Most of the saints who were present had gone through the 'Seven Fields Merits Battle' thirty years ago, so they knew what was going to happen.
Supreme Saint Nine Spirits said, "The battle will be divided into four separate battles, Gods Merits Battle, Supreme Saints Merits Battle, Saint Kings Merits Battle and Saints Merits Battle. The fields will be ranked based on their merits, and the field ranked last will be chosen as the battlefield.
"Guanghan Field is ranked second last in Shatuo Seven Fields, so we're in a very dangerous position.
"We need to try our best to get to first place. If we can get first place, we won't be ranked last, and we can escape being the new battlefield."
Suddenly, there came an earth-shattering voice. "Fight for Guanghan Field to the death!"
Zhang Ruochen heard a melodious voice, and that voice sounded apathetic. "Do you understand the rules of Seven Fields Merits Battle?"
Zhang Ruochen was a bit dazed. He looked to Guanghan Godly Palace, nodded and said, "Is this what you wanted me to do for you? Join Seven Fields Merits Battle?"
"Not just joining, but helping Guanghan Field win first place in the Saints Merits Battle."
He heard the voice of Moon Goddess again.
Zhang Ruochen said, "If Guanghan Field gets first place in the Saints Merits Battle, it'll prove the potential of the field and won't be the next battlefield, won't it?"
"That's right," Moon Goddess said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Okay! I'll try my best."
Moon Goddess said, "I need to tell you something. Kunlun's Field is also a member of the western universe. They're arranged in Shatuo Heavenly Domain after entering Heaven World. They're ranked last in Shatuo Seven Fields, so it's likely that it'll become the new battlefield.
Zhang Ruochen couldn't help clenching his fists.
Moon Goddess said, "Why? Do you regret it?"
"You've already asked me once, and I'll give you the same answer. I don't," Zhang Ruochen said.
Moon Goddess continued, "I fought for Kunlun's Field before, and I almost died in the battle. Actually, it doesn't matter which field you're fighting for. In the end, we're all fighting against Hell World."
"No matter. Since I've agreed to help you, I'll try my best. As for the fate of Kunlun's Field, that's a matter for the future."
Zhang Ruochen smiled and said, "Now I understand what you said on Saint Wood Mountain, and that it's impossible for Chi Yao to let me take away the top-tier great beings from Sacred Central Empire. That's her bottom line, and the line for Kunlun's Field."
"Also, they have many families and friends in Kunlun's Field, so it'll be a good thing for them to fight for the people in Kunlun's Field."
It was Moon Goddess who had saved Zhang Ruochen, Mu Lingxi and tens of thousands of soldiers from Sacred Central Empire.
Certainly, Zhang Ruochen needed to return the favor.
This time, Zhang Ruochen was standing against Kunlun's Field in a matter of life or death, but what could he do about it?
Even if he wanted to fight for Kunlun's Field, he couldn't leave his name on the 'Merits Record' of Kunlun's Field as he was a member of Guanghan Field now.
Zhang Ruochen said, "If I help Guanghan Field win first place in the Saint Merits Battle, can you do something for me?"
"Are you asking for a reward or negotiating with me?" Moon Goddess asked.
No saints were allowed to negotiate with Gods. The best they could do was to ask for some rewards from a God, and anything a God bestowed would make a saint go mad as they would worship it.
Apparently, Zhang Ruochen sounded more like he was negotiating instead of asking for rewards.
Zhang Ruochen wasn't intimidated at all. He said, "It all boils down to how you regard it. After all, you're a God, but I'm only human. It's okay if you say no, and I'll still fight for Guanghan Field."
Moon Goddess was rendered silent as she found Zhang Ruochen to be so reckless that he dared offend a God. However, she had to comply with Zhang Ruochen's request as she needed Zhang Ruochen more than ever.
Undoubtedly, the chess piece was fighting back at the chess player this time.
If the chess player compromised, the chess piece might get more rebellious in the future.
Supreme Saint Nine Spirits sat at the top of the meeting and said, "According to Moon Goddess, we need to pick an heir and a priest among the saints.
"The strongest saint will naturally be chosen to be the heir and lead all the saints from Guanghan Field. He or she needs to try his or her best to get more merits. We've decided that Wu Hao will be the heir. Any objections?"
No one dared raise any objections as this was decided by three of the most prominent supreme saints.
And besides, Wu Hao was invincible among all the saints, so no one dared challenge him.
"No objections," said all the saints.
Wu Hao was standing near the center of the meeting, and he looked upset as he saw no one challenge him.
And then, Supreme Saint Nine Spirits said, "The priest is the representative of the God. It can temporarily replace the heir during Merits Battle, and if the heir makes a bad judgment, the priest can also exercise its right to correct its errors. Priests and heirs check each other.
"The heir will be the strongest absolute saint with the greatest potential, and the priest will be the strongest true saint with the greatest potential.
"When someone becomes a priest, he or she will be awarded ten thousand drops of Ning True Saint Dew.
"I'll pick the priest from the true saints in the 'Saint Merits Rank.' Any objections?"
All the supreme saints sat in their chairs and consented to Supreme Saint Nine Spirits' suggestion.
Not even supreme saints had any problem, so no other saints dared question that.
A young man wearing golden armor stood up and said, "Since the priest needs to be the true saint with the greatest potential, why are only true saints from the 'Saint Merits Rank' being considered?"
Everyone reckoned the young man was incredible.
Zhang Ruochen looked to that golden-armored man, and he was Jikong Po, the thirty-four hundred and eightieth son of Emperor Jimie.
"Great question."
Supreme Saint Nine Spirits looked pleased. He said, "If any true saint thinks he or she can defeat the four true saints on the 'Saint Merits Rank,' you can give it a try."
"I'll join."
Jikong Po walked out, holding a golden dragon spear that was ten feet long.
"I'll join as well."
"Worth trying for ten thousand drops of Ning True Saint Dew."
And then, Su Qingling, Bu Ji, Wen Shushen, Qin Bi and six other pinnacle true saints also walked to the center of the Thousand Saints Meeting.
Those who dared compete for being a priest were all the best talents Guanghan Field had.
The six pinnacle true saints were only slightly less gifted then Su Qingling and the others. Each of them was strong enough to fight absolute saints.
There were eleven of them in total.
Supreme Saints Nine Spirits said, "Any more volunteers?"
Some of the true saints really wanted to give it a go, but they also sighed secretly when they saw those eleven volunteers as they knew they weren't their match.
Zhang Ruochen was still waiting for Moon Goddess's reply as he could see that Moon Goddess left that position for him.
If Moon Goddess didn't agree to his terms, he wouldn't go compete for being a priest even if he didn't want those drops of Ning True Saint Dew.
"I can help you with one thing, but make it reasonable. It's not a good idea to anger a God," Moon Goddess said.
Zhang Ruochen stood up with a straight face and said, "I'll also join."
Zhang Ruochen walked to the center of the meeting as all the saints stared at them with surprise.
"What? How does a Heaven Pass saint dare compete to be a priest?"
"And he just reached Heaven Pass Realm."
"This is the worst time to show off. He's acting like a clown."
…
Many saints started to laugh at Zhang Ruochen as they reckoned he was humiliating himself.
Some of the true saints who were competing for the priest position twisted their lips to stop themselves from smiling.
Jikong Po looked at him coldly and said, "He's beyond himself here."
The supreme saints present all looked at Zhang Ruochen seriously as their judgments were much better than those of saints and saint kings. They could tell that Zhang Ruochen was extraordinary.
Emperor Jimie's eyes glinted, and he asked Supreme Saint Nine Spirits, "Is that the kid Moon Goddess brought back?"
"That's right."
Supreme Saint Nine Spirits nodded.
Emperor Jimie smiled. He originally had no interest in the fight among saints at all, and he didn't even care whether Jikong Po could become the priest or not. However, Emperor Jimie's interest had finally been piqued.
"The fight for becoming a priest has officially begun.
"Whoever seizes this saint sword first will be the priest.
Supreme Saint Nine Spirits held up the saint sword, flicked his fingers and knocked the saint sword out.
Whoosh!
The saint sword flew out and landed on top of Guanghan Godly Palace.
Everyone was shocked seeing that.
Moon Goddess was living in Guanghan Godly Palace, so it'd be blasphemy if they went to the top of the godly palace to get the sword.
This was also a test for monks' guts, state of mind, and willpower.