The Prodigies of Central Plains Knock at the Pass

The Kunlun Reception City, located three thousand miles outside the Kunlun Mountains, was the only passage for cultivators from all directions to enter Kunlun.

The city was built against the mountain, its walls constructed of Kunlun white rock, engraved with sacred patterns. It was rumored that a Martial God had once preached here, and the residual aura could still make the minds of Aperture Opening Realm cultivators tremble.

But today, the atmosphere in the Reception City was not quite right.

In front of the city gate, thirty-six Central State prodigies blocked the official road.

They came from major holy lands, ancient clans, and sects of the Central State.

Although Holy Sons and Holy Maidens were not among them, these people were all in the top ten of the true disciple rankings of their respective holy lands.

Seven of them were at the peak of the Astral Qi Realm, and the rest were all above the fifth level of the Astral Qi Realm.

The leader was named Chen Tianlan, a true disciple of the Kunlun Law Enforcement Hall, ranked fifth.

He stood with his sword on his back, his white robe fluttering in the wind. The sword qi around his body was hidden but not emitted, yet it made the spiritual qi within a hundred zhang stagnate like ice.

Behind him, two disciples of the Kunlun Law Enforcement Hall carried a bronze bell.

The bell was engraved with ancient patterns, faintly resonating with the main peak of the Kunlun Mountains.

This was the Kunlun Dao Questioning Bell.

When the bell rang, it was an invitation to battle.

When the bell shattered, it was a fight to the death.

The rules of the Central State were very particular about a sense of ritual.

They wanted to weigh the quality of the Eastern Wasteland prodigies in public before the Emperor of the Great Zhou entered Kunlun.

If the Great Zhou did not dare to accept the battle, the Eastern Wasteland's entry into Kunlun would become a joke.

If the Great Zhou accepted but suffered a crushing defeat, Wang Hao's confidence in entering the mountain would collapse by half.

Chen Tianlan's expression was indifferent. He looked at the distant horizon, his voice not loud but spreading throughout the Reception City.

"The Eastern Wasteland is known for its outstanding people and geniuses everywhere, and His Majesty is the number one prodigy of the Eastern Wasteland."

"The disciples of the Central State are untalented and wish to seek guidance."

"I wonder if His Majesty dares to come out and fight?"

As these words fell, the spirits of tens of thousands of cultivators inside and outside the Reception City were lifted.

There was a show to watch.

The major casinos, intelligence pavilions, and circles of rogue cultivators in the Central State instantly boiled.

"Chen Tianlan came in person?"

"The Law Enforcement Hall wants to suppress Wang Hao in public."

"Not just the Law Enforcement Hall. Look over there, Shen Hefeng, a true disciple of the White Deer Academy, Qin Lie, a true disciple of the Chixiao Holy Land, Liu Qingyin, a true disciple of the Qingxu Holy Land... they're all here."

"The Holy Sons and Holy Maidens are not stepping down, but these people can also rank in the top ten in the major holy lands."

"What can the Eastern Wasteland bring out? That Emperor is at the peak of the Skysoaring Realm, he can't really accept the challenge, right? That would be too degrading."

"As for the Eastern Wasteland prodigies, we've never even heard of them. How many can step into the Astral Qi Realm?"

The Central State cultivators whispered to each other.

Most people had smiles on their faces.

They were used to looking down on the four regions. Even if the Emperor of the Great Zhou brought eight hundred thousand iron cavalry, they still felt that the Central State prodigies had a crushing advantage when facing the four regions.

Because of the concentration of spiritual veins, martial arts inheritance, and cultivation resources, the Central State firmly held the top spot in the world.

This was not arrogance.

It was a fact that had never been broken for a thousand years.

The bronze bell behind Chen Tianlan vibrated slightly, and the low sound of the bell spread, turning into an invisible oppression.

He was waiting.

Waiting for the Emperor of the Great Zhou of the Eastern Wasteland in the military camp to give a response.

Wang Hao didn't come very quickly.

He rode a black horse, wearing a profound black dragon-patterned emperor's robe, looking as relaxed as if he were strolling down the street.

Wei Zhongxian followed by his side, the Imperial Heavy Cavalry cleared the way in front, and three thousand guards in strict armor escorted him.

Wang Wudi, Old Master Ren, and Old Master Li accompanied him on the left and right. Forty Skysoaring Realm mighty figures scattered around, seemingly loose, but locking up the aura of the entire Reception City.

If any Skysoaring aura dared to move abnormally, it would instantly be suppressed by forty auras simultaneously.

This was the foundation of the Eastern Wasteland.

Not a show-off.

A reminder.

Wang Hao looked up at the formation in front of the city gate and smiled.

"Quite lively."

Wei Zhongxian said in a low voice, "Master, it's Chen Tianlan, a true disciple of the Kunlun Law Enforcement Hall. He brought thirty-five prodigies to challenge us."

Wang Hao was thoughtful. "Challenge me?"

"Challenge the Great Zhou prodigies," Wei Zhongxian corrected.

Wang Hao's smile deepened.

He rode his horse forward, looking down at Chen Tianlan from a high vantage point.

Chen Tianlan also looked at this new Emperor of the Eastern Wasteland whose name shook the world.

The two looked at each other for a moment.

Chen Tianlan spoke first. "Your Majesty, according to the rules, the Eastern Wasteland entering Kunlun must pass the Reception City to ask for etiquette. The disciples of the Central State are untalented and wish to seek guidance from the prodigies under Your Majesty's command."

His tone was respectful, but there was a sting in his words.

Wang Hao tilted his head.

"Are you saying that my prodigies are inferior to your Central State ones?"

Chen Tianlan said lightly, "I wouldn't dare. It's just a sparring session."

Wang Hao nodded and asked again, "What if I don't accept?"

Chen Tianlan replied, "The Dao Questioning Bell has been brought out. If the bell doesn't ring, the city gate won't open."

This was the rule.

He thought Wang Hao would be angry.

Unexpectedly, Wang Hao's smile became even gentler.

"Alright. I accept."

Chen Tianlan's eyes lit up slightly.

The Central State prodigies also raised their heads one after another, battle intent rising in their eyes.

But Wang Hao's next words stunned everyone.

"However—"

He raised his horsewhip and pointed at the thirty-six Central State prodigies behind Chen Tianlan.

"You are not worthy of challenging me."

As soon as these words came out, there was a dead silence in front of the city gate for a moment.

Then there was an uproar.

"What did he say?"

"Not worthy?"

"The Emperor of the Eastern Wasteland has such a big tone!"

Chen Tianlan's gaze sank.

"What does Your Majesty mean?"

Wang Hao spoke lightly.

"What is my cultivation level? What is your cultivation level?"

"You're not qualified."

"However, I have ten great prodigies under my command, all of whom have fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood."

"You want to challenge me?"

"Fine, I'll give you a chance."

"Defeat them first."

As his voice fell, ten figures slowly walked out from behind him.

Xiao Chen, Ye Guyun, Lu Chen, Su Lie, Wanyan Gu, and other Great Zhou's top ten temporary workers stepped forward. Of course, they were all incorporated now. They had to be, the Emperor gave too much, and at the same time, they owed the Great Zhou more and more money. If they weren't careful, they might have to work for Wang Hao for the rest of their lives.

Ten people.

Ten auras.

Like ten unsheathed sabers, simultaneously placed on the necks of the Central State prodigies.

In front of the Reception City gate, tens of thousands of cultivators were silent.

The voices that had previously mocked the Eastern Wasteland were all swallowed back.

Chen Tianlan's face finally turned solemn.

The Central State prodigies behind him stopped smiling as well.

Ninth level of the Astral Qi Realm.

Those barren lands of the Eastern Wasteland could actually raise young people at the ninth level of the Astral Qi Realm?

And three of them came at once?

How was this possible?

Chen Tianlan took a deep breath. "Your Majesty indeed has a wealth of talent under your command. Since that's the case, the Central State prodigies will first seek guidance from these ten—"

"Don't rush," Wang Hao interrupted.

He looked around and suddenly raised his voice.

"Since the Central State prodigies want to spar, wouldn't it be a disappointment if I didn't add a prize?"

Everyone was taken aback.

Wang Hao smiled broadly.

"Set up an arena. Open a betting pool."

"I'll be the dealer."

"The odds will be set by me."

"Bet on the Central State prodigies to win, one to two."

"Bet on the Eastern Wasteland prodigies to win, one to three."

"Bet on a draw, one to five."

As his voice fell, the Reception City fell into a bizarre silence.

Tens of thousands of cultivators looked at each other in dismay.

This Emperor wanted to open a betting pool on the spot?

Chen Tianlan said in a deep voice, "What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

Wang Hao said matter-of-factly, "Witness. Don't you people of the Central State like to witness? Since we're going to fight, let everyone participate together."

He turned his head and looked at Wang Wudi.

"Great-grandfather taught me back then that if you only fight when you fight, it's too much of a loss. A fight that can make money is a good fight."

Wang Wudi's mouth twitched.

Was that what he meant back then?

Old Master Ren had already taken out his abacus and started calculating.

The New Emperor Sword hung at Wei Zhongxian's waist, emitting a faint, ghostly voice: "He's at it again."

Wei Zhongxian remained expressionless. "You'll get used to it."

The news spread incredibly fast.

Within Kunlun Reception City, the three major gambling houses were the first to send representatives to negotiate.

The major merchant guilds of the Central Continent moved upon hearing the wind.

Even some Holy Lands secretly dispatched their core disciples, carrying bags of spirit stones, to place bets.

"Too arrogant," Qin Lie, a true disciple of the Chixiao Holy Land, said coldly. "What right does he have to set the odds?"

Chen Tianlan stared at Wang Hao. Looking at that smiling face, he suddenly felt as though he were being treated as mere cargo.

Suppressing his anger, he asked in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, what are the rules of the arena?"

Wang Hao replied, "Both sides will send out their fighters. Ten one-on-one matches. A winner can stay in the arena and continue fighting until they are defeated or voluntarily step down."

"Victories will be accumulated."

"In the end, the side with the most wins takes the victory."

"If there is a five-to-five tie, an extra match will be held."

Chen Tianlan nodded. "Where is the arena?"

Wang Hao pointed outside the Reception City, toward the edge of the Canglan Plains.

"I have already ordered people to build a martial arena there."

Chen Tianlan looked back. In the distance, a massive black stone arena had already risen from the ground. It was inscribed with reinforcing array formations, a hundred zhang long and wide, perfectly capable of withstanding the full-force outbursts of Astral Qi Realm experts.

When was that arena built?

The same thought arose in everyone's minds simultaneously.

Wang Hao smiled faintly. "I came prepared."

Chen Tianlan fell silent.

From beginning to end, he had been playing right into this emperor's calculations.

Outside the Reception City, at the Great Zhou's temporary encampment.

Wang Hao sat in the center of the main tent, a roster placed before him.

The ten great prodigies stood on either side, their expressions varying.

Ye Guyun hugged his sword and asked coldly, "Your Majesty, you're using us to open a betting pool. Do we get a cut?"

Wang Hao looked up. "What cut?"

Ye Guyun reminded him, "We are the ones going up to the arena."

Wang Hao laughed. "If you don't go to the arena, how am I supposed to earn spirit stones?"

Su Lie grumbled in a muffled voice, "Your Majesty, even if we don't have merits, we at least put in hard work, right?"

Wang Hao nodded. "Then I thank you for your hard work."

Su Lie felt deeply stifled.

Lin Tiechuan couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, the prodigies of the Central Continent cannot be underestimated. Chen Tianlan is at the peak of the Astral Qi Realm, Shen Hefeng's White Deer cultivation method is said to have reached great mastery, and Liu Qingyin's zither-based soul attacks are incredibly bizarre and unpredictable..."

Wang Hao interrupted him.

"Are you afraid?"

The ten of them fell silent for a moment.

Wanyan Gu was the first to speak. "Afraid? I'm only afraid Your Majesty won't let me beat them half to death."

Flames danced in Xiao Chen's eyes as he said indifferently, "The reputation of the Eastern Wasteland's prodigies must be forged with our fists."

Lu Chenzhou nodded. "The Central Continent has looked down on us for a long time. This time, we'll let them see just how hard the fists of the Eastern Wasteland really are."

Rong Xiaotian muttered, "I heard Qin Lie also uses fist techniques. I want to clash with him."

Ye Guyun looked at Wang Hao. "Your Majesty, if we win all the matches, the odds will backlash. How much will the house have to pay out?"

Wang Hao smiled warmly. "Don't worry, I set the odds with great care. As long as you don't lose completely, I will make a guaranteed profit without any losses."

The New Emperor Sword faintly added, "Furthermore, he set your odds at one to three, which means he thinks you will win."

Hearing this, Wanyan Gu's spirits were instantly lifted. "Your Majesty trusts us this much? The Emperor actually thinks we are stronger than the Holy Land prodigies?"

Wang Hao's tone was gentle. "No, it's because the people of the Central Continent are foolish and have too much money. If I don't give them a little sweet taste, they won't place heavy bets on their own people. Once they've bought in enough, you guys win, and I will earn their betting money."

The tent fell silent once again.

Lin Tiechuan sighed. "Is Your Majesty really here to attend the gathering?"

The New Emperor Sword answered first, "He's here to make money. The fighting is just a side gig."

Wang Hao did not deny it.

Wei Zhongxian lifted the tent flap and walked in, holding a stack of jade slips.

"My Emperor, the major merchant guilds have registered their bets. As of now, the total amount bet on the Central Continent side has exceeded eight million spirit stones."

"Among them, the Chixiao Holy Land bet five hundred thousand spirit stones on Qin Lie to win, the Kunlun Law Enforcement Hall bet six hundred thousand on Chen Tianlan, the White Deer Academy bet five hundred thousand on Shen Hefeng, and the Qingxu Holy Land bet five hundred thousand on Liu Qingyin..."

"The remaining rogue cultivators, minor families, and merchant guilds have followed with bets totaling around five million spirit stones."

"The bets on the Eastern Wasteland side are about three million spirit stones, mainly coming from our own people."

Wang Hao glanced at the jade slips.

"The ratio is still not enough."

Wei Zhongxian asked, "What is Your Majesty's intention?"

Wang Hao thought for a moment and instructed, "Send people to the major gambling houses in the Central Continent and spread a rumor. Say that the prodigies of the Eastern Wasteland only have high cultivation realms on the surface, but their foundations are actually unstable, entirely piled up using the medicinal pills of the Great Zhou imperial court. Tell them the Central Continent prodigies are steady and solid, so their win rate is extremely high."

Wei Zhongxian was taken aback.

Old Master Ren poked his head out from the side. "Your Majesty, are you smearing your own people?"

Wang Hao turned to look at the ten prodigies.

"If I smear you, will you be angry?"

Xiao Chen said indifferently, "No. As long as we can win in the end, being cursed at a few times during the process doesn't matter."

Ye Guyun said coldly, "Face is earned through fighting, not talking."

"Very good." Wang Hao was satisfied. "Then let's add some more fuel to the fire. Release the news that the Great Zhou Emperor is actually unsure himself, which is why he opened the betting pool to hedge against his losses."

Wei Zhongxian's eye twitched. "My Emperor, this strike is a bit too ruthless."

Wang Hao patted him on the shoulder.

"Old Wei, when doing business, what is the most profitable thing?"

"Stirring up emotions."

"Make them feel like victory is already in their grasp, and then..."

He smiled and didn't finish the sentence.

But that smile caused the temperature inside the tent to drop a few degrees.

Wang Wudi shook his head and laughed despite himself. "Brat, you are getting more and more sinister."

Wang Hao said modestly, "Great-grandfather taught me well."

Wang Wudi immediately defended himself, "When did I ever teach you this?"

"Back in the Eastern Sea, when Great-grandfather trapped and killed six elders of the Demon Sect, didn't you use the tactic of luring the enemy in deep?"

Wang Wudi fell silent.

His old face flushed slightly red.

Old Master Ren laughed heartily.

The ten prodigies in the tent looked at Wang Hao, then looked at each other, simultaneously reading the exact same sentence in each other's eyes.

This guy being an emperor was truly a waste of his talents.

He really should have been a profiteering merchant.