Chapter 1904: Leaving Opponents
Three days after Zhao Hai and Tu Qian fought, Zhao Hai was flying in the air. He dared to do so because he knew that the trial had ended. A cultivator had just been besieged to death by several immortal-stage beasts. Now there are only ten cultivators left.
Along with Zhao Hai and Tu Qian, there was someone that Zhao Hai had a connection with. Although he didn’t know who it was, he was familiar with this person’s realm. It was someone from the Heavenly Demon Realm. Zhao Hai didn’t hunt this person down like what Jian Wuya said. In fact, he cared about leaving this Heavenly Demon behind.
The reason the Heavenly Demon Realm attacked the Great Realm of Cultivation was because they wanted to enter the Soaring Dragon Realm. Zhao Hai left this Heavenly Demon behind so that they could enter the Soaring Dragon Realm. This would reduce the Heavenly Demon Realm’s inclinations to invade the Great Realm of Cultivation. Most importantly, this would also provide enemies to the immortal experts of the Great Realm of Cultivation in the Soaring Dragon Realm. Only in having a rival would one progress.
Sure enough, as Zhao Hai flew, he heard a voice, “Everyone, pay attention. The trial is over. Everyone, pay attention. The trial is over.”
Following this announcement, the remaining cultivators also flew out from the forest or the mountains. As soon as they flew up, a person appeared beside them. Naturally, these people were from the Soaring Dragon Realm. Lin Ling was the person who appeared beside Zhao Hai.
When Lin Ling appeared beside Zhao Hai, he looked at Zhao Hai and nodded, “Let’s go.” Then the two vanished after a flash of white light. The next moment, Zhao Hai and Lin Ling appeared in the Heaven Sect’s transmission formation plaza.
When the two people arrived, Jian Wuya and the others immediately rushed towards them. When they saw Zhao Hai standing beside Lin Ling, there was a huge smile on their faces.
Jian Wuya cupped their fist and said, “We have seen Mister Lin Ling.”
Lin Ling nodded and said, “The Great Realm of Cultivation is qualified to enter the Soaring Dragon Realm. With a wave of his hand, Lin Ling took out ten jade slips and handed them over to Zhao Hai and the others. Then Lin Ling gave Zhao Hai another look before he vanished from sight.
Zhao Hai felt that Lin Ling’s gaze held some approval towards him. However, he hid it from the others.
After Lin Ling left, Jian Wuya immediately looked at Zhao Hai and laughed, “We’ll have to thank Mister Zhao Hai this time. Mister, please.” Zhao Hai nodded and then followed the others to the main hall of the Heaven Sect.
When the group had settled down in the hall of the Heaven Sect, Jian Wuya looked at Zhao Hai and said, “Mister, did you meet the representative of the Heavenly Demon Realm?”
Zhao Hai shook his head and said, “No. The location of the trial has a very large area. It isn’t any smaller than the Northern Provinces. Even if there are a thousand people thrown in, it’s not very easy to find other people. Meeting beasts is more likely than meeting other cultivators. I reckon most of the deaths are caused by the realm’s beasts. I don’t even know the other survivors.”
Upon hearing Zhao Hai, Jian Wuya and the others nodded. They could imagine how Zhao Hai spent the past few days. To be honest, if they replaced Zhao Hai, they couldn’t guarantee that they would come back alive.
Naturally, Zhao Hai wouldn’t tell them the truth. Even if they were being polite, he could feel that they have a hint of hostility towards him. Also, after his return from the Forestsea Realm, their brief alliance is done. It was normal for the nine super sect leaders to have such a reaction.
At this time, Abbott Numu looked at Zhao Hai and said, “Mister, how many cultivators did you meet? How strong are they?”
Zhao Hai replied, “I met ten cultivators. They’re quite strong. But all of them died under my hand.”
Abbott Numu nodded. He has no suspicions regarding Zhao Hai’s strength. He believes that Zhao Hai could contend even against immortal experts.
Zhao Hai looked at the nine sect masters. Then he stood up and said, “Now that the trial is done. It’s time for me to leave. Thanks for honoring our agreement to not attack the Freedom Alliance.” After he said that, he cupped his fist to everyone and then disappeared.
When Zhao Hai disappeared, the sect masters seemed to have lost interest in talking. After a while, Jian Wuya sighed and said, “Although Zhao Hai went to the trial, it seems like he has left some things behind in the Freedom Alliance. All of you should head back. As long as Zhao Hai exists, the nine super sects will never be free from facing the Freedom Alliance.”
Hearing Jian Wuya, the other sect masters couldn’t help but sigh. They knew that Jian Wuya was right. As long as Zhao Hai is present, they wouldn’t have a way to deal with the Freedom Alliance.
Zhao Hai didn’t care what these sect masters were talking about. He was now back in the Black Tiger Gang. The sect was currently peaceful. Although everyone was aware that Zhao Hai was partic.i.p.ating in a trial on behalf of the Great Realm of Cultivation, n.o.body was worried. Naturally, this wasn’t because Zhao Hai was unpopular, it was because they had absolute confidence in him. They knew that Zhao Hai would be fine. They believed that he would pa.s.s the trial and then safely return.
When Zhao Hai returned to the Black Tiger Gang, he was met by cheers. Although they weren’t worried about Zhao Hai, they knew that his return meant that the Great Realm of Cultivation had kept its qualifications to enter the Soaring Dragon Realm. This was good news for the realm.
In the past, because of the nine super sects, a lot of sect masters didn’t know about the existence of the Soaring Dragon Realm. But after the invasion of the Heavenly Demons, everyone became aware of the realm’s existence.
Since everyone knows about the Soaring Dragon Realm, they were naturally happy to see that the Great Realm of Cultivation could enter it.
Zhao Hai greeted everyone before going to see Zhang Feng in his study. Zhang Feng was still busy. Although the Freedom Alliance was on the right track, there were still a lot of things he needed to deal with.
When Zhao Hai pushed the door of Zhang Feng’s study, Zhang Feng was standing up and about to leave. Seeing Zhang Feng, Zhao Hai couldn’t help but stare. He asked, “Senior Brother, are you heading out?”
Zhang Feng laughed and said, “Oh, I was about to go out and meet you. I didn’t expect you to come over this soon. Come, come. Take a seat. Tell me about the trial.”
Zhao Hai smiled and took a seat. Then he told Zhang Feng about the trial. He also mentioned that he didn’t kill the representative of the Heavenly Demon Realm.
Hearing Zhao Hai, Zhang Feng couldn’t help but knit his brows as he said, “You didn’t kill the representative of the Heavenly Demon Realm? So the Heavenly Demon Realm is also entering the Soaring Dragon Realm? This means that we’ll have an enemy there. How could this be good?”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “It’s not. But if we don’t let the Heavenly Demons enter the Soaring Dragon Realm, I’m afraid they will invade the Great Realm of Cultivation once more. On the other hand, if they enter the Soaring Dragon Realm, they won’t be as united as they are now. They will definitely fight among themselves. This would reduce any chances of them invading us. And any battles they carry against us will happen in the Soaring Dragon Realm. And with the nature of the Soaring Dragon Realm, the Heavenly Demons wouldn’t be able to attack us with all their strength. Even if we go to the Soaring Dragon Realm, nothing will happen to us. This would solve our problem with the Heavenly Demons.”
Hearing Zhao Hai’s thoughts, Zhang Feng felt that it was reasonable. Zhao Hai looked at Zhang Feng and added, “Moreover, there’s a benefit to having the Heavenly Demons enter the Soaring Dragon Realm. The Heavenly Demons will provide our people in the Soaring Dragon Realm with pressure. Only in this way can we progress and get a chance to attract the attention of the higher realms. This is also the reason why I left the nine super sects alone. We need pressure to be motivated to move forward. The disciples of the Black Tiger Gang have to strive to improve, not become arrogant idiots like the disciples of the nine super sects.”
Zhang Feng walked back and forth as he a.n.a.lyzed Zhao Hai’s words. To be honest, he was only thinking of improving the position of the Black Tiger Gang. He wanted to gain more benefits for the sect. He hasn’t thought of leaving an opponent for the Black Tiger Gang.
What Zhao Hai said was correct. In the past, the disciples of the nine super sects have become arrogant, causing them to be weaker than the previous generations. Their strength stagnated due to the lack of enemies. The other sects wouldn’t dare provoke the disciples of the nine super sects.
Naturally, Zhang Feng hopes that the Black Tiger Gang will continue becoming stronger. He doesn’t want the Black Tiger Gang’s disciples to become arrogant like the disciples of the nine super sects. Therefore, Zhang Feng approves leaving an enemy for the Freedom Alliance and the Black Tiger Gang to sharpen their weapons with.
But at the same time, Zhang Feng was a bit worried. He was worried that the Black Tiger Gang wouldn’t be able to get stronger fast enough and be overwhelmed by the nine super sects. When the time comes, the Black Tiger Gang would be in danger. Thinking of this, Zhang Feng turned his head to Zhao Hai and said, “Little Hai, what you said is very reasonable. However, what would happen if the disciples of the Black Tiger couldn’t withstand the nine super sects?”
Zhao Hai replied, “If such a day comes, then that means the Black Tiger Gang has no need to exist. If the Black Tiger Gang wants to be at the top of the Great Realm of Cultivation, it needs to pa.s.s some tests. Only in this way can it keep its position.”
Hearing Zhao Hai, Zhang Feng immediately understood what he meant. He couldn’t help but nod. To be honest, he was also worried about the Black Tiger Gang’s situation. The Black Tiger Gang’s current position was all because of Zhao Hai. But after Zhao Hai reaches the immortal stage, he would certainly enter the Soaring Dragon Realm. And the people in charge of the Soaring Dragon Realm weren’t blind. They would certainly see how special Zhao Hai is. If Zhao Hai goes to the higher realms, it would be impossible for him to return. And once the Black Tiger Gang loses Zhao Hai’s protection, that would be the time their strength would be tested.
At the same time, the more dangerous the situation, the more benefits there would be. If the Black Tiger Gang can withstand the attack of the nine super sects, their position in the Great Realm of Cultivation would be solidified. When that time comes, the Black Tiger Gang could call itself the biggest power in the Great Realm of Cultivation.
The Freedom Alliance was now under the control of the Black Tiger Gang. All of this was because of Zhao Hai. If the Black Tiger Gang cannot rely on its own strength, then it would give the other sects the idea that Zhao Hai was its sole source of power. Therefore, Zhao Hai wanted to leave enemies for the sect. Also, one’s status depends on the types of enemies they were against. And the nine super sects are the best opponents for the Black Tiger Gang.
Zhang Feng stopped walking and looked at Zhao Hai. Then he said, “You’re right. The Black Tiger Gang requires strong opponents. I agree with your idea. What do you plan to do next?”
Zhao Hai replied, “I have no plans as of now. I plan to take a rest and then seclude myself, slowly fading out of everyone’s sight. Only when I’m gone will the disciples of the sect train hard.”
Zhang Feng nodded and said, “That is also good. Tell me if you reach the immortal stage. If you want to enter the Soaring Dragon Realm and go to the higher realms, there’s no need to hesitate. We have already delayed you enough.”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “There’s no need for First Senior Brother to worry. The trial has helped me a lot. I have to seclude myself for some time to study new cultivation methods. It will take me sometime before I reach the immortal stage.”
Zhang Feng nodded, then he said, “Alright. Remember, whatever decision you make, the Black Tiger Gang will be right behind you.” Zhao Hai nodded, then he cupped his first to Zhang Feng before leaving.