Chapter 417: Chapter 415: Eve of the Great Battle

True Monarch Qi Xing agreed so swiftly, naturally due to his own interests.

The Golden Core Late Stage Practitioners who could reach Liuhua Island within a month were limited, so Lin Xuyan and Liu Wushuang from Liangyi Sect were fully committed to the battle. If the Soul-devouring Demon could eliminate one of them, True Monarch Qi Xing would certainly support it.

After all, these five duels were proposed by Sangyu Country, and the chances of them harboring malicious intent were extremely high. These battles could be extraordinarily perilous, thus, regardless of whether it was Lin Xuyan or Liu Wushuang, having either one withdraw from the duel would be a good thing for Liangyi Sect.

Lin Tiannan frowned: “I wonder which Golden Core combatant the Soul-devouring Taoist wishes to challenge?”

“Nian Wuya.”

The Soul-devouring Demon replied indifferently.

“Me?”

Not far away, Nian Wuya’s gaze was fierce: “Soul-devouring Demon, are you truly that confident?”

“Hmph!”

The Soul-devouring Demon chuckled: “Fellow Taoist Nian is a hero of Xia Country’s Cultivation World, but I will certainly not hold back.”

“That’s very good!”

The two instantly became tense and ready for combat.

Lin Tiannan lightly swept his sleeve: “Fellow Taoist Liu Yun, please arrange the array so the two Golden Core Taoists can duel.”

“Alright.”

Outside the bamboo forest at the Main Peak, True Monarch Liu Yun set up an isolation and barrier array for the two Golden Cores to duel, while the four Nascent Souls entered to watch. Everyone else was kept outside. This battle was about the new combatants’ moves and details, so it was going to be a private duel.

…

“Senior Brother Ning…”

Beside him, Liu Wushuang pursed her red lips: “Will Nian Wuya win?”

“Hard to say.”

Ning Daoran shook his head.

“Why?”

Lin Xuyan said: “Brother, I have sparred with Nian Wuya these days. His swordsmanship is extremely profound. Even if I were to use all my strength, I can’t say for sure that I would win.”

“It’s simple.”

Ning Daoran said: “In the battle with Three Flowers True Monarch, Nian Wuya was injured, and his Primordial Qi was compromised. This slight damage will take about a decade to recover. Moreover, the Soul-devouring Demon is a Demon Cultivator. I know his methods clearer than you. When it comes to dueling experience and Jianghu combat experience, Nian Wuya might truly be inferior to the Soul-devouring Demon.”

“I see…”

Lin Xuyan slightly shuddered.

With that said, if the Soul-devouring Demon were to challenge him, he feared he might not stand a chance either.

Liu Wushuang bit her red lip and said no more.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, the formation dispersed.

With a slightly pale face and holding a long sword, Nian Wuya walked out of the formation.

“Senior brother!”

Several disciples from the Wanhua Sword Sect approached: “How was it?”

“I lost.”

Nian Wuya said with a pale face: “I have shamed our sect…”

“Fellow Taoist Nian.”

Ning Daoran directly transmitted his voice: “The Soul-devouring Demon is naturally devious and has many hidden methods. Even if he is not as strong as you, he can still defeat you with his schemes, so don’t be too fixated on this loss. You lost, but it doesn’t mean you are weaker than him. Just focus on enhancing your practical combat experience from now on. Moreover, the Soul-devouring Demon is also battling for the Xia Country’s Cultivation World, just the same.”

“Thank you, Brother Ning…”

Nian Wuya felt much better in his heart and showed a slight smile.

…

Time flew by extremely fast.

Ning Daoran’s worries in his heart increased day by day as the scent of conspiracy grew stronger, yet he still couldn’t fathom what exactly Sangyu Country was planning.

In the dead of night, atop a cliff.

Four Nascent Souls stood upright, while Ning Daoran folded his arms and sat on a huge rock, saying: “Is there a possibility that although the person sent by Sangyu Country is a Golden Core Late Stage Practitioner, they actually are fully prepared to form a Nascent Soul, aiming to break through during the combat to advance to the Nascent Soul Stage and then to defeat our side’s Golden Core and win?”

“An insightful thought, but absolutely impossible.”

Lin Tiannan replied with a speechless smile: “From Fragmented Elixir to forming a Nascent Soul, and then to solidifying the Nascent Soul, this process would take at least a year. Moreover, forming a Nascent Soul is highly likely to trigger the Heavenly Tribulation, breaking through during a duel with the disturbance of the Heavenly Tribulation would make it easier for opponents to launch surprise attacks, seeking death by oneself, absolutely impossible.”

“I see…”

Ning Daoran frowned: “Then I really can’t figure out why Sangyu Country would take such an action.”

“Perhaps, it’s just Sangyu Country trying to preserve their last bit of face?”

True Monarch Liu Yun said: “In the battle at Liuhua Island, the main forces of Sangyu Country cultivators suffered heavy losses. If they retreat now, they cannot explain it to Sangyu Country, so they came up with this strategy of five duels. This way, even if they lose afterwards, they can pay some treasures and spirit stones as compensation and withdraw honorably back to Sangyu Country.”

“That is indeed a possibility.”

True Monarch Qi Xing said: “Only if they seek defeat, the price they have to pay is too high; three Spiritual Treasures, twenty Magical Treasures, plus ten million Spirit Stones, that’s no small amount.”

“Compared to the annihilation of the entire Sangyu Country’s Cultivation World, this price is indeed small.”

Monarch Ling Fu also agreed with True Monarch Liu Yun.

“Young Friend Ning.”

Lin Tiannan asked: “Do you worry about being unable to cope?”

“That’s not a concern.”

Ning Daoran shook his head: “Even if our Xia Country loses, there isn’t much to lose. At most, we agree on non-aggression with Sangyu Country in the future. But I can’t understand what they are really plotting.”

Saying this, he narrowed his eyes: “Could it be they want to use this battle to kill several of Xia Country’s Golden Core prodigies, causing a gap in Xia Country’s Cultivation World?”

“Hmph~~”

True Monarch Qi Xing laughed: “The Golden Core prodigies of Xia Country are not so easy to kill.”

“That’s true.”

Ning Daoran said: “By the way, why has Soul-devouring Demon suddenly decided to participate in these five duels? After all, he is someone who never gets up early for nothing. Could he have ulterior motives, such as having already sided with Sangyu Country, and this battle is actually to make our Xia Country lose one match in advance, thereby facilitating Sangyu Country to withdraw entirely unscathed?”

“Young Friend Ning, you worry too much.”

Lin Tiannan chuckled: “Soul-devouring Demon joined this duel to gain a favor from me. Firstly, hoping I could convince Young Friend Ning to turn hostility into friendship with Soul-devouring Demon. Secondly, Soul-devouring Demon wants to rebuild the Soul Devouring Sect. He is interested in the Fourth-tier Lower Grade Spirit Vein of Shattered Star Mountain within Kunpeng Immortal City. He intends to buy Shattered Star Mountain with a significant amount of Spirit Stones, thereby using the head of a Late-stage Golden Core cultivator from Sangyu Country as a pledge to replace Nian Wuya in the duel.”

‘Damn…’

Ning Daoran secretly cursed in frustration. Soul-devouring Demon really never rises early for nothing. So his scheme was in this!

“Young Friend Ning.”

Lin Tiannan said earnestly: “If Soul-devouring Demon wins this battle, would you agree to let bygones be bygones and turn hostility into friendship with Soul-devouring Demon? If not, it’s also okay. I do not insist on this matter. If afterwards, Young Friend Ning wishes to attack Soul-devouring Demon, I, the City Lord, will turn a blind eye.”

“Alright then.”

Ning Daoran said: “Soul-devouring Demon and I do not have a life-and-death grudge. If he wishes to resolve the grudges, I am willing to agree.”

“Good.”

Lin Tiannan flicked his sleeve, and a Storage Bag floated over, saying: “There are one hundred thousand Spirit Stones in this bag, entrusted by Soul-devouring Demon to be handed over to you.”

“Okay.”

Ning Daoran accepted it on the spot.

In truth, it wasn’t out of greed, but simply to avoid making more enemies in Xia Country’s Cultivation World. If someone like Soul-devouring Demon focused on him, it would be quite troublesome. While he was not afraid, the Chaotic Sect was extremely wary of such an individual.

…

Several days later.

Both parties exchanged the list of combatants.

Late at night, with bright lights in the living room, Lin Tiannan and True Monarch Qi Xing brought the list to meet the participants.

A thin sheet of paper fluttered onto the table, listing the names of the five fighters from Sangyu Country: Chi Laogui, Master Honglu, Jing Tiancheng, Unbeatable Taoist, Huo Canzi.

Ning Daoran frowned. Although he had killed many cultivators from Sangyu Country, he didn’t know much about the well-known figures from Sangyu Country’s Cultivation World. These five people… he knew less than half of them!

“Hmph, even a character like Chi Laogui is sent into the fray,” said Lin Xuyan. “In our previous encounters, Chi Laogui always ended up fleeing tail between his legs.”

Lin Baoping and Liu Wushuang chuckled lightly.

“Do not underestimate the enemy.”

Ning Daoran frowned and said: “What if Chi Laogui has something up his sleeve?”

“Yes, elder brother teaches well!”

Lin Xuyan responded humbly.

Beside them, Soul-devouring Demon frowned, unsure why this prodigy of Liangyi Sect was so respectful towards Ning Daoran.

“Who is Master Honglu?” Ning Daoran asked.

“A Loose Cultivator from Sangyu Country, not much information is known about him,” said True Monarch Qi Xing. “All that is known is that he is scheming and devious, somewhat similar to…”

He glanced at Soul-devouring Demon beside him and said: “Somewhat similar to Fellow Taoist Soul-devouring.”

Soul-devouring Demon felt a bit awkward: “You flatter me too much, senior…”

“Who is Jing Tiancheng?” Ning Daoran asked.

“Never heard of him.”

Lin Tiannan shook his head and said: “There’s no information on him in Kunpeng Immortal City either. It’s very likely he has changed his name. If you encounter this person, be very cautious.”

Everyone nodded.

Lin Xuyan said: “I do know Unbeatable Taoist. This person was very cautious, showing his head but hiding his tail, during the previous big battle. As for combat strength, he is rather ordinary among those in the Late Stage of Golden Core.”

“Sangyu Country sends such characters out? What are they aiming at?” Ning Daoran fell into contemplation.

“Is it really just a formality to hand over victory to Xia Country’s Cultivation World?” Lin Baoping was somewhat speechless.

“What about Huo Canzi?”

Ning Daoran asked: “Have any of you heard of this person?”

“Never.”

Lin Tiannan shook his head: “Probably another person who has changed his name. His exact identity can likely only be known in three days.”

Ning Daoran fell silent.

A miscalculation!

The people from Xia Country’s Cultivation World are too upright after all. If I had known earlier, I should have also adopted some tactics, perhaps keeping everyone’s real identities secret and reporting with changed names, giving no preparation to the other side. A true miscalculation!

However, regretting now is useless; it has always been a step-by-step situation.

…

Three days later.

Several treasure boats rose from Liuhua Island, with Ning Daoran and four others protected by several Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators as they hurried towards the distant Half Moon Island. Moreover, his gaze swept around, sensing several faint Nascent Soul Aura around, presumably Lin Tiannan had added more stakes, inviting more Nascent Souls to participate in the battle in case Sangyu Country had made any moves.

Soon, the treasure boat broke through the clouds and landed on a desolate island where cultivators from both sides were numerous. The center of the desolate island had been remodeled, with numerous spectator seats already prepared. It seemed that both sides placed great importance on these five duels. There were even reporters from various Cultivation World media present, with Recording Orbs ready at any moment to record everything!