Tian Ji’s Horse Racing Strategy

Seeing Shen Rulin’s confused expression, Lin Ran knew that he had never heard of it. However, this was normal. After all, he was from another world. The people in this world probably didn’t even have a horse race.

After a pause, Lin Ran explained, “To put it simply, there’s a person called Tian Ji who bet with others on horse racing.”

“These two people have horses of the high, medium, and low grades, but because the two people have different status, their horses are also different. Tian Ji’s high-grade horse is only slightly stronger than the other person’s medium-grade horse.”

“Then how can they compete?”

Shen Rulin frowned and said in confusion, “This is an unfair competition to begin with!”

“Calm down. I’m not done explaining yet.”

Lin Ran paused for a moment and continued, “In the end, Tian Ji still won this competition because he used a small strategy, which was to use his low-grade horse to deal with the other person’s high-grade horse…”

“What?!”

Shen Rulin’s expression changed drastically. “Then he was sure to lose, right?”

“Can you let me finish?”

Shen Rulin cupped his hands and smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry. Please continue.”

Lin Ran took a deep breath and continued, “In short, he used a low-grade horse to deal with the other person’s high-grade horse, and then used a high-grade horse to deal with the other person’s medium-grade horse.”

“This way, even if Tian Ji loses the first match, he actually has the advantage in the next two matches.”

“What an ingenious idea!”

Shen Rulin couldn’t help but clap and praise. “But what does this have to do with the situation we’re facing?”

Lin Ran pointed at the cave entrance to the south. “This trap was designed for you and me—to be precise, it was designed for me, so it must be the most dangerous of the three traps.”

Shen Rulin nodded to show that he understood. Lin Ran pointed at the two caves in the southwest and north. “In other words, theoretically speaking, the danger of these two traps aren’t as dangerous.”

“I see.”

Shen Rulin nodded repeatedly, looking excited. Although he didn’t quite understand, he could vaguely feel that Lin Ran had already thought of a way.

“If these two traps are the other party’s medium and low horses…”

Lin Ran patted his chest and pointed at Shen Rulin. “We’re top-grade horses. During the horse race, each horse can only be used once, but we’re different. We can destroy these two traps!”

“The reason why we’re in such a difficult position now is that we don’t know who our enemy is. However, if the enemy finds out that his trap has been destroyed, do you think he can still sit still?”

“I don’t think so!”

Shen Rulin slapped his thigh excitedly. This time, he completely understood. However, before the smile on his face could spread, it froze. His eyes drifted to the cave entrance to the south. “But if we do this, won’t our low horse be in danger?”

“We don’t have low-grade horses!”

Lin Ran shouted angrily. This blockhead was really driving him crazy.

Under Shen Rulin’s puzzled gaze, Lin Ran waved the Yin-Yang Sword and slashed forward. In an instant, thousands of sword energy swept out like a school of fish in the deep sea, flashing with a cold light as it surged towards the entrance of the cave to the south!

Rumble—

A muffled explosion sounded in the darkness. A moment later, a few fire sword energies flew over. Shen Rulin saw that the entrance of the cave had been completely sealed by collapsed rubble.

Lin Ran looked at Shen Rulin and shrugged. “Do you understand now? The horse race between high-grade horses is called off!”

Shen Rulin nodded as if he understood. Lin Ran couldn’t be bothered to explain further. He whispered, “Follow me.” Then, he rode his sword into the cave in the southwest, which was stained with lacquer on the edge.

The tunnel in the cave was still straight, but this time, the journey was not so long.

After flying for a few thousand feet, Lin Ran could clearly feel that the cave was rising. Before he could determine where he was, a gray sky appeared not far ahead.

With the exit in front of him, Lin Ran flashed out.

This was a narrow canyon that spanned about 300 feet. Dense fog covered the bottom of the canyon like white clouds. It was impossible to see how deep the canyon was, but one could hear the rumbling of the surging river.

The exit of the cave was on the rock wall of the cliff on one side. Looking up, one could only see a narrow sky.

If an ordinary person rushed out of here, they would definitely fall and be washed away by the river at the bottom of the canyon. However, to a martial artist who could fly on a sword, this was not considered a trap.

Lin Ran looked around in the air and recognized that this was the southwest side of Mount Sword. After crossing the valley and walking a few thousand feet southwest, it was the location of the mountain-protecting array formation.

There were no other paths around. It seemed that this was the place where the other party set up the trap.

Just as Lin Ran was observing his surroundings, he heard the sound of clothes fluttering behind him. Shen Rulin also followed him out of the cave.

“What is this place?”

As soon as Shen Rulin stabilized himself, he asked impatiently, “Where’s my father?”

“I don’t know.”

historical

Lin Ran shook his head and replied honestly, “But this place is still within Mount Sword, and this canyon is not long. Let’s split up and search.”

“Ok!”

Shen Rulin agreed and flew to the side.

Looking at Shen Rulin’s departing figure, Lin Ran suddenly revealed a strange expression. He said sorry under his breath before flying back into the cave.

At this moment, Shen Rulin had already flown hundreds of feet away and was releasing his divine sense to search the fog at the bottom of the canyon when he suddenly heard a rumbling sound. He turned around and saw a large cloud of dust drifting out of the cave entrance when they came out!

“Lin Ran.”

Shen Rulin’s expression changed and he hurriedly turned back. When he got close, he realized that the entrance of the cave was completely sealed by gravel. This long and narrow canyon was empty. Where was Lin Ran?

“Lin Ran! Where are you?!”

Shen Rulin shouted a few times, but other than his echo lingering in the canyon, there was no response.

A moment later, Shen Rulin seemed to understand something. His expression changed as he hurriedly flew out of the canyon and rushed towards the main peak of Mount Sword!

In Mount Sword.

...

Lin Ran stood in the middle of the stone room. The fire sword energy circling around him had been completely extinguished and he was shrouded in pitch-black darkness.

“I’m alone.”

Lin Ran put his hands behind his back and said calmly, “Come out and meet me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a cracking sound in the darkness. Then, Lin Ran felt the ground under his feet suddenly sink!