Mo Wudao felt for a moment as if he had been caught like a fly, the handsome, gentle expression on his face twitching almost imperceptibly as he forced a smile: “Lord Jun shows remarkable consideration for our Three Great Holy Lands, doesn’t he?…”
“Not at all, not at all… The Three Great Holy Lands are admired by the world, esteemed for their virtue, and hold the mandate of the people. I grasp this point more profoundly than anyone; one might say I revere you to the point of death every single day,” Jun Mo Xie sighed dramatically.
An irrepressible murmur of stifled laughter rippled through the great hall immediately.
Jun Mo Xie’s phrase, this “reverence to the point of death,” was truly worthy of praise, deeply meaningful…
Indeed, under the pressure exerted by the Three Great Holy Lands, this Sovereign of Evil had been quite literally ‘living near death’ recently. However, now that the tide has turned, perhaps those truly facing a near-death struggle might not exclusively be from the Sovereign’s Mansion anymore…
“Generally speaking, when establishing a sect or faction in the Jianghu, one must display the formidable martial power they possess. This is what distinguishes the martial world from the mundane world.”
Mo Wudao smiled affably, seemingly looking out only for Jun Mo Xie’s welfare: “You must understand, in the Jianghu, martial strength comes first; the biggest fist dictates the greatest logic! Even if one employs exquisite schemes and intricate plots, or possesses silver-tongued eloquence, even if one gains a temporary advantage, it is not the righteous path. Ultimately, it can never compare to the keen edge of cold steel! What are your thoughts on this, Lord Jun?”
Having been outmaneuvered verbally, the next move was to regain footing through martial might! Mo Wudao was never one to suffer a loss.
Although he didn't look around, Mo Wudao was perfectly aware of what the assembled heroes were thinking in their hearts.
No matter their current opinions, as long as the Sovereign’s Mansion’s martial prowess proved vulnerable, regardless of how lost the verbal battle went, everyone would know how to choose.
“The Sect Master’s words are naturally full of reason! Sect Master Mo’s discourse is truly profound and startling! I look up to you with boundless admiration and feel profoundly inadequate!”
Jun Mo Xie smiled kindly: “Speaking of our Mansion’s martial strength, it is truly somewhat lacking… Shameful, shameful.”
Everyone present couldn't help but roll their eyes dramatically!
To deploy three hundred experts at the Saint and Holy Emperor levels as a welcoming guard—and that was considered weak? How much stronger did he expect them to be? Any single person among those guards, without even needing to fight, could dominate a region with just the exertion of their aura—truly terrifying figures!
“Heh heh, Lord Jun, you are being overly modest with those words. The strength possessed by the Sovereign’s Mansion is known throughout the realm, truly a contemporary pillar of power.”
Mo Wudao smiled, his gaze gradually sharpening: “However, this Sect Master is unaware of the purpose and guiding principles behind Lord Jun’s establishment of this Mansion. What is the objective you have set for yourselves?”
The real meat of the matter was here!
All eyes widened instantly, spines straightening, listening intently to Jun Mo Xie’s response!
Though the Sovereign of Evil was supremely arrogant, and the power he commanded was indeed mighty enough to look down on the crowd, in the public estimation, he was still a hair's breadth below the Three Great Holy Lands. The Holy Lands were, after all, deeply entrenched, possessing ten thousand years of accumulated foundation…
Jun Mo Xie’s words in the coming moments would define the future development of the Sovereign’s Mansion!
And the Three Great Holy Lands would adjust their future relationship based entirely on Jun Mo Xie’s answer!
“Hahaha, Sect Master Mo, what you said seems a bit superfluous.”
Jun Mo Xie chuckled lightly, declaring with iron determination: “I, Jun Mo Xie, have always adhered to one principle! No matter what I do, unless I choose not to do it at all, if I undertake something, it must be done the absolute best! To the highest degree! To the very pinnacle!”
This answer struck like a sudden clap of thunder!
Everyone present was momentarily stunned…
After a long silence, the entire hall, perhaps the whole world, seemed still echoing with Jun Mo Xie’s words!
“Do the best! Reach the highest! Attain the pinnacle!”
Uttered under the current circumstances, these three sentences were equivalent to declaring war on the Three Great Holy Lands: My principle is that I will surpass you! I will conquer you! I will stand above you!
Because right now, you are the universally acknowledged peaks, the de facto summit!
Mad?
The same thought surfaced in everyone’s mind.
Did this Sovereign of Evil, whose voice was heard but whose person remained unseen, have his head kicked by a donkey?…
On the very day of establishing his domain, to issue such a fiercely resolute declaration, leaving himself absolutely no room for retreat!
“Heh heh, Lord Jun’s words are striking, truly showing youthful spirit and lofty ambition!”
Mo Wudao’s statement clearly implied Jun Mo Xie was merely boastful and immature. He continued, “However, this path to the pinnacle has always been fraught with hardship. A slight misstep can mean utter ruin. Those of us who have trod this road before have the deepest understanding.”
Mo Wudao’s words appeared to offer guidance to a junior, but the underlying message was that although the Sovereign’s Mansion was currently famous and soaring high, it was, in reality, a nascent power just starting out, unlikely to travel far on this thorny road. In contrast, the Three Great Holy Lands he represented already stood at the terminus of this difficult path, vastly superior to the Jun Clan lineage!
“Sect Master’s words are precisely correct. Mo Xie holds the founders of the Three Great Holy Lands in the highest regard, looking up to them like distant mountains…”
Jun Mo Xie spoke with apparent deep emotion: “Ultimately, Mo Xie started from nothing, bare-handed, with a weak foundation. If only I could be like Sect Master Mo, who upon taking office immediately inherited ten thousand years of foundation, needing to worry about nothing, starting right at the peak—how wonderful that would be…”
While ostensibly praising the founders of the Three Great Holy Lands, Jun Mo Xie’s words were subtly mocking the current members for their arrogance and reliance on past glory. Their predecessors were the true pioneers who navigated that arduous path; what connection did these beneficiaries have? How dare they claim to have experience, showing no shred of shame!
With this remark, even Mo Wudao, despite his composure, saw his expression shift drastically. Yet, Jun Mo Xie had just lavished praise on the predecessors of the Three Great Holy Lands; Mo Wudao could not refute him without incurring the eternal stigma of forgetting one’s ancestors. He could only swallow the insult in silence.
To make matters worse, Jun Mo Xie showed no sign of stopping, continuing to express his ‘envy’: “I hear that since Sect Master Mo took office, through vigorous development, the Escaped Immortal Palace has managed to maintain its prestige among the Three Great Holy Lands—it hasn't declined at all, though it hasn't risen either. But this precisely proves that Sect Master Mo is a rare talent. As people often say, starting a venture is hard, but maintaining it is even harder. I wonder if our Mansion will be fortunate enough to produce talents like the Sect Master in the future…”
Jun Mo Xie’s words, ostensibly praise but corrosive in intent, managed to thoroughly shred Mo Wudao’s reputation with an almost perverse tone!
Even the usually steady Mo Wudao could no longer restrain himself. He stated coldly, “To become a power at the pinnacle level, one must possess strength at the pinnacle level, and we three Holy Lands are the universally acknowledged pinnacle existence today! While the Sovereign’s Mansion’s power is currently undeniable, what is heard is often false; seeing is believing! Why don’t we engage in a few friendly spars among our groups? Let the assembled heroes of the world personally witness the profound strength of the Sovereign’s Mansion. Consider this sparring session a congratulatory gift from our three lands to Lord Jun, how about that?”
“Sect Master Mo’s congratulatory gift, this humble Jun feels somewhat unworthy to accept,” Jun Mo Xie chuckled. “However, the subordinates I have trained are all rough-and-tumble men with unstable foundations. Your side possesses deep reserves and complete control over their power. If you strike without measuring your strength, accidents might lead to casualties, which would severely damage the harmony.”
Mo Wudao’s face finally darkened: “Lord Jun seems quite confident.”
“Confidence is not exactly the word,” Jun Mo Xie replied airily. “But establishing a sect is a joyous occasion, yet it would be somewhat inauspicious if the day of inauguration lacks a touch of fresh blood… Since Sect Master Mo has such enthusiasm, let them compete and experience the peerless elegance of the Three Great Holy Lands. That would be good. As I said before, my subordinates are merely thick-skinned, tough fellows, unconcerned with taking a few punches or kicks.”
The crowd was left utterly speechless, caught between laughter and tears.
In major ceremonies of this sort, whether an inauguration or a birthday banquet, the greatest taboo is the sight of blood! If it appears, it is universally seen as an ominous sign. Yet, this Sovereign of Evil actually claimed that not seeing blood was inauspicious… What kind of bizarre logic was that?
Just then, a man in white slowly stood up first, his gaze fixed between his eyes and nose, an air of cold arrogance gradually emanating from him. He spoke faintly: “From the Escaped Immortal Palace, Third-Rank Holy Emperor Duan Chongfeng awaits instruction.”
“Third-Rank Holy Emperor…”
Jun Mo Xie smiled faintly: “Lao Ying, our distinguished guest from the Holy Land has delivered his gift. Hand this matter over to you to receive. Be sure to treat our guests well; we absolutely cannot allow people to say we lack courtesy.”
Ying Bokong, who was present in the hall, let out a hearty laugh: “Lord, rest assured, I will certainly arrange all the reception matters.”
Jun Mo Xie actually delegated the challenge from the Escaped Immortal Palace directly to a subordinate…
The implication in this action was already obvious.
In the eyes of this Sovereign of Evil, none of the Three Great Holy Lands were worthy of his personal involvement! Not even worthy of him personally arranging the engagement!
Duan Chongfeng, the Third-Rank Holy Emperor who had just stepped forward to challenge, though maintaining a placid expression, could not help but flash a sharp, fierce glint in his eyes!
When the Sovereign’s Mansion sent out its champion, he would absolutely strike with overwhelming force and take down the opponent in one fell swoop! You look down on me? Then I will teach you the cruelest lesson!
“The opponent is a Third-Rank Holy Emperor, this seems a bit difficult…”
Ying Bokong frowned, deep in thought. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers in realization and called out loudly: “ (Cántiān) subordinates, send in a few Squad Leaders.”
Following his call, more than a dozen members of the (Cántiān Shìhún) who had been guarding the entrance immediately filed in.
“Heh heh… my apologies,”
Ying Bokong said with feigned guilt: “I’ve been trying to determine what level of expert this gentleman belongs to, so that during the upcoming spar, I don’t accidentally bully him. After all, he is a guest from afar; slighting him would be improper, but an instance of the strong oppressing the weak would be even worse. I only just remembered now that Brother Duan’s cultivation level should be roughly equivalent to the level of our Sovereign’s Mansion’s courtyard guards’ Squad Leaders. That’s why I took some extra time. Please forgive my delay; age catches up, and one’s memory isn't what it used to be.”
Watching this fellow deliberately bowing and apologizing profusely, the crowd was left utterly dumbfounded!
A Third-Rank Holy Emperor from the Escaped Immortal Palace is merely equivalent to a Squad Leader of the Sovereign’s Mansion guards? What kind of wretched comparison was that…