181: Of course, we should use strategy to overcome physical confrontation.

“My bad, bro, my bad, bro, I was just kidding!”

“Who is your 'bro'? I am Emperor Gaozong of Yu. Do not try to randomly claim kinship with me.”

Zhou Yan had only just had a fleeting thought, yet the other party noticed it and immediately pinned him to the ground for a good lesson.

After taking a beating, Zhou Yan became obedient.

The reason was simple: the opponent's panel had already appeared.

[Emperor Gaozong of Yu (Remnant Soul)]

[Realm: Void Refining Early Stage]

[Special Buff: Great Yu national destiny Integration (Legendary)]

Facing such an existence, what more was there to say? Zhou Yan simply had to admit defeat.

No wonder only these two Imperial Dynasties ranked in the entire Northern Region; their trump cards truly came one after another. It was just that most people he had met previously were fixed at similar Realms, leading Zhou Yan to constantly believe that Great Yu's combat power was lacking.

“Emperor Gaozong Senior, Junior has one more presumptuous request.”

“Look, since I'm already here, could you let me take a few more items? There are so many treasures here; surely missing one or two wouldn't hurt?”

Zhou Yan still wanted to try and negotiate to see if he could take a few more items.

Treasures were abundant here, and perhaps he could gather the spiritual materials needed to complete the refinement of his remaining organs.

The main point was that after the dao body condensed, the changes were immense. Aside from special Physiques having fixed paths, everyone's path of Cultivation was different.

Therefore, the Sect had not prepared the relevant spiritual materials for him, but instead let him find the ones suitable for himself.

However, since he possessed three Golden Cores, he actually only needed to find two more ordinary Gold and Water attribute spiritual materials to complete the missing parts of the Golden Core, along with two high-quality Fire and Earth attribute spiritual materials, to balance the Five Elements simultaneously and directly solve the problem of refining the five viscera.

There were many treasures here; it didn't seem like they lacked Fire and Earth spiritual materials.

Since he could take one portion, and would have to procure another portion later using his own money anyway, he might as well use this Opportunity to solve the problem all at once.

Emperor Gaozong of Yu's expression was slightly odd.

This kid's Heart-Nature was indeed fine. Although he had some minor schemes just now, it was merely due to his lively personality and held no malice. However, this personality was perhaps a bit too energetic.

“The Royal Treasury is naturally reserved for the Imperial Family. I only allow you to take one portion because you passed the first trial.”

“But the subsequent trials are not something an outsider like you can participate in.”

“The current Emperor is willing to share his fate with you, so what you can take is only his portion.”

“Even if he were to come here himself right now, he would still need to pass more trials to take things from the Treasury again.”

“Originally, you weren't even qualified to obtain this single portion; it was your own ability to prove yourself that allowed you to gain this Opportunity.”

Zhou Yan was still unwilling to give up, so he pressed the question.

“Then, does Junior, being an outsider, truly have no chance to participate in the next trial?”

Emperor Gaozong of Yu shook his head without hesitation.

“Impossible.”

Zhou Yan felt slightly disappointed, but he wasn't overly discouraged.

He found that Emperor Gaozong was quite reasonable. Even though he had entertained such thoughts just now, the other party only gave him a minor warning and didn't pursue the matter, and was still willing to give him resources, which was why he thought about trying to negotiate for more.

Since it wasn't possible now, he decided to drop the matter.

Just then, Emperor Gaozong changed the subject and added.

“However, I am not entirely unreasonable.”

“Although you cannot participate in the subsequent Imperial trials to obtain more resources, I can grant you one additional request.”

“After all, although you are an outsider, your performance was truly excellent, and you deserve this reward.”

When Zhou Yan heard this, his eyes immediately lit up.

This is great!

He almost forgot his true purpose for coming to Kaifeng.

It was all because the Spirit Stones and resources were too dazzling, momentarily clouding his mind.

One must know that the Emperor Gaozong before him was a genuine Void Refining Stage panel, stronger than the power he had borrowed. If he took action, wouldn't the difficult problem be solved easily?

“Emperor Gaozong Senior, to be honest, Great Yu is currently in peril, and many covet the Dragon Throne. Are you aware of this?”

“They all seek to perform sacrifices, harm living beings, and force the current Emperor to abdicate. Are you aware of this?”

“They are arrogant and tyrannical, practically committing open rebellion. Are you aware of this?”

Zhou Yan spoke with righteous indignation.

“Therefore, I earnestly request Emperor Gaozong Senior to take action, suppress these villains, and restore peace and order to Great Yu!”

Zhou Yan couldn't help but curl his lips, secretly pleased with his quick wit, as if the predicament had already been solved.

However, Emperor Gaozong merely asked with an expressionless face.

“What did you just say?”

Zhou Yan was stunned, then replied.

“I said, please Emperor Gaozong Senior take...”

Before he finished speaking, Zhou Yan was interrupted by Emperor Gaozong.

“Not that sentence.”

“Counting back four sentences, what did you say?”

Counting back four sentences?

Zhou Yan recalled it for a moment, and subconsciously repeated it.

“Then, does an outsider like me have any chance to participate in the next trial?”

Emperor Gaozong suddenly became agitated.

“Yes! Of course, you do!”

“The Royal Treasury hasn't had a visitor in a long time.”

“Although you are an outsider, you are also qualified to participate in the trial.”

“It's just a few portions of resources. If Great Qian next door found out, they might think Great Yu couldn't afford it!”

“Go ahead and take the trials! Take as much as you complete! Take as much as you want!”

Looking at Emperor Gaozong, whose expression had suddenly changed, Zhou Yan couldn't help but feel a chill, and he asked in disbelief.

“Emperor Gaozong Senior... are you already aware of the current situation?”

Only then did he recall that the opponent's panel showed "national destiny Integration," not "national destiny Protection."

Did this mean that the other party had been observing Great Yu from the perspective of the national destiny all along?

So, in reality, he already knew everything?

Recalling what Li Wenbo once said: “Imperial Dynasties benefit the Human Dao, but not necessarily the Emperor.”

“Hiss!” Zhou Yan gasped sharply.

Just as Zhou Yan's thoughts were racing, Emperor Gaozong made a move to interrupt his contemplation.

“This is not something you should dwell upon.”

“You only need to understand that many situations are not as simple as they appear on the surface. Sometimes... I am also constrained.”

“I am indeed aware of the matters outside.”

“However, I cannot take action at this moment.”

“Therefore, you either cherish this Opportunity for trial, or you quickly take one treasure and leave.”

Zhou Yan seemed to understand, but said no more, choosing to accept the trial.

At this point, Emperor Gaozong's slightly subdued mood returned to calm.

“The trials are divided into two types: a battle of wits and a battle of might.”

“The battle of wits involves answering some questions.”

“The more correct answers you give, the richer the resources you obtain.”

“The questions mostly concern Cultivation and the understanding of the Dao.”

“If you choose the battle of might, I will fight you with a cultivation level one major Realm higher than yours. For example, if you are currently at the Core Formation Stage, I will take action with the cultivation level of an Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.”

“The longer you last against me, the more resources you will receive.”

Just as Zhou Yan was about to try and cheat using the borrowed power, he suddenly found himself unable to connect to that power.

“I understand Imperial Power better than you do.”

“Therefore, think clearly before you speak.”

Alright, alright. It seemed that many people had tried to cheat by borrowing power before, and the opponent was already proficient in dealing with it.

Nevertheless, Zhou Yan confidently chose the battle of might.

“Good.”

“Then, let the battle of might begin.”

After Emperor Gaozong finished speaking, his figure solidified slightly, and his previously ethereal soul body manifested a pair of legs.

The surrounding Spirit Stones and resources were pushed aside, and a translucent hemispherical barrier enveloped the area.

“Come! Let me see your combat talent!”

Before his voice faded, Emperor Gaozong lunged forward, intending to engage in close combat.

Zhou Yan could tell that the opponent was clearly holding back.

The power a true Nascent Soul Cultivator could exert was far more than this.

The opponent acted this way likely due to the nature of the trial, aiming for a gradual progression.

Given the state the opponent currently displayed, if he activated Dragon Transformation, he should be able to handle it easily and last for a long time.

However, Zhou Yan had other plans.

If a battle of wits was unfavorable, he could resort to might.

Similarly, if a battle of might was unsustainable, he could use wit.

When facing such a mismatched confrontation, naturally, he should use a battle of wits to fight the battle of might!

On the surface, Zhou Yan feigned panic and responded nervously.

Emperor Gaozong was also not a novice; he knew Zhou Yan's actions must have an ulterior motive, likely preparing to unleash some secret technique or Divine Ability.

But this was part of the trial.

If he were to completely crush Zhou Yan with combat experience and strength, the trial would lose its meaning.

And it was precisely this thought that made him regret his decision moments later.

Just as Emperor Gaozong had lunged forward right in front of Zhou Yan.

The panic had vanished from Zhou Yan's face, replaced only by a strange smile.

“Emperor Gaozong Senior, why don't you come play a few rounds with me!”

The next instant, a Jade Chessboard wreathed in Immortal Qi suddenly appeared between the two of them.

Although Emperor Gaozong didn't understand the meaning, he instinctively felt something was wrong. Just as he was about to retreat, he was restrained by an invisible force and forcibly dragged back.

This was... the power of Law!