Big Data Cultivation-Chapter 1959 - 1961: The Inside Decision (First Update Celebrates Patron "No Posting")
The concern of Sister Hong, still acknowledged by everyone, is whether Li Shishi will have the time to enhance her defense when the battle begins.
If she hasn’t enhanced her state, and the opponent launches a surprise attack at an incredibly fast pace, she might lose the battle and could even get injured.
In terms of rules, as long as the battle starts, a surprise attack is allowed, and Li Shishi must consider Luohua’s image. She can’t just hold a Defense Talisman before the battle even begins—doing so would appear petty.
During the thirty-two into sixteen round, the High-Rank martial master she encountered basically had the capability for a surprise attack, just that he also cared for his dignity and didn’t do so.
Gao Qiang was still somewhat dismissive, thinking that Wang Dapeng wouldn’t do it either, but Sister Hong seriously said, "This is a competition right outside Wudang’s gate, now that he has entered the final match, even if he doesn’t want to do that..."
Little Celestial Master deeply felt this and couldn’t help but speak up, "Yes, the expectations of fellow sect members can really bring immense pressure."
"That’s nothing," Gu Jiahui couldn’t help but intervene, "Senior Sister Li has the Protective Talisman given by the elder."
"But how can such a talisman be casually exposed?" Sister Hong frowned, "It’s also too wasteful."
Each of them only has one Protective Talisman, with defense even a normal heavy weapon can’t break through.
The treatment enjoyed by Luohua’s core members really can’t compare to Feng Jun’s parents. Every time Feng Jun advances a minor realm, he leaves a Essence Blood Protection Talisman for his parents, ranging from Qi Refining Initial Stage to the High-Rank protective talismans.
In the past, the one broken by Da Baier was the Qi Refining Initial Stage Talisman worn by Feng Wenhui.
But for Luohua’s members, the Essence Blood Talisman can only be replaced or upgraded, they don’t have extra charms.
The reason has been explained earlier: they will be fighting in Kunhao in the future, so one talisman is enough, to prevent others from getting it and doing something bad to Feng Jun. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
As for Feng Wenhui and Zhang Junyi, Feng Jun never intended to let them go to Kunhao, as long as they’re on the Earth Plane, probably no one can use his essence blood energy to threaten him.
Sister Hong thought such a powerful talisman shouldn’t be wasted like this, and she felt that such life-saving means should be kept as secret as possible and not revealed unless absolutely necessary.
Gao Qiang was somewhat persuaded by her, "Then should I go find Wang Dapeng and tell him a surprise attack is useless? Or should I tell him not to do it?"
"Just tell him a surprise attack is useless," Sister Hong was well-versed in various private deals, "Let him know about the talisman, but just keep it between us, not publicized, Cai Xin, what do you think?"
"You guys decide," Zhang Caixin was somewhat uninterested, she had watched the competitions these days, and some Martial Cultivators’ Martial Techniques were decent, but however she looked, she felt they were a bit weak—ultimately lacking impact, their strength was a bit lacking!
Feeling the mediocrity, she somewhat understood why the elder was not willing to come.
"Let’s settle it then," Gao Qiang, being decisive, got up to leave.
"Senior Brother Gao, please wait," Yu Qingzhu, who usually remained silent, spoke up, glancing at Zhang Caixin, "I have a personal thought."
Zhang Caixin lifted her chin casually, "Go ahead."
Yu Qingzhu organized her thoughts and began slowly, "As the saying goes, ’We must first understand who are our enemies and who are our friends’."
Everyone around was taken aback, thinking we were just discussing small matters, and she elevated it to such a strategic level?
But no one spoke, they had been in Luohua for quite some time, and they knew Yu Qingzhu’s intelligence, so although her words sounded abrupt, they decided to listen to what she had to say.
Yu Qingzhu continued speaking eloquently, "Wudang is a major sect, their attitude towards us is naturally crucial, so I think there’s no need to go to them. If they have Luohua in their hearts, they’ll naturally know not to launch a surprise attack."
"In other words, if they decide to attack, then we’ll know how to deal with them in the future. Isn’t it good to see people’s true intentions with a petty championship?"
Upon hearing this, everyone stayed silent, until Gu Jiahui finally spoke, "I think Sister Qingzhu’s words... make sense."
Most present were daring individuals, even Gu Jiahui was from the Gu Family, not afraid of disputes.
Only Li Shishi was nervous, "But if he attacks, won’t the Protective Talisman be exposed? And the loss is too great."
Zhang Caixin finally showed interest, speaking decisively, "He might not be faster than you, and even if it’s exposed, so what? But actively seeking Wang Dapeng would make Luohua appear small-minded."
She then turned her head to Yu Qingzhu, a mysterious smile on her lips, "Sister Qingzhu is indeed someone the elder is determined to cultivate, your mindset is extraordinary."
"Senior Sister Caixin overpraises," Yu Qingzhu modestly replied, "as a disciple of Luohua, it’s my duty to uphold the dignity of the Dao lineage, which is what I should do, and I have a guess..."
Just then, someone appeared from beside the distant rockery, greeting with a smile, "Daoist Gao Qiang, can we find a place to chat?"
The one who came was none other than Wang Dapeng, whom they had been talking about.
It’s reasonable to expect that with the decisive battle looming, he should conserve his energy and adjust his breath carefully, at the very least he shouldn’t wander alone, let alone visit the opponent’s place.
However, Wang Dapeng had his own ideas, after the convention, he still needed to cultivate in the Xiuzhen Courtyard. If Luohua really wanted to deal with him, he wouldn’t be able to defend against it entirely, and besides, he felt that Luohua people wouldn’t stoop to such petty acts.
Gao Qiang smiled and nodded, then left — among the people from Luohua, he was the only man, and he felt a bit uncomfortable here.
The women fell silent, and after a while, Li Shishi spoke up, "Qingzhu, any other guesses?"
Yu Qingzhu slightly raised her chin and spoke indifferently, "That’s exactly it... Wang Dapeng might come."
It didn’t take long for Gao Qiang to return and tell them Wang Dapeng’s purpose.
Wang Dapeng came here also somewhat hesitantly about how to act tomorrow; his fellow sect members indeed put a lot of pressure on him, and many people just assumed Li Shishi’s weakness... It takes time to activate a Defense Talisman.
Wang Dapeng spoke clearly, he hoped Li Shishi would hold the Defense Talisman before the battle started, so it could be activated at any time.
After all, it’s the decisive battle, and her doing so shows respect to the audience and the opponent.
Under such circumstances, his blitz attack would be ineffective. If she doesn’t take out the Defense Talisman and he doesn’t attack, there’s no way to explain to everyone.
In short, Li Shishi can take the championship, but she should show some sincerity. It’s inappropriate to act cocky and win the championship!
Gao Qiang felt that what he said made sense, if it weren’t for Yu Qingzhu’s words, he would certainly agree, but since Yu Qingzhu said that, and everyone acknowledged it, things shouldn’t develop that way — should Wudang care about face while Luohua shouldn’t?
He thought for a while and then informed the other party of the truth, saying Li Shishi has a talisman given by Elder Feng, whether or not you attack, it actually doesn’t matter much, her previous activation of the Defense Talisman was just to avoid wasting the powerful Protective Talisman.
In the end, Gao Qiang candidly stated — don’t spread this word, how to choose, you decide for yourself!
After saying all this, he unconsciously looked at Yu Qingzhu, "Is my response okay?"
Yu Qingzhu first glanced at Zhang Caixin, seeing she had no intention to speak, then replied in a deep voice, "I think it’s great. Just because he wants us holding a Defense Talisman, do we have to? I believe the most important for a Cultivator is to have one’s own persistence and pride."
"Qingzhu speaks well," Sister Hong nodded, her initial suggestion seemed to be trying to smooth things over — which is actually the common choice for people in society, but after discovering everyone was proud, she changed her mind.
Moreover, she was willing to showcase her own intelligence and emotional intelligence, not letting Xiao Mao the girl shine solely ahead, so she chuckled, "Can you guess, if Shishi doesn’t prepare in advance tomorrow, will Wang Dapeng launch an attack?"
No one answered her, Zhang Caixin was uninterested, others had their own reasons.
After a long while, seeing her embarrassment, Gao Qiang spoke up, "If it were me, I would certainly attack. Since he made it known, it’s not offensive... As a Martial Artist, one should have the courage of the heart!"
Gu Jiahui had long wanted to speak, but being the youngest, was embarrassed to speak first. Upon hearing Gao Qiang’s words, she retorted, "I disagree with Brother Qiang, if Wudang is smart enough, they’d know what the talisman crafted by Elder Feng signifies."
"You’ve already emphasized how powerful it is, wasting one just like that without gaining anything, isn’t that foolish?"
Her thought process had clear traits of a strong personality, a true Gu Family characteristic: you have your reasons, but I have my dignity.
Gao Qiang was stunned for a moment before answering, "But the nature of a Martial Artist should be to unbelieve in such superstitions. If always relying on bullying, how can one cultivate a brave and dedicated martial spirit?"
"But a Martial Artist also needs to eat," Gu Jiahui continued to object, "Wudang has become quite secular, they should understand the art of advancing and retreating."
After saying this, she looked at Yu Qingzhu sideways, "Sister Qingzhu, am I right?"
She instinctively believed Sister Qingzhu would support her view because they grew up in similar environments.
Yu Qingzhu merely pursed her lips and smiled gently, "I think Sister Hong might have a different perspective."
Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Sister Hong.
This little girl is turning into a little fox herself, Sister Hong suppressed many emotions in her heart and shook her head with a smile, "I’m merely guessing, but I suspect Wang Dapeng might come back again."
She was slightly wrong in her guess; Wang Dapeng didn’t return but Elder Guo from Wudang came — the one who joined Feng Jun into the Weiyu Cave Heaven, he was an old acquaintance with Sister Hong and Zhang Caixin.
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