CHAPTER 504: CHAPTER 251: INVITATION TO BATTLE (SEEKING MONTHLY PASS)

"Whether slaying Shimohe can resolve the natural disaster of South Nether Prefecture, I can’t be one hundred percent certain, because the information obtained from the Ancient Ruins is also incomplete. Many things, to tell the truth, are just my personal conjectures," Yi Ning replied with little confidence.

He was clear that the natural disaster in South Nether Prefecture was manufactured by Shimohe. However, whether slaying Shimohe would alleviate the natural disaster was unknown. Besides, slaying a Domain Realm powerhouse—how could that be an easy task?

Domain Realm. That’s equivalent to the Great Demon of the Demon Evil Clan, the Venerable Rank Defender Envoy in the Demon-Subduing Division. If Shen Changqing’s power is strong enough, perhaps he could defeat the opponent, but to talk about slaying him, that’s truly too difficult.

However, Yi Ning also couldn’t be sure what the other party was really thinking. All he could do was speak the truth as it was.

Shen Changqing did not respond immediately, silently pondering what he had just heard.

Slaying Shimohe might not necessarily alleviate the natural disaster of South Nether Prefecture. But regardless of whether it alleviates it or not, Shimohe is doomed to die. Otherwise, if he is allowed to continue, to once again deplete the fate of South Nether Prefecture, then the entire South Nether Prefecture might be ravaged by natural disaster and become a land of absolute desolation.

By this point, he also understood why Shimohe went through such hardships to establish the Heaven Alliance and aimed to seize control of South Nether Prefecture. The purpose was to refine fate and thereby achieve Destiny Sealing the Gods, stepping into the Domain Realm.

Immediately after, Shen Changqing had another thought.

If Shimohe can refine a part of South Nether Prefecture’s fate to step into the Domain Realm, then why doesn’t Gu Xuanji, as Emperor Qin, who holds all the fate of Great Qin, refine that fate as well? A part of South Nether Prefecture’s fate could allow Shimohe to advance to this so-called Domain Realm. If one were to refine all of Great Qin’s fate, I’m afraid one might directly advance to an absolutely terrifying level! However—like Shimohe, just by refining a part of fate, it has caused natural disasters to arise in South Nether Prefecture. If the entire fate of Great Qin is refined, I’m afraid the vast natural disaster will affect more than just Great Qin alone. At that time, the death toll of the citizens will be incalculable, and Great Qin would be ruined in one fell swoop. Moreover, it’s not as if fate can simply be refined at will; there must be some constraints that I don’t know about.

Shen Changqing’s thoughts churned. Regarding this notion of fate, he was judging based on his own guesses. Asking Yi Ning would obviously yield no answer.

But one thing was certain: fate is not something that can be refined at will. Otherwise, Gu Xuanji could easily refine some fate to achieve his own breakthrough. Should the breakthrough succeed, his lifespan would definitely increase.

With that thought settled, Shen Changqing looked at Yi Ning. "Pavilion Master Yi, since you have come to Mountain-Breaking City, why not stay here and rest for a while? After I have dealt with the matters of the Heaven Alliance, we can go to the Ancient Ruins together?"

"No problem, Defender Shen, just arrange it as you see fit," Yi Ning waved his hand, appearing nonchalant. He had just come out of the Ancient Ruins and had no immediate plans to go back in. Even a production team’s donkey needs to rest sometimes. Although increasing strength is important, it’s not possible to spend every moment inside the Ancient Ruins; Yi Ning felt he would go mad if he did.

Soon, Shen Changqing had someone arrange accommodations for Yi Ning, while he himself remained in the main hall.

Yi Ning said Shimohe has already achieved his breakthrough. In that case, he might not truthfully abide by the one-year agreement. If I were Shimohe, then after my breakthrough, the first thing I would do is mobilize the power of the Heaven Alliance and launch a major offensive. With the speed of lightning, I’d secure South Sea City first. Then, when the vanguard points directly at Mountain-Breaking City, how could the Demon-Subduing Division possibly withstand it?

His eyes flickered. This course of action is based on the premise that I am an ordinary Great Grandmaster. If that’s not the case, then Shimohe’s plans will fall through. But no matter what, South Sea City, as the frontline bordering the Heaven Alliance, will definitely bear the brunt.

Shen Changqing himself was a man who didn’t play by the rules, so in his view, others might not adhere to any rules either.

Originally, after the Divine Heaven Golden Body reached Perfection, he had considered taking action against the Heaven Alliance but was temporarily restrained by the natural disaster. But now, Shen Changqing didn’t plan to delay any longer.

The Heaven Alliance is a malignant tumor, and Shimohe is the core of that malignancy. Despite the fact that his opponent’s power has improved, he has no apprehensions. But in the end, it was still a hidden danger. Eliminating the hidden danger is better than leaving it there, not knowing when it might erupt.

"Someone come!" Shen Changqing called out sternly.

As his voice fell, someone entered from outside the hall. "Lord Defender, what are your orders!"

"Summon Xing Yi."

"Yes!"

「 」

Less than fifteen minutes later, Xing Yi hurried over. "Lord Defender, you called for me. Do you have any orders?"

"Draft a Challenge Letter for me."

"A Challenge Letter?" Xing Yi’s face showed surprise. His first reaction was: a Challenge Letter for whom? At the moment, within South Nether Prefecture, it seemed there was no one left to challenge.

Shen Changqing said, "The Heaven Alliance. Shimohe."

"Ah..." Xing Yi’s expression changed slightly. He hadn’t expected that the person Shen Changqing wanted to challenge was Shimohe. After all, the two had effectively issued challenges to each other several months ago; the only difference was that the agreed time was one year later. There were still several months left before the year was up.

Shen Changqing said, "On the first day of the seventh month, I shall fight him at Saint Buddha Mountain outside South Sea City. The victor lives, the vanquished dies!"

"I shall carry out the command!" After taking a deep breath, Xing Yi bowed his head and complied.

"Go then." Shen Changqing waved his hand, signaling for him to leave. Then he too left the main hall and returned to his residence.

The first day of the seventh month. With roughly ten days left, he wasn’t in a rush to head over immediately. Possessing the Divine Skill "Shrinking Earth into Inches," it wouldn’t take too long to travel to South Sea City. Before that, what Shen Changqing needed to do was rest and recuperate, bringing himself to a peak condition to face the upcoming battle. Even a lion uses its full might when hunting a rabbit. What’s more, Shimohe was already a powerhouse in the Domain Realm, far more powerful than an ordinary Great Grandmaster. In facing such a formidable opponent, he might appear unconcerned on the surface, but inwardly he was quite solemn.

「 」

Xing Yi moved quickly. After receiving instructions from Shen Changqing, he immediately had the Heavenly Inspection Guard spread the news.

In less than five days, a member of the Heavenly Inspection Guard had climbed Buddha Palm Mountain and arrived in the Mahavira Hall of the Myriad Buddhas Sect.

Facing the powerful members of the Myriad Buddhas Sect and Shimohe before him, Luo Xing felt immense pressure.

At this moment, Shimohe looked at the person before him, his voice calm. "A member of the Heavenly Inspection Guard comes to my Myriad Buddhas Sect. Could it be that you are truly not afraid of death?"

His simple, calm words contained an immense authority that caused Luo Xing’s bones to creak and cold sweat to bead on his forehead. For a moment, he had the urge to kneel.

But then, remembering his identity, Luo Xing forced himself to withstand the pressure, managing to keep a straight face as he said, word by word, "Envoys are not killed during wartime. I am here to deliver a verbal Challenge Letter to your sect."

"A Challenge Letter?" Shimohe’s expression flickered slightly.

The other Elders of the Myriad Buddhas Sect, however, glared angrily. Coming personally to the Myriad Buddhas Sect to deliver a Challenge Letter was a provocation against them. If Shimohe hadn’t been present, they would have struck Luo Xing down then and there.

"Indeed!" After uttering the words "Challenge Letter," Luo Xing found it much easier to speak. "By Defender Shen’s verbal command, on the first day of the seventh month, he challenges Sect Master Shimohe to a battle at Saint Buddha Mountain. The victor lives, the vanquished dies!"

Silence! A deathly silence.

Shimohe’s eyelids drooped; he said nothing, and no one else spoke either. Luo Xing stood there, forcibly steadying his nerves, quietly awaiting their response.

After a long while, Shimohe uttered a single word: "Good!"

"My message has been delivered. I shall take my leave!" Luo Xing cupped his fists, then turned and left directly.

His steps were steady and unhurried, his back straight as he walked out of the Mahavira Hall. Even as he felt numerous gazes, like needles, on his back, he did not look around. Only after leaving the Mahavira Hall did that feeling disappear.

Without lingering, Luo Xing left Buddha Palm Mountain immediately to report back.

Inside the Mahavira Hall, an Elder’s face flushed with anger. "The Demon-Subduing Division is too audacious! How dare they issue a Challenge Letter at this time, and even set the location at Saint Buddha Mountain!"

Saint Buddha Mountain was a fairly renowned mountain in South Nether Prefecture. The Myriad Buddhas Sect had once considered establishing their base there but, for certain reasons, had chosen Buddha Palm Mountain instead. Regardless, Saint Buddha Mountain was easily associated with the Myriad Buddhas Sect. Now, Shen Changqing had directly set the battle location there; it was clearly an attempt to slap the Myriad Buddhas Sect in the face.

"There’s no need for anger. Whether it’s Saint Buddha Mountain or somewhere else, it has no effect on our Heaven Alliance. Since Shen Changqing dares to issue a challenge, I shall grant him this opportunity. Kill him, and no force in South Nether Prefecture will be able to stop the advance of our Heaven Alliance," Shimohe said faintly.

He had already been planning to move against the Demon-Subduing Division. Shen Changqing’s Challenge Letter at this time suited his intentions perfectly.

However, Shimohe didn’t quite understand where the other party found the audacity to challenge him at this juncture. There might be some conspiracy afoot. But then again, he wasn’t too worried. Any conspiracy or scheme requires strength as its foundation. Having refined the fate of the Heaven Alliance and consequently advanced to become a Domain Realm powerhouse, there were few in the world who could contend with him. And among those few, Shen Changqing was definitely not included. Shimohe was very clear about the other party’s strength; he was merely at the Grandmaster Realm. He didn’t believe that Shen Changqing could have broken through to the Domain Realm as he had. Even if there were methods for breaking through, Shen Changqing was only the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture, subordinate to the Great Qin Imperial Court; he simply had no qualification to refine fate.