If You Use an Open Scheme, I Will Overturn the Table

After recognizing Ian Song, Tina Fu didn't hesitate to bow and pay her respects. "Ian Song, I was blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai. I accidentally offended you—please, be magnanimous and forgive me just this once."

"Slap yourself three times and get lost," Ian Song said coolly.

"Alright!"

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Three sharp, crisp slaps rang out. Tina Fu hit herself hard, as if she weren't slapping her own face. After the third slap, her cheek was already swollen, but she forced a smile. "Ian Song, may I leave now?"

"Go on, get lost," Ian Song waved her away.

"Then I'll take my leave!" Tina Fu bowed to Ian Song one last time, then turned and left. But as she turned, a venomous light flashed in her eyes: Someday, Ian Song, I'll make you pay back tenfold, a hundredfold!

Tina Fu's decisive exit sent a chill down Leo Liu's spine, and he felt a pang of regret.

Still, he was the crown prince of a nation. Drawing a deep breath, he bowed slightly. "Ian Song, I am Leo Liu, Crown Prince of the Great Han Empire. I must admit I offended you this time. I hope you can be generous and let it go."

"Fine, then slap yourself twice and get lost," Ian Song said.

A wave of humiliation welled up in Leo Liu's heart. He was the dignified crown prince, heir to the throne. If word got out that he had slapped himself, his position could be in jeopardy. After all, he represented the Great Han Empire itself; slapping himself wasn't just a blow to his own dignity—it was a hit to the nation's prestige.

"Ian Song, could you name another condition instead?"

"Five slaps!" Ian Song picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and answered slowly.

"...You...!"

"Ten slaps! Say one more useless word and you die!" Ian Song said.

"Fine, I'll do it!"

In the end, Leo Liu gave in. He raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face. After a while, his once-handsome face was swollen and puffy—there was nothing left of his former good looks.

"Ian Song, I'll remember what you did to me today!"

Leo Liu shot Ian Song a venomous glare, then strode out of the private room.

Hearing this, Ian Song just smiled indifferently, not taking it to heart. Would an elephant care about a threat from an ant?

The story of the humiliation of the Great Han Empire's crown prince and the new Saintess of Clearheart Holy Land quickly spread throughout the empire, then swept across the world at lightning speed.

It's said that when the Great Han Emperor heard the news, he smashed his favorite cup, then issued an edict stripping Leo Liu of his crown prince title and demoting him to Prince Yu.

Strangely, though the emperor deposed the crown prince, he showed no intention of moving against Ian Song.

Instead, he opened every possible convenience for Ian Song throughout the Great Han Empire.

After spending half a year roaming the Great Han Empire, Ian Song arrived in the Great Chu Empire.

He spent another half year traveling all over Great Chu, then decided to head back to Sunrise Peak.

During that year, the Three Great Holy Lands all saw their previous Holy Lords step down and new ones take their place.

When Ian Song heard the news, he suspected the founders of the Three Great Holy Lands had learned he’d enslaved Violet Lotus Fairy and the others. Still, he wondered—how did they find out?

In the third month after Ian Song returned to Sunrise Peak...

The Three Great Empires, the Three Great Holy Lands, and the Nine Great Sects jointly announced: the World Martial Tournament would be held.

Any martial artist under thirty could participate. The tournament had three tiers: the first for those below the Innate realm; the second for those above Innate but below Heaven-and-Man; the third for Heaven-and-Man realm fighters.

The top five in the first tier would earn entry to the Divine Temple.

The top eight in the second tier would also earn entry to the Divine Temple.

The top ten in the third tier would earn entry to the Divine Temple as well.

Registration would last ten days, with sign-ups at government offices across the Three Great Empires. The tournament was divided into the Grand Zhou, Great Han, and Great Chu regions, and would last for half a year.

When Ian Song heard about the World Martial Tournament, he just laughed.

The Three Great Empires, Three Great Holy Lands, and Nine Great Sects were forcing him to take a stand.

In their eyes, someone of Ian Song's status would never stoop to join the World Martial Tournament. If he refused to compete but still wanted entry to the Divine Temple, he’d have to submit to their arrangements.

If he refused to submit, he’d be excluded and lose his chance to enter the Divine Temple.

If Ian Song tried to force his way into the Divine Temple, they’d have a reason to join forces against him.

"Where should I start?" Ian Song stroked his chin, thinking. "Forget it, let's start with the Grand Zhou Empire. Damn it, if you dare to scheme against me, I'll let you know I'm not someone you can mess with!"

All the thousands of Sunrise Peak's rank-and-file relied on the mountain's rich qi and the cultivation manuals passed down by Ian Song to reach peak Post-Natal.

As for Susie, with Ian Song's special care, she reached early Heaven-and-Man, while Hannah advanced to Innate Ninth Layer.

Back then, after Ian Song rescued Faye Xi, they agreed she would serve as a maid for one year.

But when the year was up, she didn't leave. Instead, she offered to continue serving Susie, so Ian Song gave her some benefits, helping her reach peak mid Heaven-and-Man.

In other words, aside from Ian Song, Sunrise Peak now had three Heaven-and-Man experts, making it comparable to a first-rate jianghu power.

After Sunrise Peak's thousands vanished, Ian Song appeared alone in the Grand Zhou imperial capital.