Chapter 1300: Confrontation

Jiang Fan hesitated.

If he handed Grand Master Xingyuan over, there would be no hope of rescuing him again. But if he didn't, he would immediately fall out with the Five-Star Giant King.

A phantom coalesced beside the Five-Star Giant King. It was none other than Grand Master Wugou!

In his hand, he held Grand Master Xingyuan, whose five senses had been re-sealed. Seeing him, Jiang Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

Grand Master Xingyuan was still alive. His greatest fear was that all his efforts would lead to the news of Grand Master Xingyuan's death in battle. Fortunately, they had not killed Grand Master Xingyuan; they had spared his life.

Jiang Fan guessed their intention: to convert Grand Master Xingyuan!

“Blood Fiend, what's happening now?” Grand Master Wugou surveyed Jiang Fan and the Five-Star Giant King, a look of confusion in his eyes. Shouldn't the atmosphere between them be tense and hostile? Why did the Five-Star Giant King show no killing intent?

The Five-Star Giant King scoffed, “This idiot caused a misunderstanding!”

Grand Master Wugou looked at Jiang Fan suspiciously, “You're not going to tell me this guy is that person, are you?”

Jiang Fan was internally frantic. He longed for the name of that damned traitor to be revealed publicly.

The Five-Star Giant King nodded, “It's him. He even made a deal recently. Now he's in trouble and wants to gain protection by doing Grand Master Xingyuan a huge favor. Grand Master Xingyuan cannot be taken back by him. I've already given him some magical artifacts.”

Grand Master Wugou stared at Jiang Fan, his eyes gradually narrowing.

He had never met that traitor. He had only heard that there was such a well-connected person in the Central Lands, whose strength was not very high, but whose abilities were extraordinary. Whatever resources or intelligence the Heaven Realm desired, he could find for them. Ever since the Sky-Reaching Black Pillar connected the two realms, he had provided the Heaven Realm with a great deal of valuable information. The Giant Emperor favored him greatly. He was considered the most favored by the Giant Emperor, apart from Grand Master Wugou himself.

However, why did he feel something was off? If this person wanted to exchange for Grand Master Xingyuan, information about the Nine Phoenix Dao Hairpin should have been enough. Why go to the trouble of breaking into the military camp, killing, and capturing Princess Zijiang? By all accounts, it looked like an act of revenge against the Ancient Giants.

“Blood Fiend, have you seen that person's true face?” Grand Master Wugou asked.

The Five-Star Giant King slightly shook his head, “No, but I heard the Giant Emperor say that his true face and the mask he wears are of similar age.”

Grand Master Wugou's expression changed, his gaze suddenly sharp and stern as he said in a low voice: “You've been deceived! The person before you is a youth beneath that mask!!”

The Five-Star Giant King might not have been able to tell, but as one of the Five Heavenly Blights of the Central Lands, he had long seen through the mask with his magic. Beneath that mask was no middle-aged person at all. It was a youth!

“What?” The Five-Star Giant King was startled. The five stars on his forehead spun rapidly as he carefully sensed Jiang Fan's vital energy. A moment later, his colossal vertical eye filled with furious killing intent. “His blood definitely doesn't have the scent of a middle-aged person! You little beast! You dare to deceive this King!”

Seeing his identity exposed, Jiang Fan stopped pretending. He gripped the mirror tightly, pressed the white bone against it, and activated it towards Princess Zijiang. “Grand Master Wugou! You've arrived at the perfect time! Do you want to fight to the bitter end, or resolve this peacefully? You choose!”

Grand Master Wugou laughed in anger, “Good, good, good! The Central Lands really produce talents! A mere Nascent Soul cultivator dares to come to the Heaven Realm and challenge me, Grand Master, and the Five-Star Giant King? Who gave you such audacity?” He had initially thought Jiang Fan was just a wary, annoying junior. He hadn't taken him seriously at all. He never imagined that Jiang Fan would dare to threaten him!

Jiang Fan, gripping the mirror, said, “Because a coward like you, who clings to life and fears death, wouldn't dare let Princess Zijiang die! If she dies, you'll be buried with her!” If Grand Master Wugou was willing to watch Princess Zijiang die rather than exchange hostages, the Asura Emperor would absolutely never forgive him. And Grand Master Wugou happened to be someone who feared death. Therefore, Jiang Fan gambled that he would certainly not dare to stand by and watch Princess Zijiang die!

Grand Master Wugou's expression turned grim. He was indeed cowardly and had betrayed the Central Lands, but he didn't like others pointing it out! “Young man, you're playing a very dangerous game!”

Jiang Fan scoffed, “Since I chose to stay, I've naturally come to terms with facing death! But before I die, I'll definitely drag Princess Zijiang down with me. And you and the Five-Star Giant King will soon join me!”

Grand Master Wugou, holding Grand Master Xingyuan, clenched his free hand into a tight fist. Killing intent swirled in his eyes!

For a moment, both sides stood in a stalemate. Neither dared to make a move.

Until, thumping sounds came from inside the mirror. It was Princess Zijiang, who sensed the tense atmosphere, knocking on the mirror's surface to get Grand Master Wugou's and the Five-Star Giant King's attention. Through the mirror, her words were unclear, but by reading her lips, they understood: “Agree to his terms!”

Grand Master Wugou was utterly unwilling! To trap Grand Master Xingyuan, he had meticulously planned for a month, even exposing his own existence. And now, he had to return Grand Master Xingyuan? Wouldn't all his efforts be in vain? However, Princess Zijiang had given the order herself; how could he dare to disobey? The Five-Star Giant King dared even less to defy the order. The two exchanged glances and nodded.

Grand Master Wugou's gaze shifted slightly, and he said, “Youngster, we'll release our captives simultaneously! Neither of us is to play tricks!”

Jiang Fan still held the mirror tightly, scoffing, “Grand Master Wugou, do you think I'm young and easily fooled? Exchange people here, at this very moment?” After exchanging hostages, could Jiang Fan escape the pursuit of two Earthly Zenith cultivators with Grand Master Xingyuan? The moment Princess Zijiang was released would be the moment the two of them joined forces to kill him. Oh, and Princess Zijiang too. Her killing intent towards him was no less potent than that of the two Earthly Zenith cultivators.

Grand Master Wugou gritted his teeth, clearly annoyed that his little scheme had been exposed. “Then how do you propose we make the exchange?”

“At the entrance of the Sky-Reaching Black Pillar.”

Grand Master Wugou and the Five-Star Giant King exchanged glances; they had no objection. This proposal was, in fact, what they expected.

“Let's go!” Grand Master Wugou swept his sleeve, and a surge of immense demonic energy erupted, lifting all three of them into the air.

Both sides maintained their standoff.

Soon after, they arrived at the Sky-Reaching Black Pillar. Jiang Fan's peripheral glance made his heart pound! Beside the Sky-Reaching Black Pillar, there were at least ten Giant Kings! One of them even had four stars spinning on his forehead! This time, they had truly gone to great lengths to intercept those who had intruded into the Heaven Realm. Fortunately, many of them were injured, and the Four-Star Giant King's aura was weakened, indicating he had fought a fierce battle with Venerable Lianjing. Judging by their anxious expressions upon the Five-Star Giant King's arrival, Venerable Lianjing must have successfully escaped back with Little Qilin and Venerable Zixiao. Jiang Fan finally let out the breath he had been holding.

Now, only the hostage exchange remained! He wasn't too worried about the Five-Star Giant King. Because once he returned to the Sky-Reaching Black Pillar, the Five-Star Giant King's immense size would prevent him from giving chase. But Grand Master Wugou could!