Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1116 - 1116 0653 Responding to Provocation_2

Chapter 1116: Chapter 0653: Responding to Provocation_2 Chapter 1116: Chapter 0653: Responding to Provocation_2 “Hahaha, I’m dying of laughter.”

At this moment, Shen Ziyu, who had been merely spectating, began to laugh.

Emperor Jianwu and the others all looked at him with displeasure. If it weren’t for the knowledge that they couldn’t defeat Shen Ziyu, they would have rushed over and given him a sound beating by now.

“Mr. Shen, what do you want? What’s so funny?” Emperor Jianwu said discontentedly.

Shen Ziyu retorted with a sneer, “I think you all look like a bunch of fools. Stupid people doing stupid things. Am I not allowed to laugh at that? Lord Jianwu, I advise you to not waste your efforts. Today, I stand here as immovable as a nail; none of you can pull me out. If I were you, I wouldn’t waste any time and just turn back and head home.”

None of Emperor Jianwu’s group wanted to hear Shen Ziyu say this, but as they were no match for him, unwilling as they were, they could only tolerate it.

Shen Ziyu didn’t continue to mock Emperor Jianwu, but turned his gaze to Qi Tian and said, “Qi Tian, you seem like a smart person. Why would such a clever person like you accompany fools like Emperor Jianwu in their folly? How about I show you a clear path? You’re not weak; you are someone strong enough to attract the Gold Core Tribulation while condensing your Gold Core. That makes you a strong person.

As a strong person, you should exhibit the spirit of a strong person. Don’t always hide behind others, letting them charge and fall into the fray for you. You should stand up yourself and have a head-on clash with me.

I won’t lie to you, I think highly of you. I don’t think Emperor Jianwu and the others have a chance, but you might be able to do it. If you can drive me back, I will admit that you are qualified to face the dangers within the Saint’s Tomb, and I will let you pass. How about it? Want to give it a try?”

Emperor Jianwu’s heart tightened. He hurriedly sent a message to Qi Tian, saying, “Master Qi, you must not listen to Shen Ziyu’s provocation, don’t fall for his trickery. I’m sure Shen Ziyu harbors ill intentions. If you agree to face him, it’s highly likely he’ll take this opportunity to disable you. Please think it over.”

At the same time, Emperor Wenzhi and Emperor Yonghe also sent similar messages to Qi Tian, hoping to stop him from acting impulsively and accepting Shen Ziyu’s challenge.

Qi Tian was well aware that Shen Ziyu had no good intentions when he said those words, but he had to face a very real problem: if he didn’t accept Shen Ziyu’s challenge and had no other way to drive him away, then their plan to explore the Saint’s Tomb would be doomed to fail. If they failed this time, when could they possibly organize a similar expedition again was a big question mark.

Currently, within the Imperial Family Secret Territory, Qi Tian was facing a huge challenge. Initially, the threats came from Emperor Chaoyang, as well as the princes from Zhongdu and Xidu. Any action from any of them posed a great threat to Qi Tian. If the remaining princes joined forces and acted unanimously, there would only be one outcome: Qi Tian would be utterly defeated and would have to pay a dire price. Now, Qi Tian had a new challenger: Manager Chen.

Let’s not discuss whether Manager Chen will be able to find the opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage within the Saint’s Tomb this time. Optimistically speaking, even if Manager Chen does not find it now, it doesn’t mean that Qi Tian will have an easy time in the days to come. If Manager Chen continues to behave as he does now, casually blocking the entry to the Saint’s Tomb by sending someone like Shen Ziyu, preventing Qi Tian’s entry, then Qi Tian’s strength will never be able to increase significantly in a short period of time. He will always be in a weak and passive state, likely to be butchered at someone else’s whim, with no second outcome to expect.

From a pessimistic point of view, if Manager Chen does find the opportunity in the Saint’s Tomb this time, the consequences will be even more severe.

If Manager Chen succeeds in breaking through to the Nascent Soul Stage, he will inevitably take complete control of the Saint’s Tomb. He will gobble up the Imperial Family Secret Territory like a piece of fatty meat, digest and absorb it, converting it into his own power, rather than just guarding it with various concerns as he does now, without actually swallowing it.

Once Manager Chen decides to devour, Qi Tian, who is in the Imperial Family Secret Territory, faces an easy-to-imagine fate. Perhaps he will be forced by Manager Chen to plant a Servant Pact in his Sea of Consciousness, just like Emperor Jianwu is now. Although Qi Tian has the Heavenly Dao Engine and isn’t afraid of having a Servant Pact placed upon him, Manager Chen might still use other methods to enslave him, driving him like cattle or sheep. Such a result would only be even more tragic.

It can be said that if Qi Tian wants to reverse these unfavorable outcomes, there is one thing he must do right now: he must enter the Saint’s Tomb and find the opportunity that suits him so that his strength can significantly increase in a short time. Only then will he have the power to face Manager Chen directly. That way, he could negotiate with Manager Chen and possibly leave the Imperial Family Secret Territory safely.

Of course, Qi Tian could also make another choice, which is to withdraw from the Saint’s Tomb and return to Eastern Capital City. Then let Emperor Jianwu escort him to the entrance of the Imperial Family Secret Territory and leave humbly. This would also save his life, but then he would not be able to obtain the opportunity from the Saint’s Tomb, and he would have to endure great losses. Emperor Jianwu and the other Immortal Slaves, along with Zhao Haiying, would all be lost. This is a path that Qi Tian, unless absolutely necessary, would definitely not choose.

Qi Tian was engaged in intense deliberation in his mind, and after a long moment, his gaze firmed up. Without any fear, he looked at Shen Ziyu and said, “Mr. Shen, since you think I might have the strength to defeat you, then I might as well give it a try. I won’t hide it from you, I’m quite curious myself. I don’t even know at what level I could reach if I go all out. It’s not often that I encounter an opponent like you. Since you are willing to give me a chance and be my sparring partner, if I don’t seize this opportunity, wouldn’t I be letting down your good intentions?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Ziyu chuckled and said, “Qi Tian, you’re pretty good. Since we are cultivating to become immortals, we should not be overly cautious. We need to advance bravely and aggressively. To be timid and hesitant, what kind of behavior is that? Is that what we cultivators should do? Come on, I’ll give you this chance, let’s spar now. Rest assured, I’ll go easy on you. I can promise you that I won’t harm your life. After this exchange, you will still be very much alive.”

Qi Tian smiled slightly and said, “Then I must thank you in advance, Mr. Shen, for your mercy.”

Emperor Jianwu, Emperor Wenzhi, and Emperor Yonghe, the three unharmed princes, all looked anxious. They could no longer just send a message by sound transmission to Qi Tian, they spoke out directly, trying to dissuade him from fighting Shen Ziyu. But Qi Tian, after careful consideration, how could he possibly heed their advice?

By now, Qi Tian was effectively out of options. Not just him, the other princes were in a similar bind. They too had reasons they must enter the Saint’s Tomb at this time. Qi Tian, whether for his own sake or for that of Emperor Jianwu and the others, had to take a stand and fight.

“Princes, please stop persuading me. I have made up my mind and will not change it. The only thing I hope for now is that you all be ready. If I accidentally get hurt, I will count on you to take care of me then,” said Qi Tian.

Knowing they could not deter Qi Tian, Emperor Jianwu and the others had to give up. As Qi Tian’s Immortal Slaves, once Qi Tian was set on a decision, all they could do was obey. They simply had no way to make Qi Tian change his mind.