Shadow Challenge

"Are you sure whether you understand or not?" Jiang Han chuckled, both amused and helpless. The last time he felt so speechless was during the previous encounter.

Ralph confessed, "I know you're plotting something concerning the Crown Prince, but I'm not clear about the specifics."

"Let me be honest with you," Jiang Han solemnly said, "Changing the process of Sword God's oath is challenging. The authorities in power are not fools. Once there's a loophole, they'll demand corrections."

"So?" Ralph inquired.

"The Crown Prince's strength is not remarkable, yet he holds the Heavenly Authority Order; that's the only breakthrough," Jiang Han intentionally kept the specific implementation vague, "But opening this breakthrough requires a price."

"What price?" Ralph was puzzled.

"Forcing a battle that outsiders cannot participate in," Jiang Han casually stated, "Similar to what happened between me and Ulyll."

If he hadn't forced Ulyll to sign a decisive battle contract at that time, requiring a one-on-one fight, he would never have killed Ulyll in front of the Holy See.

The Crown Prince would be the same. Without restrictions, all the god-level powerhouses within the Bright Camp might intervene.

"Ah..." Ralph took a sharp breath, finding it unbelievable, "You want to threaten the Crown Prince to hand over the Heavenly Authority Order, thus freeing Sword God from her restraints?"

According to Jiang Han, the price wasn't the Crown Prince's life, but a factional showdown leading to a deathmatch.

The problem was that the Dark Camp wasn't ready for a full-scale war against the Bright Camp. Their accumulated power was far from sufficient, and the death of a prince would unite all dynasties against them, fearing persecution of their heirs.

"That's about the idea," Jiang Han nodded.

"The result of doing this won't be a full-scale war; it'll be the Dark Camp having to surrender you and Sword God to appease the anger," Ralph solemnly warned, "Both you and Sword God will die horribly!"

Although the Crown Prince had a noble status, the Imperial Dynasty had more than one heir. If the life of a prince was exchanged for the death of the Dark Swordsman, Ralph believed the kings would appear furious on the surface but would secretly be pleased.

After all, the death of the Dark Swordsman had far-reaching consequences. It severely impacted the morale of the Dark Camp and eliminated a major threat.

"Oh?" Jiang Han raised an eyebrow, curious, "So, do you have a way to create a battle that outsiders can't participate in?"

"Do you know the cost?" Ralph tried to be clearer, "By doing this, Sword God is freed, but you'll undoubtedly die."

"Let me die!" Jiang Han looked at the twinkling stars in the sky, his righteousness evident, "Everyone has to die someday, either as light as a feather or as heavy as Mount Tai. Who am I, Jiang, to fear life or death?"

Without a doubt, this was Jiang Han's life motto.

"..." Ralph looked at his spirited attitude and suddenly felt he might be getting too involved in the role-playing.

Does this guy have a hidden agenda?

You think I'd believe in self-sacrifice?

"You're harboring ulterior motives, aren't you?" Ralph suspected that his emotions were being played with.

"What kind of talk is that!" Jiang Han shook his head, "Even within the Bright Camp, people scheme against each other. Just because I joined the Dark Camp doesn't mean I'll suddenly stand in solidarity with other powerhouses in the camp, right?"

At his words, Ralph's mouth twitched, "You said it quite well!"

Inadvertently, he felt like his lines had been stolen.

"As for the specific arrangements..." 

"Arrange it, it must be arranged!" Ralph decisively said.

...

Later, Ralph, with Jiang Han, returned to the Eastern Area, making it clear that he would forcefully create a battle that outsiders couldn't participate in, then promptly departed.

Taking advantage of the lingering effects of the Stealth Technique, Jiang Han went to a third-level city of the Bright Camp to participate in the Illusionary Challenge.

He needed to wait for Ralph to finish arranging things before proceeding with the side plot mission. Before that, he had to enhance his strength, considering the Crown Prince's formidable status:

[Crown Prince Lin Xuan] (God-level boss)

Level: 150

Life: 20,000,000,000

Attack: 850,000-900,000

Defense: 500,000-530,000

Skills: [Golden Dragon Sword Art][Shattered Wind Sword Qi][Illusion-breaking Thought][Aura of the Emperor][Endless Vitality][Forbidden · Rule the World][Forbidden · Chains of the Heavens]

Introduction: The Crown Prince of the Eastern Area's Changfeng Dynasty, with a noble identity and proficiency in both magic and martial arts. Possesses extraordinary talent and stands out among various prodigies. Highly regarded by the Emperor.

...

This was undoubtedly formidable!

Ordinary god-level bosses wouldn't have such exaggerated stats. With attributes stacked and enhanced skills, he, even with the Forbidden · Dark Reincarnation maximized, might not be able to defeat him.

Therefore, before initiating the plan, he had to quickly improve his strength. Participating in in-game events was usually the fastest way to do so.

At the registration point, he saw a seven-colored crystal, floating in mid-air, radiating a brilliant light.

When Jiang Han placed his palm on the crystal, a system alert sounded in his ears:

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Do you want to sign up for the Illusionary Challenge?

"Yes!"

Jiang Han chose to agree.

"Swoosh!"

The next moment, he disappeared from his original location, appearing on the 50th-floor arena. In his field of view was a large-sized phantom wolf, composed of blue virtual shadows, and its body presented a semi-transparent state.

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Congratulations on passing the first stage!

After beheading the phantom wolf, Jiang Han instantly entered the second stage.

The second stage was a...

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Congratulations on passing the second stage!

Before he could clearly see the opponent's appearance, Jiang Han entered the third stage.

With his current attributes, the previous stages were too simple, leaving him to crush them with a heavy heart.

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Congratulations on passing the tenth stage, receiving additional rewards: 10 free attribute points, and a random D-grade item, "Cold Qi Bead"!

"Well, it's an event, so the rewards are generous!" Jiang Han, while killing the virtual shadows in the eleventh stage, opened the panel to allocate the free attribute points to his attack.

Soon, he reached the twentieth stage, still enjoying the joyful process of slaughtering.

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Congratulations on passing the twentieth stage, receiving additional rewards: 20 free attribute points, and a random C-grade item, "Charm Scroll"!

"A Charm Scroll?"

Although it was a C-grade item, Jiang Han was somewhat interested in the scroll's name.

[Charm Scroll] (C-grade)

Introduction: No one minds looking more handsome.

Effect: Increase appearance by 20%, lasting for one hour.

What is this?

Jiang Han couldn't help shaking his head.

With his current appearance, could it even increase by

 20%?

Even increasing it by 1% would be quite difficult for the system!