Chapter 106: If I Win

Looking at Wen Rou’s face full of curiosity, Song Yue couldn’t help but press his hand to his forehead. Even someone as carefree as him felt an overwhelming sense of speechlessness. He planned to ask his master later how others had obtained the Tongtian Stele back in the day. Did they shamelessly cling to others like this?

“Brother?” Wen Rou looked at Song Yue with some worry. “Could it be... that I’ve been haunted by something bad?” She couldn’t help but glance around, as if she could see ghosts in broad daylight.

For Song Yue, it did feel like seeing a ghost. He was somewhat baffled that Qian Qianxue had been chosen by the Taiyi Tongtian Stele; although he found it hard to believe, he could understand it. Qian’s talent was no joke—he really didn’t understand how his family could think someone with such innate comprehension was dull. But why had Wen Rou also been chosen by the Tongtian Stele?

Without that thing, even if one cultivated to the Nascent Soul realm, the worst that would happen was leaving the mortal world and entering the cultivation realm. But being chosen by the Tongtian Stele meant inevitably entering the Nine Pass Battlefield sooner or later!

Although their master had never said explicitly that the stele would force its owner into the Nine Pass world, those chosen nearly always couldn’t escape their fate. To many, the Nine Pass world was just an ancient battlefield, now a cultivation realm far superior to the ordinary one. But Song Yue, having seen the scenes of that time in the Kunlun Secret Realm’s underground palace, had never thought so.

In his eyes, the demon clans would invade the Nine Pass world eventually. The creation of the Tongtian Stele by the countless celestial beings and Buddhas was never simply to send fortune to geniuses. When the day came, all chosen by the stele would be forced into the Nine Pass world, stepping onto the battlefield to face merciless slaughter.

Thus, Song Yue never considered receiving the stele a blessing. Unfortunately, he was powerless to stop it.

“This thing... is called the Tongtian Stele,” Song Yue sighed and called Qian Qianxue over to give them a simple rundown of what he knew. Qian was also surprised and looked at Wen Rou, asking, “So your distracted state these past days is because of this?”

Wen Rou nodded, embarrassed. “I’ve thrown it away several times, but it always comes back on its own, appearing in different places where I inevitably see it.”

Qian rubbed her head. “Maybe this is our destiny?”

Wen Rou looked at Song Yue. “Brother, is that world really so frightening?”

Song Yue didn’t want to scare her, but he couldn’t lie either. After some thought, he said, “It was once a battlefield where countless celestial beings and Buddhas fell. But by now, it should have been peaceful for a long time. So it’s more like a place higher than the cultivation realm.”

“Since that’s the case, then there’s nothing to fear, right?” Wen Rou asked.

“Yes, nothing to fear!” Song Yue nodded.

He took out a lantern he had confiscated from that Western elder and handed it to Wen Rou. “This is a magical artifact with considerable power. Study it; you can use it for self-defense.”

Then he taught Wen Rou how to activate the Tongtian Stele. Fortunately, hers was just an ordinary stele with only one portal inside. Otherwise, Song Yue would seriously suspect if some invisible eyes were watching him, making sure no one around him could escape.

A few more days passed as Song Yue immersed himself in cultivation daily. The pills Wen Rou concocted were indeed potent, and both he and Qian Qianxue took them. Their cultivation advanced rapidly, especially Qian, who made astonishing progress.

She told Song Yue that the flower in her spiritual sea greatly aided cultivation, particularly boosting spiritual power, making growth several times faster than before. Song Yue felt a bit speechless; the grass in his spiritual sea had been a permanent resident ever since, unresponsive and silent, refusing to communicate.

He wanted to ask his master about the Dark Sacred Scripture, but since his master had been extremely busy lately, the matter was put on hold.

The entire Chinese cultivation world was shaken violently after the fall of the Li family. His master had not returned home recently, constantly rushing around to handle numerous urgent affairs.

Half a month passed, and Hang City welcomed late autumn. The weather wasn’t cold; trees lining the streets remained lush and green.

One day, Song Yue suddenly received an interstellar mail from his older brother, Song Chao. On the surface, it seemed a simple family letter, with Song Chao adopting a typical elder brother’s tone, asking about his life, cultivation progress, and whether he often met with their mother and Song Yu.

But Song Yue sensed something was off. Some phrases contained obvious loopholes only he could detect. Outsiders, however, would see it as a normal letter.

Recalling the guessing games he used to play with his brother in childhood, Song Yue suspected that his brother was trying to convey a message through this letter. He printed it out and finally uncovered a hidden warning: Someone has been investigating you.

Song Yue took a deep breath, his eyes darkening. Investigating me? For what? Had someone noticed his trip to Yuhuo Star? But if that were true, why would his brother still send him a letter?

He pondered for a long time but couldn’t figure it out. He had no choice but to set it aside temporarily.

When he next arrived at the Administrative Office, someone was already waiting for him outside. His heart skipped a beat because he recognized the person. To be precise, he had once transformed into this person’s form to scare off those who tried to blackmail Song Chao until they fled in terror.

Standing before him was the steward from Yuhuo Star. How did he get to Earth?

“You must be Song Yue,” the steward said bluntly. “I’m Chen Jue from Yuhuo Star—the very planet you recently visited. Your brother and father work under me.”

Chen Jue spoke without hesitation. Song Yue played dumb. “Yuhuo Star? I’ve never been there. What brings you here?”

“Although your brother destroyed all the footage, he didn’t know we had installed extensive surveillance throughout the Yuhuo Star system. So, merely erasing the images of entering the planet is meaningless.”

A faintly delicate smile appeared on Chen Jue’s face as he looked at Song Yue. “Relax. I come in peace.”

Song Yue didn’t believe it for a second.

“In fact, I understand why Song Chao destroyed those images to protect you. He even sent you that email warning you to be careful, right? I saw nothing wrong with the letter, but since you two are brothers, I suspect there’s a code.”

Song Yue was speechless. This man was no fool—his mind was as clear as a mirror!

Chen Jue continued, “Your father and brother have contributed much to our organization over the years. We’re not ruthless demons, so you needn’t worry. I’m here mainly for another matter.”

Song Yue remained silent.

At that moment, Qian Qianxue and Wen Rou rode by on bicycles. Seeing Song Yue talking to someone, they didn’t interrupt and calmly cycled past them.

Chen Jue glanced at the two girls’ backs and said, “The mortal world is wonderful! Beautiful young women, various delicacies—a great place to enjoy life!”

Then he looked at Song Yue. “Why don’t those two girls talk to you? Don’t they live with you? Heh, young and charming, with two beautiful girlfriends—truly enviable.”

Song Yue frowned and asked, “What exactly do you want to say?”

Chen Jue’s delicate face still wore a smile. “Give me the things you obtained from the Tianyue Star palace, and I won’t pursue your unauthorized trip to Yuhuo Star. Those fire spirits... well, though precious, I have the authority to gift them to you. Use them freely; no need to worry.”

He didn’t mention Song Yue’s father or brother or threaten him with their safety, but Song Yue understood the worst had happened.

Chen Jue went on, “Maybe you’re confused. I can give you some hints, and you’ll understand.”

He folded his arms, looking at the bustling street ahead. “Although my surname is Chen, I have a concubine named Ou, from the Ou family of Tianyue Star.”

Like a lightning bolt, realization struck Song Yue’s mind.

“Understand now?”

Chen Jue smiled. “Well, to be honest, I’m not very fond of the Ou family, but what can I do? Like you have two beautiful girlfriends, my concubine is also beautiful, attentive, smart, and independent.”

“Her family suffered a great calamity; even when the ancestor came to Earth and her soul token shattered, she never told me, silently mourning alone.”

“As her man, I have to do something, don’t you think?”

Chen Jue looked at Song Yue. “That’s why I didn’t come to you earlier—I no longer wanted to pursue your unauthorized trip to Yuhuo Star. Considering your father and brother’s contributions, I could forgive them.”

“But I can’t stand seeing the woman I care about grow sadder and more haggard each day.”

“We’re all people who cherish beauty, you understand.”

He winked at Song Yue and laughed, “I’m not threatening or forcing you. Just give the things you have from the Lin family to the Ou family, and this matter will quietly end. That’s my decision.”

“Do you know the history of my grudge with the Ou family?” Song Yue asked.

“That’s not important,” Chen Jue shook his head. “Right or wrong, crooked or straight, good or evil, none of that matters.”

“If you’re strong, you can calmly leave surrounded by the Ou family or even slay them.”

“I’m stronger than you, so naturally, I have the final say. It’s that simple.”

He looked at Song Yue with a smile. “You see, the Ou family’s Divine Ancestor, a peak Golden Core expert, fell here. Yet I still dare come. Doesn’t that prove my strength?”

“Or... are you unwilling to accept this and want to fight me?”

“But if you lose, ending this matter won’t be so easy.”

“Now, I’m here personally out of respect for your father and brother.”

“You’re young, but from what I know, you’re no fool.”

Chen Jue was indeed clever. It was hard to bluff someone like him. Song Yue understood that by coming straight to this point, Chen Jue was confident he couldn’t afford to offend him outright.

He didn’t threaten with his father or brother’s safety but praised them instead. Yet that meant nothing. The more this was the case, the more it showed Chen Jue was a calculating man.

Still, Song Yue was unwilling to hand over the items.

He looked Chen Jue in the eye and said seriously, “If we fight, and you don’t win, will this matter end?”

Chen Jue chuckled. “You’re confident in yourself! It seems the Ou family’s Divine Ancestor might have fallen by your hand. I wasn’t sure before, but now... that’s very likely!”

As he spoke, his aura shifted, pressing down like an invisible mountain.

His delicate face still bore a faint smile. “The Ou Divine Ancestor was powerful, but old—like a withered tree, near death. He was even badly injured before coming here.”

“And I... am in my prime!”

“Young man, are you sure you want to fight me?”

As Chen Jue’s aura grew stronger, Song Yue’s blood surged explosively. The Taiyi Body Refining Scripture operated automatically; with the third chapter cultivated, his blood energy was more vigorous than ever.

He looked at Chen Jue. “You never uttered harsh words, but that doesn’t change your domineering nature. I may not be your match, but I won’t yield so easily.”

“You mention Yuhuo Star—I’m unaware of it. But regarding the Ou family, I did nothing wrong. Whether you’re standing up for someone or hiding ulterior motives, if you want to take something from me, then fight me!”

At that moment, Qian Qianxue and Wen Rou circled back on their bicycles. They still couldn’t stop worrying about Song Yue.

Chen Jue laughed, watching Song Yue and then glancing at the two girls pretending to admire the scenery nearby. “You won’t give up without a fight, huh? Fine, bring your two girlfriends along.”

“You three, if you can hold out under me for ten minutes today, this matter ends here.”

He smiled at Song Yue. “But if you lose... even with your father and brother’s face, you’ll have to accept punishment. Though I won’t kill you—I’ll take you to Yuhuo Star to mine for ten years.”

In the next moment, Chen Jue unleashed a mental domain, dragging Song Yue, Qian Qianxue, and Wen Rou into another dimension.

Qian Qianxue and Wen Rou dropped the act and immediately stood by Song Yue, eyes alert on Chen Jue.

Song Yue took a deep breath and drew the Dragon-Patterned Immortal-Slaying Blade.

This man before him was probably the strongest opponent he had ever faced. Though Chen Jue appeared calm, his attacks would be terrifying.

“If I win, will you let my father and brother return?” Song Yue suddenly asked.

“Hahaha!”

Chen Jue laughed heartily. “You? Win?”