CHAPTER 286
An Opening Statement to the World
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"How could I part with something bestowed by my master?"
Ye Qinghan smiled as he raised his hand, gently flicking Dongfang Jue's forehead with a look of indulgent affection.
"Ugh… Ouch~ Senior Sister…"
Dongfang Jue hadn't even processed it—how had Senior Sister done that just now!
Too fast!
And Senior Sister never played by the rules!
While she hadn't expected Senior Sister to blast her with the Frostblade Formation, this kick was…
…over the top, right?
One kick had completely halted her ultimate move!
Could Senior Sister's high heels also be top-tier immortal-grade?
That can't be! Shiyao wore those heels too, but she said they were incredibly uncomfortable! She only wore them once and never again!
"I'll let you off this time. But if you ever dare discard something given by our Master again, as your senior sister, I won't pretend not to see it."
On the viewing platform, several elders watched Ye Qinghan's retreating figure after her defeat, murmuring among themselves.
Indeed, the victor was Dongfang Jue. Yet the true loser wasn't Ye Qinghan—it was Ye Xiaohan.
Ye Xiaohan lost—what did that have to do with Ye Qinghan?
"This Ye Qinghan… her strength must already surpass the Nascent Soul stage…"
Several sect masters and elders from the Southern Domain offered mixed opinions on Ye Qinghan, while Dongfang Jue's performance had far exceeded their expectations!
"Did you hear what the Human Emperor's daughter called that demoness? She addressed her as senior sister. Could it be… she too has entered Lingxian Hall?"
Cheng Liang gazed at Ye Qinghan's retreating figure from afar, his thoughts racing as he spoke.
According to reliable sources, Dongfang Jue has already taken a master and become Lingxian Hall's third direct disciple—she's Ye Chenmeng's fellow junior sister.
He lifted his teacup, then set it down again.
This wasn't merely about snatching away three exceptionally gifted disciples. What Su Cheng had taken from him was the future.
The future of the North, East, and South Domains!
Ye Qinghan flicked up the Godslayer Spear with one foot, flicked her sleeve, and flung the spear toward Dongfang Jue. Without turning back, she said,
"Don't disappoint our master. Third place should come with a decent reward, right? And don't disappoint your senior sister either~"
Dongfang Jue rubbed his wrist, still throbbing and flushed red…
"Besides Senior Sister, there's probably no one else…"
Ye Qinghan lifted her gaze and glanced back at Dongfang Jue, her expression turning stern: "What did you say?"
Dongfang Jue quickly amended with a smile: "Jue'er won't disappoint Master. And thank you, Senior Sister."
Ye Qinghan gave a sly smile: "You're… welcome~"
In Ye Qinghan's remaining two matches, she won with near-overwhelming dominance, as expected.
Ye Yewang, who could have easily won the championship even at Foundation Establishment cultivation, now possessed Golden Core cultivation. Against opponents of equal cultivation, these ordinary prodigies would explode from just one extra glance!
Their power was simply on a different level!
Ye Qinghan felt that merely glaring at an opponent might be enough to kill them…
Ordinary people couldn't even withstand the pressure radiating from the Frostsword!
Only her two junior sisters possessed slightly tougher constitutions. Someone like Li Shiyao, who constantly complained about being on the brink of death, could somehow endure two strikes from the God-Slaying Sword Array—and even dare to try again next time!
The martial contest itself was relatively straightforward, but Ye Qinghan sensed her master was making a move!
Last time, upon returning from the mansion, she had relayed Xiao Ai's mention of coordinates to her master.
Yet regarding those coordinates, she couldn't glean any information through mind-reading. The master remained tight-lipped about it, and she couldn't very well pester him for answers.
The master summoned Xu Zhanfeng, seemingly assigning him some crucial task!
At the same time, Shi Mingyi from Holy Mountain had also sought out the master, seemingly to discuss something urgent!
Ye Qinghan leaned against the inn's railing, staring blankly at the Master's tightly shut door. Could something be about to happen?
What did that coordinate mean?
Was Holy Mountain here concerning Li Suyao?
And that malevolent gaze from earlier this morning—it had left her feeling uneasy ever since!
It had been the same during the martial arts contest at Ling Mountain. That gaze seemed to constantly hover around her, watching her from the shadows!
Inside the room, Shi Mingyi and Su Cheng sat facing each other. Yu Lan played by herself nearby, her small hands fiddling with the butterfly knife Su Cheng had given her, clearly delighted with it.
Before Shi Mingyi could speak, Su Cheng cut straight to the point—he disliked beating around the bush.
"Elder Shi, this visit is likely concerning Li Suyao, isn't it?"
Shi Mingyi looked astonished, clearly not expecting Su Cheng to know about this matter, let alone anticipate that he would bring it up!
"Master Su, what is your perspective on this matter?"
"Me? Holy Mountain has Elder Shi and numerous other elders, not to mention the Holy Maiden. Why should my opinion matter?"
"Truthfully speaking, the Holy Mountain's actions back then were merely to stabilize the situation. We never intended to harm the Holy Maiden's family!"
Su Cheng grinned, deliberately feigning indifference.
"In this life, one should simply act as one pleases. If one insists on adhering to some heavenly principles and moral codes, one might just get struck by lightning, wouldn't you agree?"
"But then again, acting on impulse still requires a clear conscience, doesn't it?"
"Elder Shi, do you find my reasoning sound?"
Perhaps these words were not entirely justifiable, and naturally, Su Cheng would never share them with his disciples—that would be misleading the young.
Yet just as the ways of heaven follow rules, so do the ways of man. In this world, many things cannot be done purely by instinct. There are inevitably times when words and thoughts diverge, when actions fail to match intentions.
Su Cheng disliked it, yet he had to admit that such unspoken rules had become the norm.
"Master Su speaks with wisdom. But if that is the case, must we truly sacrifice the Holy Maiden's only blood relative…"
"Heh, I've already said it—Holy Mountain has its elders and its Holy Maiden. Why ask me?"
Su Cheng suspected Shi Mingyi was feigning ignorance. Hadn't he made himself perfectly clear?
What more did he want him to say?
Did they want him to meddle in the Holy Mountain's affairs? Not a chance!
Her second disciple didn't even know about this—what business was it of Su Cheng's?
Frankly speaking, who the hell are you to Su Cheng? Your Holy Mountain and Master Su have absolutely no connection whatsoever!
Even if you wanted my help, I'd need a reason to get involved, wouldn't I?
Su Cheng knew Shi Mingyi wasn't stupid, but why was he playing dumb? What did he want to hear?
Shi Mingyi forced a smile. "Master Su, you may not know this, but the Holy Maiden is unaware of the matter. If we were to tell her the truth, I fear she might…"
Su Cheng suddenly understood!
Well, well!
Truly the tactics of a major power—every word calculated!
So they wanted the lord's immortal medicine without handing over Li Suyao? That's why they came begging him?
"Elder Shi, you might as well make yourself perfectly clear."
"I have long since withdrawn from worldly affairs. As for matters concerning the Sacred Mountain, I am naturally unable to comment further."
This time, I merely worry that Shiyu's Mental State might be affected by this matter, hindering her cultivation. That is why I have spoken a few extra words. Please do not misunderstand.
Shi Mingyi was no fool either—he understood perfectly well!
Su Cheng clearly hoped the Holy Mountain would clarify this matter with the Holy Maiden. Only if Su Cheng's second disciple spoke up would Su Cheng offer his assistance!
Otherwise, both the Heavenly Dao Pavilion and the Holy Mountain would lose face.
If you want Su Cheng's help, first fix that greedy habit of wanting everything! There aren't that many good things to go around!
Understanding this, Shi Mingyi naturally needed to return to the Holy Mountain for consultation. But time was running short—the Lord was already pressing for a resolution!
"Then this old man won't trouble Immortal Su any further. I'll return to the Holy Mountain to consult with the other elders."
"Yu Lan, see Elder Shi off~"
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