Inside the Tian family residence.
"Dad, you must help me this time." Tian Yuequan stood in front of his old father's desk with a serious look, as if he would kill himself if his old man didn't agree.
Tian Tianrong looked at his only son helplessly and didn't know what to say.
"How can I help? The struggle between two powerhouses on the Star Ranking—is this something we can interfere with?" Tian Tianrong slapped the table, hating the fact that his son can't seem to grow a brain.
This was why he disapproved of his family leaving the military and joining the political arena back then. Consequently, very few of the Tian family's younger generation are willing to learn martial arts now.
'Why can't they understand that power is everything in this world?'
Tian Yuequan was scolded so hard that he didn't dare to raise his head, but his mouth was still saying, "Dad, you are the capital's chairman… and it's not like we need to fight; we can just say something."
Tian Tianrong felt so angry that he became amused. "And two Star Ranking powerhouses will listen to my words… how? Did I become the chairman of the entire Federation or something?"
"Why won't they listen!?" Tian Yuequan said with conviction, "Dad, as long as you speak up and request that Gu Nan and Mr. Ye have a fair fight, Gu Nan will still have to give you this face, right?"
"A fair fight?"
"That's right. Mr. Ye is confident that he can win against his opponent. He just isn't sure that he can kill Gu Nan," Tian Yuequan repeated Ye Qinglan's words from earlier today.
Tian Tianrong's face gradually calmed down as he considered the pros and cons of this.
'If it's merely inviting both sides to a battle, then even if I'm unsuccessful, there still won't be any loss for me. But if I'm successful…' A name suddenly popped into Tian Tianrong's head: Hu Wei!
'Perhaps this is exactly the opportunity the Tian family needs to rejoin the military.'
As for how to lure Gu Nan to take the bait… Of course it was impossible to trick him with a few words. Tian Tianrong wasn't stupid enough to believe that he can make a powerhouse on the Star Ranking give him face.
He lowered his head and took out a note from the drawer, on which was written a single word:
[Maes]
...
"All the information about the stimulant Maes is here," Lu Zhanyu said as she sat under the dim light and moved over a large stack of documents.
Gu Nan started flipping through them wordlessly.
Lu Zhanyu continued, "Maes, a kind of stimulant drug used by the military as a form of doping. It also has the effect of diffusing and disrupting internal energy."
"It was first contributed to the military by the Tian family as the price for their complete exit from the military and entrance into politics. Later, because this drug's hallucinogenic effects were too strong, it was phased out of use."
"Which Tian family?" Gu Nan raised his eyebrows and seemed to understand something.
Lu Zhanyu pointed seriously at the table. "This Tian family."
On the table was an invitation from the Chairman of Heavenly Enterprise Star's Capital Legislature, Tian Tianrong.
On behalf of Austere Sword Saint Ye Qinglan, he invited Gu Nan to a public duel, and the prize was the production method of the drug called Maes.
"This is clearly a setup." Lu Zhanyu sat opposite Gu Nan and said seriously, "Ye Qinglan is a close friend of Hu Wei's father. Moreover, how did the Tian family know that you need the drug Maes?"
Although the Lu family recently caused great ruckus when looking for "Maes" all over the place, even Gu Nan only recently learned that Maes could be a drug. How could the Tian family know in advance?
"This is a blatant scheme." Gu Nan gently knocked on the table, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint smile. "No matter who the mastermind is… he knows I'll definitely go."
Lu Zhangyu couldn't help rolling her eyes. "The Austere Sword Saint was already a Domain Stage cultivator twenty years ago. How certain are you that you can win?"
"Of course I'm 100% certain." Gu Nan laughed. "It's not like I'm going to fight him to the death; I'm just paying a visit to pick up the prize."
...
Just like that, a loud and powerful duel announcement unfolded with tacit agreement from both sides.
Nobody knew where the news came from, and no one knew who the source was.
But news that Austere Sword Saint Ye Qinglan had returned to his home planet, Heavenly Enterprise Star, to fight the newly promoted Star Ranker Gu Nan, had long since spread.
In just two days, almost the entire Heavenly Enterprise Star knew what the "Star Ranking" was, what a "Star Ranker powerhouse" represented, who Gu Nan and Ye Qinglan were, as well as… the fact that they were going to duel.
On the day of the duel.
In the back of the dueling arena, Austere Sword Saint Ye Qinglan had been waiting for a long time. It wasn't until a figure gradually emerged beside him that he slowly opened his eyes.
"You took the military's drug," Ye Qinglan looked at the person beside him and said expressionlessly.
Beside him was Hu Wei. But at this time, Hu Wei's hair was snow-white and fell to her waist, entirely different from her previous short-haired self.
"Half a day." Hu Wei's voice seemed to be trembling slightly, "I only have half a day. If you can't kill him, I will strike."
As she said this, Hu Wei's gaze was fixed on the other party—the Austere Sword Saint had walked a solitary path all his life and had never joined forces with anyone. Would he make an exception this time?
Ye Qinglan was silent for a long time, but finally gave a small nod, then walked alone towards the dueling arena.
At the end of the passage, the sunlight gradually fell on the middle-aged sword saint, followed by the sound of a roaring crowd.
The noise and clamor couldn't affect his state of mind at all. This was the kind of concentration that a Domain Stage powerhouse intrinsically possessed right before facing a battle of life and death.
An enormous crowd had gathered at the site of the duel.
Due to the government's earlier vigor in promoting this event, countless celebrities and powerful martial artists had gathered here today in anticipation of the duel between the two powerhouses.
A frontline reporter and commentator was currently covering the event live, spittle flying from his mouth.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the frontline reporter of Heavenly Enterprise TV. We are currently at the capital's main square, which is the site of the duel between two Star Ranking powerhouses—Mr. Ye Qinglan and Mr. Gu Nan!"
"This duel between the two sides can be described as the duel of the century! The government even offered up the secret formula of the drug 'Maes' as the winning prize."
"It's almost time for the battle. We can see that master swordsman Ye Qinglan is already in position… As expected of the grandmaster of a generation! Even his stance gives off an oppressive feeling!"
Tian Tianrong sat in the middle of the VIP section with a calm look on his face. No one could tell what was on his mind.
His only son, Tian Yuequan, stood behind him, but his face was clearly filled with excitement, and he kept glancing in a certain direction— 'Since Mr. Ye walked out from that side, Little Wei must be there too.'
'Little Wei, do you see this? I can help you too!'
"Chairman Tian, what a grand plan you've got here!" Lu Li sat next to Tian Tianrong, revealing a rather deep smile as he said in a low voice, "The price for putting on such a grand show must not be small, right?"
He came on behalf of the Lu family. Since Lu Yiming didn't show up, that meant that he gave Lu Li the right to represent the attitude of the Lu family.
Tian Tianrong's face remained unchanged. He smiled lightly and waved his hand. "I dare not accept your praise… I heard that Mr. Gu's temper isn't very good, so this humble one can only think of self-preservation methods."
Lu Li hummed lightly and didn't speak again.
'This Tian Tianrong is indeed smart… He made such a grand spectacle of this event, so even if Gu Nan is dissatisfied with this duel, it's not like he can show his dissatisfaction in public, right?'
'After all, this is Heavenly Enterprise Star, not Gu Nan's home turf.'
At the same time, the commentator's voice sounded again, "Ladies and gentlemen, the one walking towards us is the other Star Ranking powerhouse of the duel, Mr. Gu Nan from Ruby Fish Star!"
"As expected of a young genius—Mr. Gu is already taking fast strides into the dueling arena!"
"Huh, Mr. Gu turned a corner. Does he want to greet Master Ye first?"
"No wait, he… he's rushing towards the VIP seats!"
Devotee's Game System Inspired Note
» This section of the chapter is a Fan based created system to mock-up or simulate the 'Status Information' of our MC - Gu Nan. This implies that you are free to skip reading this and continue your journey onto the next chapter.
» All catalog data below is a summary of various information achieved by Gu Nan that corresponds till the end of the related chapter and is compiled into a singular 'Status Screen.' Additionally, the invented system below would continue to evolve as we progress and learn more about the novel itself.
MC's Status Information
Name: Gu Nan
Current Location: Heavenly Enterprise Star Capital's Main square
Current Soul Location: N/A
Status: ⟪ Evil God ⟫
Advancement Direction: Agility Type
Current Evil God Rank: Tier 3
Equivalent/Current Martial Art: Prodigious Realm
◈ Comprehension of Innate ability: Domain Stage
Chosen Core Skill: The Law of Shadow
Current Evil God Temple Quest:
→ Main Mission Objective/s:
-— Evil Event: Seize the Eye of Maes. - Evil God Temple Issued
◈ Status: On Going
→ Side Quest Objective/s:
-— None. - N/A
◈ Status: N/A
Current Evil Points: 100
Overall Evil Points: 3875, Overall Evil Value: 120
Core Skill Acquired
— Shadow. ｢Also known precisely as 'The law of Shadow' - its one of the highest-ranked laws in the game. Skill 'Power of Shadows' LVL +1｣
Normal Skills Acquired:
— Resistance. [ Passive Ability ] ｢Your body will resist damage, and any damage taken will be reduced by 50%｣
— Locked ｢N/A｣
— Locked ｢N/A｣
Exclusive Skills Acquired:
— Deceitful Steps. [ Passive Ability ] ｢Movement Speed increased by 30%. Attack Speed increased by 50%｣
— Power of Shadows. [ LVL 3 ] ｢Allows the players to activate the skill "Hidden Shadows" at LVL 1 and unlocks the skill "Shadow Form" at LVL 2. If the 'Power of Shadows' reached LVL 3, the player will be able to use the 'Law of Shadow' to a much finer degree.｣
▸Hidden Shadows. ｢The power to manipulate shadows to a fine degree.｣
▸Shadow Form. ｢An incomparable handy skill that allows the player to manipulate shadows to create things, like weapons and armor. At the highest level of mastery, it could even create a humanoid clone.｣
Equipment being worn
→ Armor
-— Dawn Sage's Robe. ｢Basic level defense. If you are not attacked within 3 seconds, you will receive the "Praise of Dawn" effect.｣
→ Weapon
-— Blade of the Sanguine King. ｢High attack. Ignores external defense. Enhanced sharpness. Triggers the effect "Curse of Blood" on hit.｣
◈ Curse of Blood. ｢This is a cursed divine weapon. Whenever your attack hits your opponent, you will take equal damage.｣
→ Accessories - Facial Accessories, Necklace, Earrings
-— Observer Eyepiece. ｢An eyepiece that have a fixed Tier 2 magic 'Insight' inscribe in it.｣
-— Dragon Heart Pendant. ｢Allows players to activate the skill "Dragon Power". This skill cannot be upgraded｣
-— Shadow Earrings. ｢Skill 'Power of Shadows' LVL +1｣
Equipment Skills Acquired:
-— Insight. [ Passive Ability ] ｢Ability to obtain high-precision data analysis when looking at people or objects.｣
-— Dragon Power. ｢Greatly enhances the player's strength and physique. Duration: 5 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes｣
-— Praise of Dawn. [ Passive Ability ] ｢Increases self-healing ability by 300%｣
Item/s owned:
→ Four Element Crossbow. ｢Was used in Chapter 9-104.｣