Fan Li was stunned. Just a moment ago, he was still feeding a cat in Rivers and Mountains Pavilion, how did he suddenly get summoned to this bizarre space?
He looked around. It was like a small, self-contained world, yet there were no mountains, rivers, flowers or grass, only an empty white space.
"System, do a scan. What exactly is going on here?" Fan Li asked in his mind. To his surprise, the little white cat had also been transported here along with him.
"Congratulations host, you have successfully initiated the [Battle of Acknowledgment]."
"The mission 'Steal the Divine Beast' is in progress. Complete it to be rewarded with the [Emperor's Sword]. Good luck!"
Upon hearing this, Fan Li rolled his eyes.
Good luck? Good luck my a*s!
He had already received intelligence that the Jiajing Emperor had battled fiercely for seven days and nights in order to subdue the Great Ming Vermillion Bird.
Han Emperor Liu Xie had struggled even more bitterly, fighting for half a month before finally managing to subdue the divine beast Xuanwu.
"So this is the battleground created by Heaven's Way for the [Battle of Acknowledgment]? Don't tell me some ferocious monster is going to jump out and force me to fight with it?"
"With my two clones engaging in bitter cultivation day and night, I've only reached the seventh level of Qi Refining Realm so far."
"Battling a divine beast would be like smashing eggs against rocks..."
Just as he was lost in wild thoughts, the little white cat in his arms suddenly struggled free and ran out several yards away before turning around to face Fan Li.
Fan Li was shocked. This space was fraught with hidden perils. The little guy couldn't just run around randomly. If it accidentally bumped into the divine beast, it might get swallowed up in one gulp!
"Be good, hurry back. I'll give you some crescent fish meat to eat?" Fan Li softly coaxed.
The little white cat's gaze gradually turned sharp as it bared its fangs and claws. But upon hearing the words "crescent meat", its manner inexplicably softened a bit. Even its bared tiny fangs subtly retracted halfway back in.
"The host has been targeted by the divine beast. Battle will commence shortly, please be careful."
Hearing the system notification, Fan Li was greatly surprised.
Targeted? Where was the divine beast?
He finally focused his gaze onto the little white cat, looking at it doubtfully.
Could it be... that it was the divine beast?
The system notification continued:
"The [Battle of Acknowledgment] automatically balances the combat strength between both sides. The divine beast's current cultivation realm is Unity Realm First Stage."
"Detected that the divine beast's favorability towards the host has risen."
"The divine beast has voluntarily downgraded its own realm. Adjusted to Qi Refining Realm Seventh Stage."
Fan Li still hadn't reacted yet. He only remembered hearing that the favorability had risen. It seemed the fish meat hadn't been wasted on it after all. Just as he was secretly delighted, he saw the little white cat swipe out a claw at him from midair.
Surprisingly, it was the sound of metal piercing the air!
A visible blade of white light shot towards Fan Li, swift as a sabre.
If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
Although Fan Li's realm wasn't high, his experience was quite profound. At a glance, he could tell this slash of white blades had been condensed from spirit energy. Yet its might was still very limited.
He had witnessed the battle between Blood Phoenix Sage Ruler and Wu Gang, Lü Chunqiu before. He had also seen the strikes launched by Jiajing Emperor and Liu Xie during the Three Emperors Meeting.
The little white cat's methods were only on par with his own.
"So you're actually a heaven-descended divine beast?" Fan Li remarked while dodging. His movements were quite relaxed as he neatly avoided the white blade.
"If I defeat you, then I'll be your master?" Fan Li asked again.
"Hmph!" The little white cat let out a disdainful snort, as if answering: we'll see if you can actually defeat me first!
The duo exchanged dozens of rounds in battle, with Fan Li on the defensive while the little white cat attacked.
He was surprised to discover that despite only having the cultivation level of Qi Refining Realm Seventh Stage, the little white cat seemed to possess a spiritual energy ocean that was as vast as the sea - inexhaustible and never depleting.
After evading several more white blades, Fan Li finally heard the system's voice:
"Kind reminder: within the current space, the divine beast is empowered by Heaven's Way. Its spiritual power is in a state of [Infinity]."
"Damn!" Fan Li rolled his eyes again.
Wasn't this clearly cheating? No wonder even with Jiajing Emperor's peerless might, battling a divine beast of equal level still took him seven days and nights to finally subdue it.
As the Son of Heaven, he should have rightfully been undefeatable against existences of the same level!
"Hey!" Fan Li suddenly shouted. Upon hearing his voice, the little white cat stopped in its tracks.
Seeing it so obedient, Fan Li panted and grinned. "You were the first to cheat, so don't blame me for what happens next! After all, a man's true power isn't solely limited by his cultivation level - you get what I mean, right?"
"Meww..." The little white cat let out a doubtful whine. It seemed unable to refute his words yet was still somewhat reluctant.
But Fan Li didn't care about any of that. He quickly reached into his own sleeve and took out all sorts of odd items.
"You tricked me for fish then still beat me up afterwards? Today I'll let you witness what it means to utilize good steel on the blade, spine and hilt of sabres!"
"I'll demonstrate to you what money can grind!"
"I'll teach you what quantitative changes can lead to qualitative transformations!"
While speaking, Fan Li adorned all ten of his fingers with rings. A jade belt was wrapped around his waist. The blue headscarf binding up his hair was swapped out for a golden crown. The straw sandals on his feet were also switched to tiger head steel boots.
The little white cat's eyes bulged wide open as its confused gaze gradually transformed into terror.
By the time Fan Li had finished equipping himself, he also took out several porcelain bottles and began casually popping heaven-grade pills into his mouth like candy.
"Detected the divine beast's favorability towards the host has sharply declined. Please swiftly subdue the divine beast!"
Despite being urged by the system, Fan Li was not anxious at all. He muttered indistinctly with a full mouth:
"Let me introduce you to the heaven-grade pay-to-win equipment set - a Fan Consortium exclusive!"
"Enhanced attack, defense, spirit power, speed... the full set retails at only 9 hundred 99 million spirit stones. Second set available at half price!"
"Citizens carrying Chu nationality identification are also eligible for an extra 9.9% birthday discount."
His voice had just faded when Fan Li's figure disappeared and reappeared right in front of the bewildered little white cat the next second.
Half a day later, Fan Li returned back to his original spot inside Rivers and Mountains Pavilion. His attire was neat and tidy without the slightest hint he had just underwent an intense battle. On the other hand, the little white cat had its spirit completely crushed. It was now curled up in Fan Li's embrace, seemingly fast asleep.
"Congratulations host for successfully subduing a guardian divine beast descended from heaven! You have been rewarded with the [Emperor's Sword]!"
An unsheathed longsword quietly floated in front of Fan Li. The sword was 3.7 chi long. One side of the scabbard was carved with images of the sun, moon, planets and stars while the other side was engraved with flowers, birds, insects and fish.
The sword hilt depicted agriculture and animal husbandry on one side, and national unification strategies on the other.
Without even drawing the blade, Fan Li determined that this was a heavenly weapon on par with Xiang Yu's Overlord Spear! Otherwise, it would not deserve the title of [Emperor's Sword].
"As the host completed the mission with superb quality, an additional optional bonus reward has been unlocked. Please select one of the options below."
"Option 1: A Life Extending Pill"
"Option 2: Slightly increase divine beast's favorability"
"Option 3: Upgrade [Dust Destiny Necklace]'s functions"
Fan Li shook his head. As expected, these extra rewards tossed in for free were nothing more than insignificant accessories.
The Life Extending Pill wasn't bad, it was just a pity there was only one. Moreover, once Fan Li completed the mission "Wreak Havoc in the Inner Palace", the system reward of two Cycle Elixirs could each increase longevity by 60 years.
The second option was also barely passable. The divine beast's favorability? It had probably taken offense when he had bullied it earlier right? But appeasing it again with some fish would be a trivial matter, not worth wasting the rare system reward.
"I pick the third option, upgrade the [Dust Destiny Necklace]."
Although unclear what effects the upgrade granted, Fan Li intuitively felt he should choose it.
With a "Ding!" sound:
"Upgrade succeeded! Video call function has been added to the [Dust Destiny Necklace]."
"Emperor Xiang Ning is requesting a video call. Does the host accept?"
Fan Li was rendered speechless. She had actually learned it so quickly?