Chapter 2773: Unlimited Field

Stealing the Light of Human Dao, a deed that might have been harmless in other circumstances, was at this moment a fatal flaw.

According to the rules of the Yellow River Conference, he certainly couldn't be condemned to death.

However, Jiang Wang could strip him of this wisp of Human Dao Light in the name of the Yellow River Chief Judge. In a competition emphasizing fairness, punishing rule-breakers and confiscating ill-gotten gains was perfectly reasonable.

And this was his Achilles' heel!

The Human Dao Light, which he absolutely could not lose; the realization that his conflict with Jiang Wang was an irreconcilable clash of positions; and Jiang Wang's impending, unimaginable ascent.

These three factors combined to create a substantial, heaven-overturning terror in the pressure focused on his every move.

Chen Yanxun realized the situation was beyond salvage and chose to fight to the death.

Initiating a fight with the Yellow River Chief Judge on the River-Observing Platform was an extremely poor choice. Unless truly demented, Chen Yanxun would never have chosen this.

However, having been cornered step by step, swiftly defeating Jiang Wang had become his only option in this desperate situation.

He knew he couldn't kill Jiang Wang. But if Jiang Wang didn't die, everything would be over for him!

The sword light in Chen Yanxun's eyes, like a star embedded in the night sky, suddenly blazed forth in the inky darkness, after a long silence, aiming to bring eternal light to the world.

Its brilliance was so dazzling that amidst it, immortal light wove into cloudy fabrics, and misty shadows coalesced into mirages. Between illusion and reality, a supremely noble immortal palace had descended!

It was impossible to tell whether the sword light or the immortal light appeared first.

Chen Yanxun recognized reality and decisively drew his sword. Jiang Wang, long prepared, was ready to strike at any moment.

Like colliding meteors, they were destined to be shattered to prove their resolve!

But at the moment of their life-and-death clash, everything suddenly went silent.

Amidst the world-shining sword light and the heaven-pouring immortal radiance, snowflakes inexplicably began to fall. The suspended Celestial Palace seemed to hold a startled jade dragon, and the beautiful colors in the clouds were like blossoms that never withered.

Clouds froze into snow, and on the snow lay a translucent, crystalline immortal palace, as if white leaves held up celestial flowers.

Sword energy solidified into ice, and the ice, like a bright mirror, reflected Hong Junyan's imposing figure.

With one palm, he pushed Chen Yanxun back, yet he faced Jiang Wang head-on, his expression unchanged.

And indeed, the burgeoning sword-finger stopped just before his brow, not advancing another inch.

This scene was reminiscent of Jiang Wang pushing aside Ju Kuai to confront Chen Yanxun himself.

The celestial thought-galaxy, whistling through the sky, also turned into frost and snow.

Occasionally, sword energy fell among them, like birds soaring through a forest.

The Snowland Emperor froze everything, including time and space, preventing the story from unfolding further.

"Deng Yue's Nine Tribulations Cave Immortal Finger truly lives up to its name today!" Hong Junyan exclaimed. "Who in this world truly dares to call themselves a 'Cave Immortal'? Only I and you!"

Only when he spoke did everything begin to flow again.

The raw power of a true Saint was his confidence to challenge the Heavenly Son of a powerful nation outside the influence of his own state.

Jiang Wang's words, "Bold villain, how dare you attack a judge!", which had been on the tip of his tongue, were thus forced back.

Because Chen Yanxun had not actually attacked him; every wisp of Chen Yanxun's sword light had been intercepted by Hong Junyan.

The Emperor of Li forcibly ascended the stage to stop the fight, withdrawing Chen Yanxun's terrible choice. If Chen Yanxun had engaged Jiang Wang directly, he would have lost his standing and reputation, surely being attacked by the world, unless he could swiftly kill Jiang Wang. But no matter how strong Chen Yanxun was, or how much power he concealed, how could he possibly achieve that? It would have been a certain death trap!

The predetermined outcome was forcibly rewritten. Jiang Wang showed no anger, merely stating, "I recall discussing immortals with Your Majesty on the grasslands; it feels like only yesterday."

"Like yesterday, forever in my heart!" Hong Junyan laughed heartily. "We can always share a drink and speak freely. There's no need for us to be at odds today."

Snowflakes were not only in their immediate vicinity; they also drifted into the space where Bao Xuanjing and Gong Weizhang were battling.

It didn't affect their battle, but it slowed down time.

Even though Bao Xuanjing had immediately unleashed his Divine Realm, displaying a full, unreserved burst of power, aiming to conclude the struggle for the top rank as quickly as possible to allow his idol, the River-Suppressing True Monarch, to successfully wrap things up.

But the time of the present world had no bearing on them.

They were like figures sealed in ice coffins beneath a snowfield, needing to endure countless hopeful springs and innumerable fruitless autumns... before they could emerge in a suitable winter.

The fruits of the Yellow River judge's declaration were, in this manner, frozen in the hands of the Emperor of Li.

He did not affect the overall outcome of the Yellow River Conference, but he did affect the outcome of the battle between Jiang Wang and Yan Chunhui.

Jiang Wang lowered his gaze and said, "Does Your Majesty intend to interfere with the judgment of the Yellow River Conference?"

Hong Junyan replied seriously, "Not at all. This is only concerning the Light of Human Dao. I believe... the bigger picture should be prioritized."

"First, there was the sinless Celestial reflected entering the competition, and now the Primal Chaos Evil Immortal is about to descend upon the platform. Great changes are imminent in the world. The more power humanity possesses, the more confidence it will have."

"As the saying goes, 'Heroes are judged by their deeds, not their origins!' Since this Light of Human Dao has already fallen upon Chen Yanxun, why must you, my dear brother Jiang, pursue it to its roots?"

"Heaven's favor has its own reasons, and human aspirations might stem from past connections!"

He spread his hands, embracing the universe, and declared, "I must speak plainly: as long as it benefits humanity, what does grievance matter, what does karma impede!"

Standing behind the Snowland Emperor, Chen Yanxun felt that this monarch was truly magnificent, like an eternal, sacred winter.

Truth be told, he had never imagined Hong Junyan would step forward at such a moment. It was precisely because he didn't believe Hong Junyan would go to such lengths for an ally that he felt utterly cornered and had no choice but to draw his sword.

Accustomed to mutual suspicion with the people of the Equal Nation, especially when collaborating with a useless emperor like the Song Emperor, who was leaky on all sides...

Suddenly encountering someone like Hong Junyan, who could handle things so competently, he couldn't help but feel a sense of reliability!

Now, between Jiang Wang and Chen Yanxun, stood the eternal peak of the Northwest Extremity.

The formidable mountain pass was impassable.

He, however, merely turned his head to glance at the ongoing Inner Mansion finals, then his gaze swept over Zhu Gezuo, who had already left the stage.

In the last semi-final of the Inner Mansion realm, Zhu Gezuo had ultimately suffered a disadvantage in a battle where he was forced to seek a quick resolution, which was not conducive to his strengths.

This child excelled at long-term planning and intricate strategizing, whereas a direct clash of courage and sharpness was undoubtedly Gong Weizhang's domain.

He thought Zhu Gezuo might have guessed he was waiting for the competition's end, for feedback from the successful conclusion of the Yellow River Conference, which was why he had forced a change of strategy — in a chess match between evenly matched opponents, a forced change always resulted in a disadvantage.

Although this was merely a fifteen-year-old boy, it seemed somewhat unrealistic that he could discern these things, but he was, after all, the successor of Zhu Ge Yixian. Such wisdom and insight were understandable.

This intention deserved to be compensated.

Along this path, how many things needed to be compensated for? And how many people's expectations had he unknowingly carried?

The Yellow River Chief Judge's gaze returned to Hong Junyan, no longer gentle: "Brother Hong, if you sit back down now, I won't hold it against you."

Hong Junyan suddenly realized that this might be the last time he would hear the address "Brother Hong."

He was a person who never showed emotion, yet at this moment, he showed a rare degree of sincerity: "My dear brother Jiang, you've handled this Yellow River Conference exceptionally well, achieving many things that will profoundly impact this world. Look at these young men competing for the top spot..."

"How young they are. Where is their future? As long as they keep moving forward, there's an infinite future."

"I see the same for you, my dear brother Jiang."

"But life is not the Yellow River Conference; there aren't so many spectators watching their performance, nor a grand judge guaranteeing their lives."

"To lose is to die. And once dead, everything turns to dust."

"To give convenience to others is also to give convenience to oneself. Giving him a chance, isn't that also safeguarding your own opportunity?"

"Today, you move forward, and he also moves forward. A hundred flowers blooming is a sign of humanity's prosperity; I believe all is well."

"You are already at the pinnacle; you should look higher, where the sky is always clear and bright!"

"You will obtain everything you deserve; no one will stop you."

Hong Junyan even added, in a voice only Jiang Wang could hear, with heartfelt sincerity: "I've said before, we are among the 'Pillars of the Six Harmonies', and they are above the 'Pillars of the Six Harmonies'. But you've already shown a tendency to influence those above the Six Harmonies, which makes it impossible for them to support you. My dear brother Jiang, since you know how to retreat when the current is swift, you should know how to protect yourself! Even if you were to punish Yan Chunhui here today, it would be a misfortune, not a blessing."

But Jiang Wang did not respond.

Hong Junyan couldn't help but ask, "My dear brother Jiang, what are you thinking?"

Jiang Wang's gaze remained still. "I'm thinking—how many threads are truly interwoven on the River-Observing Platform, and how many people are waiting for this Yellow River Conference to achieve their goals."

He sighed leisurely, "When the Dragon Lord was here, we didn't perceive the tranquility of the long river. Now that the Dragon Lord is gone, we finally realize how precious that 'tranquility' truly was!"

Ji Jinglu's face twitched.

Whose face was that remark slapping? Perhaps it didn't matter, or perhaps it wasn't definitive.

But he genuinely felt his face sting.

Only those who care about their reputation truly feel the sting.

Jiang Wang had no intention of insulting anyone; he merely lowered his gaze and said, "I have wrongly claimed the title 'River-Suppressor'; I cannot bring peace to the world, nor quell its storms, becoming merely a laughingstock to all!"

Jiang An'an felt she had already given her all in this Yellow River Conference, and had always sat offstage with a clear conscience. Regardless of who won or lost, or who performed excellently, she felt no regret — yet at this moment, an immense shame welled up within her, regretting why she couldn't stand by her brother's side.

Chu Yao, on the other hand, remained silent, quietly looking towards Er Zhuhe of Li. He was more pragmatic, only asking himself what he could do at most, and to what extent. If Li was an enemy, this was his ultimate goal.

Ye Qingyu watched him quietly from the stage, and suddenly felt that he was very sad at this moment.

She understood that Jiang Wang did not wish to solve the problems on the River-Observing Platform with his sword!

But his vision for the future, the possibilities he tried to explore, the balance he maintained with endless smiles, the carefully established, as fair as possible rules after balancing various interests... had been repeatedly trampled upon.

Those who truly held power in the world, in handing the Yellow River Conference over to him, hadn't actually expected him to achieve anything remarkable.

When he actually did achieve something remarkable, it ironically became dangerous.

In worldly affairs, it's often the case that if you do nothing, you make no mistakes; the more you do, the more mistakes you make.

In her left eye, a jade ruyi appeared; in her right, a brilliant golden yuanbao. She wondered how much benefit her combined immortal and divine body could bring now.

These gazes offered Jiang Wang a warmth unlike any other.

In this feeling of not being alone, he smiled: "Being honored by the world is both respect and responsibility. I have already disappointed the world and allowed the main competition participants to be disturbed... I cannot again be unworthy of the title 'Demon-Slayer,' can I?"

Hong Junyan realized something was wrong and tried to persuade him: "The Dao is where the path lies. From ancient times to the present, who has not lived for the Dao, died for the Dao, and striven forward for the Dao! My dear brother Jiang, how can momentary passion, or a single right or wrong, weigh the importance of the Dao?"

"Now, with ironclad proof and a sea of blood debts, with Grandmasters discussing the law and the world filled with hatred, if I were to condone him for the sake of achieving my Dao, letting the world know that evil can be committed in broad daylight, and making the sword steles outside Wu Hui Valley empty words! That would truly be running counter to my path, a betrayal of my Dao."

Jiang Wang's attitude was not intense, but there was no room for change: "To achieve the Dao but lose the Dao — then where does the Dao exist, and where do I stand?"

In the years Chen Yanxun had been missing, Jiang Wang had never sought him out. White Bone, Divine Swordsman, Seven Resentments... too many people were prioritized before him.

If he had escaped to the outer reaches, they might have both found peace.

But he had, in a rather cruel manner, borrowed an identity and come to the River-Observing Platform where Jiang Wang was proclaiming his Dao, brazenly shifting blame and cleansing his karma, intending to take another step forward in front of the whole world.

If Jiang Wang remained silent at this point, then what would "those who commit wanton evil cannot walk in broad daylight" even mean?

Hong Junyan said, "If I had no power in my hands, no soldiers under my command, then there would be no monarch in the Snowland! As long as you are here, your power is here, your Dao is here."

"It is no longer me!" Jiang Wang's voice rose for only an instant before falling low, just as his gaze also dropped, settling on the ground.

How could a person who had walked out of the mud always only look at the sky?

People say that those with benevolence "pity even the green grass and trees."

But the grass and trees of the human world were also him, leaving footprints in the widespread mud.

He said, "I have been on this platform. I have been here more than once."

"Before the competition began, I sat here alone for a long time. When I won the championship back then, I was full of vigor here—"

"The world largely came to know me from here, and I began to understand the world from here."

"The Inner Mansion realm is already history; the Outer Tower realm feels like another year."

"The 'under thirty, no restrictions' category... still has restrictions."

His hand gripped the sword hilt, and the process of his gaze returning to Hong Junyan was as slow as his act of drawing the sword: "Today, I request for all under heaven... a 'no restrictions' stage!"

Hong Junyan froze for a moment, vaguely thinking he hadn't heard clearly.

Throughout this Yellow River Conference, Jiang Wang had communicated with him many times. Each time, he had been deferential, always giving him ample face. Aside from the bottom line of the main competition slots, he had given everything else requested.

In those moments, he had smiled, bowed, and even pleaded.

But now he drew his sword!

A mere individual, with a single long sword, dared to play a life-and-death game with him, the founding emperor of Great Li and an ancient figure who had helped establish the nation's system!

Hong Junyan felt it was absurd. But he understood it wasn't absurd at all.

He found it incomprehensible, yet he knew perfectly well this was Jiang Wang.

He wanted to say 'ridiculous!' But how could he manage to laugh?

Finally, he only asked, "My dear brother Jiang — what is the meaning of this?"

"I will fulfill my duty as the Yellow River Chief Judge, punishing those who violate the rules of the Yellow River Conference. I will not accept any obstruction, persuasion, or even delay."

Jiang Wang held his sword, speaking each word slowly and distinctly, his voice ringing like a sword: "Today, I resolve to face Yan Chunhui. Whoever stands before me, I shall face them!"

Behind the dangling ceremonial beads, the Snowland Emperor's gaze was profound. He looked at the young man standing tall with his sword and finally understood that this was unlike any enemy he had encountered before —

This was someone who was actually very intelligent, but didn't always make the smart choice.

His "foolishness" was not ignorance, but a form of "resolve."

The resolve of his heart, by this he wielded his sword.

He finally understood that those past "Brother Hongs" might not have all been mere pretense. Perhaps there were indeed moments of genuine camaraderie...

But their paths diverged.

Perhaps there was regret! His face was expressionless.

The monarch of Li, looking at the Yellow River Chief Judge before him, slowly closed his fingers, clenching his fist.

And then, another voice, like a knife drawn from its sheath, rang out from below the stage—

"When my spirit flourishes, Chu's affairs prosper. When my spirit wanes, Chu's affairs decline! No need to persuade me further!"

A martial uniform with a red base and gold trim, like a flaming banner, swept onto the stage.

That person positioned himself even further ahead of Jiang Wang, and with his brilliant golden, defiant eyes, he looked at the Emperor of Li on the stage: "The meaning of 'no restrictions' on the stage... presumably doesn't limit the number of participants, does it?"