When
Both Huang Yu and Nanmen Tianhai had assumed that Venerable Flameless merely wanted to test
Regardless, they couldn't just stand by and watch Nie Li get killed!
Venerable Flameless let out a cold snort and declared in a resonant voice, "Ye Chong acted on his own authority and used excessive force during the battle. Guards, take him away and lock him up—hand him over to the Feather God Sect's Enforcement Hall for judgment!"
Several guards surged onto the dueling platform like wolves, restrained Ye Chong, and dragged him away.
Huang Yu hurriedly tried to intervene, saying, "Venerable Flameless, isn't this a bit much? Ye Chong may have used excessive force, but he didn't actually hurt Nie Li!" He had a vague sense of what Venerable Flameless was really after—to burn the bridge after crossing it. Venerable Flameless's methods were indeed ruthless!
"Ye Chong disobeyed orders and acted without authorization. Fortunately, he didn't hurt Nie Li. If he had, that would have been truly unforgivable!" Venerable Flameless snorted coldly with barely concealed anger.
"Since things have already come to this, let's just call off this test," said Nanmen Tianhai. Even if they had to sacrifice Ye Chong, they absolutely could not sacrifice Nie Li!
"How can we do that?" Venerable Flameless immediately shot down. "Both elders have already stated that Nie Li should undergo two tests. How can we go back on our word now?"
Hearing the exchange between Venerable Flameless and the two elders,
They still had no idea how Nie Li had offended Venerable Flameless in the first place!
"Venerable Flameless, according to established custom, newly admitted disciples may choose their own opponents. Assigning an opponent has never been done like this before! And even if it could be done, starting off by pitting Nie Li against someone like Ye Chong—that seems rather excessive, doesn't it?"
Hearing Li Xingyun's words, Venerable Flameless let out a cold snort. "Ignorant junior, I am speaking with Elders Huang Yu and Nanmen Tianhai. What gives you the right to interject here?"
Venerable Flameless was domineering and overbearing. Li Xingyun said indignantly, "Is Venerable Flameless trying to crush us with his authority?"
"As a student of the Eastern Court, you show no respect for your elders, and you accuse me of using my authority? I wonder how your instructors usually teach you?" Venerable Flameless swept a cold, sharp glance toward several instructors in the distance. Those instructors all averted their eyes.
Venerable Flameless was Lord Heavenly Cloud's disciple—how would they dare to speak up?
Li Xingyun seethed with frustration, but at this point there was nothing more he could say. He wracked his brains trying to think of a way to help Nie Li out of this situation.
Now the students of the Eastern Court all understood that this entire affair had been orchestrated by Venerable Flameless. They were sharp enough to see that Venerable Flameless wanted to suppress Nie Li! It seemed Nie Li had offended Venerable Flameless at some point without their knowing!
The fact that Ye Chong had been hauled away also made it clear that Venerable Flameless wasn't simply looking to teach Nie Li a lesson—he had wanted Nie Li dead, with Ye Chong left to take the blame! They couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Venerable Flameless's scheme was truly vicious.
Fortunately, Nie Li possessed the Sacred Blood Winged Flood Dragon demon spirit. Otherwise, he would probably have died unjustly on that dueling platform!
Some Eastern Court students didn't care at all—it wasn't their problem, so why get involved? Others were furious. For someone of Venerable Flameless's standing to suppress a newly admitted genius like this was simply wrong.
But given Venerable Flameless's status and position, there was nothing anyone else could say about it. Even if they spoke up, it likely wouldn't make a difference.
Huang Yu and Nanmen Tianhai were both somewhat irritated. Venerable Flameless was throwing his weight around, and as elders, they were powerless to defuse the situation. Venerable Flameless claimed that Ye Chong's attempt to kill Nie Li hadn't been on his orders, and they couldn't prove otherwise. But they absolutely would not allow Nie Li to fight another round—if he did, Venerable Flameless would certainly arrange an opponent that Nie Li had no chance of defeating.
Nie Li watched the argument between Venerable Flameless, Huang Yu, and Nanmen Tianhai. Venerable Flameless's intentions were plain as day. Nie Li was genuinely touched that the two elders were willing to speak up on his behalf. He glanced at Venerable Flameless. Having revealed the Sacred Blood Winged Flood Dragon, Venerable Flameless would only be more desperate to eliminate him now!
However, Venerable Flameless had made his moves so blatantly that even if Lord Heavenly Cloud didn't know about it now, he would certainly find out in the future. When that happened, Venerable Flameless would lose whatever trust Lord Heavenly Cloud still placed in him!
From Venerable Chimu, Nie Li had learned everything. Venerable Flameless's father had once saved Lord Heavenly Cloud's life. Lord Heavenly Cloud might not punish Venerable Flameless directly, but the things Venerable Flameless coveted would slip ever further from his grasp.
As for Lord Heavenly Cloud's Heavenly Cloud Divine Art, Nie Li had absolutely no interest in it. While it was indeed a powerful cultivation technique, it couldn't hold a candle to the Heavenly Dao Divine Art!
Although he knew that more enemies would certainly emerge going forward, now that the Sacred Blood Winged Flood Dragon had been exposed, Nie Li had no choice but to fight!
He couldn't back down now!
He had to break into the Central Court and become one of the sect's successor candidates. Only then would he have room to operate. So he had to press forward without hesitation!
A great battle was inevitable. Nie Li quickly swallowed several medicinal pills and began circulating his energy to recover. After that intense fight, his cultivation seemed to have progressed slightly. The fifth soul of his Five Soul Realm was slowly coalescing.
If he could break through to the Five Soul Realm, his odds of winning would improve significantly!
Nie Li frantically channeled the power of the Heavenly Dao within him. The Ten Thousand Li River and Mountain Map above his Soul Sea spun ceaselessly, and endless streams of Heavenly Dao power surged forth, filling his Soul Sea in moments. Nie Li felt his injuries recover completely, and his strength had increased dramatically.
But breaking through to the Five Soul Realm in one go was still far too difficult.
Glancing at Nie Li, who sat cross-legged and recovering, Venerable Flameless snorted coldly and turned to Huang Yu and Nanmen Tianhai. "Nie Li is technically my junior brother. It's only natural that I, as his senior, want to assess his strength. I've already selected an opponent for Nie Li, so there's no need for the two of you to say anything more!"
"Isn't Venerable Flameless overstepping his bounds?" Huang Yu said with a furrowed brow.
"Is this overstepping? This is an internal matter of the Heavenly Cloud Divine Hall—surely that's not for the two of you to interfere with?" Venerable Flameless snorted coldly.
Huang Yu and Nanmen Tianhai weren't entirely sure whether the test of Nie Li had been arranged by Lord Heavenly Cloud himself. But one thing they knew for certain—Lord Heavenly Cloud would never move against Nie Li! They had to stop Venerable Flameless!
Nanmen Tianhai spoke in a deep voice, "If Venerable Flameless truly intends to go through with this, I suggest we first consult with Lord Heavenly Cloud?"
Venerable Flameless swept a cold glance over Huang Yu and Nanmen Tianhai. These two stubborn old men were really getting on his nerves. He grunted heavily, "When I handle things, I don't need the two of you running your mouths!" He looked at a student from the Eastern Court standing nearby and said in a stern voice, "