Chapter 879: Chapter 131 Farewell
"What opportunity?" Jiang Wang asked.
He had already realized that in front of Wei Xun, he had no choice at all.
Wei Xun said, "You speak of where righteousness lies, that one should repay kindness. Zhu Bijing owes you her life, how will you repay it? Are you willing... to cleanse her sins for her?"
To enter the Lost World for Zhu Bijing and slay Sea Clan members to cleanse sins!
But everyone knows that "without reaching the Outer Building, one does not venture into the sea." Without the Starlight Holy Tower, it is impossible to navigate in the Lost World; one wouldn’t even be able to find the way back. This is the biggest reason why Zhu Bijing’s trip meant certain death.
Although Jiang Wang was much stronger than Zhu Bijing, he still had not erected the Starlight Holy Tower either. He, too, would be utterly blind in the Lost World.
"Jiang Wang must not!" Zhongxuan Sheng cried out.
"Jiang Wang, you’ve already done enough," Jiang Wuyou couldn’t help but say.
She had invested such significant resources, and if Jiang Wang went, he was most likely to end up like Liu Shentong. And she couldn’t help but face another total loss.
"I don’t want this!" Zhu Bijing tried her hardest to say, the shape of her mouth forming the words.
But she couldn’t make a sound.
Wei Xun paid no attention to the discouragement from others, only silently watching Jiang Wang, waiting for his decision.
The wait did not last long.
Jiang Wang’s calm expression showed he was acutely aware of the dangers in the Lost World.
But he simply said, "I am willing."
Wei Xun, as if not content to see him so brave, added, "Neifu Cultivators correspond to Battle General Level Sea Clan members, but since you possess Divine Skills and have such brilliant battle achievements as slaying Elder Hai Zongming, it seems you are no worse than Granny Bizhu. As such, if you choose to cleanse Zhu Bijing’s sins, you also need to meet the same conditions as Granny Bizhu. Do you accept this?"
This was not fair. Although Jiang Wang had personally killed Hai Zongming, his strength was definitely not greater than Hai Zongming’s. To ask him to complete the same cleansing tasks as Granny Bizhu was to have him face even greater risks.
He hadn’t reached the Outer Building yet and was already thrown into the Lost World, already facing the greatest of risks!
However, no one could speak for Jiang Wang at this moment. In the presence of Wei Xun, even Yang Feng from Yang Valley and Qi Xiao from Jueming Island lacked the weight to speak up.
Zhongxuan Sheng stood in silence, filled with agony. He couldn’t understand what had gone wrong. Why would Wei Xun, a True Monarch, personally come to the End of the World Platform to be a part of this Sea Festival ceremony? Chongguang Zhenren presiding over the event was already more than what tradition called for, and this wasn’t even the centennial ceremony!
He realized that there was something he had overlooked in his plans, something he had missed, although it was not his fault. Combined, he, Jiang Wuyou, and Jiang Wang did not reach the level to access such high-level information, and miscalculations were inevitable.
But his pain was because he knew full well what Jiang Wang’s choice would be.
And indeed, Jiang Wang said, "This junior accepts."
"Oh?" Wei Xun seemed very interested, "Why do you accept? That’s not quite right."
Jiang Wang was very calm, for he had really thought it through and truly accepted.
"You are correct; my sword is too weak to uphold my principles," he said sincerely, "So before that comes to pass, I am willing to respect the principles set by my predecessors. Zhu Bijing indeed has sins, and cleansing them in the Lost World is also tradition. Thank you for giving Zhu Daoist, giving me this opportunity."
"To say thank you is a bit disingenuous," Wei Xun shook his head, "But a young man like you, so daring and disciplined, is rare to see these days. Very good!"
Jiang Wang bowed again, not speaking any further.
Wei Xun laughed, then said to Chongguang Zhenren, "Since both are guilty, let them be punished together. Place the two of them in the same area. It will stop anyone from gossiping, from saying the Diao Hai Building is any less just than them!"
Yang Feng felt a prickle on his back, quite uneasy. This True Monarch indeed held grudges as the rumors said. A remark he had made earlier mocking Chongguang Zhenren was now being used against him.
Zi Shu furrowed her brows, anxiously glancing at Instructor Zhao.
Zhao Wuyan simply patted her hand, saying nothing.
By then, who couldn’t see that Granny Bizhu and Jiang Wang had become mortal enemies?
Being in the same area meant that one’s survival meant the other’s death. There was no need to wait for the Sea Clan to make a move.
Wei Xun had previously spoken as though he greatly admired Jiang Wang. But with the next breath, he pushed Jiang Wang further into the abyss.
He clearly wanted to watch another battle unfold, to let the world see if the strength of the Diao Hai Building’s real-world Elder was truly as inadequate as the rumors suggested, and if a proud young genius could easily defeat him, rising above his rank.
The last encounter with Hai Zongming, although it was Hai Zongming who initiated the attack, was in fact Jiang Wang taking a calculated risk against an unprepared opponent, waiting with ease, while also having the benefit of multiple tactics and Xiang Qian’s help.
But this time, he didn’t understand Granny Bizhu’s strength well enough. There was a huge gap between their powers... Under such circumstances, he still had to complete the cleansing!
It seemed as if Wei Xun had no intention of letting Jiang Wang leave the Lost World alive.
Chongguang Zhenren nodded and replied, "Should I send it now, or...?"
Wei Xun only looked at Jiang Wang, but simultaneously asked both, "Do you have anything else you want to say?"
Jiang Wang just gripped the Longsword tighter and said, "No."
Granny Bizhu also said, "No."
Before the Tower Master, she didn’t even dare to breathe heavily, let alone say anything extra.
"What about the rest of you?"
Wei Xun didn’t look at anyone, but his meaning was clear.
With so many forces and people present, who wouldn’t acknowledge it? Who would oppose?
Of course, no one did.
No one dared, nor could anyone.
Wei Xun nodded slightly, ready to command Chongguang to proceed.
Suddenly, a portly figure strode forward.
It was Zhongxuan Sheng.
He walked up to Jiang Wang, didn’t say anything else, just took off his own coat and personally draped it over Jiang Wang. In a deep voice, he said, "There are many storms at sea; take care of yourself."
The large coat draped over Jiang Wang’s body shrank considerably until it fit perfectly.
It seemed no more than an ordinary martial garment, yet it was Zhongxuan Sheng’s Seven Mystery Treasure Garb, which had once saved his life under Wang Yiwu’s fists.
He couldn’t oppose a True Monarch nor would he, but he would still support his friend in his own way.
Like now, being the first to step forward to see Jiang Wang off.
Jiang Wang tightened the coat and calmly said, "I will."
There really was no need for many words between him and Zhongxuan Sheng.
Often, Zhongxuan Sheng didn’t agree with his decisions, but he always ended up supporting him.
Wei Xun, observing the stout man, appeared quite interested, "Are you the son of Fu Tu?"
Zhongxuan Sheng never liked to mention his father.
But it seemed as though everyone couldn’t avoid that name.
He couldn’t deny that his veins bore that man’s blood.
He turned around, gave a bow to the Tower Master of Diao Hai Building, and simply said, "Zhongxuan Sheng pays his respects to the Tower Master."
After the bow, he took out a Jade Bottle and handed it to Jiang Wang, "For healing."
Jiang Wang didn’t wait to say anything else; the portly figure was already walking back.
Jiang Wang didn’t even inquire about what the elixir was; he uncorked the bottle and poured it directly into his mouth, consuming several pills like fried beans. The elixirs prepared by Zhongxuan Sheng wouldn’t be ineffective; he was about to make sure he recovered to his best condition before heading to the Lost World. Only then could he seize that slim chance.
Yan Fu was the second to come over, carrying a squirrel box which he directly placed in Jiang Wang’s hand, "We’ll drink when you return."
"And you’ll foot the bill," Jiang Wang said with a smile.
What the box contained, he didn’t look to see, but he imagined it was of value. He didn’t refuse. After what happened on the End of the World Platform, their bond was forged.
"Stubborn temperament," Li Fengyao said softly from the spectator’s seats. She took off the thumb ring she wore on her right hand and handed it to Li Longchuan sitting beside her, "I won’t push through the crowd; take it to him for me."
Li Longchuan took the thumb ring and stood up to walk into the field.
Just after Yan Fu, he slipped the thumb ring on Jiang Wang’s finger while secretly putting a pearl in his hand—a Shen Wang Pearl snatched from the hands of a great master.
"I think this will be useful in the Lost World," he whispered, then raised his voice, "My sister is lending you her thumb ring; you must keep it safe and return it!"
Pausing, he added, "Speaking of which, you haven’t visited my Binghuang Island. Remember to come by."
"I won’t forget," Jiang Wang said.
