Inside the hall, all the elders looked at each other in silence.
They were all rather stunned!
What madness had gotten into this fellow?
Although everyone felt quite angry, no one had actually said anything about removing you from your position!
Elder Ge, who stood at the head, remained silent. His expression looked rather grim.
By now he had calmed down!
Many issues had naturally occurred to him!
However, at this moment he was already riding a tiger and could not get off. He had no other choice but to follow the fated one all the way to the end.
The fated one!
Elder Ge slowly closed both eyes. The fated one had always been invincible among his generation. Moreover, he possessed a Dao seal and was very likely the successor or even the son of the Human World Sword Master!
With such status, how could he possibly lose to Ye Guan?
How could he?
The leadership was about to change very soon. If he wanted to stay in power and push his influence to its peak, he had to follow the fated one!
With this thought, Elder Ge stopped hesitating. He slowly opened his eyes, face expressionless. “Immediately recall Shangguan Zhan from the Void Truth world and appoint him as the commander of the Dao soldiers!”
Shangguan Zhan!
Inside the hall, all the elders were stunned.
This was a notorious warmonger!
The reason he had been sent to the Void Truth world earlier was precisely because this fellow could never stay calm and kept causing trouble every day!
Most importantly, this person had once clashed with the Sword Sect!
Bringing Shangguan Zhan back clearly meant preparing for a direct confrontation with the Sword Sect!
At this realisation, the elders exchanged glances again.
To be honest, they still felt some apprehension toward the Sword Sect. After all, the Sword Sect was truly too strong in battle!
The number one sect in the world was no joke!
At that moment Elder Ge suddenly spoke. “If everyone is afraid, then let the matter drop! Shall our Immortal Treasure Pavilion go and apologise to the Sword Sect?”
The hall fell silent.
That was obviously impossible!
Elder Ge stood up, his face cold and dark. “This time the entire universe is watching our Immortal Treasure Pavilion. If we fail to regain face, our prestige will fall to rock bottom. At that point, no one in the world will fear our Immortal Treasure Pavilion any longer!”
The elders nodded one after another in agreement.
Qin Feng, seated at the very end, said nothing and gave no indication of his stance.
Elder Ge suddenly declared, “Issue the order. Raise the bounty on Ye Guan to ten million immortal crystals!”
Ten million immortal crystals!
The hall went quiet again.
Now that Ye Guan had gone to the Sword Sect, let alone ten million immortal crystals, even a hundred million would probably not tempt anyone to try to kill him!
As if guessing what they were thinking, Elder Ge spoke coldly. “This is simply to show our attitude. Let the world know the position of our Immortal Treasure Pavilion. Between us and that Ye Guan, it is a fight to the death!”
With those words he stood up and left!
The meeting was over!
Qin Feng also rose and departed immediately!
On the plaza, Nangong Zhen, who had left earlier, stood silently in front of the statue of Immortal Treasure Pavilion Master Qin Guan.
At that moment Qin Feng walked up beside him.
Nangong Zhen spoke softly. “Elder Qin, that Ye Guan is really not simple!”
Qin Feng nodded. “I know. I have met him before.”
Nangong Zhen shook his head and sighed. “Our Immortal Treasure Pavilion really should not have taken sides so openly. Even if we had to choose a side, we should not have waved flags and shouted so loudly for that fated one! Does our Immortal Treasure Pavilion need to curry favour with the fated one to this extent? It is beneath us!”
Qin Feng gave a light smile. “Do you think they do not understand?”
Nangong Zhen looked at Qin Feng in surprise. “They know?”
Qin Feng smiled faintly. “Anyone who can reach this step is far from stupid!”
Nangong Zhen was puzzled. “Then why are they still doing this?”
Qin Feng said gravely, “Power!”
Nangong Zhen paused for a moment before replying, “The leadership change?”
Qin Feng nodded. “The change is coming very soon. Without a major achievement, they will all be replaced and the managers below will rise up. Once you hold power it is easy to take but very hard to let go! Therefore they must achieve a great merit, and the only way to do so in a short time is to bet on the fated one. If the fated one defeats Ye Guan and is appointed as the young master of Guanxuan Academy, then our Immortal Treasure Pavilion will become the number one contributor. At that time their voice within the pavilion will reach its peak. Even Vice Pavilion Master Ying Qing would probably have to give them some face!”
Nangong Zhen fell silent.
Qin Feng spoke softly. “The battle between Ye Guan and the fated one is no longer just a personal contest between the two of them. It has become a struggle over interests!”
Nangong Zhen said in a deep voice, “Neither the Spirit Void Divine Land nor the Time Cave Heaven are foolish. Yet this time they have acted completely out of character, even willing to oppose our Immortal Treasure Pavilion in order to support that Ye Guan!”
His expression grew serious. “This is truly too abnormal!”
Qin Feng stayed quiet. Having met Ye Guan, he felt this young man was really extraordinary, and the more contact he had, the more mysterious he seemed!
Nangong Zhen continued. “Elder Qin, right now the council of elders is acting against reason for their own benefit. If this continues, I fear great disaster may come. You must take care!”
Qin Feng nodded. “I will.”
Nangong Zhen glanced once more at the statue of Pavilion Master Qin, gave a soft sigh, and turned to leave.
Qin Feng stood silently in place for a long while before he too turned and departed.
At the Heavenly Dragon Clan.
Inside the hall, Ao Qianqian stood quietly. Not far in front of her was an old man who was speaking to her in a low voice.
After the old man finished, Ao Qianqian slowly closed her eyes. “Spirit Void Divine Land, Time Cave Heaven…”
Ever since she learned that Ye Guan had arrived in the Guanxuan universe, she had immediately sent people to keep constant watch over him!
At that moment a middle-aged man appeared in the hall. He gave a slight bow. “Young clan leader, the clan leader requests your immediate presence!”
Ao Qianqian gathered her thoughts, nodded, and left.
In a grand hall, the elders of the Heavenly Dragon Clan had all gathered.
At the head stood the clan leader of the Heavenly Dragon Clan, Ao Sheng!
In the very centre of the hall stood a middle-aged man, none other than the Great Martial Ancestor!
When Ao Qianqian arrived, Ao Sheng gave a slight nod and said, “Everyone, the Great Martial Ancestor has come to our Heavenly Dragon Clan for two matters…”
He looked toward the Great Martial Ancestor. “Great Martial Ancestor, you should speak.”
The Great Martial Ancestor nodded slightly. “Everyone, the fated one hopes to receive assistance from the Heavenly Dragon Clan!”
Upon hearing this, all the elders in the hall were shocked!
The fated one was actively trying to win over the Heavenly Dragon Clan?
The people present immediately became excited!
Before this, the Heavenly Dragon Clan had already been somewhat inclined to lean toward the fated one! In fact, across the entire Guanxuan universe now, apart from the four top families and the Sword Sect, most sects and families wanted to side with the fated one!
Everyone already regarded the fated one as the future successor of Guanxuan Academy!
After all, even the Immortal Treasure Pavilion had begun to support the fated one. The Immortal Treasure Pavilion always acted purely for profit. Without absolute certainty, they would never place such a heavy bet!
At that moment the Great Martial Ancestor spoke again. “There is one more matter. We hope that young clan leader Qianqian can sign an equal contract with the fated one, voluntarily merge with him, and share mental power as well as defence!”
The dragons in the hall were stunned at first, then wild joy erupted among the Heavenly Dragon Clan powerhouses!
This was an enormous opportunity!
If Ao Qianqian merged with the fated one, what would that mean? It would mean the relationship between the Heavenly Dragon Clan and the fated one would become unbreakable. Among all the forces supporting the fated one, the position of the Heavenly Dragon Clan would become especially prominent!
Even clan leader Ao Sheng was stunned. He had not expected the fated one to make such a request!
To merge with Ao Qianqian!
Ao Sheng looked toward Ao Qianqian. Her expression remained calm. She turned to the Great Martial Ancestor and smiled. “Great Martial Ancestor, may I reply to this matter another day?”
The Great Martial Ancestor was slightly surprised but did not press her arrogantly. He nodded gently. “Of course!”
After a brief pause he added, “He values the Heavenly Dragon Clan greatly and hopes to cooperate sincerely with your clan and share the future together.”
Ao Qianqian nodded. “Understood!”
The Great Martial Ancestor glanced at Ao Qianqian once more, said nothing further, and left.
After he departed, the great elder of the Heavenly Dragon Clan spoke with some displeasure. “Qianqian, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Why did you not agree directly? You must understand, that is the fated one…”
Ao Qianqian looked straight at Ao Sheng. “Father, I wish to speak with you privately!”
The great elder’s face immediately darkened, but he did not dare say more.
Ao Sheng nodded slightly. “Everyone, this matter concerns Qianqian and the future of our Heavenly Dragon Clan. I will speak with her privately. You may all withdraw!”
The elders of the Heavenly Dragon Clan left the hall!
Ao Sheng looked at Ao Qianqian. “You do not wish to follow the fated one?”
Ao Qianqian nodded. “Correct!”
Ao Sheng asked, “Is it because of Ye Guan?”
Ao Qianqian shook her head. “Not entirely. I simply have a bad impression of this fated one!”
Ao Sheng was slightly surprised. “A bad impression?”
Ao Qianqian nodded. “If he had competed fairly with Young Master Ye, that would have been fine. But he deliberately suppressed Young Master Ye, especially with that statement: ‘With him, there is no Young Master Ye. With Young Master Ye, there is no him…’”
She shook her head gently. “Such behaviour is truly that of a petty person. His bearing is extremely narrow and he lacks the capacity to tolerate others. Although his status is special, I believe his path will not be long!”
Ao Sheng remained silent.
Ao Qianqian looked at him. “On the contrary, Young Master Ye gives me an extremely good feeling. He is brave and resourceful, his talent is monstrous, and his character is kind. He can achieve great things!”
Ao Sheng stared at Ao Qianqian. “Give me one reason to convince me!”
Ao Qianqian thought for a moment before replying, “The Spirit Void Divine Land and the Time Cave Heaven…”
Ao Sheng shook his head. “Little girl, I understand what you mean. They support Ye Guan so strongly, so there must be a reason. But right now I do not want to consider them. I only want to hear your true thoughts!”
Ao Qianqian met his gaze directly. “I have greater faith in Young Master Ye. I want to support him.”
Ao Sheng stared at her. “You must understand, if we choose the wrong side, what will happen to our Heavenly Dragon Clan!”
Ao Qianqian nodded. “I know!”
Ao Sheng asked, “So you still want to support Ye Guan?”
Ao Qianqian nodded. “I support him!”
Ao Sheng asked again, “No regrets?”
Ao Qianqian smiled. “What is there to regret?”
Ao Sheng gave a faint smile. “I also support Ye Guan!”
Ao Qianqian was stunned.
Ao Sheng laughed. “Do you know what I dislike most about the fated one?”
Ao Qianqian shook her head.
Ao Sheng spoke softly. “Like you, I dislike that statement of his: ‘With him, there is no Ye Guan. With Ye Guan, there is no him.’ This person’s capacity is far too small. Compared with the Human World Sword Master, his bearing falls short by an enormous distance. To control the entire academy and rule over it, how can one succeed without magnanimity? If on that day he had stood on Ye Guan’s side and punished our Heavenly Dragon Clan and the An family, then I would truly have held him in high regard. Moreover, he might even have gained Ye Guan’s approval and won Ye Guan’s loyalty…”
He shook his head gently. “Although Ye Guan is currently weak, he now has support not only from the Spirit Void Divine Land and the Time Cave Heaven but also from the Sword Sect. He is not without a chance to fight!”
At this point he looked at Ao Qianqian. “If I asked you to merge with him and sign a peaceful contract, would you be willing?”
Ao Qianqian was silent for a moment, then lowered her head slightly. Her voice became as soft as a mosquito. “I… he is quite good-looking!”
Ao Sheng: “……”
