Facing the Peacock Great Emperor's goodwill, Jiang Chen naturally had no reason to refuse.
On a personal level, Jiang Chen greatly admired the Peacock Great Emperor's character and magnanimity.
Moreover, this battle was no longer just about the contest between Glazed Royal City and Pill Fire City — it concerned Jiang Chen's own future and destiny.
Thus, for this battle, Jiang Chen had never once considered backing down.
The Myriad Longevity Pill was his, Jiang Chen's!
He had not given it to Pill Fire City, so Pill Fire City could never hope to seize it. If they wanted to claim it, they would have to ask whether Jiang Chen would allow it!
…
In the secret realm of Peacock Sacred Mountain, Jiang Chen once again met with the Peacock Great Emperor.
Though less than three days remained before that climactic battle, there was not a trace of urgency on the Peacock Great Emperor's face whatsoever.
It was as though, at the Peacock Great Emperor's level, nothing could make his emotions fluctuate anymore — even though this battle was of tremendous importance, concerning the entire Glazed Royal City's trajectory and fortune in the field of alchemy for the next thousand years.
"Jiang Chen, in the entire Glazed Royal City right now, I'm afraid only the two of us have truly achieved a mind as still as calm water," the Peacock Great Emperor said, casting a meaningful glance at Jiang Chen with a smile.
"Does Your Majesty not worry about this battle in the slightest?" Jiang Chen blinked and asked with a smile.
"What is there for me to worry about?" the Peacock Great Emperor replied.
"Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that if I lose this battle, it will affect Peacock Sacred Mountain's fortune?" Jiang Chen asked.
The Peacock Great Emperor smiled freely. "I can read fortune, so why would I fear it being affected? Through my discerning eye, the fortune of Peacock Sacred Mountain shows an upward trajectory, soaring ever higher. As for this battle, I can scarcely see any possibility of losing."
"Your Majesty has such confidence in me?" Jiang Chen asked, curious.
"Aren't you even more confident in yourself?" the Peacock Great Emperor chuckled.
Indeed, just as the Peacock Great Emperor had said, Jiang Chen had truly reached a state of absolute calm regarding this battle — his heart utterly undisturbed.
It was not that he was overconfident; he simply had never considered the question of winning or losing at all.
"Oh, by the way, Your Majesty — I've heard Pill Fire City's delegation has already entered the border?"
"Yes. They have already settled into Glazed Royal City. I have also met with the Danji Great Emperor."
"Oh?" Jiang Chen's heart stirred. "That must have been quite a spectacle — two colossal Great Emperors meeting face to face. Sparks must have been flying everywhere, right?"
The Peacock Great Emperor laughed. "Where would the sparks come from? At our level, we may jostle openly, but privately, we would never let something like this escalate into a drawn-sword confrontation. Young friend, Great Emperor-level powerhouses do not easily clash unless life-and-death interests are at stake."
Jiang Chen smiled but said nothing more.
It was the Peacock Great Emperor whose keen eyes suddenly fixed on Jiang Chen. He asked abruptly, "Young friend, after this battle, do you plan to make your identity public?"
Jiang Chen had not expected the Peacock Great Emperor to raise this question.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Chen still shook his head resolutely. "My father and my fellow disciples are all out there, scattered and wandering. I fear that if my identity is revealed, it would put them in danger."
With Jiang Chen's current standing in Glazed Royal City, revealing his identity might pose some risk. But if he won this battle against Pill Fire City, then even the Immortal Heaven Capital would not dare cause trouble.
However, Jiang Chen still decided not to reveal his identity for the time being.
These forces might not be able to come to Glazed Royal City to deal with him directly, but they could target others in the shadows.
Imagine — if his father Jiang Feng heard his name, or if his fellow disciples from the Dan Qian Palace heard it, they would surely come from all directions to seek him out.
That, without question, would give those forces the opening they needed to strike.
Jiang Chen would rather investigate quietly than make such a grand show. If the enemy seized the opportunity because of it, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
"Whenever you are willing to go public, come find me. My Glazed Royal City will provide you with the highest level of protection. Even the Immortal Heaven Capital would absolutely not dare cause trouble."
The Peacock Great Emperor's stance was nothing if not clear-cut.
Jiang Chen was moved. Regardless of everything, the Peacock Great Emperor had been truly exceptional toward him.
"Your Majesty's kindness is etched in my heart. In this battle, I will ensure the Myriad Longevity Pill remains with Peacock Sacred Mountain, and Pill Fire City will retreat in disgrace!"
Jiang Chen made his position unmistakably clear.
The Peacock Great Emperor burst into hearty laughter. "Ha ha, how truly anticipated! The Danji Great Emperor looked completely dismissive of our Pill King at Peacock Sacred Mountain. In truth, there is a certain gap between our Pill King and Pill Fire City. However, this time, I believe the ever-infallible Danji Great Emperor is about to suffer a setback at Peacock Sacred Mountain. Pill Fire City, whose undefeated legend in alchemy has held for so long, may finally meet its downfall. Just thinking about it is thrilling!"
"The Myriad Longevity Pill is mine. I never gave it to Pill Fire City, so they can forget about seizing it by force. Otherwise, when I meet my Master someday, I would not be able to face him."
"Alas! What manner of reclusive expert must your Master be, to groom such a genius in a mere ten years? I have reigned over Glazed Royal City for three thousand years. Geniuses have come and gone like fish crossing a river — I cannot count how many I have seen. Yet never has a young person stirred my heart so. Young friend, if not for your Master, I would insist on keeping you in Glazed Royal City, even by force."
The Peacock Great Emperor's tone sounded like a joke, but was it not also the truest words from his heart?