Free Web NovelChapter 1156: Chapter 368 Pillar of the Six Harmonies
"Brother Lin, you seem a bit distracted?"
The speaker’s eyes were bright and kind, and she had a graceful figure.
It was Jiang Limeng from Sheng Country, a neifu cultivator prodigy.
Sheng Country is not an ordinary nation.
Like other Dao sect-affiliated countries, Zhuang Country is a nail hammered into the Western Territory by Jinguo.
To call it a nail is to say it rubs against Yong, Luo, Mo, Cheng, and other nations, but it would never dare to defy Qin Country.
Even when Qin Country blatantly used its territory to ambush and kill Zuo Guanglie, Zhuang Country could only bear it in silence. Afterward, it sought some consolation.
It had no means to refuse Qin Country, nor would Jade Capital Mountain demand such a stance from it.
While Sheng Country claimed to be the premier Dao-affiliated country, it was directly involved in fierce battles with Mugu in the Northern Territory!
If Zhuang Country were a nail that could not really hurt any opponent and was somewhat insubordinate, requiring a hammer to drive it in, then Sheng Country was a steel blade.
Wielded by Jinguo, it struck out at the front of the Supreme Royal Court!
Certainly, the status of these two countries within the Dao sect nations was inherently non-comparable.
However, Zhuang Country today claimed a great victory over Yong Country and was flaunting its power in the Western Territory. It was moving towards becoming a regional power, and although it could not compare to nations like Sheng Country, it was still more distinguished than a few smaller states.
Lin Zhengren and Jiang Limeng had also met in the Yellow Millet Secret Realm.
It could not be said to be love at first sight, but they were somewhat familiar with each other.
Hearing this, Lin Zhengren immediately gathered his wits and sighed, "The fight just now was tough, and the victory was hard-won. Having come to Guanhe Platform, I realize there are so many heroes in the world; I feel somewhat disheartened and a bit ashamed."
"You shouldn’t speak like that," Jiang Limeng earnestly said. "As prodigies of the heavens, we should grow stronger when we meet strong opponents and become braver in the face of courage. How can we hold back and harm our own Taoist hearts?"
Several other neifu cultivators from the sect nations who were traveling with them also chimed in to "encourage" him.
"Yes, Brother Lin, Sister Jiang is right. If you don’t believe in yourself, you might as well go home early to avoid regretting it for life if something goes wrong on the platform."
"With such a mentality, how can you grasp the great Dao? Lin Zhengren, you must reflect on why you came here!"
"Well, if you’re afraid, it might be good to give up now. After all, there’ve been quite a few casualties before the actual competition... You could preserve a kindling for your Zhuang Country."
...
One after another, they all seemed to have his best interests at heart.
Yet it appeared that no one considered that the selections had already started and if one’s Taoist heart were shaken, what kind of outcome that would bring...
And Lin Zhengren, this young cultivator who was simple and generous with a heart for benevolence, had also not thought of this.
His face showing shame, he earnestly said, "Sister Jiang’s lesson is correct, and so are the lessons of all the senior brothers. I come from a small town, my character is not strong, and I am not wise enough. Witnessing the heroes from all over the world nearly swayed my resolve. From now on, I must learn from my shame and muster up the courage to not disappoint everyone!" ƒrēewebnovel.com
Jiang Limeng said with a broad and comforting voice, "We all care about you deeply, the deeper the love, the harsher the admonishment. If anything said was unpleasant, don’t take it to heart. We are all from Dao sect nations, branches of the same root, and we should help each other."
Lin Zhengren replied with great politeness, "Of course, I am not someone who is ignorant of others’ good intentions!"
The rest joined in the conversation, laughing and talking all at once.
It was the captain of the Dou E Army who finally spoke, "Esteemed prodigies, we are in a place with many ears, let’s go back to Jing Street to continue our chat."
And with that, they all fell silent.
After all, being elite soldiers of the Dao sect nations, they were not afraid, but they still had to save face.
But as they returned, how many people who had just been comforting him to his face would immediately seek connections to confront such a weak opponent like Lin Zhengren was yet to be seen...
At the Yellow River Gathering, the main competition was naturally tamper-proof, but for the preliminary selection battles, the six nations could exert some influence, especially the hosting Jinguo, which had a lot of leeway.
In a gathering like the Yellow River Meeting, where prodigies were assembled, every step forward or backward was a world of difference.
Who wouldn’t be happy to pick an weaker opponent? It allows one to pass the round easily and keep one’s strength hidden. Thus, the chances of making it to the end increase.
Sometimes, between two opponents of similar strength, the winner is the one who better understands the other.
...
...
Passing the Dou E Army without so much as a skewed glance, Jiang Wang stepped onto the "World Stage."
Lin Zhengren saw him but did not show any hostility. Only if this person could give him a "surprise" at the Yellow River Gathering and come up to him would he give an answer.
The towering Pillar of the Six Unions already made one feel its majesty and greatness.
And behind the Pillar of the Six Unions, there was even more to be discovered.
Looking forward from where they had entered, there were no less than eight circular Martial Arts Fields arrayed in two rows.
These Martial Arts Fields were very similar to the Discussion Platforms in the Taixu Illusion Realm.
Or rather, they were also based on the design of ancient martial arts competition venues.
Looking to the left and right, there were tiers of spectator stands, rising layer upon layer,
Encircling these eight Martial Arts Fields in their midst.
By this time, many people had already taken their seats on the stands, including teams from various countries.
Jiang Wang cast a casual glance and headed towards the stands on his right.
It was undeniable that following behind a troop of Heavenly Cover Soldiers made for a truly powerful presence.
Wherever they went, they were met with looks of admiration.
And some, fearing to obstruct their path, got up from a distance to give way.
Whether Jiang Wang wished it or not, on the Guanhe Platform, he represented Qi Country. He had to be strong and proud.
So, as they walked along, they did indeed feel a bit like crabs marching sideways...
In the entire world, only the armies of five countries dared to show a different demeanor from the Heavenly Cover Soldiers.
Most countries, even the vassal states of other Overlord Countries, dared not act arrogantly in front of Qi Country.
As Qi Country’s prodigy, Jiang Wang himself was subject to particular scrutiny.
Of course, when saying "most" countries, it did not mean all. Naturally, because there were exceptions...
Like this group of people in front of him, who not only showed no intention to make way, but also glared at them with anger.
Considering these people were dressed in a motley of attires, and Jiang Wang had never seen any of them before, he was understandably puzzled.
"What’s going on?" he transmitted his voice to ask.
He was asking one of the Heavenly Cover Soldiers whom he had gotten to know quite well over the past few days.
The soldier was named Qiao Lin, who had first served in the border army to the north and had been selected to join the Heavenly Cover Army two years ago, a veteran of many battles.
"Summer Country’s," Qiao Lin replied.
Jiang Wang suddenly understood.
On the Guanhe Platform, where nations gathered and prodigies stood side by side, it was impossible to be completely harmonious.
Not to mention the near scuffle between the Qi Country team and the Mugu team on Suan Ni Bridge...
Just the quarrels between the Qing Country and Chu Country teams had been incessant. They cared about the dignity of their great nations, so large-scale clashes were unlikely, but private duels had happened at least ten times, as far as Jiang Wang knew.
The harrowing Battle of the Valley still left the Chu people licking their wounds to this day. freēwēbnovel.com
And not long ago, Qi Country had forcefully taken Jianfeng Mountain, with Jiang Mengxiong beheading a Yi Zhen, before nonchalantly leaving the mountain. After the "small punishment" and "great admonition," Jianfeng Mountain was "gracefully returned"...
This humiliation, of course, Summer Country could not forget.
Going further back, the contention for supremacy decades ago still left the people of Summer Country simmering with hatred.
Naturally, they could not be expected to give a kindly face to Jiang Wang and the others.
As the more powerful party, the representative of Qi Country, Jiang Wang also kept his expression relaxed, walking nonchalantly past the group of people.
"Jiang Tianjiao, isn’t it?" From among the Summer Country group, a young man with a sallow complexion stood up and said to Jiang Wang with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, "I look forward to facing you."
Jiang Wang replied with a smile, "I’m also looking forward to it. Looking forward to seeing you on the stage."
The man tugged at the corner of his mouth, clearly grinding his teeth as he said, "I won’t disappoint you."
Jiang Wang nodded perfunctorily, "Excuse me."
With an attitude that conveyed "you’re simply not worthy of my time," he led his group away with strides.
