Chapter 1037 - 1002: Undercurrents

After such a grand spectacle, the Central Continent seemed to enter a curious state of calm with Han Yu’s retreat.

Even overseas, a particularly tranquil atmosphere prevailed.

The rules that should have been fiercely contested, to the death, were now oddly ignored?

Observing the current situation in the Central Continent, a group of people gathered once more, each expressing their opinions.

"Could it be that both sides have reached a tacit understanding again?"

Wuxian frowned in thought, a look of apprehension on his face.

What he feared was the turbulent undercurrents beneath the surface; the importance of the rules was self-evident, something both sides... no, now three sides were determined to secure.

Strangely, the other two sides showed no activity.

This in itself was the biggest issue.

If the two sides had reached a tacit understanding, then who was it against?

Han Yu?

Possible, but not comprehensive.

If targeting him, there seemed to be no need for such measures; they could simply wait for Han Yu to enter the Central Continent.

"I feel like they’ve counted us into their calculations this time, too."

Wuxian speculated that since both sides were inactive, they must make a move, as this was too good an opportunity.

However, if they really sent people in, the greatest fear was that the other side would crush them with overwhelming force.

The party of Yinwang, the party of Wuxian, plus the cultivators of the Central Continent were enough to pose a threat to those below the Celestial Being level.

In the struggle over the rules, they were also considered an aid to Han Yu.

Thus, it wasn’t impossible that Yan Yi and Jingzhe would reach a tacit understanding to eliminate them first.

After all, their previous actions had already exposed their prowess, raising significant apprehension.

And indeed, that was precisely the case.

Yan Yi’s side had indeed made thorough preparations in their camp, and the power of the Central Continent had genuinely intimidated them.

Especially those mechanisms harnessing the power of numerous cultivators—they had the ability to counter the faceless ones under their command.

"Clearly underestimated them."

Yan Yi’s tone was quite cold; they were thoroughly embarrassed this time, and even lost what they had; Han Yu managed to seize the Qi Fortune.

The greatest oversight was underestimating the power of the cultivators of the Central Continent.

They hadn’t expected these people, seen as ants, to develop to such an extent right under their noses.

This kind of power was bound to impact them, and even had become a significant threat.

"We cannot let them grow any bigger."

Yan Yi’s voice was icy, and the people beside him silently nodded. Everyone had suffered the consequences, and they all agreed.

"But will they come in?"

Yan Er couldn’t help but ask.

"No worries, they’ll come eventually."

Yan Yi was not concerned at all; they were stationed in the Central Continent, and the initiative was in their hands. Unless the Central Continent didn’t want to win, they would certainly come in.

"The other side seems to have stopped as well,"

Yan Jiu and others silently noted.

"We’ve already taken a hit; naturally, those guys will take it as a lesson. Our objectives are likely the same."

Yan Yi’s tone was mocking. This time it indeed allowed the other side to watch a joke and gave them an opportunity to clearly see the Central Continent.

If they weren’t apprehensive, they would truly be fools.

Jingzhe was certainly not a fool!

Since the day Han Yu slipped away, their side’s Celestial Being clone and the opponent’s Heavenly Dao artifact had battled fiercely for a long time before both sides ceased.

Neither seemed able to truly overcome the other; one was a Celestial Being clone lacking the advantage of locale and a Heavenly Dao artifact to counterbalance.

While the other held the advantage of locale, their power couldn’t fully unleash the artifact’s potential.

"Are we really not going in to take the rules?"

Gu Yu couldn’t help asking.

If the Yama Hall didn’t want it, that was their own business; there was no need to cooperate with them.

"It’s not cooperation with them; the cultivators of the Central Continent managed to cause such a loss for Yan Yi’s group, can’t you see that?"

Jingzhe shot a cold glance at Gu Yu and shook his head.

Though Yinwang and Wuxian had a hand in it, the Central Continent was tough on its own.

Those quirky mechanisms capable of threatening the faceless ones were frightening as well.

He could foresee that if the Central Continent could have large-scale possession of such things, in collaboration with the rebellious Yinwang and Wuxian.

The faceless ones below and the dharma aspect creatures opposite would have to exit.

By then, only their group would remain, and surely, they wouldn’t be sent out personally to scavenge rules, would they?

"Han Yu gained Qi Fortune from the other side for nothing; it probably won’t be easy to deal with."

Jingzhe spoke with a cold face; everyone saw what Han Yu did that day. Even the Celestial Being clone and their own Celestial River couldn’t destroy him, and a joint attack from them probably wouldn’t work either.

This guy had already amassed power; if they didn’t find a way to kill him, it would be a limitless future threat.

This time, the targeting was aimed not just at Han Yu but the Central Continent as well.

They were determined to sweep them out.

"Then can our Inquiry Stone still be used?"

Bai Lu asked hesitantly.

"Not now."

Jingzhe’s expression became strange for a moment, then he decisively shook his head.

The lessons from Yan Yi and the others were right before their eyes; such careful arrangements still allowed the other side to exploit a loophole.

Now that Han Yu possessed a Heavenly Dao artifact, to use the same method against him would be as good as giving it away for free, with no difference.

"Why not destroy it, don’t give him any chance."

Dongzhi suddenly spoke.

Since the other party needs Qi Fortune, the Inquiry Stone, such a hot potato, should certainly not be left.

Jingzhe actually thought the same; destroying the Inquiry Stone is undoubtedly the best solution.

But he was afraid that later on, he might still need to use this foolish method to lure Han Yu.

He was afraid that the bait would be consumed, benefiting the opponent.

Yet afraid that without this bait, the opponent would have free rein, without any methods to restrain him.

In such a dilemma, Jingzhe ultimately chose to hide the thing, in an unexpected place.

As for the Central Continent, he thought for a while before speaking.

"Since Yan Yi and the others aren’t moving, neither are we. We’ll wait until the Central Continent can’t hold back anymore."

...

"Can I really hold back?"

When Han Yu’s voice came from the Token, everyone’s expressions turned strange.

Zhi Sou’s words ultimately weren’t right; who says Han Yu can’t communicate with the outside world?

Previously, he was too rushed, especially at the moment of life and death.

Since it was Han Yu’s first time entering his own Sea of Consciousness with his soul, he naturally felt panicked and found it hard to calm down.

A while later, as Han Yu looked at the Token placed in the Sea of Consciousness, he cursed himself as a fool, realizing he had forgotten how the Artifact Spirit always used the Token to communicate with the outside world in the Sea of Consciousness.

Until then, Han Yu finally resumed communication with the group from the Central Continent.

The first thing was to find out the mastermind behind this lousy idea, and when Han Yu spoke his first sentence, everyone felt he had truly ignited with fury.

"Who came up with this lousy idea!"

"I did."

Quan Xiaotong stood up, speaking with a bitter expression.

The number of cultivators who died in the Western Territory not only exceeded Han Yu’s imagination but indeed dealt a blow to the Central Continent’s vitality.

Originally, the Central Continent had just started to recover, yet now it was squandered like this.

Hence, the current scene of Han Yu losing his temper.

He painstakingly supports and protects the Central Continent behind him, yet these guys talk about burying it casually. This is what angers him the most.

If it were a genuine fight against the opponent, he would have nothing to say, but these cultivators were truly taken as cannon fodder to be sacrificed.

"They are not cannon fodder."

Quan Xiaotong couldn’t help but correct, his face stern.

"But ultimately, you treated them as cannon fodder."

The Token transmitted Han Yu’s words filled with anger.

Yin Wang and Wuxian secretly wiped cold sweat from their foreheads, which was why they refused to take the blame initially.

Afraid that Han Yu would settle scores afterward.

The casualties this time were too many, and none dared to gamble on whether Han Yu would take action against them.

Therefore, it was only fitting for the people of Central Continent to carry this blame themselves.

Han Yu is not ungrateful; in the end, obtaining the Qi Fortune, the greatest credit goes to these deceased cultivators.

But he finds it hard to accept the mindset of the Central Continent’s top leaders using human lives as cannon fodder.

What difference is there between this and the two Celestial Beings?

After the battle, how many people will be left in the Central Continent?

Their bickering continued, and the surrounding people just listened silently, realizing they indeed hid things from Han Yu early on, so Han Yu’s great dissatisfaction was not unreasonable.

"Can’t let the Central Continent always be unable to help; this time the cultivators voluntarily participated."

Quan Xiaotong sighed with a sorrowful expression, which tugged at Han Yu’s heart the most— these fools going to their deaths were all voluntarily doing so.

"If you can win, the Central Continent has a future; if you lose, they’ll die all the same."

Quan Xiaotong spoke the truth with utmost helplessness.

"The situation ahead will only become more perilous, and more people will die."

Yin Wang couldn’t help but speak.

Now, within the Central Continent, it seems a new large net has formed, waiting for them.

"So what’s the situation now?"

Silence from the Token for a moment, then Han Yu’s voice came through again.

The group narrated the current situation of the Central Continent, and finally, Yin Wang sighed.

"This time is largely not only against you but against everyone."

The opponent retracting their fist surely isn’t out of fear; they’re planning a heavy onslaught.

This group of faceless beings not scattered across the Central Continent must have concentrated, and once they act, it will be a thunderous blow.

"It’s probably similar over there with Jingzhe."

Wuxian chimed in.

Both sides seemed to have reached a tacit understanding on this matter, evidently intending to wipe them out first.

"Wait for me to figure out a way to regain my body."

Han Yu was silent for a moment before instructing.

Regarding the matters targeting him, he’s not afraid; as long as the Celestial Beings don’t intervene, with Ping, he has enough confidence to tackle Yan Yi and the others.

But regarding the group of cultivators from the Central Continent, one must act cautiously.

"You have to deal with Yan Yi; for other matters, we’ll think of a solution."

Quan Xiaotong spoke with a grave expression.

Han Yu chuckled bitterly within the Sea of Consciousness— it had already been two days, and the Artifact Spirit, so unworthy, still hadn’t awakened.

Thinking about this, he couldn’t help but shout in the Sea of Consciousness, "You damned old ghost, haven’t you figured out a solution yet?"