"Greetings to you all." In response to these people's greetings, it's surprising how calm Zhu Houji remains. He only smiles when speaking to Taoist Qingxu and the Prince of Xiang, but for everyone else, he acts quite indifferent.
The reason is simple. Among the people present, aside from Taoist Qingxu and the Prince of Xiang, the remainder, Zhao Baiyang and Xue Wuheng, were responsible for the death of Emperor Wuzong. If not for the importance of the greater good and the pressure from various powerful forces in the Sky Wasteland, they would never coexist peacefully.
As for Tie Qianshan and Zi Tianxiong, Zhu Houji originally had no particular opinion of them. However, since they joined forces with Zhao Baiyang, as far as he's concerned, they're all cut from the same cloth.
Moreover, it's clear to both Zhu Houji and Zhao Baiyang that one day, they will have to settle their mutual grievances in a battle.
"Greetings to you all," Wu Shijiu responded calmly, indifferent to the tense atmosphere in the room.
He is a collaborator with the emperor, and their two sides bear no grudge. If he chooses not to participate, no one can force him to, so he feels quite at ease and doesn't care.
"There is no need for such formality, my Taoist friend, please sit!" Pei Xuanjing said with a smile.
He was well aware of the situation, so he took the initiative to change the subject and defused the awkward atmosphere.
After waiting for everyone to sit down, Pei Xuanjing finally said, "I'm sure all my Taoist friends understand why I summoned you here. So, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
When he sent out the invitation, he gave a detailed description of his current situation. These people should have gained nearly enough information from it, he supposed they must have some ideas in mind on their way here.
Hearing Pei Xuanjing's query, Zhao Baiyang's group exchanged glances, signaling they understood the situation just as Pei Xuanjing had predicted.
They also knew that the decision Pei Xuanjing made was to protect their interests at most. If it weren't for them, Pei Xuanjing would not have done so. With his status and power, he didn't have to make such concessions. If he accepted their demands, his profits would not decrease. In fact, they might even increase.
"Given the circumstances, what we need to consider now is how to win the upcoming battles. It's the most important thing," Zhao Baiyang calmly said.
The situation remained the same, for whatever reason, since they lacked the power and strength to overturn others' rules, their only choice was to comply.
As such, all they could do was trying to win under these rules, in order to realize their expected plan.
Everyone present agreed with Zhao Baiyang's words. After all, anyone who could reach this point was not a simple person.
Pei Xuanjing nodded his agreement. He summoned Zhao Baiyang's group not only because of their identities, but also because everyone was realistic and didn't require much explanation.
"What we lack now is the representatives of the seventh and eighth powers of the Spirit Realm for the battle. What do you think? Are there any guarantees?" Pei Xuanjing asked, looking at them.
As he spoke, his gaze examined the people in the room, wanting to estimate their strength.
Cultivation levels do not equate to combat power. The actual strength a cultivator can exert depends not only on his level but also on his divine abilities, divine weapon treasure, and so on…
For example, Pei Xuanjing's current level is the Spirit Realm Eightfold. However, his combat power is much stronger due to his divine abilities, Sword and Thunder Skill, and Divine Position. Thus he equals the strongest and can even suppress them.
Therefore, despite these individuals appearing to be at the Spirit Realm Sixth Level, it's not clear how powerful they genuinely are and how far they can go. Only they might know their true strength.
Probing a cultivator's strength is generally frowned upon and rarely done. Even Pei Xuanjing was unwilling to do so.
However, given the current situation, unless he was willing to admit defeat and give up his shares, he needed to understand these people's true strength to react appropriately.
Upon hearing Pei Xuanjing's question, everyone remained composed, already understanding the situation and anticipating this scenario.
Surprisingly, before anyone else could speak, Wu Shijiu, who had remained silent until now, suddenly said, "I believe I could handle one battle of the Spirit Realm Eightfold, if you trust me enough."
Huh?
Everyone inevitably turned to look at Wu Shijiu.
Even though Wu Shijiu was present, everyone including Pei Xuanjing hadn't considered letting him join the battle.
After all, although Wu Shijiu was now allied with them, he originated from the Sky Wasteland. It would inevitably be inappropriate for him to join the battle.
"Brother Wu, there's no need for you to take this upon yourself." Pei Xuanjing tried to dissuade him, but was interrupted by Wu Shijiu.
Wu Shijiu shook his head and said, "Since I've chosen my path, I won't flinch. As for the cultivator of the Spirit Realm Eightfold, as long as there isn't a hegemony like the National Teacher, I believe I can handle the others."
As someone who had survived the Witch Deity Teaching's attack in the past, Wu Shijiu was confident in his ability. He believed he could handle the ancient country's reigning lords and elders.
He was aware that he could abstain from this battle without anyone blaming him. However, he decided to participate.
He understood that his role in facilitating the collaboration between the Witch Deity Teaching and Pei Xuanjing might have worsened Pei Xuanjing's impression of him. Now was a good opportunity to make a good impression and express his position.
Moreover, the most critical point was his participating at this moment would ensure that he got a share when the benefits were distributed.
Now, to Wu Shijiu, everything in the world had returned to when the peak powers made the decisions. For him, living unrestrainedly was no longer possible.
So, he felt an urgent need to improve his strength as soon as possible, which was the only way to make him safer.
Upon hearing Wu Shijiu's words, the others couldn't dissuade him and had no choice but to agree. After all, they were currently short-handed, and Wu Shijiu's participation was like timely rain, allowing them to handle the situation more comfortably.
With Wu Shijiu making his decision, one less Spirit Realm Eightfold duel was counted. There were still five people needed for the remaining battles. Naturally, the selection had to be made from amongst them.
According to the time discussed by Pei Xuanjing and others, roughly three years were needed, since they also needed to prepare during this period.
Aside from Wu Shijiu deciding to participate in the Spirit Realm Eightfold duel on Pei Xuanjing's side, Zhu Houji also stopped hiding his strength, ready to participate in the eighth-level contest. However, the remaining candidate was not yet determined. Currently, they still lacked a powerful person at this level.
However, Pei Xuanjing wasn't too concerned about the Spirit Realm Eightfold duel, whether it was a victory or defeat, it didn't affect him.
They agreed on a total of nine duels, three each for the seventh, eighth, and ninth levels of the Spirit Realm. Pei Xuanjing figured they didn't need to win them all, only to gain an advantage.
After all, they were currently at a disadvantage, and if it came down to it, they couldn't even gather enough cultivators at the eighth level of Spirit Realm, let alone emerge victorious?
So, it would be better to focus first on Spirit Realm's seventh level duels. If they could ensure all three duels at this realm were won, then even if they lost all of the eighth-level contests, they could still win by defeating the mightiest opponents twice in the other duels.
Sometimes, taking advantage of the rules to win is the best tactic. Those present were no fools; naturally, a scheme akin to the tactic used in "Tian Ji's horse racing" was suggested. This was the most suitable strategy to their circumstance.
"However, it's not only us who are cunning. Those people might have similar ideas to ours," Zhao Baiyang said with a laugh.
Naturally, the tactic from "Tian Ji's horse racing" was not only known to them. The powerhouses of the Sky Wasteland would also be aware of this strategy.
Pei Xuanjing shook his head, "Perhaps that's not all. The strategy of Tian Ji's horse racing is for the weaker. Given the current situation, the disparities between us are vast. They might be thinking of winning everything and may not use this strategy."
The strategy of Tian Ji's horse racing has been used since ancient times to make the weak conquer the strong. The genuine strong ones, or those who consider themselves advantaged, would never act this way. They would make steady choices in order to win at every step.
The plan of Tian Ji's horse racing may seem clever, but in fact, it's not quite so. For the weaker, they cannot control the situation tending to sacrifice some of the status quo for a greater opportunity. However, the risk is high. They can't reverse the situation if they fail to win the needed rounds and lose the rest.
Therefore, in Pei Xuanjing's view, the situation of Tian Ji's horse racing is only a contingency plan. If he was in a position of advantage like the powerhouses of the Sky Wasteland, he would definitely not be overly thoughtful but aim to win every duel possible. This would be the optimal strategy.
With so many powerhouses in the Sky Wasteland, they would strive to win every duel from the very first one. This would be the safest course of action to avoid any unexpected outcomes.
"In such a case, our opportunity arises," Pei Xuanjing announced, watching everyone's slightly changing expressions.
Indeed, no matter how the Sky Wasteland responds, employing the strategy of "Tian Ji's horse racing" currently is their best option based on their helpless position. It is their helpless selection based on the current situation. Only in this case could they seize the chance of success.
Pei Xuanjing said to the group, "Now it's still early. Why not have a discussion with me?"
Hearing this, everyone expressed their gratitude to Pei Xuanjing.
They understood that Pei Xuanjing's invitation for a discussion was actually to guide them in this limited time, hoping they could gain some insights and improve their strength.
With this opportunity in front of them, they naturally wouldn't refuse. Even if they couldn't participate in the following duels, having the chance to hear an expert like Pei Xuanjing lecture was a rare opportunity.
Next, Pei Xuanjing began explaining his understanding of cultivation, especially targeting these people's paths.
If it were the Pei Xuanjing of the past, he could only expound on his understanding of the Great Tao and let these people comprehend it themselves. He could not implement teachings according to their aptitudes and discuss Dao based on each person's path.
Fortuitously, after Pei Xuanjing opened the Longevity World, in addition to his initial comprehension of various abilities and skills, using the Heavenly Dao of Longevity World, he gained a deeper understanding of laws and the ultimate principles of Dao.
Moreover, previously, numerous powerhouses entered the Longevity World. As they pondered the Longevity World, they also released their understanding of the Tao for Longevity World to absorb. Thus, Pei Xuanjing's understanding was profound.
While Pei Xuanjing was lecturing Zhao Baiyang and other cultivators, entrancing them, one of his incarnations silently descended on the military camp of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty.
Inside the military tent, Wang Boan was flipping through an ancient book. Even though he had scanned through it countless times, each reread gave him a completely different sensation.
Just at that moment, he suddenly looked up, smiled, and said,
"I wonder which honorable guest has come to visit late at night. I apologize for not being able to greet you from afar. My apologies for my rudeness."
By general logic, since Wang Boan had spoken, even if his voice was soft, the soldiers guarding outside the tent would inevitably respond. But strangely, it seemed as though the soldiers outside the tent hadn't heard anything and made no moves.
The next moment, mist appeared within the military tent. Wang Boan's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of alertness flashed in his eyes.
Although the human race and the demon race had temporarily ceased fighting, no one could be sure whether a demon king would try to launch a surprise attack at this moment. After all, everyone in the world knew that numerous powerhouses had gathered on Shenxiao Mountain. The demon race might suddenly decide on a sneak attack.
In the next moment, his surroundings changed, and he found himself in a strange place, certainly not inside the military tent. Despite his sharp senses, Wang Boan couldn't figure out how it was done.
However, Wang Boan didn't reveal the slightest fear. His expression remained calm.
Boom!
Suddenly, a roar of thunder echoed, and a fierce force rushed towards Wang Boan.
Facing the surging force, Wang Boan, despite not knowing who his opponent was, was forced to take action. He set aside the ancient book in his hand and swept his sleeve gently, striking out with a soft power.
Rumble!
Thunderstorm-like roars echo through the heavens, a ferocious energy surges in all directions, resembling a great tide.
Standing at the center, Wang Boan's feeble figure is surrounded by this force. He seems like a frail raft rocked by waves, ready to capsize at any moment.
But Wang Boan appears calm, moving his robe gently as a mild force suddenly appears then bounds around, dissipating the ferocious energy into nothingness.
Before Wang Boan can even pause, countless sharp lights are once again released in this space, asserting their dominance, towering over everything, as if intending to crush Wang Boan into pieces.
This cutting edge of the knife light is like the Heavenly River flowing backwards, unceasingly continuous.
A cold smile forms on Wang Boan's lips. He extends his right hand, and a long sword appears, it's a spirit sword.
Formation of the spirit sword, a task any cultivator can effortlessly achieve. Yet, its ultimate power relies upon the cultivator's own strength and their attainment in swordsmanship.
Consequently, most cultivators, despite possessing such abilities, prefer to cast divine weapon treasures. After all, to them, the simple formation of a spirit sword not only lacks any force but also becomes their burden, failing to realize their true potential.
However, Wang Boan clearly isn't one of those. The moment his spirit sword forms, it exudes a penetrating sword intent with the sword's spirit intertwined around it, tearing through the dimension, and the resulting dimension rift refuses to mend for a long time.
It seems Wang Boan's attainments in cultivation and swordsmanship are far from shallow.
In the next moment, Wang Boan slashes out, the sword's radiant light rushes forth, covering countless knife lights. The sword and knife lights clashing lead to continuous bursts of explosions that even this dimension struggles to bear.
When all calms down, Wang Boan coolly holds the spirit sword upside down and declares, "I wonder which expert is jesting with me."
After these two rounds of combat, Wang Boan realized that whoever had taken action was definitely more formidable than him, seemed to lack any killing intent and appeared to merely want to probe him.
"It's been a while, Sir. I doubt anyone in the world expected Sir to have reached such a stage," a voice echoed.
The murky aura within this space gradually dissipates. When all returns to normal, Wang Boan finds himself back in his original military camp. An additional figure has appeared, Pei Xuanjing, who should have been on Shenxiao Mountain.
"Your praise is too generous, Strategist," Wang Boan responded with a bitter smile.
Upon realizing that it was Pei Xuanjing who had tried to probe him, Wang Boan's previous anger subsided, as did his spirit sword.
He asked Pei Xuanjing with bewilderment, "At this point, the Strategist should be presiding over the Dao Debating Conference on Shenxiao Mountain. Why such a sudden appearance to meet me?"
Wang Boan was not too concerned about Pei Xuanjing's probing. Instead, he was curious why Pei Xuanjing, in his current situation, would take the trouble to manifest himself here.
"I require Sir's assistance with some matters," Pei Xuanjing revealed his purpose for the visit.
To Wang Boan, Pei Xuanjing has always been respectful. Regardless of their disparities in strength, he continued to address him as Sir—given his academic achievements, and as a paragon of prestige, bearing both scholarship and integrity. He stands tall among the Confucian Gate, on par with the ancient sages.
Subsequently, he recounted the happenings on Shenxiao Mountain, particularly the part about Sky Wasteland merging with Daming World, and how resulting resources needed to be divided by combat.
"So, the strategist wishes for me to enter the fray?" Wang Boan understands Pei Xuanjing's intention clearly.
"Indeed," Pei Xuanjing nodded and affirmed, "I came here to request that Sir participate in this combat, to triumph in our favour. I apologize for any offense earlier, and hope you don't mind."
"Worldly matters can't be avoided. I'm obliged to participate." Wang Boan doesn't refuse. After all, this is a matter of interest for every cultivator in the ancestral lands, including him—his character wouldn't allow him to refuse.
However, he raised a concern, "If I leave, the army would need someone to hold the fort. In case of a sudden ambush from Demon Race, we might not be able to respond in time."
Indeed, although the Demon Race currently seems stable, if he leaves, with no strong cultivator to hold the fort, the situation could take a turn for the worse in the event of an ambush.
This is why Wang Boan, despite his qualifications, chose to stay here instead of going to Shenxiao Mountain—to be prepared for the Demon Race.
"That's not an issue. I will leave a clone here. Moreover, as soon as an anomaly appears, I can bring you back here immediately," said Pei Xuanjing, offering a solution.
Given his capabilities and the divine abilities he possesses, with the help of the Small Thousand World, Pei Xuanjing could bring Wang Boan back at any moment, something he wasn't worried about.
With Pei Xuanjing's assurance, Wang Boan's anxiety eased, and he had no reservations. He said with a smile, "In that case, let me see the heroes of Sky Wasteland. Engage in Dao debates with these powerful cultivators from the Seventh Level of the Spirit Realm and see what they're capable of."
Pei Xuanjing shook his head, "It appears Sir plans to stay. I originally hoped Sir would combat those cultivators from the Seventh Level of the Spirit Realm, but it seems I underestimated Sir. Given your current prowess, you're completely qualified to participate in the combat of cultivators at the Spirit Realm Eightfold."
Indeed, at the beginning, Pei Xuanjing realized upon Wang Boan's breakthrough into the Seventh Level of the Spirit Realm that the latter could easily triumph in the combat of Seventh Level cultivators, ensuring victory.
However, after the brief probing earlier, Pei Xuanjing discovered much more. The strength Wang Boan demonstrated was completely beyond his expectations, and apparently, it wasn't the limit for Wang Boan.
The brief probing meant that Pei Xuanjing didn't go all out, but didn't Wang Boan do the same?
This indicates that Wang Boan's strength is absolutely comparable to a cultivator of the Spirit Realm Eightfold. Participating in their battle could potentially yield unexpected results.
"Huh?" Wang Boan paused.
After pondering for a while, he didn't outrightly refuse, and it seemed as if he was considering the feasibility.
Seeing this, Pei Xuanjing felt more confident. He said, "I'm sure Sir also realizes that our side lacks cultivators of the Spirit Realm Eightfold. We can however scrape together enough formidable cultivators from the Seventh Level of the Spirit Realm."
"Alright, then I will reluctantly give it a try!" After meditating for a while, Wang Boan agreed.