Azure Heaven Saber
Chapter 872 - 872 298 Do You Want to Place a Bet_3

Chapter 872: Chapter 298: Do You Want to Place a Bet?_3 Chapter 872: Chapter 298: Do You Want to Place a Bet?_3 Yes, even up to now, Feng Yin couldn’t figure out the reason behind Mo Yuantu’s actions.

But at this moment, Dong Xiaoyan had already understood.

“It’s nothing more than luring the dynasty’s qi into our sect,”

Dong Xiaoyan said indifferently, “This is a common occurrence for an otherworldly sect. However, Mo Yuantu’s bet this time was clearly somewhat unwise.”

“Oh?”

Feng Yin had not expected Dong Xiaoyan to be the one to answer his question.

He couldn’t help but be surprised, “Dummy, you actually know about this?”

“Who from a major sect doesn’t?”

Dong Xiaoyan said, “To the common folk, these things seem mysterious and incomprehensible. But we all know that a jianghu sect’s development has bottlenecks and limitations, similar to all other things that grow: if you’re not progressing, you’re regressing. It’s impossible to maintain the status quo forever.”

“So, after reaching the upper limit of such limitations, if they want to grow stronger and develop further, they must rely on the enhanced fortune provided by a dynasty’s qi.”

A light flashed in Feng Yin’s mind.

He thought of many things, like the conflict between Buddhism and Taoism, Shaolin and Wudang, the Residence of Serenity… cough.

He suddenly had some enlightenment.

Perhaps, some things said by novelists were not all made up from thin air, maybe some were exaggerated, but the archetype must surely exist, right?

Dong Xiaoyan continued slowly:

“For example, there are some sects that once had a formidable presence in the jianghu. However, after a war that decided the fate of the world, they would suddenly decline or seal their gates, not emerging for a hundred years… Aren’t there too many such instances?”

“Indeed.” Jiao Sansheng nodded in agreement.

In his long life, such things had indeed happened too frequently.

Sects rise and fall, that’s all there is to it.

“That is the outcome for those whose bets have failed, meaning, they did not aid the winning side.”

“Now, aside from the two palaces, all sects are placing bets. Some are waiting and watching, others have already placed their bets.”

Dong Xiaoyan said, “In fact, some lower-level sects have already been put to use by the kingdoms’ courts, becoming part of the courts’ forces.”

Feng Yin frowned, “If that’s the case, wouldn’t the sects disintegrate? If they no longer exist, what are they betting on?”

“That’s what betting is!”

Dong Xiaoyan seemed surprised that Feng Yin did not understand this, “Putting up your own life and possessions as the bet is also a bet. The old saying holds true, ‘Learn the arts of pen and sword, and you shall serve the sovereigns.'”

“Even though their sects don’t exist anymore, they themselves have merged into the system. For the state, it’s a way to absorb and pacify, to coerce and turn to their own use. For the sects, it’s a successful withdrawal from the game. As long as they don’t die in the war, they are usually set for a life of glory and riches. However, the downside is that they must follow the rules of the system from then on…”

“Only sects of the level of the ‘Five Lakes and Six Paths’ would consider betting on a country’s qi to advance further.”

It was rare for Feng Yin to be unaware of something.

As Dong Xiaoyan took full advantage of this opportunity to disdain Feng Yin, he also boasted about his own knowledge.

It must be said that even Jiao Sansheng, a high-grade member of the Jiao Clan, did not know this point.

It really seemed that they could only watch the ‘Dummy’ perform.

“Such a bet usually takes place when multiple countries are at war. Betting on the winning side will earn the sect an increase in the dynasty’s qi, and also recognition from that dynasty.”

“If the dynasty one has bet on ends up unifying the continent after a protracted war… that’s when they really hit the jackpot! From that point on, they become a national sect. After a while, they will flourish, have many disciples, and slowly build a powerful force and fate, eventually reaching the level of ‘Three Mountains and Four Directions’.”

Feng Yin quickly interjected, “You’ve got it backwards!”

“I haven’t!”

Dong Xiaoyan glanced sideways and said, “At the level of ‘Three Mountains and Four Directions’, it may seem unnecessary to outsiders to participate in betting. But they still aim to climb higher… so they still have to bet. However, with large sects like these, it’s usually their disciples and followers who act first. Even if the higher-ups know this, they pretend to be unaware.”

“Until… the final battle arrives.”

“For example, if Supreme Mountain is betting on Yan State and Yan State ultimately wins and unifies the continent, Supreme Mountain’s position will surpass the other two mountains within a few decades. With a maximum of a thousand years of development, Supreme Mountain’s foundation could reach the level of the two palaces.”

“At that time, it’s inevitable that there will be a decisive battle with Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace and Absolute Sword Devil Palace! A fight to the death!”

“If they win, they take over. If they lose, they still become an existence above the Three Mountains and below the two palaces, one that disrupts the current rules.”

“What if they lose?” Feng Yin asked.

“If they lose, at most the fifth peak of Supreme Mountain will be wiped out. But that’s probably where it would end…”

“The use of qi is intangible, yet vast and mysterious.”

Dong Xiaoyan frowned slightly, saying, “For example, someone with low cultivation might always be energetic and alive, impossible to be killed by others, and instead becomes increasingly powerful… That’s fate. And then there are those who are born favored by the heavens, with everything one could wish for, but they are the first to die in danger… That’s also fate. Now do you understand?”

Feng Yin touched his nose.

He felt a bit conflicted.

The one with low cultivation you mentioned earlier… might as well just give my social security number.

“They’re about to go in.”

Feng Yin said somewhat anxiously.

“That’s why I’ve been telling you all this.”

Dong Xiaoyan paused slightly, saying, “It’s different now from usual times. Normally, during peaceful times when there’s just covert conflict and skirmishes between the two sides, winning or losing doesn’t affect the big picture. But now, it appears to be a standoff between two armies, yet in reality, it’s a time of decisive battle between two states. The outcome of this battle will inevitably influence the stability of the three countries, with one increasing in national fate and the other weakening. If you intervene now, it means you’re placing a bet!”

“Including Elder Jiao, if you get involved, it means the Jiao Clan is betting. Once involved the implications of fate, you enter the game.”

Dong Xiaoyan spoke gravely, “If I assist you, then it’s the Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace entering the game.”

“So I want you to understand and think clearly about whether you really want to bet or not?”

……

[My head is a little messy, let me sort this out.]