Free Web NovelChapter 1145: Chapter 362: Cry of the Crane (Extra for Alliance Hierarch 20181004211950939!)
"The word ’fate’ always carries a hint of illusion,"
Unseen and intangible.
Legend has it that those with Absolute Summit Divine Skills could grasp threads of fate, pulling the strings of cause and effect. But in the end, for the vast majority of all beings, many times, it’s not up to them, they can only leave it to destiny.
Lin Zhengren did not believe in the word ’fate’; he only believed in himself.
For instance...
If he hadn’t strived and risked his life to set up the stage, how could he have possibly entered the Yellow Millet Secret Realm?
That was one of the secret realms belonging to the Taoist Sect. So many vassal states were waiting to be allocated, fighting tooth and nail against each other. If it wasn’t for Zhuang Country’s victory in the Zhuang Yong Battle, rapidly expanding the nation’s power, it wouldn’t have been possible to be allocated a spot.
And if Zhu Weiwo hadn’t betrayed his country, how would the chance have come his way?
If one were to speak of ’fate,’ then that ’fate’ should have been Zhu Weiwo’s.
But in the end, it was Lin Zhengren who rightly claimed that ’share.’
So, ’fate,’ you see, is something that bullies the weak and fears the strong. Whoever can fight for it, it belongs to them.
This time, the State Minister Du Ruhui personally leading him to participate in the Yellow River Gathering undoubtedly showed Zhuang Ting’s emphasis on this Yellow River Gathering.
The recently victorious Emperor Zhuang, in the battle of Zhuang Yong, urgently needed to demonstrate Zhuang Country’s potential at the Yellow River Gathering. This potential was worth the support from Jade Capital Mountain and more resources from Jinguo.
Zhuang Country didn’t send anyone to the Outer Tower competition or the unrestricted competition for those under thirty years old.
This was because there indeed was no genius qualified to participate, and trying in vain would be more embarrassing than concealing your incompetence.
But it wasn’t just Zhuang Country that thought this way; the vast majority of smaller countries did the same.
Compared to the world’s strong countries, major powers, and regional powers, many smaller countries set their hopes on the Inner Mansion competition. Even regional powers like Yong Country were no exception.
This was because the combat power of the Inner Mansion level was greatly influenced by Divine Skills. And the acquisition of Divine Skills was largely a matter of luck. Sometimes one powerful or extremely compatible Divine Skill could make a cultivator rise to power in an instant.
Once you reach the Outer Building, the exploration of ’the Way’ really tests the nation’s heritage. Without the guidance of a strong figure, it is difficult to succeed alone.
Not to mention the unrestricted competition for those under thirty years old. Without achieving the God Arrives state, there’s basically no need to step onto the field. And looking across the world, how many can achieve God Arrives before the age of thirty?
If resources are insufficient, you have to risk your life. And ’risking your life’ is not just a phrase – indeed, many lives have been lost for this to truly be called ’risking your life.’
It’s precisely because, historically, the number of participants in both the Outer Tower and the unrestricted under thirty competition has been far less than that of the Inner Mansion competition.
That’s why many believe that at the Yellow River Gathering, the Inner Mansion competition is the most fiercely competitive.
Whether this conclusion is correct or not doesn’t matter; what matters is, for many smaller countries, it serves as a good face-saving measure—"We sent our nation’s geniuses to the most competitive part of the Yellow River Gathering, so we can hardly be considered incompetent."
For Lin Zhengren, this battle would decide his development in Zhuang Country for the next ten years.
The fiercer, the better.
But on the other hand, attending a world-renowned grand event like the Yellow River Gathering, just him and Du Ruhui flying through the sky, seemed hardly glorious enough...
Lin Zhengren wasn’t vain, but oftentimes, grandeur could signify strength.
Back when he was still in Wangjiang City, he never cared about the Lin Family’s assets; he had his sights on the National Taoist Institute.
As his cultivation improved and his horizons expanded, gradually, even the Zhuang Country National Taoist Institute seemed rather average... What he wanted were Zhu Weiwo’s resources.
During his participation in the Yellow Millet Secret Realm, he had a glimpse of Jinguo’s geniuses and came to understand what true grandeur and heritage meant.
But now, with Zhuang Country prospering and without any peers to challenge him, he’d have more than enough resources for a long time.
He thought again.
Perhaps a procession should be sent to the Guanhe Platform to match Zhuang Country’s increasingly rising status.
But firstly, Du Ruhui was just too busy; it wasn’t until today that they departed, after countless sleepless days to get the political affairs in order.
Secondly, sending an Inner Mansion Realm cultivator to the Guanhe Platform hardly warranted the addition of a procession.
Moreover, sending a procession to go and bow and scrape before Jinguo would be worse than not sending one at all...
His mind was incessantly churning with thoughts, yet not a trace showed on his face; he always maintained a refined and elegant smile.
Putting everything else aside.
An old man with jet-black hair cascading over his shoulders, exuding an impressive aura, alongside a gentle and elegant youth, were flying side by side through the air, unhurriedly, giving off a somewhat ethereal and otherworldly feel.
He was indeed a wise and talented minister, the glory of Zhuang Country.
To represent Zhuang Country today at the Guanhe Platform, he was the premier talent among the four thousand miles of rivers and mountains.
Lin Zhengren’s smile contained a measure of sincerity.
Suddenly, he heard the shrill cries of cranes,
And Lin Zhengren looked back intently.
Behind him, four mystically extraordinary cranes were soaring and diving in approach, pulling an exceedingly luxurious and vast carriage.
With wheels of five-colored gemstones, chairs made of nurtured holy wood.
Columns inlaid with jade, reliefs on carved balustrades.
Adorned with elegant pearls, and flowing tassels made from light feathers.
With a unified cry from the four cranes, the luxurious carriage came abruptly to a halt.
The gust of wind that followed was so strong that it knocked Lin Zhengren’s Daoist hair bun askew, compromising his elegant demeanor.
Despite his best efforts to remain as insouciant as Du Ruhui, subtly bracing himself against the wind, traces of effort were still visible.
However, he couldn’t afford to be annoyed; with his wisdom, he naturally had an inkling of who the visitors were.
He did his best to maintain his refined manner, graciously turning his gaze towards them.
Atop the exceedingly opulent carriage sat two individuals brimming with a fairy-like aura.
The man, clad in billowing white robes and sitting carelessly, wore his long hair somewhat messily, pinned with a simple ebony hairpin. Yet, his demeanor was transcendently carefree and suave.
On the chair of nurtured holy wood to his right, sat a woman with her face veiled in a thin gauze, but it couldn’t hide those clear and bright eyes.
Some beauties, with just a glance, let you understand... the very essence of beauty.
But neither of them was looking at him.
"Is Prime Minister Du heading to the Guanhe Platform?" spoke the man in white on the carriage.
"Going east at this time, there’s naturally no other destination," replied Du Ruhui with a warm smile. "Pavilion Master Ye, is Yun Country also planning to participate in the gathering this year?"
Ye Lingxiao smiled slightly: "With Qingyu’s talents, it would certainly be feasible to participate in the gathering! However, Yun Country has always steered clear of the disputes between nations, so we’re merely here to observe the ceremony."
Du Ruhui glanced at the silent woman sitting upright and also smiled: "Of course."
Resting his elbow on his knee, Ye Lingxiao leaned forward with a graceful smile, sounding genuinely concerned: "Taking charge yourself to attend a gathering that holds little prospect, how is it that... you’re so confident in Han Xu?"
Usually, such a posture would seem frivolous, but when executed by him, it appeared entirely natural and actually pleasing to the eye. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
Du Ruhui continued to respond with a smile, but his words were delivered with confidence: "After losing the battle of Zhuang Yong, the death of True Man Han Yin, and the failed attack on the stronghold, whether Yong Country can maintain its position as a regional power is still in question. What does Zhuang Country have to fear?"
These words indeed held no fault.
Although Yong Country had the support of Mo Gate, the extent of that support seemed limited—at least that was the implication given that their assault on the stronghold met resistance.
"That’s true."
Ye Lingxiao abandoned his whispering posture and sat back: "The carriage is rather small, so I won’t invite you to join us. We’ll meet again at the Guanhe Platform!"
Lin Zhengren looked on with a slight sense of regret.
How could it be considered small... It was clearly so spacious.
But with a cry of the cranes, the carriage had already departed into the distance.
