Ancient Fiend Dragon Emperor

Chapter 657: Chapter 654: How to Choose?

The Giants Island and the Song Family had settled their affairs; what remained were only the Ling Family and the people of the Phoenix Sect.

The Phoenix Sect was the main force, with the Ling Family as auxiliary. As for others, including the Jade Void Palace, Rainforest Sect, the Wang Family, as well as the newly surrendered from the Giants Island and the Song Family, none were qualified to obtain this Map Bone.

Amidst his pondering, Su Han looked towards Ling Xiao, ”This Map Bone, how do you think we should distribute it?”

Ling Xiao smiled awkwardly, ”To be honest, given the strength of your Phoenix Sect, eradicating the people from Giants Island and the Song Family would have been a walk in the park. My Ling Family’s involvement was at best the icing on the cake. By rights, I shouldn’t ask for this Map Bone, but that Sage’s Skull is indeed too important, so... I wish for one.”

Su Han stared at Ling Xiao for a while, causing Ling Xiao to feel somewhat unnerved.

”Two questions.”

Su Han spoke through a transmission, audible only to the two of them, ”The first question, the function of the Sage’s Skull is not merely to determine rank, but also has significant use after leaving this Ancient Battlefield, right?”

Ling Xiao shook his head, ”I don’t know about that, but my father told me that the Sage’s Skull is indeed very important. As for its specific use, I’m also unaware.”

Su Han nodded; he also thought it unlikely that Ling Xiao would know the function of the Sage’s Skull. After all, if someone of his status could know, then Ye Longhe would probably have told him everything beforehand.

”Then the second question.”

Su Han continued, ”Since you’ve said that with or without the Ling Family, my Phoenix Sect could have obtained these three pieces of the Sage’s Skull, let me be direct. You can have one, but you must join the Phoenix Sect. As for your Ling Family, once this matter is resolved, my sect will personally make a trip there.”

”This...”

Ling Xiao hesitated, ”I can’t understand what benefit would joining the Phoenix Sect bring me. Those two types of physique you mentioned... to be honest, I’m rather skeptical.”

”I can’t prove that to you now. You must willingly join the Phoenix Sect before I can help you unlock these two physiques. That’s all I can tell you. If I help you now but you later renege, even if you’re not the enemy of the Phoenix Sect, in the future, it’s still uncertain, so without assurance, I won’t assist you.”

”As for the benefits...”

Su Han’s eyes flashed as he said with a light chuckle, ”I can tell you one thing about this Ancient Battlefield, which I’ve also shared with the Ye Family. If you agree to join, I’ll tell you immediately. The relevance of this matter should help you in contending with the Ye Family for second place in this Ancient Battlefield.”

”Really?”

Ling Xiao’s eyes lit up, ”Brother Su, you must understand that the ranks of this challenge are determined solely by the Sage’s Skull. Could you possibly give me more Sage’s Skulls? You probably need them very much yourself, right?”

Hearing this, Su Han immediately laughed, ”Indeed, the ranks for this round need to be determined by the Sage’s Skull. But how does one obtain a Sage’s Skull? By what means can one secure a Sage’s Skull? There is only one way, and that is strength!”

”You must have felt it. After entering this Ancient Battlefield, there’s been a temporary illusionary increase in strength. If you agree to join the Phoenix Sect, I can tell you how to enhance this illusionary strength. Once enhanced, it’s useless outside, but within this Ancient Battlefield, it’s extremely valuable.”

”Brother Su has such a method?” Ling Xiao was stunned.

He had indeed felt the enhancement of his strength and had heard from the elders in his family that, no matter who entered, they would experience such a boost.

But it was just a one-time thing. Ling Xiao had been puzzled before. If everyone only gets one opportunity, and all have enhanced their strength, what difference does it make compared to everyone not enhancing their strength at all?

At this moment, he understood that this illusionary strength could indeed be enhanced a second time!

Seeing Su Han nod, Ling Xiao fell silent.

For a range of reasons, Ling Xiao never looked down on the Phoenix Sect nor intended to refuse; however, he also had no intention of joining.

The Thirteen Families, ranked below only the Top Ten Super Sects, saw Ling Xiao grow up among the Ling Family, knowing all too well how formidable the family was. Sometimes, the sudden display of just a fraction of the family’s foundation was enough to terrify and astonish Ling Xiao.

In comparison, he didn’t know much about the Phoenix Sect, and even if he did, he didn’t think the Phoenix Sect had the standing to match that of the Ling Family.

He was the Young Clan of the Ling Family, potentially a contender for the Ling Family Patriarch position in the future. However, if he joined the God-Slaying Pavilion, that chance would definitely be taken away, and that was exactly what troubled Ling Xiao.

Being the Young Clan of the Ling Family or a common disciple of the Phoenix Sect, any astute person would know how to choose.

Ling Xiao’s hesitation was not solely out of regard for the friendship with Su Han; he was also weighing how formidable the Phoenix Sect truly was.

Yet Su Han didn’t showcase the power of the Phoenix Sect; only considering what he had seen, the Phoenix Sect had at least two hundred Cultivators in the Dragon God Realm.

Although the Dragon God Realm was strong, when compared to the Dragon Emperor Realm... it was still too weak.

If there was a Dragon Emperor Realm, then the Phoenix Sect could be considered a great sect, even worthy of being called a First-Class Sect by One Slash Palace. But without one... mere Dragon God Realm cultivators were not sufficient.”

”How should I choose...”

Ling Xiao looked at Su Han, then at the Map Bone, contemplating the ranking of the competition, the use of the Sage’s Skull, and weighing the Ling Family against the Phoenix Sect.

”If I choose to believe him, I will definitely lose my Young Clan position, my father has high hopes for me, and if I truly choose the Phoenix Sect, he will be enraged, potentially implicating the Phoenix Sect...”

”But what he says doesn’t seem to be false. If it’s all true, then in the future, I might soar high into the sky. But could this really be as wonderful as a pie falling from the sky? Could I possess such a powerful physique as to defy the heavens?”

Ling Xiao was incredibly conflicted and found it difficult to make a decision after much thought.

”A Cultivator’s practice is all about being true to one’s heart and having no regrets about one’s self. Your choice is the same,”

Su Han said as he looked at Ling Xiao, ”I’m not forcing you. Follow your own feelings to make this decision so that no matter the outcome, you will have no regrets, at least knowing you tried.”

Ling Xiao trembled, then suddenly looked up at Su Han, ”If I choose the Phoenix Sect, I’ll no longer be Young Clan and I’ll also lose the chance to contend for the Patriarch position. Tell me, how should I choose?”

Su Han pondered then slowly said, ”Your words contain the phrase ’contend for.’ You need to think very carefully about these words.”

Ling Xiao was startled and stared at Su Han, rooted in place.