Chapter 309: Qian Zhong
Tang Yin was slightly nervous. He had never met a Law Domain Realm cultivator before. Tian Huang could not be counted as he was only a fragment of his original divine sense.
Before long, a person came to escort Tang Yin out of his room and to Qian Zhong. Tang Yin recognized the person as the female Blossom Envoy.
The Blossom Envoy led Tang Yin through many twists and turns before eventually arriving before the huge doors of the Thousand Blossom Hall.
The female Blossom Envoy paid her respects to the door before parting, leaving Tang Yin standing outside the Thousand Blossom Hall.
Tang Yin walked forward languidly and opened the huge, luxurious doors of the Thousand Blossom Hall. 4 people instantly came into his sight.
2 of the people were silver-haired women with similar appearances, they were Xu Yun and the Orchid Blossom Saintess.
The other person was a middle-aged man with a primal aura, he was Elder Liang.
Lastly, an old man who radiated intense power sat in the middle.
The old man’s age was indeterminable, for his face bore the deep lines of countless battles and the wisdom of millennials. His long, flowing white beard cascaded down to his chest, reaching the centre of his chest.
Thick, unkempt eyebrows extended like thick peaks, framing eyes that shone with both fierceness and serenity as if he held the secrets of the world within them.
Clad in a threadbare robe that had the insignia of the Moonlit River Sect, the old man was a vision of eccentric simplicity. The fabric of the robes was neat, smooth and embroidered with countless intricate patterns. Tied with a frayed sash, the robe loosely draped his sturdy frame, revealing glimpses of a muscular physique that belied his age.
’This feeling of power... It’s unmistakable. He is Qian Zhong!’ Tang Yin instantly thought as he stared at the old man with an intense gaze.
Qian Zhong scrutinized Tang Yin with a deep look, it was unknown what he was thinking.
Tang Yin performed a fist salute to Qian Zhong, "Greetings Senior Qian."
Qian Zhong nodded in acknowledgement, "Speak, what reward do you wish for?" Although his voice sounded calm and gentle, it was still somewhat overbearing. He was clearly saying, ’Don’t cross your limits.’
"I want to enter a Space Principle based Holy Land for a year." Tang Yin did not hesitate to answer immediately. He already had 2 weeks to think about what he wanted.
Tang Yin had done his research on Qian Zhong before accepting the mission to escort Xu Yun to the Thousand Blossom Pavilion.
He knew that Qian Zhong’s Moonlit River Sect was affiliated with one of the 9 Rank 8 Organizations. Furthermore, as a Law Domain Realm cultivator, he possessed the authority and connections to allow a cultivator access to a Holy Land.
"How dare you!?" Elder Liang immediately shouted with outrage. Although Tang Yin had helped him and Xu Yun quite a bit, it was not as valuable as entry to a Holy Land.
The Orchid Blossom Saintess frowned and looked at Qian Zhong, awaiting his answer.
"Grandpa, Big Brother Asura has saved my life and Uncle Liang’s life many times..." Xu Yun tried to persuade Qian Zhong, her voice shaky but firm.
Qian Zhong seemed to be in deep thought for a moment before giving a verdict, "It’s not impossible. However, you must join the Moonlit River Sect as an Elder. Forget 1 year, I can allow you to enter a Holy Land for a few years."
Xu Yun wanted to persuade Qian Zhong some more. However, she stopped herself. She also wanted Tang Yin to join the Moonlit River Sect, why would she object?
’I did not display too much of my prowess, why are these people so hellbent on recruiting me?’ Tang Yin grumbled internally.
Tang Yin contemplated Qian Zhong’s offer for a few moments. It was truly enticing.
He did not need to do much. He only needed to join the Moonlit River Sect and allow them to use his name to gain more fame and deter their enemies. He also had to defend the sect in case of an enemy attack. He did not really need to do anything else.
But in reality, no one would dare to attack the Moonlit River Sect with Qian Zhong still alive and kicking. So, Tang Yin practically had to do nothing, and he would be able to enter a Holy Land for a few years. It was a golden opportunity!
"Sorry, but I cannot join the Moonlit River Sect." Tang Yin bowed whilst announcing this. Perhaps Qian Zhong might not become furious and destroy him on the spot due to his answer.
Instead of becoming angry, Qian Zhong became amused and curious, "Why not? The Moonlit River Sect will not restrict you. You can do anything you want as long as you don’t go against the sect. Additionally, nobody will dare to harm you whilst you are under my wing." His explanation clearly displayed the enticing part of joining the Moonlit River Sect.
"I know that this is a golden opportunity for me. However, I have a Master and I prefer my freedom as a Rogue Cultivator." Tang Yin explained.
Tang Yin knew that once he joined the Moonlit River Sect, he would not be allowed to leave without Qian Zhong’s permission. He would essentially lose his freedom even though he was not restricted.
It was not worth it for a few years of entry to a Holy Land. With enough hard work and effort, he could simply purchase what Qian Zhong was offering to him with contribution points from the Neutral Cultivation Alliance.
Xu Yun was extremely disappointed and even a bit sad. She had thought that Tang Yin would most likely join the Moonlit River Sect since he had decided to consider her invitation. It was especially so since Qian Zhong himself had just personally invited Tang Yin to join the sect.
"You have a Master? Who’s your Master? Is he more powerful than me?" Qian Zhong stroked his beard in amusement. However, his aura had starkly changed, becoming chillier.
Elder Liang and the Orchid Blossom Saintess wore solemn expressions. Qian Zhong was starting to become angry. No one had ever refused him since he had become a Law Domain Realm cultivator.
Xu Yun was completely oblivious to this as she was stuck in sadness due to Tang Yin’s rejection.
"My Master is Tian Huang. However, the world knows him as the Flowing Blood Demon." Tang Yin stated in hopes of deterring Qian Zhong from acting against him. He hoped that Qian Zhong had been alive during Tian Huang’s era.
Qian Zhong’s expression of amusement swiftly vanished, replaced by excitement, nostalgia, doubt and shock.
"Y-You’re his disciple!?" He quickly got up from his chair and asked in incredulity. The whole Thousand Blossom Hall shook with his words.
The Orchid Blossom Saintess and Elder Liang were shocked to their cores. They had never seen Qian Zhong display such an emotional reaction before.
Xu Yun was snapped out of her daze from the commotion. She quickly rushed in front of Tang Yin, shielding him with her body, "No Grandpa! You can’t hurt Big Brother Asura!"
This time, even Tang Yin was stunned. He was stunned due to Qian Zhong’s reaction and even more so due to Xu Yun’s actions. ’Does she like me so much that she is even willing to go against her grandfather?’
Qian Zhong ignored Xu Yun, he looked directly at Tang Yin, scrutinizing him once more from head to toe.
"How can you prove that you’re Senior Tian’s disciple? If you’re lying about this, I will personally eradicate you." Qian Zhong asked with anticipation, but his last sentence was spoken with thick killing intent that enveloped the entire hall in a chilly frost.
Tang Yin was surprised by the way Qian Zhong addressed Tian Huang, but then excitement welled up inside his heart, which he quickly suppressed.
He lifted his right index finger into the air, it had a strand of hair tied around it. "This is Master’s gift to me." Tang Yin stated calmly.
Qian Zhong’s attention immediately shifted to the strand of hair wrapped around Tang Yin’s index finger. He had not noticed it before due to being unable to detect any signs of energy around it.
Qian Zhong released his divine sense and analysed the strand of hair carefully. He was shocked. He could feel an intense feeling of death pervade his body. This was something that he had not experienced in many millennia.
But even more so, he felt a familiar aura. ’No mistake about it. This truly is Senior Tian’s aura!’
Qian Zhong retracted his divine sense and took a deep breath before looking straight at Tang Yin.
Tang Yin was extremely nervous. If Qian Zhong had decided to analyse his body instead of the strand of hair, his cultivation base would have been exposed.
Once he felt Qian Zhong’s divine sense leave the strand of hair, he let out an internal sigh of relief. It seemed that Qian Zhong respected his privacy.
Suddenly, Qian Zhong let out a loud roar of laughter, baffling everyone in the Thousand Blossom Hall.
"Good, good! Finally, I can fulfil a regret that I’ve held for many years!" Qian Zhong shouted with excitement and joy before focusing back on Tang Yin.
Xu Yun realised that her grandfather had no intention of harming Tang Yin, so she quickly moved out of the way with a deep blush on her face.
By going against her grandfather for Tang Yin, she had basically exposed her feelings of love.
