Chapter 21

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"Such a mess, completely incomprehensible. Is it because the iron plate is damaged? Some characters are missing, no wonder it seems fragmented."

Yan Zhaoge thought for a moment and gradually infused his own Gang Qi into the iron plate.

As expected, this seemingly crude iron plate was made of quite extraordinary material. Although damaged, it could still withstand Yan Zhaoge's Gang Qi, far surpassing ordinary metals.

"The strength of my Gang Qi has already reached the mid-stage Inner Gang Master level. Ye Jing's current cultivation is insufficient, so he probably hasn't been able to activate the mechanism inside. It will have to wait for the future."

Yan Zhaoge continued to increase the force, and then the iron plate began to change.

A faint white light reappeared, illuminating the entire iron plate.

At the same time, Yan Zhaoge could feel the texture of the iron plate becoming increasingly cold.

At this moment, with his Gang Qi surging around him, he could still feel a distinct chill when touching the iron plate. The actual temperature of the iron plate was very low, and ordinary people would not be able to touch it at all, or they would risk freezing their hands off.

"This feeling is somewhat similar to the characteristics of the Sword Gang cultivated by the Ice Sea Ancient Sword technique from the era before the Great Cataclysm, but it's not quite the same," Yan Zhaoge's eyes flickered. "But it seems to have been infused with something else. Let me think, after the Great Cataclysm, in the Eight Extremes World, there was a Martial Saint called the Northern Sea Ice Dragon, the Ice Dragon Martial Saint?"

"After the Great Cataclysm, in the Eight Extremes World, the strongest practitioner of the ice path was this person, who even had a Sacred Weapon. His fate was unknown, and the Sacred Weapon disappeared with him."

Yan Zhaoge stroked his chin and thought, "Not bad, Ye Jing. You're quite lucky. Not to mention the dark red ring, you somehow picked up this thing as well."

"Speaking of which, after the Great Cataclysm, dragons are rarely seen in the Eight Extremes World. The rise of the Ice Dragon Martial Saint might not just be due to the Ice Sea Ancient Sword technique, but could be related to the dragon race..."

At this moment, Ah Hu knocked on the door outside: "Young Master, Elder Xu from Linyuan City has arrived."

Xu Chuan was the executive elder stationed in Linyuan City by Guangcheng Mountain in the Eastern Tang Kingdom.

Yan Zhaoge stopped infusing Gang Qi into the iron plate and said, "Please invite Elder Xu in."

After Ah Hu withdrew, only Yan Zhaoge and Xu Chuan remained in the hall. Xu Chuan no longer addressed him as "Nephew Yan" but changed the title: "Young Master Yan, you had a scare, but fortunately, it ended without incident."

Yan Zhaoge smiled slightly, "Elder Xu, you flatter me."

This Xu Chuan was from his father's faction. Just from the change in title, one could see that he was smooth and adept at flattery, even lacking in principles and limits.

However, his direct superior, the chief elder in charge of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Yan Xu, was from Yan Zhaoge's second uncle's faction. Despite this, Xu Chuan still managed to navigate the situation with ease, showing that beneath his smooth exterior, he was also highly capable, not just a schemer.

An incompetent person could not handle the complex environment of Linyuan City.

Yan Zhaoge asked, "How are the situations with the Red Spirit Banner Leader and the Ghost Axe Elder?"

Xu Chuan shook his head regretfully, "The Ghost Axe Elder was no match for Elder Yan and was injured again, but Elder Yan couldn't stop him and let him escape."

"The Red Spirit Banner Leader also fled, leaving behind a hidden danger."

Yan Zhaoge pursed his lips, "Although the Eastern Tang Kingdom is on the outskirts of the Heavenly Domain, our sect has been operating here for many years. It wouldn't be so easy for people to escape without interference from outside forces."

The Eastern Tang Kingdom is located in the far east of the Heavenly Domain, with a complex environment in terms of both terrain and culture. Besides the Dragon Subduing Abyss, it also borders the Mountain Domain and the Fire Domain.

The Holy Mountain Cangmang, which controls the Mountain Domain, and the Holy Sun Sect, which controls the Fire Domain, have a strong influence and erosion in the Eastern Tang Kingdom.

Especially between Guangcheng Mountain and the Holy Sun Sect, there is almost daily covert competition in the Eastern Tang Kingdom.

Xu Chuan said, "Indeed, the most likely culprit is the Holy Sun Sect. They have become increasingly domineering in recent years."

After a slight pause, Xu Chuan looked at Yan Zhaoge, "By the way, I heard that you, Young Master Yan, fought the Holy Sun Sect's Chao Yuanlong in the Dragon Subduing Abyss?"

Yan Zhaoge nodded, "That's correct."

"Your victory over Chao Yuanlong has brought great honor to our Guangcheng Mountain. This is a cause for celebration and admiration. You are truly a pride of our young generation, and you will surely achieve great things in the future!" Xu Chuan praised him in a fawning manner.

If a martial artist from a much weaker sect had fought a disciple of the Holy Sun Sect, the Holy Sun Sect would not have let it go easily.

But since Yan Zhaoge was from the same level of the Holy Mountain Guangcheng, his confrontation with Chao Yuanlong was just a sparring match between young disciples.

Losing a match is certainly embarrassing, but to regain face, it would only be through the same method.

Therefore, Yan Zhaoge beating Chao Yuanlong to a pulp made Xu Chuan happy, but he was concerned about another aspect.

Xu Chuan said hesitantly, "But I heard that you also drove the Holy Sun Sect's disciples out of the vortex center area afterward?"

Yan Zhaoge smiled slightly, "That's true, the news is accurate."

Seeing the worried Xu Chuan, Yan Zhaoge waved his hand, "Elder Xu, don't worry. This is related to the Inner Crystal Furnace."

Hearing this, Xu Chuan immediately relaxed, "That's good, but the Holy Sun Sect will definitely react. Someone from the sect will also inquire about this matter."

"Additionally, regarding the unfortunate incident of Ye Jing, the sect will also inquire about it. But I don't think there will be any problems. After all, it was purely an accident. When a Grandmaster like the Red Spirit Banner Leader acts, it's almost like a natural disaster." Xu Chuan was very relaxed when discussing this issue.

Yan Zhaoge looked up at the ceiling, "Some people might not see it that way. They might be waiting for this opportunity."

...

In the Eastern Tang Kingdom, not far from Linyuan City, there is a canyon called Lingfeng Valley, which is entirely occupied by Guangcheng Mountain. This place produces a large amount of precious resources.

The executive elder in charge of this area for Guangcheng Mountain is named Wen Ningzhi, who appears to be a graceful middle-aged man.

He is still relatively young, with a bright future and significant potential for advancement.

"Both sides had a dispute over the Flame True Fire seed? Ye Jing called out Yan Zhaoge's name in anger before he died?" Wen Ningzhi's lips curved into a smile.

The martial artist waiting before him replied, "From the accounts of the young disciples who were there, it is indeed true, but they couldn't see what happened when Ye Jing fell into the abyss."

Wen Ningzhi smiled, "That's enough."

As the leading master, if a young disciple under his charge had an accident, especially one who had long-standing grievances in the public eye like Ye Jing, it would be easy to pin the blame on Yan Zhaoge.

The person beside Wen Ningzhi whispered, "Yan Zhaoge is Elder Yan's son and an outstanding young talent of our sect. Without solid evidence, it might be difficult to move against him."

"Such matters don't require evidence. Suspicion is enough," Wen Ningzhi said with a relaxed smile.

The person hesitated, "Yan Zhaoge brought the Inner Crystal Furnace back into the world, greatly enhancing our sect's strength. He has done a great service. Even if he made a mistake, it might be forgivable..."

Wen Ningzhi sneered, "Inner Crystal Furnace? With that half-grown brat?"

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