Chapter 284 - 169: The Youths of the Past, Wielding Life and Death

Chapter 284: Chapter 169: The Youths of the Past, Wielding Life and Death

Instead of answering Li Qingyi’s shocked question, Jiang Hao offered a cold smile.

"Miss Li, in this Thousand Sect Island Realm, there is no Jiang Hao. If you please, you may call me Qin Fan, or perhaps—Eldest Senior Brother."

BOOM!

The moment these words were spoken, Li Qingyi instantly understood something. Her expression changed drastically as she cried out, "You... you hid your identity?"

Jiang Hao remained silent, offering no direct response, but the answer was already obvious. Suddenly, the young woman looked up, her eyes filled with terror.

"Are... are you going to silence me?"

This was Li Qingyi’s first reaction. The person standing before her was surrounded by immense killing intent. Bearing the wrath of the Celestial Sword and hunted by the top ten Daoist Lineages, he was forced down a path of despair. Across the entire Thousand Sects Island, this young woman was the only one who knew Jiang Hao’s true identity. And at this moment, Jiang Hao had indeed harbored murderous intent.

Her words caused the temperature in the great hall to plummet instantly. The oppressive atmosphere made Li Qingyi’s breathing grow incredibly rapid.

Yet, the young man didn’t say a word, his gaze unwavering. The longer he remained silent, the more subtle the atmosphere in the hall became. The deathly, oppressive silence was almost suffocating.

After a long while, Jiang Hao finally let out a slow sigh. His calm voice lingered in the great hall for a long time.

"I won’t kill you. Even for Qingxian’s sake, I wouldn’t point my sword at Miss Li. However, consider the favor you did by rushing to the Ye family to protect Qingxian back then fully repaid by Jiang Hao today. You may go."

RUMBLE!

Hearing this, Li Qingyi turned pale with shock. Her beautiful eyes, raised once again, surged with endless turmoil.

"You... you’re not going to kill me?"

She had clearly sensed killing intent just moments ago—an incredibly icy killing intent. Although she didn’t know why he had suddenly withdrawn that resolve, Li Qingyi’s heart was a turbulent sea of emotion.

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll expose your identity to the Sect Leader and the others?" Li Qingyi blurted out subconsciously. After all, letting her go meant his identity would be revealed.

As a disciple of the Beardless Sect, she couldn’t just watch the Beardless Sect fall into the abyss. By keeping this young man in the Beardless Saint Sect, the Sect Leader was undoubtedly playing with fire. The enemies behind him were so powerful that they induced despair.

Seeing that the young man remained silent for a long time, the young woman immediately turned and soared into the air, feeling as though she had been given a new lease on life. But as she was about to fly out of the great hall, she couldn’t help but look back, giving Jiang Hao a deep look.

He still stood in his original spot, his gaze unmoving. After a brief pause, Li Qingyi ultimately flew out without looking back, heading straight toward the Beardless Saint Hall.

Once the young woman disappeared from Great Ming Peak, Jiang Hao finally closed his eyes slowly and let out a deep breath.

Just as Li Qingyi had said, Jiang Hao had indeed harbored murderous intent earlier. But in the end, he didn’t silence her. The reason was perhaps that this was an opportunity—an opportunity to tell Master Beardless everything. Secrets could never be kept hidden forever; everything would eventually come to light. It would be better to use Li Qingyi’s mouth to convey the truth to Master Beardless and the other two. Whether he stayed or left would be decided by the Beardless Sect themselves.

For a time, the seemingly tranquil Beardless Sect welcomed yet another turning point.

Jiang Hao understood that Li Qingyi’s arrival meant it was time for his showdown with Master Beardless. If Master Beardless was fearful of the fact that he bore the burden of endless powerful enemies, then he would leave the Thousand Sect Island Realm and seek another place to cultivate. If the Beardless Sect chose to continue protecting him as their Eldest Senior Brother, then from this day forward, his karma would be intertwined with the Beardless Sect.

In the silent great hall, the young man sat cross-legged, as calm as still water, quietly waiting for the outcome. This was perhaps a turning point for the Beardless Sect, and simultaneously, a turning point for Jiang Hao.

Half an hour later, a light breeze blew into the front hall, lifting a few strands of the young man’s long hair. Immediately after, a figure walked briskly into the great hall.

Jiang Huaiyu first bowed deeply to Jiang Hao before speaking, "Eldest Senior Brother, news just came from Beardless Peak. The Sect Leader and the two Supreme Elders invite you to make a trip to the Beardless Saint Hall."

"Understood. Tell the Sect Leader I will be there shortly," Jiang Hao replied.

Not long after, Jiang Hao transformed into a streak of rainbow light and appeared inside the Beardless Saint Hall.

At this moment inside the Divine Hall, Master Beardless, Master Wuchen, and Master Wugou were all seated upright on the dais, overlooking the entire Holy Hall. Appearing before the three of them, Jiang Hao gave a slight bow.

"Sect Leader Senior Brother, Senior Brother Wuchen, Senior Brother Wugou."

"Junior Brother Qin, you’re here?"

"There is no need for such formalities, Junior Brother. Have a seat."

Upon seeing Jiang Hao, no emotion could be seen on Master Beardless’s face. He simply gestured for Jiang Hao to sit on the Supreme Elder Spirit Chair to the side. The layout of the Holy Hall originally had only three Spirit Chairs; now, a fourth had been placed there.

Jiang Hao raised his eyes slightly at the gesture, a nearly imperceptible ripple flashing through his gaze. Master Beardless’s first reaction was to have him sit on that fourth Spirit Chair lined up with theirs. He was clearly sending a certain signal.

Within the Beardless Saint Hall at this moment, aside from the four of them, there was only one other figure kneeling prostrate at the bottom of the hall, her head almost buried between her hands. Jiang Hao cast a brief glance at Li Qingyi kneeling below. With a wave of his sleeve, he slowly sat down, taking a position of absolute equality with Master Beardless and the other two.

As the young man took his seat, the next moment—

BOOM!

Master Beardless suddenly looked up, his holy might rippling in all directions. His extremely authoritative voice shook the great hall, even carrying a trace of anger.

"Hmph! A mere outer sect disciple dares to commit insubordination and privately disclose the secrets of the Holy Sect’s Eldest Senior Brother! Rebellious disciple, you have a lot of nerve!"