovered several years ago. It could even be said that they have been preparing for this for a very long ti."
"However, we only recently beca aware of the Holy Banquet. I suspect they have been in contact with people from the Royal Court for quite so ti."
"What?" You Shan's expression changed drastically.
Jiang Shumo's expression shifted several tis. "Are you suspecting that they had been preparing to gain the Royal Court's favor through this thod all along, even if the Holy Banquet never occurred?"
"Exactly," Chong Jingtian declared with a solemn face.
"But if the Royal Court knew, why didn't they co to take it themselves?" Jiang Shumo asked in confusion.
Chong Jingtian shook his head, unable to provide an answer either. "We simply know far too little."
"Perhaps there is so hidden circumstance." Jiang Shumo skipped past the issue and continued to deduce the situation. "If there was no Holy Banquet and Hong Xuan still received recognition and was sent to the Royal Court, then we would be forced to bow down to Yuandu."
"Indeed, that is inevitable." Chong Jingtian's eyes turned cold. "A century-long blood feud cannot be erased with a single sentence."
The reason they had called a truce was not because they had let go of their hatred, but because there was a far more severe crisis at hand.
Once the primary conflict was resolved, he would not believe it for a second if soone claid Yuandu would not settle old scores.
"It is a dilemma..." You Shan could not help but remark. If they did not follow Yuandu's instructions, the Holy Banquet might devour them all.
If they did follow Yuandu's instructions, once the Holy Banquet incident was resolved, they would have to submit to Yuandu and face an inevitable reckoning.
"Unless we stop the Holy Banquet, or ensure the Chosen One is from our side..." Chong Jingtian stated in a deep voice.
"The difficulty of these two options is imnse." Jiang Shumo was also quite worried. "We must absolutely try our best for the first option. But for the latter, we know next to nothing about this profession and cannot make any preparations whatsoever."
Pausing here, he added with so hesitation, "But what if we fail to achieve either?"
Chong Jingtian's expression tightened. "If we cannot achieve either, we will have no choice but to accept Yuandu's proposal."
He had not lost his mind just yet. Being subjected to a reckoning was rely a possibility; it was not enough to make him drag everyone under Yingfeng's jurisdiction down into the abyss along with him.
Jiang Shumo secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was just about to speak when his expression suddenly changed. The three of them simultaneously looked toward the door.
The next mont, a knock sounded on the door of the Private Room.
"Co in," Chong Jingtian called out calmly.
"Chief..." Wu Chenpei pushed the door open and walked in, followed closely by Tang Chen.
"You two are here as well." Chong Jingtian was not surprised, having already known who was at the door. "Have you finalized the compensation agreent with the Class Decoding Departnt?"
Tang Chen's expression shifted slightly. Chong Jingtian gave them absolutely no face, directly tearing the scab off their fresh wound the mont they entered.
"It has been settled. In addition to the Spirit Adept, we will provide two more Special Professions." Wu Chenpei, on the other hand, did not seem to mind at all. "We have already contacted Yuandu, and the information will be transmitted over very soon."
"Why go to such lengths?" Chong Jingtian shook his head. "If you wanted to exchange professions, you could have just discussed it properly. What was the point of using underhanded tricks?"
Wu Chenpei chuckled but did not respond to Chong Jingtian's mocking jab.
Setting aside their intertwined personal vendettas, they had wanted two professions but only held one bargaining chip in their hands. A proper discussion would have been impossible anyway.
Seeing his shaless, nonchalant deanor, Chong Jingtian snorted coldly.
Wu Chenpei then said, "Everyone has already witnessed Hong Xuan's brilliance. How is your consideration regarding my previous proposal?"
"This matter is the responsibility of the Council of Elders. It is useless to ask us," Jiang Shumo replied with a bitter smile.
"The Stone Tablet was obtained by the Chief over thirty years ago, and the Adjudication Court has always been the one guarding it. If you disagree, can the Council of Elders really force your hand?" Wu Chenpei countered, before adding,
"I know what everyone is worried about. I can offer my guarantee that the scenario you are all dreading will absolutely not occur."
"Your guarantee?" Chong Jingtian was noncommittal, speaking calmly, "If you truly have sincerity, why not explain a few things to us?"
"Please speak, Chief," Wu Chenpei said, putting on a highly sincere expression.
Chong Jingtian asked directly, "I want to know every single piece of information you possess regarding the Crimson Fla Responding Thunder Great Exalted."
"Your Adjudication Court is going too far," Tang Chen, standing behind Wu Chenpei, voiced his displeasure. "You expect us to just hand over the information we painstakingly gathered based on nothing but empty words?"
Jiang Shumo shook his head. "The Holy Envoy told us, using the righteous cause of tens of millions of lives and the very survival of this planet, that we should allow Hong Xuan to view that Stone Tablet."
"Since such a righteous cause is at stake, shouldn't all information be shared? Why act in such a secretive and evasive manner?"
This was essentially using Yuandu's own logic to interrogate them.
"But haven't you all refused to agree to it?" Wu Chenpei shook his head. "We can tell you everything we know. In return, can you let Hong Xuan view the Stone Tablet?"
Both sides fell into a prolonged silence. This mutual distrust was deeply rooted; it was not sothing that could be resolved with a few sentences about righteous causes or looming crises.
"How about this..." Wu Chenpei suddenly spoke up again. "Since the wager at the Class Decoding Departnt fell through, let us make another Wager on whether Hong Xuan can continue to win his upcoming battles."
"Are we wagering on whether he gets to see the Stone Tablet?" Chong Jingtian asked indifferently.
"No..." Unexpectedly, Wu Chenpei shook his head. "You definitely would not wager on that."
"Oh?" Chong Jingtian composed his expression. This old fox Wu Chenpei had evidently prepared his script in advance. Sending Hong Xuan into the Combat Arena was definitely not a spur-of-the-mont decision.
Even if this Challenge Hall's Combat Arena did not exist, a similar scenario would likely have been orchestrated regardless.
"Let us wager on the Saint profession that we failed to obtain from the Class Decoding Departnt." Wu Chenpei walked to Chong Jingtian's side and looked down at the Combat Arena below. "If he cannot continue to maintain a perfect winning streak from here on out, I will tell you everything I know regarding the Crimson Fla Responding Thunder Great Exalted."
"If he can, I must trouble you all to retrieve the Saint profession from the Class Decoding Departnt for us."
Chong Jingtian and the other two simultaneously fell silent. This Wager was completely beyond their expectations.
Why did Yuandu want the Saint profession so desperately?
Chong Jingtian felt so resistance in his heart. He had already witnessed Hong Xuan's strength. If Wu Chenpei was not confident in winning, he would never have made the offer.
However, they knew almost nothing about the Crimson Fla Responding Thunder Great Exalted, making it extrely difficult to break the current deadlock.
But Jiang Shumo astutely caught sothing in the other party's wording, his voice turning cold. "You kept saying 'continue to win,' instead of 'not lose'."
"Indeed, Chief Inquisitor Jiang is wise." Wu Chenpei smiled amiably. "Even if soone erges who can fight Hong Xuan to a draw, it will count as our loss."
As his words fell, even soone like Jiang Shumo, who normally kept his emotions completely hidden, looked visibly displeased.
Not to ntion You Shan, whose cheeks were already flushed red with anger.
Flas uncontrollably surged within Chong Jingtian's eyes. The crimson vertical mark on his forehead flickered with light as he actually burst into laughter. "Fine, we accept!"
"Then let us set a ti limit of ten days." Wu Chenpei was not surprised in the slightest. If Chong Jingtian could endure such humiliation, all the years he had spent dealing with the man would have been in vain.
"Hong Xuan's opponents do not have to be limited to the Adjudication Court. The Chief may find anyone he pleases," Wu Chenpei added. Ignoring the darkened expressions on the three of them, he turned around and left with Tang Chen.
"The Saint profession is ours." Once outside the door, Tang Chen let out a long sigh of relief, visibly relaxing. A cyan aura wrapped around his body, covering both of them to prevent their voices from leaking out.
"You are truly a master of deep planning and foresight. Chong Jingtian's reaction was exactly as you predicted all along."
Wu Chenpei smiled, but his eyes were filled with absolute coldness. "I have been dealing with him for many years. Thirty-six years ago, my younger brother died at his hands."
"No one understands him better than I do."
Tang Chen froze, suddenly feeling a deep chill seep into his very bones.
Back in the room, Chong Jingtian stared at Hong Xuan on the Combat Arena below, his voice devoid of any emotion. "I do not want to see him standing up there any longer."
Before the other two could respond, his figure vanished without a trace.
...
"Lord Ming Lin was also defeated. Among the Core Seeds capable of fighting, only Lord Su Chen remains."
Out in the plaza, discussions were still ongoing, and the Tribunal Officers inevitably brought up past events.
"Lord Su Chen's battle with Chu Xuan is still fresh in my mory. It was an absolute crushing victory. Perhaps he can defeat this guy."
"But didn't Lord Feng Ze say that this guy is also practicing Dual Profession Parallel Cultivation? Lord Su Chen's advantage is completely gone."
'This guy also has Dual Professions?'
Hearing the discussion, Su Chen was quite astonished. However, the main topic of conversation quickly shifted to when he would make his move.
'Tsk...' Su Chen shook his head inwardly and walked away. If he had not been wearing a mask, he would have likely been shoved up onto the arena by the crowd already.
'I'll talk about this after I et up with Senior Apprentice Brother Teng Liang and see that Tier 5 Professional,' Su Chen pondered.
As a result, the mont he arrived at the door to his residence, he saw an unexpected person.
"Chief..." His brow twitched.
Chong Jingtian was standing at his door, looking icy and emitting an aura of chilling hostility. Su Chen had never seen such suppressed anger on the man's face before; it was like a volcano on the verge of erupting.
Even when Wei Yinshuo was killed last ti, Chong Jingtian had mainly shown worry, not this kind of raw emotion.
"What brings you here?" He hurriedly approached, only then noticing that Ming Lin was standing behind him, hanging his head low without saying a word.
"You went out just now? To the Challenge Hall?" Chong Jingtian saw right through the crude human-skin mask on Su Chen's face at a single glance. Judging by the direction he ca from, he easily deduced his destination.
"Yes, Ming Lin invited to go watch today." Su Chen explained as he unlocked the door and invited the two of them inside.
"Now that you've watched, what are your thoughts?" Chong Jingtian asked expressionlessly.
"That Hong Xuan is extrely powerful," Su Chen stated. Ming Lin wore a bitter expression, nodding as he deeply concurred.
Chong Jingtian nodded, suddenly asking, "Why didn't you go up to the Combat Arena today?"
"Uh, I have other matters to attend to this afternoon." A thought crossed Su Chen's mind, and he explained, "I need a pure Eye of the Thunder God, but there aren't any available in the city. I asked Senior Apprentice Brother Teng Liang, and he managed to get in touch with a Tier 5 Professional who can help. I have to go et him in a bit."
He gave a very detailed explanation.
"A pure Eye of the Thunder God... That is not an easy item to procure," Chong Jingtian remarked, before asking again, "When do you plan to go up to the arena?"
"I'll make so preparations after I return from eting that Tier 5 Professional," Su Chen replied, his eyes flickering.
Chong Jingtian stared at him intently. "Are you confident you can defeat Hong Xuan?"
"Well, I cannot make any absolute guarantees about that." Su Chen hesitated before adding, "If you wish, I will do my absolute best."
Chong Jingtian narrowed his eyes slightly. "Are you confident you can fight him to a draw?"
"A draw?" Su Chen was surprised. After thinking for a mont, he replied, "I am definitely more confident about that."
"Go up there and fight him." Chong Jingtian's words were concise and to the point, but Su Chen astutely picked up on the suppressed fury emanating from the Chief.
'Why is he so furious? Just because Hong Xuan has been standing up there for over a month? That shouldn't be enough to make him this mad, right?'
Su Chen speculated inwardly, but he nodded without any hesitation. "When?"
"As soon as possible." Chong Jingtian was highly satisfied with his attitude, supplenting, "A pure Eye of the Thunder God is incredibly difficult to acquire. As long as you can fight him to a draw, I will have Chief Inquisitor Jiang personally retrieve one for you."
"I will go right now." Su Chen turned around, ready to head out the door.
Chong Jingtian paused, slightly stunned.
"Wait..."
The one who stopped him was not Chong Jingtian, but Ming Lin. He asked hesitantly, "You're going right now?"
Su Chen shrugged his shoulders. "There's no point in waiting. Either way, on the Challenge Hall's Combat Arena, our strengths will be leveled to roughly the sa tier."
"No, that's not..." Ming Lin opened his mouth but swallowed his words. He felt that sothing was incredibly weird, but after holding it in for a long ti, he couldn't form a single coherent sentence.
"There is no rush. Make sure you adjust yourself to your optimal state before going. Have Ming Lin explain his techniques to you in detail first."
Seeing him act so decisively, Chong Jingtian began to instruct him otherwise.
Su Chen was left speechless. Chong Jingtian had marched over here full of aggressive montum, yet now he was telling him not to rush.
'You might not be in a hurry, but I am. The Eye of the Thunder God and the Essence of Spirituality—I need to cross off as many of these materials as I can.'
"I am currently in my optimal state." Su Chen had already opened the door. Ming Lin hurriedly followed after him, explaining his insights from the battle he just fought all along the way.
...
Out in the plaza, the battle had concluded, and the crowd was gradually dispersing. Many Tribunal Officers wore dejected expressions, unable to muster any enthusiasm.
"...Sigh, I am planning to accept a mission to a lower-tier city and leave Yingfeng for a while. Otherwise, I won't even have the face to step out of my own door anymore..."
"That is a good idea. I'll go as well."
Right at this mont, soone suddenly yelled, "Lord Su Chen?"
Everyone's expressions shook, and they followed the voice to look. They saw two figures walking toward them, going against the flow of the dispersing crowd.
One of them was Ming Lin, who had just finished his battle.
The other person walking with a casual, relaxed stride was none other than Su Chen.
"Lord Su Chen is here!"
Excitent lit up the crowd's faces. This was their sole remaining hope, and this hope was incredibly strong!
The commotion here quickly spread to other areas. Upon hearing that Su Chen had arrived, many Tribunal Officers who had already left imdiately turned around and hurried back.
Because there were so many people gathered today, the people inside the venue who hadn't even managed to exit yet were forcefully shoved back inside. Initially confused, their expressions quickly shifted to pure excitent.
anwhile, Wu Chenpei and Tang Chen, who had just walked out from the VIP corridor, could not help but frown as they watched the crowd surging back against the current.
"What is going on?" Tang Chen grabbed a Tribunal Officer and asked.
"Lord Su Chen is here!" The grabbed Tribunal Officer responded with excitent, not even bothering to lift his head.
Reviews
All reviews (0)