"I hadn't expected you people to have this trick up your sleeve," Nalan Qiushui said, looking at me, Feng Qingtian, and the others, before turning his gaze to Jian Li, his voice laced with awe. "Likewise," Jian Li replied calmly. "Old Sect Master Nalan hasn't shown all his cards yet, has he?" "........." Luo Xiao, Moyin, and the others were seething with anger and unwillingness to accept the situation.
Luo Jiang's death just moments ago was clearly a massive blow to them, yet in their current state, they couldn't lash out. "I don't see the point in continuing this fight," Nalan Qiushui said, looking quite composed. "Actually, I have an excellent proposal that can prevent us from slaughtering each other while still allowing everyone to achieve their goals." He paused, sweeping his gaze around the assembly. "I wonder if esteemed company would care to hear it." "A method to solve the problem." Jian Li and the others instinctively exchanged glances, unsure of what Nalan Qiushui was planning. "Enough nonsense," Luo Xiao growled darkly. "If you know what’s good for you, step aside, or don't blame us for being discourteous." "Heh, Old Sect Master Luo is certainly bold, but the current situation is not for you to dictate," Nalan Qiushui retorted. "Your Mother-Son Thunderbolts are formidable, but even one Star will give you a headache." "You!" Luo Xiao and Moyin's faces changed drastically, and they glared at me with resentment. "You are strong," Nalan Qiushui continued, ignoring the furious Luo Xiao and his group. "While I anticipated you had a hidden measure, I certainly didn't expect it to be this powerful." As he spoke, Nalan Qiushui glanced towards our Thunder Formation. "However, you've seen the current state of affairs.
If the White Tiger Alliance and the Brotherhood manage to defeat you, we have no confidence in wiping you out afterward.
Since we cannot secure our own position easily, we'll temporarily insert ourselves into this." "As expected of Old Sect Master Nalan," Jian Li and the others muttered, clearly annoyed.
If the Brotherhood and the White Tiger Alliance were weakened further by us, they would have a hard time resisting.
But precisely because of this, the Azure Dragon Gang, the Black Tortoise Alliance, and the other five families were forced to make a sudden move against us.
Otherwise, it would soon be their turn to face ruin. "This is getting incredibly complicated," I admitted with a slight headache. "The current situation is a melee among three major factions," Feng Qingtian stated. "No one wants to end up mutually devastated only to let a third party reap the benefits." "But the problem still needs resolution," Xia Ya pointed out. "We just have to see what brilliant plan Nalan Qiushui has," Han Yunzhen murmured. "............" Jian Li and his group were perfectly aware of the current predicament and seemed unable to choose easily.
On the surface, our small group was outnumbered, but the might of the Thunder Formation could not be underestimated.
Furthermore, the combined strength of the mages from the White Tiger Alliance and the Brotherhood was not weak.
While their lightning seemed to have little effect on me, not everyone on our side shared my immunity to magical attacks; a full-scale battle would undoubtedly lead to significant losses for our side.
Moreover, the presence of the White Tiger Alliance's supreme masters meant I had no chance of breaking through Bai Hu Xiaotian’s interception to reach the mages' formation.
In short, if our two factions engaged in a death match, despite our higher odds of victory, losses were unavoidable.
What’s more, the Black Tortoise Alliance, the Azure Dragon Gang, and the combined force of the other five families among the six major clans were lurking nearby, watching intently.
Jian Li’s master and the others always harbored caution toward the Black Tortoise Alliance and the Azure Dragon Gang.
To this day, we still haven't uncovered the true hidden strength of the Black Tortoise Alliance.
Both the Black Tortoise Alliance and the Azure Dragon Gang exuded an air of unfathomable depth; you could never know where their bottom line lay.
The only certainty was that they had yet to unleash their most powerful killing moves, which was precisely why Jian Li’s master and his cohort hesitated to act rashly. "Tell us your idea." Nalan Qiushui’s words held undeniable logic.
If the three factions descended into a chaotic battle, whoever emerged victorious would inevitably claim a pyrrhic victory, severely depleted of vital energy. "........." Luo Xiao, Moyin, and Moling remained silent but offered no opposition, clearly intending to hear Nalan Qiushui’s proposed solution. "My method is quite simple," Nalan Qiushui explained. "Each of the three factions will send twenty representatives to enter the Sacred Domain space.
If a fight must happen, it will happen within the Sacred Domain." Nalan Qiushui continued, "This way, regardless of who achieves the final victory, it won't cause massive casualties to the main forces.
The ultimate victor will claim the Crimson Blood Demonic Sword.
What do you think of this approach?" "........." Everyone looked taken aback, but upon careful consideration, Nalan Qiushui's plan seemed sound.
It merely scaled down the massive war into a conflict involving a few dozen people.
No matter the outcome, this would prevent widespread carnage.
However, since Nalan Qiushui proposed it, he must have made thorough preparations.
Jian Li and the others undoubtedly realized this, causing them to hesitate. "Do you perhaps lack the courage for such a venture?" Nalan Qiushui challenged. "We have long heard of the Nalan family of the Black Tortoise Alliance's ultimate technique, Tortoise Submergence, Serpent Glide—a terrifyingly powerful killer move among the Four Great Techniques," Jian Li said. "In a one-on-one engagement, few could match you.
Reducing the scale of war to sixty people is practically the same as individual duels.
Aren't you practically guaranteeing victory?" At this, everyone couldn't help but nod slightly.
Whispers of the legendary Four Great Killing Moves of the continent had circulated for ages, suggesting that even the combined might of Dragon Soaring Through Clouds, Tiger Roaring in the Vast Sky, and Phoenix Cry of the Azure Moon could not overcome Tortoise Submergence, Serpent Glide.
If his words held true, with twenty entrants per side, once the fighting began, the other two factions would have slim chances of winning against the Nalan family’s ultimate technique. "Brother Jian Li, you flatter me too much.
I might secure victory against others, but against the contemporary Sword God, I lack such confidence.
Moreover, don't forget that the continent has seen the emergence of a Fifth Great Killing Move: Fleeting Glimpse.
The one who can unleash this technique is your disciple—Star, a disciple already so formidable.
Facing you, his master, I have absolutely no assurance!" "............" I was somewhat stunned, wondering why I was being dragged into this.
Feng Qingtian and Xia Ya shot me jealous looks.
I was significantly younger than them, yet my renown far surpassed theirs.
After all, I was the continent's recognized youngest Grandmaster-level expert, placing me on par with veterans like Jian Li and Nalan Qiushui—the peak powerhouse of the Wanderer World.
Meanwhile, the faces of Luo Xiao and the White Tiger Alliance members grew extremely grim.
My renown was built on defeating Luo Yan of the White Tiger.
Even their strongest, Luo Jiang, had just met a mysterious end at my hands.
It seemed I and the White Tiger Alliance were fated rivals; they had gained almost nothing advantageous from encountering me. "Heh," Jian Li subconsciously glanced at me before giving a strained laugh. "Perhaps you speak the truth.
However, I'd like to make a small amendment to this proposal." "An amendment?" Nalan Qiushui’s expression flickered. "How so?" "Twenty people per side is too many," Jian Li countered. "I suggest only three entrants are needed." "What? Only three?" Nalan Qiuyun looked genuinely shocked but quickly masked his surprise.
A flash of realization crossed the eyes of Luo Xiao and his group.
Whether it was the White Tiger Alliance’s White Tiger Shakes the Heavens, the Azure Dragon Gang’s Azure Dragon Charges Out to Sea, or the Black Tortoise Alliance’s Black Tortoise Wall, these signature joint attacks required a minimum of six individuals to execute.
In effect, this proposed change would maximally prevent the powerful combined assaults of the White Tiger Alliance, the Azure Dragon Gang, and the Black Tortoise Alliance.
The three-person combination attack I witnessed earlier—the one jointly executed by Master Jian Li and Jian Qiu—could squarely contend with the Azure Dragon Gang’s Azure Dragon Charges Out to Sea with equal power.
This demonstrated that the three-person formation was the strongest combined attack of Dragon Shadow Villa.
There was another crucial point: while the Azure Dragon Gang, the White Tiger Alliance, the Brotherhood, the Black Tortoise Alliance, and the five families among the six great clans were allied, their fundamental objective was the Crimson Blood Demonic Sword.
Nalan Qiushui’s initial proposal of twenty representatives per side would at least ensure that the combined forces of the Azure Dragon Gang, the Black Tortoise Alliance, and the five families could each send at least six members, guaranteeing that the Azure Dragon Gang and the Black Tortoise Alliance could deploy their strongest joint skills, Azure Dragon Charges Out to Sea and Black Tortoise Wall.
But if this rule were altered even slightly, the competition for the Sacred Domain slots would inevitably cause internal strife among the Azure Dragon Gang, the Black Tortoise Alliance, and the five families.
After all, no one was willing to forgo the opportunity to enter the Sacred Domain for free.
To satisfy everyone, the ultimate result would likely be one representative from the Azure Dragon Gang, one from the Black Tortoise Alliance, and one from the five great families—otherwise, their alliance would immediately crumble, as no one wanted to labor fruitlessly for others without gaining any benefit.
This logic also applied to the White Tiger Alliance and the Brotherhood.
Unlike them, our side—along with the Yun family, the Vermilion Bird Alliance, Crimson Moon Villa, and Flowing Cloud Villa—shared a foundation of genuine, mutual trust.
I believed that if this revised proposal were accepted, the entrants from our side would undoubtedly be the three whose combined formation was the strongest: Jian Li, Jian Qiu, and Jian Fei.
This would significantly boost our chances of victory.
In an instant, I grasped the implications.
I couldn't help but marvel at Master Jian Li; with a mere suggestion, he fundamentally sowed discord within the seemingly unified coalition of the Azure Dragon Gang, the Black Tortoise Alliance, and the other five families, who appeared to be the largest contingent. "Hahaha, as expected of Jian Li; a man true to his sword, always delivering a fatal strike," Nalan Qiushui said solemnly. "We could never agree to such terms.
Even a fool can see that in terms of three-person combined formations, your Dragon Shadow Villa’s Three Sword Formation is truly the strongest killer move.
We have no chance of winning." "Is that so? That's not for you to decide.
Since there are three parties, the decision rests on the consensus of all three," Jian Li said, turning to Luo Xiao, Moyin, and Moling. "What are your thoughts?" "Three people is too few," Moyin and Moling exchanged a look, seemingly reaching an agreement. "Let's have six people per faction." "What? Only six people?" Luo Xiao seemed surprised by Moling's proposal.
Not only him, but Nalan Qiushui and Master Jian Li also displayed uncertain expressions, unsure of what Moyin and Moling were scheming. "Indeed, six people," Moyin continued. "And the best way to decide which nine individuals will participate is through drawing lots." Moyin then smiled thinly at Luo Xiao and the others. "I believe this is the best way to resolve the issue." "Drawing lots to select members?" Everyone was momentarily stunned by Moyin’s almost whimsical suggestion. "I happen to have a deck of fifty-four tricolored bone tablets," Moyin said, pulling out a palm-sized set from his spatial pouch. "I will divide these into three sets, eighteen tablets of each color.
Only those who draw the specific six cards—the one, two, three, four, five, and six—of each color will qualify for the Sacred Domain space! Of course, deciding which individuals will participate in the draw is entirely up to you!" He finished, "What do you all think of this method?" "..........." I was momentarily taken aback.
Although Moyin’s method was wildly imaginative, it was undeniably a good one.
Even better, this method heavily favored luck.
By having each faction send eighteen representatives, it seemed everyone had a chance to draw their strongest combinations.
The highest probability was that none of the three factions would draw their absolute best teams.
However, this made the contest entirely fair; the final victory would then depend on individual skill—whoever possessed superior personal combat ability would win.
Grandmaster-level experts like Jian Li, Nalan Qiushui, Hong Tian, or Luo Xiao could potentially lose the chance to enter the Sacred Domain due to an unlucky draw.
Conversely, if even one of them managed to enter, their side's chances of ultimate victory would be significantly higher. "This method is acceptable," Jian Li immediately agreed.
Regarding individual combat ability, Jian Li, Jian Qiu, Jian Fei, and the elders of Crimson Moon Villa, Flowing Cloud Villa, and the Vermilion Bird Alliance were all very confident. "I have no objection either," Nalan Qiushui conceded, though somewhat reluctantly.
This rule was extremely fair to every party involved because everything now hinged on luck. "Now, everyone select the individuals who will participate in the drawing!" Moyin said, dividing the bone tablets he held into three piles—red, green, and blue—and placing them on a nearby traveling table.
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The eighteen members chosen from our side for the draw were quickly finalized: From Dragon Shadow Villa: Jian Li, Jian Qiu, Jian Fei, and myself.
The three elders from Crimson Moon Villa: Gao Jing, Gao Yu, Gao Tian.
The three elders from Flowing Cloud Villa: Bi Yan, Bi Xian, Bi Lan.
The three elders from the Vermilion Bird Alliance: Feng Yuanming, Han Zheng, Xia Ning.
The five elders from the Yun Family: Yun Peng, Yun Ju, Yun He, Yun Hai, Yun Tao.
This lineup represented the strongest experts our contingent could field.
Naturally, the strongest potential combination among them would be Jian Li, Jian Qiu, and Jian Fei; if these three were selected in the draw, my own chances of victory would be greatly enhanced.
The Azure Dragon Gang, the Black Tortoise Alliance, and the other five families among the six great clans also discussed and nominated eighteen people for the draw: The six from the Black Tortoise Alliance: Nalan Qiushui, Nalan Qiuyun, Nalan Qiuyuan, Nalan Qiuyu, Nalan Jingtao, Nalan Jingtian.
The six from the Azure Dragon Gang: Hong Tian, Hong Xiao, Hong Fang, Hong Chen, Hong Shuo, Hong Xian.
The six from the five great families: Lei Ao, Lei Kun, Yan Lie, Feng Zhao, Lin Shan, Lan Jian.
The twelve from the White Tiger Alliance: Luo Xiao, Luo Kai, Luo Fang, Luo Zhen, Luo Lin, Luo Chong, Luo Tian, Luo Xiong, Luo Ying, Luo Chuan, Luo Hai, Luo Xin.
The six from the Brotherhood: Moyin, Moling, Mo Yin, Mo Xiu, Mo Jue, Mo Lun.
Unexpectedly, the Brotherhood only nominated six participants, leaving their true intentions hard to gauge.
Who exactly would be the eighteen individuals entering the Sacred Domain? Everyone anxiously fixed their gaze on the bone tablets—red, green, and blue—laid out in three rows on the table.