Lighting Lanterns in the Mountains and Seas

Chapter 905 768: No Ambition Among the Younger Generation

Time is tight, and the task is heavy. Tong Mingshan didn't waste words, directly taking out the measuring rope and starting to measure Qilin A San's size.

This thing, with long antlers and a long tail, and its flesh drooping, is indeed more troublesome to measure than a human.

Qilin A San couldn't help but ask, "Master, what does it mean to make me a set of battle armor?"

Shi Chun said, "The world outside is full of fights and killings, with many disputes. I fear you might be harmed. Since you recognize me as your master and have become my mount, naturally I must do my best to protect you."

Qilin A San tapped his hooves, pawing the ground, and lowered his head in gratitude, saying, "Fortunate to encounter a wise master!"

Tong Mingshan measured while watching the two express their true hearts, feeling something strange about it.

After the measurement, Qilin A San seemed to guess his fate, hurriedly pleading with Shi Chun, "Master, the bag is too stuffy. Besides sleeping, I can only sleep. How about letting me accompany you outside?"

Shi Chun said, "Soon, let's stay out of the limelight for now."

Qilin A San didn't have time to ask what limelight to avoid before Shi Chun pocketed him.

Shi Chun turned back to signal to open the door. Tong Mingshan cast a spell to open the tower door, letting him out before locking himself back inside, beginning to plan Shi Chun's battle blade and A San's battle armor.

Sitting in the shade of the trees, Shi Chun took out the mother-child talisman, customarily reporting safety to Mulan Jin, a bit earlier this time, as it wasn't yet time to test the battle armor after exiting.

A message sent as usual: Reporting to Commander, your beloved is currently safe and sound.

On the high platform of the Heavenly Court Team's command center, Mulan Jin was coldly observing Manxi and his group discussing manpower deployment to respond to battle matters, the atmosphere somewhat tense due to the imminent awakening of all Centurion Tokens from five battle teams.

Shi Chun's message came right on time. He was initially about to contact Shi Chun. After reading the message, he replied: How many Centurion Tokens do you have?

Shi Chun didn't know why he asked, replied: Around three hundred, only about two hundred are valid. Not sure what guidance the Commander has?

Regarding this number, Mulan Jin had no doubts. Saying Feng Yin's fallen Qiankun Bag had a hundred tokens was plausible; saying it had two hundred was normal; claiming three hundred was nothing out of the ordinary.

He indeed had guidance, replied: The comprehensive awakening of tokens is imminent. Those you consider invalid are seen as valid by other teams. These tokens are harmful in your hands. Immediately turn them over, having the command center designate someone to protect them is best.

Sitting under the tree, Shi Chun was dumbfounded upon seeing this. He rubbed his eyes, thinking he misunderstood. But after repeated checks, it was indeed the intention to hand over the tokens.

What does this mean? Shi Chun couldn't sit still anymore, jumping up, pondering why turn them over for protection? Naturally, there are conditions. If the tokens are handed over for protection, they take half the credit.

The credit for over two hundred tokens is reduced to around a hundred. The difference is vastly disproportionate.

For Shi Chun, how could he agree? After pacing around the tree dozens of times, he replied: Commander, what are the special benefits if the junior hands over the tokens?

From the reply speed, Mulan Jin noticed the reluctance of the other party, replying: That it can keep you alive, isn't that a major benefit?

Shi Chun replied: Those tokens weren't picked up, but exchanged for with our lives. It's not something I can decide alone; everyone risked their lives for them hoping to exchange for a future. If the Commander worries about your beloved's safety, I guarantee to keep her isolated from related dangers.

Indeed, Mulan Jin's greatest concern was the safety of his daughter. The other party keeping hold of so many tokens would definitely affect his daughter.

The Battle of Great Pardon has reached this stage, and as long as the tokens are handed over and the person hides, there would be no danger. With his reputation and oversight on-site, no one would question his daughter's responsibility to avoid battle.

But things had to be clarified, he replied: If the Heavenly Court Team fails to win, what use are those tokens to you? Do you intend to turn the tide?

Shi Chun replied: Why the Commander nurtures others' ambition while diminishing his own influence. Dongguo Shou's strength can be said to overpower heroes, and with the assistance of my Sky Splitting Sword, he can be like adding wings to a tiger, rightfully vying for supremacy in the Heavenly Court Team without needing me to turn any tide. I don't have grand ambitions, just wish to follow along and reap some minor gains, not coming for naught.

This message made Mulan Jin unconscious and touched his forehead, glancing at the mirror image screen. All five battle teams knew Dongguo Shou had failed, and this person still hadn't received the message, assuming himself as the sole source.

But didn't he hear from Han Bao, that Shi Chun seemed to have interactions with other forces?

These matters were set aside for the moment. After thinking it over, he replied: Your Sky Splitting Sword probably won't be returned.

He felt embarrassed sending this reply as he had vouched for it.

Shi Chun was startled, what now? He asked urgently: Could it be someone intends to break their promise?

This isn't just a bottle of wine, drinkable by anyone, but a priceless treasure whose value is immeasurable. If exchanged for cultivation resources, it could sustain their entire Mingshan Sect for a long time; how could it be easily given up?

Finally, Mulan Jin awkwardly revealed the truth: Dongguo Shou failed, ambushed by joint forces of the other four families, the Sky Splitting Sword was snatched by Feng Yin, and Manxi said you'll be compensated with a credit of three hundred tokens.

This news made Shi Chun furious, directly venting internally; his belly grumbled with curses. Characters who could hold the line for the Heavenly Court Team were gone. If they couldn't win, what use were countless credits?

Even if they ultimately didn't win, he at least acquired a valuable treasure to leave. Now they've lost the treasure borrowed from him and just offer some intangible verbal compensation. Isn't this bullying?

After a period of frenzy, he couldn't help but calm down slowly to face reality. This matter seemed genuine, as someone of Mulan Jin's status and position was unlikely to lie in this manner.

In other words, whether it's Manxi or Mulan Jin, they're indeed bullying him, because it's unlikely for someone like him to offer something of equal value in compensation.

Yet he couldn't easily ask those two for reimbursement; if he angered Mulan Jin, she could send him back to the Life Prison, saying, "I'll definitely return it to you when you get out," but what could he do about it?

The previous agreement didn't specify when exactly he'd get it back.

But he couldn't help but curse: "With Dongguo Shou's strength, and the Sky Splitting Sword in hand, he still managed to fall. Is he an idiot?"

The news of his cursing reached Mulan Jin, who saw it but remained indifferent, making no reply, waiting for Shi Chun to compromise on his own.

Bam! Shi Chun punched the trunk of a tree, truly unwilling to just hand over the token like this. With everyone either seriously injured or with broken arms, after experiencing life and death multiple times, it's hard to accept that the hard-won gains would be given up just like that. How could he be willing?

He thought he was only one step away from standing out, just a little more effort and he'd make it, and now he's telling himself it was all an illusion?

He truly wished he could personally lead the troops into battle, having made so many preparations for the potential dangers ahead.

Yet, when he thought of Little Xuan Sect's Luo Que, Divine Sect's Su Jikuan, Su Yuan Sect's Yan Zhili, and Phoenix Clan's Feng Yin—thinking of the strength and demeanor of these top sects' disciples—he couldn't easily offend them with his background and confidence, and with millions of soldiers about to sweep in, relying on just a few newly forged armors from the Mingshan Sect to turn the tide was simply a joke.

In this deadly game, there's hardly any room for alliances; whoever has the token becomes the target, and the one with the most tokens is ganged up on.

A team without a figure who can stabilize the formation and intimidate the enemy is truly fatal. It's estimated that the Command Center is trying to hide this from all the squads because spreading the news would severely affect morale.

But how could this possibly be concealed? The Four Great Royal Courts are not benevolent; they'll definitely help spread the word.

He rested his head against the trunk for a moment of peace, and eventually left, still with a sense of desolation.

Mulan Qingqing was quite attentive to his movements, and seeing his dejected state upon returning to the shore, immediately went over to ask, "Did something happen?"

Shi Chun forced a bitter smile, "The Xuanji Token Master said Dongguo Shou fell and asked us to hand over the token for safety." He turned to Brother Han who had followed over, "Brother Han, contact the Commander. Let's see what arrangements the Commander has, and we'll follow them. Being able to safely hide until the battle ends is a blessing."

Han Bao immediately took out the Mother-child Talisman and complied.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the Mother-child Talisman was taken out, Mulan Qingqing suddenly snatched it away with obvious anger on her face.

She instinctively thought it was an intervention by her father to ensure her safety.

"..." Han Bao was speechless. Should he snatch it back or not?

Soon, Feng Chi came over, holding a fledgling. She also noticed Shi Chun's gloom, asking, "Master, what happened?"

Shi Chun really didn't feel like explaining and casually summarized the situation in a few words.

Hearing this, Feng Chi was quite surprised, and immediately went over to the Demon Path for confirmation.

After a short time, she returned with a sigh, "Our friends over there confirmed that something indeed happened. The Four Great Teams set up a trap; Dongguo Shou was hit by Su Jikuan's Star-shattering Finger, losing an arm, and received several sword wounds from Yan Zhili's Magic Soldier, one of which pierced through his side. If it weren't for his mount saving him in time, Dongguo Shou would have died on the spot. Now Dongguo Shou's life and death are unknown, and the Sky Splitting Sword was snatched by Feng Yin, alas!"

"Sister, sister…" The dozing fledgling suddenly stretched out its neck, blinking its large, jet-black eyes, and shook its head, calling out while looking at Shi Chun, seemingly recognizing him and feeling fondness towards him—the first person to fill its stomach.

Shi Chun, however, got lost in thought, and after coming to his senses, he clutched its beak to stop it from making noise, asking Feng Chi, "Dongguo Shou didn't die on the spot, and his death isn't confirmed?"

Earlier, when Mulan Jin said Dongguo Shou fell, he thought he was dead; otherwise, how could someone with Dongguo Shou's strength easily lose the Sky Splitting Sword?

If Dongguo Shou weren't already dead, why would Mulan Jin think the Heavenly Court Team had lost their chance so easily?

Feng Chi was momentarily stunned and nodded, "That's how our friends over there put it."

Shi Chun's eyes flickered, glancing left and right for a while, then released the fledgling's beak and walked off, taking out the Mother-child Talisman to confirm with Mulan Jin: Is Dongguo Shou still alive?

Mulan Jin was currently exasperated by her daughter's antics. Seeing the message from Shi Chun only made her angrier, thinking her daughter's mischief might have been instigated by Shi Chun, and she didn't bother replying, first dealing with her daughter.

Unable to get a reply, Shi Chun turned his head and saw Mulan Qingqing sending a message; realizing Mulan Jin might be too busy, he swiftly moved to Mulan Qingqing's side and grabbed her soft hand.

A visibly angry Mulan Qingqing froze upon being publicly grabbed like this.

Shi Chun didn't think much, prying the Mother-child Talisman from her hand, "I'll borrow this."

He turned around and sent this message to Mulan Jin: Commander, if Dongguo Shou isn't dead, I might have a way to help him recover quickly.

On the command center's high platform, Mulan Jin once more examined the message with emotions, finding the changes in the wording baffling, and only after forcibly trying to make sense of it did she realize it wasn't a reply from her daughter but a message from that bastard Shi Chun.

Her face slightly darkened, wanting to question Brother Han on what use he considered the Mother-child Talisman for, to let just anyone use it.