Chapter 1178 - 1178: The Calamity That Cannot Be Escaped

Jiang Long spoke, his face becoming even more grim.

"We must stop them; we must keep those bastards outside of Star Sea, or it will be a true catastrophe."

"Old man, how many keys are needed to open the treasure?" Liu Zixuan asked.

"Four."

"Besides the one Wang Kun took, who holds the other three?" Liu Zixuan asked again.

Jiang Long pondered for a moment: "At that time, there weren't as many sects and families in Star Sea, but because Star Sea has the largest share of the treasure, it has two keys. The first is held by Dragon Spirit, and the second by Four Symbols Sect."

"The third is held by a Supreme Elder from Void Mountain Sect in Witch Country, and the last is said to have changed several owners. I don't know who ultimately holds it now."

"What are you thinking?" Jiang Yifan asked.

Liu Zixuan raised his head: "If I were those foreign martial artists, upon hearing of the treasure, I would do whatever it takes to obtain the keys immediately."

"Go on," Jiang Long said.

"Once Wang Kun leaves Star Sea, it would be as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack to track him down. Moreover, Dragon Spirit has deep foundations; he will certainly gather people to revive Bi Yan. Before that, he might hide for a while, waiting for the right opportunity to emerge."

"As for Void Mountain Sect, they've long coveted Star Sea's treasures, let alone such a huge treasure. They will definitely come, and with Four Symbols Sect's key, there will be three keys. As for the last one, I imagine it will appear with such interests at stake!"

Jiang Yifan replied irritably: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"He has understood something," Jiang Long squinted his eyes: "You mean our first step is to protect the key held by Four Symbols Sect, as without all the keys, the treasure cannot be accessed?"

Liu Zixuan snapped his fingers: "Exactly, the first step is to protect the key held by Four Symbols Sect, the second step is to search for Wang Kun at all costs, and to watch the movements of Void Mountain Sect and other foreign martial forces. As for the third step..."

"What is it?" Jiang Yifan asked impatiently.

"Have you considered a certain situation?"

"What situation?"

Liu Zixuan shrugged with a smile: "Faced with pressure from the global martial realm, perhaps Star Sea's treasure can't be preserved. After all, the present-day Star Sea Martial Realm is heavily damaged. Protecting Four Symbols Sect is merely temporary. But if the keys aren't protected and get taken away?"

"The likelihood of what you're saying happening is quite high," Jiang Yifan frowned: "So, no matter what, we are passive in this."

"No, there is one possibility that isn't passive but rather active!"

Liu Zixuan's lips curved slightly: "And that is we also search for the keys and unlock the treasure ourselves."

"This..." For a moment, Jiang Long and Jiang Yifan both fell silent.

The treasure is right there. Once Netherworld Hall spreads the word, an influx of foreign martial artists will rush into Star Sea, and they will be from top sects and families, including Life and Death Realm experts who have been concealed for a long time.

Wang Kun, Void Mountain Sect, and the unknown power with three keys are bound to come together. After all, Wang Kun despises these people from the Star Sea Martial Realm, and Void Mountain Sect has always been hostile towards the Star Sea Martial Realm. Signs show that they will altogether force Four Symbols Sect to hand over the key.

If Four Symbols Sect doesn't cooperate, another war is unavoidable, one that the battered Star Sea Martial Realm cannot endure.

But if they take the initiative to collect the keys and unlock the treasure, it is risky yet they possess a certain degree of initiative. At least the treasure won't be wholly divided by those foreign martial artists.

No matter what, Liu Zixuan and the others face the most critical situation.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Long stood up: "Old, indeed getting old, my thinking can't keep up with you young people."

"Are you leaving?" Jiang Yifan asked.

"We old bones still have some subordinates. I'll send them to find Wang Kun with all their might and try to reclaim the key before other forces do. As for the rest, you guys discuss it among yourselves."

Jiang Long muttered as he walked out: "Disaster...a disaster that can't be avoided!"

"Is your old man endorsing my plan?" Liu Zixuan asked.

Jiang Yifan nodded: "There doesn't seem to be any other way. I'll arrange my people abroad to monitor the situation. Once they move, members of the Jiang Family will be called back to the country, as for Four Symbols Sect..."

"I'll go," Liu Zixuan said with a peculiar smile: "Actually, I have some unresolved grudges with Four Symbols Sect!"

"Things are already this way, don't complicate matters further."

"Some things, no matter when or where, must be done. I can turn my back on heaven and earth, but I can't turn my back on my woman!" Liu Zixuan said solemnly, clearly referring to Ye Lianyi.

Jiang Yifan watched him with an odd look: "Alright, disseminating the news and their assembly should take time, enough for us to handle some things. We must quickly unite the Star Sea Martial Realm; this time, we're up against more than just Netherworld Hall!"

Liu Zixuan sighed deeply: "I damn well knew, after dealing with Netherworld Hall, others would emerge. I wonder what will happen when those guys fall."

"It's too early to discuss these things; best think about surviving this calamity first."

Jiang Yifan looked melancholy. He hadn't shown such concern even while fighting against Netherworld Hall.

He is a Life and Death Realm expert; if he's this concerned, it shows how severe the situation is.

Previously, everything seemed manageable, but this time, within the entirety of Star Sea, there seems to be no certainty.

Liu Zixuan asked: "Do you know the whereabouts of Elder Qing and others?"

"The Nether Emperor didn't lie; they did die, flee, or get injured. But I heard Elder Qing is still alive, seemingly the only survivor. He might return to Profound Sword Sect soon, have a chat with him when you have time; that old guy has some resources."

After saying that, Jiang Yifan rubbed his forehead and returned to his study.

Liu Zixuan was about to go out to look for Huzi and others when Jiang Yiyi came from a side, carrying tea and desserts.

"Have some food."

"Not hungry. How are Yunxuan and the others?"

"My dad may not be as good as you in medical skills, but he shouldn't have a problem treating them." Jiang Yiyi sat down, pulling Liu Zixuan's arm: "Don't worry about them; rest well first."

Liu Zixuan took a sip of strong tea: "I'm not exactly tired, just my thoughts are chaotic..."

"Then let me accompany you to Lingxiu Village, I think it should help you relax..."