Watching the Mountain

Chapter 433: Chapter 223: The Extremely Insidious Wuchen Daoist Monarch

The Daoist Monarch beside Vast Sea Daoist Monarch was named Shifang Daoist Monarch, a burly, middle-aged man dressed in vibrant purple robes.

This was a unique characteristic of the Overseas Archipelago. There, the weak wore light-colored clothes—light blue, the color of the sea, being the most common—while those with a high Cultivation Realm wore vibrant, eye-catching attire.

Vast Sea Daoist Monarch had mentioned that he had misjudged his opponent’s strength only because Wuchen Daoist Monarch’s aura was so extraordinary.

Before he arrived, Shifang Daoist Monarch had been wondering, ’Just how extraordinary could this Wuchen Daoist Monarch’s aura be, to actually spook my old friend Vast Sea into a voluntary retreat?’

But now, seeing Shen Wuchen approaching them step by step through the air, clad in robes as white as snow, he instantly understood.

A single thought now dominated his mind: ’So, there really are people in this world who can shine as brilliantly as a river of stars. The moment he appears, he draws all eyes, becoming the sole focus of attention.’

Shifang Daoist Monarch watched the aloof Shen Wuchen, frowning in thought for a moment before tilting his head slightly to ask his old friend, Vast Sea Daoist Monarch:

”Are you certain he broke your attack with a single, casual strike?”

Vast Sea Daoist Monarch answered without hesitation, ”Of course. Why else would I have voluntarily retreated?”

But just as he finished speaking, his expression faltered, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. ”Still, something feels off. I just can’t quite put my finger on what.”

Hearing this, Shifang Daoist Monarch’s eyes glinted. He pondered for a moment, then said in a low tone:

”It seems your intuition was correct. This Wuchen Daoist Monarch is likely not what the intelligence reports claim him to be.”

Before seeing Shen Wuchen, he hadn’t questioned the intelligence reports. But now, having seen the man with his own eyes, he found it impossible to believe that someone with such an extraordinary appearance and aura could be as pathetically weak as the reports claimed.

Vast Sea Daoist Monarch was taken aback. He said, puzzled,

”But that intelligence was verified by multiple sources before we came. Wuchen Daoist Monarch’s history is widely known. It can’t possibly be false, can it?”

Shifang Daoist Monarch’s eyes glinted as he said, ”The intelligence isn’t false, but that doesn’t mean his *strength* isn’t.”

”What?” Vast Sea Daoist Monarch exclaimed in shocked disbelief, then the realization dawned on him. ”You mean... his entire losing streak was intentional?”

Shifang Daoist Monarch nodded with certainty and countered, ”Just think about it. Could any normal person manage to lose five hundred consecutive matches in the ring?”

”Well...” Vast Sea Daoist Monarch hesitated. Thinking it over, he realized it was true. In a battle between those of the same Realm, even in a fight to the death, the one with greater overall strength wasn’t guaranteed to win—let alone in a dueling ring match.

Five hundred consecutive losses... Even if Wuchen Daoist Monarch really was from the Flying Immortal Stream, it seemed unbelievable. After all, he must have occasionally faced opponents who were still heavily injured from their previous match. How could he have managed to not win a single time?

Seeing his reaction, Shifang Daoist Monarch added, ”And if his losing streak *was* real, that raises an even bigger question. Think about it: if a normal person suffered five hundred consecutive losses in the ring, in front of their sect-mates and peers from across the world, could their Cultivation possibly improve? Their Dao Heart would have likely shattered long ago.”

”But not only did his Dao Heart not shatter, causing him to descend into madness, but his Cultivation also advanced rapidly, and now he’s even reached the Divinity Transformation Realm. Is that normal?”

”Furthermore, consider when he teamed up with that Evergreen Sword Saint. Every time he provided support, the Evergreen Sword Saint’s combat prowess would skyrocket. So, who is the truly powerful one—the Evergreen Sword Saint, or the Wuchen Daoist Monarch? The answer should be self-evident, shouldn’t it?”

Hearing this, Vast Sea Daoist Monarch’s eyes widened slightly. With a look of relief, he said, ”This Wuchen Daoist Monarch is incredibly calculating. To be able to conceal his strength for so long... It seems my decision to retreat was the right one. If I had continued to fight him, I’m afraid things would not have ended well for me.”

Shifang Daoist Monarch nodded in complete agreement, then said with a smile:

”But let’s not overestimate him. No matter how much of a heaven-sent prodigy Wuchen Daoist Monarch is, his age is a limiting factor. He can’t have been in the Divinity Transformation Realm for long. Even if he’s strong, there’s a limit.”

”Besides, he’s alone. Against the two of us, we hold the absolute advantage. Let’s seize this opportunity today and eliminate him.”

Vast Sea Daoist Monarch nodded in vehement agreement, his gaze fixed on Shen Wuchen, killing intent brimming in his eyes.

Shen Wuchen stood poised in the sky above the Profound Pure Sect, his gaze fixed on Vast Sea Daoist Monarch and Shifang Daoist Monarch as his white robes fluttered gently.

For some reason, the two enemies across from him had yet to attack, so he, too, held back.

He understood his predicament. Facing two enemies in the Divinity Transformation Realm, he was certainly no match for them. He wouldn’t even be able to last long.

He had stepped forward to stall for time, to allow the people of his Sect to evacuate. The fact that his enemies weren’t attacking suited him perfectly.

He hoped this standoff would last a little longer, giving the people of his Sect more time to retreat.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans. The thought had barely formed in his mind when the two enemies across from him appeared to conclude their discussion.

The moment he saw the killing intent in Vast Sea Daoist Monarch’s eyes, he knew the time to act had come.

Realizing this, he acted at once, without a shred of hesitation.