Chapter 836: Frankness

In the great hall, after Qian Jian had just thrown down a Heavenly Thunder, everyone seemed to have been struck deaf; there was not a sound.

The Haotian High Priest remained silent, while the Songtian High Priest's lips moved slightly, as if saying: "Absurd, absurd..." The other high priests had varying expressions; some were excited, some palpitating, some questioning, and others increasingly indignant.

Yet, there were more who were tempted. It should also be that more were tempted.

In the end, the Haotian High Priest spoke: "It is not that I do not trust you, but this statement is truly inconceivable. We cannot just believe it because you say so. This... this..."

Qian Jian said: "Whether it succeeds or not must be proven. Changle will prove it to you. I only need you to answer: if it can truly save everyone, will the Spirit Realm side just throw away this opportunity, condemning tens of millions to death, only to send a million disciples out to sea with their fates unknown?"

At this, the Songtian High Priest blurted out: "Why not?"

This sentence was too blunt; even the Heavenly Demons nearby cast side-glances. At this moment, the Hutian Priest, who had returned from beyond the heavens with Xun Jian, spoke: "I think it is not necessarily impossible to try. I believe I have seen Changle's level with my own eyes. I must say, I truly feel that Changle's greatest utility is still on the ground."

He said patiently: "I am not saying he has no use on the ship; on the contrary, he certainly has great use. But I have heard that this child's strongest protection requires a price, meaning the strongest performance can only happen once. It is best to use it to deliver a decisive blow in one go. If he is on the ship, because the ship's own protection is truly insignificant compared to that which is invading the world, even if he protects it once, it would be difficult to protect it a second time. Once he goes, the risk of the ship being destroyed in the future remains extremely high. However, if he can use this one precious opportunity on the ground to protect the world, the problem is completely solved, and no one is in danger. It would not be a waste of such a god-given genius."

What he said was reasonable and well-founded; perhaps because he was one of the Heavenly Demon side, it was more persuasive, and some of the top figures among the Heavenly Demons nodded slightly.

However, at this moment, Songtian stood up, turned back, and said coldly: "Hutian, are you afraid of death?"

Before Hutian could counter, Haotian shouted first: "Songtian, what is wrong with you today? Sit down!"

Songtian then sat down. At this time, Zhen Jian sneered: "High Priest Songtian, why are you so anxious? You truly are a benevolent saint. The sages here, at most, are willing to sacrifice their lives for righteousness, worrying about what others worry about, thinking what others think, but there has never been a case where someone wouldn't let them die, and they got anxious instead. You have achieved this; isn't this 'saintly beyond saintly'? You are so anxious, it's as if your entire fortune is staked on the ship, isn't it?"

The Haotian High Priest said again: "Prince Zhen Jian, haven't you said too much? Everyone is just debating each other here; must you attack their character?"

Zhen Jian bowed slightly.

Qian Jian said leisurely: "Haotian, I know you have spent too much effort on the Great Ship, and you are reluctant to change course. We did not intend to ask you to give up; why not do both? Regarding the Relic Project, the financial support we agreed upon will not be reduced by a single bit; let you prepare well to ascend, and we can even withdraw our own people to let you send more of your own, allowing many more of your disciples to live. When the crisis comes, the ship can leave first, and Changle will stay behind to fight with all his might. If he fails, the original plan remains unchanged, and your seeds will not be extinguished. If he succeeds, the Great Ship can also return. Wouldn't that be a happy ending for all? The ship will not rot away in a short time if left behind, and it might still be useful in the future."

This was truly the best of both worlds, and several people on the opposite side were tempted. Zhen Jian keenly noticed that Songtian was still indignant—no hesitation, no temptation, only displeasure and unease. That unease was not about gains and losses, but seemed more like a genuine fear that if the plan were realized, and he cast a fierce look at Changle on this side.

Zhen Jian was even a bit surprised: it seems this fellow is the leader of the "Airship Faction." What interest do they have in the airship that they value more than their lives? And it is overwhelmingly important; it has reached this point, the lifeline is right before their eyes, and there is not a hint of hesitation?

However, it seems the Haotian High Priest is not that kind of extreme airship faction member. He pondered for a moment and said: "Even ants struggle to survive; when disaster strikes, we too cannot avoid secret fear. With such an opportunity, how could we refuse again and again? Then let us do both. I have heard that Changle's use of Sword Technique also consumes resources, and we will not take it for free; there are still some good materials in the Spirit Realm. You support our shipbuilding, and we will support your project. You can state any requirements you have. However, reducing the number of people on the airship is unnecessary; how can we go back on what was previously discussed? Let us distribute the quotas as previously agreed."

The Human World side sneered inwardly when he specifically mentioned that the ship's quota would not be reduced. Kun Jian spoke at this time: "Speaking of that airship, we have always had doubts. The performance of the lifeboat was not as expected before. Just one or two invading monsters dragged the ship down, and it had absolutely no power to fight back. So what if it is replaced by a Great Ship? Therefore, to us, this Great Ship plan is truly unreliable. Rather than letting our own children have their lives absorbed in the Void, leaving no bones behind, it would be better to stay, live together, and die together, so we can at least keep each other company on the road. So we are no longer very interested in that ship plan. You don't need to be embarrassed; take all the quotas. We didn't say we would cut off supply."

This time, it was the Hutian Priest who said: "You cannot say it like that. Although the lifeboat met with danger, the real Great Ship will not be so fragile. You can rest assured; it will definitely be fine, and we would not take such risks with our own children."

Zhen Jian shook his head and said: "The problem lies right here. The lifeboat was no good, and you boast about the Great Ship, but until today we haven't even seen the Great Ship properly, and there hasn't been a single test flight. How can this make people feel at ease? Is it that you are guarding against us too much, or is the Great Ship really just a facade that cannot withstand inspection? We let Changle stand here openly and even let you see his ability with your own eyes before coming to persuade you, but you only draw cakes in the Void. It seems you are more guilty than we are. In my opinion, either let us go on the ship together to see—with so many Sword Saints and Sword Immortals opening their eyes to look carefully, we will know it is a reliable ship—or we will withdraw. Who would dare let their child take a paper boat out to sea?"

This time, without Qian Jian needing to speak, everyone echoed: "That is exactly it. The countdown is almost twenty days, and we haven't even seen the ship; how is this not a joke? Either show us the ship, or we withdraw!"

Haotian frowned. He keenly noticed that the number of times they threatened to withdraw today was unexpectedly high, as if they had found some universal password. They were not actually forbidding the other side from seeing it; it was just not yet time for the plan.

At this moment, the Songtian Priest gave him a wink and said: "Why not? The Great Ship is parked on the square in front of the Holy Temple. We originally had plans to go see it, so we will take you to see it."

Haotian frowned: Not only is the Human side not playing by the rules, but there is also fire and smoke at home; why is no one taking me seriously anymore?

But the high priests' organization is as loose as Jianshan, or perhaps even looser. Songtian is not Haotian's subordinate, and Haotian cannot take back what he said. He also knew that Songtian would not speak nonsense. Even if he let them visit today, it was not impossible; the ship was finished long ago, it just needed a day or two to... withdraw 【the items】.

"Anyone who wants to go can go." Songtian scanned the circle, "Sword Saints, Sword Immortals, and that child Sword Hero, all go together. If any eye doesn't see the ship, it would seem like we intentionally deceived you."

This time it was Zhen Jian's turn to say: "Changle doesn't need to go. Firstly, he doesn't understand, and secondly, his time is extremely precious and cannot be delayed for a moment. He came today to make an appearance and must return immediately. We old guys will go take a look, and that will be enough."

At this moment, Songtian's attitude hardened, and he said loudly: "How can that be? He must go regardless of who else goes; this may also be the place where he has to fight. If you let him go, you can visit today; if he doesn't go, you can wait another day."

As he spoke, he gave Haotian a look again. He had probably never been so proactive in wanting Haotian to cooperate. Although Haotian was unhappy that he kept acting on his own, after all, they were in front of the humans, and he had to maintain his own face. He said: "Exactly, it is rare for Changle to come here; how can he go back just like that? Go to the ship first and try it out to see if your power can protect an entire ship. Although you haven't paid the price yet, if you can cover a ship before using any means, then only after adding all the weights will it be possible to cover the whole world, right? We show you the real ship, and you show us the real Changle; that is what you call being open and honest, right?"

He spoke very earnestly, but it still could not deceive anyone. Several Sword Saints guessed that he wanted to do something to Changle. So they were unwilling to let Changle go back. As for going to the ship... could it be... that they want to use the Evil God to take action?

If the Evil God takes action, it would be foolproof, and it could be very covert, not necessarily tearing off the mask. For the Human World side, although the threat is greatly increased and there is a very high risk, it also creates an opportunity to spy on the Evil God. Only when the other side does not know that they already know of the Evil God's existence can they possibly reveal their flaws.

However... for such an opportunity, is it worth it to let such an important person take the risk?

If there was no prior planning, they absolutely could not agree at this time, but since there was planning, they had the capital to take the risk.

Qian Jian pondered slightly, and saw "Changle" looking over, his eyes bright; this meant he was eager to try. However, he would not agree just because this young man volunteered; it was common for young people to be overconfident and overestimate themselves. He looked at Kun Jian.

Kun Jian was more familiar with the boy's strength and had his own discernment; his judgment was more credible.

In the end, Kun Jian nodded slightly, giving this young man his trust.

Qian Jian naturally had nothing more to say, and smiled: "Since you have kindly invited us, wouldn't it be a killjoy if we didn't go? Let's go together. Changle, come, I will hold you as we walk; I expect it will be fine!"