Chapter 177 : Chapter 177
Chapter 177. The Plan Temporarily Fails
Just moments ago, those leaders had been brimming with confidence and righteous fury, but the instant they heard this proposal, the hall fell utterly silent.
They looked at one another, each meeting the others’ gaze, until in the end they all lowered their heads in tacit understanding, letting out quiet sighs of silence.
Shi Ritian immediately felt uneasy.
The Ancient Killing Array was a formation that injured the enemy by a thousand while costing its user eight hundred. At present, once this array was set up, no human or demon beast would be able to escape from it. But precisely because of that, the prerequisite for forming it was that eight different clans had to cast it together. The array itself was sustained by the most fundamental power of those eight leaders.
Moreover, the array had to be arranged in advance, and once they entered the formation, the casters would be unable to move.
Even if someone attacked them at that point, they would be unable to react in the slightest.
Most importantly, however, using this technique consumed far too much power, and the senior members of the Ancient Royal Clan were unwilling to waste their own power on it.
In everyone’s eyes, was it really worth it for the sake of some unknown human?
The True Dragon King remained silent in thought.
Even the leader of the Nine Netherworld Mastiff Clan, who had just been shouting the loudest, now furrowed his brows and said nothing.
Seeing this, Shi Ritian hurriedly continued to fan the flames. “Honored seniors, please judge clearly. This man insulted the Ancient Royal Clan. If he is not killed, then if word of this spreads, where will the Ancient Royal Clan’s dignity remain?
I know that the Ancient Killing Array is a profoundly mysterious formation, but it is also an invincible one.
As long as we can trap Chu Feng inside it, not only will we prove the might of the Ancient Royal Clan, but we will also make everyone in the outside world regard us more highly. With so many benefits, what does it matter if we lose a bit of power?”
“What is more, he possesses the Nine Netherworld Emperor Flame. That is the inheritance of the Nine Netherworld Great Emperor. If he is allowed to keep growing, then he is bound to become a grave threat in the future… And by the time that day comes, even if we want to deal with him, we may no longer be able to.”
Shi Ritian spoke in one breath for so long that his mouth was nearly dry.
Seeing that Shi Ritian was flagging both mentally and physically, Yuntian, who had been silent all along, finally could not hold back any longer and spoke.
“I think Brother Shi is absolutely right. If we do not eliminate him today, then once Chu Feng’s wings have fully grown, the ones who die will be us. And this time, he truly humiliated the Ancient Royal Clan beyond measure. If we cannot show him a little of our strength, then will we not become the laughingstock of the Myriad Worlds?”
Those words caused the expressions of the leaders to shift.
At last, the True Dragon King slowly spoke. “This matter... can be discussed later. The ancestors already made it perfectly clear before: unless there is absolutely no other choice, the Ancient Killing Array must never be used.
Furthermore, this formation also carries a backlash. Do you intend to have all these leaders buried along with this trivial matter?
And even if it does not go so far as to cost them their lives, it would still have an enormous impact on their cultivation. He is only a mere human. Is it really necessary to make such a grand show of force?
I refuse to believe that just because a tiny human has obtained a few supreme treasures and an inheritance, it amounts to anything.”
Shi Ritian’s heart sank. He still wanted to say more, but a single look from the Dragon King stopped him.
Shi Ritian was still quite afraid of the Dragon King’s power.
More importantly, Shi Ritian was especially good at reading the situation. He knew that if he said anything more at a moment like this, he might end up losing more than he gained.
In the end, he could only decide to endure for the time being and wait until the Dragon King changed his mind or was in a slightly better mood before trying again.
Yet the Dragon King merely frowned impatiently. From the look on his face, it was obvious that he had no intention of letting Shi Ritian bring up the matter again.
“Enough, enough. You are seriously wounded, so why are you making such a fuss here? Even if you want revenge, you should first heal your injuries before speaking of anything else. You cannot just stand here shouting and expect the leaders to risk their lives for you, can you?”
Shi Ritian had no choice but to kowtow and take his leave.
Yet the instant he stepped out of the great hall, a sinister glint flashed through his eyes.
Discuss it later?
By the time they finally made up their minds, it would probably already be far too late.
Shi Ritian was now as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. He felt that he absolutely had to come up with a perfect solution as quickly as possible.
Yuntian, who had come with him, was equally anxious.
After all, when they had come here, Shi Ritian had repeatedly assured him of success, yet now they had accomplished nothing.
But the reason Yuntian had come in the first place was to avenge Cailin as quickly as possible.
Now that the plan had already gone wrong at the very beginning, Yuntian was naturally anxious.
So the moment they stepped out of the hall, Yuntian walked straight in front of Shi Ritian, directly blocking his path.
Shi Ritian had been lost in thought and accidentally ran right into him. The moment he saw Yuntian’s dark expression, he immediately understood what was going on.
Shi Ritian did not avoid the issue and explained at once, “All right, all right, I know what you’re worried about. But a tiny setback like this is nothing to us. Although they have not agreed yet, trust me, they will agree very soon...”
After hearing Shi Ritian say that, all sorts of expressions flickered across Yuntian’s face in succession.
In a low voice, he said, “It had better be that way. If I end up making this trip for nothing, I will not let you off so easily. You were the one who confidently brought me here. Otherwise, I would already have gone to find Chu Feng myself by now. You have delayed my time, so you had better compensate me properly.”
Shi Ritian had not expected Yuntian to be so forceful at a moment like this, or to show such backbone.
Still, Shi Ritian was willing to believe what Yuntian said, because he had seen with his own eyes what Yuntian would do for Cailin.
That urgency, that readiness to stake everything on it—if this matter truly could not be settled, then Yuntian really might do anything.
Shi Ritian drew a deep breath. Although he was worried inside, his expression remained as calm as drifting clouds and light wind.
“All right, all right. Do you not trust me when I handle things? Besides, you saw it just now. Every one of them was furious. Once I add a little more fuel to the fire, this matter will naturally fall into place.”
Yuntian glanced at the Shi Ritian beside him, talking to himself, but said nothing further.
He and Shi Ritian were now people on the same boat.
Since he had already come, he could only take things as they came.
There was no point in dwelling too much on those issues. What mattered now was bringing this matter to fruition.
So Yuntian merely gave Shi Ritian one look, said nothing at all, and continued walking out of the hall.