Translator: CinderTL
Trust.
It is the most precious thing in the world.
If he had chosen to trust the Taixu Sword Sect and informed them that he could grow stronger rapidly by slaying enemies, as long as the higher-ups of the Taixu Sword Sect helped him control Nascent Soul or Divine Spirit-level Evil God Believers for him to kill, he would have cultivated to Nascent Soul, Primordial Spirit, and even...
Void Refining at an unimaginable speed!
Even if he hadn't been so explicit, if the Taixu Sword Sect had spared no effort to protect him, shielding him from the pressure of those stronger than him, and allowed him to hunt Core Formation cultivators on his own, rapidly raising his life level to 28 or 29, his strength would have grown at an astonishing pace.
Even if he had revealed his true combat power to the entire Taixu Sword Sect, "pretending" to be a genius more outstanding than the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, and made everyone in the Taixu Sword Sect follow his orders, his growth speed would have surpassed his current, concealed state.
But...
He didn't trust! He didn't trust the Taixu Sword Sect!
He didn't trust anyone!
Therefore, even though he knew that being more transparent would have made it easier for the Taixu Sword Sect to cooperate with him, he still held back.
Just in case.
In case someone laid a foolproof trap for him, these hidden trump cards could be suddenly revealed, turning the tables and allowing him to survive from a seemingly certain death.
This "just in case" might not have been the Taixu Sword Sect's intention.
But...
How could human hearts withstand testing?
Even if all the higher-ups of the Taixu Sword Sect treated him like a treasure, could he be 100% certain that one day, if someone offered a Nascent Soul cultivator of the Taixu Sword Sect an opportunity or treasure to advance to Primordial Spirit, that Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't take a risky move?
Even if they normally wouldn't, what if they were nearing the end of their lifespan, about to die? Relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself.
He must have his own trump cards.
Never place all trust in the morality of others.
...
Over the next period, Jiang Wanyu accompanied Li Chunjun, flipping through books to fill the gaps in his knowledge.
At the same time, she used her gentle voice to try to dissolve the killing intent accumulated from slaying dozens of Core Formation cultivators.
Of course, she would also occasionally bring him news from the outside, informing him of the specific progress of the negotiations between the Taixu Sword Sect and the Chiyang Sword Sect.
Unknowingly, a month had passed.
...
"In the boundless world, besides our human race, there exist numerous other races. The number of these races is even greater than that of our human race. Among them, some races even have Dao Unification-level great beings, posing a fatal threat to our human race. The Divine Race is one of them."
Jiang Wanyu held a book, explaining information about the myriad races of the heavens.
She particularly emphasized the Divine Race.
Because, in the future, if the eight great sects truly targeted Li Chunjun, and Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't intervene, they would have to rely on other races—specifically, the only other race on Blue Star, the Divine Race Believers.
"Every True God of the Divine Race is a terrifying existence comparable to the Void Refining realm! Below the True Gods, there are Demigods comparable to Primordial Spirit, Divine Spirits comparable to Nascent Soul, and the Servitors who once attacked you, Junior Brother, with the Mirror Divine Kingdom."
Jiang Wanyu paused for a moment before continuing, "Thirty years ago, the Nine Immortal Sects joined forces to eradicate all Divine Race powers on Blue Star. In theory, there should no longer be any Divine Spirits on Blue Star, and the number of Servitors is likely minimal. However... we must be wary of any sect intentionally nurturing a Divine Spirit and using it as a pawn to eliminate others..."
Her gaze fell on Li Chunjun.
Li Chunjun didn't dwell on the topic and instead pointed to a section, asking, "What is Multiracial Hegemony?"
Jiang Wanyu glanced at it and explained, "It's a relatively civilized method for resolving disputes between humans and other races."
"Civilized?"
"Yes."
Jiang Wanyu nodded, "As we've just discussed, the infinite worlds are not solely dominated by our human race. Some other races also have great beings at the Dao Unification level. To avoid mutual destruction in a full-scale war, which could allow other races to benefit, they choose this method of Multiracial Hegemony to resolve disputes."
She added, "Multiracial Hegemony is the most common grand event and method for resolving disputes in the infinite worlds. Any human cultivator can fight for the interests of the human race, and those who emerge victorious enjoy privileges and glory."
Li Chunjun listened without much emotional fluctuation.
So, even with other races, we can talk about civilization and courtesy? The reason is simply that the other races are strong? Thus, right and wrong, black and white, truly hold no importance.
After a while, he asked, "Has the previous Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy returned to the main sect?"
"Yes."
Jiang Wanyu nodded, "The previous Sword Prodigy broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm and had to return to the main sect."
She continued, "Talents like Senior Brother Jiang and Junior Brother Li, who are at the 'Philosopher' level, can only receive better cultivation at the main sect, smoothly growing into Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, and even have a slim chance of achieving Void Refining. If they remain in the Lesser World, the path to Primordial Spirit might not be smooth."
"The main sect..."
Li Chunjun didn't feel much fluctuation in his heart.
Joining the Taixu Sword Sect on Blue Star was also a matter of coincidence.
As for whether to join the Profound Yellow main sect, he would have to consider it further.
"Junior Brother is still at the Core Formation Realm. On one hand, you can continue to gain experience in the Lesser World. On the other hand, the sect needs your strength to suppress the other eight sects and secure more benefits for our sect. Once you reach the Nascent Soul Realm, I believe the Peak Lord and Sect Master will send you to the main sect."
Jiang Wanyu said with a smile.
But in her eyes, Li Chunjun faintly detected a trace of melancholy.
However, Li Chunjun didn't say anything.
"Since we've mentioned the main sect, let me tell you some information about it." Jiang Wanyu quickly changed the topic.
Li Chunjun nodded.
Next, Jiang Wanyu once again detailed the main sect, the Nine Immortal Sects, and even the Immortal Alliance and the Profound Yellow Great World.
However, this explanation lasted less than an hour before it had to be cut short.
Jiang Yuxue brought news of the Sect Master's summons.
Immediately, Li Chunjun left Taixu Peak and headed towards the main administrative peak.
Upon arrival, he found many people already waiting there.
Not only was Zuo Tian, the True Inheritor from East Province whom he had met before, but Wang Shuo from Northeast Province was also present.
Additionally, there were several Nascent Soul True Lords, each exuding an extraordinary aura.
"Sword Prodigy Chunjun has arrived."
Seeing Li Chunjun's arrival, all the Nascent Soul True Lords present greeted him with smiles.
Li Chunjun responded to each of them in turn.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Huan Ming got straight to the point: "The reason I summoned you here is regarding the 'Inheritance Battle' requested by the Chiyang Sword Sect!"
"Are they still making a fuss about this?"
Li Chunjun's gaze fell upon the Sect Master.
"Clearly, they are not willing to let it go, especially since it involves one-third of the Chiyang Sword Sect's territory."
Huan Ming smiled slightly: "However, the Great Shang is already effectively under the control of our Taixu Sword Sect. It won't be so simple for them to take it back! In this 'Inheritance Battle,' they have offered a Myriad Spirits Divine Light as a wager!"
"Myriad Spirits Divine Light?"
Li Chunjun had used this before.
It was incredibly profound.
If he could obtain another one, it would significantly shorten the time needed to cultivate his Golden Core.
"This 'Inheritance Battle' is aimed at you. If you win, the Chiyang Sword Sect must hand over a Myriad Spirits Divine Light. But if you are unfortunate enough to lose, you will have to cede the territory of Great Shang."
Huan Ming continued, "Challenging the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy as a True Inheritor, anyone can guess that there must be some trickery involved. To turn the tables, they will likely resort to underhanded tactics such as secret techniques, Forbidden Arts, curses, Talismans, Mystic Treasures, and so on. Therefore..."
He smiled: "Secret techniques and Forbidden Arts are part of a cultivator's power and cannot be restricted. However, curses, Talismans, and Mystic Treasures are different. We will explicitly ban them, cutting off their escape routes."
"If the Chiyang Sword Sect knows they are bound to lose, why would they agree to this Inheritance Battle?"
Li Chunjun asked.
"They think they can outsmart us without us noticing. Moreover, this matter is meant to be seen by everyone. We will announce these prohibitions before the Inheritance Battle."
Huan Ming smiled: "By then, the Chiyang Sword Sect will be in a dilemma. They will either have to admit defeat and lose face, or acknowledge that they intended to use these despicable means to undermine the fairness of the 'Inheritance Battle.' In that case, public opinion will side with us."
After speaking, he added: "According to the rules set by our sects, when an Inheritance Battle is initiated, the challenged party has the right to choose what is prohibited. No matter how bold the Chiyang Sword Sect is, they would not dare to break the rules for the sake of Great Shang."
Seeing that Huan Ming had considered every angle, Li Chunjun said nothing more.
He nodded slightly: "Then it shall be as the Sect Master says."
Huan Ming, seeing this, immediately smiled: "Good! You should go and rest. In ten days, we will hold the Inheritance Duel in the disputed territory—the capital of Great Shang."
...
With Li Chunjun's approval, the Taixu Sword Sect quickly sprang into action.
Nascent Soul and Core Formation cultivators began gathering intelligence, ensuring that the Chiyang Sword Sect's underhanded tactics would be nipped in the bud.
Li Chunjun, meanwhile, returned to Flaming Phoenix Peak.
Jiang Yuqiu, who had followed him, cautioned seriously: "Although the two True Inheritors of the Chiyang Sword Sect are not outstanding, even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit. You must not be careless when the time comes."
"I understand."
"Is there anything else I can help with?"
Jiang Yuqiu asked.
"Give me some battle records, especially those involving Nascent Soul cultivators."
Li Chunjun said.
"Nascent Soul?"
Jiang Yuqiu was about to say that the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect would never dare to joke with the rules jointly established by the Nine Sects, but...
Considering Li Chunjun's current strength, Core Formation cultivators were no longer a significant concern for him.
She responded immediately, "I'll send it to you in a moment."
"Alright."
"With your previous feat of slaying dozens of Core Formation cultivators from the Chiyang Sword Sect, and now crushing the Blazing Sun Successor in front of the other eight sects, showcasing the might of the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, the other eight sects should fall in line."
Jiang Yuqiu smiled and said, "They have no choice. Once the Sect Master presents the evidence to their superiors, they will understand the stakes and naturally make concessions. The struggle among the Nine Sects is not just about strength but also about the intricacies of human relationships."
(End of the Chapter)
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