Fight on stage

"Your Majesty, is what the Dark Swordsman said true?"

"Plotting with the Demon Gods to assassinate the Dark Swordsman is like seeking the tiger's skin!"

"Your Majesty, you... You shouldn't be like this!"

...

The courtiers of the Tianfeng Dynasty found it difficult to accept Jiang Han's statement.

The two major factions were at odds, and the collaboration between the Emperor and the Demon Gods to set a trap for the Dark Swordsman, leading him to the gallows, went beyond their understanding.

"What do you understand!"

Lin Shang's brows furrowed with a touch of cruelty as he sternly shouted, "Have you not read the history of the Eternal Continent? Do you not know what the Dark Swordsman represents?"

Every time the Dark Swordsman appeared, it was almost a harbinger of the collapse of the dynasty. As an emperor, he must eliminate the Dark Swordsman as soon as possible!

Under normal circumstances, the two major factions would never collaborate. However, ironically, Potter cared more about how to devour the other temporal beast than about overturning the Bright Faction.

That was the reason they could set aside their differences for mutual benefit.

"But the other party is, after all, a Demon God..."

"For those who achieve great things, trivial matters should not be a hindrance!" Lin Shang declared, "My decision is final. Anyone who stands in my way will die!"

Ye Yugi, the emperor's confidant, appeared expressionless, quickly stepping forward, his sword unsheathed at the tip.

...

A thick sense of threat silenced the courtiers.

"Sigh!"

An elderly figure with a hunched stature approached from afar, looking disappointedly at Lin Shang. "Your Majesty, your actions this time are truly disheartening!"

[Shield of the Heavenly Wind · Huang Shi'an] (God-level BOSS)

Observing everything coldly, Jiang Han was not surprised that Huang Shi'an, the referee with god-level strength, held an expression of disappointment.

"Huang Lao, you have lived for many years. Don't you understand the difficulties I face?" Lin Shang slowed his tone, facing the elderly man who was a key figure in the Tianfeng Dynasty, he naturally couldn't be disrespectful.

"However..."

Huang Shi'an sighed heavily, refraining from passing too much judgment on Lin Shang's actions. Instead, he turned his gaze towards Jiang Han, expressing regret, "So, you're the Dark Swordsman."

He had thought Jiang Han was the pride of the Bright Faction, so he had lent his support. Unexpectedly, the situation had developed beyond his imagination.

Enemy, not friend. How could he not feel regretful?

"Old man, today I am indeed in great danger," Jiang Han spoke with calmness.

"Hmm."

Huang Shi'an nodded slightly and then turned away. "Today's matters, consider me not seeing anything."

Obviously, he did not want to get involved.

"Too much talk is pointless; delays can lead to changes," Potter reminded, raising his hand to clap.

"Snap!"

At the moment of his clap, the ground trembled violently, and a hundred-meter-square arena appeared before everyone.

Undoubtedly, as a temporal beast, Potter's mastery of spatial manipulation reached an incredible level.

"Hmm."

Lin Shang was pleased with the result. He took out a token as white as jade from his bosom and handed it to Prince Lin Xuan, speaking gently, "Xuan'er, don't disappoint me. If you win, the reward for slaying the Dark Swordsman will undoubtedly be a substantial grant from the rules. This realm of mine will be yours sooner or later!"

Looking at the exposed token, Jiang Han squinted slightly.

As expected, Lin Shang was meticulous. He had secretly taken back the Token of Heavenly Authority.

Unless it was explicitly stated as "to fight against the Crown Prince holding the Token of Heavenly Authority," even if he won, it would be meaningless.

Prince Lin Xuan reached out and took the token, suppressing the shock within him. Facing the benevolent expression of his father, he forced a stiff smile, "Father, I will do my best!"

"May you be victorious." Lin Shang patted his son's shoulder, "You represent the entire Tianfeng Dynasty. I will ensure your victory; go."

...

Dongfang Yixin's face carried a trace of worry. "Can he win?"

"It's difficult, mainly because we don't know what plans they've made." Jiang Han's gaze was indifferent. "Rather than saying it's a battle against the Crown Prince, it's more like a battle against Lin Shang and Potter, who view the Crown Prince as a pawn."

...

"But..."

Jiang Han's tone shifted.

"But what?"

"If you promise me one thing, I might have more motivation and a better chance of winning."

"What is it?" Dongfang Yixin asked in surprise. "I'll try to agree."

"Come closer, listen."

Jiang Han had a mysterious look.

"Don't tell me you want me to marry you after you win!" Feeling something was amiss, Dongfang Yixin gave Jiang Han a stern look, showing no mercy, "And don't try to kiss me when I come close. I've read many novels, and these clichés are too common for me!"

With tens of thousands of years of experience, she had seen it all!

Those cliché plotlines had long been overused by authors.

"You are truly... unique!"

Jiang Han couldn't help but laugh wryly, then said, "If I win, I hope you can protect me thoroughly for a year!"

The strength of the Sword God was undeniable.

If he could receive the protection of the Sword God, the risks he faced in the game might not be so great.

"That can be arranged."

Dongfang Yixin agreed and then asked curiously, "You won't tell me you had sinister intentions just now, right? But the problem is, I've never shown a shy or timid expression to you. Like novels describe, weird glances, blushes, and reddened ears, none of that happened!"

"You better say less."

Jiang Han no longer paid attention to the obviously novel-crazed Sword God, raising his weapon and leaping onto the arena.

"Ding!~"

System prompt: You have entered the decisive battle arena. You cannot be disturbed by any external forces until the outcome is determined!

Relying on the agreement and a fair duel, this was a requirement for the championship match. No matter how extraordinary Lin Shang and Potter were, they couldn't ignore the constraints of the rules.

"Are you satisfied with how things have developed?" Lin Xuan coldly asked.

Due to personal reasons, he had to trouble Jiang Han!

Now he finally understood why Jiang Han had spoken those words to him in the Hidden Sword Pavilion.

The smile on his face gradually disappeared. Jiang Han's expression returned to indifference. Facing the Crown Prince's questioning, he shook his head slowly, then took out the Heart of Courage from his bosom and consumed it on the spot.

Lin Xuan frowned, "Not satisfied?"

"There is nothing to discuss between us." Jiang Han's tone was calm, and as waves of warmth spread through his body, his entire being relaxed. "What needed to be said has been conveyed to your father. Skip the useless harsh words, let's get on with it."

"Ding!~

"

System prompt: You have consumed the god-level item [Heart of Courage]. Base life permanently increased by 200,000 points, attack permanently increased by 1,000 points, defense permanently increased by 1,000 points!

"Ding!~"

System prompt: You have consumed the god-level item [Heart of Courage]. All attributes increased by 20%, lasting half an hour!

The substantial numerical increases brought Jiang Han's strength to its peak state:

[Crisis Origin · One Jiang Han Shui] (God-level BOSS)

Level: 122

Life: 92,502,960

Attack: 230,026-236,956

Defense: 104,620-106,740

Reputation: 1,158,300

Luck: 21

Introduction: The origin of the crisis, the end of destiny. If he does not die, he will become a source of fear for countless people...

...

"Useless harsh words, hahaha..."

Lin Xuan laughed arrogantly, gripping a sword radiating golden light. Intense killing intent sparkled in his eyes as he attacked Jiang Han, shouting, "Die!!"