Chapter 183 - 182: A Good First Turn Is No Worse Than a Transcendent Body

Chapter 183: Chapter 182: A Good First Turn Is No Worse Than a Transcendent Body

"Are you kidding me?"

Faced with Fang Can’s condition, Xiang Ziyu shook her head in disbelief. "If you don’t advance to the First Turn, how can you possibly win this Tournament of Nations?"

Before Fang Can could answer, the young woman continued:

"I admit that you have few rivals and are practically invincible in the Transcendent Body Realm."

"Perhaps not even the Great Derivation Divine Monarch or the Overlord of Great Chu from ages past could have defeated you at this stage."

"But do you really think you can just sweep through everyone with a Transcendent Body? The stronger First Turn experts are no weaker than you are at the Profound Gate Tenth Layer."

"Besides, there are countless benefits to breaking through to the First Turn. Why haven’t you done it?"

Looking at the disbelieving young woman, Fang Can explained calmly, "Because I still haven’t decided on my First Turn inheritance."

"There are just too many paths to choose from, and it’s making me hesitate. I don’t want to rush into the First Turn."

Hearing Fang Can’s words, the young woman finally understood.

Other Martial Artists spend years considering their future path, or they simply follow the inheritance passed down from their elders.

But Fang Can had only been cultivating for a few months, and his techniques didn’t follow the path of Jiejian Mountain, his supposed sect. It was indeed wise for him to be cautious about entering the First Turn.

"So you’re saying you really don’t plan to break through to the First Turn right now?" the young woman asked, a hint of hope in her voice.

"That depends on your answer," Fang Can said, tucking his hands into his robes. "I can break through whenever I want. In fact, choosing my inheritance a little later might even be better."

"Even if I choose to break through right now, I have a few good inheritance concepts in mind. The Mind Light won’t be wasted."

As he spoke, a handsome curve formed on Fang Can’s lips. "So if you agree to this deal, not only will you not be betraying Great Chu, but you’ll also be severely weakening me, you know."

"On the other hand, if you don’t make this deal, what will your people think of you when you return?"

"Your imperial brother is still alive, right? He’s probably preparing to break through to the First Turn to get his revenge. If I break through too, do you think he can win?"

Though she made no move, Xiang Ziyu had already reached a conclusion in her heart.

Her brother had originally planned to defeat Fang Can and then use his perfected, invincible martial heart to achieve his breakthrough.

But now, after being humiliated by Fang Can, his invincible martial heart was on the verge of shattering. Even if he forced a breakthrough, his strength would be greatly diminished.

Meanwhile, the man before her had just won, and won again, thoroughly turning her brother—who was also ranked number one—into a laughingstock.

If he rode this momentum to break through now, just how powerful would he become? Even with the most ordinary inheritance, he could probably look down on all other First Turn cultivators.

’In other words, my brother’s only chance of winning is if this young man *doesn’t* break through. If they fight in the same Realm, he’ll inevitably be turned into a laughingstock again!’ the young woman analyzed.

"If Xiang Longtao is defeated because of your mistake, your people will surely curse you as a brainless, busty princess who threw away the Empire’s only chance at victory. A princess like that couldn’t atone for her sins even if she died ten thousand times, right?"

Fang Can’s leisurely tone made the young woman’s expression stiffen.

’My popularity back home is already much lower than my brother’s. If he loses because I refuse this deal, his fanatical followers will hate me to the bone.’

’They might even blame his defeat on me, believing he could have won. If I’m forced to take the fall for this, my fate will be absolutely miserable.’

All sorts of thoughts raced through Xiang Ziyu’s mind. Having personally witnessed the fanaticism of those followers, she knew exactly what they were capable of.

As the recognized future hope of Great Chu, her brother had many children of high-ranking officials among his followers.

If she earned the hatred of that group, a mere princess like her might not only lose control of her own destiny but could even be sent off as a bargaining chip in a political marriage to another country—a fate worse than death.

’Besides, Father Emperor is watching. I absolutely cannot mess this up.’

Realizing the consequences of failure, Xiang Ziyu’s gaze cleared instantly under Fang Can’s watch.

Her once-arrogant face now wore a fawning, humble expression. She clapped her small hands together lightly and said:

"Young Master Fang, you want this humble servant to be the sunny part of the poem, right? I’ll absolutely meet your condition. I guarantee it’ll be as sunny as you want."

"Heh~" Seeing the young woman’s current demeanor, Fang Can couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

"You’re the one begging me now. I hope you can maintain this attitude from here on out," Fang Can said with a smile.

"Hey, that’s going too far! I already agreed to the deal," the white-robed young woman said, gritting her teeth in frustration.

"Then don’t come crying to me when I break through," Fang Can said airily, crossing one leg over the other.

"Alright, alright, what do you want?" The young woman’s Purple Eyes widened as she glared at the young man before her, feeling the Blood of Domination within her begin to boil with rage.

"I’m hungry," Fang Can said, holding out his hands.

"I haven’t broken through to the First Turn yet, so I can’t just use my mental energy to fill my stomach. Go find me something to eat."

’You’re just letting me go out? Aren’t you afraid I’ll run?’ Xiang Ziyu’s eyes widened.

"If you don’t hurry, you’ll come back to find a First Turn cultivator standing before you, one who was forced to break through because he got too hungry."

Fang Can spread his hands. "You don’t want your brother to lose the championship, do you?"

"I know, I know! I’m going," Xiang Ziyu said irritably. She felt like she’d become an errand girl—an errand girl who wasn’t even allowed to run away.

As things stood, her brother could afford to lose, but she absolutely could not afford to take the blame for that loss.

So, even if Fang Can demanded she lick his feet, she would probably have to do it, no matter how disgusted she felt.

With that thought in mind, the young woman reluctantly walked out of the basement to find food for Fang Can.

"Oh, right. Remember, nothing too greasy. If I’m not satisfied, I just might have to break through," Fang Can’s voice followed her like a lingering ghost, making her even more annoyed.

’Hmph, as if I can’t handle you,’ Fang Can chuckled to himself, unafraid that she would bring people back with her.

Just as he’d said, at the Tenth Layer Realm, breaking through to the Heaven-Ascending Road only required a small step forward.

Those at the Ninth Layer might need to prepare for ages, considering the perfect time, place, and conditions, but Fang Can could step into it with a single thought.

At that point, just as he’d said, sweeping the entire Tournament of Nations would be an absolute certainty.

However, the original creators of the tournament had intended for Martial Artists of the Transcendent Body Realm to compete against each other.

But ever since someone exploited a loophole to break through to the Heaven-Ascending Road, it had become a battle of immortals.

What Fang Can wanted to do was return the tournament to its original purity by sweeping it as a Transcendent Body cultivator.

Besides... Fang Can recalled Elder Yang’s earlier warning.

"Young friend Fang, if possible, this old one would like to suggest that you win first place in the tournament while still in the Transcendent Body Realm."

Looking at Fang Can, Elder Yang said seriously, "It is entirely possible for you. To achieve victory in the Transcendent Body Realm."

"Why? Is it just for the sake of some nice-sounding title?" Fang Can asked, confused. "That doesn’t seem like you."

"Because regardless of your Realm, the amount of Mind Light you receive for winning the championship doesn’t change."

"If a First Turn cultivator wins, that Mind Light can only be used for the breakthrough to the Second Turn, where it’s merely the icing on the cake."

"But if you use it *for* your First Turn breakthrough, the benefits you gain from the Mind Light will be maximized."

"The amount of mental energy you gain will be more than three times that of an ordinary Martial Artist, guaranteeing that upon your breakthrough, you’ll be able to match some of the weaker Second Turn Martial Artists."

"And that advantage can be compounded with every subsequent breakthrough."