Chapter 624: Who Leads and Who Follows?
“Such a thing actually exists?” The Qian Desolation Lord stood up; this could be considered the greatest gain of the day.
“So you can think about it—have you encountered any strange occurrences?”
After pondering for a moment, the Qian Desolation Lord said, “If we’re talking about the strangest thing, it would have to be the world collisions. Over the past six thousand years, our world has collided with three other worlds.”
“Generally speaking, the probability of world collisions is very small, yet you’ve collided three times in a row. This shouldn’t be attributed to luck, but rather someone pushing it from behind.”
The Qian Desolation Lord agreed with Jiang Li’s assessment: “Originally we thought it was just bad luck, but now hearing Brother Jiang’s words, we feel this matter isn’t simple.”
“What happened to the worlds after they collided?”
“All three worlds voluntarily became part of the Eight Desolations. After discussion, we permitted it. The current Eight Desolations isn’t actually one world, but rather four worlds combined, with a volume several times larger than the original.”
Jiang Li suddenly understood: “No wonder I felt the Eight Desolations World seemed unnaturally massive when I saw it earlier—it’s because of this.”
The Qian Desolation Lord said, “It’s possible these three worlds have problems. We’ll return and conduct detailed investigations. Qian thanks Brother Jiang for the information here.”
Jiang Li waved his hand: “The Immortal Realm harbors ill intentions toward the myriad heavens and worlds. At times like these, we should discard distinctions between worlds and help each other.”
The Qian Desolation Lord looked eager: “I was just about to mention this point. When the Celestial Ascension Ladder still existed, the seniors who ascended from your esteemed land had excellent personal relationships with our Eight Desolations immortals, and they made names for themselves in the Immortal Realm. Since our two worlds have collided and merged anyway, why don’t we take this opportunity to formally merge the Nine Provinces and Eight Desolations? What do you think?”
“I don’t really mind on my side. Our Nine Provinces has already established connections with over ten worlds and reached mutual assistance agreements. But doesn’t this matter require approval from your three immortals?” Jiang Li found this strange.
“No, the three immortals only appear when facing crises concerning the world’s survival. Bothering the three immortals with such matters would only bring trouble upon myself.”
As he said this, the Qian Desolation Lord shrunk his neck slightly, clearly afraid of the three immortals.
“Brother Jiang mentioned you’ve established connections with over ten worlds—what does this mean?”
“After we discovered the truth about the Immortal Realm, we sent people to explore other worlds and unravel the Immortal Realm’s conspiracies. To prevent the Immortal Realm from making a comeback, we built spatial passages with these worlds. While protecting them, we also conduct deep exchanges in economic, cultural, and other fields.”
“Brother Jiang is truly benevolent. If it were me, I probably couldn’t do this.”
The Qian Desolation Lord continued: “As the saying goes, nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards. Since our two worlds are going to unite, we should establish which is primary and which is secondary.”
Jiang Li nodded and asked: “Then according to the Qian Desolation Lord’s opinion, who should be primary and who secondary?”
The Qian Desolation Lord said matter-of-factly: “Naturally, our Eight Desolations should be primary. We have three immortals—one half-step Celestial Immortal and two Earthly Immortals. The immortal power in our storage rings is sufficient to make several more people into immortals. Meanwhile, your Nine Provinces likely only has Brother Jiang and Commander Liu possessing immortal-level power.”
“Brother Jiang, the superiority is immediately apparent.”
As soon as the Qian Desolation Lord said this, the other Desolation Lords chimed in one after another.
The Sword Sovereign frowned, displeased with the Qian Desolation Lord’s words, and wanted to draw his sword to fight, but Bai Hongtu held him back.
“Watch and wait.”
The Sword Sovereign didn’t understand Bai Hongtu’s meaning, but he didn’t draw his sword again.
Jiang Li crossed his hands, resting his chin on the back of them, and asked with a smile: “In that case, why doesn’t the Qian Desolation Lord assess the strength of this Mahayana Stage cultivator?”
Jiang Li’s tone was calm, without any hint of anger, but the Qian Desolation Lord broke out in cold sweat down his back.
Those at the Tribulation Transcendence Stage have the ability to sense fortune and misfortune. At this moment, the Qian Desolation Lord sensed he was facing a life-and-death crisis.
The remaining seven Desolation Lords had similar feelings.
The eight Desolation Lords realized that although their Eight Desolations was powerful, they were only at the Tribulation Transcendence Stage. Facing the pioneer who had opened up new realms, they had no right to be arrogant.
Only their half-step Celestial Immortal had the qualification to threaten Jiang Li.
The Qian Desolation Lord calmly said: “Brother Jiang, Brother Jiang, we must consider the bigger picture. Our common enemy is the Immortal Realm. Internal conflict is inappropriate.”
“We still need to cooperate sincerely in the future. If we fight now and tempers flare, cooperation will be difficult. Coincidentally, I have a suggestion—why don’t Brother Jiang and the various Tribulation Transcendence Stage cultivators of the Nine Provinces listen to it?”
“Speak.”
“Although we’ve decided to unite, this is ultimately a matter between two worlds, and we don’t really understand each other. How about this—we meet as friends through martial arts. The Nine Provinces and Eight Desolations each send a team to battle in seven categories: mortals, Qi Refining Stage, Foundation Establishment Stage, Core Formation Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, Spirit Transformation Stage, and Unity Stage. Exactly seven groups, best of seven wins four. The winner will be the dominant party going forward.”
“However, since our Eight Desolations has formed the new Eight Desolations with three other worlds, cultivators from those three worlds can also participate in battles. For fairness, since your Nine Provinces has established connections with over ten worlds, you can also select participants from those ten-plus worlds.”
“As for the Spiritual Treasures used, they cannot exceed one’s own cultivation level.”
“How about this?”
“Acceptable.”
Jiang Li asked another question: “What cultivation level are the mortals you mentioned?”
The Qian Desolation Lord was stunned by the question—what kind of question was this? If mortals had cultivation levels, would they still be called mortals?
“Mortals naturally have no cultivation level.”
“Then we can only send eight-year-old children who haven’t cultivated to battle.”
The Qian Desolation Lord thought he had misheard: “Does everyone in the Nine Provinces practice cultivation?”
“The lowest is at least Qi Refining Middle Stage.”
With the promotion of the Five Elements Qi Refinement Art (Upper Volume), all mortals in the Nine Provinces had stepped into Qi Refining Middle Stage. Given a bit more time, they would all reach Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
The Qian Desolation Lord seemed to already see hope for victory in the mortal category, revealing a smug smile: “What a pity, Brother Jiang. If you have no mortals, then you’ll have to field eight-year-old children.”
“I wonder if eight-year-old children can withstand our mortals who have trained in martial arts.”
Jiang Li said calmly: “No need for the Qian Desolation Lord to worry.”
Jiang Li’s attitude appeared to the Qian Desolation Lord as showing weakness, intending to concede the mortal category.
Without even starting the battle, they had already won one round.
“Then we’ll both return to select our respective contestants, and compete in five days?”
“Agreed.”
The Qian Desolation Lord led the seven other Desolation Lords away from the Human Sovereign Hall. Seeing the Unity Stage cultivators from Eight Desolations too afraid to accept Commander Liu’s hospitality, trembling with fear, he scolded angrily: “Useless things, all of you get back!”
The Eight Desolations Unity Stage cultivators received this as if granted amnesty, following the eight Desolation Lords away.
Returning to the Eight Desolations, the Qian Desolation Lord said sternly to the Unity Stage cultivators: “You are all domain lords, familiar with your respective domains. Go—select one person each from mortals to Spirit Transformation Stage. First fight before me here—only the winners can represent the Eight Desolations in competing against the Nine Provinces.”
“If I discover anyone not taking this seriously, don’t blame me for being merciless!”
“Yes!”
…
“What do you think?” Jiang Li asked the people behind him.
“The Eight Desolations is testing our strength.” Yu Yin frowned.
Bai Hongtu sneered coldly: “Then let them test. Let’s see what they can discover.”