Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 266 - 203: Li Ping’an enters the final championship!_2

Chapter 266: Chapter 203: Li Ping’an enters the final championship!_2

Li Ping’an observed the crowd’s reaction to Wang Tianran and realized they were not wary of him because he was the son of the Prime Minister, but because of Wang Tianran’s strength.

Li Ping’an had wanted to continue protesting, but the current Wang Tianran looked decidedly troublesome, and since he was no match for him, he had no choice but to endure in silence. However, what puzzled him was that Wang Tianran seemed intent on helping him advance to the final round.

Thinking about it carefully, from the beginning, Wang Tianran, as a bystander, inexplicably became a participant, and it was because of his involvement that Li Ping’an was able to directly enter the top eight of the Ding Group by drawing lots, and then continue to fight all the way to the current point.

So Li Ping’an had reason to believe that this was a scheme Wang Tianran had planned from the start!

It was quite possible that his own lottery result was also manipulated by Wang Tianran behind the scenes.

"What on earth does this damn fatso want to do to me?"

Li Ping’an pouted and shook his head helplessly, even more at a loss to understand it.

"Immortal Fei He, please announce the result quickly."

Wang Tianran’s urging broke the quiet before the match.

Observatory Master Immortal Fei He of Moyun Temple did not rush to announce the result but continued to look to the Four Great Noble Paths for their opinion.

The Four Great Noble Paths’ Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect, Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect, Head Mo Liqi of Heavenly Mist Sect, and Head Taishu Yiqing of Immeasurable Sect displayed reluctance on their faces, but inside they were very satisfied with the outcome. As long as Wang Tianran conceded, no one could shake their positions or the quota for Imperial Court Offering.

On the surface, they of the Four Great Noble Paths did not dare to act recklessly in front of Wang Tianran, but in fact, this result perfectly aligned with their interests.

Unintentionally, Wang Tianran had completed an exchange of interests with the Four Great Noble Paths, which was his concession of the quota for Imperial Court Offering in exchange for Li Ping’an’s advancement to the final round!

Therefore, with feigned helplessness, they nodded toward Observatory Master Immortal Fei He of Moyun Temple, indicating their agreement with the outcome of Wang Tianran’s concession.

"Oh my, this Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master has really opened my eyes, what despicable scum, shameless harlots, it’s truly a pandemonium of demons."

After sighing in his heart, Observatory Master Immortal Fei He of Moyun Temple loudly proclaimed:

"Cultivator Li Ping’an from Mount Longhu against Cultivator Wang Tianran from Yanyue Sect, Cultivator Wang Tianran from Yanyue Sect voluntarily concedes, Cultivator Li Ping’an from Mount Longhu wins!"

Once the official result was out, everything was already set in stone. The masters of the Four Great Noble Paths—Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect, Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect, Head Mo Liqi of Heavenly Mist Sect, and Head Taishu Yiqing of Immeasurable Sect—finally settled down into their seats, heaving a sigh of relief:

"Wang Tianran has lost, our quota for the Four Great Noble Paths is secure!"

Senior Brother of Qingyun Sect then leaned in to consult Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect:

"Master, this Li Ping’an is too bizarre, I think I should take him on myself later!"

"Good!"

...

"Zixia."

Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect turned his head and smilingly asked Zixia behind him:

"Who would have thought your disciple would make it into the final round of the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master? Not bad, not bad at all!"

Zixia could detect the sarcasm in Senior Brother Taishi Bao’s voice, but she didn’t get angry. Instead, she cleverly replied:

"Him? He’s not amazing at all; it’s just good luck and popularity."

"I think Li Ping’an is very strong," said the Senior Brother of Qingyun Sect, revealing his true intentions:

"Zixia, how about I challenge your precious disciple Li Ping’an later?"

"Sure," Zixia replied without a moment’s hesitation.

"Huh?"

Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect was puzzled:

"Zixia, why did you agree so readily?"

Zixia quickly tugged at the sleeve of Senior Brother Taishi Bao, ingratiatingly saying:

"Senior Brother, I already told him that if he faces you, he must concede, and he agreed."

"Oh, I see."

Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect immediately showed a smug and cunning smile, musing to himself:

Since Li Ping’an has to concede when facing me, I might as well kick him while he’s down!

Zixia, don’t blame me! If you’re going to blame anyone, blame yourself! You had a gentleman but insisted on choosing a libertine!

...

As Li Ping’an defeated King Tianran, The World’s Foremost Talented, with incredible ease, cultivators from various sects couldn’t say a word, but their resentment towards Li Ping’an grew, as they covered their mouths and glared at him, grumbling:

"Li Ping’an, this bastard, is so damn lucky!"

"More than just luck! Living off a woman, playing dirty tricks with friends, this Li Ping’an deserves to die!"

"Today’s really bizarre, a cultivator from a small sect actually made it to the final round, with Zhengyi Temple’s cultivator Jia Zhengfeng before, and Mount Longhu’s cultivator Li Ping’an after, interesting, interesting!"

"Interesting my ass! Zhengyi Temple’s cultivator Jia Zhengfeng made it through with real strength, what is Li Ping’an? Without Zixia, the Ghost Taoist, King Tianran, would he even be worthy of entering the final round?"

"Then what do you suggest? He’s already made it to the grand final!"

"We can only hope that disciples from The Four Great Noble Paths give Li Ping’an a good lesson then!"

...

Li Ping’an, hearing the final result and very upset, immediately pointed at Wang Tianran, who was walking back, and cursed:

"Fatso, what on earth do you mean? Fighting me to concede, aren’t you throwing me into the fire? You must give me an explanation today, otherwise I’ll never let this go!"

A group of cultivators said in amazement:

"See that? Li Ping’an, who took advantage, is still putting on airs! What an asshole!"

Halfway through leaving, Wang Tianran turned back, smiling as he explained:

"Ah, Li Ping’an, you should understand a principle, ’The sword’s edge comes from sharpening,’ a good sword like you needs to go through the refining fire to unleash its true power. I put you on the volcano shackles for your own good! Why can’t you understand my good intentions?"

"Pah!"

Li Ping’an, feeling annoyed, cursed:

"Then why the hell don’t you roast yourself on the fire! What have I ever done to you to deserve this?"

"Big brother!"

Wang Tianran patted the fat on his belly and said:

"I’m just so damn lazy! If it weren’t for my laziness, I would’ve become immortal already!"

"You bastard still want to screw me over, huh?"

Li Ping’an shook his head and announced to everyone:

"I’m telling you, I’m just going to concede the next match, and we’ll see what you’ll do then!"

"Hahaha!"

Wang Tianran sat back in his original chair, staring at Li Ping’an and said proudly:

"Li Ping’an, do you think you’re the only one who can count on getting what you wish for? Let me tell you, this is your destiny; you can’t escape it!"

"A joke? I can’t escape? Well, just watch! Wang Tianran, you bastard!"

After cursing, Li Ping’an left the field and sat down on a chair.

Just as he sat down, a familiar and terrifying voice came from behind:

"Li Ping’an, congratulations."

"It’s... him..."

Upon hearing this voice, Li Ping’an immediately broke out in cold sweat, nervously swallowing saliva, then slowly turned his head to look. The Ghost Taoist had appeared behind him silently and without notice.

"You... you... what the hell are you doing back here again! You unrelenting living beast!"

Li Ping’an, feeling unlucky at the sight of the Ghost Taoist’s familiar yet terrifying face, had a sneaky feeling that this Ghost Taoist was about to coerce him into doing something he didn’t want to do!

"I was on my way out, but then I heard Immortal Fei He announce that you won, so I came back! Heh! Heh! Heh!"

Li Ping’an, looking at the Ghost Taoist’s smirk that wasn’t quite a smile, said with a trembling voice:

"Old man, when you stare with such wicked eyes, you’re not about to force me..."

The Ghost Taoist said bluntly:

"That’s right, you’re really smart! Since you’ve made it to the finals of the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master, why not fight for a position of Imperial Court Offering for Mount Longhu? If Mount Longhu secures an offering from the Imperial Court and, with the prestige of your battle today, it will certainly attract a large number of disciples to join, and also enhance the sect’s reputation with the Imperial Court Offering!"