Chapter 1343: Chapter 58: Rivalry of the Same Origin for Heavenly Fate (2)
Chen Shougu laughed and said, "We people with no real backing are just going up there to run a lap and add some noise, that’s all. Why be so serious about it?"
At this point, he suddenly shut his mouth, gave the two a surprised look, and said, "Could it be that Sect Leader Zhang did not agree to that Ritual Officer’s request?"
The Limping Daoist said nothing, but Song Chuyuan snorted and said, "Such impudent demands—what’s wrong with refusing to agree?"
Chen Shougu let out an ah, his expression toward the two grew somewhat complicated. In the end he sighed and said, "In the recent several clashes, Zhongtai has been defeated every time. Do the two of you know the reason?"
As for the actual situation in the fighting, both sects kept their mouths shut, guarding the secret closely; there was no way for outsiders to know.
The Limping Daoist cupped his hands and said, "Brother Daoist Chen’s connections are wide; what can be hidden from others may not be hidden from fellow Daoist."
Chen Shougu pointed at the Limping Daoist and shook his head. "You, Limping Tang, here you go belittling me again. Others may not know the bottom line of this shabby Taoist, but don’t you?"
He paused, stroked the beard at his chin, then said, "Zhongtai’s string of defeats is because Xuanyue Sect produced a man. This man is named Rong Junzhong, has been in Cultivation for six hundred years, and has reached the Nascent Soul Third Realm. Not only has he trained the Three Extensive Collection Skills to a state of consummate perfection, he has also, by chance, refined a handy Dharma Treasure. Under the Cave Heaven True Masters of his sect, he is the number one person. In the last two rounds of fighting, he killed over ten Zhongtai cultivators in succession, and even when besieged by many he was unafraid. Even Zhongtai’s Qiao Sect Leader could do nothing about him, and only then did they come up with the idea of recruiting outsiders."
The Limping Daoist couldn’t help but frown. The Dragon Pillar Meeting did not limit the number of people in a fight; it only ended when one side completely conceded defeat. The Zhongtai Sect Leader had lost twice in the fighting, and the losses among the sect’s cultivators were too great, so they began thinking of recruiting outsiders. However, they would not simply let outsiders take advantage; all who came here had to sign a Dharma Contract, clearly stating that they could not return if they did not win. If one happened to run into a powerful opponent, there was indeed a risk to one’s life.
He did know that Zhang Yan was no weakling, but his Daoist Cultivation was, after all, only Nascent Soul Second Realm. If he ran into that Rong Junzhong, he feared he would not be his match.
Seeing the two remain silent, Chen Shougu kindly added, "Cultivation is not easy for us. You two should try to persuade True Master Zhang. Although the Dragon Pillar Meeting this time offers generous rewards, the danger is also no small matter. It would be better to go along with that Ritual Officer’s wish, so one can have peace of mind."
Having said that, he stood up, cupped his hands to the two, then turned and left the room.
The hall fell into a heavy silence.
Song Chuyuan was somewhat absent-minded. He did not know whether Zhang Yan would send him onto the platform. If he encountered that Rong Junzhong, he considered himself ten deaths with no life. After thinking for a moment, he said in a deep voice, "In a few days it will be Zhongtai’s banquet. We must inform True Master Zhang of this matter so he can be prepared."
The Limping Daoist’s expression, however, remained calm. He looked over and asked seriously, "Brother Daoist Song, if Sect Leader Zhang were to face that Rong Junzhong, what do you think his chances are?"
Song Chuyuan pondered for a while, then shook his head. "Hard to say, hard to say. I still can’t see through True Master Zhang to this day, but that Rong Junzhong..."
This answer was ambiguous, but the Limping Daoist seemed to be deep in thought.
At this moment Song Chuyuan raised his head and said, "Daoist Tang has always had ideas. Do you have any strategy to resolve this?"
He had just asked casually, but unexpectedly the Limping Daoist nodded and said, "It’s not that there is no method."
Song Chuyuan’s expression lifted, and he said with expectation, "Speak quickly, let me hear it."
The Limping Daoist said with a faint smile, "I’ve heard that Xuanyue Sect, in order to fight Zhongtai on the arena, is also recruiting outstanding talents from all quarters. Why must we cling to Zhongtai to the death? Better to turn and throw ourselves in with Xuanyue."
Song Chuyuan couldn’t help but be stunned. After quite a while he finally reacted and said, "But, but..." He butted for half the day, yet couldn’t say why, and in the end forced out one sentence: "Would Xuanyue Sect even tolerate the likes of us?"
The Limping Daoist gave him a sidelong glance and said, "With the Dharma Contract as proof, why would they not? The reason we came here in the first place was nothing more than because that Sixth Prince showed goodwill to us several times. Now that this man has already been thrown in prison, the matter is naturally no longer related. Moreover, although True Master Zhang is serving in the Divine House as Master of the immortal city, he has no real ties with Zhongtai. Now that Xuanyue is strong, turning to submit to them would instead bring greater benefits."
Song Chuyuan thought for a bit and refuted, "Since Xuanyue is strong, we wouldn’t even count as adding flowers to brocade by going over. What use would we be to them?"
The Limping Daoist shook his head with a smile. "If Zhongtai relies only on the cultivators it has recruited, it cannot win this bout of fighting. Those invited here are meant only to wear down Xuanyue’s Qi Power. They certainly have some other trump card. If my guess is not wrong, this round of fighting will be even more tragic than the last two. There will be no shortage of chances to go up."
Though Zhongtai was also recruiting cultivators from other factions, hearts were ultimately not united. This battle concerned the Dragon Pillar struggle that had lasted for several hundred years; they definitely had their own plans and would not pin all their hopes on outsiders.
After listening to these words, Song Chuyuan remained silent for a while, then said, "Brother Daoist’s words have some truth. How about we go and speak to True Master..."
Before he could finish, the Limping Daoist hurriedly waved his hand and said with a laugh, "I have only just joined his gate; it is not convenient for me to speak. But Brother Daoist is of no concern."
Song Chuyuan immediately stood up and nodded. "Very well, I will go at once to report to True Master."
He left the hall and hurried to the back courtyard. There stood a bamboo building, which was where Zhang Yan was in secluded Cultivation. After announcing himself outside the door, he was invited in. Once inside, after paying respects to Zhang Yan, he hastily reported the details.
After Zhang Yan listened, a faint gleam flashed in his eyes. The strategy offered by the Limping Daoist, judged by common sense, was indeed a good idea. However, the reason he rushed to the Dragon Pillar Meeting was for those Three-flavor Spirit Medicines, especially that Snake Ring Essence. He already knew for certain that the Zhongtai Sect had a good amount hidden away, whereas even if Xuanyue Sect had some, it might not be as plentiful.
He secretly mused, "Since I came to East Victory Continent, I have not yet met a proper opponent; all of them are far inferior to those I encountered in the Sixteen Sects Sword Competition. Since this Rong Junzhong is so formidable, being able to cross hands with him is exactly what I seek. If I can fight and defeat him, then to demand Spiritual Medicine as payment will be perfectly justified."
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...(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
