Chapter 821: Certainty

This observation trip held jointly by the two worlds could be considered a case of a tiger's head and a snake's tail: ambitious planning, a grand expedition, and a dejected, slinking return. For some passengers, even those Sword Immortals and High Priests who sat on the first level but did not go out to meet the enemy, it all felt inexplicable. In their experience, they only felt they were attacked by the enemy and the ship was surrounded; two leading Sword Saints led eight powerhouses into battle, with the outcome unknown. In any case, the result was that ten people went out and nine returned. After returning, they immediately engaged full power and fled back without looking back. They were lucky enough to shake off the enemy and arrive home safely.

Judging from the results, the powerhouses going out certainly could not be called victorious; it was merely a repulse, followed by a smooth tactical withdrawal.

Although a bit shameful, there was no other way. The group was not discouraged; on the contrary, they felt fortunate: being able to retreat unscathed when encountering a strong enemy is just as worth rejoicing over as being able to defeat an evenly matched foe. Moreover, having spent several months under the oppressive shadow of the outside world, the group had unknowingly concluded that the world was indeed an invincible, powerful enemy; thus, not being defeated upon meeting, and not dying if defeated, was not so hard to accept.

However, the few powerhouses who returned from the outside were all very strange. Some were full of confusion, as if leaving the cabin was not to fight, but to take a long nap, and they had only just woken up, returning in a daze. Others had solemn expressions; for example, High Priest Hu Tianyou revealed a grave look that even the disciples who had followed him for many years had never seen, frowning as if in thought, and there seemed to be a little something in his expression...

Admiration?

Admiration for what?

Admiration for that Xun Sword?

That Xun Sword's expression was perhaps the most relaxed of all, even somewhat comfortable; the brows that were slightly furrowed upon arrival were now smoothed out. In the entire team, only he and another tall Sword Immortal were the most relaxed.

Although both sides fought together, they naturally separated again after returning to the cabin, going back to their own camps. Xun Sword returned to his seat with a smile and said to the people who gathered around: "Everyone, don't worry about it. Just wait to go home; there is no need to discuss any secrets on this ship. Everyone just act as if you know nothing, and we will talk in detail when we return."

The group looked at each other, all thinking: But, we really do know nothing?

On the other side, High Priest Hu Tianyou also expressed the same sentiment: this is not the place to talk. Besides that, he only sighed: "Those Humans' 'swords' really cannot be said to be very powerful, but sometimes they are truly useful."

After another ten-plus hours, the Great Ship finally landed smoothly in Huangbaijie. People from both sides had long since come to receive them. Before Hu Tianyou returned to his side, he said to Xun Sword: "You will bring that child to tomorrow's meeting, right?"

Xun Sword nodded and said: "Naturally. This was our plan from the start. Hearing is false, seeing is believing. You have also seen it with your own eyes; is this not a feasible plan? Even for your own sake, shouldn't you support it?"

Hu Tianyou's expression was cold, yet he used a method of voice transmission that only Xun Sword could hear: "You and I have the friendship of fighting side by side, so I will remind you: if you want to persist with this plan, you must protect that child well."

Xun Sword raised an eyebrow; this remark was naturally not without purpose, and he said: "What do you mean? Will there be madmen acting against him? Do these people not want their lives?"

Except for Wei Zhangle himself, this plan was beneficial to everyone; why would anyone want to block it?

Hu Tianyou said: "I can only say that this ship has been prepared for too long. To some people, it must take off. It will not allow anyone to block it."

Having said this, he left.

Although he spoke as if nothing were the matter, Xun Sword took it to heart, and his previously smoothed brows furrowed tightly once more. He said softly: "Stay close to me."

Wei Zhangle, who had almost never left his side for a step but had been completely unnoticed by anyone, answered and followed him closely as he left.

The reason why, in such a tight timeframe, the group who came off the ship was made to wait a day before the meeting was, of course, not to let the hard-working Sword Immortals and Sword Saints rest, but to give the two camps time for final internal deliberations.

As for the passengers who returned this time, the younger Sword Heroes went back to rest, naturally, to ruminate on their gains, or to rest well if they had none. Those Sword Immortals merely snatched a bit of free time to instruct their Disciples, passing on a thing or two they wanted to entrust, and before they could even wash up, they were already preparing to go to Jianshan for the meeting.

In the Sword Mountain Hall, the attendance was very complete. The eight Sword Saints sat in a circle together, and the remaining Sword Immortals who could come formed another circle on the periphery, listening.

Wei Zhangle was also in the hall. He was likely the only Sword Hero, but his position was quite close to the center... one could only say it was the very center. His position was right next to Qian Sword.

This was also his first time scrutinizing this first Sword Saint known as "Heaven."

The feeling he got... was just plain and unremarkable.

He had seen Kun Sword, who was already plain enough, but still had the temperament of an old farmer and a pastoral leisure. This Qian Sword really had no discernible temperament; even a person with a keen eye would find it hard to judge what kind of person he was. Wei Zhangle could only see his appearance—

A plain, unremarkable middle-aged man who could only be said not to be ugly.

But he indeed represented "Heaven" and was the person with the most authority to make decisions today.

Is this what "Heaven and Earth are unkind" means?

The meeting had no empty content and went straight to the topic. Six-Dragon Sword, as the representative, introduced the experience of going to the Void this time, speaking very simply; in fact, there was nothing to say to begin with.

The only thing worth mentioning was Wei Zhangle's performance.

"That world is extremely powerful. Previously, His Highness Xun Sword had gone to probe the structure of that world, saying that the world had almost no ordinary residents, like a monster's nest, with many ferocious beasts lying in the nest, ready to come out to hunt at any time, and the prey being other worlds and all living things. This time it seems it is indeed so. These monster beasts are very powerful; each one requires several Sword Immortals to contend with. The strong among them are not even something a single Sword Saint can contend with alone. If it were not for Wei Zhangle, it is hard to say how many of us could have returned. I do not know how many such powerhouses they still have. Even in the most optimistic scenario, if the stronger ones among them are in the top ten of their world, and those on par with him are not in the double digits, then even if we join forces with the Tianmo, we dare not say we can contend."

He spoke heavily, and everyone was silent.

In fact, they had known early on that this was not something their side could contend with, but they had originally thought it was because their own world was too small, so they lost innately. But now, realizing that even excluding the world itself, they were powerless to contend just counting the powerhouses upon it, this was also a blow to everyone.

"Alright, now both sides have not yet shown their cards and are still guessing each other's strength, unlike our long-standing war with the Tianmo where we know the bottom line. Some people will therefore despise their opponents, and some may therefore belittle themselves. This is unnecessary. We must attach extreme importance to them, but do not fear them. Everything is centered on us; there is no need to be shaken by external things or external people."

Qian Sword's voice was very steady, and his viewpoint was also correct. It was just that while he seemed impartial, he was actually already trying to comfort his own people. One couldn't say: "Don't despair yet, because you haven't seen the enemy; if you see the enemy, you will be even more desperate," right?

Having temporarily unified their thinking, Qian Sword continued: "Speak of Wei Zhangle's performance."

Six-Dragon Sword was just about to speak when Xun Sword said: "Let me say it. I am clearer on the ins and outs. This child Wei Zhangle performed very excellently..."

He recounted how he and Wei Zhangle went to spy on the two enemies, how they struggled to rush back, how they used the Sword Technique to first let everyone avoid a crisis, and then let the two powerhouses forget everyone, only then allowing the Great Ship to return safely. All kinds of deeds were detailed, and although he did not deliberately exaggerate, his words were full of praise.

"So, you think Wei Zhangle is capable of that task?" Qian Sword asked. The people here were all the decision-making layer of Jianshan; even if they didn't know the plan in detail, they had heard of it. And since they were trusted people, there was no need to be evasive in their speech.

Xun Sword pondered: "To say I can confirm it is feasible, I certainly dare not guarantee it fully, but what I want to say is that the Sword Technique Wei Zhangle used today that could conceal us all, making powerhouses who are better than me unable to see through it, was just an ordinary Sword Technique."

He said word by word: "It was not even the Changjie Sword Technique at all!"

The crowd had already been secretly amazed, and hearing this reminder, they couldn't help but be startled. Xun Sword continued: "As everyone knows, the Changjie Sword Technique is one tier per step; its power is more than doubled. What realm it will reach if Wei Zhangle is given sufficient time and conditions to complete that final Changjie Sword Technique, I cannot see through!"

After a silence, Qian Sword said: "This child Wei Zhangle is very good!"

This word "good" had many meanings. The crowd looked at Wei Zhangle, some with admiration, some with regret.

If it were ordinary times, a youth receiving a "good" from Qian Sword would naturally have a boundless future, but for Wei Zhangle, the meaning was not great; the future seemed to have no meaning for him anymore.

"In any case, even if it doesn't succeed in the end, this path must be prepared as an important option. Regarding Wei Zhangle, firstly, we must support him with all our strength; secondly, we can slowly publicize it. Let those who should know, know."

This "should know" included the Tianmo Jie; this plan was never intended to be hidden from that side, but rather to have them support it with all their strength.

"Tomorrow we will take Wei Zhangle to the meeting."

However, at this moment, Xun Sword said: "This matter is a bit troublesome. I received news that some on the Tianmo side might be fanatical Airship-faction members who resent our plan and might take action to stop it." He pondered for a moment and said, "If we rashly take Wei Zhangle to an occasion with many people and many powerhouses, he might be in danger."

Wei Zhangle had long heard of this matter and was still calm, but the Sword Immortals were astonished, some feeling bewildered: why would anyone want to harm their own hope of salvation?

Even if their philosophies don't match, shouldn't life take precedence? Are there really such fanatical people?

Or is it that there are interests greater than life?

Kun Sword frowned and said: "Does that mean we hide Wei Zhangle? And not go tomorrow?"

Then he heard someone say: "We can go tomorrow, but we need to change the method."

Wei Zhangle was both surprised and happy to hear this voice!