Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 736 - Zhou Li’s Probing

“Sect Master!” Several Elders cried out loud. If it wasn’t for them caring about preserving face, they would have probably asked him, “Just what in the world are you doing?”

Was the Hidden Fog Sect not tired of shaming itself today? If they forfeited now, then with the Blue Origin Sect and Typhoon Mountain ahead of them, they could take advantage of the trend and withdraw relatively unscathed.

But if they kept persisting, wouldn’t this lead to disaffection from Radiance Temple?

This was not just a problem of face, but also involved great vital interests!

Numerous Elders decided that they couldn’t allow the Hidden Fog Sect Master to do as he wished. They needed to show a tough attitude if necessary.

But this time, their threats fell on deaf ears. The Hidden Fog Sect Master was expressionless as he said, “As the master of the Hidden Fog Sect, I wield the highest level of authority. I will not change my decision!”

Although he faced many Elders, his voice was supported with his cultivation and rang through the arena, resounding in everyone’s ears.

Across from him, Elder Si and the others all stiffened, their faces glum. The Hidden Fog Sect Master had directly announced this matter to the outside. Unless they didn’t care about the sect’s honor and exposed the disagreements in their sect to everyone present, they could no longer try to stop him.

At this time, the complexions of many people changed. When they looked at the Hidden Fog Sect Master there was more admiration there.

In this situation, to be able to withstand such pressure and make this decision, he must have considerable courage and bravado.

Still, there were even more people who revealed looks of ridicule after thinking for a moment.

If they knew it was completely meaningless and would even offend Radiance Temple, making such a decision was stupid to the extreme.

Was this Sect Master using today’s situation and the pressure all around to suppress the Elders in his sect that disagreed with him?

If this really was the reason and he was doing all of this for his own personal gain and not caring for the benefit of the sect, then that was even more despicable!

It was clear some Hidden Fog Sect Elders were thinking this. Their eyes darkened. Although they no longer spoke, they had already decided not to let things end here. Once they returned to Hidden Fog Mountain, they would clear all debts!

Perhaps Hu Fu no longer suited the position of Sect Master.

The Hidden Fog Sect Master’s expression didn’t change. He didn’t seem to sense the cold intent coming from the Elders, or the mocking eyes all around him.

As he spoke he stood up and flicked his sleeves. The temperature in the air rapidly fell and white frost spread across the ground, creating a layer of ice.

The dark star ice serpent’s massive figure slowly condensed into reality within this bitter cold. Its faint eyes were interwoven with silver-white textures and the lone horn atop its head pointed towards the heavens like a spear!

The Hidden Fog Sect Master took a deep breath. But at this time, a figure suddenly stepped in front of him. He was stunned and cupped his hands, “Mister Ning Qin, do you also want to advise me to give up?” If this were so, no matter how unwilling he was he would have to give it careful consideration.

Qin Yu shook his head, “No.”

The Hidden Fog Sect Master’s heart relaxed. “I thank Mister Ning Qin for the support.”

Qin Yu directly said, “This time, I will act in your place.”

“Ah!” The Hidden Fog Sect Master cried out loud before composing himself. He could barely suppress his excitement, “Then, I’ll have to exhaust you!”

With mister’s status, if he requested to act on his own initiative, he surely had confidence in himself.

Hahaha, it looks like my life can still persist through another critical moment before I need to die for my sect.

In the rear, the expressions of the surly Elders suddenly changed. First they were shocked, and then anticipation rose in their eyes.

Qin Yu looked deeply at Hu Fu before turning towards the dark star ice serpent. This incomparably powerful spirit beast looked at him with awe and reverence. Then, it laid prone against the ground, submissively lowering its head.

This caused the noisy and bustling arena to quickly quiet down, as if the volume of the arena had been muted.

They had been watching a fun play of the Hidden Fog Sect people infighting, but now dignified looks crossed their faces. When they glanced at the black-robed figure, they subconsciously revealed looks of astonishment.

No one doubted the strength of the dark star ice serpent. In its two brief conflicts with the Witchcraft Sect’s giant scorpion, it had more than proven that it had the qualifications to contend for the title of Beast King. It was only because it had exposed its strength ahead of time that no one favored its chances.

But now, such an incomparably formidable spirit beast was respectfully lying down on the floor, expressing its submission and respect towards a person. No one here was an idiot; they naturally guessed what this meant.

Moreover, everyone could see the manner of the Hidden Fog Sect Master and numerous Elders. They watched everything happening with amazement. Since when did such a strong person appear in the Hidden Fog Sect!?

The Radiance Temple Master pressed her eyebrows together. Faint traces of starlight continuously flowed in the depths of her eyes. An eight ring result was enough to lock onto victory, but for some reason she suddenly felt a bit of restlessness in her heart.

She took a deep breath, suppressing all these thoughts. There was a vast disparity between each of the arena’s ten rings of light.

The phoenix luan had barely managed to break through the seventh ring of light by borrowing the power of starlight. Although the Hidden Fog Sect’s dark star ice serpent was strong, it absolutely could not accomplish this!

Today, Radiance Temple was destined to be in first place!

Within the crowd, Zhou Li subconsciously frowned. Her eyes inevitably fell onto that black-robed figure again, and she felt that feeling of familiarity once more.

“Zhou Li, do you know that person?” Ji Yun asked in surprise.

Zhou Li shook her head. “No…that person’s figure just makes me think of someone from my past. But that individual is only an average person, so it’s impossible for him to appear here.”

When she finished speaking, her heart skipped a beat.

With Qi Yu’s status, he shouldn’t have been able to participate in the Shadow Clan’s auction either. But not only had he gone, he had also created a great disturbance. If it weren’t for her opening her mouth and asking Elder One Eye to help him withdraw safely, she feared he would have died at the hands of the Witchcraft Sect already.

Using this logic, there was a possibility that Qin Yu would appear in the Hidden Fog Sect. It was possible that he was a fox pretending to be a tiger. By relying on the mysterious powerhouse behind him, he was making everyone in the Hidden Fog Sect lower their heads.

Zhou Li’s eyes sharpened. If this person was truly Qin Yu, then he was courting death! The Beast King War of the Seven Sects involved profound interests. Even the Shadow Clan didn’t dare to interfere and could only watch from the sidelines. How dare he try to mix his way in!

Zhou Li’s thoughts raced and she suddenly said, “Radiance Temple Master, I wonder if your previous invitation is still open?”

Although Zhou Li didn’t speak loudly, everyone in the silent surroundings could hear her.

Qin Yu had walked next to the dark star ice serpent. When he heard that voice he subconsciously turned to look at the source. Then, their eyes met.

Beneath his black robes, Qin Yu forced a smile. This was bad, he was being probed by Zhou Li!

The instant their eyes met, Zhou Li was able to determine that the person beneath the black robes was Qin Yu; she needed no other reason! She took a deep breath, anger tumbling in her chest. Did he not know his own status? Did he really think that he could overcome dangers and hardship every time?

This was the arena where the seven great sects were competing against each other, a place where not even the Shadow Clan dared to interfere. There was no way she could help save his life again.

Once an accident occurred, he would undoubtedly die!

Damnit! Just who was controlling Qin Yu from behind? Why would they make an average person place themselves in such a perilous situation?

Zhou Li subconsciously looked over the Hidden Fog Sect people. Another familiar figure appeared in her line of sight.

Yun Die!

Why was she here?

Zhou Li’s thoughts raced and she thought back to that mysterious Mister Ning Qin. No one knew where he came from but he possessed an extremely formidable strength.

Could it be that he was the one controlling Qin Yu from behind?

But Qin Yu was only an average person. Why would Ning Qin choose him as a puppet…?

Zhou Li stiffened. She thought back to when she once recommended Qin Yu to Feng Qing, so that she could suggest him to be Ning Qin’s disciple…could it be that the miss had already done something privately…

Thinking about it, this was the only possibility. Zhou Li subconsciously bit her lips. If this were true, hadn’t she harmed Qin Yu? In other words, if Qin Yu had become a disciple of Ning Qin, then whether it was participating in the Shadow Clan auction or today’s arena, none of it was his own intention.

The Radiance Temple Master’s eyes shined. She nodded, “Of course. Saintess, please join our platform to watch the battle.”

Zhou Li took a deep breath and suppressed these tumbling thoughts. After expressing her thanks, she nodded at Ji Yun before flying forward.

Ji Yun furrowed his eyebrows. He loudly said, “Radiance Temple Master, I am the young master of the Western Tomb’s Ji Family. This is my identity token. I wonder if I can join your platform to watch the battle together with Zhou Li?”

Western Tomb Ji Family!

Anyone who had a bit of knowledge couldn’t help but be surprised. Their complexions changed, revealing looks of shock and awe.

The Western Tomb Divine Church had existed for hundreds of thousands of years and possessed a strong and vigorous heritage. Each Pope possessed a transcendent cultivation and they were no weaker than any of the seven great sects. And due to the religious nature of their church, they had an astronomical number of believers in the Western Tomb region. In terms of absolute power, they actually surpassed the seven great sects to some degree.

The Radiance Temple Master’s eyes swept over the token and her chilling expression was interrupted for a moment. She nodded and said, “I have interacted with the Western Tomb Divine Church several times before and even fought side-by-side with the noble Yang Sun Protector. Young Master Ji, feel free to come over.”

Ji Yun cupped his hands together, “Thank you, Temple Master!”

His figure flicked and he landed beside Zhou Li. He smiled and nodded at her.

When this sight fell into the eyes of the Radiance Temple Master, her gaze was deeper when she looked at Zhou Li.

Zhou Li instinctively knew that the reason Ji Yun didn’t hesitate to expose his status here was because he wanted to stay by her side and prevent her from feeling panicked. Zhou Li was touched by this, but she had more important matters to attend to right now.

“Miss Yun Die? I never thought that after our last meeting at Midmorning City’s branch division, we would actually meet here again. It truly is a joy!” Zhou Li had a ‘pleasantly surprised’ look on her face. “Miss Yun Die, did you come to observe the Beast King War today?”

Yun Die also saw Zhou Li and heard her dialog with the Radiance Temple Master. Her first thought was one of surprise. She didn’t think that this Zhou Li was the one who had gained the approval of Dragon City and become the Shadow Clan’s Saintess!

She subconsciously responded, “I followed…” But then she immediately regained her composure, “So that’s how things are. I never expected that when we met again, Miss Zhou Li would have become the Shadow Clan’s Saintess. Congratulations!”

She still needed to keep it a secret that her teacher had gone to the Hidden Fog Sect. She had almost leaked it out.

Zhou Li nodded. “After today, I will visit Miss Yun Die again.” Although Yun Die had stopped speaking before she revealed anything, Zhou Li had heard enough to make a judgment.

The one controlling Qin Yu was really Ning Qin!

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