A World Worth Protecting

1

Wang Baole blinked as he stared at the enthusiastic Zhao Yameng. He would have been able to work this out as well if he had been given some time to think it through. However, this was clearly a mentally exhausting thing to do.

Kong Dao eyed Zhao Yameng and was about to say something when Zhao Yameng lifted her hand. Her eyes shone brightly as she said hastily, “Don’t interrupt me!

“There are pros and cons to us sticking together. The advantage of that is that we’ll be more powerful when we combine forces. The disadvantage is that we are easier to spot and will attract attention…”

“What we need to be cautious of are those who lose their keys today. Their number will grow, and they are invisible on the map and hidden from our sight. We, on the other hand, are exposed. They are like venomous snakes in the night. As the time to the next teleportation approaches, they will become more frantic and crazier!” As she spoke, a breeze drifted past and swept a few strands of her hair astray. She subconsciously pushed her hair behind her ear. Her gesture, as well as the spirited look on her face, made Zhao Yameng extremely attractive at that moment. Wang Baole watched her and fell into a slight daze.

At that juncture, Zhao Yameng noticed the expression on Wang Baole’s face. She was secretly pleased. Then, she turned towards Kong Dao.

“Kong Dao, what were you saying?”

Kong Dao coughed. Even though Zhao Yameng had stopped him from speaking earlier, he still respected the detailed analysis that Zhao Yameng had done. After some thought, he said.

“I have an idea. Why not… give Baole our keys. We will hide ourselves, and if someone does attack, we’ll be able to ambush him unexpectedly!

“Or Baole can let us have the keys. His level of cultivation is higher, so it might be more effective if he stages the ambush!”

“I’ve another idea. We can set a trap. You can set up an array formation, and we’ll place the key there as bait, then hide and wait. Once someone takes the bait, we can attack together. We can stage multiple traps on the first day and win a few more keys!” Kong Dao’s eyes began to shine excitedly as he spoke. He seemed to think that this was a good idea. They would gain something regardless of how they set the trap.

Wang Baole’s forehead throbbed when he heard what Kong Dao said though, and he glared at Kong Dao.

“Kong Dao, the three ideas you’ve given are all about ambushing others… It’s either I ambush someone, you two ambush someone, or the three of us ambush someone. Why does everything have to do with ambushes!”

Kong Dao didn’t seem displeased when he heard Wang Baole’s argument. He hit his chest and said proudly, “Baole, this is something you won’t understand. I spent three years in the wilderness of Mars alone. This was the tactic I used to survive. This is my first rule for survival. Even at the Vast Expanse Dao Palace, this was the tactic I used, and it won me plenty of gains!” Kong Dao’s tone of voice was filled with pride.

Wang Baole pursed his lips. He had gone through thick and thin with Kong Dao, which was why he didn’t bother being tactful with him. Kong Dao saw Wang Baole pursing his lips and began to glare at the latter. He felt that it was necessary to make Wang Baole understand the importance of a good ambush. He was about to speak when Zhao Yameng, whose head had begun to throb at the talk of ambushes, interrupted them with great annoyance.

“Stop bickering. The first day of the trial might be important, but what lies after is even more important!”

“The laws of key conservation apply in this trial, be it regarding the intensity of the fights or the number of keys. If the first day turns out to be an intense fight, the remaining keys will be consolidated in the hands of a small group of people. Out of prudence, a period of stagnancy might occur! What we have to do is to seek the opportunity to hold our ground with the existing rules in place!” After Zhao Yameng said that, Kong Dao didn’t reply and instead fell into a contemplative silence. Wang Baole only grew more mentally exhausted after hearing what she said.

“I suggest that the three of us work to protect one of us!”

“We’ll focus on ensuring Wang Baole lasts for at least three days. This will give us a shot at winning!” Upon saying that, Zhao Yameng turned and looked at Wang Baole.

“Baole, you have to keep your spirits up. We’ll focus on examining the night sky map today. If the keys aren’t consolidated in the hands of a few, it means that the ongoing fight isn’t that intense, and Kong Dao and I will place our keys with you. We will choose between the both of us who is to be eliminated during the first teleportation. After that, you’ll still have two keys with you. But Baole, you have to be careful. If the trial really plays out this way, as more keys are consumed, there will be more people looking for new keys. With the dwindling number of keys…

“If today’s night sky map shows that the battle has been intense, then someone will definitely have consolidated a large number of keys. The situation might calm down the second day. If that’s the case, Kong Dao and I will not leave. We will all use our keys during the first teleportation. Then, we will join forces. We will either stage an ambush or openly fight for new keys. Regardless, we have to attack someone with many keys and fight for a chance to survive the second teleportation.”

Zhao Yameng took a deep breath, determination shining in her eyes. She couldn’t help but massage her forehead. This trial had both explicit and implicit rules. It seemed like a simple test of elimination, but in reality, there were many possibilities and probable situations.

This was something they had never experienced in their training in the Federation’s mystic realms. It was extremely complex yet not completely unsolvable. However, the effort required for planning was too much. It was mentally exhausting. What invigorated Zhao Yameng was that with appropriate planning, they would have a great chance of gaining an advantage and other opportunities in the trial.

“Simply put, only those who are invisible on the map are hunters. Those holding keys are the prey!” Zhao Yameng said with conviction.

“In addition, theoretically speaking, there can only be as many as eight teleportations during this trial. In reality, though, it won’t take as many before the trial ends. Based on my analysis, I predict that the trial will end before the seventh teleportation. That means… as long as we have seven keys and don’t get those keys snatched away from us, we’ll be able to earn a place in the top three!” Zhao Yameng’s eyes shone when she said that.

She continued, “I can only make further predictions after observing what actually happens and use that as a basis for my analysis!” Done speaking, Zhao Yameng massaged her forehead while looking at Wang Baole and Kong Dao. She stared at Wang Baole and waited for his decision.

“Zhao Yameng, I used to think that your cultivation was average at best, and that array formations weren’t of much use. My views have changed now. You’re incredible!” Kong Dao said, incredulous. He looked at Zhao Yameng with respect and admiration. Zhao Yameng’s analysis had been extremely detailed. She had dissected what had been a confusing situation and made it simple and comprehensible.

Kong Dao now had a clear understanding of the various aspects of the trial because of her reminder of the invisible participants on the night sky map, the different strategies to ensure one of them remained standing at the end of the trial, and even her confidence over how long the trial would last. Zhao Yameng had mentioned staging an ambush in her second strategy to ensure one of them remained the last man standing. He couldn’t help but begin to think about the various ways to stage an ambush. He, too, looked at Wang Baole.

Wang Baole’s eyes swept past Kong Dao and Zhao Yameng. He shut his eyes and began to think. He acknowledged the logic of Zhao Yameng’s analysis, as it was very detailed, but his instincts told him that if they did as Zhao Yameng suggested, things wouldn’t go as smoothly as expected.

Wang Baole knew where his instincts were coming from. It came from something that other Core Formation realm cultivators lacked, and that only those who had stepped into the Nascent Soul realm possessed—one’s spiritual perception.

<em>This is Zhao Yameng’s strategy. It aligns with the cultivation techniques she uses. But this… isn’t the way I would do things! </em>Amidst his silence, Wang Baole’s thoughts became clearer to him.

<em>The Lightning Dao that I practice emphasizes the overpowering of one’s opponents via lightning. It speaks of breaking infinite spells with a mere lightning bolt! The Flame Snatch robs the wills of tens of thousands of souls. Fused with the Thearch Armor, it strives to overpower and crush all opponents. It represents the drive to advance without looking back… Even if there are no paths ahead, one is to create a path! </em>At that thought, everything became clear to Wang Baole. He felt better. His cultivation even began to stir with life, seeming to resonate with his thoughts. A sudden aura that Wang Baole himself didn’t even notice appeared around him!

It was imperceptible. Even Zhao Yameng and Kong Dao didn’t notice it. If Li Xingwen were in the vicinity though, he would have been startled by its presence. This wasn’t the first time Wang Baole had achieved resonance and such an aura had appeared. The first had been in the Ethereal Dao College when Li Xingwen had tested Wang Baole and intercepted a punch from the latter. It had been a punch that infused his will with his spell. Only by doing so could one achieve resonance!

Resonance. This was what the Federation called it. The Vast Expanse Dao Palace had another name for it. It was… the incomparably mysterious… Dao!

Standing within the resonating waves, Wang Baole slowly opened his eyes. A tinge of ferocity glimmered in his eyes. It was a ferocity that had appeared a few days ago when he had been in the Sea of Fire while wearing his Thearch Armor. He said slowly.

“Yameng, your analysis is very useful and yet not useful at the same time… There’s no need to sacrifice the two of you to protect me. Look at the map in the sky. There are three keys approaching us. They are clearly targeting us. That is why… my solution and strategy only consists of two words…”

“We fight!”

The fearsome light in his eyes erupted as soon as he said that. With a sudden step, he dashed out. His destination… the three keys on the map that were rapidly approaching them. He headed straight for them!