Chapter 298: Conflict Erupts, Mo Tianxing
"It's Qi Shan, Elder Qi Shan has appeared!"
"Elder Qi Shan is finally here. I wonder if I can secure a chance to have him refine a pill for me this time."
"Hmph, I'm determined to get that Dou Ling Pill this time. No one is going to take it from me."
As soon as the red-faced elder appeared, the hall buzzed with excitement. Everyone's eyes lit up as they looked at Qi Shan, their hands itching to act. It was evident just how much influence a Sixth-Tier Alchemist held.
Mo Ya, who had been waiting to see what would happen, was momentarily stunned. Then, he quickly put on a warm smile and walked over to greet the elder, saying, "Elder Qi, you're here. Everyone's been eagerly waiting for you."
"Thank you, Young Sect Leader. I'll take over from here," the elder, known as Qi Shan, responded with a gentle smile. His gaze swept the hall, briefly pausing on Mo Yu before landing on Bai Han. With a slight exclamation, Qi Shan laughed heartily, "Haha, Brother Bai! When did you arrive in the Black-Corner Region? Why didn't you inform me? How unfriendly of you!"
As Qi Shan laughed and approached, his eyes scanned the room and briefly lingered on Mo Yu before focusing on Bai Han.
Seeing Qi Shan, Bai Han withdrew his aura and smiled back. "Elder Qi, it's been a long time. I see you've advanced to become a Sixth-Tier Alchemist. Congratulations! I came in a hurry today to ask for your help with something important, so I didn't notify you in advance."
"Oh? You need my help? No problem, no problem," Qi Shan nodded. Then, noticing the tense atmosphere, he looked at Mo Yu again, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And who might this be?"
"Elder Qi, this is Mo Yu, the leader of Yuan Manor. It seems there was some conflict between him and Grand Elder Bai Han over a matter just now," Mo Ya said softly.
"Oh? The leader of Yuan Manor?" Qi Shan furrowed his brow, puzzled. "Is Yuan Manor a faction in the Black-Corner Region? I've never heard of it."
"You wouldn't know, Elder Qi. While you were busy refining pills in seclusion, many things happened here. Pill Emperor Han Feng, in order to oppose Jia Nan Academy, gathered powerful experts like the Golden Silver Elders, the Blood Sect, and the Six Doors to form the Black Alliance. When the Black Alliance was established, it shocked the entire Black-Corner Region, and even Jia Nan Academy couldn't stop them. However, during this time, Yuan Manor suddenly emerged like a comet.
Although Yuan Manor is a new faction, its accomplishments are astonishing. Not only did it wipe out the Flame Valley, but it also subdued its former leader, Yan. In the battle against the Black Alliance, Yuan Manor soundly defeated them. Pill Emperor Han Feng himself nearly perished in that fight. Now, in the Black-Corner Region, Yuan Manor and Mo Yu's reputation are widespread. And since Mo Yu is from Jia Nan Academy, the academy has become an ally of Yuan Manor," Mo Ya explained slowly.
After Mo Ya finished speaking, Qing Lin's eyes sparkled as she stood behind Mo Yu. Although she had learned bits and pieces about Yuan Manor's strength from others, it had always felt somewhat abstract. Now, hearing about Mo Yu's impressive feats directly from the Black Emperor Sect's young master, she couldn't help but feel proud.
As expected of the young master...
Qing Lin knew that she had only been able to break through to the Dou Huang level and become the young mistress of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion because of her Three Flower Green Snake Eyes and the mansion's dedicated nurturing. In contrast, Mo Yu came from a small family in the Jia Ma Empire but had risen to such heights. It was nothing short of extraordinary.
"Yuan Manor… Mo Yu?" On the other side, Qi Shan furrowed his brow as he looked at the silver-eyed youth. He hadn't expected so many major events to happen while he was in seclusion.
As a Sixth-Tier Alchemist, Qi Shan knew full well who Han Feng was. Han Feng had a powerful teacher and remarkable talent in alchemy, and he was expected to advance to the Seventh Tier soon, making him far more influential than Qi Shan. Yet this Mo Yu had nearly killed Han Feng, a fact that was hard to believe.
"Hmph! You may be young and talented, but Yuan Manor is still no match for the Heavenly Serpent Mansion's internal affairs. Mo Yu, I advise you not to get involved with Qing Lin any further, or the Heavenly Serpent Mansion won't be as easy to deal with as the Black Alliance," Bai Han said coldly, issuing a veiled threat.
Hearing Bai Han, Qi Shan's gaze shifted to Qing Lin behind Mo Yu, and a look of understanding flashed in his eyes. He smiled and said, "So that's what this is about. Don't worry, Brother Bai. We've known each other for decades. I'll help you resolve this matter."
With that, Qi Shan turned to Mo Yu and said, "If I'm not mistaken, Lord Mo, you're currently at the Dou Wang stage, correct? It just so happens that I recently refined three Dou Ling Pills. One of them needs to be handed over to the sect, but the other two are up for auction today. I'd like to offer you one of the pills and a favor in exchange for your promise not to interfere with the Heavenly Serpent Mansion's internal affairs. What do you think?"
As Qi Shan spoke, he produced a jade bottle and carefully poured out a round, emerald-green pill.
Upon seeing that Qi Shan was willing to offer a Dou Ling Pill, Mo Ya and the others were stunned, and the hall erupted in whispers. All eyes were glued to the pill in Qi Shan's hand. The Dou Ling Pill was famous everywhere, and it was a rare Fifth-Tier pill, nearly reaching the strength of a low-level Sixth-Tier pill!
Most of the people in the hall were there to try to acquire this pill. The moment they saw it, many eyes burned with desire. If not for the fact that they were in the Black Emperor Sect's territory, some might have already tried to snatch it.
Qi Shan's offer also included a favor from a Sixth-Tier Alchemist, which was priceless. If this favor were auctioned, even powerful factions might be willing to pay millions of gold coins for it.
After getting over their initial shock and envy, everyone turned their attention to Mo Yu, eagerly awaiting his decision. Most people believed he would accept the offer. While beautiful women were tempting, strength was the foundation for any cultivator. In the world of Dou Qi, stories of heroes abandoning power for love were rare. Those who did were often buried in shallow graves, their decisions costing them everything.
Even Bai Han was surprised at how much Qi Shan was offering. A Dou Ling Pill alone would have been expensive, and adding a favor from a Sixth-Tier Alchemist made the offer even more valuable than he had expected.
Qi Shan also smiled slightly. Though the Dou Ling Pill was a great treasure, he could refine several of them each year. Offering one, along with a minor favor, in exchange for gaining favor from Bai Han and the Heavenly Serpent Mansion was a worthy trade.
Feeling confident, Qi Shan believed Mo Yu wouldn't refuse.
However, when Mo Yu finally spoke, his words were calm but firm: "No need. Qing Lin is with me, and if the Heavenly Serpent Mansion insists on forcing her into something she doesn't want, then they'll have to find another heir. As for her position in the mansion, they should look elsewhere."
While Mo Yu could easily have gained the Dou Ling Pill and a Sixth-Tier soul-type magic core by agreeing, neither was as important to him as Qing Lin. Not only was her Three Flower Green Snake Eyes extraordinarily powerful, but their bond also meant far more to Mo Yu than any pill or favor.
The hall fell into an uproar following Mo Yu's response. Even Mo Ya was surprised, casting a glance at Mo Yu. With this decision, Mo Yu was making enemies of both the Heavenly Serpent Mansion and the Black Emperor Sect. Was it worth it for a single woman?
Bai Han's expression hardened, his eyes turning cold. Mo Yu's words had crossed the line, directly threatening the future of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion. After all the resources they had invested to find someone with the Three Flower Green Snake Eyes, they wouldn't tolerate any interference.
Qi Shan, too, was momentarily taken aback. It had been a long time since anyone had so casually refused him, let alone a Sixth-Tier Alchemist. He had never been treated as if he didn't matter.
With his eyes growing colder, Qi Shan looked at Mo Yu and spoke icily, "Lord Mo, you're young and full of spirit. Let me give you a piece of advice: in the Black-Corner Region, it's best to keep a low profile. Otherwise, things won't end well for you."
Mo Yu smiled faintly and replied, "Thank you for the advice, Elder Qi. But as they say, if a young man isn't full of spirit, can he still be called young?"
Qi Shan's face twitched with anger. As a respected Alchemist, he hadn't been talked to like this in years. Still, he tried to calm himself, thinking that Mo Yu had come to the Black Emperor Sect for a reason. But before he could press further, Mo Yu suddenly moved.
Without saying another word, Mo Yu grabbed Qing Lin's hand and began walking toward the door, clearly no longer interested in the event. He had realized that trying to negotiate for the Dou Ling Pill or the Sixth-Tier soul-type magic core was pointless now that he had upset Qi Shan.
The Yao brothers quickly followed, while Qing Lin, showing no resistance, obediently let Mo Yu lead her away. After the mounting pressure from the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, leaving with her beloved young master was a welcome relief.
Just as Mo Yu and his group reached the exit, he felt a sudden, cold surge of energy approaching from behind. He knew exactly who had launched the attack and, with a cold glint in his eyes, swiftly summoned his Fire Yao Puppet from his ring.
As soon as the red puppet appeared, a violent surge of energy erupted from its body, clashing with the incoming attack.
A muffled explosion rang out, and a powerful wave of energy swept through the hall, causing many attendees to step back in shock. Those caught off guard felt their blood boil, and angry muttering filled the air.
All eyes turned to the fiery puppet, its menacing aura stunning the crowd.
"A Dou Zong puppet?"
Mo Yu's face was icy as he turned to glare at Bai Han, who had also been taken aback by the puppet's appearance.
"So, this is your trump card? A Dou Zong puppet, quite powerful. But if you think that alone is enough to take Qing Lin, you're mistaken!" Bai Han sneered, though he subtly stepped back, clearly wary of the puppet.
Mo Yu's gaze was cold as he said, "Out of respect for our past dealings, I'll let this slide. But if you try this again, I won't hold back."
Bai Han's face darkened with anger. He, the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion and a Dou Zong, was being threatened?
"Ha! Let's not tear down my Black Emperor Sect!" A voice rang out from the depths of the Black Emperor Sect as a figure flashed toward the hall. The yellow-robed elder came to a halt a hundred meters away, and as he approached, the sunlight reflected off the golden serpents embroidered on his robe.
"That's Mo Tianxing, Sect Leader of the Black Emperor Sect!" someone exclaimed.
(End of Chapter)
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