Chapter 31

The atmosphere on the Tianfu Platform was already chillingly cold. Several masters from the Danling Dao Palace were feeling uneasy, standing silently, watching Ling Weizi whose expression was fluctuating between sunny and cloudy.

"In other words, the Crown Prince of Qiantianshan came to pay respects with the Lingyun Zhu Order, wishing to join our sect, but was blocked by Junior Brother Liang Miaozhi. Not only did Junior Brother drive him away, but he also insulted him. Then, in a fit of anger, the Crown Prince not only broke the Xiaoluotian Sword Formation but also successfully copied the twelve Tianfu symbols?"

As he spoke, Ling Weizi felt a sharp pain in his head, imagining the scene at that time.

Outstanding martial arts talent, unparalleled among his peers in talisman skills. Such a young man, even without today's incident, would be enough to shock people.

"Then, this Crown Prince of Qiantianshan did not choose to join the Lingyun Sect. Not only did he insult our sect with his words, but he also discarded our Lingyun Zhu Order like a worn-out broom?"

Those around him did not respond, all showing signs of shame. Ling Weizi felt an extreme tightness in his chest, his mind reeling with dizziness. He took several deep breaths to suppress the urge to beat up the people on the platform.

But when he looked at the ground, at the puppet parts and broken stones, Ling Weizi's face twitched uncontrollably.

He casually summoned the red token into his hand, gently caressing it. After a long while, the anger in Ling Weizi's eyes slowly faded, but the coldness emanating from his body made everyone even more frightened.

"The Crown Prince of Qiantianshan, I remember that child is not even thirteen, right? Ha ha! Truly remarkable! A thirteen-year-old who can break the Xiaoluotian Sword Formation and copy twelve Tianfu symbols, and we drove him away ourselves. If this news spreads, I wonder what the fellow practitioners of the three teachings will say about us? Are we blind, or are we foolish dogs?"

"Let's leave that aside! Not being able to recruit such a top talent is regrettable, but it does not harm the foundation of our sect. However, the Lingyun Zhu Order is related to the reputation of our Lingyun Sect for ten thousand years. I, Ling Weizi, am truly ashamed. I really don't know how I will face the ancestors after I die—"

The surrounding Daoists became even more ashamed. Ling Weizi's cold gaze swept over Liang Miaozhi: "Junior Brother Liang Miaozhi, today's incident is all because of you. What explanation do you have?"

Liang Miaozhi was already completely lifeless. After a brief hesitation, he still tried to argue: "I saw that the child has a dual-meridian body, unsuitable for cultivation! Although our sect has methods for dual-meridian cultivation, they are not mainstream—"

"That's an excuse! There are so many precedents in our sect, and none of them have harmed us. That Zong Weiran only wanted temporary protection for his son. Since he has done us a favor, why can't we protect his descendants?"

Ling Weizi shook his head, his face full of disappointment: "Furthermore, if the Crown Prince of Qiantianshan has such talent, even if he is a dual-meridian, our sect will do everything to make up for his shortcomings. Junior Brother, I know you have had some dealings with that person over the years. But is this friendship so strong that it can make you harm the interests of our sect? I see that you have forgotten your identity over the years! You have been pampered too much—"

Although his words were gentle, Liang Miaozhi's body trembled again, and he was completely dispirited. After a moment, he barely managed to move his lips: "Miaozhi knows he was wrong! I will go into seclusion today and await the sect's punishment."

Ling Weizi ignored him and turned to Lin Fei, who immediately put on a bitter face: "I was also at fault in this matter, no need for my junior to say it. Lin Fei will also take the punishment in the future."

Ling Weizi sighed with a bitter smile: "I don't know what to do about today's incident. I can only try to clean up the mess. I wonder how many people actually witnessed it?"

"A total of 269 people. Since the Lingchao period is approaching, nearly 90% of the fellow practitioners have already entered their caves for cultivation. Only the on-duty disciples and the new disciples who joined today were present."

Huang Yi seemed to have anticipated Ling Weizi's question and answered without hesitation. Ling Weizi's eyes also brightened slightly.

"269 people? Not too many—"

Murmuring softly, Ling Weizi sighed again, gazing at the sky: "I will report this to the Sect Leader. I hope there is still a chance to salvage the situation—"

※※※※

At this moment, Zong Shou and the other two were walking at the foot of the mountain. Danling Mountain was about 20,000 feet high, with extremely dangerous paths. Even though Chuxue and Yin Yang had considerable martial arts skills and excellent leaping techniques, it still took them nearly two hours to reach the foot of the mountain.

Zong Shou was somewhat regretful, thinking that they had been too principled when leaving. They should have let Huang Yi send them down first.

Yin Yang had been silent all the way, but when he saw the huge mountain gate below, he suddenly spoke: "Prince, do you really not want to join the Lingyun Sect? Once you leave this Danling Mountain, there will be no turning back. The journey ahead will be fraught with danger and unpredictable threats. Liang Miaozhi is just a petty person; a little insult, why should you care?"

"How can I not care? Those words have already been said. How can I go back and let them laugh at me? One must have pride!"

Zong Shou shook his head slightly, chuckled, and said with a faint expression: "Actually, I don't really care about a little face. But seeing you two being humiliated by that guy, I couldn't stand it. Those petty people, I find them truly disgusting—"

Yin Yang was taken aback, speechless. Although the Prince's words were bold and cool, the tone sounded somewhat hesitant and regretful.

Actually, that little humiliation was not a big deal for him and Chuxue. And even if they went back now, the people of the Lingyun Sect would not laugh at them; they would treat them like honored guests.

Just as he was thinking of saying something to give Zong Shou a way out, Chuxue, without any awareness, also let out a cold snort: "I think the Young Master is right! Especially that Liang Miaozhi, who is the most annoying. He called the Young Master a useless trash, but apart from being a dual-meridian, in what way is the Young Master not better than him? The first major sect in the eastern part of the Yunjie, so what? Even if they come to beg us in the future, we won't go back. Xue'er would rather die than join this Lingyun Sect!"

Zong Shou and Yin Yang both opened their mouths, speechless. After a moment, Yin Yang thought about it and realized that turning back now would indeed be inappropriate. He then asked: "I wonder how the Prince discovered the flaw in the Xiaoluotian Formation? I have pondered it for a long time and found no gaps in the entire sword formation, which is perfectly coordinated. It's hard to imagine that the Prince, while inside, could find a way to break it so quickly!"

"That's simple!"

Zong Shou laughed loudly: "If there are no flaws, then create a flaw—"

Yin Yang's brows immediately furrowed. This is a common principle in martial arts, but if these eighteen sword puppets could be broken so easily, they wouldn't have remained unbroken for ten thousand years in the eastern part of the Yunjie.

And in the next moment, he heard Zong Shou's voice again: "Those sword puppets are indeed flawless. When they are slow, there is no way to deal with them. But when they speed up, there is a chance!"

Yin Yang's body suddenly trembled. His eyes flashed with understanding.

—When they are slow, they are flawless. But once they speed up, there is a chance. That's it, that's it!

But he wondered if the Prince had figured it out on his own or relied on his intuition.

If the latter, this Prince must be an extraordinary martial arts talent, destined to be the best of his generation. And if the former, he is even more terrifying and awe-inspiring!