Shen Qinghong wanted to step forward himself, but as the nominally number-one genius, he simply couldn't lower himself to openly challenge Jun Mobai and Jiang Chen.
All he could do was swallow the bitter fury churning in his belly and return to the Gentleman's Hall.
"Ling-shimei, when it comes to the Dao of Alchemy, you have the most say. Elder Yun Nie has just set the two spots for the Huanbo Mountain Alchemy Tournament. What do you think?"
Shen Qinghong pivoted his aim and brought up the matter of the tournament slots.
Mu Gaoqi's heart stirred — he knew Shen Qinghong was looking to stir up trouble again.
But Ling Bi'er's cold, delicate face betrayed not the slightest ripple. She said flatly, "Elder Yun Nie is the foremost alchemy authority in our Qian Dao Palace. Whatever he decides must have sound reasoning. I have nothing to say."
Ling Bi'er's icy demeanor didn't mean she was a fool. How could she not see that Shen Qinghong wanted to use her as a pawn — to get her to stand up and oppose Jiang Chen and Mu Gaoqi?
Though Ling Bi'er had been surprised by the rise of Jiang Chen and Mu Gaoqi, even feeling a faint twinge of displeasure, she had already consulted her younger sister Ling Hui'er about it. From her sister, she had learned the full details of their results. And judging by the way Ling Hui'er spoke, she had lost utterly and convincingly.
Ling Bi'er knew her sister's talent — it was hardly inferior to her own. If even Ling Hui'er freely admitted she was outclassed by Jiang Chen and Mu Gaoqi, then Ling Bi'er had no real grounds for resentment.
More importantly, Ling Bi'er was already the number-one alchemy talent among the Supreme Zone's younger generation. The Huanbo Mountain Alchemy Tournament offered four slots to the younger generation. Even if Jiang Chen and Mu Gaoqi took two of them, the remaining two would still include one for her.
Seeing that Ling Bi'er wouldn't take the bait, Shen Qinghong flicked a glance toward Nie Chong.
Nie Chong, though ranked among the Four Heavenly Kings, had always been Shen Qinghong's loyal follower. Despite having just failed in his challenge against Jun Mobai, his face still radiated a sharp, aggressive edge — not a trace of dejection.
"Everyone, I actually feel there are some things that need to be said whether we like it or not."
Nie Chong stood up, his body straight as a long spear.
"I believe the allocation of spots for the Huanbo Mountain Alchemy Tournament is unfair. Everyone knows that whenever there's a good opportunity in the Qian Dao Palace, it should go to the Supreme Zone first. But this time, two people were selected from the Lingyun Zone. Who knows whether there's something shady going on behind the scenes?"
Before, when it came to martial exchanges, Rong Zifeng had stepped up to play the villain. This time, it was Nie Chong serving as the eager vanguard.
Shen Qinghong nodded slightly. "Junior Brother Nie makes a fair point. This matter is indeed rather questionable. I'm not suggesting Elder Yun Nie has any selfish motive, but —Junior Brother Jiang Chen and Junior Brother Mu Gaoqi, with only Lesser Origin Realm cultivation and from the Lingyun Zone no less, have risen meteorically. Even I'm quite curious. What exactly are the extraordinary talents of these two junior brothers that allowed them to cause such a sensation? Since we're all gathered here today, why not ask them to demonstrate something? It would broaden everyone's horizons and put our doubts to rest."
Every pair of eyes turned toward Jiang Chen and Mu Gaoqi.
Including those of Jun Mobai and Ling Bi'er.
The fact that they hadn't stepped forward to suppress the pair didn't mean they harbored no curiosity. Two youngsters from the Lingyun Zone outperforming them and securing tournament slots ahead of them — it was impossible for them to feel no resentment at all.
"Junior Brother Jiang Chen, you placed first in the alchemy tournament. Why not show us a little something and put everyone's prejudice to rest?"
Shen Qinghong's gaze was deep and penetrating as he fixed it on Jiang Chen. Within his eyes, a faint, barely perceptible luminescence flickered.
Jiang Chen's eyes met Shen Qinghong's for the briefest moment, and he instantly determined that this man had cultivated an eye technique divine ability.
But when it came to eye techniques, who could Jiang Chen possibly fear?
Beneath Shen Qinghong's seemingly gentle tone, there was actually a thread of heart-controlling technique woven in.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. His Heavenly Eye Divine Pupil flipped open, and a beam of golden light shot out like a razor arrow, piercing straight toward Shen Qinghong's pupils.
Tssss!
The air crackled with the sound of their gazes clashing.
Shen Qinghong started slightly, his eyelids twitching. That enchantment — that heart-controlling divine ability — had been completely shattered by a single beam of golden light from Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen's lips curled with a trace of mockery as he asked mildly, "You have doubts? What's that got to do with me? Why on earth should I show you anything?"
Your doubts are your problem. Since when am I obligated to dispel them for you?
Shen Qinghong's gaze turned icy. This Jiang Chen was actually this brazen — the words gave him absolutely no face whatsoever. Even Jun Mobai would never dare be so insolent in front of him.
Nie Chong slammed his palm on the table. "Jiang Chen, you truly are ignorant and fearless. Acting this impudently in front of Senior Brother Shen — I'd say you've lost your desire to remain in the Supreme Zone."
"That's right, Jiang Chen. Even the sect's elders give Senior Brother Shen due respect. Senior Brother Shen is a half-step Saint Realm cultivator. The moment he steps into the Saint Realm, he'll become a core figure of the sect — a supreme existence. You, a mere Lesser Origin Realm ant, dare to show Senior Brother Shen no face? Are you trying to exile yourself from the Supreme Zone?" Rong Zifeng, who had suffered at Jiang Chen's hands and lost a massive bet, was still seething with displeasure.
"Indeed, Jiang Chen, you've gone too far. You may have some talent, but the Supreme Zone has its rules. What you're doing is a textbook case of defying those rules."
"Jiang Chen, you've probably gotten used to running wild in the Treasure Tree Sect. Now that you've arrived at the Qian Dao Palace, you behave so crudely and rudely — how are you worthy of this Supreme Cave dwelling? In my opinion, it's necessary for us to hold a proper discussion and vote to expel you."