Chapter 166: No Rest until Ye Guan Is Dead!
The elders blankly stared at each other. Did he go crazy?
They were furious at what Nangong Zhen had done, but they hadn’t said anything about dismissing him. Grand Elder Ge was silent, but his expression was dark. He had already calmed down and was thinking about the peculiarities of the situation.
However, they were already drenched in the muddy waters, and they had no other choice but to go all in. They could only support the Chosen One all the way.
The Chosen One! Grand Elder Ge’s eyes closed slowly. The Chosen One was invincible among cultivators in the same generation as him. Furthermore, he had the Sword Master’s Dao Imprint. There was also a high chance that he was the Sword Master’s successor, and he might even be the Sword Master’s son!
What was Ye Guan compared to him?
The Elder Circle was going to be refreshed soon, and if he wanted to remain in his seat, he had to support the Chosen One.
Grand Elder Ge slowly opened his eyes with that thought in mind. He threw all his worries aside and said with a straight face, “Call Shangguan Zhan back from the Xuzhen World. He will take over the position of Commander of the Dao Soldiers!”
Shangguan Zhan! The elders were startled. He was a hot-tempered individual who had been assigned to the Xuzhen World because of his unpredictable nature.
In addition, there was bad blood between him and the Sword Sect. Grand Elder Ge’s actions of summoning Shangguan Zhan to join them in the fight against the Sword Sect meant that Grand Elder Ge was determined to challenge the Sword Sect.
The elders exchanged awkward looks. They were rather fearful of the Sword Sect.
The Sword Sect was simply too powerful, not to mention their special position.
The Sword Sect was the best sect in the world, and its reputation spoke volumes of its prowess.
Just then, Grand Elder Ge said, “If you’re afraid of the Sword Sect, then let’s forget about all this. We should just head to the Sword Sect and apologize to them.”
Everyone turned silent. Apologize? Never!
Grand Elder Ge stood up. He swept his gaze across the elders and said coldly, “The entire universe is keeping tabs on us at the moment. If we don’t stand our ground, our reputation will hit rock bottom. No one will respect us in the future.”
The elders nodded, agreeing with Grand Elder Ge.
Qin Feng was seated at the end of the table and was silent without any reactions.
“Pass my orders,” Grand Elder Ge said, “Raise the bounty on Ye Guan’s head to ten million immortal spiritual crystals!”
The hall was enveloped in a deafening silence.
Ye Guan was already in the Sword Sect, so the elders doubted if anyone would make a move even if the reward was raised to a hundred million immortal spiritual crystals.
Grand Elder Ge seemed to have seen through the elders’ thoughts as he promptly explained, “We’re just showing our stance on this matter to the rest of the world. We will not rest until Ye Guan is dead.”
With that, he stood up and walked out of the hall.
The elders dispersed, and Qin Feng also got up to leave.
Nangong Zhen was standing in front of the statue of Pavilion Master Qin. He stood there silently until Qin Feng approached him.
Nangong Zhen muttered, “Elder Qin, Ye Guan isn’t just an ordinary young man!”
Qin Feng nodded. “I know, I’ve met him before.”
Nangong Zhen sighed. “The Immortal Treasures Pavilion shouldn’t have taken such a radical measure, regardless of its stance. We’ve already chosen sides, but we shouldn’t be so desperate to show our goodwill to the Chosen One. This is just bringing shame to ourselves.”
Qin Feng chuckled and asked, “Do you really think that they don’t know that?”
Nangong Zhen looked at Qin Feng in surprise and asked, “They know?”
“They aren’t foolish,” said Qin Feng. He chuckled as he explained, “They managed to climb up all the way to their current positions, after all.”
Nangong Zhen was bewildered. “Why are they doing this, then?”
“They want to stay in power,” said Qin Feng.
Nangong Zhen flinched in realization, and he muttered, “The Elder Circle’s term is about to end?”
Qin Feng nodded and explained, “They have to make a significant achievement, or they will be replaced by the other managers who’ll become elders after them.
“It is easy to wield power, but it is difficult to let go of it. They’re determined to see this matter to the end. They want things to progress quicker, as it is better for them, and that is exactly why they decided to stand on the Chosen One’s side.
“Once the Chosen One emerged victorious against Ye Guan, he would most likely become the Young Master of the Guanxuan Academy.
“The Immortal Treasures Pavilion would be his right-hand man, while the elders of the current Elder Circle would obtain a ton of influence. I reckon that even Vice Pavilion Master Qing will have to be careful around them by then.”
Nangong Zhen silently pondered over Qin Feng’s words.
Qin Feng added, “Ye Guan and the Chosen One’s battle is no longer just a battle between them. It is a fight that involves the vested interests of far too many people and groups.”
“I don’t think the Lingxu Blessed Land and Time Paradise are full of foolish people,” Nangong Zhen said, “And that is exactly why I can’t quite understand the stance that they have taken. They’re determined to help Ye Guan even if it means making an enemy out of the Immortal Treasures Pavilion.”
Nangong Zhen’s expression turned heavy as he continued. “Something’s fishy here.”
Qin Feng was silent. Ye Guan had always been a mysterious young man in his eyes, but he was becoming more and more mysterious as time went on.
“Elder Qin,” Nangong Zhen suddenly said, “Every elder in the Elder Circle is obviously concerned with their own power and the benefits they stand to gain. I feel that they’re making a mistake here.
”I’m afraid that something bad will happen soon. You have to be careful.”
“Thank you.” Qin Feng said with a nod.
…
Ao Qianqian was seated in a hall of the Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan. An old man was standing in front of her and was reporting something to her in a low voice.
Ao Qianqian closed her eyes. “The Lingxu Blessed Land, Time Paradise…”
Ao Qianqian had assigned men to keep an eye on Ye Guan since the latter arrived at the Guanxuan Universe, so she was obviously aware of what the Lingxu Blessed Land had done along with Time Paradise.
Just then, a middle-aged man walked into the hall. He bowed and said, “Young Clan Leader, the Clan Leader has requested your presence.”
Ao Qianqian nodded and left.
The members of the Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan were gathered in a large hall.
Ao Sheng stood at the helm of the group, and he was staring at a middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man was the Head Military Official of the Guanxuan Academy.
Ao Sheng nodded at Ao Qianqian before saying, “Everyone, the Head Military Official has visited us for two things today…”
He turned to the Head Military Official and said, “Head Military Official, do explain.”
The Head Military Official nodded and said, “Everyone, the Chosen One is hoping to receive the support of the Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan.”
The clan members in the hall were startled. The Chosen One actually took the initiative to ask for the Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan’s support?
The clan members were thrilled.
The Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan was already planning on supporting the Chosen One. In fact, aside from the Sword Sect and two great aristocratic clans, the rest were ready to support the Chosen One.
They had already considered the Chosen One as the rightful inheritor of the Guanxuan Academy.
However, these families and clans were unlike the Immortal Treasures Pavilion—an entity only concerned with profit. They couldn’t afford to take an extreme stance unless they were a hundred percent confident.
“There’s something else,“ said the Head Military Official, “We hope that Young Clan Leader Qianqian will sign a contract with the Chosen One and promise to be equals with him.”
The Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan members were stunned, but they were soon overjoyed.
This was a great opportunity! If Ao Qianqian formed a contract with the Chosen One, the Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan and the Chosen One’s destiny would be tied together. The Chosen One would always be their ally!
The Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan would hold a special position by then.
Ao Sheng was stunned as well. He didn’t expect that the Chosen One would make such a request.
Form a contract with Ao Qianqian!
Ao Sheng glanced at Ao Qianqian, but her expression remained calm.
Ao Qianqian smiled politely at the Head Military Official and said, “Head Military Official, Is it okay if I give you my response at a later date?”
The Head Military Official was taken aback, but he acted according to decorum and nodded. “Of course.”
The Head Military Official added, “The Chosen One thinks highly of the Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan, and he hopes to establish a sincere collaboration with you and share a bright future together.”
“I understand.” Ao Qianqian nodded.
The Head Military Official took one final glance at Ao Qianqian before leaving.
After the Head Military Official left, the Grand Elder of the Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan urgently said, “Qianqian, this is a rare opportunity! Why did you not agree to it immediately? The Chosen One—”
“Father,” Ao Qianqian interrupted the Grand Elder by turning to Ao Sheng and saying, “I wish to speak to you privately.”
The Grand Elder’s expression turned sour, but he didn’t say anything.
Ao Sheng nodded slightly. “The future of the Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan is involved here. I will speak to her privately. The rest of you are dismissed.”
With that, the elders walked out of the hall along with the Grand Elder.
Ao Sheng stared deeply at Ao Qianqian.
“You don’t want to form a contract with the Chosen One, right?” he asked.
Ao Qianqian nodded. “Yes.“
Ao Sheng asked, “Is it because of Ye Guan?”
Ao Qianqian shook her head and replied, “Not entirely. I just don’t have a good impression of the Chosen One.”
Ao Sheng was surprised. “What do you mean? Do you have a bad impression of him? Is that it?”
Ao Qianqian nodded and explained, “I would have had no issues merging with him if he had fought fair and square with Young Lord Ye. However, he had resorted to dirty tricks to pressure Young Lord Ye, and I also didn’t like it when he said that there could only be one of them in this world.”
Ao Qianqian shook her head in disappointment as she said, “His actions are despicable, and his actions showed that he is a petty and narrow-minded individual. He’s special, but I don’t think he’ll be able to achieve greater heights.”
Ao Sheng was silent.
Ao Qianqian added, “On the other hand, Young Lord Ye gave me a good impression. He’s both brave and smart. He’s a monstrous talent as well, so I believe he has a bright future ahead of him.”
Ao Sheng stared intently at Ao Qianqian. “Give me a reason to believe in him.”
Ao Qianqian thought about it and said, “The Lingxu Blessed Land and Time Paradise—”
“I know what you’re trying to say.” Ao Sheng interrupted her. He shook his head and said, “There must be a reason why they’ve chosen to support Ye Guan, but that is not the answer I want to hear. I want to hear what you think.”
Ao Qianqian looked Ao Sheng straight in the eye before saying, “I prefer Young Lord Ye, and I want to support him.”
“You have to understand that if Ye Guan loses, our clan will be ruined.”
Ao Qianqian nodded. “I know!”
“And you still want to support him?” Ao Sheng asked.
Ao Qianqian nodded with determination. “Yes!”
“Will you not regret it?” asked Ao Sheng.
Ao Qianqian laughed and asked back, “What is there to regret?”
“Pfft!” Ao Sheng chuckled and said, “I’ll support Ye Guan, then.” Ao Qianqian was stunned.
Ao Sheng directed an amused gaze at her before laughing. “Do you know why I don’t like the Chosen One as well?”
Ao Qianqian shook her head in bewilderment.
Ao Sheng explained, “I also didn’t like what he said about how there could only be either of them in this world. It showed that his personality is completely different from the Sword Master, and he’s not magnanimous at all. What’s the point of him becoming the Academy Master if he doesn’t possess the qualities of a ruler?”
“I would have respected him if he had decided to stand on Ye Guan’s side and punished our clan and the An Clan back then. Ye Guan would have acknowledged him as well, and he would have been his follower.”
Ao Sheng shook his head before continuing. “Ye Guan is weak, but he has the Lingxu Blessed Land and Time Paradise’s support. I’ve heard that even the Sword Sect has decided to stand on his side. I think he has a chance of winning!”
Ao Sheng then stared intently at Ao Qianqian and asked, “Are you willing to sign a contract with Ye Guan and become equals with him?”
Ao Qianqian went silent, and she lowered her head before saying, “I-I think… he’s quite handsome.”
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