Chapter 2241 The Bet!

Dual cultivation of spirit and body...

Cui Yingying stared wide-eyed at Li Tiandao, a barely concealed look of anxiety in her eyes. The betting agreement was several pages long, densely packed with complex and cumbersome clauses and details. Surprisingly, however, Cui Yingying only glanced at a few lines before resolutely picking up a pen and swiftly and decisively signing her name at the bottom of the agreement!

This action, seemingly rash and reckless, actually stemmed from Cui Yingying's deep understanding that even if she didn't sign the agreement today, someone else would eventually take her place. Since someone had to do it anyway, she figured it was better to do it herself—it would be more straightforward and efficient!

In reality, this betting agreement wasn't particularly profound, but it did provide a very detailed description of the predicament that China was currently mired in. Some of the inside information it revealed was completely new even to the well-informed Cui Yingying, such as the large-scale riots that had occurred in the country.

Furthermore, the agreement also revealed that the United States had colluded with the Zerg and the Demon Race, conspiring and implementing a series of insidious and cunning plots specifically targeting the Chinese nation. If one had to summarize the core message of the entire document in a single sentence, it would undoubtedly be...

They've got China figured out!

However, the current situation is far from optimistic. Beset by internal and external troubles, China has reached a dead end and seems powerless to reverse its fate. Trying to break out of this dead end is nothing short of wishful thinking. China alone cannot withstand the combined attack from the three forces of the US, the demons, and the insects. To make matters worse, the demons and insects have simultaneously activated their spies, who have been buried deep within China for hundreds of years. Once these lurkers begin to act, the destructive power they unleash will be absolutely terrifying.

It was precisely for this reason that Li Tiandao was determined to use the young people of China as bait, wanting to sign a gambling-like contract with the enemy. If his side could achieve victory, then the demon race and the insect race would have to temporarily halt their offensive, giving China ample time to quell the chaos within its borders, and then a face-to-face, real-move battle could be held to determine the victor.

Conversely, if they lose this gamble, the students participating in the battle will lose control of their own lives, their fates controlled by others. This would undoubtedly lead to a long period of stagnation and decline for China, leaving it vulnerable and suffering heavy losses—a tragic and devastating outcome that countless hostile forces filled with hatred towards China yearn for. Unfortunately, reality often falls short of expectations. The combined forces of the demon race and the insect race were like fish in water, invincible and unstoppable. Although the demon race's high-ranking leader hadn't even shown his face, the mere appearance of the insect race's so-called strongest being, who claimed to dominate the universe, easily blocked Li Tiandao's path, preventing him from interfering in the ensuing struggle.

Crucially and absolutely not to be ignored, China is facing unprecedented difficulties and challenges, the difficulty of which far exceeds people's initial expectations and has reached an unimaginable level.

This is precisely why these students can no longer be considered valuable bargaining chips as before. Judging from the current situation, the circumstances are extremely urgent and dangerous, making it seem as if they could effortlessly annihilate the entire nation of China!

However, the simple and straightforward principle of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold" is perfectly clear to the United States. Originally, they planned to use some clever tricks, leveraging the power of the demon race and the insect race to jointly attack and weaken China. They eagerly anticipated inflicting a heavy blow on China through this method, ideally crippling it. If they could achieve that, they could legitimately and firmly establish a significant advantage over China, ensuring their eternal invincibility in the region of Qimingxing!

However, if China were to truly be reduced to ashes and completely disappear from the world, then at that time, they would likely be helplessly reduced to eternal appendages and lackeys of the Zerg—a tragic end that the powerful ruler of the United States would absolutely not want to see. Therefore, at this critical juncture, the United States was forced to immediately change its strategic arrangements and diplomatic stance, presenting itself to the Zerg and the Demon Race with a vague, ambiguous, and unpredictable attitude; it was for this reason that a new round of tit-for-tat, life-or-death negotiations was born…

Li Tiandao presented a condition that neither the United States, nor the Zerg or the Demon Clan could refuse.

That is the secret of dual cultivation of the divine body.

Using the secret of dual cultivation of body and spirit as bait, they sought to buy China some breathing room.

Otherwise, even if they destroy China, they will not be able to obtain the secret of dual cultivation of the divine body.

It can be said that in the eyes of the Zerg, the demon race, and even the United States, the secret of dual cultivation of the divine body is more important than destroying China!

"But the difference in strength is too great. How could those students possibly deal with an opponent consisting of ten million Devouring Insects as support, three planetary-level Zerg demons, and nearly a hundred star-level, almost fully-equipped interstellar fleet?"

"Moreover, as you know, we haven't mastered the secrets of dual cultivation of the divine body at all. They're not stupid. To this day, we haven't had a second case of dual cultivation of the divine body. They're testing us. If we lose in the betting agreement and can't produce anything, things might end up in the worst possible way."

The win/loss determination mechanism of the betting agreement is truly clear and straightforward!

This thrilling duel featured the students of the mysterious and powerful Chinese Starship Academy and the vanguard of the ferocious Zerg and Demon races. The rules of the competition were exceptionally simple: who would emerge victorious? It would depend on which side could annihilate the other with lightning speed! Furthermore, at this critical moment, neither China nor the Zerg or Demon races were allowed to mobilize any reinforcements to intervene in this fierce battle. Their only reliance was the limited military resources previously held by both sides in the areas occupied by the Lion Clan and within the territory inhabited by the Xuan Bird Clan.

Cui Yingying's tone revealed a hint of anxiety, yet her words seemed to make perfect sense. However, faced with the situation before him, Li Tiandao remained calm and composed, a faint smile playing on his lips as he quietly gazed at Cui Yingying before responding in a low, unhurried voice.

"Don't worry, if it were in the past, perhaps I wouldn't have dared to act this way; but times have changed! The situation has now changed..."

At this point, Li Tiandao paused slightly before continuing.

"You know, Ning Ba is back! Even if we completely turn against them and have a fight, we're not entirely without a chance of winning. After all, that old guy always acts so mysterious. Who knows how much benefit he got at that arbitration conference? Compared to when he first left Qiming Star, now that he's back, even I find it a bit hard to figure him out."

Upon hearing Li Tiandao's words, Cui Yingying was stunned. Her face was full of surprise, her big eyes wide open, as if she couldn't believe what was happening in front of her. Even her voice trembled slightly.

"The Ning... Ning family? You're actually betting everything on the Ning family? This is such a crucial and urgent moment! It's already a miracle that the Ning family hasn't rebelled at this time!"

However, faced with Cui Yingying's shock and confusion, Li Tiandao simply smiled, appearing very calm and composed. He replied unhurriedly:

"Rebellion? Hmph, let Ning Ba be the emperor. If he's really capable, then let him be."

Li Tiandao's lips curled slightly upward, revealing a disdainful smile. His deep and sharp eyes seemed to be able to see through the essence and truth of all things in the world.

When Ning Ba made this request, Li Tiandao refused without hesitation. After all, as the ruler of a nation, he was well aware of the allure and danger of power. He did not want to see the vast land of China descend into chaos and turmoil, nor did he want this land to become a stage for the dictatorial rule of any one family.

However, times have changed, and things are different now. Li Tiandao's mindset has undergone a subtle shift. Faced with the potential changes before him, he appears remarkably calm and composed, like a giant as steady as a mountain, taking in all the turmoil.

He gently shook his head and slowly spoke.

"The reason I rejected him before was simply because I was worried that the vast country of China would become an empire ruled by a single family. If Ning Ba were to get his way, it probably wouldn't be long before the entire country was labeled with the name 'Ning'! What would become of the people then? I would be a sinner who has failed the common people!"

At this point, a hint of worry flashed in Li Tiandao's eyes, but it disappeared in an instant. Then, he changed the subject and continued.

"However, I am no longer worried about these issues, because I believe that no matter what the final outcome is, even if the Ning family becomes the dominant force, that position will still firmly fall into his hands."

As he spoke, Li Tiandao's face revealed an indescribable confidence and satisfaction. Clearly, he held the person about to ascend the throne in extremely high regard and had high expectations for him.

"At least, he won't be like those old guys corrupted by the ways of aristocratic families, indulging in power struggles and deceit all day long. On the contrary, he possesses extraordinary talent and decisiveness."

The more Li Tiandao spoke, the wider his smile became. Midway through the conversation, Li Tiandao deliberately became cryptic, but Cui Yingying was already used to this and didn't press for details—who exactly was this "he" whom Li Tiandao praised so highly? And why had Li Tiandao suddenly changed his previously firm stance?

Immediately afterward, as if remembering something important, Li Tiandao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. He lowered his voice and muttered to himself.

"Hmm... We have to trust Ye Ye, after all, he possesses extraordinary luck. Perhaps this time we can successfully reach the betting agreement we signed with them!"

However, just as Li Tiandao was pondering this, Cui Yingying, as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart, let out a deep breath. Yes, Ye Ye was still there... As long as he was there, all difficulties would be easily resolved, right?

At this moment, the atmosphere on the scene was extremely tense and eerie. Faced with such a huge and unprecedented crisis, it could be said that even a super-star level being like Cui Yingying, or someone as powerful and invincible as Li Tiandao, would be helpless and unable to cope.

Even in such a desperate situation, they actually placed all their hopes on Ye Ye, who was only at the Emperor level, and firmly believed that only he had the ability to resolve this earth-shattering calamity. After speaking, Cui Yingying turned to look at Li Tiandao beside her and asked.

"So what should I do next? Judging from the current situation, even if the so-called commander of the demon race has survived, he is probably seriously injured and on the verge of death. In the short term, let alone continuing to fight, he will probably find it extremely difficult to even move his body slightly."

"Hmm... I have heard that you have always harbored resentment towards that mysterious charlatan from America. Originally, I planned to have a few of you go and hold him off for a while when the war officially begins, to distract the enemy and tie down some of their forces. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. I didn't expect America to be the first to stir up trouble. That's something I didn't anticipate."

Li Tiandao frowned, pondered for a moment, and then answered.

"In that case, you can only rest and recuperate for now, and make a plan when that charlatan reappears."

"I sincerely hope that Ye Ye can bring us some unexpected surprises or miracles again this time!"