<h4>Chapter 2388: Chapter 2388: The World as a Chessboard</h4>


    "Among your many disciples, he is probably the strongest one at the moment?" Jin Chan, who is very short and has a hunchback, appeared to be only about one meter two.


    "Obviously, even if I take in more disciples, he remains the strongest one." The old man wore a gratified smile on his face: "His strength is unprecedented. His actions are impable. If I didn’t exist, he would be the most suitable sessor for the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance."


    "Is he really that strong?" Jin Chan was somewhat surprised, knowing that the person next to him had high regard for Julius Reed.


    After all, this young man named Julius Reed had emerged victorious in countless battles.


    Those young men, without exception, were all top-notch talents!


    Each was a genius encountered once in a century.


    It’s conceivable how formidable Julius Reed was back then.


    But now, isn’t this evaluation too high?


    "Our ancient martial world is full of talent, masters abound. And now, several thousand years have passed, is there really no genius in this millennium? Among those peerless masters from our generation back then, is there really no one who could rival him?"


    Jin Chan asked earnestly.


    "Impable, that’s my evaluation." The old man’s evaluation was only four words, but the weight of those four words made Jin Chan feel quite surprised.


    "So saying I didn’t duel him was a wise decision?" He took a deep breath.


    "A cicada can shed its shell, but a dead cicada cannot." The old man chuckled.


    Yet these words frightened Jin Chan to the core.


    "It’s a pity I’m still alive. Then between us, only one can survive to the end." The old man pointed to the exploded ruins with determination in his eyes, "Perhaps I would give him a chance. It’s truly a pity that I’ve never seen my own reflection in someone else."


    "With your skills, why hide your identity for thousands of years and conceal yourself?" Jin Chan asked again, "Once we peerless masterse out of hiding, who would dare defy us?"


    "You underestimate the martial arts world; you underestimate the Heavenly Dao. Trying to use personal strength to fight against the world is too unrealistic. Even with the power to reach the heavens, it’s impossible."


    "Martial Artists don’t resist because we haven’t touched their bottom line. Everyone pursues profit; it’s their nature. The creation of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance back then was essentially a profit coalition. People can band together for profit, but once their core interests are touched, the rebellion that urred back then will be routine."


    "What I want is absolute power, not a profitmunityposed of bnce across four corners."


    "That massacre has set the martial arts world back at least three thousand years! This stigma is severe. This hatred is etched deep."


    "Those martial arts masters who were killed were not isted individuals; they had immense forces behind them."


    "If that force united, even if there were a hundred of me, I would still be smashed to pieces."


    "Therefore, death is the best choice. Death allows hatred to be forgotten. Death allows one to stand aside. To ce oneself in a dead-end to produce new life."


    The old man’s face remained cheerfully smiling.


    Benevolent-looking, yet filled with the desire for power.


    "Those hidden within the martial arts world await an opportunity. Some believe the news of my death because it was orchestrated by Longwu. Longwu gathered a group of people, at least those people are witnesses. But some people don’t believe it and even vent their anger on the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance."


    "Otherwise, why do you think Longwu hides in the divine realm for many years? It’s safe there."


    "I have always stayed by Julius Reed’s side, protecting him whenever he encountered dangers. Yet over five thousand years, his tenacity and skills astonished me. Although his abilities have already crowned him throughout the world, although hemands the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance with a million soldiers under him, he has never forsaken wisdom."


    "I’m surprised, feeling a slight threat." The old man shook his head, smiled self-deprecatingly, and said: "It’s reallyughable; I feel I might lose control over him."


    "A king from a generation feeling threatened indeed amazes me." Jin Chan nodded heavily, his expression grave.


    "But it’s been five thousand years; those ns have declined, and martial families have started to wither. Besides, during this period, Julius Reed has already wiped out many forces, consolidated a lot of strength. Your expectations should have been realized, right?"


    The old man shook his head, saying: "Far from it, he carved his way out of thousands, stepping over hispanions’ corpses, his gaze cold. That scene I will never forget. I thought he was a tyrant, but he was not; he did everything a benevolent person could do. Many forces were suppressed by him but not obliterated."


    "However, fortunately, Longwu has already started to stir some trouble. At least the Beaumont Family has started acting."


    The old man squinted, gazing into the distance, speaking softly: "The Beaumont Family moving indicates the martial arts world has begun to stir. Those ns are set to appear. As long as these people are dead, after I deal with Julius Reed, there will be no threats in the world."


    "From chaotic strife to now, I’ve waited several thousand years." The old man stretched his arms, embracing the air.


    "This Yellow Dao Lotus Shadow marks the beginning of tumult sweeping across the realm." The old man extended his hand, and a golden lotus suspended in his palm.


    "Throw it out, deliver it to Faust Beaumont’s hands. Since the Beaumont Family is the first to jump out, let them be the first to disappear."


    With a gesture, the golden lotus vanished instantly.


    "Yellow Dao Lotus Shadow, the ultimate treasure in the world!"


    "Understood!" Jin Chan sped his hands in salute and quickly disappeared.


    ...


    Qiu Ming Mountain Range.


    Within a dense forest.


    Faust Beaumont stood in the forest, with only one person around.


    "Hill Leocadia, your strategy seems to have failed. Killing Longwu and Julius Reed won’t be that simple." His hands were behind him, his face full of anger.


    "Julius Reed has dominated the world for thousands of years; how could he be killed in a day? As for Longwu, I will handle her personally." Hill Leocadia snorted coldly upon mentioning Longwu. "I want to obtain that precious book from their Long Family. Once we master it, isn’t recing Julius Reed very easy?"


    "But is this item really inside the Nine Provinces Mausoleum? Back then, Longwu contacted my Beaumont Family’s ancestor and killed Silvio Reed, but personally ced the precious book in the coffin." Faust Beaumont worried: "Now the Nine Provinces Mausoleum is a mystery, while Longwu even breached faith and exterminated my entire Beaumont Family, leaving only my ancestor’s lineage escaped."


    "As long as we capture Longwu, there’s no need to worry about the whereabouts of that precious book." Hill Leocadia sneered: "She, Trent Marsh, I want them both dead."


    "Fine, you go after Longwu, and I will focus on dealing with Julius Reed and Trent Marsh." Faust Beaumont, as if suddenly remembering something, asked: "I heard that an artifact was stolen from the Southeast Lu Family?"


    "Yellow Dao Lotus Shadow." Hill Leocadia said outright.