Chapter 167: with translation of chapter title

This All-Heaven Cup sports meet was, from the outset, a product rife with and intertwined with conspiracies and overt schemes.

As part of the grand strategic confrontation between the Wu Clan and the Demon Race, the Wu Clan was the first to place this pawn, awaiting the Demon Race's response.

Great Luo

Since it serves as a contest board, taking into account both sides' stakes and the participants' ability to stir up trouble, the provocation for the spectators—scratch that, is for the convenience of watching the event—the entire sports meet venue has been crafted to be supremely magnificent and imposing.

Vast rivers and mountains, twisted spacetime, layered heavens overlapping……a magnificent creation surpassing the imagination limits of ordinary beings.

At every turn, billions of miles of mountains and rivers, within which spacetime is bent to construct worlds; countless worlds are then linked and combined to build the layered heavens.

Only when the thirty-three layered heavens are interconnected and linked does it become the final competition venue, allowing hundreds of thousands of events to proceed simultaneously, letting all competitors give their all, enabling hundreds of millions upon millions of spectators to directly follow and watch, cheer for their own side's competitors, and……bet! bet! bet!

the Demon Race

The head of a certain charity welfare fund, unwilling to reveal his name, has already rolled up his sleeves in preparation, hoping to make a big profit from this competition—he even had the specific steps for manipulating the odds designed.

This handsome Wu sorcerer, unwilling to reveal his name, feels his actions are not excessive—he has poured much effort into building this venue to showcase the Wu Clan's development and prosperity, letting those rural clans see what is called the heavenly-state nobility and what is called the Supreme Emperor's people!

The entire venue, from the materials of basic construction to the technology and devices for stabilizing spacetime, exudes a dreamlike quality, a perfect blend of the grandest magnificence and the finest precision……just to give you a glance, then swindle you out of some money—what's wrong with that?

You also have to thank me for letting you see the world and feel what is called a soul-shaking shock! a spirit-striking impact!

The stronger one's power and the more information one knows, the stronger the shock and impact become, allowing one to feel a sense of lofty admiration.

Ancestor Wu

To build the venue and create a marvel, the Wu Clan fully exerted the productivity of their cultivation civilization, planning and designing according to the most perfect legal principles, organizing the maximum utilization of human resources, and achieved a miracle in the shortest time.

Without the participation of Great Luo powerhouses, aside from needing Mount Buzhou's headquarters to assist with data processing support, the rest relied entirely on the wisdom and ingenuity of the Wu Clan stationed in the Kunlun Mountains, skillfully mobilizing tens of thousands of clans to participate in the construction.

After settling the accounts, subtracting part of the expenditures on cultivation resources and wealth, in terms of reputation and network building and operation, they even achieved great results, letting the Wu Clan's roots take deeper hold in the Kunlun Mountains.

Under the overall coordination of the Wu Clan's three heroes, they employed macroeconomic resource control measures, to the greatest extent stimulating the development of industries needed for construction, and also influencing the clans behind them, using monetary 'shells' to make them prosperous and strong, while subtly cultivating a large number of mid- and high-level personnel whose cognitions lean toward the Wu Clan.

Great Kunlun Mountain Range

Not everyone has the resolve to, upon facing sugar-coated shells, not touch them and throw them back……Moreover, even if such a leader truly existed, the Wu Clan could still withdraw their support and instead back another clan—one that bears grudges against the former clan.

In an age of great contention, who dares to fall behind?

Controlling the market means doing as one pleases.

Suppliers without an absolute technological edge can only swallow their anger, letting others pose them in three hundred and sixty ways; a little training turns them into the shape the Wu Clan desires.

In the shortest time possible, pro-Wu forces come to power and seize the right to speak.

All of Kunlun has taken another step toward the fallen abyss, on the verge of completely falling into the Wu Clan's demonic grasp.

The Wu Clan reigns supreme, using imperial tactics to balance the various tribes; during the transitional period they let them confront each other, yet in the overall situation they obey dispatch... waiting until the Reincarnation Divine Sect takes firm root, then thoroughly cleanse the remnants of the old era, reform customs, unify thought, cognition, and worldview with the Wu Clan—these are the dependable loyal subordinates.

Using demons to counter demons, to the greatest extent avoid the numerical advantage of the Demon Race side and shake its foundation—this is the grand strategic direction long planned by the high council of ancestral witches, great witches, and other Wu Clan leaders.

Kunlun is the most critical test point among them.

If it succeeds perfectly, the successful experience here will be summed up, copied, and transmitted to the diplomatic outposts dispatched throughout Honghuang; after appropriate local adjustments, they will follow it to carry out the work of dividing the Demon Race.

"The most basic goal—on the Honghuang land, we must strive to control at least fifty percent."

Fengxi still recalls that at an important Wu Clan meeting he was once allowed to attend as an observer, Di Jiang Zu Wu shared his outlook on the future.

This ancestral witch affirmed Fengxi's work achievements over this period in the Great Kunlun Mountains and urged him to keep pressing forward, allowing no slack in his attitude.

"Treat it as if participating in a life-and-death great war—be serious and careful." Di Jiang Zu Wu emphasized, "The more critical the moment, the less we can afford to relax, guarding against the Demon Race's high-ranking breaking their bottom line."

"Exactly!" Houtu ancestral witch sat beside Di Jiang, nodding repeatedly in agreement, "Especially those male demon kings and demon marshals—evil without bounds, each utterly wicked and deceitful!"

At that time, Fengxi blinked his eyes, indicating he had fully memorized his superior's instructions, vowing to be cautious and careful, step by step, never giving the sly and deceitful enemy a chance to find an opening.

Di Jiang Zu Wu fell silent for a moment, then continued, "Strategically, we may look down on the enemy; but tactically, we must attach great importance."

"Therefore, every detail must be made as good as possible… to lay a solid foundation for ultimate victory!"

"I think so too." Houtu clasped his ten fingers together, hands folded, presenting a mature and steady demeanor, leaving Fengxi with the deepest impression.

……

One memory fragment after another appeared in Fengxi's mind.

That is the past, the burden on his shoulders, the driving force that spurs him forward.

It is precisely because of the ancestral witches' demands that the present result, forged from countless sweat and wisdom, exists——

He stood at the highest and most central point of the entire Doutian Cup arena; looking down, he saw the tribes of Kunlun gathered together, countless billions of demon spirits, this vast and boundless demon sea, now bustling and noisy.

Faced with this unprecedented grand scene, Fengxi felt little tension; his calm composure seemed etched deep into his soul, as if from past lives he had already done countless similar things, leaving an indelible clear mark through the ages.

Perhaps.

This, is it innate leadership talent?

I, do I have the bearing of a human emperor?

Fengxi zoned out.

Is it intoxication?

Or perhaps it is infatuation?

It's too complicated, hard to describe clearly.

However, such feeling merely stirred in his heart for a brief moment before Fengxi suppressed it, restoring his reason.

'The endless toil of time……'

'Now, all the beings of the various tribes of Kunlun dance in the palm of my hand……'

'I…… have I fulfilled the ancestral witch's demand?'

'No!'

'Not yet!'

'Only after handling the entire event well and letting it conclude perfectly can we say it's come to a temporary end.'

'May our clan rise! Prosper! Be eternal!'

Fengxi's mouth curved into a brilliant smile.

Holding lofty ideals and beliefs…… In the next moment, he faced trillions upon trillions of demonic spirits and delivered the opening address for this grand competition that will surely be recorded in history.

Recalling the past, Pangu opened heaven and earth, letting all things come into being and causing myriad spirits to be born.

The Great Dao turns the heavenly mandate, making things compete in natural selection; myriad tribes and myriad groups strive to cross the eons, with countless rises and falls, beginnings and ends intertwined.

Time flows on, the ages drift, and at last we have arrived today.

We, the Wu Clan, inherit the spirit and bloodline of the great god Pangu, and we feel genuine joy at the prosperous heaven‑earth and flourishing civilization of the present age.

Thus we have expended heart and energy to forge a competition stage within Kunlun…… This is the grandest summation of the clear heavenly mandates of each and every tribe amidst the vast ages of time.

This is the greatest undertaking that carries forward the past and opens the future.

Through competition, we enable every tribe and every civilization to deeply understand their own strengths and weaknesses, to perceive their place within the heavenly mandate, and thus step onto this path—achieving self‑transcendence and self‑perfection!

We hold reverence for life and anticipation for the future, and here we kindle a spark— a spark of transcendent and eternal holy fire!

Fengxi spoke passionately.

At this moment, standing on the stage that draws the world's gaze, he showed no trace of stage fright, and his talent for spouting empty talk surged.

A competition whose original intent was not good, meant merely to display muscles and to do a bit of sowing discord, was instantly endowed with immense weight by his lip‑flapping oratory.

It seems, could this really be true?

Do you believe it?

In the audience, Hougang smiled and asked the painter.

Of course I don't believe it.

The painter shook his head.

Yeah…… I don't believe it either." Hougang nodded repeatedly, "But this guy, shining brightly under everyone's eyes and possessing the knack for spouting nonsense off the cuff…… reminds me of someone.

He is Yandi's trumpeter." The painter said lightly.

I know." Hougang's lips curled, "But… who exactly is Yandi?

As far as I know, Yandi withdrew intact from Houtu.

One proof of the Great Luo is eternal proof; one completion is eternal completion… Therefore Yandi can be the king of humanity, or else one of the earliest primordial divinities.

Even now, a portion of His will may still be active… Even if His peak, supreme power cannot be employed, He is certainly not a powerless bystander unable to intervene in the situation.

Hougang's smile grew ever more teasing.

Are you doubting that one?" The painter mused.

Don't you doubt it?" Hougang countered.

Well, I'm doubtful too." The painter let out a light sigh, "But I think, compared to equating Yandi with that one, the Huangdi who can defeat Yandi is the one that truly warrants careful attention!

Huangdi… regarding the suspects of His true identity, what's your take?

I can't tell." Hougang shook his head, "But judging solely by current paper‑ranked strength, counting from the top down, Hunyuan is the closest, and the ancestral witch of Houtu is the most likely.

Their strength is sufficient—this is a prerequisite. While Hunyuan controls the Heavenly Dao, Huangdi bears the title of Emperor Hong; Houtu governs the Way of Houtu, virtue bearing all things—this directly matches Huangdi's attributes perfectly.

But these two have also been diligently seeking Huangdi." The painter said calmly.

But who knows whether they aren't crying 'stop the thief' while being thieves themselves?" Hougang slightly raised his head, gazing at the star‑filled vault, "To deceive everyone?

Forget it…" He suddenly chuckled and shook his head, "No matter how the drama unfolds, that position has little to do with me.

I'll just do what I'm good at… recording the bits and pieces of this era, so that later generations may trace the grand, tumultuous waves of ancient times……

What a terrible taste…" The painter looked somewhat speechless, "The real secrets—would you dare to write them, and would later readers dare to read them?

If some hot‑headed youth were to flip over and learn the dark history of a mighty figure…… they'd probably end up dead without a burial place.

What's that got to do with me?" Hougang wore an inscrutable expression, "If you don't even know your own weight yet dare to investigate the hidden secrets of past eras… even dead you couldn't cry injustice!

It's not that I forced them to look… blame them for being unable to restrain their self‑destructive urges!

……

Fengxi was delivering the opening address.

This was the only scenery on the stage.

Below the stage, however, was a myriad of beings in all sorts of states.

When many were roused and exhilarated by being duped, there also existed a small handful of very calm fellows who were utterly unmoved by Fengxi's words.

They were either outstanding rational, wise and sharp sages, or simply old foxes who had witnessed countless worldly storms, having hosted activities far grander than today's scene, their eyelashes empty.

Compared to the former, the latter is more dangerous.

For among them, things might go awry…… no, there is certainly an incarnation of the Great Luo Heavenly Will as a trumpeter.

In number, they should not be fewer than the high‑level members of the two demonic and witch factions—all are here to watch the show.

Faithfully playing the roles of passerby and commentator, they are the sort of extras who know everything and can pull ancient historical secrets out of thin air.

They do not steal the protagonist's spotlight, but time and again they can, at critical moments, provide explanations for the clueless onlookers.

Fengxi stood on the stage, even pondering——

If at this moment the Nine‑Nether Diagram suddenly erupted in a sweeping blast, would it not achieve the feat of slaying a Great Luo incarnation of the same realm?

But after seriously considering the tragic aftermath…… he dispelled that suicidal thought.

Being alive is pretty good.

In this stirring historic moment, I, on behalf of the Organizing Committee of the First Doutian Cup Games, extend a warm welcome to all participants and guests from the various tribes and civilizations of the great Kunlun region!

Furthermore, I extend sincere thanks to the Daoist academies that helped with publicity, to the builders and workers who participated in preparing the Doutian Cup Games, and to all friends who care about and support the Kunlun Doutian Cup Games!

I hope that on this platform of the Games, every competitor can, in a fair‑competition environment, display superb skills, unleash the passion of participation, create the brilliance they yearn for in their hearts, thereby fulfilling the important mission of promoting deep mutual exchange among all races and civilizations, and achieving the great sublime transformation of personal and collective heavenly mandate, carrying forward and opening up!

May the holy fire burn long, and may the human way flourish greatly!

Fengxi shouted.

At the same time, he stretched out both hands, drawing in the countless thoughts of the beings here who had been infected and influenced, who felt that what was said was truly good, and then he retained a thread.

In the end, a vast amount of mental power, refined from false to true, was transformed into genuine holy fire.

This is the fire of all beings, the fire of the human Dao.

It is also the fire of Feng·999·Xi's important request from the night before.

"Now I announce!"

"The Dūtian Cup Sports Meet, officially begins!"

(End of chapter)