The Sims: I Open the Immortal Path for All Beings

Chapter 709: Chapter 659: Witch 19 Challenges to Battle

“Greetings to you all.” In response to these people’s greetings, it’s surprising how calm Zhu Houji remains. He only smiles when speaking to Taoist Qingxu and the Prince of Xiang, but for everyone else, he acts quite indifferent.

The reason is simple. Among the people present, aside from Taoist Qingxu and the Prince of Xiang, the remainder, Zhao Baiyang and Xue Wuheng, were responsible for the death of Emperor Wuzong. If not for the importance of the greater good and the pressure from various powerful forces in the Sky Wasteland, they would never coexist peacefully.

As for Tie Qianshan and Zi Tianxiong, Zhu Houji originally had no particular opinion of them. However, since they joined forces with Zhao Baiyang, as far as he’s concerned, they’re all cut from the same cloth.

Moreover, it’s clear to both Zhu Houji and Zhao Baiyang that one day, they will have to settle their mutual grievances in a battle.

“Greetings to you all,” Wu Shijiu responded calmly, indifferent to the tense atmosphere in the room.

He is a collaborator with the emperor, and their two sides bear no grudge. If he chooses not to participate, no one can force him to, so he feels quite at ease and doesn’t care.

“There is no need for such formality, my Taoist friend, please sit!” Pei Xuanjing said with a smile.

He was well aware of the situation, so he took the initiative to change the subject and defused the awkward atmosphere.

After waiting for everyone to sit down, Pei Xuanjing finally said, “I’m sure all my Taoist friends understand why I summoned you here. So, what are your thoughts on this matter?”

When he sent out the invitation, he gave a detailed description of his current situation. These people should have gained nearly enough information from it, he supposed they must have some ideas in mind on their way here.

Hearing Pei Xuanjing’s query, Zhao Baiyang’s group exchanged glances, signaling they understood the situation just as Pei Xuanjing had predicted.

They also knew that the decision Pei Xuanjing made was to protect their interests at most. If it weren’t for them, Pei Xuanjing would not have done so. With his status and power, he didn’t have to make such concessions. If he accepted their demands, his profits would not decrease. In fact, they might even increase.

“Given the circumstances, what we need to consider now is how to win the upcoming battles. It’s the most important thing,” Zhao Baiyang calmly said.

The situation remained the same, for whatever reason, since they lacked the power and strength to overturn others’ rules, their only choice was to comply.

As such, all they could do was trying to win under these rules, in order to realize their expected plan.

Everyone present agreed with Zhao Baiyang’s words. After all, anyone who could reach this point was not a simple person.

Pei Xuanjing nodded his agreement. He summoned Zhao Baiyang’s group not only because of their identities, but also because everyone was realistic and didn’t require much explanation.

“What we lack now is the representatives of the seventh and eighth powers of the Spirit Realm for the battle. What do you think? Are there any guarantees?” Pei Xuanjing asked, looking at them.

As he spoke, his gaze examined the people in the room, wanting to estimate their strength.

Cultivation levels do not equate to combat power. The actual strength a cultivator can exert depends not only on his level but also on his divine abilities, divine weapon treasure, and so on…

For example, Pei Xuanjing’s current level is the Spirit Realm Eightfold. However, his combat power is much stronger due to his divine abilities, Sword and Thunder Skill, and Divine Position. Thus he equals the strongest and can even suppress them.

Therefore, despite these individuals appearing to be at the Spirit Realm Sixth Level, it’s not clear how powerful they genuinely are and how far they can go. Only they might know their true strength.

Probing a cultivator’s strength is generally frowned upon and rarely done. Even Pei Xuanjing was unwilling to do so.

However, given the current situation, unless he was willing to admit defeat and give up his shares, he needed to understand these people’s true strength to react appropriately.

Upon hearing Pei Xuanjing’s question, everyone remained composed, already understanding the situation and anticipating this scenario.

Surprisingly, before anyone else could speak, Wu Shijiu, who had remained silent until now, suddenly said, “I believe I could handle one battle of the Spirit Realm Eightfold, if you trust me enough.”

Huh?

Everyone inevitably turned to look at Wu Shijiu.

Even though Wu Shijiu was present, everyone including Pei Xuanjing hadn’t considered letting him join the battle.

After all, although Wu Shijiu was now allied with them, he originated from the Sky Wasteland. It would inevitably be inappropriate for him to join the battle.

“Brother Wu, there’s no need for you to take this upon yourself.” Pei Xuanjing tried to dissuade him, but was interrupted by Wu Shijiu.

Wu Shijiu shook his head and said, “Since I’ve chosen my path, I won’t flinch. As for the cultivator of the Spirit Realm Eightfold, as long as there isn’t a hegemony like the National Teacher, I believe I can handle the others.”

As someone who had survived the Witch Deity Teaching’s attack in the past, Wu Shijiu was confident in his ability. He believed he could handle the ancient country’s reigning lords and elders.

He was aware that he could abstain from this battle without anyone blaming him. However, he decided to participate.

He understood that his role in facilitating the collaboration between the Witch Deity Teaching and Pei Xuanjing might have worsened Pei Xuanjing’s impression of him. Now was a good opportunity to make a good impression and express his position.

Moreover, the most critical point was his participating at this moment would ensure that he got a share when the benefits were distributed.

Now, to Wu Shijiu, everything in the world had returned to when the peak powers made the decisions. For him, living unrestrainedly was no longer possible.

So, he felt an urgent need to improve his strength as soon as possible, which was the only way to make him safer.