Saros's military didn't really have to shout frantically at Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan since his phone had regained signal when the tribulation clouds dispersed. One after another, messages from the Special Investigation Unit caused the "mooncake" on his wrist to vibrate.0 Before Wang Sheng could go through them one by one, he received a video call from Chi Ling. He and Mu Wanxuan steadied themselves in midair and accepted the call. Wang Sheng could already imagine what his mistress wanted to say. She would most likely tell them not to act rashly, to remain calm, and to make their move only after thorough planning.0 Contrary to their expectations, Chi Ling simply gave Wang Sheng a complicated look.0 —Fei Yu, have you ascended to immortality? 0 Wang Sheng smiled wryly. "I haven't even reached the Nascent Soul Realm yet."0 —Then how did you manage to unleash a heavenly tribulation and slaughter an entire city?0 What? When did I slaughter a city? I didn't harm a single citizen of Saros. At most, I only startled them.0 "That was only a little niche trick. It looked intimidating, but it wasn't really that strong or destructive. If I could truly control heavenly tribulations, Mistress, why would I bother fighting with my sword when I could just drop a tribulation on my opponent?"0 Chi Ling glanced down at the file in her hands. 0 —Right now, on international networks, your alleged heroic feat in Hunter Quest City is drawing unstoppable attention. The refined and gentle image of our cultivators, which we have worked hard to shape for years, has been ruined in an instant.0 —That's just part of the negative impact, though. Officially, we support and acknowledge your efforts. Regardless of your original intention, you defended the dignity of the Hua Republic. Consider yourself officially commended and your merits recorded. 0 —But we now have two issues at hand. First, the Empire of Saros has lodged a formal protest. After this incident, you may have to give them an explanation.0 "That wouldn't be a problem."0 Chi Ling calmly proceeded to the next issue. 0 —Second, your series of victories today, along with the intimidation that stemmed from the city-wide heavenly tribulation, has caught the attention of a vampire prince. He has just arrived at Moxice of the Saros Empire and challenged you to a fair duel.0 A fair duel? With a vampire prince?0 Wang Sheng frowned. In Western legends, vampires were the embodiment of darkness, chaos, and raw power. They were villains through and through. A proper villain had to act like one, not imitate knights in chivalrous duels.0 Besides, there was no reason for him to agree to a duel simply because the other side proposed it. He could simply bring his master and senior sister to face the prince together.0 With a trace of concern, Chi Ling followed up with a question.0 —Fei Yu, can you defeat a vampire prince?0 Wang Sheng thought for a moment. "Compared to the vampire I killed when I helped my master, how much stronger is this prince?"0 Chi Ling checked her file again. 0 —According to our intelligence, the one challenging you in the Saros capital is a prince of the Vlad family. Of the six known modern-day princes, he ranks third in power, which puts him a step below the three ancient princes who have yet to appear.0 —Gucci Vlad is arrogant. He has repeatedly expressed contempt for our cultivation world through the television stations that are under their control.0 —Our systems differ, so we cannot make an exact strength comparison, but the ancient vampire marquis you killed earlier was as strong as a modern vampire duke, putting him a tier below princes. You can use that as a reference.0 —To be frank, if you had not dispatched that marquis so effortlessly, I would have ordered you and Bu Yu to return immediately instead of considering this.0 In other words, the Hua Republic had no intention of ignoring this provocation. No matter how forgiving one could be, this incident had crossed the line.0 After thinking it over, Wang Sheng calculatedly answered, "If I use my full strength and fight as I should, I believe I can win."0 Chi Ling frowned slightly, but her tone remained gentle.0 —Stay where you are, then. I'll notify your master and other top experts to head to you immediately. In the meantime, think about this carefully, Fei Yu. 0 —If you win this duel, we'll be able to suppress the arrogance of these foreign cultivators. If you lose, the consequences will trigger a chain reaction that will put us in an even harsher international situation. With those factors considered, are you still confident you can win?0 Mu Wanxuan stood silently beside Wang Sheng, watching him. Whatever decision he made, she would support it. She would even follow him into danger without hesitation.0 "Mistress, what is the Hua Republic's official stance? Do you need me to win this fight?"0 —Yes, but I don't want you to feel too much pressure from me or from the need to protect the future pillars of our cultivation world.0 "If the nation requires my victory, then rest assured: I will win this match."0 Wang Sheng's gaze was firm enough to draw a faint smile from Chi Ling.0 "Also, my master does not have to step in. Senior Sister and I will be enough. I will require real-time intelligence, though. If other experts attempt to join my opponent, I have to be warned before they can."0 Since they weren't fighting in home territory, Wang Sheng naturally had to be cautious.0 —Of course. We have satellite surveillance on the capital of Saros. Even so, you should still wait for your master and the others to arrive.0 Original content can be found at noveⅼfire.net Wang Sheng shook his head. "The longer we spend gathering our forces, the more time the enemy has to gather theirs. If they come with nine vampire princes, and we deploy most of our Heavenly Abode Realm Daoist elders, this duel could end up becoming a grueling battle. This duel may even be part of their scheme.0 "I have two celestial-grade swords and can break through to the Nascent Soul Realm at any time. If necessary, Senior Sister and I can work together to retreat safely. We can't delay this. On the contrary, it would be better to force him to come to me."0 Chi Ling considered the proposal for a few seconds before nodding. 0 —Very well. Try to finish it quickly. I will still send your master and the others who are already in Saros to the capital as support. Remember, keep your battle contained within a small area if you can. Saros doesn't have any high-ranking experts, and their system is copied from the West.0 —However, they are not to be underestimated in aspects outside cultivation. Avoid causing diplomatic trouble. Anyway, I can arrange something that would provoke the vampire to come to you. I can't guarantee success, though.0 "Understood," Wang Sheng replied, then ended the call.0 Ignoring the other messages, he put his phone away and glanced at his senior sister.0 Alright. We'll walk through the fire and flames together.0 "Senior Sister, tow me for a bit. I have to recover my enchanted power quickly."0 "Mm." Mu Wanxuan immediately agreed. Using her yin-yang qi, she dragged him along.0 While still controlling his sword, Wang Sheng closed his eyes and absorbed the cold-tinged primal qi around them. His Golden Core spun rapidly under his command. Above his qi sea, starlight glittered, and the sword phantasm that the thunderbolts had formed swam through the starry expanse.0 A vampire prince… The Hua Republic needs this victory.0 First, foreign cultivators had ambushed and slaughtered over a hundred of their own. He then chased those enemies into the Saros Empire, becoming conspicuous enough to draw attention and eventually provoke a vampire prince. Now, the Hua Republic intended to use this duel to suppress the arrogance of foreign cultivators.0 This sudden development had put immense pressure on Wang Sheng.0 Since the resurgence of primal qi, the Hua Republic had never sought to suppress foreign cultivation forces. They had quietly focused on building themselves up and researching universal cultivation methods. However, that did not mean that they were timid or that they would stand by while others bullied them at their own doorstep.0 Their ancient nation had survived for five thousand years; it had seen all kinds of warfare. Still, great powers of old had risen and fallen. Only time could tell which one was the true master of the East and which one was a mere fleeting shadow in history.0 Though Wang Sheng felt the pressure, his fighting spirit surged.0 One cultivated through the Dao for the sake of longevity, for the sake of living unrestrained. They practiced techniques to protect the Dao, to safeguard oneself and those by one's side. 0 Single-minded cultivation was fine for pure cultivators born in the mountains and raised in the clouds. However, Wang Sheng was born and raised in the Hua Republic. He would live with the bones of Hua and die with the soul of Yan and Huang[1].0 In the upcoming battle, Wang Sheng would not only fight. He would set himself the goal of victory; he would cut down the vampire prince and deter all foreign cultivators who saw the Hua Republic as prey. The "bat fiend" would serve as his whetstone to test the strength of the vampire race!0 If victory came easily, then perhaps he would head west immediately. His Reversed Seven-Star Sword Formation excelled in group combat. Fighting against one or ten wouldn't make a difference.0 A great man had once said, "The enemy decides when war begins, and they decide when it ends."1 Now, it was Wang Sheng's turn to decide when the war would end.0 Keeping his thoughts to himself, he calmed his heart. He feared tempting fate. It would be disastrous if he underestimated the enemy and ended up getting slain instead.0 In his mind, he heard Yaoyun scoff faintly. She seemed to think it was disappointing to see him follow his inner bluster with caution. Spiritless's sword spirit—the former princess of the Heavenly Court—telepathically spoke to him lightly. 0 "Relax. Should we come across someone stronger than an immortal, I can still protect you and Hua Qing."0 With his worries easing, Wang Sheng's brow relaxed. If someone that powerful existed, however, the Hua Republic would still be in grave danger. Escaping would be meaningless.0 Half an hour later, Wang Sheng had adjusted his state to its peak. Mu Wanxuan was still towing him forward.0 Both their phones vibrated. The Special Investigation Unit had texted them to urgently open their map. 0 The provocation had succeeded. The vampire prince known as Gucci Vlad had left the capital of Saros and was now flying to their location. The projected map tracked his location.0 Wang Sheng's fighting spirit surged. Unleashing his Sword-Controlling Art, he led Mu Wanxuan forward. Under his feet, Flying Haze shone, while Spiritless let out a sharp cry in his hand. The two swords felt the fighting spirit rising from his heart.0 Fifteen minutes later, a powerful aura appeared on the horizon. At the edge of his spiritual consciousness, he detected a being with dark-purple flesh wings.0 "Senior Sister, stay back and don't do anything; just watch."0 Breaking free from her yin-yang qi link, Wang Sheng accelerated again. He released golden-purple enchanted power and enveloped himself in it. He'd fight at full strength from the very first exchange of blows!.0 On the skyline, a dark-purple comet and a golden-purple comet hurtled toward each other!