Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 654 - 654 653 Stubbornly Insistent Happy New Year's Eve

654: Chapter 653: Stubbornly Insistent [Happy New Year’s Eve] 654: Chapter 653: Stubbornly Insistent [Happy New Year’s Eve] Li Chuping relayed his own suggestions along with Hou Niao’s requests up the chain of command.

He didn’t dare act on his own authority, as the decision wasn’t his to make.

Even the Nascent Transformation ancestors couldn’t casually speak out, for they were facing a behemoth larger than the Shan Sect, with hundreds of Golden Cores and double-ten Nascent Transformations, not to mention the backing of several Great Dao Sects lending their full support.

He was well aware of the likely outcome at Jade Capital, but he still harbored a glimmer of hope.

The higher one’s status, the more cautious they become; it’s no different in the Cultivation World.

Obvious problems that both he and Hou Niao could perceive would surely not escape the Nascent Transformation ancestor, but recognizing the issue and daring to act upon it were two different matters.

The focus of action differed, faced with a ninety percent certainty, he and Hou Niao would focus on the ninety percent chance of success, whereas those above would guard against the ten percent risk of failure.

This resulted in completely opposite methods of conduct.

Under such guidelines, the directive from Jade Capital was also crystal clear, without a doubt, it would be to sacrifice the individual for the greater good.

It wasn’t worth betting the entirety of the Shan Sect Quanzhen for a mere Sikong Mansion, especially in an outwardly fair duel environment.

Even if defeated, it was as if the Shan Sect wouldn’t lose face, right?

Powerless in his position, he felt caught in the middle, unable to influence the decision from above nor persuade that “thing” to realize its errors.

Given that fellow’s nature, maybe reaching this point was just a matter of time?

Concerning all this, neither of them mentioned a word to the outside.

Life continued as normal, with cultivation proceeding as usual.

Li Chuping secretly observed and noticed that the fellow seemed unaffected by any of it as if none of it had ever happened.

It could be simple-mindedness, but more likely, it was confidence—a rarity among Sword Cultivators.

It was such a pity.

Several days later, the message from the Hongxin arrived, and he called Hou Niao over again,

“Do you know the story of the twelve constellations of the Jinxiu Continent?”

“I don’t.

I only look at the brightest one; the others are just background.”

There was little common ground for conversation, but Li Chuping still patiently said, “In the world of cultivation, such rankings are dull affairs.

People come and go, rise and fall; the Cultivation World is a place of dynamic balance, so how can there realistically be a clear ranking?

Hence, although the Jinxiu Continent has long had such gimmicks, not many paid attention to it.

Those who make the ranking either have ulterior motives or seek to enhance their reputation for some gain?”

However, this sixty-year cycle’s ranking of famous personalities in the Tongtian Three Realms is a bit different, involving the unlocking of the Heaven and Earth Chains.

You know, in recent years, there have been celestial changes, a consensus intuition in the Cultivation World, most likely correct.”

Hou Niao was speechless, “So, in the end, who will break through the heavenly gap is decided by everyone’s vote?”

Li Chuping glared at him, “At least, it signifies a probability.

Among nearly a thousand True Disciples on the continent, it should cover all aspects of this batch of cultivators, without significant error.

Especially these twelve Constellation True Inheritors, exceptional in strength, each with their quirks, whether their meridians bear strange signs, their Elixirs emit unusual lights, their astonishing encounters, or their Dao Body Heaven.

None of them is easy to deal with.

Such phenomena are unprecedented since Jinxiu Continent’s spiritual awakening, which of course indicates something.

If not optimistic about them, would we be optimistic about someone like you who knows nothing but fighting?”

Hou Niao was quite puzzled, “Can anomalies paired with Spiritual Green really break through the heavens?”

“At the very least, it creates such a possibility.

With Outer Space Spiritual Green, one’s Golden Core can quietly align with heaven’s will, and should they progress further in the future, they might break the celestial barrier; it is therefore a fundamental condition, indispensable.”

Hou Niao was quite curious, “Capital Commandant, you too achieved Golden Core with Outer Space Spiritual Green; based on your feeling, is there any difference?

That restless eagerness of a child of heaven?”

Li Chuping fell silent for a long moment, “No particular feeling.

Perhaps the time hasn’t come, or maybe I lack talent, or perhaps my acquisition of Spiritual Green was mistimed, a cycle too early?

Forget it, let’s not talk about this; you nearly sidetracked me.

What I want to tell you is, the opponent you will face is completely different from any you’ve met before, incomparable.

Don’t be complacent just because you’ve never been defeated and can even kill Golden Cores beyond your level.

Among these Constellation True Inheritors, each one is capable of slaying beyond their rank.

I won’t speak for others but as for our own Shan Sect’s Duan Wuqian, to my knowledge, after mastering his art, he has slain at least five Golden Cores, with none of them being of ill repute.

You should now understand the risks of this battle, right?”

Hou Niao lowered his head, contemplating his toes, and when he looked up again, he smiled faintly, “Capital Commandant, I have honed my swordsmanship for decades, waiting for this day!”

There was no persuading him.

Li Chuping realized he had misjudged, from that initially timid cultivator who entered the room to now, with an uncontainable ambition blazing in his eyes, he finally understood.

“So be it, three days later at White Fungus Mountain, with four parties involved: Shan Sect, Wu Sect, and both North and South An.

North and South An are involved because the battlefield is within their territories, they need to witness.

Each party will have two representatives, one Golden Core and one disciple; for the Shan Sect, it will be you and me, for the Wu Sect, it’s the Golden Core Elder, Daoist Jin and that Tang Yan.

The duel’s rule is a life-and-death pact, unrestricted by methods, ignoring rules, ending only with one party’s death, and no one may intervene or hinder the fight.”

Hou Niao smiled slightly, “They are scared, maybe not as confident as you described.”

“Why do you say that?”

“With Wu Sect’s penchant for pomp and spectacle, how could they not seize such an opportunity to outshine and suppress our Shan Sect publicly?

If they were truly confident, they’d certainly use it to elevate themselves while diminishing others, seizing an advantage in the centuries-long competition.

Now, with such a low profile, it seems that just as Shan Sect fears the Heavenly Kui Star, Wu Sect also fears Hou Niao like a thorn.”

Li Chuping shook his head with a wry smile, “You really take things lightly.

I wonder how your heart is made.

Prepare yourself, in three days we’ll attend the engagement.”

Hou Niao smiled, “What’s there to prepare?

He’s just a passerby under my sword—that’s all.”

This wasn’t arrogance, but full confidence in his own abilities.

For decades, he had dedicated himself to the construction of his Sword Skill System, never once slacking off.

Since mastering his skills, he had not encountered an opponent worth his all, whether it be in the Lizhi Sea or on White Fungus Mountain.

For a Sword Cultivator, not being able to fight freely and wholeheartedly against others was what frustrated him the most.

He had many adversaries, but they were inadequate, failing to rouse his desire for battle, not as fulfilling as dueling in the Soul Realm.

Therefore, by the nature of a Sword Cultivator, he was filled with anticipation for this fight.

Of course, Li Chuping was right; this was also a rare opportunity to make a name for oneself.

Within the Shan Sect, even though he had challenged the Situ Mansion and found himself suppressed, this time facing the Wu Sect, he was eager to see who could hold him down.