The Mindset of the Strong (Continued)
He is not Spirit Transformation, and the techniques he has learned are not suitable for direct combat, making him vulnerable to being overpowered and killed by opponents. However, in group battles, if he provides support from the sidelines, his role is no less significant than that of Spirit Transformation.
Shentu Chuang frowned, about to speak, when suddenly a thick blade of energy swept in, carrying with it a chilling current that had not yet dissipated, enveloping the swarm of insects. Instantly, the insects froze to death on the ground, dripping like hail.
"Alas, as people get old, I have a herniated disc, my legs aren't very strong, and I have a whole host of health problems. I get out of breath after walking just a few steps. Can't you young people slow down and wait for this old man?"
An old man wearing a mask and wielding a powerful-looking broadsword slowly approached. It was General Wang Zhong. He stood beside Ling Huanxi, forming a standoff with Heaven-Defying Society and his companion.
Wei Chunxi chuckled dryly twice and said, "If the news that someone who should be dead is standing here alive and kicking gets out, it will surely cause a huge uproar."
"Ahem, my name is Zhong Huang. I've been hard of hearing lately, and I can't quite understand those unclear voices. But you don't look like a good person, so I doubt anyone would believe you even if you shouted it out in the street." The old general, as expected of someone with rich experience, remained completely unfazed.
After the propaganda from the Su State, given the current infamous reputation of the Heaven-Defying Society, no one will believe anything they say.
"Whether you believe it or not is not important; what matters is whether there is evidence. Once your mask is removed, even the most unwilling person will have no choice but to believe."
"Young man, there's one thing you need to understand: evidence and testimony only have meaning in court. Since you're so confident, why don't you come to court with me? Stop making wild guesses and framing me; I'm going to sue you for defamation."
Wei Chunxi, who was in his forties, was hardly a young man, but the old general insisted on acting like a senior, and he had no choice but to retort with a dark face, but was interrupted by Shentu Chuang.
"Alright, we can't achieve anything today. What's the point of just winning with words?"
The current situation is the same as before. Even if Shentu Chuang and Wei Chunxi join forces to defeat Ling Huanxi and the old general, it is absolutely impossible for them to kill each other. Their mission was not to do this, and there is no point in continuing to entangle themselves with them.
"Tell Yan Jinghong that I look forward to fighting him again when he's in top form. We'll definitely have a good fight then!"
Wei Chunxi waved the black banner, and the two of them transformed into black mist and departed.
In the desolate valley, the sunlight gradually dispelled the ghostly aura, and dappled light fell on Xia Guanxue, making the blood-stained ice tomb on the ground gleam.
"He is truly a top-quality talent; if properly nurtured, he could become a pillar of the Heavenly Branches. He cannot be wasted here."
A hazy, Green Light appeared beside Xia Guanxue, speaking with an appreciative tone. This person was shrouded in a thin mist, obscuring their face and body, and it was impossible to even determine whether they were human.
Green Light stretched out their tentacles, about to sweep away Xia Guanxue.
"Leave the person here."
A sharp blade of energy pierced through the air, severing the tentacle. A figure followed closely behind, standing between the Green Light and Xia Guanxue —it was Su Yingbo.
He looked around and, based on the traces of battle left in the valley, concluded. "Although we're late, it seems the battle is over, and the worst-case scenario didn't happen. It's a stroke of luck amidst misfortune."
He then turned to look at the blurry figure in front of him. Even with his Nascent Spirit Transformation, he couldn't see through the illusion. He frowned and asked, "Who are you?"
The other party made no attempt to conceal their identity, introducing themselves as "Earthly Seat of the Heaven-Defying Society, codename 'Nether Master'."
Su Yingbo was taken aback and asked, "Don't you Heaven-Defying Society use the Heavenly Stems and Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches as your seat numbers? Where did this 'Earthly Branch' seat come from?"
"Hehe, those whose seat numbers are based on the Earthly Branches are Soldier Rank, those whose seat numbers are based on the Heavenly Stems are General Rank, and above the General Rank are King Rank, whose seat numbers are based on 'Heaven, Earth, Man, God, and Ghost.'" The Nether Master made no attempt to conceal anything, easily revealing the organization's information.
Upon hearing this, Su Yingbo focused his mind and became cautious. He had already obtained information from Yan Jinghong that those whose titles were based on the Heavenly Stems were all Spirit Transformation cultivators, including many outstanding Spirit Transformation cultivators. The fact that they were only subordinate to others General Rank showed that the person in front of him must be exceptionally strong.
Moreover, he couldn't see through the other party's true strength at all, and he couldn't even see what the other party looked like. He had never seen such a method before, and he didn't know what kind of cultivation technique the other party had practiced.
"Hehe, Commander Su, there's no need to be nervous. The ranking criteria of the Heaven-Defying Society are based on a person's overall strength, not just martial prowess. I happen to belong to the category of those who are not good at fighting, and I have no intention of fighting with you. If you want to take this boy away, then take him away. As long as you have the eye to discover gems, the world is not lacking in geniuses."
Su Yingbo, naturally, wouldn't believe everything his opponent said. Remaining vigilant, he pointed out the key point. "It's not that you're incapable of martial arts, but that you're not good at it. So you believe you can defeat me even in a martial arts area where you're not skilled."
The Nether Master chuckled, neither confirming nor denying, but instead said, "Commander Su, would you like to consider joining our Heaven-Defying Society and working together to change this boring world?"
"So you really do want to destroy the Eternal Barrier!" Su Yingbo frowned. "Do you know what the consequences of doing this will be?"
"There are essentially two possibilities: becoming better or becoming faster. But either way, it expands human potential and makes the world more interesting."
"Interesting? Just because of this? Have you considered the feelings of ordinary people? What if this causes a cataclysmic event that leads to widespread suffering? You made this decision on your own, yet you're making all the people of the Sea Continent pay the price. How selfish!"
"The strong determine the fate of the weak; this is an unchanging truth. If the weak want to control their own destiny, they must urge themselves to become stronger. Otherwise, they can only be forced to follow the pace of the times driven by the strong. Those who cannot keep up will be ruthlessly abandoned by the times. Aren't you France faithful believers in this idea?"
"Nonsense! France law contains many provisions that restrain the powerful, preventing them from abusing their power and acting recklessly, while also providing protection for the weak."
"Isn't it the same principle that the strong make laws and order the weak to obey them, or that the strong decide the fate of the weak? The reason why France has so many laws protecting the weak today is because after the martial arts revolution, the chances of a strong person emerging from among the common people have increased many times over. They have to compromise on this, which is essentially to protect their own interests and avoid accidentally offending a future strong person. Otherwise, if you go back two hundred years and look at the France laws of two hundred years ago, you will find that they did not take the common people seriously."
"That's just sophistry! No matter what you say, as a soldier, I've always had only one attitude towards terrorists... Besides, I'm very satisfied with my current life and have no intention of making any changes."
"Hehe, so that's how it is..." The Nether Master said with a hint of realization, "You see yourself as one of the weak, and because of this wrong self-assessment, you have developed a wrong perception. It seems that inviting you to join the Heaven-Defying Society was a rash decision. A member of the Heaven-Defying Society can be an ordinary person without martial arts skills, but he must have the awareness of being a strong person, and Commander Su clearly does not meet this standard."
"What a ridiculous and self-righteous idea! There are countless Spirit Transformation cultivators in the world who stand on the side of the weak. Do you think everyone is like your Heaven-Defying Society, just stirring up trouble all over the world? Startling Rainbow Beyond the Heavens is a peerless hero who helps the weak and punishes the strong. Everyone has his praise. Do you also look down on him?"
"Hehe, standing on the side of the weak does not equate to identifying oneself as one of the weak. The so-called 'helping the weak and punishing the strong' requires first recognizing oneself as one of the strong. Otherwise, how can one have the ability to 'help the strong'? The same applies to 'helping the weak'. When you save the weak, you have already identified yourself as strong and consider yourself superior."
The so-called strong are not those strong in force, but those strong in mindset. A person who, despite their own poverty, is willing to donate their meager possessions to help those even poorer—that is the mindset of the strong. Ordinary people, even if they have the means, will not donate to the poor. This is not out of selfishness, but because they feel that just meeting their own needs is difficult enough, let alone helping others—that is the mindset of the weak.
Su Yingbo scoffed. "Eloquent words, but does that mean ordinary people don't help others? Everyone has compassion. Does donating only a portion of one's remaining wealth make one a weakling? What an absurd theory!"
Is it absurd? Not at all. Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs. Sages are ruthless, treating the people like straw dogs. The weak lend a helping hand because others need it, while the strong lend a helping hand because they believe others need it. That is the difference.
Yan Jinghong considers himself a strongman, which is why he dares to help the weak and punish the strong, and act on behalf of Heaven. He seems to be a chivalrous knight-errant, but in reality, he only lives for himself and regards the common people as straw dogs. He is the strongest among the strong, but unfortunately, due to the difference in their positions, he is destined to never join the Heaven-Defying Society. Otherwise, he would definitely have achieved great things.
Su Yingbo frowned, hesitated, and finally said, "We have different paths, so we cannot work together. If that's all you wanted to say, you can leave now."
Those who can become Spirit Transformation Grandmaster are all people with firm wills. Even someone like Su Yingbo, who "considers himself weak," is only concerned with his self-positioning and has nothing to do with his ability. Even if he can't win an argument, he will believe that he lost because of his eloquence, not because of reason.
In short, it means "I can't argue with you, but I strongly disagree with your point of view."
Generally speaking, there are only two situations in which Spirit Transformation Grandmaster can be successfully persuaded: either the other party already harbors doubts, or the other party is physically destroyed.
The Nether Master turned and left, leaving behind the words, "Commander Su, I have a premonition that we will meet again soon." Then he gradually turned into starlight and disappeared.