Lighting Lanterns in the Mountains and Seas

Chapter 972 - 826: Six Severances

Deep within the Extreme Abyss, Shi Chun returned from outside the cave with Feng Chi, their brows furrowed. Wu Jinliang, who was lingering by the cave entrance, noticed that something was wrong, but he had no idea what the two had discussed while outside. He knew that Feng Chi regularly went to the shallow areas of the Extreme Abyss to contact the Demon Path and gather information.

As the two passed by, Wu Jinliang grabbed Shi Chun's arm and took a step aside to speak. He lowered his voice and asked, "You look puzzled, what's going on?"

Shi Chun pondered, "Feng Chi gathered news from the Demon Path saying that Dongguo Shou, who is waging battles everywhere, hasn't worn any armor at all."

Wu Jinliang expressed his surprise, "What do you mean, is Manxi lying to us?"

Shi Chun was uncertain, "It's unlikely. Even if he dares to deceive us, he wouldn't dare deceive Mulan Jin. After all, these words were passed on by her, guaranteed by her, and her daughter is still under our control."

"True enough," Wu Jinliang muttered, contemplating.

Shi Chun waved his hand dismissively, "Forget it, I can't figure it out now. I'll ask what's going on when I contact Mulan Jin later."

Wu Jinliang nodded and cautiously added, "Really, are we just going to hide until the battle is over? The top players from the other teams are gone; it's the perfect time for us to shine. Are you really going to just sit back and let Dongguo Shou take advantage?"

Initially, he thought Shi Chun was just saying it and might have other plans. But as days passed, he realized it was serious, and he started to feel uneasy.

Master's achievements are over, but there are other people here. They still have room to earn merits, and it's against Chun Tian's character to let opportunity pass by.

For example, he, Wu Jinliang, also wishes to become a Commander rather than settle for a City Lord position.

Having mixed in the outside world for many years, he understood to some extent that those positions are best taken before everything settles down. Once things are settled, climbing higher is tougher. Many City Lords hold their positions for half a lifetime.

Moreover, when it comes to rewards and divisions, who knows how it will be divided? At this rate, he may not even get a City Lord position, especially considering Feng Yin's death might be pinned on him.

He didn't have any notable achievements elsewhere, and the Tokens he truly snatched numbered few.

Previously, lacking strength meant he didn't dare aspire, but now realizing he has strength, why shouldn't he aim for more?

Based on his understanding of Chun Tian, he shouldn't just care for himself and ignore his comrades.

Shi Chun calmly replied, "If Dongguo Shou can take advantage, let him."

Wu Jinliang protested, "No. Chun Tian, before, even when uncertain, we pressed forward, and now with confidence, we're stepping back. That doesn't make sense. What are you really thinking, can you tell me?"

Seeing his eagerness, Shi Chun roughly understood his intentions. Glancing around, he asked quietly, "Confident now? What makes you confident?"

Wu Jinliang shrugged, "With the top players of the Four Great Royal Courts dead, and our Battle Armor as protection, our strength is evident. It's not that we're sweeping across, but snatching a few hundred Tokens is child's play."

Shi Chun almost spat at him, "Child's play? Is that what makes you confident? I ask you, what's the background of the Five Great Teams?"

"..." Wu Jinliang was momentarily speechless, then suspiciously said, "Isn't it just the Heavenly Court and the Four Great Royal Courts' background? Is there something else I don't know about? It's impossible. Even with more, nothing surpasses these backgrounds."

Shi Chun chuckled, "You know, yet you claim confidence? What is the Heavenly Court and the Four Great Royal Courts? The top powerhouses controlling the Cultivation World. The Four Great Royal Courts inherently oppose the Heavenly Court. Can you guarantee they'll sit back and let the Heavenly Court win? Can you guarantee they haven't found a way to intervene?"

Wu Jinliang hesitated, uncertain, "You mean, the Four Great Royal Courts might cheat?"

Shi Chun: "How would I know? I only know the Battle of Great Pardon isn't over, and it's not yet final. I only know those Four Great Teams won't sit back helplessly. The Heavenly Court Team alone being dominant—those four might very likely team up to play tricks.

I don't know what tricks they'll play, nor do I know whether the Four Great Royal Courts will tolerate defeat. Precisely because we don't know, we need to hide and let Dongguo Shou take the forefront.

Jinliang, the previous dangers were visible and measurable. Now the dangers might be unfathomably deep, potentially like a wave capable of completely capsizing us.

Previously, rushing in to fight seemed reasonable. Who would have thought a conflict would end up killing Luo Que and others? Who would have thought it would turn out this way? That's when I grew worried; obviously, the last desperate tactics of the teams would target us.

It was unexpected for Dongguo Shou to suddenly emerge. Someone steps up, someone willingly draws attacks, why wouldn't we immediately escape?

"No matter if those Four Great Teams decide to join forces for some insidious plot or the Four Great Royal Courts secretly output some ruthless moves, as long as we hide well, it's none of our business. We just need to observe from the shadows and if Dongguo Shou pushes them to the brink without them resorting to any ruthlessness, it might indeed be us overthinking. It's not too late to make plans then."

"Oh." Wu Jinliang suddenly understood, chuckling: "So it's about letting Dongguo Shou wade into the troubled waters? You should have said so earlier." Then he hesitated, "The battle's almost ended, but there's been no reaction. Maybe we indeed overthought this?"

Shi Chun slightly shook his head, "Not necessarily, perhaps the Four Great Teams haven't truly confronted Dongguo Shou yet."

Wu Jinliang blinked his big eyes, asking, "What makes you say that?"

Shi Chun rubbed his chin, pondering slowly: "The problem lies in the fact that it's nearing the end; the Four Teams have been robbed by Dongguo Shou to this extent. Yet they still haven't properly joined forces for a final effort, which seems abnormal. I don't believe all four teams would just sit and wait to admit defeat. They're most likely holding back something devious."

After hearing this, Wu Jinliang slightly nodded in agreement, his restless heart finally calmed down, thinking it's more appropriate to wait and see.

In the Nanshan Team's central area, Ming Chaofeng placed down the Mother-child Talisman, muttering to himself: "Has Hongjiu junior's injury not healed yet?"

To say this indicates there's been no better choice found.

Beside him, Pu Gong transmitted voice, "Senior, what do the others say?"

Ming Chaofeng sighed, "Same old, poorly coordinated. They talk about joining forces, but none are willing to reveal their cards, all guarding their own interests. This is pointless unity."

Pu Gong: "Don't they believe the Sky Splitting Sword is with Wei Mo?"

Ming Chaofeng: "Who knows whose hands it's in? It could be with the other two teams, or even with Manxi's team. Otherwise, why doesn't Dongguo Shou wear Shi Chun's borrowed battle armor? Don't let anyone say it's even inaccessible."

Pu Gong said, "It seems most likely to be with Wei Mo. That Blue Child from Zhechun Valley hasn't taken action yet; has the three-strike agreement been fulfilled? Previously, he struck once against Shi Chun; it's unclear if he's used the remaining strikes elsewhere."

Ming Chaofeng shook his head, "He can't have used them all up. Before the final battle, Wei Mo would definitely reserve one strike. Not acting could very well be to let Dongguo Shou grow fat, to be devoured in one bite."

"There's indeed a possibility." Pu Gong nodded, turning his head to look at the one-armed image in the mirror, "After splitting the tokens, his acquisition speed has slowed, but he's almost reached three thousand pieces, right? Adding what scattered holders have, plus those from Extreme Abyss, the Heavenly Court Team's tokens are probably nearing half. It's odd, why doesn't the Heavenly Court Team gather the outside tokens into Extreme Abyss and let Shi Chun manage them collectively?"

Ming Chaofeng: "Even in Extreme Abyss, it's not necessarily safe. Outside, there's no safer place than with Dongguo Shou."

As they discussed, Mulan Jin, looking at the mirror image, also mentioned this matter, unexpectedly transmitting a gentle reminder to Manxi, "Outside there is still the Sky Splitting Sword and Zhechun Valley's people yet to act. It's unwise for Dongguo Shou to carry so many tokens."

He shouldn't have spoken, but he couldn't bear to watch any longer.

Speaking of this, Manxi became annoyed and immediately walked to Mulan Jin's side, transmitting back in an exasperated tone, "Mentioned, it was mentioned earlier, but this bastard neither wants to wear Shi Chun's borrowed battle armor nor hand over the tokens for Shi Chun to safekeep, claiming opposition to putting all eggs in one basket. I don't know what's on his mind; it's infuriating to speak of."

Upon hearing this, Mulan Jin frowned slightly, muttering to himself, "This guy doesn't seem like such a stubborn person..."

He had his own channels to understand the key individuals participating in the battle and had some knowledge of Dongguo Shou's character.

In the East Victory Team's central area, Tao Zhi walked briskly to Wei Mo's side, reporting: "Sir, the statistics are out. Dongguo Shou has approximately 2,780 tokens in hand, and the Heavenly Court Team has over one hundred scattered holdings."

Wei Mo murmured to himself, "They're almost over half. That Dongguo Shou refuses to wear battle armor; what's he up to? If we wait longer, Manxi might order all troops to take tokens and hide in Extreme Abyss, pinning Dongguo Shou's hand could force Shi Chun out..."

Saying this, he suddenly turned his head and transmitted, "Tao Zhi, immediately confirm with Blue Child one last time if it's feasible. I don't want the situation of being unable to handle Shi Chun to repeat."

Tao Zhi, in front of him, took out the Mother-child Talisman and contacted Blue Child. After communicating, he reported through transmission, "Blue Child revealed that he'll use a poison called 'Six Extremes' on Dongguo Shou this time. This poison doesn't kill but breaks the six senses. The key is, this poison doesn't belong to the five elements; once used, basically no one can block it. He emphasizes that even the Cultivation Technique of Carefree Sect can't stop it. After poisoning, the effect is extremely fast; within ten breaths, one will fall into a coma. Unless one knows the method, they can't awaken. He said he only administers the poison, not responsible for capturing or killing. If we still can't capture Dongguo Shou like this, we can't fault him."

Wei Mo's eyes brightened, then frowned, "With such a miraculous poison, why wasn't it used on Shi Chun before?"

Tao Zhi: "I had the same question. He explained that Zhechun Valley promised those poisoned that if they agreed not to fight anymore, he'd detoxify them. However, after poisoning, the victim would fall into a coma, unable to seek help, contradicting Zhechun Valley's promise to some extent. If it weren't for failure with Shi Chun's case, he wouldn't have used this poison."

"Oh, I see." Wei Mo nodded in understanding, then suddenly squinted slightly, saying, "Three strike opportunities; one was used on Shi Chun, if he uses another this time, it means his 'Six Extremes' poison can still be used once more..."