Chapter 226: I’m Not Afraid of Them Coming to Steal, I’m Afraid They Don’t Dare!
Rahman’s overall performance this time was also quite commendable. Without skills, he would have been finished in the sanatorium’s basement.
Regardless, he also completed the hidden tasks in the most standard way, even obtaining the final reward.
There were some mistakes, but he performed well in the vast majority of situations. At most, this level was an SSSS rating.
It was at the level of barely obtaining SSSS. Unlike Zhang Yangqing, whose performance was so outstanding it overflowed the scale, but the highest rating was only SSSSS, so that’s the rating he got.
The resource Rahman obtained was a golden holy grail. The holy grail would pour out some Body-Tempering Spiritual Liquid.
In other words, he could now completely begin cultivation.
The amount of spiritual liquid poured from the golden holy grail wasn’t as much as the well water from Longhu Mountain’s backyard, but he alone couldn’t possibly use it all. With a daily yield, it would be wasteful not to use it.
Pyramid Country did have some supernatural forces, the most powerful among them being the Pharaoh’s Guardians.
These guardians possessed powerful bloodlines and unique strengths.
But Rahman couldn’t just give resources to them for no reason, right?
That would make him seem rather foolish.
Moreover, usually when they begged these supernatural beings to participate in the Strange Tale World, these supernatural forces would make excuses and refuse.
Additionally, Rahman himself was a member of Pyramid Country’s Expert Group. After discussing with other expert group members,
they felt that rather than giving resources for free to those disobedient supernatural forces, it would be better to build their own supernatural force.
Just like the supernatural alliance Eagle Country is now heavily investing in.
Now, Rahman had resources, plus immense manpower and material resources. He could completely establish a supernatural force belonging to the Pyramid Country Expert Group.
Recruit people with supernatural abilities domestically and have them cultivate at a location prepared by the expert group.
This way, these supernatural individuals would obtain resources and could cultivate in a better environment. Naturally, they would be willing to serve the expert group.
Then, the expert group wouldn’t need to cater to other supernatural forces in the future; they themselves would be a supernatural force.
Later, the news about Pyramid Country recruiting supernatural individuals was exposed. Through internal leaks, many countries’ expert groups also learned about the existence of the golden holy grail.
This shocked the entire Blue Star!
You must know, this world doesn’t lack geniuses; it lacks cultivation resources.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been so many people fighting over the bottle Zhang Yangqing discarded near Wudang Mountain.
Upon learning that Pyramid Country actually had this Body-Tempering Spiritual Liquid, many countries’ expert groups and supernatural forces began coveting the golden holy grail.
Supernatural forces seizing this golden holy grail was certainly for development and expansion.
Other countries’ expert groups seizing it would mean they could establish their own supernatural force, right?
As long as they had this thing, ordinary people could leap to become supernatural beings. How could that not be tempting?
Chaos also erupted within Pyramid Country’s expert group for a time. Don’t underestimate countries like Eagle Country; if other countries have good things, they truly dare to send people to seize them.
Some major forces from other so-called civilized countries also secretly resorted to underhanded tactics.
In the end, with no other choice, Pyramid Country’s expert group could only reach a consensus with their own country’s supernatural force, the Pharaoh Guardian Clan.
They would send people to guard the golden holy grail and could take half of the resources.
The other half would allow the expert group to develop their own supernatural force.
The Pharaoh Guardian Clan was also happy with this arrangement. Heaven-sent resources, take them if offered.
After their appearance and several battles, supernatural individuals from other countries quieted down considerably.
As a major force with ancient heritage, they naturally had their own capabilities.
Moreover, fighting on home turf gave them a huge advantage.
As for those countries that couldn’t seize it, they could only pin their hopes on the next Strange Tale World.
As long as they achieved an SSSS or higher rating, they could obtain cultivation resources.
With Pyramid Country having already exposed its resources, naturally, the exposed ones following were the Church in Pasta Country and Longhu Mountain in Dragon Country.
However, these two forces didn’t seem to have much trouble, not causing chaos like Pyramid Country’s expert group.
The Church was originally a major force. The Pope himself goes without saying; so many cardinals and holy knights guarded the Papal Palace beneath him.
Besides, there were churches of different levels all over the world.
There were also many holy positions like archbishops, major archbishops, and so on.
No force would be so full as to cause trouble for the Church.
The most coveted was naturally Dragon Country’s Longhu Mountain.
If other forces judged correctly, Longhu Mountain had now obtained at least four cultivation resources, if not more.
So why didn’t they risk going to seize it?
The problem was, who dared?!
Eagle Country’s Supernatural Alliance was once asked by the expert group to go to Dragon Country to seize some resources.
But everyone in the Supernatural Alliance refused; no one dared to accept this mission.
According to the words of those in the Supernatural Alliance: “We just want some resources, not to die.”
If the Church was just not to be messed with, then going to Longhu Mountain was simply suicide, right?
That Dragon Country Heavenly Master was relatively restrained within the Strange Tale World. Haven’t you seen how, in the real world, his mere gestures could annihilate all the anomalies in an entire city?
A top-tier expert of this level was no longer comparable to the mediocre members within the Supernatural Alliance.
They could suppress ordinary people and some ordinary supernatural individuals.
But before the Dragon Country Heavenly Master, they really were no different from stray dogs on the roadside.
The Church was the same. Upon learning that Longhu Mountain had obtained abundant resources, they actually had some thoughts.
Once, a cardinal volunteered to go to Longhu Mountain to try. To let the Church’s glory shine upon the earth, he was willing to do such dirty work.
Normally at such times, a battle maniac like Gregori should have volunteered proactively, but this time he was unusually quiet.
He had been doing dirty work all along, but he knew he was no match for the Dragon Country Heavenly Master; one could say he had no chance of winning at all.
Within the Strange Tale World, many bosses made him feel pressure. After watching the Dragon Country Heavenly Master’s replay, he understood what disparity meant.
As for the cardinals’ proposals, they were all rejected by the Pope on the grounds of not wanting to damage peaceful relations between the two sides.
To put it bluntly, the Pope felt that even if he went personally, he couldn’t guarantee he could defeat the Dragon Country Heavenly Master. His subordinates shouldn’t go make fools of themselves.
Other observing forces, upon learning that even the Church didn’t dare to seize it, how could they dare?!
Don’t be fooled by how these forces’ top bosses usually say the Dragon Country Heavenly Master is just so-so, but when asked to go themselves, they would hem and haw.
They all say they’re busy, don’t want to conflict with Dragon Country, and so on.
But when asked to seize resources from Pyramid Country, they suddenly have time!
Over at Longhu Mountain, they also seemed to enter a state of alert.
After all, Pyramid Country had just exposed obtaining resources and was already attacked.
Su Muyu and the other junior brothers began preparing to discuss patrol matters, arranging for some powerful disciples to keep watch at night as well.
After all, these were resources obtained with great difficulty; they couldn’t be stolen by these people.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yangqing on the main seat still had that nonchalant look. Su Muyu asked somewhat puzzledly, “Aren’t you worried at all? Or do you already have plans?”
Zhang Yangqing shrugged and said, “Let them steal. I’ll seize it back with interest. Anyway, I have plenty of free time. As long as they dare to steal, it gives me a reason to take action.”
Su Muyu: “…”
Other junior brothers: “…”
Wow, so that’s why you’re not afraid. You’re actually hoping they’ll steal so you can go on a rampage?
Seeing the astonished expressions of his fellow disciples, Zhang Yangqing indicated that was indeed the case.
His cultivation level had nothing to do, to be honest. He genuinely hoped the Pope would send people to steal. Then you’ll see who loses out.
This was the composure of the strong. Petty forces simply didn’t dare to come. Could major forces escape their temples?
When Zhang Yangqing truly took action, it wouldn’t be simply taking back what belonged to him.
All resources within his sight would be his.
In this relatively peaceful era, Zhang Yangqing had no chance to act. But if anyone caused trouble, you’ll see if he dared to move.
The weak think about protecting their own resources. The strong think about seizing more resources.
So Zhang Yangqing simply wasn’t afraid of being robbed; he was afraid others didn’t dare to rob him.
When this matter spread, it also shocked many supernatural forces.
Those Taoist forces that wanted to come help felt their thoughts were somewhat superfluous.
Those foreign forces that wanted to come seize resources hurriedly called their people back.
They feared Zhang Yangqing might use some fabricated excuse, falsely claim his resources were stolen, and then randomly target a force to seize from.
If Zhang Yangqing knew they thought this way, he would surely say: Why didn’t you tell me I could do this earlier? Had I known, I would have done it directly!
Thus, while Longhu Mountain’s defenses weren’t very strict, no one dared to spy nearby either.
Zhang Yangqing alone was enough to make all supernatural forces keep their distance.
At least before direct conflict arises, no supernatural force was willing to offend Zhang Yangqing.
Many foreign supernatural forces even compared Zhang Yangqing to a walking nuclear weapon.
Xiao Xuan and others, upon receiving the news, were tense for a while, but later discovered that truly no one came.
“No wonder throughout the generations, Longhu Mountain chooses the strongest as Heavenly Master. It truly can deter all directions.”
This was the thought of the Longhu Mountain members. While increasing everyone’s admiration and reliance on Zhang Yangqing, it also strengthened everyone’s determination to cultivate.
But the exposure of the news that the Strange Tale World could yield cultivation resources had already caused turmoil on Blue Star.
Since they couldn’t seize it, then going to the Strange Tale World to obtain it through clearing was the way, right?
Many major supernatural forces actually had the ability but had been observing all along.
Foreign major supernatural forces were different from Dragon Country’s.
The vast majority focused on themselves as the core. As long as the fire didn’t reach their doorstep, they wouldn’t easily act.
Let alone fighting for the country; many of them didn’t even have that concept. Faced with the dangers of the Strange Tale World, they preserved their own strength.
Ultimately, the reason they did this was because they felt there were no benefits in the Strange Tale World. What if they suffered losses entering such a dangerous place?
They had cultivated their abilities with great difficulty, becoming elites on Blue Star. Why should they enter such a dangerous place?
Now, with the matter of cultivation resources exposed, these reclusive major supernatural forces couldn’t sit still anymore.
They couldn’t wait for the Strange Tale World to start soon so they could send people in to obtain resources.
If they couldn’t seize from Longhu Mountain and the Church, couldn’t they just honestly obtain it through clearing?
At Longhu Mountain, after the other disciples left, Su Muyu found Zhang Yangqing.
“You didn’t obtain any resources this time in the Polar Night Snowfield?”
“Oh, I’d almost forgotten to check if you hadn’t mentioned it.”
If no one reminded him, Zhang Yangqing usually didn’t pay much attention to these things.
He casually glanced at the national rewards and scrolled down.
Anyway, these were things everyone had; others could see them too.
The most important were the personal rewards.
[Congratulations on clearing the Strange Tale ‘Polar Night Snowfield’.]
[Common Reward: All attributes increased by 10 points.]
[Special Reward 1: Ling Che Cave Abode (one acre).]
[Special Reward 2: Skill ‘Night Vision’.]
Ling Che Cave Abode: Rich in spiritual energy, a sacred cultivation land. Cultivating here has twice the result with half the effort. Can also increase spiritual energy recovery speed.
Night Vision: Increases visual range by ten meters at night, allowing you to see more clearly. Duration: 30 minutes. Cooldown: 24 hours.
“This is a great thing!”
Su Muyu was overjoyed upon seeing the Ling Che Cave Abode.
Because the spiritual energy in this world was very sparse. Even a place like Longhu Mountain, abundant in spiritual energy, was only slightly better than other places.
With the Ling Che Cave Abode, the disciples’ daily cultivation locations increased.
They wouldn’t have to fight every day in the training grounds. Disciples with weaker combat abilities could also rapidly increase their strength through meditation in the Ling Che Cave Abode.
This is what cultivation is like. Without the assistance of resources, absorbing the world’s spiritual energy naturally is also possible, but the cultivation speed is very slow.
Generally, one achieves a certain level of accomplishment only at sixty or seventy years old.
With cultivation resources, the cultivation speed can be greatly increased.
When Zhang Yangqing first entered, he also received many cultivation resources, which is why he grew so fast.
A genius of his level had already made the so-called cultivation resources worth far more than their value.
Others drinking one bottle of Body-Tempering Spiritual Liquid, coupled with diligent cultivation, could increase their cultivation by one to two years in a short time—this was already a very fast speed.
Zhang Yangqing drinking one bottle, after a period of cultivation, could increase his cultivation by about five years. This had reached a level even the Old Heavenly Master couldn’t imagine.
This was also why the Old Heavenly Master could generously give resources to him without hesitation.
One could say that to grow to this level, Zhang Yangqing consumed half of Longhu Mountain’s resources.
That was the family fortune accumulated by Heavenly Masters throughout the generations.
And with this level of cultivation, Zhang Yangqing had obtained even more resources for Longhu Mountain.
So the Old Heavenly Master’s investment this time was very successful.
After arranging the Ling Che Cave Abode, Su Muyu urged Zhang Yangqing to quickly enter and obtain more resources.
Perhaps with a few more resources, they could expand to five hundred people.
Zhang Yangqing wasn’t unwilling to go; it just hadn’t started yet.
Just as they were anticipating the start of the Strange Tale World, the Dragon Country Expert Group also encountered trouble.
This trouble appeared in expert groups all over the world.
That is, many supernatural forces demanded that the slots to enter the Strange Tale World be given to them.
Some countries’ supernatural forces had even started internal conflicts.
This gave the expert groups headaches. Usually, when they begged you to go, you ignored them.
Now that you know there are benefits, everyone is tearing off pretenses.
Dragon Country was no exception. The vast majority of sects respected Longhu Mountain and held Zhang Yangqing in high esteem.
But that didn’t mean they didn’t want to obtain resources.
With resources, they could develop and expand. Perhaps the secular world didn’t understand because they didn’t know what resources were for, having no firsthand experience of the benefits resources bring. But cultivation resources were the point of conflict in the supernatural world.
Since ancient times, many sects had fought bloody battles, even rivers of blood, for a peerless divine weapon, for top-tier cultivation manuals, for obtaining spiritual pills and miraculous medicines. It’s not an exaggeration at all.
Although conflict hadn’t directly erupted this time, to compete for this slot, they were also putting pressure on the expert group.
The Dragon Country Expert Group was overwhelmed. Actually, they wanted the Longhu Mountain Heavenly Master Zhang to go. But this time, Heavenly Master Zhang didn’t seem to have pre-registered, while the number of pre-registrations from other supernatural forces had already reached several hundred.
It was good that Heavenly Master Zhang hadn’t registered. After all, if he registered, they wouldn’t dare not select him. But selecting him would offend others.
As the expert group, they naturally knew the importance of cultivation resources.
After all, during the most dangerous times, it was Heavenly Master Zhang who stepped forward.
Now that there are benefits, everyone wants to go. Not that I look down on you, but can you do it?
Just as the expert group was arguing, that expert group member with wrinkled clothes and messy hair, Hu Liuqi, woke up.
“What are you all arguing about? Can’t you let people rest properly?”
Hu Liuqi had just gotten up and was rummaging in the cabinet for an energy drink.
Pulling open the cap, the refreshing, tasty sensation going down directly awakened his drowsy self.
Other expert group members told him about the matter.
Thinking Hu Liuqi would have a headache, who knew he smiled and said, “Do you know why Heavenly Master Zhang didn’t pre-register?”
All the expert group members saw confusion in each other’s eyes.
Seeing these people were slow on the uptake, Hu Liuqi continued, “The last Strange Tale was six stars, and the number of clearers was 114, which was indeed somewhat many. So, following the pattern of the Strange Tale World, the next one would definitely increase the difficulty. That is to say, the next selection would most likely be a public vote. Heavenly Master Zhang must also know this pattern, so he couldn’t be bothered to pre-register.”
Hearing Hu Liuqi’s words, the expert group relaxed considerably.
By passing the headache to the public, then domestic supernatural forces wouldn’t dare say anything.
At 8 a.m. the next day, the Strange Tale World struck again. This announcement had a hint of dark red marking.
Seemingly hinting that this level might be extremely dangerous.
[The Strange Tale World is about to descend. Please have each country vote to select a representative before 11 a.m.]
[Hint: The instance difficulty has reached six and a half stars. The following adjustments will be made.]
[Adjustment 1: A virus will appear in the Strange Tale World. The virus cannot self-heal.]
[Adjustment 2: The combat power of some anomalies will increase, with a significant increase in mutations.]
Just this announcement alone made many clearers frown.
Previously, the Strange Tale World had contamination, but everyone knew contamination could self-heal.
That is, without being completely contaminated, resting in a safe place for a certain period would make the contamination disappear.
The virus cannot self-heal, meaning within the Strange Tale World, if a solution to the virus isn’t found, the virus will persist.
A permanent negative status. Once infected with the virus, the Strange Tale World immediately becomes hellish difficulty.
As for the second point, ordinary people find it terrifying. The anomalies in the previous Strange Tale World were already so scary, and now they’re enhanced?
Moreover, the conditions for mutation were high before, and most anomalies couldn’t mutate.
Now, great, the probability of mutation increases. Doesn’t that mean the Strange Tale World’s difficulty sharply rises?
Experienced clearers seeing this didn’t feel much.
Because there’s a pattern in the Strange Tale World: the stronger the anomalies inside, the stronger the native inhabitants.
If anomalies are enhanced, native inhabitants are certainly enhanced too.
If the native inhabitants are friendly, they can be reasonably utilized.
Just as Zhang Yangqing was analyzing these adjustments, not only in Dragon Country, but the vast majority of supernatural forces on Blue Star began canvassing for votes, asking everyone to select their people to enter the Strange Tale World.
To obtain votes, these supernatural forces also made grand promises, offering some benefits to everyone.
The major sects in Dragon Country’s cultivation world also began mobilizing media, using their own celebrity influencers to canvass for votes.
There were still over 2 hours until 11 a.m. Voting started at 10 a.m., giving everyone ample preparation time.
At Longhu Mountain, Su Muyu was somewhat anxious.
He urged Zhang Yangqing to finish breakfast quickly and then go to Longhu Mountain’s official account to canvass for votes.
If that didn’t work, they could call some news media over to create momentum and increase exposure.
Weren’t those reporters itching to interview Zhang Yangqing every day? Now was their chance.
Seeing his senior brother’s nervous expression, Zhang Yangqing said with a calm face, “Senior brother, is canvassing even necessary? Whenever it’s a voting session, even if I don’t want to go in, they’ll vote me in.”
It wasn’t Zhang Yangqing’s confidence; he understood these onlookers too well.
Even if he posted ‘Don’t vote for me, thanks,’ the votes would still pour in overwhelmingly.
The more he didn’t want to enter, the more these onlookers would vote him in, highlighting their rebelliousness.
Moreover, what use were other sects’ promises? They had no experience in the Strange Tale World. Who believed they could clear it?
If Zhang Yangqing entered, he could obtain benefits for everyone every time. So who else would people choose but him?
Hearing Zhang Yangqing say this, Su Muyu also waited with half belief until 10 a.m.
During this period, other sects, seeing Zhang Yangqing wasn’t qualified for the election, thought Zhang Yangqing had given up.
So they frantically began self-recommending, even trash-talking each other online, none yielding to the other.
If there wasn’t enough time, they might have even scheduled an offline fight.
At exactly 10 a.m., when voting opened,
the entire cultivation world of Dragon Country, except for Longhu Mountain, were clowns.
They had fought tooth and nail for two hours, completely becoming a joke for the onlookers.
These onlookers left various comments showing support, precisely to incite them against each other.
But when it really came to voting, those who said they supported them all disappeared.
Zhang Yangqing garnered over a billion votes in five minutes, far ahead in the lead!
Second place was desperately begging relatives and friends and had only gathered over eight hundred votes.
Even if all the remaining votes were gathered, there was no suspense.
One could say, this morning, Zhang Yangqing did nothing and made the entire Dragon Country cultivation world look foolish.
Longhu Mountain disciples, seeing that shameful gap, laughed uproariously.
This was our Heavenly Master’s unparalleled popularity, something you could never match in a lifetime.
The most infuriating scene appeared.
If it weren’t Zhang Yangqing elected, but someone from another sect, then many people would be dissatisfied, making irresponsible remarks.
Many major forces abroad, because they weren’t selected, had already escalated from online trash talk to offline arranged fights.
But with Zhang Yangqing elected, the entire Dragon Country cultivation world simply no one dared to criticize him.
After all, he didn’t even canvass for votes! It was entirely the audience’s overwhelming enthusiasm!
Moreover, who would dare to criticize Zhang Yangqing for no reason?
This Heavenly Master was young and eager for others to cause trouble so he could show off his strength.
Criticizing him would be like walking right into his line of fire.
So they could only watch helplessly as Zhang Yangqing entered the Strange Tale World, with no way to stop it.
Zhang Yangqing was using practical actions to tell everyone: You can’t beat him, and you don’t dare to curse him either.
Since he had already obtained the slot, Zhang Yangqing began making some preparations.
First, naturally, he set up some grand formations around Longhu Mountain’s special locations, such as near the fish pond, fruit forest, and well water.
To prevent anyone from secretly stealing cultivation resources while he was inside.
Now, only those who knew how to enter could access the formations.
As for the Ling Che Cave Abode, it wasn’t needed. That thing couldn’t be stolen even if one wanted to.
Seeing these grand formations, Su Muyu said in surprise, “I thought you saying to let others come steal resources was a joke. You’re really fishing?”
Zhang Yangqing smiled slightly without directly answering.
He truly was fishing. Whether it was killing the chicken to scare the monkey or truly wiping out other supernatural forces, Zhang Yangqing dared to do it.
The strong do not fear conflict because, in Zhang Yangqing’s eyes, what do I have to fear? Those who should fear are them.
It’s just a pity no one took the bait.
Then, naturally, as the Heavenly Master, he set goals for some disciples to check upon his return.
Those who didn’t meet the goals would naturally receive special attention from Zhang Yangqing.
Longhu Mountain was now watched by many supernatural forces. The disciples had pressure but also motivation.
Once all preparations were complete, the time was almost 11 a.m.
With a familiar white light, Zhang Yangqing returned to that familiar world.
This time, the lineup entering the Strange Tale World was unprecedentedly large, with over ninety percent being supernatural individuals.
And a portion of them were top-tier supernatural individuals.
If the last run was a high-tier match, this one was a god-tier match!
In the audience’s eyes, this Strange Tale World might be completely dominated by Blue Star’s supernatural individuals.
The supernatural individuals entering this time were all full of confidence. They figured that since the Pasta Country Cardinal and Dragon Country Heavenly Master cleared it so easily, they probably wouldn’t have much problem either.
Because they had ample room for trial and error. Even if they made mistakes, they could just bulldoze through like other supernatural individuals.
Who hadn’t watched many episodes of Strange Tales? They didn’t even need the expert group to tell them tactics; which of them hadn’t mastered them thoroughly?
Of course, that’s what they thought before entering.
[This round of the Rule-Based Strange Tale has begun. Each country will select one Chosen One to enter the game world of the Rule-Based Strange Tale.]
[If the selected Chosen One dies, the Strange Tale will randomly descend in one city of that country.]
[If that country fails ten times consecutively, the Strange Tale will cover the entire nation.]
[The Strange Tale World is now opening. Current Instance: ‘Plague Town’!]
[Current Strange Tale Difficulty: Six and a Half Stars.]
[Within the Strange Tale World, you will play the role of a town resident. Please maintain a clear mind to find the rules within the instance and use the rules to survive.]
