After the vote concluded, Arthur immediately spoke again: "The second proposal, dealing with a master like Kang Rulin, the Supreme Council must dispatch a Great Elder to take action.For the elders present who have not reached Tier Six cultivation, there’s no need to participate in discussing candidates next, it’s up to the six Great Elders here today to decide. Do you agree?"
Agreed, definitely agreed, and there’s no way to disagree! The seven ordinary elders present had not reached Tier Six cultivation and were not qualified to participate in the magical combat, so there’s no point in involving themselves in discussing candidates.
In matters of competence, the seven ordinary elders nodded in agreement one after another.
Hu Weidong sighed inwardly again, Arthur’s second strategy was also logical, but it effectively stripped his potential allies Julie and Wenges of their voice, and next, it seemed no one would speak for him.
Arthur waited a few more seconds before continuing: "The Great Elders have all agreed just now that whoever takes action will not voluntarily concede. With this statement, it means everyone is willing to accept this task.
Kang is a long-standing master, definitely not easy to deal with. As the First Elder, I should take prompt action..."
Before he finished speaking, Fabre interrupted: "Sir Arthur, this must not be!
Even though your cultivation is not inferior to Kang Rulin, magical combat is fraught with various unforeseen factors, and we do not know the number of devious tricks the opponent might have, regardless of who takes action, there’s a risk of accidental defeat.
Any of us can lose, but you must not! Because you are the First Elder, the banner of the Xiao Alliance!"
The three other Great Elders, Physician Mei Lin, Earth Master Madala, and Artifact Master Wade, also voiced their agreement.
Fabre expressed again: "If it weren’t for the fact that I have not fully recovered from my injuries, I should take the initiative this time to serve the Xiao Alliance!"
Why hasn’t he recovered from his injuries? He was struck by Mei Guyu’s sword in Qi Yuan earlier in the year! The Sword Qi entered his body almost costing half his life, it’s uncertain if he has fully recovered now, even a slight hidden danger is considered unhealed.
Arthur then looked at Hu Weidong, who had been silent: "Elder Hu, what is your opinion?"
Hu Weidong took a deep breath: "All of you need not argue further, I am willing to act on behalf of the Supreme Council. Kang Rulin has been famous for years, while I have just broken through to Tier Six cultivation recently, even if we lose, it won’t embarrass the alliance."
Arthur gave a thumbs up: "Elder Hu’s courage and sense of mission are commendable. On behalf of the Supreme Council, I wish you victory in this bout!"
The reason Hu Weidong took the initiative was that he anticipated the outcome and did not wish to argue pointlessly. At this moment, the other elders also expressed admiration and wished him success, making the atmosphere somewhat touching.
After the formalities were exchanged, Hu Weidong continued: "Since I have decided to act, I must prepare adequately for victory and require the alliance’s support!"
Arthur kindly said, "Feel free to state your needs, as long as the alliance’s rules permit, we will do our utmost to support."
Hu Weidong: "Kang Rulin is an Artifact Master skilled in using magical treasures, his sect’s vault is rich, and he is likely to deploy a Divine Artifact in magical combat. To counter him, a Divine Artifact is also necessary, I wish to borrow the Magic Mirror from Great Elder Mei Lin."
Borrow the Magic Mirror? He’s really daring with his request! The crowd was slightly taken aback, but the reasoning behind the words was hard to refute, everyone then looked towards Mei Lin with questioning eyes.
Mei Lin shook his head: "Although the Magic Mirror is a Divine Artifact, its miraculous use lies in supplementing or capturing vitality, as well as locking space for shadow observation; it is not suitable for formal magical combat."
Hu Weidong slightly frowned: "Really, may I have a look myself? Please, Great Elder Mei Lin, inform me of all its miraculous uses and powers without concealment, if it truly is unsuitable for combat, I won’t insist."
Mei Lin reluctantly took out a handled mirror, which didn’t look large, just an oriental classic-style hand-held portable grooming mirror, and tossed it across the table to Hu Weidong.
The elders present had heard that the Xiao Alliance possessed an ancient Magic Mirror, currently controlled by Mei Lin, but few had seen it firsthand.
Before each Supreme Council meeting, Mei Lin would secretly observe with the Magic Mirror to ensure no one who shouldn’t be present gets in, and to ensure no one brings anything inappropriate.
From this, it can be inferred that it has distinguishing and detection capabilities, but the specifics of its divine skills and powers are of great interest to everyone.
To the elders’ disappointment, Mei Lin did not provide a public introduction, only covertly sent Hu Weidong a Divine Thought. Hu Weidong examined the mirror briefly, then tossed it back to Mei Lin.
According to Mei Lin’s introduction, this object’s miraculous use can replenish vitality, heal injuries and cure ailments, with sufficient cultivation power, it can retrieve someone whose half-foot has already stepped into the gates of hell.
Conversely, if used oppositely, it can also strip a person’s vitality, causing them to wither away and die.
However, this technique is not suitable for dealing with Kang Rulin because Hu Weidong’s cultivation likely doesn’t surpass Kang Rulin’s. Moreover, in a magical combat setting, the opponent will be on guard, using it to strip Kang Rulin’s vitality would be challenging to succeed.
Even if it has some effect, relying on such a method to win is completely unrealistic. Perhaps before the means take effect, the duel would already be over, and the opponent wouldn’t just stand there, allowing you to cast spells without being able to counter.
The Magic Mirror can also be used for diagnosis; it can clearly reflect a person’s internal organs, showing meridians, blood flow, and even the state of life processes, which is a prerequisite for supportive treatment.
It has another very special use: it can capture and record images, similar to the Shadow Mirror in He Kao’s possession, but it’s more powerful, more exquisite—allowing remote sensing and spell casting over a designated area.
As for the specific details and manipulation methods, Mei Lin did not introduce them. She only told Hu Weidong about the divine techniques and marvelous uses of the Magic Mirror, without omissions, but not to truly hand this Magic Mirror over to Hu Weidong for use.
Many Divine Artifacts have their Divine Soul Mark inheritance, only after obtaining it can one exercise control; otherwise, even if one forcibly attempts to refine, it not only requires a considerable amount of time and effort, but ultimately it is difficult to fully harness its power.
Mei Lin did not pass the Divine Soul Mark to Hu Weidong; she merely tossed the mirror to him, so Hu Weidong only fiddled with it a bit before returning it.
Mei Lin took back the Magic Mirror and said: "At that time, I will wield the Magic Mirror onsite for Elder Hu, which suits this Divine Artifact’s use best."
Fabre frowned slightly: "Doesn’t Elder Hu already have the Fusang Bow? That is a Quasi-Divine Artifact suitable for both attack and defense, perfect for magical combat."
Hu Weidong glanced at him, shook his head, and said: "Not enough! I’ve already made it clear, preparation is key!"
While saying this, he secretly sent out a Divine Thought, which common elders didn’t understand, only those great elders present could hear it: "There are conditions for me to intervene..."
Next was the private negotiation; this matter originally had nothing to do with Hu Weidong, but now they want him to intervene, without sufficient benefits, how could it be possible? Otherwise, he’d simply step aside and let someone else take the stage!
Arthur: "What magical treasure do you need? You can choose a few items from the alliance’s treasury."
The alliance’s treasury? There are indeed many good things inside, many magical treasures have ancient origins, but for those treasures Arthur doesn’t want to give, they probably won’t be put there for Hu Weidong to choose.
Hu Weidong: "I’ve long decided, the Stabilizing Bell and the Celestial Net Umbrella; not much, just these two!"
Arthur: "The Stabilizing Bell is no problem, but the Celestial Net Umbrella has already been bestowed to Intelligence Department Head Hailari. Choose another suitable item from the treasury then."
The so-called Intelligence Department is a section of the Xiao Alliance responsible for collecting, organizing, and analyzing various intelligence, primarily targeting the Magic Sect, traditionally managed by sorcerers from the Xingshen lineage, and Hailari is a Tier Five Heart Stealer from Xingshen.
In He Kao’s Illusion Realm, there was previously a confrontation with Hailari. Hailari went to Qi Yuan to stir up trouble, even setting sights on Gao Xue’e, and was then slain by He Kao and Hidden Moth Sect disciples.
Not long ago, Hailari contended for an elder seat with Wenges, but Wenges, supported by Hu Weidong, became an elder. Yet Arthur arranged for Hailari to take the post of Intelligence Department Head, seemingly sidelining Wenges.
Hu Weidong: "Let Hailari choose another suitable magical item from the treasury then, give me the Celestial Net Umbrella. If you want me to intervene, this is the condition, please coordinate with First Elder."
At this moment, Artifact Master Madala also sent out a Divine Thought: "Just let Hailari choose another magical item from the treasury then, he won’t miss out!"
Arthur stared directly at Hu Weidong, finally relenting: "Alright, I’ll go find Hailari to coordinate, hopefully, Elder Hu won’t disappoint everyone."
...
At midnight, at a hidden location outside Luoshan City, Hu Weidong handed something resembling a handkerchief to He Kao and said: "Take it, this is the Celestial Net Umbrella you specifically asked for! It originally belonged to the Xiao Alliance Intelligence Department Head Hailari, but I insisted on acquiring it."
In the Illusion Realm, He Kao killed Hailari and obtained the Celestial Net Umbrella, whereas in reality, Hailari is still alive and well, but he acquired the magical treasure in a different manner.
Hu Weidong didn’t request the Celestial Net Umbrella for himself but for He Kao. He Kao worked diligently, coordinating across both ends, putting a lot of effort; surely there had to be some reward for his hard work?
And He Kao wasn’t requesting it for himself either; he intended to hand the Celestial Net Umbrella over to Lan Jiwan for use. Lan Jiwan had already broken through to Tier Four Cultivation, according to tradition, the sect must have a magical treasure suitable for the cultivation level bestowed for her self-defense.
The Hidden Moth Sect is poor, all affairs are newly started. The new warehouse is constructed very large but is almost empty like a vast expanse, so the Sect Leader He Kao has to think of other ways to manage it.
In the Illusion Realm, he also bestowed the Celestial Net Umbrella to Lan Jiwan; does this count as having his wish fulfilled?
He Kao put away the Celestial Net Umbrella, and asked with concern: "Does this mean you offended that Hailari?"
Hu Weidong: "I’ve long since offended this person, no need to worry about offending him further."
**