https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-356-Fang-Che-s-Sister-in-Law-Part-2-/12980482/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-357-The-Peak-of-Righteousness-and-Evil-Part-2-/12980484/
Chapter 357: The Peak of Righteousness and Evil (Part 1)
Chapter 357: The Peak of Righteousness and Evil (Part 1)
Then, Fang Che and the others saw the flying ship suddenly expand, instantly transforming into a massive vessel that could accommodate four to five thousand people, hovering in the air.
Fang Che was amazed; this was much larger and more impressive than the one at Yin Shengong.
The flying ship's door opened.
Ning Xue Jian took the lead and rushed up, scanning with his divine perception before nodding.
Xue Fuxiao and Dong Fang Sansan gracefully stepped onto the ship and entered.
Then, the group followed suit, entering one by one.
Each took their assigned seats, and the ship trembled slightly.
It slowly rose a hundred zhang before accelerating with a whoosh, rapidly ascending. In just a breath, it had reached above the clouds and continued to climb higher.
Then, like a streak of light, it flew away.
Fang Che sat on the flying ship, legs crossed and eyes closed, experiencing the strange sensation of being high in the sky.
Feng Xiangdong and the others were crouched by the spiritual crystal window, gazing outside with curiosity.
"I rode one when I was little," Feng Xiangdong said.
"I rode it several times when I was young," Yu Zhong Kuang added.
"After six years old, they wouldn't let us ride anymore... Sigh."
Dong Fang Zhe sighed, "They say we don't have the qualifications without merits. I don't understand; when I was one or two years old, I didn't have any merits either, and I didn't even know how to fart. Yet, we were allowed to ride. Now that we're six or seven, we've cultivated and have some skills, but we're still not as qualified as when we were two or three. Who can we complain to about this?"
Everyone burst into laughter.
In reality, all families were the same: when a child was born with good talent, the elders would be delighted and take them everywhere, even bringing them to the headquarters for the ancestors to see...
But after that initial visit, there was rarely an opportunity to step on a flying ship again.
If you want to ride, you can, but you'll have to wait until you're powerful enough to exchange your merits for the qualification.
"Brother Fang probably hasn't ridden one before, right? Is it exciting, Brother Fang?"
These thirty-odd guys, upon seeing Fang Che, immediately thought of Fang Che's 'little auntie,' and their anger surged.
They glared at Fang Che with narrowed eyes.
Fang Che held Ye Meng in his arms, occupying the best spot, allowing Ye Meng to look outside comfortably.
Without blinking, Ye Meng immediately shouted, "Report! These aristocratic children are bullying me..."
Before she could finish, Feng Xiangdong and Yu Zhong Kuang pounced on her like lightning, covering her mouth tightly. "Grandpa! Uncle Fang! Please don't shout!"
What's going on? This is a flying ship, and the Ninth Lord, the Sword Lord, and the Blade Lord, along with our ancestors, are sitting right in front. If your voice reaches them, we're all done for!
The other thirty-plus people also turned pale, pleading like thirty-five quivering little quails.
Fang Che hummed, narrowing his eyes at the thirty-five people with disdain.
"You want to challenge me? Try humming again if you dare."
"We dare not, Lord, you're Uncle Fang!"
"Be good."
"Pfft..."
Ye Meng couldn't help but laugh.
The other contestants hung their heads in disappointment, feeling intimidated rather than discouraged. Who could they complain to about this?
...
On the other side.
Dong Fang Sansan sat calmly, speaking softly, "Yan Nan should already know our list of participants."
"We didn't keep it a secret. Yan Nan knows the list of twenty-seven people. Although it's confidential among the higher-ups on both sides, the list of 108 people is now known across the continent."
"Moreover, people all over are betting on which twenty-seven out of these 108 will become the real contestants. Countless gambling houses have opened, and the bets are separated by ranks. For example, if you bet on the King Rank and get four correct, there's a reward. If you get all nine right, it's a five-million-fold payout."
"Wow, this is a good game."
"Indeed, even the government is getting rich."
Dong Fang Sansan opened her eyes and said, "There should be supervision. This money is a large sum and should be used to improve the people's livelihood, provide relief to the families of heroic souls, repair water conservancy projects, and open up roads... Anyone who dares to take a hand in this will be beheaded, with a reward of five taels of silver."
"Yes."
Someone cautiously asked, "Ninth Lord, although this can quickly gather wealth for the continent's repairs, there might be those who lose everything..."
With her eyes closed, Dong Fang Sansan said, "Gambling with spare money is just a game, but those who lose everything deserve their fate. There's no need to pay attention to them."
"Yes."
"The list of nine people for each rank should also be announced, and then the betting on the champion, runner-up, and third-place should be reopened across the continent."
Dong Fang Sansan took a light breath and slowly said, "The proceeds should be used to relieve the disaster-stricken people and repair the continent. Let's start with small steps and prepare to welcome a prosperous era."
Welcome a prosperous era!
These four words shook everyone who heard them, their eyes widening in surprise.
Some even glowed with a sudden red face, their hearts racing.
"Ninth Lord, do you already have a sure-win plan?"
This arrangement was unprecedented, and the phrase 'welcome a prosperous era' was the first time Dong Fang Sansan had ever uttered it.
"Not yet, but if things go smoothly, in twenty years... if not, we must prepare for a long war, perhaps hundreds or even thousands of years... However, developing the people's livelihood and encouraging childbirth is the priority now."
Dong Fang Sansan spoke calmly.
Everyone's spirits lifted, and their joy doubled.
Compared to the Only Righteous Sect, the Guardians had more people, even several times more, but they lagged in high-end combat power.
So the win-loss ratio between the two sides had always been 3:7 or 4:6.
They had always been at a disadvantage.
But today, Dong Fang Sansan personally said fifty-fifty!
Although it was twenty years away, it was nothing compared to their long lives.
In the blink of an eye, thousands of years could pass without fear, as long as victory was within reach.
Everyone's fighting spirit soared at that moment.
...
Dong Fang Sansan closed her eyes and fell silent.
Her words were enough to ignite everyone's blood, rekindling their genuine hope. This battle, with the prospect of victory, would quickly infect everyone.
Dong Fang Sansan didn't care if these words reached Yan Nan's ears.
As long as Xue was not an insider, nothing else mattered.
But with Xue's brain, if she were an insider... Dong Fang Sansan thought to herself: After ten thousand reincarnations... maybe, just maybe, she could be an insider in front of me without raising my suspicions.
As she thought this, she glanced at Xue Fuxiao with a smile in her eyes.
Xue Fuxiao was startled. Is San'er smiling at me?
Is he praising me? What did I do recently?
Oh, driving away Duan Xi Yang and saving Dong Chang Feng. A huge contribution!
He couldn't help but laugh proudly.
Ning Xue Jian asked, "Xue Ge, why are you smiling?"
"I'm laughing at how you look like a jerk."
Xue Fuxiao, still harboring resentment towards that bastard, blurted out a curse.
Ning Xue Jian angrily said, "Fine, you with the surname Xue, just you wait!"
But currently on the flying ship, there was nowhere to run. He gritted his teeth and swallowed his anger, thinking, "Once we reach an open area, if I don't make you pay, I won't be named Rui Qianshan!"
...
On the other side.
Yan Nan looked at the list, a relaxed smile on his face. "The list over there is pretty good. Let's take a look at the information of these nine King Rank individuals. Tsk, one each from the Feng, Yu, and Xue families, and one from the Dong family; the others are from the Luo, Tan, Chu, and Meng families, and the only one not from an aristocratic family is this Fang guy."
When he mentioned 'this Fang guy', a subtle hint of pride appeared at the corners of Yan Nan's eyes and mouth.
"Fifth Brother, be careful, we can't let this show."
Chen Gu reminded him.
"Don't worry, am I the kind of person who doesn't know his limits?"
He pondered for a moment. "It seems I need to talk to Dong Fang Sansan and finalize the specific rewards, increasing them a bit."
Bi Chang Hong cautioned, "Won't it be too obvious?"
Yan Nan replied indifferently, "After so many years, we haven't taken advantage. Last time, with the purple crystal mine, we actually gave Dong Fang Sansan a bargain. I'll use this opportunity to rage, exerting overwhelming pressure, and with the confidence of victory, increasing the rewards won't raise his suspicions."
"And then?"
"Then... we'll see what fate has in store. If that little guy is truly capable, he'll win."
Yan Nan spoke calmly, "But there won't be any favoritism. If he lacks the ability and can't seize the opportunity, it'll be in vain."
"If he wins, it'll be a merit, a step up, and he'll even catch the attention of the higher-ups. Although we'll suffer losses, we'll still win in secret."
"If they lose, we'll still win in terms of the bet and morale."
Yan Nan, with a calm demeanor and a plan in mind, said, "This time, no matter what, I'll win!"
Although Chen Gu and Bi Chang Hong were reluctant to flatter, seeing Yan Nan's calculations, they sincerely admired him, saying from the heart, "Fifth Brother, you're amazing!"
Yan Nan, proud, said, "Don't forget, back then, among the brothers, I was also the strategist. In terms of planning, although I may not be as good as Dong Fang Sansan, but... can't I outsmart him once in ten times?"
"Fifth Brother is being modest. In fact, you're no less impressive than Dong Fang Sansan."
The brothers' words were not flattery; the facts were indeed so. Although Yan Nan might not be as good as Dong Fang Sansan, his strategic mind and cunning were among the top in the world.
Just look at how he has stood against Dong Fang Sansan for over ten thousand years, and even now, not only has he not suffered a major defeat, but his overall strength surpasses that of the Guardian. This is enough proof of Yan Nan's exceptional capabilities.
People only see Dong Fang Sansan's incredible strategic prowess, but they naturally overlook how impressive Yan Nan's endurance is under such a divinely calculated opponent.
As the saying goes, "It takes two to tango."
Yan Nan himself was well aware of this, shaking his head and sighing, "Dong Fang's strategies are unmatched throughout history. Although I'm confident, I can't be arrogant; a slight carelessness might lead to a significant loss at his hands. I must stay vigilant."
"This person, no matter how highly regarded, deserves it."
Yan Nan sighed and reminded them, "You all should also be careful with your expressions, don't let anything show."
"Fifth Brother, rest assured, we understand the importance of this."
Meanwhile, Yan Bei Han approached and said, "Grandpa, time's up."
"Then let's go, slowly. Let's give Dong Fang Sansan and the others some time."
Yan Nan narrowed his eyes, looking at his brothers with a smile, "Are you afraid that if we're late, Dong Fang Sansan will have set up an ambush over there?"
"Hahaha..."
The old devils all burst into laughter, their smiles filled with arrogance and invincibility.
This time, the high-ranking officials included Yan Nan, Bi Chang Hong, Chen Gu, Yu Han Yan, Xiang Bei Dou, and Duan Xi Yang.
With these six individuals together, even Dong Fang Sansan would have to admit that there was absolutely no ambush in the world that could stop them! As long as they wanted to leave, no matter the time, place, or harsh conditions, they could leave whenever they wished.
The Guardian's flying ship flickered through the clouds, its speed reaching the extreme.
Truly a thousand miles in an instant.
However, just one hour later.
It began to descend.
Below was a unique terrain.
Hundreds of peaks rose above the sea of clouds.
These peaks were strange, as if they had been severed from the middle, lacking summits.
The flat and even precipice stretched out, revealing a sheer drop.
Moreover, all the cliffs were of a similar height.
Hundreds of zhang below the precipice, clouds swirled in the mist.
From above, these mountain peaks appeared like colossal chess pieces, neatly arranged on a grand chessboard spanning the heavens and earth.
Indeed, this was the legendary Victory Chessboard of the continent!
It was also the battleground for the supreme masters to decide their fates.
Furthermore, it was the place where masters from the Cloud Sword Spectrum vied for their rankings.
On this flat summit of thirty-two chess piece-like peaks, countless heroes' blood and high-level cultivators' souls had been spilled since ancient times.
However, only the largest and central peak, capable of accommodating tens of thousands or even more people, was rarely ventured upon.
Everyone knew that this place belonged to the number one under heaven.
While it was fine to visit, engaging in combat here... well, one should consider their strength before doing so.
For instance, someone like Xue Fuxiao or Duan Xiyang might disdainfully say, "Xue Fuxiao is nothing but fart, and Duan Xiyang is a joke."
However, those who had reached a certain level of cultivation would never dare even think such thoughts, let alone utter them.
Especially those qualified to battle here, upon their arrival, their hearts filled with solemn respect.
Even the devil of the Only Righteous Sect wouldn't dare speak arrogantly—doing so could cost them their lives.
Saying such words wasn't an idle threat.
Finally, the most expansive peak welcomed its master.
Those qualified to battle here.
Although they were here only to spectate, their presence at this place made them the undisputed masters.
This was the lineup.
On the platform, many people were already gathered in groups, waiting.
But when the Guardian's flying ship descended, the characters 'Dong Fang' on the ship glowed with a million rays of golden light, and everyone stood upright.
The ship slowly landed.
Finally, it came to a stop.
The cabin door opened.
Three figures in white emerged, like celestial beings from the Nine Heavens, their robes billowing gracefully.
On the left, a man exuded a powerful saber intent, his face stern and his eyes deep, giving off an aura of invincibility and steadiness.
On the right, another man radiated sword energy that soared into the sky, his face as cold as ice and snow, his entire being exuding an aura of sharpness that seemed unstoppable.
In the middle stood a refined and handsome man, his face gentle and amiable, his demeanor carefree and elegant, his eyes warm, and when he looked at someone, they felt as if a gentle spring breeze had brushed past them.
He stood there, and everyone felt that he didn't belong to the mortal world.
He should belong to the Nine Heavens, the Jade Palace.
The moment the three appeared, everyone below straightened up again, standing solemnly, and then bowed in unison.
"Greetings, Lord Jiu!"
Although the man on the left exuded sword and saber intent, when the middle man appeared, everyone seemed to only see him.
After greeting Lord Jiu, they said, "Greetings, Lord Xue. Greetings, Lord Jian."
Amidst the greetings, voices called out, "Brother Dong Fang, Brother Xue..."
But these voices were drowned out by the grand cheers of the crowd.
These were the leaders of the Illusion Sect.
...
Dong Fang Sansan walked down slowly, his face radiating a warm smile, greeting everyone he had met along the way.
He could accurately call out the names of everyone he had met once.
"Old Du, you're here too. How's your injury from back then?"
"Lu Fangyun, how's your family now? Have you gotten over the child's incident?"
"Kang Yun, you haven't changed in so many years. How's your cultivation? Are you still as fond of drinking?"
"..."
These were his old subordinates who had left the Guardians due to injuries and returned to their hometowns. Many of them had come today.
They had heard that Dong Fang Sansan was coming, and these old warriors wanted to see him one last time in their lives.
Hearing that Dong Fang Sansan still remembered their names, cared about their families, and even remembered their personal habits, they were overcome with emotion, their eyes tearing up as they choked out, "...Lord Jiu..."
Along the way, Dong Fang Sansan comforted them with kind words.
He patted each of his old brothers on the shoulder, his emotions sincere.
"Take care!"
"I told you to come to the headquarters to see me, but not one of you came... I thought you had forgotten me, and only now can I put my mind at ease." Dong Fang Sansan feigned anger.
"We knew Lord Jiu was busy... We didn't want to disturb you," the crowd said, laughing sheepishly.
Dong Fang Sansan walked up to a tall, elderly man, his expression turning stern, and his tone even carrying a hint of reproach, "Why are you here to join the crowd?"
The tall, elderly man smiled, "I'm afraid I won't recover, so I've come to challenge you."
"After this, go back and rest!" Dong Fang Sansan said sternly.
"I still have seven or eight hundred years to live. How can you be sure you won't recover?" Dong Fang Sansan asked angrily.
The tall, elderly man lowered his head, like a child who had done something wrong, and said, "But waiting to die like this is worse than fighting and dying on the battlefield."
Dong Fang Sansan snorted and said angrily, "Your death may be swift, but it will be a huge blow to the children's beliefs."
He pulled the old man to Xue Fuxiao's side and said, "Keep an eye on him. After this is over, take him to the headquarters."
Xue Fuxiao laughed and said, "Okay."
He pulled the old man behind him and glared, "Behave yourself, or I'll beat you up!"
The old man glared back, huffing, but in the end, he didn't say another word.
Chapter: The Legendary Battle
He knew that Xue Fuxiao wasn't kidding when he said he would beat someone up. That fool was truly fearless and held nothing back.
If he were to get beaten up in front of everyone, his old face would be utterly disgraced.
The most crucial point was that he couldn't win against Xue Fuxiao.
Fang Che and the others were at the back of the group, and almost no one paid them any attention.
Beside him, Feng Xiangdong spoke with reverence, "This is the former Soul Severing Axe, Senior Yu Tian Qi, who was once ranked second on the Cloud Sword Spectrum. It is said that during his final battle with Duan Xi Yang, he fought for three days and three nights, suffering severe injuries and depleting his origin.
(End of Chapter)
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