Chapter 357: 215: Happiness Arrives

“Empyrean Kong shi, what on earth are you doing?”

As the consensus among the people gradually unified, Zhang Xuan’s brow furrowed ever tighter.

When the four Bronze Tripods converge onto one person, that person would be able to receive the legacy, according to the words left by Zhou Ji. Since he was the creator of the Heavenly Destiny of Ceremony, he naturally would also abide by etiquette and not break his promise.

This meant that once the Bronze Tripods converged, even if Empyrean Kong shi had many advantages before, they would all cease to exist.

But why… has he not shown up until now? Why is he even unreachable? As if he had vanished into thin air.

The more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed, so he looked up and ahead.

At that moment, everyone had already begun to waver, and seeing that the timing was right, Emperor Shen Ling took a step forward, “Everyone, although I lack capability, I’d like to be the person to inherit this destiny. So far, I have obtained two cauldrons, and if you give me the remaining two Bronze Tripods, I, Shen Ling, swear on my destiny here!”

“First, I will provide you all with sufficient resources as compensation. Even if it’s not enough now, once we return to the Zouyi Dynasty, I will make it up, ensuring that no one will suffer a loss!”

“Second, once I fully comprehend the Heavenly Destiny of Ceremony, I will recruit direct disciples. If any of you are willing, you all have the chance to become a member of my tutelage!”

“I believe that after prior interactions, you all trust in my character. How you decide, I will give you time to consider!”

“This…”

Hearing his assurance and words, everyone’s hearts wavered again.

Over three days’ time, everyone present meticulously examined the Bronze Tripods, and they had all researched the Heavenly Destiny of Ceremony. Unfortunately, they learned nothing, which meant they inherently had no fate with this Second-level Heavenly Destiny.

In that case, yielding to the person before them, the benefits were obviously greater!

After all, it was true he could ensure that everyone would not suffer losses, and it truly was possible for him to recruit them as disciples, allowing a share of the Second-level Heavenly Destiny!

Becoming the disciple of such a destiny’s controller, it was needless to say that their future achievements would become stronger and far exceed the present.

“I think it’s feasible!”

“I also trust Prince Shen Ling!”

Voices of concurrence started to emerge from within the crowd, and as time went by, this vacillation spread like a plague.

“I disagree!”

Just then, a voice of rebuke rang out, turning heads to immediately see Mo Baiye stepping forward.

“What do you wish to say, Master Mo?” Shen Ling wasn’t surprised, but looked over smilingly.

“It’s simple. I don’t want your compensation, nor do I wish to be your disciple. I have just one request: a fair competition. If someone from your side can defeat our representative, I will give you my cauldron. If our side wins, I will take your two cauldrons, deal?”

Mo Baiye gestured dismissively.

“You mean a martial contest?” Shen Ling laughed lightly.

“Exactly!” Mo Baiye raised his gaze and coldly huffed, “Do you dare or not?”

Shen Ling looked on, smiling, without accepting his provocation: “We are all cultivators here, relying on strength to make our case, there’s nothing wrong with that. I just want to ask one thing though, when you say a martial contest, are you referring to a fight between you and me, or are you proposing to send out Du Xinyu?”

Mo Baiye frowned, “What difference does it make?”

Shen Ling replied, “There’s a huge difference! If you send out Du Xinyu, we will send out ten Galaxy 6-dan cultivators, until we have slain him… However, if you come forward, I would indeed be willing to have a bout with you!”

“Why send out ten against Brother Du?” Mo Baiye’s face turned ashen.

Not just him, but Du Xinyu too was speechless. Wasn’t this a blatant act of bullying?

A group teaming up against one, this was no longer a martial contest, but a mob!

Shen Ling replied with a light smile, “Because I am willing!”

“You agree or disagree, if not, we will just forcefully take it. Your Brother Du is strong, but facing so many of us, I’m afraid he might not be able to withstand, right? And one more thing…”

At this juncture, Shen Ling surveyed the crowd, “Who among you would like to take my place and strike down Mo Baiye and company. Once I obtain the legacy, I will prioritize you as disciples, passing on the most critical branches of the legacy!”

“I agree…”

“I do too!”

“I’ve long found this idiot disagreeable, with mediocre strength, yet always causing a fuss…”

“Especially that Du Xinyu, as if thinking the Ten Thousand Sabers Alliance is something exceptional!”

Immediately, twenty to thirty people from the crowd cried out, including those who had been lent money before…

“You…”

Mo Baiye, not expecting this turn of events, paled.

“Not bad for Prince Shen, compared to him, Mo Baiye is nothing at all…” Zhang Xuan couldn’t help but shake his head.

This Shen Ling, not only was he extremely cunning, but he also didn’t seem to be too strict in his ways, managing to put his opponent Mo Baiye in a dilemma with just a few words.

Without Du Xinyu’s help, competing against Shen Ling put him at no advantage at all.

Of course, the choice was his to make, but regardless, it seemed destined to work to the advantage of the other party. This Shen Ling had already played him thoroughly.

There was a rustle!

As he pondered, dozens of cultivators had already surrounded Mo Baiye in the center, each one’s Strength surging, their presences like dragons.

“What are you trying to do?”

Mo Baiye became genuinely afraid, though still trying to put on a bravado, “I am the leader of the Mo Blade Sect, a member of the Ten Thousand Sabers Alliance. You dare lay a hand on me; aren’t you afraid of death?”

“Afraid of death? As strong as the Ten Thousand Sabers Alliance is, it’s only a Third Level Destiny organization! The Heavenly Destiny of Ceremony is Second-level!”@@novelbin@@

“Right, you don’t actually believe that over someone like you, a minor character, the Ten Thousand Sabers Alliance would offend a formidable Second-level Destiny, do you?”

The crowd coldly jeered.

Mo Baiye clenched his fist again.

Indeed, he was just a member of the Ten Thousand Sabers Alliance, not a direct disciple of the alliance head. How could they possibly offend a Destiny stronger than theirs over someone like him!

There is a strict hierarchy among destinies, with the lower tiers possessing chances to advance to the higher tiers, but one shouldn’t ever dare offend those from a higher tier—such was the rule, the principle.

“I know you all want to show off in front of Shen Ling, in order to gain the opportunity, but I, Mo Baiye, won’t let myself be trampled upon by anyone!”

Seeing the people slowly closing in, ready to strike at any time, Mo Baiye knew he had to speak now or never, so he clenched his teeth and shouted, “Though I only have the strength of the Galaxy 6-dan Peak, a dying counterattack could easily kill a few, so if anyone wants to die, come at me!”

“This…” Upon hearing his words, everyone fell silent.

The Mo Blade Sect excelled at killing and ranked highly even among individual attack destinies. If they really fought, even though they could kill him, five or six or even seven or eight from their group could very likely die!

Losing one’s life for others’ gain… nobody was willing to do that.

“I now only want to kill one person. If you let me kill him, why not give you this Bronze Tripod?”

Seeing the crowd’s trepidation, Mo Baiye breathed a sigh of relief and turned his head, shouting, “Zhang Xuan, do you dare to compete with me in front of so many people?”

“???”

Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

Could happiness truly come this easily?