In an instant, Hua Lidian’s pupils contracted, his whole body trembling violently.
At the same time, Sikong Jing slightly retracted his murderous intent and looked towards Hua Lidian, asking, "Mr. Hua, is this very troublesome?"
Although he wanted to kill Ren Dongmeng, he still cared about Hua Lidian’s feelings; perhaps there could be a better solution.
After all, Hua Lidian had been quite good to him, and he had adhered to his own principles.
Hua Lidian also looked at Sikong Jing with some surprise and then laughed again, responding, "I might indeed encounter some trouble, but I do not fear this trouble. Thank you for your concern, Brother Sikong."
This statement was heartfelt and sincere.
Then, Hua Lidian continued, "But, Brother Sikong, you might be the target of retaliation. Although Ren Dongmeng’s mother will not come to kill you directly, she might employ some underhanded tactics... As long as Brother Sikong is not afraid, then do as you please."
Upon hearing this, Ren Dongmeng below was completely dumbfounded, staring at Hua Lidian in disbelief, "You you you..."
She never expected that after revealing her mother’s name, Hua Lidian’s desire to kill seemed even stronger.
"Haha, I’m least afraid of underhanded tactics."
Sikong Jing laughed loudly, then used the demonic power of the Iron Bone Flying Vulture to bring down his rod with a thunderous blow.
Ren Dongmeng, dead on the spot.
Just before dying, she let out a roar of indignation. How could she, a deacon of the Overlord Commerce, die here?
There was no reason for it. Was he not just the insignificant Sikong Jing?
Aren’t such small figures supposed to be at her mercy, to toy with as she pleased?
He was just a plaything; he shouldn’t have had the ability to resist. So why did he have the ability to fight back?
Until her death, Ren Dongmeng felt she had done no wrong, thinking it was all just a trivial game.
But no one cared about the thoughts of the dead.
With Ren Dongmeng’s death, the entrance of the Long Night Saint Dragon Palace once again returned to peace.
Hua Lidian quietly landed next to Ren Dongmeng’s corpse, standing there for a long time before he sighed softly.
This sigh was filled with weariness.
Sikong Jing also descended from the Iron Bone Flying Vulture and walked step by step to Hua Lidian’s side.
Suddenly, Hua Lidian let out a second sigh, softly saying, "For the Overlord Commerce, whether it be a deacon or a decision maker, or even those higher up, it is extremely difficult to achieve absolute fairness."
The first sigh was for Ren Dongmeng paying the price of death for her capriciousness, and the second sigh was a lament for the helplessness of human nature.
Sikong Jing nodded. Being human meant having self-interested desires and the seven emotions and six sensory pleasures...
Ren Dongmeng was the perfect example, wishing harm upon him just because she disliked him.
Believing she could manipulate him at will, but instead getting caught deeper and deeper in endless vindictive emotions, unable to extricate herself.
After a while, Hua Lidian spoke again with a wry smile, "Just now I was also acting out of self-interest. If it weren’t for offending Ren Dongmeng’s mother Ju Dan back then, perhaps I wouldn’t just be a minor deacon in the East Plain Northern Land."
Sikong Jing paused upon hearing this, not asking further.
But it was clear that had Ren Dongmeng not mentioned her mother’s name, it might have been okay. Instead, it ignited Hua Lidian’s hatred and past grievances.
Then, Hua Lidian took Ren Dongmeng’s corpse and turned to Sikong Jing, "Brother Sikong, Ren Dongmeng was at fault first, and you won’t suffer any retaliation from Overlord Commerce."
"At least in the East Plain Northern Land, your safety is guaranteed."
"Regarding the secret of your wife’s War Body, I will also guard it with my life, even when submitting evidence of Ren Dongmeng’s crimes, I won’t reveal it."
Sikong Jing expressed his thanks and said that he trusted Hua Lidian’s character.
Last time, it was Ren Dongmeng who interfered in the East Plain Thousand Dominator List, rendering Hua Lidian powerless and unable to aim for a higher ranking.
Suddenly, Hua Lidian turned around, looked directly at Sikong Jing with a serious face, and said, "Although you are safe in the East Plain Northern Land, Brother Sikong, you might soon have to leave."
"Hm?" Sikong Jing was taken aback upon hearing this, staring at Hua Lidian with a confused expression.
Hua Lidian’s face remained somber, his gaze deep and distant.
"Next month, when the list is updated, both you and your sister Wang Ge will surely enter the top ten of the East Plain Thousand Dominator List. But that’s really just a short form—its full name should be... the East Plain Northern Land Thousand Dominator List."
"You’ve heard what Ren Dongmeng said too; apart from East Plain, there is also the West Land, as well as the Southern Land, and the East Land."
"Among these, the East Plain Northern Land is the weakest and most barren."
"Every five years, the top 18 Martial Arts Geniuses from the Thousand Tyrant List of the East Plain Four Regions get an opportunity."
"An opportunity to leave the East Plain Four Regions and head to the vast Central Plains."
At this point, Hua Lidian watched Sikong Jing intently, knowing well that this revelation must be immensely shocking.
Indeed, Sikong Jing’s expression subtly shifted as he slowly absorbed Hua Lidian’s words.
The East Plain Northern Land was just one of the East Plain Four Regions, and beyond it lay the vast expanse of the Central Plains; what sort of world could that be?
Finally, Sikong Jing asked again, "What’s Overlord Commerce’s purpose in doing all this?"
In the past, although Sikong Jing had guessed that Overlord Commerce’s background was formidable, and that their Thousand Tyrant List wasn’t simply a free service for Martial Artists but perhaps a promotional tactic, he never fully understood their purpose.
Now, he learned that the top 18 were promised the chance to explore a much vaster world.
It seemed like Overlord Commerce was cultivating Martial Arts Geniuses, but what secrets lay behind their motives?
"The Central Plains are boundless and teeming with powerful beings; of course, Overlord Commerce wants to compete," replied Hua Lidian.
"Compete for resources, opportunities, and anything and everything worth competing for... And, of course, that requires even more Martial Arts powerhouses."
Hua Lidian, foreseeing Sikong Jing’s question, explained with a profound sense of depth.
With a clearer understanding, Sikong Jing narrowed his eyes and asked, "So, if we successfully reach the Central Plains, are we to become Overlord Commerce’s enforcers?"
He remembered Ren Dongmeng’s words that they were all but toys to Overlord Commerce.
At that, Hua Lidian’s eyes widened slightly before he nodded in admission.
Enforcer was an unpleasant term, but it was the truth... Even he, as a Deacon, was merely a minor enforcer.
Smiling, Sikong Jing pressed on, "Can I refuse?"
Hua Lidian opened his mouth and said with a wry smile, "Of course, you can. But any Martial Artist with ambition would find it impossible to refuse, because even the lowliest enforcer is offered irresistible benefits by Overlord Commerce."
"You can obtain Cultivation Techniques, Martial Skills, Divine Weapons, and Elixirs that surpass Universe Grade products."
"You may witness real Martial Arts powerhouses to break through your own limits."
"Even if you are eliminated, you can still have a chance to become a Deacon like me, sitting high and revered by others. You’ve seen Ren Dongmeng’s attitude; who could refuse that?"
In the end, Hua Lidian peered deeply at Sikong Jing, hoping to see some stir of emotion on his face.
But there was none; Sikong Jing remained as calm as ever...
The next moment, Sikong Jing asked something unexpected, "So Deacons like yourself, are merely discards?"
To him, the temptation of surpassing Universe Grade items was irrelevant.
Sikong Jing, as the Master of Ten Thousand Beasts, could create his own Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques; Divine Weapons and Elixirs were just external resources.
He was somewhat shocked, however, to learn that Hua Lidian and Ren Dongmeng were merely discards.