"This year’s National Ceremony duel is truly spectacular, the most exciting in centuries when looking back."
"Who could have thought that the military’s heavy magic construct, Cold Pudding, would also be eliminated? In past events, even if Bao Ligen couldn’t win the championship, he would have certainly secured the runner-up place."
"The competition this year is too intense, there are too many strong participants in the duel!"
"It is unfortunate, none of the top four are Snow Elves. There are three outsiders among them, and only Long Meng is left among our nationals."
"Long Meng absolutely must win the championship! If an outsider wins the championship in the National Ceremony duel, it would be truly embarrassing."
"The current problem is, Shichijiro is really strong, very strong. How does his resurrection work, we haven’t seen it with our own eyes. If someone can force him to show his trump card, revealing more of his intelligence, Long Meng’s odds of winning will increase."
"Long Fu can do it! Have Long Fu challenge Shichijiro first to pave the way for Lord Long Meng."
"Yes, the gratitude Long Meng owes to Long Fu should be repaid at this time!"
The public opinion gradually focused on the view that "Long Fu should pave the way for Long Meng."
Not only the public expected this, but the Ice Sculpture Royal Family also hinted at this idea to the survivors covertly through the Alchemy Guild’s channels.
Now that Bao Ligen can no longer be counted on, from the perspective of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, Long Meng is the only hope, and everything must be done to guarantee him.
The National Ceremony duel is of great significance, containing profound political implications that radiate out, severely impacting the military and economy.
Not to mention, it also involves the Duel Godhood in Anqiu!
However, the Dragon-man youth would not do such a thing.
Because his main goal is the Duel Godhood. If he loses, his reputation will plummet, and people’s impression of him will be fixed as a weakling, having a huge negative impact on him.
Among the top four, the Dragon-man youth is already the "weakest" existence, he must be extremely careful and cautious, never complacent.
After all, reaching this step was not easy for him either.
Fortunately, Cang Xu had already predicted this situation, so he took early action and secretly connected with Lei Kuang, and then with Xun Liang.
The Dragon-man youth needs Xun Liang to actively challenge him, rather than him challenging Xun Liang.
If the latter action were taken, it would seriously impact his personal image. It would make the public, the Royal Family, and others think that the Dragon-man youth is ungrateful, unwilling to help Long Meng, unwilling to face the strong opponent Shichijiro, but instead chooses a relatively weaker Xun Liang.
The difficulty of this action is how to persuade Xun Liang to actively challenge the Dragon-man youth.
Sending gifts to Lei Kuang only built a communication bridge.
Lei Kuang also explicitly stated: he cannot sway Xun Liang’s thoughts. Everything must depend on the survivors and Xun Liang personally negotiating.
As a result, Xun Liang easily agreed to the idea.
Things went more smoothly than Cang Xu and others expected.
Xun Liang was also willing to actively explain his thoughts: "This is the path of redemption bestowed by my Lord. Encountering Lei Kuang, arriving at Ice Sculpture Island, and participating in the duel are all arranged by my Lord. Your request is the same."
"It is my Lord’s intention for me to battle Long Fu."
"So, I should thank you all."
Upon hearing this answer, the survivors were momentarily speechless.
With the key person resolved, the next actions went smoothly.
On one hand, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps secretly agreed to the Royal Family’s request, taking the opportunity to purchase many rare Dragon Materials at a low price from the treasury.
On the other hand, the Dragon-man youth sought advice from Long Meng on how to fight Shichijiro.
Long Meng expressed gratitude for the Dragon-man youth’s choice, telling him: actually, it is not necessary.
The Dragon-man youth deceived: this is my gratitude, having always been under your guidance, I ask Long Meng to accept it.
Long Meng also felt strong pressure from Shichijiro, he pondered for a moment, then nodded: "If it were just me, I would prefer to enjoy the ’surprise’ brought by strong opponents in battle."
"But I am burdened with great responsibilities."
The Dragon-man youth smiled reassuringly: "Gathering intelligence is also part of the battle, and part of the strength."
Long Meng finally nodded in agreement.
Deceiving Long Meng successfully made the youth feel guilty.
But what else could he do?
"Long Meng, you’re right."
"You bear heavy responsibilities, beyond your own control. Am I not the same?"
"I don’t want to deceive you, I want to be a sincere and close friend with you. Unfortunately, I am a leader, bearing the expectations, future, and lives of others."
"I need the Duel Godhood!"
The feelings of gratitude towards Long Meng, the youth did not forget, but the way to repay it can be chosen freely by oneself, rather than giving up himself and the survival hope of other survivors.
Reaching this step, it is not yet over.
At Cang Xu’s suggestion, the Dragon-man youth urgently contacted the City Lord of Snowbird Port, explaining his current actions, wanting to pave the way for Long Meng by challenging Shichijiro in advance. He hoped the City Lord of Snowbird Port would provide strong equipment, if possible.
This shocked the City Lord of Snowbird Port.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port, somewhat anxious, hurriedly contacted the Thirteenth Prince.
He was originally a member of the empire’s spy, codenamed Turn Over. His position as City Lord of Snowbird Port was the empire’s spy laying the foundation for the Thirteenth Prince’s return.
The Thirteenth Prince had known about this arrangement long ago, even saw the intelligence while sailing, secretly cursing the City Lord of Snowbird Port for losing the Mage Tower’s incompetence.
The Thirteenth Prince, knowing Long Fu’s plan to challenge Shichijiro, also couldn’t sit still.
"Although Shichijiro is powerful, Long Meng never shows himself. The latter was relied on by the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, and a layout has already started in previous duel tournaments. The result of the Shichijiro and Long Meng battle is hard to say."
The Thirteenth Prince had also seen the Magic Image and knew in the battle between Shichijiro and Da Han, the latter didn’t really go all out, but took the initiative to retreat.
According to the Thirteenth Prince’s personal conjecture: Da Han might be concerned about Shichijiro’s background, concerned about the Thirteenth Prince’s background. Da Han’s strength allows him to openly offend the Ice Sculpture Kingdom but does not want to go against the Holy Bright Empire.
"Even if Shichijiro has the advantage, I must do my best to support him, to strive for a greater winning rate for him."
"That is what I should do!"
Holding such an awareness, the Thirteenth Prince immediately took action, mobilizing his forces to start obstructing the Dragon-man youth’s plan.
The advisers offered suggestions, and the Thirteenth Prince also contacted Lei Kuang, sending heavy gifts.
Seeing someone else delivering gifts, Lei Kuang was quite pleased, not expecting these unexpected windfalls.
The Thirteenth Prince’s envoy met Xun Liang and explained the purpose.
Xun Liang nodded and immediately agreed, surprising the envoy quite a bit.
Xun Liang also expressed gratitude.
Lei Kuang couldn’t help but suggest: "Lord Xun Liang, you agreed too easily. This is a good opportunity to make demands. Although you can’t walk the Redemption Road, cannot use equipment, but potions and scrolls are still very useful for your duel."
Xun Liang’s expression was indifferent, silently staring at Lei Kuang.
Lei Kuang quickly retreated under the pressure of Xun Liang’s gaze.
Shunliang entered the Prayer Room, and once again his prayer voice came out from inside: "Great Barbarian God, my father, my lord, I piously pray to You, thanking You for granting the second revelation. I understand now, the path of atonement before me, the path I must take..."
"Barbarian God... sigh." Lei Kuang paused slightly, then shook his head and sighed, quickening his pace and quietly leaving.
The Thirteenth Prince’s operations were not limited to contacting Shunliang.
With Shunliang publicly challenging the Dragon-man youth, the empire’s spies began to manipulate public opinion with their main mana.
Public sentiment quickly changed.
"Long Fu should accept this invitation to battle, otherwise he is afraid of Shunliang!"
"I really want to see the fight between Long Fu and Shunliang, I support Long Fu."
The big picture? Hmph, what big picture! He’s just an outsider.
Relying on an outsider to test Shichijiro, even if the final champion stays in the country, what’s the point of such a victory?
The key is to look at Long Meng’s structure! If he relies on assistance rather than fighting alone, even if he wins the championship in the future, I think there’s something fishy inside.
Public opinion can be manipulated.
The attitude of the masses is more rooted in emotion, limited by cognition and intelligence, often not calm or objective judgment.
Public opinion continued to ferment.
Soon, it also affected the magic potion business of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
A huge magic potion order was placed in front of Zi Di.
This was the Thirteenth Prince’s subtle way of enticing the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps to agree to a duel with Shunliang, rather than dealing with Shichijiro.
Furthermore, if the Dragon-man youth could challenge Long Meng, the reward would be even more astounding!
The first to feel the empire’s backlash was the Ice Sculpture Royal Family.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, carrying the empire’s order, once again found the royal representative to express their difficulties.
"I didn’t expect the water to be this deep!" Zi Di sighed, candidly admitting that their side was already inclined to withdraw, not wanting to be involved in such high-stakes gambles.
"We just want to do some business."
"Although I have a small ambition personally, I also have self-awareness, and this is not a game I can participate in."
"Previously agreeing to challenge Shichijiro only proved that I was shortsighted and did not recognize the current situation."
"This Alchemy Diagram is my gift of apology this time."
After all, no Magic Contract had been signed before, so the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps could easily advance or retreat.
The Alchemy Diagram contains an alchemy component that can form a perfect match with the Magic Structure [Cold Pudding].
Upon hearing this news, the King fell into contemplation.
"Hmph, Thirteenth Prince!"
The Ice Sculpture King’s face was as gloomy as water; in his heart, the Thirteenth Prince was his greatest enemy. The pressure from the Holy Bright Empire over the years has made it difficult for him to breathe.
He used underhanded tactics, and the empire also responded strongly internally.
The King pondered and felt that the conflict should not be expanded. This entanglement was meaningless!
Ultimately, the Ice Sculpture Kingdom cannot compete with the Holy Bright Empire. The latter’s size is too large, and the Ice Sculpture Kingdom is essentially just an island, truly a small country.
"Agreeing to Long Fu’s withdrawal would signal our concession."
The Ice Sculpture King’s judgment: according to the political tacit understanding between the nobles, the Thirteenth Prince’s side would also withdraw accordingly.
"As for the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, let’s handle it like this for now."
The King thought of the Alchemy Diagram, and a glimmer of brilliance flashed in his eyes.
"Being able to produce an alchemy component compatible with the Magic Structure [Cold Pudding] in such a short time fully demonstrates the power of the arms dealer behind the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps!"
"It also indirectly proves that the arms dealer still has more good stuff in their hands."
The Ice Sculpture King has always been very interested in the arms dealer behind the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
Because international arms dealers have a natural tendency toward camp, they are natural allies of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.
The Holy Bright Empire’s invasion of the Wilderness Continent comes with a strong equipment advantage. Selling high-end arms to the beastmen undoubtedly creates obstacles for the Holy Bright Empire.
Therefore, the Holy Bright Empire has long been exerting force against international arms dealers.
In some sense, the Ice Sculpture Kingdom is also an international arms dealer!
The alchemy products exported by the Ice Sculpture Kingdom include not only civilian goods but also arms. Compared to civilian goods, the real profit lies in the arms trade.
Therefore, in the Ice Sculpture King’s heart, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps is considered a semi-peer.
"Let them do their business well."
"Releasing goodwill once again will make it easier to contact the people behind them in the future."
The retreat of the Dragon-man youth this time deepened the perception among the upper echelons of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps as "weak, harmless, and a potential partner."
After thorough consideration, the Ice Sculpture King ultimately agreed to the Dragon-man youth’s concession.
After successfully communicating with the royal family, the Dragon-man youth hastily met with Long Meng.
Long Meng already knew about the undercurrents swirling beneath the surface.
He himself is the most important pawn on the chessboard, caught in the vortex and feeling deeper effects.
The Dragon-man youth brought generous gifts, a bundle of top-quality Magic Scrolls. He told Long Meng: Although he had a strong personal desire to challenge Shichijiro, due to the circumstances, as a leader, he truly had the heart but lacked the strength, unable to help.
Long Meng said he completely understood, telling the Dragon-man youth to be at ease and accepting the youth’s gift.
"These Magic Scrolls are indeed useful to me, so I will accept them."
The relationship between Long Meng and the Dragon-man youth had reached the level of close friends.
When Long Meng accepted the gift, there was no sense of reservation. This, from another angle, showed that Shichijiro indeed put considerable pressure on Long Meng.
Finally, Zi Di appeared once again, politely declining the order from the empire and explicitly informing the other party that she would no longer challenge Shichijiro.
Zi Di "expressed her intentions": She did not want to get involved in high-level games, just wanting to fulfill her duties and properly trade arms.
After hearing this, the Thirteenth Prince snorted coldly, thinking he would definitely deal with international arms dealers in the future, but for now, he might as well put it aside. There’s no need to push a neutral force over to the enemy’s side.
According to Cang Xu’s strategies, the survivors cleverly leveraged the contradictions in the game between the two countries, striving to dance in the narrow space symbolized by the two powers, maximizing the protection of their interests.
The Dragon-man youth and Zi Di once again felt from Cang Xu what it meant to be an excellent statesman!
When the Dragon-man youth stood on the dueling field, facing Shunliang’s calm face, he deeply understood how difficult it was to stand there now.
Without the War Merchant’s database showing value, without the excellent negotiation skills of Zi Di, without Cang Xu’s strategies, he would now have to pave the way for Long Meng.