Chapter 1999: Sweeping (Part 1)
The Abyss Knight's integrity made Ximen Boyun disdainful of any outburst. Ximen Borong, however, smirked with a sidelong glance and said coldly, "The Qilin Divine Realm was personally bestowed by the Abyss Emperor as a heavenly grace, and we have the Knight overseeing and witnessing. To receive this grace, one must act with fairness and transparency, and must never allow private dealings or hidden filth! Otherwise, it would be a desecration of the Abyss Emperor's grace and the Knight!"
"Prince Helian, there is no need to bring the customs of your imperial family into this inviolable Qilin Divine Realm!"
Helian Linglang's mouth hung wide open, his face turning extremely ugly as he was left speechless for a long time, unable to utter a single word.
"Furthermore, Prince Helian has misunderstood one more thing." Ximen Borong didn't even deign to look at him again, lifting his head high and declaring with arrogance: "What our Worship Qilin Alliance wants is not to enter the Qilin Divine Realm together, but... to eliminate those who are unworthy and take their place."
Helian Linglang finally realized what was happening, and his already hideous face was instantly covered in another layer of ashen paleness.
Zha Ke smiled warmly and said, "Given the current momentum of the Worship Qilin Alliance, I believe no one will question their qualification to participate in this Qilin Divine Assembly. But whether it's through ranking together or replacing those at the bottom, my Rock Mystery Sect cannot decide on a single word. We should inquire..."
"No need."
Before Zha Ke could finish, he was interrupted by a clear female voice.
Helian Lingzhu walked out slowly. Under a myriad of different gazes, her expression was calm, without any panic or fluster. Her voice was elegant, carrying the faint authority befitting royalty: "The Qilin Divine Realm can only accommodate a thousand people each time it opens. With one dynasty and three sects, it's already overcrowded. Adding another Worship Qilin Alliance would likely cause widespread discontent."
"In such a situation, with a crown prince who has acted so disgracefully, she forced herself not to show any panic or weakness.
"'Eliminating the unworthy'—I, the Helian Imperial Clan, deeply agree with that. I imagine the Rock Mystery Sect, Ten Thousand Ren Sect, and Blazing Sand Sect also have no objections."
Such composure and such a response clearly caught the Worship Qilin Alliance and the three great sects off guard, and the look in everyone's eyes changed.
Helian Linglang, who knew he had just made a huge fool of himself and was full of pent-up frustration, suddenly heard these words and seemed to find an outlet for his anger. He immediately roared out: "Lingzhu, do you... do you know what you're saying!"
"If we add another Worship Qilin Alliance and compete in rankings among five parties, even if our imperial clan comes in last, we can still get a few dozen people in. But if we're eliminating those at the bottom... if we end up inferior to the Worship Qilin Alliance, we won't be able to enter the Qilin Divine Realm at all! Do you know what the consequences of that would be!"
"How is that any different from destroying the future of our Helian bloodline!"
"Elder Brother Crown Prince..." Helian Lingzhu murmured softly, then her voice suddenly sharpened: "Shut up!"
"..." Helian Linglang immediately fell silent. This was the first time he had been so harshly rebuked by his younger sister, whom he had always looked down upon.
Helian Lingzhu said with emphasis: "Father has put me in full charge of this Qilin Divine Assembly! I will bear all the consequences myself, and no harm will come to you."
"But if you stubbornly defy orders, it will be equivalent to disobeying Father's command. When the time comes, before Father, I will show no mercy! Please, Elder Brother Crown Prince, exercise self-restraint and self-respect!"
"You!" Helian Linglang's features twisted, contorted with embarrassment and malice. Then he said coldly, "Fine! Then I'll see how you clean up this mess, huh!"
With a heavy snort, he retreated among his guards, his face stiff and cold as he said nothing more.
Helian Lingzhu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then quietly glanced at Yun Che.
Her responses to the Worship Qilin Alliance and her rebuke of Helian Linglang were all whispered to her by Yun Che.
"Since the Helian Imperial Clan is so agreeable, our Ten Thousand Ren Sect naturally has no objections." said Wan Wei, the sect master of Ten Thousand Ren Sect.
"No objections." responded Lie Qianhong, the sect master of Blazing Sand Sect, flatly.
The profound practitioners of the Qilin Abyss Realm were buzzing with discussion. As for who the 'unworthy' the Worship Qilin Alliance was referring to—or rather, targeting—even an idiot could see it clearly.
And since the Worship Qilin Alliance dared to step forward with such sharp edge, they naturally had full confidence. After all, with an Abyss Knight appearing, their hidden strength was likely beyond anyone's ability to fathom.
Yet the targeted Helian Imperial Clan didn't even try to fight back, directly agreeing to the other side's terms.
Were they admitting defeat to preserve some dignity? Or... did they have some trump card up their sleeve?
If the Helian Imperial Clan really lost the qualification to enter the Qilin Divine Realm, they would have no successors and decline rapidly. It probably wouldn't be long before the already shaky title of "Imperial Dynasty" was forever buried in the dust of the Qilin Abyss Realm.
There was no need for further pressure or even verbal sparring. Zha Ke couldn't be bothered to say more pleasantries and directly stated: "Since everyone has no objections, then for this Qilin Divine Assembly, we'll have five parties competing, with four entering the realm."
"In previous assemblies, it was always two-on-two battles. Since we have five parties this time, for fairness, we should change to rotating battles..."
Zha Ke's words flowed smoothly, clearly having been well-prepared long ago. At that moment, Yun Che's voice transmission reached Helian Lingzhu's ear.
She abruptly turned her head, her face full of disbelief.
Yun Che gave her a confident smile.
Helian Lingzhu took a deep breath and stepped forward... Though her heart was filled with anxiety, at this point, she had no other choice but to trust him all the way.
"Rock Mystery Sect Master," Helian Lingzhu suddenly spoke, interrupting Zha Ke's words. "We're just adding one more faction. Why bother changing the competition format? That's too much trouble."
"..." Zha Ke turned his gaze, his expression quite intriguing: "Then may I ask what brilliant idea the Helian Eldest Princess has?"
Helian Lingzhu said slowly: "Since it's a group battle, what difference does it make whether it's two-on-two or three-on-two?"
Zha Ke was clearly taken aback, and so was everyone else.
"Hehehe." Zha Ke laughed. "In that case, wouldn't it be unfair to the party in a three-way battle?"
Helian Lingzhu immediately countered: "If that's the case, then our Helian Imperial Clan will voluntarily enter into a three-way battle. Does the Rock Mystery Sect Master and everyone else still have any concerns or objections?"
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha..."
Unexpurgated laughter came from the three great sects and the Worship Qilin Alliance.
"Is the Helian Eldest Princess insane?"
"No, no, she probably just wants to finish quickly so she can tuck tail and run."
"Exactly. Staying a moment longer just brings more humiliation. If it were me, I'd just quit and leave outright, to avoid having my head trampled underfoot later, haha... ah?"
The laughing Worship Qilin Alliance disciple suddenly felt a chill all over. Turning his head, he saw Ximen Qi staring at him coldly, with what looked almost like murderous intent deep in his eyes.
The strongest reaction, without a doubt, came from the Helian Imperial Clan.
Ku Xian and Mo Cangying both looked utterly shocked and bewildered.
And the moment Helian Linglang, who had barely calmed down, jumped up and roared: "Helian Lingzhu, are you fucking insane?!"
"..." Helian Lingzhu didn't respond to anyone, just fixed her gaze unyieldingly on the three great sects and the Worship Qilin Alliance.
Amidst the varied stares and chaotic discussions, Yun Che faintly curled his lips... He simply didn't want to waste time, and was even more too lazy to exert unnecessary effort.
If he had to fight through the full cycle as Zha Ke suggested, he would have to fight four times... But with this, he only had to fight twice.
If it weren't necessary to enter the Qilin Divine Realm, he truly disdained to lift even a single finger against these people.
"Hehe." Zha Ke's smile was rather strange. The lines and competition format he had prepared to subtly mock and pressure the Helian Imperial Clan were all useless now, because the other side was eagerly jumping out to court death.
The three great sects and the Worship Qilin Alliance were no longer fighting separately. With the Worship Qilin Alliance at the core, they had formed a temporary "alliance."
They had already demonstrated and warned the imperial clan of this through Zha Liancheng and Ximen Qi.
If it was a three-way battle, the Helian Imperial Clan would essentially be... fighting against two of them at once.
It was rare to see someone so eager to die.
"Since the Helian Imperial Clan is so 'magnanimous,' how could we not comply?"
Putting away his playful smile, Zha Ke raised his hand, holding four abyss stones of various colors: "The Helian Imperial Clan has already volunteered for the three-way battle. The remaining four of us will use these stones to decide the matchups."
"The two darker stones mean the two holders fight each other; the lighter stones mean joining the Helian Imperial Clan in a three-way battle."
With a slight release of profound energy, it condensed into rock, enveloping the four abyss stones, and then shot them into the sky thousands of zhang above.
Immediately, the leaders of the three sects and the alliance simultaneously struck, each absorbing one of the stones into their hands. The rock shell cracked open, revealing the color of the abyss stone.
Blazing Sand Sect vs. Worship Qilin Alliance.
Rock Mystery Sect, Ten Thousand Ren Sect, and Helian Imperial Clan in a three-way battle.
Looking at the colors of the abyss stones in their hands, the gazes of the three sects and the alliance all turned to the Helian Imperial Clan, with faintly concealed pitying smiles.
Among the three great sects—Rock Mystery Sect, Ten Thousand Ren Sect, and Blazing Sand Sect—Rock Mystery Sect is the strongest, and Ten Thousand Ren Sect the second.
And the Helian Imperial Clan was directly facing these two strongest sects.
"The battlefield is ready, and the battle curtain is raised." Zha Ke announced loudly: "Please, the participating profound practitioners of the Ten Thousand Ren Sect, the Helian Imperial Clan, and the Rock Mystery Sect enter the battlefield."
Nineteen auras of Divine Lords swirled. In but a few moments, the participating profound practitioners of the Rock Mystery Sect and the Ten Thousand Ren Sect had taken their positions on the battlefield.
Ten Thousand Ren Sect had nine Divine Lords and one Divine Sovereign, one of whom was not a disciple of the sect and was clearly an outside reinforcement... Unfortunately, they ultimately failed to secure a tenth Divine Lord reinforcement and could only fill the tenth slot with a peak Divine Sovereign.
Their strongest was the young sect master Wan Zhongyue, at the third level of the Divine Lord Realm.
As for the Rock Mystery Sect, all ten had Divine Lord auras. The strongest was even at the fourth level of the Divine Lord Realm—precisely their young sect master, Zha Liancheng.
"Young Master Wan," Zha Liancheng said with a leisurely expression, his voice not deliberately lowered: "How about we clean out the riffraff first?"
"What else?" Wan Zhongyue replied with the same expression and tone.
The profound practitioners of both sects understood each other perfectly.
On the Helian Imperial Clan's side, the atmosphere was oppressive.
"Helian Lingzhu," Helian Linglang called her by name, his voice sinister: "You are about to become the eternal sinner of our Helian bloodline!"
Helian Lingzhu had no time to bother with him. She looked eagerly at Yun Che.
"Brother Mo, let's go." Yun Che patted Mo Cangying on the shoulder.
Mo Cangying didn't move, staring straight at him: "The 'method' you spoke of... could it be... yourself?"
"Of course." Yun Che nodded.
"..." Mo Cangying's pupils visibly dilated, and he was momentarily speechless.
Yun Che's answer shattered the light of expectation in Helian Lingzhu's eyes like broken crystal. Her body shook violently, and after several obviously rapid breaths, she barely managed to suppress the intense palpitations.
The astonishing things Yun Che had continuously displayed made her try her best to believe in him, even going so far as to resolutely stake the future of the Helian Imperial Clan on him.
His constant calm and confidence had also made her believe more and more... even beginning to fantasize and hope.
She hoped he hadn't really forgotten the past and would reveal his true 'identity' at the right time, bringing reinforcements strong enough for the Helian Imperial Clan to crush everything, saving her from this desperate situation like a hero from every girl's fantasy.
But at this final moment, the answer she got was just... Yun Che himself.
His victory over Ximen Qi at the same realm was enough to shock the entire Qilin Abyss Realm. But... he was only a Divine Sovereign, and the gap between that and the Divine Lord Realm was an insurmountable chasm of major realms.
No matter how strong his cultivation in the Divine Sovereign Realm, against a true Divine Lord, he would be powerless, and couldn't change the battle situation in the slightest.
"Eldest Princess, please choose the others to fight. It's time to begin." Yun Che reminded.
Helian Lingzhu had completely lost her previous composure and confidence, her face covered with a layer of obvious paleness. No matter how much she trusted him, facing such an answer, her heart could only fall into an abyss.
She opened her mouth and recited with resignation: "Lord Yun Che, Ninth Senior Brother, Fang Zhonghe, Li Hengsha..."
She spoke nine names, until the last: "And Elder Brother Crown Prince."
"You ten will represent the Helian Imperial Clan in this battle. All is entrusted to you."
A cold snort rang out.
Helian Linglang remained motionless, his face terrifyingly gloomy: "Fighting both the Rock Mystery Sect and the Ten Thousand Ren Sect at the same time? Hehehe, Helian Lingzhu, you create this situation and then send us up to die and be humiliated?"
His gaze swept over the young profound practitioners summoned for battle: "Think carefully. On the opposite side are the Rock Mystery Sect and the Ten Thousand Ren Sect combined. Even if you fight to the death, there isn't a single chance of victory. You might even be toyed with and humiliated in public! And after that, there is no possibility of entering the Qilin Divine Realm."
"On the contrary, once you step up, you will become the ones who caused Helian's defeat. You will be branded with shame, or even the mark of a sinner!"
"Those who want to go, go ahead. This Crown Prince... will not accompany you!"
Hearing this, the other seven profound practitioners who were about to enter the battlefield all froze in place, their faces dark and uncertain, and no one took another step.
Helian Lingzhu's body shook slightly, and her face showed anger: "You... all of you..."
After all, she was not the Helian Nation Lord, and being a woman, it was hard for her to command obedience.
Yun Che paid no heed at all. With a single leap, he landed on the battlefield, standing alone facing the Rock Mystery Sect and Ten Thousand Ren Sect from afar.
In the Worship Qilin Alliance, Ximen Qi's eyes suddenly shot out a fierce, hateful glare.
Mo Cangying reached out and patted Helian Lingzhu on the shoulder. Without saying another word, he soared into the air like an eagle spreading its wings, carrying a wave of Divine Lord aura, and landed beside Yun Che.
"Brother Yun," he said, looking forward and speaking slowly, "In this situation, the primary blame falls on you. However..."
He smiled faintly: "Compared to those waste and cowards who have received great kindness from Helian but flee at the critical moment, only you are willing to stand with me to guard the final dignity of the Helian Imperial Clan."
"Before settling accounts... let us first fight side by side."
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