Chapter 273 - 270: Fourth Turns Gather at Guiyun Peak

Chapter 273: Chapter 270: Fourth Turns Gather at Guiyun Peak

’This is ridiculous...’

Inside Suxin Pavilion, Yan Chqing found the deeply affectionate master-disciple scene before her rather surreal.

In just three days, he had converted these "demonesses" of Suxin Pavilion to this state.

Her tone was unfriendly. "Let’s go. Show me what you plan to do to the Fourth Turn masters."

As she spoke, the two of them vanished from the grand hall as if they had teleported, leaving behind a reluctant disciple wailing in sorrow:

"Master Fang Can, you have to be careful! Please come back and guide me again next time."

...

In the sky, a rainbow-colored streak of light carried the two of them westward.

Looking at the boy’s solemn expression, Yan Chqing chuckled. "What, scared now?"

The boy’s silence was her only response.

Ever since he’d said he was going to provoke the Fourth Turn masters, this woman had been relentlessly sarcastic, which Fang Can found rather annoying.

’She probably thinks that the Fourth Turn masters are inviolable, or something like that.’

Given Fang Can’s silence, Yan Chqing gave up trying to get a rise out of him, and they traveled the rest of the way without a word.

In the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the two had crossed over ten thousand kilometers and arrived at their destination—Guiyun Peak!

Guiyun Peak was located deep within Heaven-Splitting Gorge, at the border of the various nations. A lone, thousand-ren peak, it pierced the clouds like a broken sword and was perpetually shrouded in a chaotic mist, rarely visited by anyone.

Each year, only a few Martial Artists seeking to challenge themselves would come to these deep mountains for training, battling against nature.

The nations had chosen this location precisely because they didn’t want to expose such an unseemly matter as dividing up Fang Can to the public.

All those present were Martial Artists of the Third Turn or higher. Ordinary people were not even worthy of attending. Every single one was a famous and reputable Martial Artist from their respective circles.

One of the Martial Artists on-site remarked that if all the masters gathered on Guiyun Peak were to die, the political landscape of the nations would shift, affecting hundreds of millions of people.

And as the grand prize of this meeting—one only the strong could enjoy—Fang Can naturally had to present himself here.

"Are you going to put me in a cangue or shackles?" Fang Can asked, looking at Yan Chqing beside him.

"What kind of shackles could hold a First Turn? With a group of Fourth Turn masters watching, do you think they’d go to the trouble of forging a Sacrificial Artifact just for you?"

Yan Chqing lazily rolled her eyes. "When the time comes, just kneel obediently. It’ll save you from some hot-tempered Fourth Turn master looking for trouble."

"You’ll be passed around as goods among the various factions. Don’t be all battered and broken from that stubborn temper of yours by the time you get to me in a few days."

"Also, you won’t just be serving women. There might be a sea of high-quality men, too. You’d better watch out for yourself. If you have to suffer, then suffer."

Yan Chqing shook her head as she spoke, her eyes filled with deep pity, but she had no intention of interfering.

As she spoke, the two of them strode toward the summit. Along the way, the Third Turn cultivators from various factions they passed all bowed respectfully to her, then stared at Fang Can with pitiful eyes.

In their eyes, it was a terrible fate for a male Martial Artist to fall into the hands of a place like Suxin Pavilion.

Was a single night of pleasure worth watching your Realm slip away like water?

If you compared one’s Realm to money, it was like diligently building a business and saving up hundreds of millions, only to have it all blown away in one night by these female cultivators from Suxin Pavilion.

Even those Martial Artists who cultivated through carnal arts didn’t dare provoke the women of Suxin Pavilion.

After all, they understood the difference between one fulfilling experience and many. Giving up an entire forest for a single tree was just too tragic.

Faced with the pitying gazes of these male cultivators, Yan Chqing simply smiled without a word, while Fang Can couldn’t be bothered to explain. They continued on their way up the thousand-zhang-high peak.

Halfway there, however, his steps faltered slightly, for he saw an acquaintance coming down from the summit.

On the steps leading down, a senior monk in clean white robes with a serene face was descending at a slow, deliberate pace.

The senior monk exuded an air of compassion. He held a string of simple Buddhist Beads in his left hand, and though he was a monk, he had shoulder-length black hair, giving him a somewhat otherworldly aura.

It was none other than Zen Master Luo Yanmo, whom he had met once during the Great Tournament of Nations.

Because of his Telepathy, Fang Can sensed an aura about him that was untainted by the mortal world.

Accustomed to seeing people ascend, Yan Chqing was curious to see someone descending. "Zen Master Yan Mo, where are you headed?"

From a distance, Luo Yanmo also saw the pair. He put his palms together respectfully and said, "Greetings, Donors. The abbot has spoken: monks should be compassionate, remain untainted by worldly affairs, and not be swayed by profit or desire."

"Each person has their own karma. Thus, he ordered this humble monk to come and inform the various powers that the Brahma Sound Temple will not participate in this worldly dispute, leaving the other sects to decide as they see fit."

’The Brahma Sound Temple isn’t participating?’

Yan Chqing was inwardly delighted to hear this. It was indeed typical of that bunch of dead-eyed, sutra-chanting monks.

But this was perfect. Otherwise, the Brahma Sound Temple, with its Fifth Turn Sacrificial Artifact, would have claimed a huge share. This was great news for Suxin Pavilion.

At this thought, she couldn’t suppress the smile on her face. She said pretentiously, "What a pity. Please allow me to see you off, Zen Master. And please convey my good will to your abbot."

"Amitabha." Zen Master Luo Yanmo put his palms together, then looked at Fang Can with some hesitation.

"Donor Fang, have you been feeling troubled lately?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Zen Master Luo realized he’d stated the obvious.

He was a prisoner of the major powers; how could his mood possibly be good?

Fang Can was also a bit confused as to why the monk would say that. He hadn’t felt troubled at all these past three days. He’d emptied his clips of any frustration back at Suxin Pavilion.

"Why do you say that, Zen Master?"

"This humble monk’s Telepathy can perceive the emotions of those nearby. To me, Donor, you currently seem like a true dragon bound by chains, unable to break free."

"Perhaps it is related to your current predicament. If this continues for long, you may fall into a demonic obsession."

Fang Can agreed with him. Ever since reaching the First Turn, he had indeed felt like everything was going against him.

At this point, Zen Master Luo couldn’t help but say a little more:

"If you are willing to convert to Buddhism, Donor, as long as you promise to never set foot into the Fourth Turn Realm, the Temple can guarantee your safety."

"Zen Master... you’re talking a bit much."

Yan Chqing narrowed her eyes. If she weren’t wary of the Brahma Sound Temple’s power, she would have already killed a mere Second Turn like him.

"Thank you for your guidance, Zen Master. I’m afraid this place is about to become a center of conflict. Please leave quickly," Fang Can said sincerely, stepping aside to clear a path.

Seeing Fang Can’s insistence, Zen Master Luo sighed softly and continued down the mountain.

After bidding farewell to the Zen Master, the two resumed their journey and soon arrived at the summit.

To welcome the arrival of the Fourth Turn masters, a hundred zhang had been sheared clean off the summit, which was now paved with Liuli Qi-Suppressing Bricks transported from the Five Demons Sect.

Thirty lotus platforms were arranged in a circle around the edge, clearly the seats for the Fourth Turn masters. At present, only seven of them were occupied.

In the center was an ordinary stone slab, the spot where the war prize, Fang Can, was to be displayed.

Fang Can’s expression flickered. He sensed something unusual in his surroundings, and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

Because he faintly sensed that the King of Lame Gags had been waiting in the shadows for a long time.

’It must have been so hard for that guy to hold back from making a bad joke for this long.’

"Heh, this kid is pretty calm. He sees us and isn’t even scared. He’s actually smiling, heh."

A sharp, biting voice came from the side. Fang Can looked over and saw a skinny old man with sharp, monkey-like features staring at him with beady eyes.

Fang Can knew who he was: the Fourth Turn Thief Sage, Tuoba Yu.

This Tuoba Yu had been assessed by Bai Xiaosheng as the single greatest Fourth Turn threat to him.

Back then, Fang Can’s second question to Bai Xiaosheng had been: "For a group that fights together like us, which inheritance is the most effective counter?"

To this, Bai Xiaosheng had replied after some thought, "Every Fourth Turn inheritance has its strengths and weaknesses, its own mechanics and stats. But the one that poses the greatest threat to you all is the one possessed by the Thief Sage, Tuoba Yu."

"Because his Fourth Turn inheritance is called ’Empty-Handed.’"

"Within ten zhang, this inheritance allows him to steal anything he wants."

"Yes, anything."

"At the First Turn, it steals objects. At the Second Turn, it steals people. At the Fourth Turn, it can even steal the memories right out of a Martial Artist’s mind."

"Once he reaches the Sixth Turn, he might even be able to steal other people’s inheritances and use them for a while."

Through Bai Xiaosheng’s explanation, Fang Can now understood just how troublesome this inheritance was.

It was practically a natural counter to superpower users.

All the preparations made by Fang Can and the other superpower users relied on hiding inside the internal space of the super tank, Ji Donglai.

But Tuoba Yu’s inheritance allowed him to steal anything within ten zhang, without exception.

Even through an indestructible spatial barrier, this Tuoba Yu could pluck Fang Can and the others right out of Ji Donglai’s body.

At that point, without Ji Donglai’s defense, the other superpower users wouldn’t even be able to resist; they would be crushed in an instant.

So, when the battle started, the first one they had to kill was this Tuoba Yu.

Seeing Fang Can lower his head in thought, Tuoba Yu rubbed the jade gourd at his waist with his bony knuckles, his beady green eyes smiling as he spoke:

"Pavilion Master Yan, I heard this boy spent three days in your Suxin Pavilion. How is he still so full of life and vigor?"

Taking a seat on a jade lotus platform, Yan Chqing gave a cold smile. "What, is a great rogue like the Thief Sage, a man of no sect or faction, also looking to get a piece of this cauldron?"

"I just wanted to join the fun. Watching you bunch of Fourth Turn masters fight to the death over a junior is just too amusing."

"Is that so? I think you’re not here for the fun, but to fish in troubled waters and swipe a few things from us Fourth Turn masters," Sand Whale said sarcastically.

"You broke-ass Body Refining bum, shut your mouth. Even if I were desperate enough to steal from anyone, it wouldn’t be your Inversion Sect."

Tuoba Yu’s voice was filled with scorn. "A few years ago, I snuck into your Inversion Sect. I thought the meditation grounds of a master about to ascend to the Fifth Turn would be incredibly wealthy, but you didn’t even have twenty Third Turn Sacrificial Artifacts."

"I looked through them all and didn’t find a single thing worth taking. A bunch of broke muscle-heads, and you’re so damn proud of it."

"You—" Enraged by the taunt, Sand Whale quickly retorted with a cold sneer:

"Well, I heard that a few decades ago, you snuck into the Great Chu imperial palace at night to steal treasures, only to be caught by the previous Chu emperor, who gave you a few hard slaps and hung you from the city gate tower for three days as a public spectacle before letting you go."

"Looks like you still haven’t learned your lesson."

...

Sitting in his designated spot with great interest, Fang Can listened to the open and hidden barbs exchanged between these Fourth Turn masters, thoroughly enjoying the gossip.

Ever since Tuoba Yu had started the exchange, several other Fourth Turn masters began to mock him, apparently because his actions had offended too many people.

Consequently, no one paid him any attention, and he was happy to be left alone.

But this peace did not last long.

As time passed, more and more Fourth Turn masters arrived.

Less than an hour later, eighteen of the lotus platforms were occupied.

The number of Fourth Turn masters present now exceeded half the total number in all the nations, and they were accompanied by at least a hundred Third Turn Martial Artists.

At that moment, everyone present seemed to sense something and looked to the west.

A fiery red chariot appeared on the horizon, approaching like a great sun.

A magnificent, imposing man stood on the chariot, which was pulled through the air by four Third Turn cultivators.

The current emperor of Great Chu, Xiang Hongtu!

As soon as he landed, his gaze ignored Fang Can in the center. He scanned the entire area and said coldly:

"It seems most everyone is here. Those who haven’t arrived don’t need to bother coming. Let’s begin the meeting now."

And so, the meeting, jointly presided over by nineteen masters, officially began!