Chapter 398: A Protagonist’s Unexpected End (1/2)

”Sure, you need to fight two more times according to our prior agreement. However, there are issues here,” Fang Yanxu pretended that he had to stop the game and buying time for Huang Hansheng to arrive.

”What do you want, then?”

Miaomiao scoffed as he had expected Fang Yanxu to be one of the cliché seniors, whose sole purpose was to antagonize a protagonist. But in this case, the immortal targeted him, who had stolen Xie Tian's role and fortuitous encounters.

In other words, Miaomiao might have to confront Fang Yanxu as a protagonist of his own story!

Fang Yanxu peered at Zhang Liao and Qu Yi, scorning them for their incompetency. He levitated to the sky and announced.

”Due to the number of the representatives of Yuan Shaoqing's side being drastically decreased because of casualties and the aftermath of the previous round, I'll give both sides a chance to substitute their members with other fighters. Both sides may sub-in no more than SEVEN cultivators with any cultivation base, and you can request help from outsiders.”

The development was pleasantly surprising for Yuan Shaoqing. As his side had lost many members, he was at a disadvantage. Giving him a chance to add in extra manpower was helpful.

Still, the perk applied to both sides. It allowed Miaomiao's side to use the spider monster and Zhao Bao as their main fighters.

However, this gave Yuan Shaoqing a leeway to replace Zhang Liao, Qu Yi, and the dead fighters. He could ask Liu Xuande, Guan Yunchang, Zhang Yide, Huang Hansheng, or even Brocell to temporarily join his side!

He immediately sent his telepathic voice to Liu Xuande and Brocell, asking for their help first.

While Yuan Shaoqing was busy lobbying the other spectators, Fang Yanxu continued explaining the new rules.

”Secondly, the next two rounds will be a bit special. First of all, the leader of Siren City, Mao Miaomiao, is obliged to take part in the next matches due to our private agreement. Regardless of the match template or type, he will be the default fighter of Siren City for at least two rounds!”

Miaomiao snorted as he could see what Fang Yanxu had been scheming. By forcing him to fight in the next two rounds with the substitution rule, he might end up fighting Huang Hansheng or an 8th-stage cultivator next.

However, there was a loophole here. As Siren City won the previous round, they got to choose the match type. Thus, they could just simply pick a group match game and sub-in Dian Wei and Zhao Bao as new helpers.

In addition, Miaomiao could pick his opponents, so it would be stupid to challenge a stronger foe. He would rather face Yuan Shaoqing and end this war game for good.

Unfortunately, Fang Yanxu seemed to predict that. He added another rule.

”Because of the special restriction on Siren City's side, in the next two matches, I will pick an opponent for you, based on your age, your cultivation base, and your combat potential. Of course, I won't force you to fight an 8th-stage or a 9th-stage cultivator. It won't be fair and it will affect my reputation if I bully a junior.”

”…”

Now, Miaomiao and Yuan Shaoqing were confused. If Fang Yanxu wouldn't force Miaomiao to fight a stronger opponent, what would he be plotting?

The answer was soon revealed as Huang Hansheng arrived with Lu Fengxian and Ling Tianlong in tow. The 9th-stage archer elder cupped his fist and bowed 90 degrees toward Fang Yanxu while he was holding the chain artifact.

”Huang Hansheng greets Your Excellency, Immortal Fang. I've come late due to a personal issue. I hope you can forgive me for not coming to welcome you earlier.”

Fang Yanxu waved his hand, dismissing the formality, ”Raise your head, mortal.”

”Yes,” Huang Hansheng raised his head and smiled. He secretly glanced at Miaomiao for a moment as he felt a familiar aura. However, he averted his eyes and focused on the immortal.

”Huang Hansheng,” Fang Yanxu smirked and looked at the two prisoners behind him. ”Are they your slaves?”

”… Yes. They are my war slaves.”

”Good! Do you mind if I buy them off your hands?”

”W-What?”

Not only Huang Hansheng was shocked, but Miaomiao and the spectators were also stunned. They had no idea what Fang Yanxu had planned for both youths.

Fang Yanxu tossed a bag, filled with second-grade soul stones to the archer, ”I hope these soul stones are enough to satisfy you. Is 500 2nd-grade soul stones enough?”

Huang Hansheng repeatedly nodded, ”Y-Yes! YES! More than enough!”

”Good. Now, give me that chain of yours.”

”OF course!”

Huang Hansheng handed the chain of slavery to the immortal and retreated to Yuan Shaoqing's side along with his colleagues and superior. He shared the soul stones with his family in glee, yet the world guardians didn't do anything to stop him.

Even though Huang Hansheng scored a big prize, the center of attention was still on the immortal. Now, everyone was curious what Fang Yanxu would do to the new slaves.

The immortal turned toward his new toys next, ”Youngsters. I have an offer for both of you.”

Lu Fengxian and Ling Tianlong observed the arena platform, the people, and representatives of both sides. It wasn't hard to guess what had happened here with the organized spectators and strong fighters, gathered in groups.

Ling Tianlong was interested in the arena, ”Let me guess. You want me to fight someone?”

”Oh! You're smart!” Fang Yanxu laughed, ”Indeed, I want both of you to take part in this game. However, as I'm a NEUTRAL REFEREE, I can't favor one side. Therefore, you can choose whoever you want to join.”

”Hoh?”

Lu Fengxian smirked as he found Fang Yanxu's kindness obnoxious and pretentious. Even Ling Tianlong widened his eyes a bit.

”So, if I join Siren City, you won't complain, right?” Ling Tianlong probed for more information.

”Why should I? I want nothing but FAIRNESS! I simply want to spice the game a bit since the fights so far are too disappointing.”

”Then, why me? I mean, why us?”

Fang Yanxu grinned and leaned closer to Ling Tianlong's ears. He sent a telepathic voice to the ex-immortal's mind.

'An immortal like you doesn't belong to this mortal world. I'm giving you a chance to restore your glory… as long as you can do me a favor.'

”…”

Ling Tianlong peered at Fang Yanxu and clicked his tongue.

He hated this type of person the most!

Conspiracy, backstabbing, scheming, and politics always corrupt their morals and principle. In the end, these cultivators would be degraded to heinous politicians, who would sacrifice or do anything for their personal gain.

”I don't think I can be useful for you, dear immortal.”

Ling Tianlong flatted out rejected Fang Yanxu's bribe as he didn't want to bow his head to the guy, regardless of whether his identity was discovered or not.

'You'd better listen to me before you make the decision, Fellow Daoist Ling Tian!'

Ling Tian was Ling Tianlong's name in his previous life.

The protagonist turned to glare at Fang Yanxu as the former hadn't expected the latter to learn about his real name.

'Don't give me that look. You see, I'm cultivating karmic dao, so I can read your karma knots, sins, or heart devils. I can even tell that your biggest karma knot is tied between your soul and Kishin Douji's soul. '

”WHAT!?”

'What if I tell you that I can report my master, Samsara, about Kishin Douji's misdeeds? He has been running rampant in the Immortal Realms and the Divine Realms, am I right? We can mobilize our clan's best soldiers and Lord Samsara's vessels to start a crusade against the demons. Well, as long as I have enough evidence and witnesses, such as you and your testimony, I can make an appeal to the other HUMAN GODS, too.'

Now, Fang Yanxu got Ling Tianlong's interest.

”So, I do you a favor, you'll help me exact my revenge.”

'You're smart! How about it? Can you kill this little bastard for me? I heard from those world guardians that you and Mao Miaomiao were enemies. You won't lose anything if you help me, right? You'll eventually kill this asshole anyway.'