Dan Chi fell into deep contemplation, his mind racing through possible outcomes of these three battles. If the Treasure Tree Sect's side couldn't win at least one, then the wager was very likely lost.
"Well? Dan Chi, I've long heard you're a bold and decisive figure in the Myriad Phenomena Region. This three-battle wager—if we lose, the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect guarantees it will no longer interfere with the alliance between the Treasure Tree Sect and the Dan Qian Palace. But if you lose, the Dan Qian Palace goes back to wherever it came from."
The tenth-rank inspector's eyes blazed with aggressive provocation.
He and the Triple Star Sect's Sect Master Zhu had been working in concert, inside and out, to create precisely this atmosphere—leaving the Dan Qian Palace with no retreat but to fight.
This method was far better than a direct assault on the Dan Qian Palace.
The Nine Yang Heavenly Sect was powerful, certainly, but not invincible. Especially in the Myriad Phenomena Region, their roots were not particularly deep. If they fought the Dan Qian Palace head-on, even victory would provoke resistance from the other sects once they tried to establish a foothold here.
Moreover, despite the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect's strength, their grand strategy was aimed at the entire Divine Abyss Continent. They couldn't afford to pour too much force into the Myriad Phenomena Region alone.
The Dan Qian Palace was, after all, the local power in the Myriad Phenomena Region. As the saying went, even a powerful dragon couldn't crush a local snake.
A direct confrontation between the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect and the Dan Qian Palace in the Myriad Phenomena Region would exact a heavy toll, clearly conflicting with the sect's broader strategic interests.
Besides, the fact that the Dan Qian Palace dared to act this way meant they had backers of their own.
Dan Chi was caught in a dilemma.
Suddenly, Ye Chonglou's ear twitched, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face. He stepped forward and whispered something into Dan Chi's ear.
Dan Chi's expression tightened slightly as he looked a question at Ye Chonglou.
Ye Chonglou nodded with firm conviction.
Dan Chi considered for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. "Very well, the three-battle agreement is settled. But how can I know whether your word actually represents the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect?"
The tenth-rank inspector saw Dan Chi and Ye Chonglou conspiring in whispers and sneered with disdain, offering an arrogant smile. "I am Feng Beidou, tenth-rank inspector of the Heavenly Sect."
"Good. Settling matters through martial prowess is a fine tradition indeed. Who will you send to fight?" Dan Chi's face was full of confidence.
Dan Chi's sudden change in demeanor, as seen through Feng Beidou's eyes, looked like nothing more than a show of false composure.
"Both of us are leaders of our respective factions, so naturally we'll fight. In addition, this ninth-rank inspector is also a core member of our Heavenly Sect and will naturally fight as well. As for the Purple Sun Sect's side, naturally Zhuiyang will take the field."
The old monster Zhuiyang had been keeping a very low profile this time, standing at the back of the group. He understood clearly that in a setting like this, he could only play the role of a subordinate.
Even Zuo Lan, whom he deeply feared, was merely an attendant. How much say could someone like Zhuiyang possibly have?
When the tenth-rank inspector named him for combat, his heart surged with excitement. His face was eager, brimming with anticipation—he hoped to distinguish himself in this battle and earn the Esteemed Lord Feng's favor.
Against the Treasure Tree Sect's people, Zhuiyang's long-established confidence gave him absolute certainty of victory. The Treasure Tree Sect's Qianye Venerable had always been a cut below him—the gap was plain for anyone to see.
As for the others, figures like Ye Chonglou were simply not on his level at all.
Hearing this, Dan Chi smiled faintly and looked around at those behind him. "Dan Qian Palace—who among you is willing to fight alongside me?"
Several high-ranking members of the Dan Qian Palace immediately stepped forward to volunteer.
Every one of these elders was a top martial artist of the Dan Qian Palace. Their cultivation had long surpassed the Origin Realm—they were all Human Saints, without exception.
Dan Chi was very pleased to see everyone's strong desire to fight.
He selected the strongest among them. "Xuan Zhen, you'll accompany me into battle."
The one called Xuan Zhen was a Vice Sect Master of the Dan Qian Palace, possessing a cultivation at the second level of the Saint stage. Among all the Human Saints of the Dan Qian Palace, his cultivation was the highest.
His power was second only to Dan Chi himself, who stood at the level of Earth Saint.
Xuan Zhen's head was covered in silver hair, his face as expressionless and frozen as a corpse, giving off an intensely cold impression.
"Ha ha, the Dan Qian Palace is brimming with talent. Impressive, truly impressive." Feng Beidou smiled lightly. "But I wonder—who will the Treasure Tree Sect send?"
The elders on the Treasure Tree Sect's side exchanged uneasy glances. They all knew that the Purple Sun Sect's old monster Zhuiyang would be fighting. Who among them could stand against him?
Just then, an indifferent voice drifted from the void. "I will."
At the sound of that single word, a golden figure materialized in an instant, descending from above with the swiftness of a sunbeam striking the earth.
Feng Beidou furrowed his brow and studied the newcomer.
The young man had sharp, sword-like brows that swept toward his temples. His handsome face was lit by a pair of eyes as brilliant and sparkling as a starry sky. His refined, sculpted features seemed like the finest work of creation, possessing a striking three-dimensionality that conveyed an air of unyielding determination.
"Jiang Chen!"
A gasp of astonishment erupted from the Treasure Tree Sect's side.
Even Patriarch Qianye was somewhat taken aback, though Ye Chonglou seemed to have expected everything. It turned out that just a moment ago, Jiang Chen had emerged from the Canxia Treasure Tree Garden and communicated with Ye Chonglou through sound transmission.
He had learned of all the upheaval that had occurred at the Treasure Tree Sect.
Upon hearing about the three-battle wager, Jiang Chen had immediately volunteered to fight.
Feng Beidou frowned and glanced at his subordinate beside him, clearly asking who this young man was.
Zuo Lan quickly spoke up. "Lord Feng, this is Jiang Chen."
Feng Beidou's gaze sharpened. His eyes flashed like twin bolts of lightning, suddenly unleashing a burst of brilliant light that shot toward Jiang Chen, as if trying to see through everything about him in a single glance.