Chapter 40: Offering Challenge (Part 2)

  This time, the Yuanmong nation has chosen us. In order to win this challenge, we have invited many masters, but unfortunately, there are few cultivators of truth, and those with high cultivation are all hiding in the mountains and forests. Until today, we still haven't been able to get strong reinforcements. The Yuanmong people are born to love killing, if they occupy our five cities, I don't know how many Zhao Song people will be killed or become slaves. Master, please help the Zhao Song nation." As he spoke, Huang Ou also knelt down.

  Hai Long said coldly, "So you're saying that you siblings insisted on inviting me to Bianliang back then just for this matter? Xiao Yu, how deep your schemes are! I wasted my trust in you."

  Huang Ruo's slender body trembled slightly as she said, "Master, I, Huang Ruo, have no intention of deceiving you. My respect for you is genuine and comes from the heart. With your cultivation, this is merely a trivial matter that can be accomplished with ease, yet it can save the lives of millions of people in the Zhao Song dynasty. Master, please, I beg of you, if you agree to do this, you will be the great savior of our country! Both our people and the current emperor will be eternally grateful for your kindness."

  Hailong snorted and said, "I don't need anyone to thank me for anything. Many years ago, the Xiuzhen world reached a consensus that we would not get involved in the disputes between the various countries of Shen Zhou. As a member of the Seven Sects, how could I break this rule? You all don't have to kneel, just get up. The previous bet is cancelled, and I won't be the master of the Ten Days Temple either." After finishing speaking, he turned around and walked away. He wasn't afraid of going against the agreement of the Seven Sects, Hailong simply didn't have any concept of good or evil at this point, but he was born to love freedom, so naturally he wouldn't bother with such troublesome matters.

  Huang Wei sobbed: "Master, are you really going to leave? Please, Master, you're our last hope! If you can just agree to represent us at the Zhao Song National Temple, from now on I'll be your servant, your maid, and do whatever you tell me to. Even if it means serving as a pillow, I'll do it willingly."

  Hai Long suddenly turned around, his face furious: "Huang Wei, do you think I took you in because of your beauty? You're underestimating me! Let me be frank with you, I've been cultivating for over 1,100 years and have long since transcended worldly emotions. Even if there were women ten times more beautiful than you, I would still not be moved. I took you in because I saw the determination in your heart and your kind nature. Your words are an insult to me! From now on, you siblings have nothing to do with me. And as for the Zhao Song National Temple's affairs, I won't bother myself with them."

  With a flash of golden light, he vanished into thin air. Everyone was stunned, staring at where Hai Long had disappeared. Huang Wei wailed in despair, knowing that she had just lost her chance to ascend to the Immortal Path. In the eyes of these ordinary low-level cultivators, cultivating for a thousand years was an unimaginable concept.

  He stormed out of the Zhao Song imperial palace, his heart feeling extremely stifled and indignant. Walking alone on the main street, he muttered to himself: "Am I really wrong? I like beautiful women, but I'm not so despicable as to use my power to coerce someone into submission. Unless they're willing to follow me willingly, I don't care about them. What's this nonsense about emotions? I couldn't care less. Piaomiao got herself trapped in the rules of Lianyun Sect and her own concerns, Tianqin left without even looking back at me once, and Huang Xiu, my first disciple, misunderstood that I was interested in her beauty... damn it, not a single good thing about them! From now on, I'll definitely stay away from women. No wonder they say 'beautiful women are a curse', the ancients weren't wrong."

  As he walked, Hai Long grew angrier by the minute. His eyes scanned the area and landed on a grand wine house. He strode in, and the waiter led him to a private table by the window on the second floor. "Sir, what can I get for you?" Hai Long glanced at him and said, "Bring me a few of your signature dishes and two catties of fine wine."

  The shopkeeper seemed to have a few points of fear towards Hailong, and hastily replied: "Yes, yes, I'll be right there, please wait." He quickly left. Hailong leaned against the window, looking at the crowded street, his feelings of injustice gradually dispersing. At this moment, a soft voice sounded in his ear, "Excuse me, sir, is this seat taken? Can we sit down?"

  The dragon looked up to see a man and woman standing beside him, the man handsome and the woman beautiful, a perfect match made in heaven. The wine house was doing a good business, with all tables except his own already seated. After glancing at the woman, the dragon said indifferently, "Suit yourself." The woman smiled slightly and said, "Thank you, big brother." The two sat down across from the dragon and ordered a few ordinary dishes. At this time, the dragon's food had arrived, and the shopkeeper had arranged everything very thoughtfully, with all four colors of dishes extremely exquisite, plus a pot of fine girl's red wine, which immediately lifted the dragon's spirits and he began to eat heartily without hesitation. The couple across from him looked at his unrefined eating habits but didn't say anything, chatting with each other instead. Only then did the woman say, "Big brother, recently the world is not peaceful, we should stay in Bianliang and not go out of the city. Our family's savings are enough for us to spend some time." The man sighed lightly and said, "Yes! Now the world is not peaceful. The Yuanmeng State's Temple of Offerings has challenged our country, making people anxious. Those barbarians from Yuanmeng State are too arrogant, I really hope that our country's Temple of Offerings can suppress their arrogance."

  The woman shook her head and said, "I'm afraid it's going to be very difficult. The challenges between the temples are all decided by five battles, and the Yuanmeng Temple has recruited many powerful experts through various means. I'm afraid our temple can't handle it! If we lose, our country will have to give up five cities, which will greatly weaken our national strength. I'm afraid that before long, the Yuanmeng army will come knocking on our doors." After finishing speaking, she looked at Hailong with a thoughtful gaze.

  Hai Long poured himself a cup of fine wine, eating his food as he spoke: "You don't have to look at me, I'm not some high-ranking person from your temple. I'm just an extremely lowly person."

  The woman's face turned slightly red, and she glanced at the man beside her, as if she hadn't heard what Hailong said. She said, "Big brother, Yuanmeng and our country's battle of the Temple of Offerings should be outside Bianjing City, right?"

  The dragon raised his head, smiled calmly and said: "You two should be from the Yuanmeng country, why bother making a show in front of me? If you're here to probe my strengths and weaknesses, then you're wrong. I can solemnly tell you that I have nothing to do with the Zhao Song country's temple, if you want to find trouble with me, don't bother." From the moment this man and woman approached him, he already knew they were cultivators of the truth, both having achieved the peak state of cultivation. Earlier when they spoke, their eyes flickered, constantly looking at him, and with Hailong's intelligence, he naturally thought of something.

  The woman's face changed slightly, and she said: "Sir, are you mistaken? We are people of the Zhao Song Dynasty. How can you mention us in the same breath as those barbarians?"

  The dragon patted his own belly contentedly and said, "No wonder the scale can be done so big, the dishes here are indeed delicious. Why do you two need to put on a show in front of me? I won't get involved in your affairs with Zhao Song country. Alright, you two can continue enjoying yourselves. I'll take my leave now."

  "Here!" - amidst the singing and shouting, the shop assistant quickly ran to Hai Long's side and respectfully said: "Sir, what are your orders?"

  Hai Long pointed to the two people opposite him and said, "These two are my friends. You can settle the bill with them later." He stood up, took a deep look at the couple, and turned to leave.

  The shopkeeper was taken aback for a moment, glanced at the attire on Hailong's body, and didn't dare say anything. He retreated to the side to attend to other customers.

  The man took a deep breath and said, "This guy is absolutely a master." The woman also looked shocked and said, "With our cultivation, we were actually controlled by him without even realizing it. This is very serious, we must immediately return to the temple and report to the master." They didn't even bother to eat the dishes that had just been served, and quickly settled their bill with Haichuan before leaving in a hurry.

  It turned out that when Haichuan got up and left, they both felt their bodies stiffen and temporarily lost control over their movements. They were completely frozen in place and couldn't move an inch. These two people were indeed from the Yuanmeng Country's Temple of Worship, and this time they came to the capital of the Song Dynasty to gather intelligence.

  Earlier, when Huang Xiong and his sister brought Haichuan back to the temple, it caught their attention. When Haichuan left the palace, the two followed him from a distance, and only approached him at the hotel to gather information. Although they didn't get any concrete news, Haichuan's display of strength earlier had deeply shocked them, so they decided to return to the Yuanmeng Country's Temple of Worship immediately.

  They didn't know that their actions would trigger a spark of kindness in Haichuan's heart to protect the weak, bringing an unprecedented disaster to the Yuanmeng Country's Temple of Worship.

  Hai Long walked out of the hotel and found an inn to stay in. Although he had no money, his attire, similar to that worn by a Taoist priest during the Song Dynasty, brought him many conveniences, including being allowed to stay in the best room without paying a deposit. Sitting comfortably on the bed, Hai Long muttered to himself: "It's been many days since I last cultivated properly, it seems I need to meditate for a while." He sat cross-legged, set up seven prohibitions in the room, and began to focus his inner vision, cultivating according to the memories left by Liu Er Miao Hou. The divine energy within his body slowly circulated under the control of the golden elixir in his dantian, a layer of golden light flowing around him. Hai Long's body slowly floated up from the bed, entering a state of deep meditation.

  Seven days later.

  Outside Bianliang City, the three million imperial guards of the Zhao Song Kingdom were arrayed in a Yan Wing formation, their armor gleaming brightly. In the center, under a yellow silk canopy, Emperor Zhao Xizhao sat high on his dragon throne. Two days ago, he had personally ordered the closure of Bianliang City, and all residents within the city walls, including officials, were forbidden from leaving. Outside the city, tens of thousands of elite troops formed a three-kilometer diameter circular defensive net. Now, in front of the entire Bianliang City, apart from these three million imperial guards, there was not a single idle person to be seen.

  Today can be said to be the day that determines the fate of Zhao Song, although Zhao Ji is not a wise ruler, he can also be considered a wise monarch. Since his accession to the throne, he has been diligent in governance and under his continuous efforts, the national strength of Zhao Song has been growing stronger. Today, Zhao Ji welcomed the greatest challenge since his accession to the throne, which came from the Temple of Yuanmeng State. From every angle, he cannot afford to lose today because if Zhao Song loses, it will be difficult for the country to recover and its national strength will be greatly weakened. If they fail, the iron cavalry of Yuanmeng State may enter the territory of Zhao Song in no time.

  "Your Majesty, everything is ready." Yunyuezong said in a low voice to Zhao Ji.

  Zhao let out a soft sigh and said, "Your Eminence, the fate of the Zhao Song State from now on will depend on your Temple's blessings. I have placed all my hopes in you, do not disappoint me."

  Yun Yuezi's eyebrows slightly furrowed, saying: "Your Majesty, the enemy is powerful, I will certainly do my best, even if it's impossible, I will die for it."

  Zhao Ji's whole body shook, and from Yun Juezi's words, he had already heard something. He certainly knew that if the Yuan Meng Guo Gong Temple did not have absolute confidence, it would not come to challenge. Today, on this vast open space in front of him, there will inevitably be bloodshed on the yellow sand.

  Yun Yuezi's face tightened, and he said in a low voice: "They're here." In the distant sky, dozens of rays of light appeared like flowing rainbows, moving towards Bianliang City at what seemed to be a slow speed.

  The masters of the Zhao Song State's Worship Hall, led by Yunyuezi, simultaneously activated their techniques and flew out, landing on the empty ground in front of the Imperial Forest Army.

  A brilliant light suddenly flashed, and a huge pressure came from the air. In the midst of the clanging sound, dozens of people fell to the ground one after another in front of the Zhao Song country's worshipers, about 100 meters away. Their flying swords had all been returned to their scabbards. These people were the elite from the Yuan Meng country's worship hall. The leader, wearing a brocade robe and having a curly mustache, stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an aura of great power.

  Yun Yuezi felt a chill in his heart. Judging from the opponent's aura, at least seven or eight people had cultivation that was not below his own. Today's battle could be said to be extremely perilous.

  Yuan Mengguo, the leader of the Great Han Empire, didn't even glance at Yunyuezi and others, but instead bowed to Zhao Ji from a distance, saying: "I am Yuan Mengguo, the master of the Temple of Worship in the Great Han Empire. This time, I have brought my subordinates to challenge the Temple of Worship of your country. Please accept our respects." His voice was like thunder, and with the support of his law power, it echoed far and wide, so that all 30,000 Imperial Guards could hear clearly.

  Zhao took a deep breath, stood up from the dragon chair and said loudly: "Since your country has come to challenge us, let the Temple of Worship of our country fully represent me in battle. I hope that after you lose, you will immediately cede the ten cities that originally belonged to our country."

  A group of people from the Yuan State suddenly burst out laughing, as if they had heard something hilarious. Amidst their boisterous laughter, Zhao was furious and shouted: "You are being rude, don't you know that this is the territory of my Song State?"

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