Chapter 1490: Spring Brings Life, I Am Lifeless

"Who was it that broke through the passage just now? Many thanks indeed,"Gefei said before he had even found his footing, his voice filled with gratitude."I seized the opportune moment before this black tide fully closed in, and was fortunate enough to pass through."

He spoke weakly, all the while surveying the crowd gathered before the mountain path.Upon seeing Jiang Wang, he visibly recoiled.It was plain for all to see that they had clashed before, and the disparity in strength was evident.Outside the divine light barrier, the black tide surged.Within the divine light barrier, Gefei was gaunt and emaciated.Facing these Heaven's Chosen who had arrived at the central mountain before him, he resembled a destitute relative emerging from the deep mountains and ancient forests. His eyes yearned for a spark of fire.

Jiang Wang had already walked to the side of the stone tablet at this point, standing not far from Dou Zhao.He casually picked up a piece of jade slip and placed it into its corresponding groove.As he did so, he spoke to Dou Zhao, "When we clashed back then, it was a setup by Wu Ling and Gefei. Afterward, those two... chased me for a long time."

At this moment, Gefei posed absolutely no threat. He merely gave a stiff smile at these words, likely wishing to say something about a misunderstanding, but in the end, he said nothing. His gaze fell upon the three remaining jade slips at the top of the stone tablet and could no longer be moved.

"Sounds like something Wu Ling would do," Dou Zhao said nonchalantly."But it wasn't just the two of them. They joined forces with Zhong Liyan and Fan Wushu. They first instigated conflict between us, then went to kill you while coming to kill me."

"So that's how it is!" Jiang Wang exclaimed in sudden realization."These people are truly despicable!"

This exchange was as if Dou Zhao was saying, "In truth, I did not wish to harm you. It was all the deceit of treacherous ministers."Jiang Wang quickly followed up with, "Your Majesty has truly suffered hardship. Now that the treacherous ministers are dead, let us get along well from now on."

Both had the intention of making peace. Taking advantage of Gefei's appearance, they, with one word and another, swiftly reached a tacit understanding.As they spoke, the jade slip named "She Jiang" was already embedded in the groove.The divine light barrier enveloping the central mountain indeed brightened slightly, halting its tendency to shrink. It displayed a tenacious resilience against the continuously encroaching black tide. It even seemed alive, its light patterns undulating as if breathing.

In this process, Jiang Wang had already understood the connection between the Nine Chapters jade slips and the stone tablet.After a brief thought, he spoke, "We have a total of nine jade slips. Each person can take one to verify their right of entry, leaving a path for retreat. Next, let us see what changes will occur once all nine Chapters jade slips are gathered."

He was not the strongest among them, nor the one with the most background, but he was the most trusted by everyone. Serving as the pivot among them, he was most able to unify their will.Thereupon, Zhu Weiwu, Zuo Guangshu, and others came forward in turn, embedding the corresponding Nine Chapters jade slips into the stone tablet's grooves.After Fang Heling also embedded his jade slip and gained the right to enter the mountain, only two jade slips remained on the stone tablet: one for "Xi Song," and one for "Si Mei Ren."

Fang Heling walked back.Jiang Wang, meanwhile, handed the "Xi Song" jade slip to Dou Zhao."Brother Dou, your 'Xi Song' is still yours. In this age of upheaval, with danger hanging over us, we should naturally join forces. Without your Tianxiao Saber, I fear this black tide would be difficult to fully cut down!"

Dou Zhao glanced at him, not being coy, and picked up "Xi Song," re-embedding it into the stone tablet's groove.With eight consecutive jade slips joined with the stone tablet, the entire central mountain emitted a brilliant divine light!The divine light barrier became exceptionally solid and heavy, even expanding severalzhang outwards, pushing back the black tide.The strange roars and sounds within the black tide, full of malice and chaos, could barely penetrate.Nor could they shake the resolve of those present.

"Brother Jiang." Gefei, who had been staring at the jade slips for a long time, spoke at this moment. He looked weakly at Jiang Wang. "I have an unreasonable request..."

Jiang Wang said flatly, "Since it is an unreasonable request, do not speak it and make things difficult for others."

"I can buy it!" Gefei immediately said, "With so many people as witnesses, name your price, and I will certainly pay you when I get out!"

Zuo Guangshu sneered, "Look around here. Who looks like they lack money?"

Gefei stared at Jiang Wang without speaking.

"..." Jiang Wang's long fingers tapped lightly on the stone tablet. Looking into Gefei's eyes, he said, "Wealth cannot exchange for everything in this world. Why should I sell it to you?"

Gefei was truly not pleasant to look at; saying he had a face like an insect would not be an exaggeration. But he had a very stubborn, very strong gaze.He stared at Jiang Wang and said, "Because this world has changed. Because if I don't get the Nine Chapters jade slip, I might truly die in the Mountain and Sea Realm. Can you just stand by and watch me die?"

In his tone, there was a certainty, a matter-of-factness.It actually made one feel... that he was right.His world, his thoughts, his principles. Naturally, they had their correctness.This was a kind of enveloping will, an invasion without bloodshed, imperceptible yet truly happening.However, those who could reach the central mountain at this time were all people of strong will. So not a single person spoke.

"Otherwise?"Facing Gefei directly, Jiang Wang countered, "Or should I perhaps escort you on your way?"

Gefei took two heavy breaths, then said, "As fellow human cultivators, fellow Heaven's Chosen of the future. We compete with each other, but we should also join hands against external threats. The competition in the Mountain and Sea Realm has ended. You still want to kill me. Is this right?"

This was a subtle linguistic habit. Jiang Wang thought to himself.In the vastness of the present world, with the frequent conflicts between nations, there was scarcely a day without war, without killing. Each had their own ideas, their own missions, and killings were frequent. Words like "As fellow human beings, we should do such and such" were only common in places like the Misty Realm.And the Mountain and Sea Realm had so far been a trial ground for human Heaven's Chosen.Can you imagine someone in the competition of the Mountain and Sea Realm shouting at Dou Zhao, "As fellow human beings, please stop there"?"Fellow human beings," this was, of course, a kind of "correctness."But when it became a weapon, a shackle, it was likely that those who did not respect it were precisely those who used it in this way.

"When you set a trap to scheme against me, when you and Wu Ling chased me for several days, I didn't see you say that as fellow human beings, you should leave the opportunity for me," Jiang Wang smiled. "Gefei, did I damage your brain?"

"The competition in the Mountain and Sea Realm is simply based on individual ability. Although I actively set a trap for you, the crime is not punishable by death, at least not by truly dying in the Mountain and Sea Realm!" Gefei said.

Jiang Wang was both amused and somewhat troubled. "Your guilt or lack thereof has nothing to do with me. There is no friendship between us, only conflict. Also, I fully agree with what you said, the competition in the Mountain and Sea Realm is based on individual ability. Now my ability is here, and your ability is here, so what else is there to say?"

"Winning so many jade slips is your victory. Having empty hands is my failure. In the competition of the Mountain and Sea Realm, no one is better than you." Gefei subtly shifted his boots, making himself stand more steadily, and said clearly, "But the competition has ended. You cannot cause my death here. You have no right to convict me, no qualification to give me such an ending."

In a world where the strong prey on the weak, talking about rights, and in a bloody, naked struggle, talking about qualifications, was undoubtedly very out of place. But it also had its own radiant correctness.He was clearly weak and likely could not withstand a single sword strike from Jiang Wang.His posture was clearly unpleasant, and his words made one frown.But at this moment, standing there, he had the radiance of an idea.He was describing a kind of "his correctness."And this idea, silently infiltrating every living being, planting seeds, waiting for spring to nurture a hundred grasses.Wang Changji, Zhu Weiwu, Yuetian Nu, all remained silent.Kui Shan was unconcerned, and Fang Heling scoffed at it.Zuo Guangshu wanted to say something, but stopped.

"No, I've found a problem with your words," Jiang Wang seemed unaware, speaking with interest. "How is it that I am causing your death?"

Although Gefei was very weak, his momentum was not weak. "You clearly have an extra jade slip, and I am not asking you to suffer a loss. Why are you unwilling to sell it to me? Since we do not have a life-and-death enmity, then by watching me die, you are harming me!"

Dou Zhao's gaze upon him had already become somewhat appreciative.Although he had already tacitly made peace with Jiang Wang, the frustration caused by the other's twisted logic was not so easily relieved.This Gefei truly helped vent his anger! What a talent!

Jiang Wang nodded approvingly. "So your meaning is that my only choice is to let bygones be bygones and save your life?"

"A true man, how can he dwell on trivial matters? The past is the past." Gefei asked righteously, "What does your radiant Starlight Sacred Tower represent? Faith? Sincerity? They all say that you, Jiang Qingyang, treat people with utmost sincerity. Could it be that you would stand by and watch death,宁愿 be a petty person?"

Zhu Weiwu raised an eyebrow.This was already shaking the foundation of Jiang Wang's declared path.Even more terrifying was that this attack would not even be detected.If it were an ordinary person, they would have already fallen into the ethical world constructed by Gefei, infected by his ideas, and thus unknowingly become his "Dao friend."

Jiang Wang, however, remained silent, merely looking at the sky.The central mountain was extremely vast.Outside the divine light barrier, black snow fell, and thousands of bolts of lightning flashed. The black tide, a gathering of malice, crashed against the divine light barrier time and time again.

"What are you looking at?" Gefei pressed relentlessly.

"I am looking at my Star Tower, at the path I have established," Jiang Wang said calmly. "No matter how I look, I do not see repaying evil with good, or being a misguided good person."

Gefei also looked up at the sky. "It's pitch black, of course you can't see anything."He looked back at Jiang Wang. "My Gefei clan, by my generation, has a single heir in the direct line. I cannot die. If you stand by and watch me die, you harm not only me, but also the future of a meritorious family. It is a heinous crime, Jiang Wang. Can your Dao heart be at peace? If we can laugh and bury our grievances, it would be a fine tale. My Gefei clan will not short you on benefits, and you will have both face and gain."

"What you said is very reasonable." Jiang Wang smiled softly. "But I will not listen."He picked up the last piece of jade slip, "Si Mei Ren," and directly pressed it into the only remaining groove on the stone tablet.At this point, Gefei's subtle offensive had declared failure.The constructed ethical world could not take root.Jiang Wang remained unmoved, and not a single other person was affected or swayed.This was truly an unbelievable result, but it was a certain fact!Now, he had to take concrete action.Abandoning thoughts to preserve life.

"You are seeking death!"Gefei's expression instantly became extremely hideous. From within his wide scholarly robe, a hand stretched out.His hand was as thin as a chicken claw, curved, but after emerging from the sleeve, it spread across the sky and earth, encompassing all directions, like a dense cloud, covering the entire mountain path of the central mountain!The sky was already extremely dark.Yet he even obscured the radiance of the divine light barrier.As this claw pressed down, an intangible yet substantive force roared. The night seemed to have formed a curtain, torn from the shattered space, enveloping the stone tablet and Jiang Wang together.Even Dou Zhao, who was not far away, was within its reach.The moment the claw emerged, it was a long night, silent, peaceful, with life flowing away.This was absolutely not the strength that Gefei could display!He was too lazy to conceal himself any further, determined to forcefully suppress with power.The central mountain suddenly entered night.This represented an undeniable suppression of rules.But within the long night, there were cold stars.A point of sharpness, as if it had pierced through the field of vision, causing one's pupils to contract.The Xin Jin spear, with an extremely arrogant posture, thrust out, piercing the night sky like tearing silk, lying horizontally in front of Jiang Wang.It was a spear, yet like a horizontally lying mountain.To kill Jiang Wang, one had to cross this mountain.

"Namo, Moonlight, Lapis Lazuli!" Yuetian Nu clasped his hands and chanted.His face held divine light, and his eyes held compassion.The power of the Pure Land spread instantly. The thought of compassion silently opposed the stillness of the long night, almost a struggle for this small pocket of heaven and earth.This struggle was brief but magnificent, not ostentatious, but intensely fierce.And before Gefei's suddenly paused probing claw.Dou Zhao didn't even draw his saber.Jiang Wang simply stood there quietly.This was undoubtedly the confidence of the strong.

"I thought I had disguised myself flawlessly. How did you discover it?" Gefei asked.

"Whether I discovered it or not, this jade slip of mine will not be given to Gefei," Jiang Wang said calmly. "The only connection between us is that he actively ambushed me, chased me, and was then repelled by me. His hardships, his struggles, his hundreds of years of family history, what do they have to do with me?"

Gefei stared blankly at him. On his sallow, rigid face, a smile suddenly appeared. "You are a person without any bottom line, Jiang Wang."

"If I see an injured dog on the roadside, I will also lend a helping hand. But if this dog has bitten me, I will not care about it. It is enough for you to have a bottom line; demanding it of others is not good."Jiang Wang's face was calm as he continued to move the jade slip in his hand. "You want it now? Why not try to stop me?"

His hand moved very slowly.Because Gefei was staring at his hand.The intertwining gazes were like real garrotes, making Jiang Wang's five fingers ache.But his expression was calm, and his hand moved forward little by little.He was moving his hand, just as he was moving his sword.How could his sharpness, his edge, his stubbornness, stop?Even though there were already blood marks on his fingers, even though fine Dao Yuan particles leaped out one by one and shattered one by one.This was a clash of strength, and also a duel of wills.

Until...Wang Changji took a step forward, using his body to block Gefei's line of sight.