Chapter 132 (3): Destined for Great Things

"If we've already figured out that these lists are a conspiracy, then can't we simply turn down the challenges from the enemy prodigies to save ourselves?" Fang Che asked.

"It's not that simple," Feng Xing replied with a wry smile. "Before the release of each list, there's always several decades of buildup and continent-wide promotional campaigns to build interest and attract attention. Furthermore, during every battle between prodigies on the lists, powerful warriors from both sides will be present to serve as referees.

"Thanks to Chief Strategist Dongfang's promotional campaigns, these lists are viewed as hallowed and sacred, and it's considered an immense honor for one's name to appear on the lists. For countless children from both sides, it is their lifelong dream to see their names on these various lists, and many use that lofty objective as one of the primary sources of motivation in their cultivation.

"If they were to make it onto one of these revered lists, only to be instructed to turn down a challenge from someone below them, then wouldn't their lifelong pursuit be reduced to a complete joke? They'll think of themselves as cowards, and their self-belief will be completely shattered. Either you accept the challenge and die with honor, or you turn down the challenge as an admission of cowardice and completely lose faith in yourself.

"Those who lack in self-belief will most certainly never reach their full potential, so even if they turn down the challenge to save themselves, in the eyes of the Guardians, they'll be as good as dead anyway because they'll no longer pose a future threat. At some point, a war broke out between the two sides for reasons that are still unknown to me, and all of our most powerful warriors were sent out in full force under the leadership of Deputy Pope Yan Nan.

"The Guardians lost that war, but they managed to save themselves as Chief Strategist Dongfang implored one of the top sects on the continent to intervene. However, for their defeat in the war, the Guardians naturally had to pay a price, and the deputy popes raised several conditions to the Guardians, one of which was to get rid of all of these lists.

"The Guardians were forced to comply, but a single list was preserved, and that's the Cloud Weapon Archive. I am unable to speak on behalf of the deputy popes, but I presume they must be thoroughly regretting their decision to allow Chief Strategist Dongfang to keep the Cloud Weapon Archive around because even to this day, he's still using it to the same effect as he did all of those other lists all those years ago.

"Who are the ones keeping the list updated?" Fang Che asked. "Who has so much spare time on their hands that they can go around constantly observing everyone and adjusting the rankings accordingly?"

"In the beginning, we all thought it was Chief Strategist Dongfang, but we later came to discover that it wasn't him. However, no one knows who this person is. All we know is they're very close with Chief Strategist Dongfang."

"I see," Fang Che mused. "Let's get back to the topic at hand. Is it correct for me to presume that the current generations of warriors who are supporting the main church were all born after that five-thousand-year period in which we were unable to produce any talent?"

"That's right," Feng Xing confirmed. "The older generations are more shrewd and powerful, but they generally don't show themselves much and prefer to take on a background role."

"In that case, I understand why you were so hesitant about answering my earlier question."

"Explain."

"The problem that you're facing is that there is no clear path to the top for you," Fang Che sighed. "Despite Chief Strategist Dongfang's best efforts, there's still an excess of talent in our church. For someone of your status, there's no way you would be sent down to serve as the pope of a subsidiary church, right?"

"There have been some cases of people of a similar status to myself being appointed as the pope of various subsidiary churches, but all of them had very short tenures before being transferred back to the main church."

"I see. What is the usual path of progression for someone like you then, Young Master Xing? Are you sent down to serve as pope of one of the subsidiary churches to accumulate experience, then summoned back to the main church to take on an official role? My assumption is that from there, you steadily progress up the ranks, but once you become an altar master, that's about as high as you can go, right?"

"That's almost correct, but there are actually a few more positions above altar master that I can realistically reach. I'd say the position of assistant chief enforcer would be my absolute ceiling, placing me just below the deputy popes and Master Duan Xiyang."

"This is why I say there is no clear path of progression for you," Fang Che said. "How many chief enforcers are there below the deputy popes?"

"Three."

"And who are they right now?"

"They're all people many generations my senior."

A look of realization was beginning to appear on Feng Xing's face.

"Among the younger generation of the main church, would it be correct for me to assume that you can rank among the top three prospects?" Fang Che asked.

"Among my peers, I can say with confidence that I definitely rank among the top ten. However, there are several prospects in the generation below mine around ten years my junior who possess immense potential, and they're not inferior to me in status, either. If we count them in as well, I would only rank in the top fifteen."

"To think that there are young prospects in the main church above even someone as brilliant as yourself," Fang Che mused with a wry smile.

"Not only are there young prospects superior to me in our main church, they are not few in number."

A hesitant look appeared on Fang Che's face as he said, "I feel greatly indebted to you for bestowing upon me that Iridescent Cloud Pill, so I feel obligated to be candid with you, but I fear what I'm about to say next may not be to your liking."

"Go ahead."

"There are too many prodigies and too few positions. If all of the prospects ahead of you survive until they reach their full potential, your chances of reaching the top are quite slim."

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"How dare you! Among those ahead of me, several of them are my own biological brothers! Are you saying I should be praying for their downfall?!"

"My apologies, Young Master Xing. That was not my insinuation," Fang Che hurriedly said.

"It's fine," Feng Xing sighed as he strode over to the nearby fish pond in an agitated manner. "I am just like these fish, trapped in a pond for life."

"Not necessarily," Fang Che disagreed as he also made his way over to the pond. "I call this pond my Dragon Evolution Pond, and all of the fish inside are Dragon Fish, said to be capable of evolving into dragons. It's said that when the stars align, Dragon Fish can complete their evolution into dragons and ascend to the heavens. By meeting you on this day, the stars have essentially aligned for me, and after a few more years of evolution, I will be able to soar into the heavens to join you as a dragon.

"From the moment your sword pierced through my chest, I was already dead. In other words, the Starlight of old has already perished, and I emerge in his place, a new Starlight who is destined for great things! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to escape my pond, and I will grab onto it with all my might. The only way I'll let go is if the opportunity is pried out of my cold, dead fingers!"

"Are you saying you've already evolved into a dragon?" Feng Xing asked.

"Before I met you, I was a Warlord, and now, I am a King. If I can become a king, then why can't I evolve into a dragon?"

"Well said!" Feng Xing praised as his eyes began to glow with excitement and a renewed ambition.

He suddenly turned to Fang Che, scrutinizing him intently as he said, "Starlight, you say you want to ascend to the heavens with me and become a soaring dragon. Do you dare to swear it to the Heavenly Centipede Deity?"

The tension in the air was palpable as Feng Xing scrutinized Fang Che intently, awaiting his response.

Somehow, Feng Xing was the one feeling a little anxious, while Fang Che appeared mostly composed as he weighed up his options.

However, Feng Xing was putting on a relaxed facade as he stood with a smile and his clasped behind his back. If Starlight dared to refuse, then it would be the last decision he ever made.

Finally, Fang Che said, "Whatever decision I make here, do understand that I'm not making it out of a fear of death. I feel like it's important that I make this clear."

"I understand," Feng Xing chuckled. "You're telling me that you're agreeing to serve me, but not because you're afraid that I'll kill you if you refuse."

"Right now, I'm a complete nobody, even in the One Heart Church, so I shouldn't be raising any conditions, nor do I have the right to do so, but I still want to make a request."

"Go ahead," Feng Xing prompted with a smile.

"My only hope is that you treat me well," Fang Che said in an earnest fashion. "Of course, if there ever comes a day when I am no longer useful to you, then I will gladly perish by your sword."

"Alright, you have my word on that!" Feng Xing agreed with a solemn nod.

"Thank you!"

Fang Che immediately fell to his knees, raising one hand while laying the other over his chest as he vowed in a reverent voice, "Mighty Heavenly Centipede Deity above, please bear witness to this vow. I, Starlight of the Church of the Self-Righteous, vow to serve Master Feng Xing with unwavering resolve and undying loyalty. If I ever go back on this vow, then may I be struck down by divine punishment and erased from the face of this world!"

A barely detectable will descended from afar, and Fang Che could clearly sense the Five Spirit Parasite in his body moving slightly, as if it were bearing witness to his vow on the Heavenly Centipede Deity's behalf.

Fang Che immediately decided to put the Five Spirit Parasite through more rounds of torture upon his return to the Virtue Manor.

This was an extremely solemn and binding vow from Fang Che, and Feng Xing was ecstatic.

He helped Fang Che to his feet, then laid an affectionate hand on his shoulder as he said, "From this day forth, you are my subordinate, Starlight."

"Yes, Young Master Xing."

"There's no need to so formal and rigid," Feng Xing said with a smile. "Even though your cultivation base is rather lackluster at the moment, I am happy for you to refer to me as a brother in private. Perhaps you still don't know just how immense your potential is and how far you'll be able to go in the future, but the jade powder that spilled out of your sleeves after your breakthrough just now tells me that you have an immeasurable future ahead. If I am able to reach the top someday, then you will be my Duan Xiyang!"