Chapter 1025: The Only Variable

A thunderous statement echoed through the room.

Around the round table, nearly all members of the council stared with wide eyes, as if they had heard something utterly unbelievable.

However…

After a moment of pause, everyone realized it was only natural.

The worst-case scenario was indeed just that.

Over the years, they had been forced into a state of mental laziness, so it took them a while to grasp this point.

"Dao Qiong Cang, what you've described are the worst-case scenarios, but the seal on the inner island of Xu Kong Dao has remained unchanged for millions of years. Relying on just one Ba Zun An probably isn't enough to break it."

Yan Wuse was the first to voice his opinion.

The inner island of Xu Kong Dao held so many beings at the Sheng Di level, and yet, after all this time, none had managed to break through the seal.

Even with an additional Ba Zun An, and even if their forces united, it shouldn't be enough to ignore the prohibitions and barriers.

Dao Qiong Cang glanced over with a smile and said, "When the Fa Ting sentenced Ba Zun An to the inner island of Xu Kong Dao, they never imagined he could become the lord of the black and white lineages and stealthily return to the Wu Yu under the suppression of the prohibitions and the ban on martial arts."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent.

Indeed, Ba Zun An was extraordinarily formidable, almost inhuman.

No one could fathom how that guy, who had barely reached the Tai Xu realm back then and hadn't even earned the title of the Qi Jian Xian, managed to take control inside the inner island of Xu Kong Dao and subdue those ancient Sheng Di figures like living fossils.

How had he done it?

Dao Qiong Cang smiled and continued, "By starting from the worst-case scenario and preparing for it, any subsequent changes, no matter how severe, will essentially be moving in a positive direction, won't they?"

The crowd: "..."

You have the brains, so you're right.

"So, what do you plan to do?" Yan Wuse asked.

"In recent years, the frequency of extra-dimensional spaces opening in the Wu Yu has increased. The rate of native ghost beasts emerging remains the same as before, but the number escaping from Xu Kong Dao has risen dramatically.

"It's clear that since Ba Zun An broke out of the inner island of Xu Kong Dao, their scheme has been set in motion.

"And it's quite substantial!"

Dao Qiong Cang scanned the group and, seeing no one objecting or suggesting alternatives, continued:

"My idea is that while breaking the seal is difficult, reinforcing it is straightforward...

"In fact, we don't even need to reinforce it. Based on the essence of the Qi Duan Jin of the inner island of Xu Kong Dao, we just need to act slightly before Ba Zun An and his group succeed in their plan, restoring the Qi Duan Jin to its original rules as a place of exile.

"That way, all the schemes of the Sheng Nu will come to nothing."

With a resounding thump, Dao Qiong Cang tapped his finger on the round table, the echo lingering in the hall.

In the silence, everyone suddenly felt as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun, turning the dire situation into something clear and manageable.

Of course!

Ba Zun An had an unkillable resilience; even Xu Kong Dao's inner island couldn't hold him.

Now that he had returned, he must carry the wills of multiple Sheng Di, making him even harder to deal with.

But if they couldn't handle the man himself, dealing with the circumstances and the environment was still a clever strategy.

How long could one person keep jumping around?

Ba Zun An wouldn't have needed to flee Xu Kong Dao and then lie low for so many years, building up his strength, if he could single-handedly overturn the Wu Yu.

And with Dao Qiong Cang's words in mind, everyone knew that Ba Zun An had established the Sheng Nu precisely to utilize the forces of the black and white lineages from the inner island of Xu Kong Dao.

But the inner island of Xu Kong Dao, as one of the Qi Duan Jin, wasn't so easily breached.

Conversely, the Sheng Shen Dian didn't need to target Ba Zun An directly; they could address the overall situation and apply the right remedy.

If Ba Zun An wanted to break the seal, they could use the prohibitive power of the inner island of Xu Kong Dao to counter the ghost beasts of the black and white lineages, and even Ba Zun An himself.

This approach would not only reduce the required manpower and resources significantly but also lower the difficulty of the operation from something unpredictable—or even hellish—to an ordinary level.

"Reinforce the seal..."

Yan Wuse murmured to himself, and soon a look of admiration flashed in his eyes.

"No, restore the seal!

"What a brilliant move!

"The seal on the inner island of Xu Kong Dao has indeed needed maintenance for years.

"Dao Qiong Cang, oh Dao Qiong Cang, it's just like you—this plan is essentially just following the normal maintenance procedures for the Qi Duan Jin, and it wipes out the Sheng Nu's schemes without any bloodshed. Tsk, tsk..."

Yan Wuse looked at the young man at the head of the table, filled with endless admiration.

This was why the council members had gradually become accustomed to not thinking much.

In the past, major affairs of the Wu Yu were hard to decide with just one person.

Even with the previous hall master presiding, it would take five or six days to come up with a vague solution for a big issue.

But now?

They could just bring someone along to the meeting and leave their brains at home.

Dao Qiong Cang could analyze the current affairs of the Wu Yu in depth, from surface to core, and ultimately provide a perfect solution.

What leader wouldn't love that?

In the past, council meetings had even devolved into fistfights due to disagreements.

But since Dao Qiong Cang took office, such incidents had never happened again.

The problems you couldn't solve, I, Dao Qiong Cang, can handle alone.

The plans you couldn't agree on, I, Dao Qiong Cang, can decide single-handedly.

Even the people you couldn't defeat, I, Dao Qiong Cang, can take down even if I step away from this seat in the Sheng Shen Dian!

From intellect to combat strength, flawless!

The ten-member council used to be like ten tigers on a mountain, each voicing their own opinions; now, it's one brain and ten sharp swords.

Efficiency in handling affairs has multiplied.

"Agreed." Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti nodded silently.

"I second it." Sha Shen Wei Feng sighed and raised his hand.

"This plan is excellent." Even Yuan Su Shen Shi Zhong Yuan Zi, who had been silent throughout the meeting, couldn't help but praise it.

"Count me in." Yu Lao laughed; he could go back to fishing in the four seas, as reinforcing the seal wouldn't require many people.

There was no dissent.

Once Dao Qiong Cang's idea was proposed, no one felt they could improve upon it, and they all nodded in agreement.

"But don't take this for granted..."

Seeing that the group's minds were still not fully engaged, Dao Qiong Cang gave a bitter smile and said, "What Ba Zun An is thinking, I can anticipate, and what I'm considering, he can think of too. So, our next actions will inevitably face resistance."

"Hah!"

Yan Wuse laughed. He had long wanted to confront this young upstart Ba Zun An and immediately said, "Didn't you just say we need to move some pieces, Dao Hall Master? In that case, leave this operation to me. Does anyone object?"

The crowd shook their heads.

Dao Qiong Cang looked at Yan Wuse, knowing that this elder still harbored some resentment over losing a disciple with light attributes, and cautioned, "Keep personal emotions out of the action, and think three times before acting.

"This mission to Xu Kong Dao can be handled by you, Yan Lao, but Ba Zun An is no ordinary foe. You must, absolutely must, not capsize in the shallows."

Yan Wuse waved his hand and laughed, "Don't worry!"

"I hope that's the case..."

Though he said that, Dao Qiong Cang felt helpless toward the group, but he truly trusted them completely.

Not thinking during meetings didn't mean they lacked brains.

On the contrary, every member of the ten-person council was the pinnacle of strength and strategy in their realm.

As long as he wasn't around, these old foxes knew exactly what to do and might even do it better than him.

However, the opponent this time was Ba Zun An, so to be safe...

Dao Qiong Cang turned his gaze to the silent massive war machine at the end of the table and instructed, "Er Hao, you go with Yan Lao."

"Understood." Er Hao's enormous head nodded.

Yan Wuse raised an eyebrow. Was this a lack of trust in him?

Before he could ask, Dao Qiong Cang looked back and smiled, "Is that okay, Yan Lao? Er Hao won't act on your orders; it will just observe normally, but it will watch over you in case of any impossible contingencies."

Although Yan Wuse felt dismissive inside, he knew this was Dao Qiong Cang's bottom line.

Even the wisest can err; human efforts have limits, but they can still achieve much.

In short, even the most calculated plans can have oversights, so this final safeguard was necessary. If Yan Wuse resisted, Dao Qiong Cang would arrange it secretly anyway, so it was better not to fight it.

"No problem."

As soon as he finished speaking, Dao Qiong Cang tapped the round table with his finger: "Meeting adjourned."

"Time to go fishing!"

Yu Lao happily grabbed his fishing rod and scampered out of the hall.

Wei Feng, Zhong Yuan Zi, Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti, and the others also shook their heads in amazement at how smoothly the meeting had gone before vanishing.

In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the worries brought by the Sheng Di Jin Zhao had dissipated like smoke.

In the grand hall, only Ai Cang Sheng remained seated.

"Any issues?"

Seeing Dao Qiong Cang's gaze, Ai Cang Sheng spoke up.

"Yes."

At the head of the table, Dao Qiong Cang nodded slightly, activating the Tian Ji Si Nan in his hand. The clicking of mechanisms echoed in the quiet hall until it finally stopped.

Ai Cang Sheng looked over.

He noticed that everything else on the Tian Ji Si Nan was unchanged, but the eight gates were oscillating between "Shang Men" and "Si Men," slightly differing from Dao Qiong Cang's previous divination, yet not by much.

"What does this mean?" Ai Cang Sheng lifted his gaze.

Dao Qiong Cang withdrew his eyes from the Tian Ji Si Nan and said gravely, "There's another variable."

"A variable?" Ai Cang Sheng's lips curved up. "Besides Ba Zun An, who else could represent a variable on your Tian Ji Si Nan?"

Dao Qiong Cang shook his head: "It's not like that."

He sighed deeply and murmured, gazing toward the east, "Ba Zun An has already entered the game and is now sitting across from me in this chess match.

"How can a destined one be a variable?

"What I can't calculate must be something I've never encountered or something beyond fate... Tian Ji technique has its limits, after all."

Ai Cang Sheng pondered: "Even you can't directly figure out who it is?"

"The variable is just that—a change in the numbers... It's only just beginning, and its fate isn't set. If I could calculate it, reaching Sheng Di would be imminent." Dao Qiong Cang replied.

Ai Cang Sheng turned his head toward the east, deep in thought: "If it's a chess match and not Ba Zun An... then besides those on the inner island of Xu Kong Dao, this variable must be his pawn, right?"

Dao Qiong Cang fell silent.

He had already thoroughly analyzed those on the inner island of Xu Kong Dao.

Their fates were set; if there were changes, they would have happened by now.

But this current "variable" was only just starting...

"It has to be a pawn," Dao Qiong Cang sighed.

"Who could it be?" Ai Cang Sheng asked, knowing Dao Qiong Cang didn't really need an answer; he just needed someone to help sort through his thoughts.

"A pawn..." Dao Qiong Cang murmured, "Hard to say."

Ai Cang Sheng laughed: "You've kept me here to discuss the variable, so you must have an answer already. Let's hear it."

"Heh, even you can read me now..."

Dao Qiong Cang looked over, chuckling and shaking his head.

After a moment, he flipped his right hand, pulling a black-gold warrant from his spatial ring and placing it on the table, sliding it toward Ai Cang Sheng.

"Him."

Ai Cang Sheng's eyes fell on it, seeing the bright, sunny smile on the black-gold bounty. He didn't even need to read the name to know.

"Xu Xiao Shou? I know him; I've been keeping an eye on him."

"Yes, even you know about him..."

"So, the variable isn't him?"

"I've only calculated this one."

"Then it must be him!" Ai Cang Sheng affirmed with a smile.

This young man was indeed outstanding enough to be called a "variable."

Given his experiences and rapid growth, calling him "Ba Zun An the second" wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Ai Cang Sheng had noticed him during the battle in the Ba Gong, and sure enough, in Dong Tian Wang City, this guy had stirred up trouble in front of Rao Yao Yao.

Among the younger generation, few could match him.

Dao Qiong Cang watched Ai Cang Sheng staring at the black-gold bounty on the table and could see the deep insight in his eyes regarding Xu Xiao Shou.

He took a long breath but couldn't exhale it fully.

In the end, he still didn't say anything.

"Let's go."

Pushing the wheelchair toward the hall's entrance, a fleeting light like Ying Huo appeared in the east, making Dao Qiong Cang pause and look up.

"Like an enemy, like a friend; a friend yet an enemy... Will it go from 'Shang' to 'Si,' or from 'Si' to 'Shang'?

"This 'variable'—does it mean Xu Xiao Shou can be used by me?

"But if a 'variable' can be calculated, is it still a variable?"

Rumbling thunderclaps grew louder over the Yun Lun Shan, and the sky grew increasingly dark.

From afar, it looked like a spot, but up close, it was clear.

The Kong Zhong Cheng was descending, seemingly aimed at Gu Yin Ya alone.

But given its massive size, if it truly fell, the entire Yun Lun Shan and surrounding areas would suffer collateral damage.

At that moment, every spirit refiner still in the Yun Lun Shan territory looked up in despair.

Such a enormous Kong Zhong Cheng crashing down...

In the face of total destruction, what hope was there?

"Help!"

"Where is Rao Jian Xian? Please, Rao Jian Xian, lead the battle!"

"Oh heavens, why must you immortals fight here in the Yun Lun Shan? I just wanted a quiet trial. If I've sinned, let the trial officials punish me, not with the Kong Zhong Cheng!"

"Save me, save me, save me..."

For a time, the Yun Lun Shan were filled with cries of despair.

Though called the Kong Zhong Cheng, this ancient fortress showed no sign of stopping in mid-air.

If it landed, could even a Tai Xu withstand it?

Even a Ban Sheng might struggle!

At the Gu Yin Ya ruins, amid the thunderous roars, Ba Zun An remained unmoved, Shui Gui was calm as still water, and Cen Qiao Fu was as unruffled as an ancient well.

Only one person stood there, one-armed and pointing to the sky, his knees trembling.

"T-t-teacher, i-i-it's coming down..."

Xiu Yuan Ke's lips were purple. If he didn't know that the three before him were real people, he might have thought they were blind—how could they ignore such a terrifying sight?

If this city fell, how many lives in the Yun Lun Shan would be buried?

"Are you afraid?"

Ba Zun An smiled and turned to look.

"Not afraid!"

Xiu Yuan Ke was serious for a moment, but the next second, he was shaking again. "To be honest with you, teacher, I-I'm a bit..."

"Mainly because there are so many young people here—they're innocent. We can't just let them be crushed like this, right?" Xiu Yuan Ke added as an excuse.

As soon as he spoke, Shui Gui and Cen Qiao Fu both turned their heads, their gazes fixing on him.

"W-what's wrong?"

Xiu Yuan Ke shrank back, suddenly realizing something, and stammered, "I-I didn't mean you're not human. I just... ah, you're human, you're human... Uh, no, that's not right... What I mean is, shouldn't we...

He gestured upward: "C-cool... er, not so cold... Um, how to put it... a bit more hot-blooded?"

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