Chapter 414 - 413: Secret Words

Chapter 414: Chapter 413: Secret Words

The various sects began to depart from the North Spirit Platform.

Once back in the city, the major sects gathered at the private estate where the Lingyun Sect was staying, all to congratulate Ling Fei for winning the Alchemy and Martial Tournament.

Nominally, it was to congratulate him, but in truth, it was to pay their respects to both the Lingyun Sect and Ling Fei himself.

"Ling the Pill Master, you are truly a prodigy of our Southern Wilderness. I am in awe." Jiang Chen of the North Sea Sect raised his cup, showing his respect.

"Ling the Pill Master, my apologies for my previous offenses. Please forgive me!" Zhu Wei said, his face flush with embarrassment as he raised his cup.

Every time he recalled what he’d said while sparring with Ling the Pill Master, Zhu Wei couldn’t help but blush.

’A bona fide Alchemy and Martial Genius... did he really need a small fry like me to go easy on him?’

’If I’d known, I would have never opened my mouth, even if it killed me!’

"Haha, Senior Brother Zhu, make sure you go easy on us more often in the future!" someone deliberately teased as Zhu Wei raised his cup.

"Get outta here! ’Go easy’? If anyone mentions ’going easy’ again, I swear I’ll fight them to the death!" Zhu Wei grew agitated, looking like he was about to fly into a rage.

"Haha, Senior Brother Zhu, don’t even think about squirming out of this one!" The crowd erupted in laughter. "This is destined to become the highlight of Zhu Wei’s glorious life story."

In truth, many of the geniuses present couldn’t help but sigh with mixed emotions.

When Zhu Wei first mentioned the Spirit Awakening Pills, they had been so envious. They, too, had wanted a chance to "compete" with Ling Fei and "go easy" on him!

But the strength Ling Fei had displayed made them all feel incredibly awkward now.

Gazing at Ling Fei on the dais, the geniuses from the various sects were still overcome with complicated feelings.

Who could have imagined that this alchemy prodigy would also be so formidable in the Martial Arts?

The most shocking moment of the Martial Arts Tournament wasn’t Ling Fei’s defeat of Xu Zitao.

The most breathtaking moment was Ling Fei’s spar with Lian Shuang.

In that battle, Ling Fei had advanced step by step from Celestial Pill Perfection to the Half-step Nascent Soul Realm.

This rate of progress made many of the geniuses present feel ashamed of their own inferiority.

It was fair to say that among all the major sects, everyone from the young geniuses to the Elders now held Ling Fei in the highest regard.

The older generation also raised their cups to toast Ling Fei.

In an instant, Ling Fei became the most dazzling figure in the hall. Even the Sect Leaders at the Divine Mansion Realm seemed to pale in comparison.

"Haha, thank you all for the high praise. As a junior, I’ll toast to all of you." Ling Fei raised his cup toward the elders of the various sects.

The elders of the various sects were overjoyed.

At least Ling Fei understood etiquette, which meant he would be approachable.

If Ling Fei were cold and aloof, it would be difficult for them to request Elixirs.

...

Meanwhile, the Beiming Sword Sect was meeting with the Dongze Sect, Thousand Lakes Mountain, Wind Watching Cliff, and two other minor factions.

The atmosphere in the great hall was heavy.

The faces of these sect members were etched with worry.

First, the Beiming Sword Sect had been outmatched in alchemy.

They had thought the Beiming Sword Sect could at least save some face in the Martial Arts competition.

But who could have predicted that even with Xu Zitao going all out and manifesting the Kunpeng Sword, he would still be defeated? Ling Fei’s prestige was now unrivaled.

At the same time, the Sect Leaders of these sects felt an immense pressure settle upon them.

It seemed the political landscape of the Southern Wilderness was quietly shifting. The Beiming Sword Sect would no longer be able to dominate it so easily.

And when that happened, the sects that relied on the Beiming Sword Sect would no longer be able to ride its coattails.

"What’s with all the long faces? Do you all believe my Beiming Sword Sect is on the decline?" Seeing the dejected Sect Leaders in the hall, Beiming Huahai’s gaze darkened. His cold, severe words made the hearts of the other sects’ elders leap in their chests.

"No, no! The Beiming Sword Sect’s foundations are deep, and the Beiming Sect Leader’s power is astonishing. How could the situation in the Southern Wilderness be changed by a mere greenhorn?" the Sect Leader of Thousand Lakes Mountain said hastily. "It’s just... this Ling Fei’s potential is limitless. If he truly becomes a Pill King, I fear the consequences will be endless!"

Despite his words, he couldn’t help but reveal his underlying worry.

He had been holding this in for a long time.

The other four sects’ leaders were also filled with worry.

What was terrifying about Ling Fei wasn’t his current self, but his future.

Forget him becoming a Pill King—even now, if his Spirit Awakening Pills were to become widespread, it would be enough to slowly but surely change the landscape of the Southern Wilderness.

And so, they all looked to Beiming Huahai, hoping for some kind of assurance.

"I have my own plans for this. Right now, what matters is your decision. If you wish to cozy up to the Lingyun Sect, I, Beiming Huahai, will not stand in your way. So, what path you choose is up to you." Beiming Huahai’s face was a dark, unreadable mask, making it impossible to discern his true intentions.

As soon as he spoke, the eyelids of the five Sect Leaders in the hall twitched.

"Beiming Sect Leader, you jest. We have always followed the Beiming Sword Sect’s lead. Especially at a time like this, how could we possibly be disloyal?"

The five Sect Leaders exchanged a look, then spoke as one.

They knew that at this point, trying to cozy up to the Lingyun Sect would gain them nothing. It was far better to stick with the Beiming Sword Sect.

"Excellent. Rest assured, I, Beiming Huahai, will not let you down. In the future, the Southern Wilderness will be our domain," Beiming Huahai said gravely. "But you’d better remember what you said today. Otherwise, I will show no mercy."

"Rest assured, Beiming Sect Leader. We will continue to follow the Beiming Sword Sect’s lead and would never dare to be disloyal," the five Sect Leaders immediately declared, their expressions solemn.

At the same time, their hearts were filled with suspicion.

’From the sound of it, Beiming Huahai is planning to make a move.’

But since Beiming Huahai didn’t elaborate, they didn’t dare to ask.

After all, the gap in their status was immense.

Although they were all sect leaders, Beiming Huahai was a mighty Divine Mansion Realm Powerhouse. How could mere Nascent Soul Realm Cultivators like them possibly compare?

The only reason they could even sit in the same hall as him was because they were still of some use.

"Then you are all dismissed," Beiming Huahai said. "I have matters to attend to."

"We will take our leave." The elders of the various sects immediately rose to depart.

Once the other sects had departed, only members of the Beiming Sword Sect remained in the great hall.

Now, Beiming Huahai’s expression was grim.

Beishan Jianxiong, Beichen Xinghe, and the others were all scared into silence.

They knew the Sect Leader was furious about Xu Zitao’s defeat.

"You Ji, how is your disciple, Shangguan Wan’Er?" Beiming Huahai’s gaze shifted, falling upon You Ji in the seat of honor to his left.

"Sect Leader, Shangguan Wan’Er has agreed. However, Ling Fei is incredibly powerful. I’m afraid she will find it difficult to succeed," You Ji replied.

"Ling Fei is indeed strong, but his feelings for Shangguan Wan’Er are genuine. If she truly tries to make a move, she has a ninety percent chance of success," said Beiming Huahai.

The previous battle between Shangguan Wan’Er and Lian Shuang had revealed to Beiming Huahai the depth of Ling Fei’s feelings for her.

Otherwise, why else would Ling Fei have intervened at that moment?

"I understand. I will be sure to instruct her carefully," You Ji said.

Beiming Huahai said gravely, "Tell her she has no choice in this matter. Otherwise, not only her but also her family will be implicated."

"Understood." You Ji nodded, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes with their ghostly patterns.

...

Under the moonlit sky, You Ji, clad in her Ghost Robe, walked toward the courtyard where Shangguan Wan’Er resided.

Shangguan Wan’Er knew the reason for her master’s visit the moment You Ji arrived.

’Now that Ling Fei has defeated Xu Zitao and displayed his peerless talent, how could the Beiming Sword Sect possibly do nothing?’

The atmosphere in the reception hall was heavy.

"Have you made your decision?" You Ji asked, her gaze lifting to her disciple, who stood as still as a wooden statue.

"I have," Shangguan Wan’Er nodded.

"You still don’t intend to act." You Ji sighed. A single glance was all it took for her to understand her disciple’s decision.

"Such is my life. I have no other choice." Shangguan Wan’Er sighed. Kill Ling Fei? She would rather die.

"Do you have any last words?" You Ji asked, nodding slightly.

"I only ask that after I am gone, Master will take care of my family. Please don’t let them be implicated," Shangguan Wan’Er said, taking a deep breath.

"I will do my best," You Ji said with a sigh.

"Then, I thank you, Master." Shangguan Wan’Er bowed deeply to You Ji.

"Handle what comes next yourself, and don’t leave anything behind that can be used against you." With a shake of her head, You Ji left these parting words, then rose and departed.

It seemed that staying here would only deepen her sorrow.

Shangguan Wan’Er was, without a doubt, a genius of the Sword Dao.

Perhaps she hadn’t been the most dazzling competitor in the tournament, but that didn’t mean she was inferior.

At the very least, given enough time and opportunity, she might have one day stood shoulder to shoulder with Lian Shuang.

But now, this favored daughter of Heaven was about to wither and fall. It was a truly sorrowful fate.

"I will see you out, Master," Shangguan Wan’Er said with a bow.

She was truly grateful to her master. Without her meticulous guidance, she would never have achieved what she had.

But soon, all of it would vanish like smoke.

...

「At the Beiming Sword Sect’s lodgings.」

Xu Zitao sat cross-legged on a couch, his eyes shut tight as he focused on healing.

He had been gravely injured in the competition, but thanks to various elixirs, his bones were slowly mending.

"Just what is Ling Fei’s background? How can he possess such dense True Dragon Blood?" he muttered, opening his eyes once his injuries had stabilized.

His heart was still in turmoil.

’He knew perfectly well how powerful he was!’

’And yet, in that battle, he had been so utterly crushed.’

"Are your injuries stable now?" Just as Xu Zitao opened his eyes, a low voice spoke from nearby.

Xu Zitao’s gaze shifted to a man in a Ghost Robe standing beside the couch.

The man was none other than Beiming Huahai.

"I was injured, but it’s nothing major. I have the best Healing Elixirs," Xu Zitao said nonchalantly.

"Still, I must thank the Sect Leader for intervening in time." He then cupped his fist in salute to Beiming Huahai.

Xu Zitao knew that if Beiming Huahai hadn’t intervened, he likely would have been crippled by Ling Fei.

"You’re too polite, Young Master Xu," Beiming Huahai said with a smile. "It is a great blessing that you are not seriously harmed. Haha, our grand enterprise cannot succeed without you!"

He was being extremely courteous to Xu Zitao.

From the looks of it, their relationship was not as simple as that between a sect leader and his disciple.