"In a battle of wits, the ideal strategy is never the one which deals the greatest blow to the enemy—it is the one which the enemy least expects."
Most high-ranking Warriors are capable of anticipating the worst-case scenario and preparing for it. But who considers the middle ground? A strategy that is neither the best nor the worst, yet the most effective—because no one expects it!
The worst-case scenario is relative. It completely depends on what you have prepared. If you are prepared for the "current worst-case scenario," then your "new worst-case scenario" shifts to something else.
Meng Xian thought. "I have to join Ji Changchen. Until now, Ji Changchen and I were enemies, and there was no way we would cooperate. But now? Now we share a common enemy! Ji Changchen realized the threat of Li Gang long ago. Even in my past life, they were the two strongest contenders for the Grand Inheritance of Ascendance, until the Elemental Emperor appeared."
He frowned. "Even though I plan to deceive him, I don't think it will work. Knowledge of the future is a double-edged sword—it blinds more than it enlightens. I have little knowledge of his past. I don't know what he has up his sleeves."
He sighed. "I have nothing to lose in this battle anyway. Besides, who could have the capability to defeat him anyway? Jin Huang? Elemental Emperor? Soul Emperor? Heh... Even in my past life, there were no more than these three figures in the entire world! I am lucky that he is still too young."
At the same time, Li Gang murmured slowly, "He would join forces with Ji Changchen. But he knows I will consider this possibility. He should know me well enough. In that situation, he may not join forces with Ji Changchen."
Li Gang frowned. This wasn't the first time he felt there was a formidable opponent in front of him. He murmured, "I should prepare for the worst anyways."
The worst possibility for him was Ji Changchen, Meng Xian, Ye Fan, and all others joining forces. In that case, he must accelerate his arrangements and lead his troops to attack the Heavenly Dragon Sect earlier. The worst possibility from his perspective was Meng Xian joining all other Warriors to attack him.
Their faceoff was inevitable.
Ji Changchen wanted to obtain the greatest treasure of this Inheritance.
Li Gang wanted to establish his authority over the Eastern Continent, and to do that, he had to deliver a performance that everyone would bow down to. If he allowed Ji Changchen to do whatever he wished in his "future turf," it would be a blow to a Ruler's pride. A ruler must have the ability to run amok in his territory without equal.
Li Gang felt lucky. It was because the "worst-case scenario" for him should have been "Meng Xian informing the Heavenly Dragon Sect about his plans." However, due to the involvement of Jin Huang, it was no longer a possibility.
Meng Xian was unaware of this situation. Even in the future he knew, there wasn't a single rumor about any connection between Li Gang and Jin Huang.
Even if he informed the Heavenly Dragon Sect, Jin Huang had the strength to block them.
This time, Li Gang couldn't afford any failure. He had to ensure the success of the ritual. The ritual before he ascended to King!
Li Gang used a Rank 8 Heavenly Lotus, and this would help him sense his Soul until his cultivation reached Rank 7 peak. In order to resolve the issue, he had to ascend through a ritual. His ritual was one of Dominance.
What's better than conquering an entire Continent while ascending to King? Right now, this was the best he could achieve.
His every opponent was formidable.
He was also wary of Jin Huang. He didn't believe she had no agenda of her own.
You have to know, everyone who is an Advanced Warrior operates on a whole other level of shrewdness. Every action they perform, every word they speak, has a certain meaning!
Why did Jin Huang say she would help him with three favors to begin with?
A righteous Warrior like her doesn't need to remind someone that she would do a favor for them. She would do it anyway; she doesn't have to mention it.
Then why?
Now, you need to deepen your own thoughts. Because this is two-way psychological warfare.
See from Li Gang's perspective.
If she didn't say that, Li Gang wouldn't hope for a "favor" after his fight with two Rank 8 Warriors. But he would still go there since it was the safest place. No one beside him knew the location, and he could recuperate in peace.
However, it was possible that she said that to remind Li Gang of this second "favor." In this way, Li Gang could prepare well, considering her involvement as well. The best preparation could only be done when you were aware of all your allies and all your foes.
At the same time, there was this final possibility. She could use these two favors to implant a psychological cue in Li Gang's mind—one that would make him hope for a third favor. Then, using this psychological cue, she could manipulate him at the right moment. Li Gang was wary of this and wouldn't allow it to happen.
As for Jin Huang's perspective?
She did that to control Li Gang's timing of Ascension to Rank 7!
She was aware Li Gang would question why she said those words. The only answer Li Gang could come up with was that "only if she said that would her second favor be reminded to him at the right moment." The final possibility was meaningless to her, since the psychological cue she meant to create was to lead him to believe the second "favor" would definitely appear, and it would be this one.
She had already seen through the fact that he didn't possess a Spiritual Imprint. She was impressed by the first appearance of Li Gang because she read his memories and found clues—clues that could help her deceive the Immortals.
Li Gang didn't possess a Spiritual Imprint; thus, he would definitely resort to a Ritual to Ascend to King. Every time one performed a ritual before Ascending, heaven and earth would show visions of the Nine Heavens. It was the indication of traces of Heavenly Dao being materialized somewhere.
This vision also appears every time the Awakening of the Spiritual Imprint occurs, but it is suppressed within the temple where the Awakening takes place. Only Awakeners can see these visions at that moment. During the vision, they see a vast space filled with countless stars, and the shadow of the Nine Heavens appears in unison.
Jin Huang had to make sure Li Gang ascended to King.
Most of you would have already understood why!
It was because she had to ascend at the same time Li Gang did. In that case, the visions would overlap, and no one would realize she also went through Ascension!
Originally, Li Gang never intended to Ascend at this time. He would prepare well for his ritual before he ascended. However, after he realized Jin Huang's involvement and favor, he immediately pushed forward all his plans and focused on utilizing this opportunity. He would never give up such a golden opportunity.
Li Gang also considered the situation where Jin Huang wasn't doing a "favor." He wouldn't outright attack the Heavenly Dragon Sect. He would first send his troops in hiding and then wait until he was sure whether Jin Huang's favor was real. Once he was sure, the attack would be inevitable.
Now, let's get back to the original situation and summarize from Meng Xian's perspective.
Meng Xian was completely unaware of Li Gang and Jin Huang's plans.
In his opinion, the worst-case scenario for Li Gang would be revealing all his plans to the Heavenly Dragon Sect. In such a case, his Ascension would fail.
However, given Li Gang's style, he would already consider this possibility. So, his plan to ascend now was most likely a trap. He revealed that he was going to Ascend, but it was likely a fake plan.
In such a situation, Meng Xian planned to join forces with Ji Changchen and others to eliminate him right here!
This was where the factor of Information came into play. Meng Xian believed he was more informed due to his future knowledge, and thus, would be more relaxed. However, in reality, it was Li Gang who had the advantage of more information while Meng Xian was still under the assumption that he was at a disadvantage.
Due to this difference, Li Gang would utilize all the resources he had to counter Meng Xian, while Meng Xian would try to, but also consider reducing his losses and enhancing his gains, which diverted his plans in different directions, thereby reducing their impact on Li Gang.
Ji Changchen wasn't interested in any of these feuds right now. He was more focused on obtaining the Inheritance. Even though he had enmity against Li Gang, his first priority wasn't Li Gang himself, but the Soul Emperor's Inheritance.
Meanwhile,
Wang Xiaoyan finally took the courageous step and opened the letter she was given. She read the content and was shocked. Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw a ray of hope.
There were only two sentences left to her by Wang Xueyao.
"They are alive, and only Li Gang could save them."
"Don't try to read the other letter and give it to him as soon as possible."
This letter was given to her by her sister long ago, just after the Giant Hand Catastrophe. At that time, she had returned and visited her village but found blood everywhere. When she entered the room, there was only one letter left for her, with a name at the front: "Wang Xueyao."
She took the letter with her, as she heard the rumors of the Demon King of the South. She recalled every word of Wang Xueyao, and even her request to take away her parents from the Southern Continent. She regretted it from that day onward.
She frowned immediately and suppressed her inner urge to read the other letter. She said slowly. "Hope is a cruel gift when it binds you to a destiny you do not want to accept."
She had no desire to ally with Li Gang, fully aware that he had massacred Ye Fan's entire family. Because of this, she refused to accept the words in the letter. She even questioned whether it was genuine or merely a ploy crafted by Li Gang himself. Yet hope… hope is a cruel emotion.
Why did she not open the letter until now?
Regret was a factor, but as a Warrior's cultivation increased, they developed strong mental fortitude. The reality was, besides regret, Wang Xueyao had placed a hypnosis on her, which would only be canceled after meeting Li Gang. This hypnosis worked by strengthening her regrets!
Wang Xueyao held a deep affection for her family, especially Wang Xiaoyan. She didn't want Xiaoyan to interfere with Li Gang or become his enemy.