Chapter 2758: Sparring

Seeing Wang Changsheng, Grandmaster Tianji frowned.

On the surface, Soul Transformation cultivators on Xuanning Continent are forbidden from fighting to the death. This rule was established by the Human Race's Mahayana cultivators, as Soul Transformation cultivators are high-level combatants crucial for confronting foreign races. However, if such a fight is conducted cleanly, with no outsiders knowing or if the perpetrator escapes afterwards, even Mahayana cultivators are powerless to intervene.

Unless Grandmaster Tianji could eliminate Wang Changsheng and his group, or Wang Changsheng could eliminate Grandmaster Tianji and his group, Xuan Qingzi would certainly hold them accountable if the news of a death match leaked.

Wang Changsheng has a family, and Grandmaster Tianji belongs to a sect, so neither could simply flee the situation. The conflict between the Wang family and the Tianji Sect was no secret, and even if one side managed to eliminate the other, they couldn't conceal the news.

While fighting to the death was forbidden, sparring was acceptable. This was exactly what Wang Changsheng had in mind.

Grandmaster Tianji's gaze was grim. While the Tianji Sect indeed had a good relationship with the Divine Weapon Sect, the overall strength of Zhenhai Palace was far superior. This was evident from the last race war, where Zhenhai Palace's Soul Transformation cultivators had slain multiple foreign cultivators, achieving battle results several times greater than those of the Divine Weapon Sect.

Grandmaster Tianji did not fear Wang Changsheng, but he was wary of Zhenhai Palace.

Grandmaster Tianji's plan was to first reclaim the Forbidden God Stone mine and then negotiate with the Wang family, ensuring maximum benefit. He hadn't expected Wang Changsheng to arrive at the mine so quickly.

"Ancestor, that's Madame Tianlei," Wang Gonghu transmitted to Wang Changsheng. "She's a rogue cultivator and an expert in lightning techniques." The Wang family had been collecting intelligence on high-level cultivators, and Wang Gonghu was one of the individuals in charge of this.

"Madame Tianlei, a rogue cultivator."

Wang Changsheng nodded, a sense of wariness rising in his heart.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, our Tianji Sect disciples discovered this Forbidden God Stone mine first. What you're doing isn't in line with the rules, is it?" Grandmaster Tianji said, frowning. He had specifically invited Madame Tianlei to assist, hoping to secure the Forbidden God Stone mine and ensure absolute certainty.

Madame Tianlei was a rogue cultivator with no fixed abode and fewer scruples in her actions. Even Zhenhai Palace wouldn't want to antagonize a Soul Transformation cultivator like her. Grandmaster Tianji had paid a considerable price to persuade Madame Tianlei to act.

"Oh, so you're saying your Tianji Sect also discovered the Lihuo Crystal mine and several other sixth-tier mines first?" Wang Changsheng said with a light chuckle. After Grandmaster Tianji had entered the Soul Transformation stage, he had seized several sixth-tier mines from other factions.

"In that case, I'll stop wasting words," Grandmaster Tianji said. "It's pointless for the juniors to keep fighting. Let's have a sparring match; whoever wins gets the Forbidden God Stone mine. This matter will end here, and no one will seek retribution later. What do you say?"

Grandmaster Tianji's tone was grave. He had been in the Soul Transformation stage for over five thousand years, while Wang Changsheng had been in it for less than a thousand. The Wang family's rise was relatively recent. Although they were backed by Zhenhai Palace, at most they possessed a few mid-grade Heavenly Spirit Treasures. In contrast, the Tianji Sect, with its long heritage and profound foundation, possessed several powerful sect-protecting treasures.

Grandmaster Tianji was still very confident in a one-on-one fight. Both sides had suffered many casualties among their Void Refinement cultivators, making cooperation in developing the Forbidden God Stone mine impossible. Grandmaster Tianji didn't want to cooperate anyway, as monopolizing the mine would maximize his benefits. In terms of cultivation, he had entered the Soul Transformation stage earlier than Wang Changsheng, and his magic power was relatively deeper. He also possessed several powerful treasures and had the assistance of sixth-tier spirit beasts. By all accounts, he held the advantage. He also wanted to resolve this matter as soon as possible without involving Zhenhai Palace, because once Zhenhai Palace got involved, they certainly wouldn't be able to hold onto the Forbidden God Stone mine.

Of course, he knew Wang Changsheng wouldn't agree to this condition. In negotiations, one naturally shouldn't offer overly generous terms; discussions needed to proceed slowly.

"Sparring is no problem," Wang Changsheng said gravely. "However, the Forbidden God Stone mine is currently in our hands. Whether we win or lose, Fellow Daoist Zhang stands to make a steady profit! It would be more fair to use that Lihuo Crystal mine as a wager." He wouldn't engage in a losing business. To secure this Forbidden God Stone mine, Wang Zonglang had died in battle, Wang Qingxiao's soul had been damaged, and Wang Yi'er was severely wounded. There was no way they would give up something they had already acquired at such a cost.

"And what if Fellow Daoist Wang loses?" Grandmaster Tianji narrowed his eyes, bargaining. "If I'm to wager the Lihuo Crystal mine, Fellow Daoist Wang should offer something good in return, shouldn't you? The Heavenly Beast Secret Realm is quite nice."

"If I lose, we'll mine the Forbidden God Stone mine for a thousand years, and then it will belong to your Tianji Sect," Wang Changsheng said slowly. "Your Lihuo Crystal mine has been exploited for thousands of years; its reserves are low and its value is far inferior to the Heavenly Beast Secret Realm. If you don't agree to exchange it for Golden Flood Dragon Ridge, then so be it. I can ask Martial Uncle Chen or Martial Uncle Lin to intervene."

Grandmaster Tianji's brows furrowed tightly, and a hint of dread appeared deep in his eyes. Lin Tianlong had slain multiple Soul Transformation foreign cultivators during the race war, and Grandmaster Tianji was no match for him.

"A thousand years is too long; five hundred years at most," Grandmaster Tianji countered. "Furthermore, Madame Liu will also join the sparring. I've long heard about the perfect coordination between Fellow Daoist Wang and his wife; we two would like to spar with you both. If Fellow Daoist Wang doesn't agree, then so be it. I, Zhang, will invite Fellow Daoist Su from the Divine Weapon Sect to intervene."

Grandmaster Tianji also brought out his backing. With two early-stage Soul Transformation cultivators against Wang Changsheng and his wife, their chances of winning would be much greater. Zhenhai Palace had a set of complementary cultivation techniques with very powerful divine abilities. However, since Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had left Zhenhai Palace to establish their family, they certainly couldn't cultivate these complementary techniques. In a one-on-one fight, Grandmaster Tianji had a 60% chance of winning; in a two-on-two, he had a 90% chance.

From the perspective of the terms, the Tianji Sect was at a disadvantage, but Grandmaster Tianji and Madame Tianlei held a significant advantage against Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. If both sides' powerful backers were to intervene, their ultimate gains, regardless of the outcome, would be greatly reduced. Thus, neither side wanted their backers to get involved unless absolutely necessary. If even their combined strength proved no match for the Azure Lotus Immortals, then there was nothing more to be said.

"Alright, it's a deal. Whatever the outcome, this matter ends here." Wang Changsheng agreed.

"A gentleman's word is his bond, and I will keep mine."

Grandmaster Tianji transformed into a streak of red light and flew towards the sky. Madame Tianlei's body surged with countless silver electric arcs as she also flew skyward. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan exchanged a glance, then both flew towards the sky.

"Weapons are indiscriminate, Fellow Daoist Wang, Madame Wang," Grandmaster Tianji said meaningfully. "Don't force yourselves; it would be unfortunate if something went wrong." He was warning Wang Changsheng to surrender early if he was no match, to avoid animosity.

"That's exactly what I wanted to tell Fellow Daoist Zhang," Wang Changsheng replied nonchalantly.

Grandmaster Tianji let out a cold snort and flicked his sleeve. A red light and a green light flew out from his spirit beast bracelet; the red light was a gigantic, entirely red lion, while the green light was a colossal azure eagle. The red giant lion's body was covered in red manes, its eyes were crimson, and its four hooves resembled eagle talons. It was a high-grade sixth-tier Lion-Eagle Beast, a spirit beast left to Grandmaster Tianji by his master. This represented a part of his profound heritage, something that minor sects or families couldn't compare to. The azure eagle's wings were golden, and it flapped them continuously, stirring up gusts of fierce wind. It was a mid-grade sixth-tier Golden-winged Azure Light Eagle.