Novel Full Chapter 239: Gathering - 2
Chapter 239: Gathering – 2
A cold snort escaped Shi Mo’s lips. “From Martial Ascension Gate?” He shook his head. “Are you breaking the rules here by bringing disciples from other sects. Moreover even though this Li Yun is from my sect, he is too weak to be even considered in my team.”
Han Li replied calmly, “Our agreement only restricts the involvement of Essence Qi Realm experts. There has never been any rule that forbids Qi Sea Realm cultivators from joining. Moreover, he is a disciple of the Martial Ascension Gate, so there is nothing inappropriate about his presence.”
Shi Mo let out a cold laugh, his tone filled with disdain. “What a joke. A mere first-level Qi Sea Realm cultivator will likely die the moment he steps into the tomb. Instead of being of any help, he will only become a burden.”
He did not even bother to hide his contempt as he glanced at Li Yun. In his eyes, Li Yun’s strength was insignificant. Even if Li Yun was a True Disciple of his sect, it meant little to him. After all, he himself held the same status, yet his cultivation was five levels higher.
Without saying anything further, Shi Mo led his two companions to another table and sat down. The two sides remained silent, waiting for the others to arrive.
After a little more than half an hour, the sound of footsteps echoed once again from the staircase.
Even before the newcomer appeared, a sharp and untamed aura spread through the air, pressing down on everyone present.
“Boundless Martial Palace,” Li Yun thought to himself as he recognized the distinctive presence.
Moments later, a True Disciple from the Boundless Martial Palace stepped onto the third floor.
His cultivation was clearly formidable, having reached the seventh level of the Qi Sea Realm. The aura around him was as sharp as a blade, causing a faint stinging sensation on the skin and an oppressive weight in the air.
“A bit strong,” Li Yun evaluated silently, measuring the man’s strength.
“Fan Qing, are you alone?” Shi Mo asked, recalling that there had been another disciple accompanying him earlier.
“We separated on the way. The others will arrive soon,” Fan Qing replied with a hint of pride.
Shi Mo nodded slightly, acknowledging his strength, though a trace of regret flickered in his eyes. Having more allies would have been advantageous within the tomb, but there had not been enough time to gather additional disciples from his own sect. Though now there was Li Yun but knowing Li Yun’s strength he couldn’t be bother with him.
Fan Qing merely gave a faint, cold smile and said nothing further.
Time continued to pass slowly as everyone waited.
After more than half an hour had passed, Shi Mo’s patience finally began to wear thin.
“The disciples of Ice God Valley are far too arrogant. They said they would arrive in the morning, yet it is almost noon now,” he said with clear dissatisfaction.
At that moment, a cold and arrogant voice drifted up from downstairs.
“The disciples of the Burning Heaven Sect are rash and short-sighted. It is no wonder they lack a future.”
Shi Mo’s expression darkened instantly, anger flashing across his eyes. If it had been anyone else, he would have already taken action. However, he was wary of the reputation and strength of Ice God Valley, and since he had spoken rudely first, he could only suppress his anger for the time being.
A unique aura soon filled the air, one that felt calm yet expansive, like a vast forest.
A young man walked up the stairs.
He appeared slightly older than Li Yun, likely over thirty-five, with a faint trace of arrogance lingering on his lips. However, this arrogance was not born from confidence in strength like Fan Qing’s, but rather from the pride of his identity.
It was understandable. His cultivation had reached the eighth level of the Qi Sea Realm, and the pressure of his aura alone surpassed that of Fan Qing.
Han Xue quietly transmitted her voice to Li Yun, “This is Wu Lin, a True Disciple of Ice God Valley. Although he looks older, he has cultivated for many years and should not be underestimated.”
Li Yun gave no response. His gaze had already shifted toward the staircase.
Fan Qing also turned his attention in the same direction.
Soft footsteps echoed faintly, gentle yet distinct, like the sound of life breaking through the soil in early spring. Before anyone fully registered the sound, a figure had already appeared in their sight.
It was a woman dressed in flowing green robes, her presence ethereal and refined, like a fairy descending from the clouds.
Han Li, Shi Mo, and Fan Qing were all momentarily stunned by her appearance.
Only Li Yun remained calm, his eyes quietly observing her without distraction.
Her cultivation was at the ninth level of the Qi Sea Realm, yet the aura she exuded felt far more profound than that alone could explain. The moment she stepped onto the third floor, the previously clashing auras in the room were instantly suppressed, and the entire space fell into a quiet stillness, as though a gentle rain had begun to fall, soft and all-encompassing.
“Ten-star aptitude…”
The thought surfaced in Li Yun’s mind almost instantly.
He was certain of it. Only someone with such exceptional talent could give him this kind of subtle yet overwhelming pressure.
Han Xue’s voice sounded in Li Yun’s mind, carrying a faint trace of jealousy. “If I am not mistaken, she is Mu Lan, one of the most outstanding geniuses of Ice God Valley. I have heard that if she had been born just a little earlier, she would have been one of the top contenders for a place among the top ten geniuses of the Hidden Dragon Tournament.”
Li Yun was slightly surprised upon hearing this. To be regarded as a top ten contender without even participating was no small matter. He glanced at Mu Lan once more and thought to himself that she seemed to be around the same age as him.
Wu Lin spoke with a smile, his tone filled with admiration. “Everyone, this is my Junior Sister Mu Lan from Ice God Valley. Being able to meet her is a blessing earned over many lifetimes.”
Although his words were filled with praise, it was clear that their relationship would remain that of senior and junior. The gap in talent between them was simply too great.
Shi Mo stood up immediately and greeted her with a polite smile. “Shi Mo greets Miss Mu Lan.”
Mu Lan did not even spare him a glance. She calmly found a seat and sat down, her expression indifferent.
Shi Mo’s face stiffened at once, shifting between shades of red and green, clearly embarrassed by being ignored in front of everyone.
Han Li let out a light chuckle and said, “Since everyone is here, let us not delay. We should set off.”
“Wait.”
The one who spoke was Fan Qing.
“What is it?” the others asked, turning their attention toward him.
Fan Qing replied calmly, “I am the only True Disciple from the Boundless Martial Palace here at the moment. The others from my sect will arrive soon. Let us wait a little longer.”
As soon as his words fell, the sound of footsteps echoed once more from the staircase.
The first to appear was a young man dressed in black, around thirty years of age.
Moments later, another figure followed behind him.
It was a woman.
The moment Li Yun saw her, his eyes narrowed slightly.
It truly was a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road.
The woman was none other than Yan Luo, the same person who had once attacked him over the Martial Dao Crystal in the Black Wind Desert.