Chapter 1809: The Shi Clan
Fang Chen knew the other party had misunderstood him, but he truly could not be bothered to explain himself to those juniors, so he simply continued closing his eyes in thought.
This opportunity is genuinely rare. Gaining advance understanding of the framework of the Supreme Qingming Alliance will greatly help the Nine Mortal Realms prepare for the impending descent of outsiders. I absolutely must obtain a Sacred Canon.
Half an hour later, no more newcomers arrived.
One of the overseers slowly walked before the crowd and said calmly, "The warzone you are heading to this time is the Great Mang Warzone. Once you arrive, someone will receive you there. You must obey all arrangements made for you. As long as you successfully complete one mission, you will officially become a member of the Luoxue Alliance and be able to receive a salary."
"Awakening Realm cultivators receive three thousand low-grade spirit stones per year. Spirit Division Realm cultivators receive three thousand mid-grade spirit stones per year. Dao Fusion Realm cultivators receive three hundred high-grade spirit stones per year."
Hearing the reward, delight appeared on everyone's faces. Clearly, they were extremely satisfied with this salary.
As expected, low-level cultivators still use spirit stones, and spiritual energy remains the primary cultivation resource for low-level cultivators in this era. Cultivators who reached the ninth transformation still cultivate immortal essence. The real difference probably begins from the realm of the Three Limit Breaking Steps onward. The power controlled by Half-Saints and Saints may already differ from immortal essence entirely.
"Now that you're here, you need to understand your position clearly. To the Luoxue Alliance, you are merely 'troops'. And among you, ninety-nine percent can only be considered ordinary soldiers. Only a very small handful qualify as elite troops."
The overseer then pointed out several individuals.
Fang Chen was among them.
"These few awakened divine abilities that transcend the five elemental powers, so they qualify as elite troops. Once they officially become members of the Luoxue Alliance, their allowance will be double that of ordinary troops."
The moment those words were spoken, an uproar erupted immediately. People never feared scarcity, only unfairness. The moment everyone heard that Fang Chen and the others would receive double the amount after officially joining the Luoxue Alliance, dissatisfaction immediately arose.
Aside from Fang Chen, the other four young men and women displayed faintly proud expressions, enjoying the attention being directed toward them.
"Overseer Luo, we're all at the Awakening Realm. Even if their divine abilities are special, that doesn't necessarily mean they're truly stronger in battle. If what they get is double ours, then naturally we refuse to accept it."
The young man who had earlier been dissatisfied with Fang Chen stepped forward, his gaze fixed directly upon Overseer Luo.
Overseer Luo exchanged glances with the other overseers before revealing faint smiles.
"What is your name?" Overseer Luo asked with a faint smile.
The young man raised his head proudly. "This junior is Shi Zhan!"
Overseer Luo's expression shifted slightly. "Shi Zhan? Your surname is Shi?"
Even Fang Chen focused his attention on the young man. The Shi surname was uncommon. The only cultivator carrying that surname whom Fang Chen knew was an eighth-transformation True Immortal from the Nine Mortal Realms. She was a member of the True King Clan of the Lesser Immortal Realm. Even Xie Aman had to respectfully address her as Sister Shi.
"Old Luo, someone from the Shi Clan is here?" one overseer walked beside Overseer Luo and asked quietly.
"I'm not entirely sure. Why would a Shi Clan descendant appear at the Gale Valley Envoy Division? Their entire clan already relocated to the Divine Realm long ago."
Overseer Luo looked uncertain.
Shi Zhan cupped his fist and said, "Overseers, I really am a member of the Shi Clan. However, this journey is merely for personal tempering and has nothing to do with my clan. Back then, my Shi Clan ancestor also began from an Envoy Division and became a Half-Saint through his own sweat, blood, and tears. I wish to follow in my ancestor's footsteps, cutting through all obstacles and forging my own path to power!"
Everyone was astounded.
"Half-Saint?!"
Everyone here knew one or two things about the world. Hearing that Shi Zhan had a Half-Saint ancestor behind him instantly changed the way they looked at him. Even Overseer Luo and the others revealed respect.
Naturally, however, such respect was not for Shi Zhan himself; it was directed toward the Half-Saint he mentioned.
"So he truly is a blood descendant of Half-Saint Shi." Overseer Luo sighed emotionally. "Half-Saint Shi was one of the founding contributors of our Luoxue Alliance. I've heard legends about him since childhood."
Everyone immediately felt reverence rise within them.
The way they looked at Shi Zhan changed completely. Compared to Fang Chen, who merely possessed a lightning divine ability, Shi Zhan's background and status clearly surpassed him by far.
Seeing that everyone, even Overseer Luo and the others, had changed the way they looked at him, Shi Zhan could not help but feel a bit proud. He glanced briefly at Fang Chen, but what he saw infuriated him again.
Why is he still standing there with his eyes closed?! Why is he not looking at me?! How arrogant!
"Shi Zhan, if you truly are of the Shi Clan bloodline, then perhaps you shouldn't go to the Great Mang Warzone," Overseer Luo said.
Shi Zhan replied indifferently, "I personally requested this assignment. I know the Great Mang Warzone is the most dangerous among the thirteen warzones under the Gale Valley Envoy Division. But only a place like that can temper my abilities."
After a pause, he added, "I simply refuse to accept why they are considered elites while we are merely ordinary troops."
He pointed toward Fang Chen and the others.
The other four elites lost some of their arrogance after learning Shi Zhan's background, but his accusations still stirred anger within them.
Overseer Luo smiled. "These are the rules of our Luoxue Alliance. If you wish to overturn those rules, then challenge them. If you win, then you too will be considered part of the elites. We also wish to witness the abilities of the Shi Clan bloodline."
Shi Zhan was delighted. "I can challenge them?"
He immediately looked toward Fang Chen. "I challenge you."
The other four elites immediately relaxed. Fighting Shi Zhan would bring them no benefits regardless of victory or defeat.
Overseer Luo smiled faintly. "Zhou Chen, fight Shi Zhan and let us see which of you is stronger. If you lose, then you become an ordinary soldier, and the title of elite will belong to Shi Zhan."
Fang Chen thought for a moment before stepping out from the crowd. Seeing this, Shi Zhan also walked out.
A transverse bone could be seen at the center of his forehead, completely covered in dense fire-element power. At his mere thought, raging flames erupted from him. At times they transformed into dragons, at times phoenixes, and at times into weapons, constantly shifting forms.
The crowd was surprised.
"What dense fire spiritual energy."
Though everyone was at the Awakening Realm, the density of Shi Zhan's fire spiritual energy far surpassed theirs. No wonder he dared step forward to challenge Fang Chen. Clearly, because of his extraordinary background, he was by no means an ordinary Awakening cultivator.
"Overseer Luo, are there any rules for this duel?" Shi Zhan suddenly asked.
Overseer Luo smiled faintly. "As long as no one dies, anything goes."
He raised a hand and sent out a strand of immortal essence. A barrier instantly enveloped Fang Chen and Shi Zhan, isolating them from the outside world.
Seeing this, Shi Zhan immediately burst into laughter. An endless sea of fire surged toward Fang Chen like raging tidal waves. Everywhere the flames passed carried an aura of ultimate destruction, seeking to devour everything.
Fang Chen merely condensed a blade of Azure Lightning within his palm before casually slashing outward.
With one move, the sea of fire split into two. The lightning blade struck Shi Zhan, instantly sending him flying backward, causing him to slam heavily into the barrier. Shi Zhan immediately lost consciousness upon impact. The surrounding flames receded like a retreating tide, as though everything moments ago had only been an illusion.
Everyone stared at each other blankly.
He lost in one move?