A World Worth Protecting

The artifacts surrounded the duo without attacking. Although this was not as effective as an attack, simply being surrounded by dozens of different Dharmic Artifacts and watching them flash was enough to suggest their swift and forceful effects, as though a mere touch would trigger an explosion.

This feeling was like having a knife suspending behind their neck, not knowing when it was going to chop their head off; the duo was about to go berserk. If they had not known the effects of the artifacts, they might have taken a gamble, but… Wang Baole had explained the effects of his artifacts to the finest detail. And watching the artifacts floating all around them, the images of their effects and the consequences of touching them surfaced in their minds.

They could not help but panic. As their hearts pounded with fear, they were also sad and angry beyond belief. Deep down, they believed that they had been tricked and were full of regret—they should not have trapped Lu Zihao but his assistant from the Dharmic Armament Pavilion.

“I know that Lu Zihao—he’s always playing mind games. When he came straight for us just now, roaring so loudly, it must have been on purpose! He was trying to divert our attention to make us trap him! We’ve fallen for their ruse!”

The duo looked at each other, turning their heads to glare at Lu Zihao, who was still trapped inside the windstorm, fighting and kicking vigorously, totally unaware of the happenings in the outside world.

“This asshole is too crafty! He’s still acting!” the duo commented, gritting their teeth as they had no choice but to admit defeat. Following this, the audience from Upper Academy Island was intrigued by the Dharma treasures that Wang Baole had used. Amid the many gasps, an uproar erupted.

“He’s changed his methods! He’s using soft advertising this time!”

“I’ve seen fighters shouting out their moves and the names of their Dharmic Artifacts, but I have never seen someone give such detailed descriptions…”

The tens of thousands of people on Upper Academy Island had originally thought that Wang Baole would stop after receiving the warning. Never did they imagine that he would still continue advertising his artifacts… Although everyone could obviously tell that he was advertising, they could not say anything about it.

He was not as deliberate about his advertisements as the previous times. He had only shouted out when he was attacking. His actions were ambiguous. He could say that this was a habit of his or claim that he was reminding his competitors of the effects before he attacked out of good will.

Truth be told, he was not the only one to do such a thing. Others had done similarly, except none as obvious as Wang Baole, who even set off fireworks before the whole show…

As for the audience on the sky platform, they did not know whether to laugh or cry at Wang Baole’s attempt to push the envelope. Watching Wang Baole with eyes of interest, General Zhou could not help but howl in laughter.

Seeing that Wang Baole had succeeded in gaining the interest of General Zhou, Zhou Lu—who was standing at the side—smirked in excitement, thinking that her act of revenge was about to be complete.

“Humph, Wang Baole, I, Zhou Lu, am not one to abuse public power to settle a personal dispute. Indeed, you are the most suitable candidate to carry out this mission!”

The elders of Ethereal Dao College also pondered over what had happened. The middle-aged man in a red robe sighed, sneaking a glance at the Combat Pavilion Elder whose face was as black as coal. He coughed then sent his words reverberating for the first time.

“Wang Baole, you’re not allowed to set off fireworks anymore!”

This voice was filled with a suppressive force, immediately echoing around the combat area. Everyone in the Combat Pavilion Tournament was alarmed. Within this short amount of time, they had heard Wang Baole’s name twice.

Wang Baole was satisfied. Even if he was singled out, he had no regrets. He had already introduced all the Dharmic Artifacts that he wanted to sell. He was in a flurry of happiness. Seeing the duo admit defeat, he lifted his right hand, and with a wave, all the Dharmic Artifacts instantly flew toward him.

From afar, this scene was shocking. Under the lights emanating from the dozens of Dharma treasures that were surrounding Wang Baole, he seemed to glow. This scene was etched in the minds of the tens of thousands of people on Upper Academy Island.

It was also at this moment that a loud sound ensued. Lu Zihao had finally escaped the windstorm. Roaring, he rushed out with great force.

“Come, fight me!” he exclaimed with imposing might. The Flying Frost Swords around him lost their chilliness. After taking a few steps, he stopped in his tracks, staring dumbly at the duo who were now glaring at him. He observed the Dharmic Artifacts surrounding Wang Baole and came to a realization. His body started shaking, and his eyes became even more bloodshot.

“Wang Baole! Didn’t you say that you wouldn’t attack? You stole my limelight again!” Lu Zihao roared, anger and sadness bubbling within him.

Wang Baole glared at him. He was about to say something when the duo snorted coldly.

“Lu Zihao, stop acting already. As if all this wasn’t an act!” the duo exclaimed, glaring at him. They turned to Wang Baole, cupping their fists to salute him.

“Senior Wang Baole, we accept this defeat wholeheartedly!” the duo declared, having calmed down. They thought of the attacks that Wang Baole had executed earlier and were deeply moved that Wang Baole did not embarrass them. All of his Dharmic Artifacts were very amazing.

After the salute, the disciple from the array formation pavilion could not help but ask, “Senior Baole, are you selling the Dharmic Artifacts that you used just now?”

“Yes, I am!” Wang Baole replied, his eyes brightening. Hurriedly, he went forward to exchange voice transmission numbers with the duo, happily offering them discounts. In no time, the three of them hit it off. Wang Baole even walked a few steps with them as he sent them off, waving as he did.

Lu Zihao was raging at the sight that unfolded before him. His brain was about to explode. Feeling very wronged, he let out another roar.

“Wang Baole, you…”

“I’ll give you two of the five Flying Frost Swords that are beside you!” Wang Baole interrupted, waving his hand with great generosity. He knew Lu Zihao’s character. He refused to lower himself to a child’s level. The matter could be solved with a few pieces of candy.

“I… I, Lu Zihao, am a man of principle!” Lu Zihao exclaimed, his eyes widening. In an instant, his vigor dwindled uncontrollably, but he became angrier.

“I’ll give them all to you!” Wang Baole offered, raising an eyebrow.

Lu Zihao took a deep breath. Since it had already happened, whatever he said would be of no use. Besides, the assistant could only help out in four battles. As of now, there was only one battle left. Once it was over, it did not matter whether it was the final battle or the second stage of the competitions—he would not have to see Wang Baole again.

Most importantly, when his principles were being tested, he did not fall for Wang Baole’s Trojan Horse. Once these thoughts flitted through his mind, Lu Zihao felt his anger dissipate. He wanted to snort, but recalling Wang Baole’s earlier reminder, he only snorted internally. With a gloomy expression, he whirled toward the fourth meeting point.

This fourth meeting point was his assistant’s last battle!

The tournament that took place there would determine the strongest competitor of each of the four sides of the mountain peak, and only those four competitors would be able to step onto the mountaintop for the battle of four. The last competitor standing on the mountain peak would then enter the second stage of the Combat Pavilion Tournament.

Basically, those who could make it to the fourth meeting point were definitely not weak. Even as Lu Zihao approached, he tried to calm himself down, forcing himself to keep the utmost focus.

From the perspective of the purpose of an assistant, in actual fact, Wang Baole had been very reliable, completing his tasks almost perfectly. Lu Zihao did not use many resources within the first three tournaments. In terms of energy and materials, Lu Zihao was at the peak.

Lu Zihao was obviously not paying attention to Wang Baole. One after the other, they walked toward the fourth meeting point—the region near to the mountaintop. Following the merging of two roads, the end of the road was visible. There was a curtain of light, and beyond that was a road that led straight to the mountain peak.

Wang Baole was in a good mood, so he did not pick a fight with Lu Zihao. He felt that he had accomplished his mission already and was very relaxed. His mind was filled with images of an abundance of filled order forms once he returned from his assisting role.

I should be able to make a killing this time. It should be sufficient to sustain my research and cultivation, Wang Baole thought, filled with joy. He hummed a tune, strolling forward with his hands behind his back. As Lu Zihao got closer to the meeting point, he stopped dead in his tracks.

It was as though every single hair on his body was standing on end. Sweating, Lu Zihao took a deep breath, making his heart pump faster. There was a serious, grave expression on his face as he saw the two figures at the fourth meeting point.

“Wang Baole, you… you need to help me this time…” Lu Zihao took a deep breath and stammered in a low voice. When Wang Baole heard his words, he was surprised. As he got closer, he also saw the two figures.

One of them was meditating while the other seemed to be a bodyguard standing beside him!

The guard was strong-built, wore a purple armor, and had long hair that blew in the wind. He appeared like a small mountain standing there. The aura that he exuded was akin to the peak of True Breath, and it seemed like he could surpass this level any time.

Looking at him was like looking at a terrifying beast. Extremely obvious was his fierce gaze, as though he was a volcano that was about to explode!

Compared to him, the meditating youth had a different aura and gave off a different vibe. He exuded an aura of peace and indifference, as though few happenings in the world could gain his attention.

Although he was bald, he was still handsome. He seemed gentle and frail-looking. His eyes were closed as if he was sensing something. Gentle winds circulated around him, as though they were attracted to him.

This person was none other than the nameless Dao Enlightenment faculty disciple, the one who had made a drop of water appear in an empty cup—out of thin air—just by focusing on it, back then on the peak of the mountain in the Dao Enlightenment faculty!

Also… he was the only personal disciple of the former Federation President, the present Grand Supreme Elder of Ethereal Dao College!

Although Wang Baole did not know him, the moment that he saw the bald youth, his footsteps also slowly came to a halt. He realized why the proud Lu Zihao had asked for his help. In actual fact… the guard was nothing, but this meditating youth exuded an oppressive force that was like a sharp, invisible knife pointing between one’s eyebrows

Wang Baole squinted and retracted his smile. He was no longer relaxed, and his eyes instantly glimmered a keenness.

In that split second when Wang Baole looked at the bald youth, the latter… opened his eyes!