Therefore, purely from an internal perspective, he felt no aversion toward this handsome, jade-like youth, Jun Moxie. In fact, he couldn't help but internally praise him: Such a youth is truly a dragon among men. Alas, fate plays cruel tricks, forcing the two sides into a hostile, irreconcilable standoff—a situation truly deserving of a long, drawn-out sigh…
If the Great Sage Emperor He knew that this fellow harbored a mind full of malicious schemes, planning conspiracies so venomous and despicable they were beyond measure... He Zhiqiu probably wouldn't have needed to wait for the final battle; he could have simply spat out a mouthful of blood and died of sheer anger right then and there…
How could the schemer Jun Moxie propose a battle tactic that was detrimental to himself? Furthermore, Cantian Shihun (Devourer of Souls from the Torn Heavens) was the contingent he had invested the most heart and soul into, the force closest to his affections! It was also the Jun Family's ace and standard-bearer! He would never allow that team to sustain any damage!
“The Holy Lands have mobilized a total of thirty-five individuals for today’s engagement, encompassing masters from the Venerable level all the way up to the Sage Emperor. This is my proposal, Young Master. A one-on-one contest would be an excessive waste of time. Let the Sage Emperor He and the Sea Sage Emperor discuss and agree to establish distinct battle matchups across the different tiers. On my side, I will provide corresponding combat strength: Venerables against Venerables, Sages against Sages, and Sage Emperors against Sage Emperors. This will be a fair trial to the death, counting no lives spared, until one side is completely annihilated! Starting with the living, ending with the dead! What say you, Sage Emperor He?”
Jun Moxie smiled, yet his words were like sharp needles; "Starting with the living, ending with the dead!" This was an utterly brutal stipulation, simultaneously placing immense pressure on He Zhiqiu.
Because the current roster of the Three Great Holy Lands could not afford to lose these thirty combatants! Any losses would spell defeat in the Battle for Heaven's Grasp!
Breaking out in a cold sweat, He Zhiqiu suddenly felt a massive wave of relief wash over him. This method proposed by the opponent seemed tailor-made for the Three Great Holy Lands. In this style of fighting, the experts belonging to the Holy Lands would be at an absolute advantage, perhaps even guaranteed victory!
This was because the experts dispatched by the Three Great Holy Lands, especially those within the same tier who belonged to the same Holy Land, had spent centuries together, their rapport having reached a state where they could almost communicate telepathically. Should they combine their efforts, their combined power would increase by more than double!
When the Holy Lands deployed their forces, they always did so in established partnership formations.
However, Jun Moxie’s side, while possessing apparently immense strength, clearly relied on forcibly elevating their cultivation base through some peculiar method. Though their power was high, their corresponding cultivation state and state of mind were inevitably lacking. Any discerning eye could see that Jun Moxie choosing this style of engagement was tantamount to seeking death!
“Excellent! Young Master Jun is direct; let it be settled then!” He Zhiqiu did not turn around, as the power levels of his assembled experts were already clear in his mind. He quickly calculated: “We have thirty-five personnel in total. Among them, three are Fourth-Tier Venerables. Five are First-Tier Sages, seven are Second-Tier Sages, eight are Third-Tier Sages, nine are Fourth-Tier Sages, and three are Sage Emperors.”
He Zhiqiu smiled, though the expression that crossed his face carried a melancholy hue, “Calculating thus, we can set up six distinct engagements. However, for the final clash of Sage Emperors, I hope to engage Young Master Jun in a one-on-one duel. I wish to properly experience Young Master Jun’s unparalleled, supreme artistry!”
“It is only fitting, I absolutely agree!” Jun Moxie accepted with seeming magnanimity.
With this agreement, although everyone within the ranks of the Three Great Holy Lands listened to the exchange with impassive faces, a flicker of excitement ignited in every pair of eyes.
With our centuries of implicit understanding, we have already forged seamless combined attack tactics. Jun Moxie, you are sending your subordinates straight to their deaths! Do not blame us for showing no mercy.
Behind Jun Moxie, figures like Cantian Shihun stood like immovable, stubborn stones, their expressions unchanged, yet an indescribable, soaring fighting spirit was surging fiercely within them.
“Today’s decisive battle is twofold: first, it is the last resort I was forced into because the Three Great Holy Lands left me with no other option. Second, since it must be a decisive battle, there must be stakes! To be frank, that is my ultimate objective. If we win, what happens? And if we lose, what then?”
He Zhiqiu frowned, thinking that the young man’s words were somewhat shameless. This brat is clearly exploiting our dispersed strength to gain an easy advantage by proposing this duel, yet he claims he was forced into a corner by the Three Great Holy Lands… That’s quite a stretch of the truth…
However, He Zhiqiu was confident of victory and paid it little mind. Moreover, even if Jun Moxie hadn't brought up conditions, he would have done so himself. By raising them, Jun Moxie not only made himself appear small-minded but also walked right into He Zhiqiu’s trap!
“Naturally, since this is a final showdown, how can there be no corresponding terms? Please state them clearly, Young Master Jun.” He Zhiqiu offered a cunning, aged-fox smile, thinking: This inexperienced boy has finally fallen into my snare!
Ginger is still spicier when it’s older…
Across from him, Jun Moxie returned the smile, thinking: This old fox has finally fallen into my trap! Chili peppers are definitely more flavorful when they are small…
The old fox and the young fox were each calculating the other’s downfall, both inwardly certain of victory and smugly satisfied. They both smiled brilliantly toward the opposing side.
“If we are victorious, the Three Great Holy Lands must immediately cease all activities aimed against the Fengxue Yincheng, the Situ Family, the Duanmu Family, the Dongfang Family, and other such powers within the mortal realm. Furthermore, from this day forward, these powers shall no longer be subject to the control of the Holy Lands and shall stand independently. That is the first condition.” Jun Moxie smiled.
“That is only natural. If you ultimately prevail, we Three Great Holy Lands would have no face left to continue interfering in such matters,” He Zhiqiu replied with a light, breezy smile. He thought: The kid is still too naive; he hasn’t even thought through his own demands…
“The second condition: If we win, then, before the Battle for Heaven's Grasp, the Three Great Holy Lands shall no longer be permitted to launch any attacks against our side!” Jun Moxie smirked slyly. He only stipulated that the Three Great Holy Lands could not attack him, he did not say that he could not attack the Three Great Holy Lands… This was a tangible verbal trap.
He Zhiqiu, having spent his life cultivating diligently in the Heavenly Saint Palace, could hardly conceive of Jun Moxie’s intricate machinations. He replied without hesitation, as if it were obvious: “Naturally. If you emerge victorious, all past grievances will naturally be wiped clean, and we shall bury the hatchet from this moment on.”
Jun Moxie scoffed inwardly, Bury the hatchet? What kind of fantasy world do you live in? If you’re willing to let it go, I certainly am not.
“The third condition, if we win: I require the Exquisite Lotus from the Heavenly Saint Palace… a single Exquisite Lotus where the jade-like rhizome beneath the nine sections of petals possesses at least three sections of emerald jade!” Jun Moxie chuckled, presenting the condition he desired most—a condition that was also a major bombshell.
“That is impossible!” He Zhiqiu rejected it immediately, without even considering it.
“The Exquisite Lotus has been the undisputed supreme treasure of the Heavenly Saint Palace for ten thousand years. Let alone an entire fully formed Lotus, not even a single petal has ever been allowed to leave. Change this condition, Young Master?”
“If it could be changed, I wouldn't have brought it up,” Jun Moxie stated grimly. “Sage Emperor He, I trust you can see that the reason I made the first two conditions effectively worthless, and the reason I agreed to such a disadvantageous battle formation earlier, was solely to secure the realization of this final demand. If even this condition cannot be met, then our duel today is utterly meaningless! I will have suffered a total loss… Does Sage Emperor He truly lack such resolve?”
He Zhiqiu frowned, cursing internally, This fellow is utterly shameless! What does he mean the first two conditions are practically nothing? I’ve already agreed to them… and now he throws such cold water on the issue to corner me…
He sighed in resignation: “But that Exquisite Lotus is a supreme treasure within the Heavenly Saint Palace! Though I have spent several hundred years within the palace, I have only seen it twice. It is fundamentally not something I have the authority to decide. Aren’t you forcing my hand, Young Master Jun?”
“Whether I am forcing your hand or politely requesting, it makes no difference. Whether you steal it or snatch it, I, Jun Moxie, am set on obtaining it! This point is non-negotiable!”
Jun Moxie’s tone was imperious: “If Sage Emperor He refuses, then today’s engagement shall simply end in an all-out brawl! I mentioned earlier, and I believe Sage Emperor He can see it, that there is a colossal gap between our forces. A disparity in manpower exceeding ten to one. If it weren't for that final condition, would I ever willingly accept such an unfavorable scenario? If a chaotic melee erupts, even with Sage Emperor He’s supreme power, I guarantee that not a single member of the Three Great Holy Lands will leave here alive today!”
He Zhiqiu snorted coldly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. “Young Master Jun, are you threatening this Seat?”
Jun Moxie sneered back: “Threatening? Do I need to threaten you? I am merely stating a fact—an objectively existing fact! Sage Emperor He, you brought these people out; you bear the responsibility of bringing them back safely! I have already told you the method to preserve your strength; whether it succeeds or fails rests entirely on your next decision. What exactly do I have to threaten you with? Even if you refuse, after I have slaughtered all of you, I will still seek out the Heavenly Saint Palace to negotiate terms again! Under any circumstance, I, Jun Moxie, am determined to have that Exquisite Lotus!”
He Zhiqiu stared at him intently for a moment, finally letting out a sigh. He communicated briefly with Hai Wuya using his spiritual sense, then turned back, his expression hardening with resolution, just as he was about to speak. However, a voice echoed down from the high air: “Fine! This condition, this Seat accepts!” -For more excitement, please visit shushuw.com-