Qi Tian had never intended to let Chen Tianming leave the Funeral Dragon Nest alive. Hearing Ye Qiu’s words now only strengthened his resolve.
Still, he asked one question.
“Did Master really say that?”
Ye Qiu nodded. “He did.”
“Master also said that Chen Tianming is the first divine son of the Qingyun Sword Sect, with immense potential. If we do not kill him soon, he will surely become a great threat in the future.”
“Moreover, Master said that we have provoked the Qingyun Sword Sect several times, yet they have always acted like cowards. Once we kill Chen Tianming, the Qingyun Sword Sect will certainly no longer hold back.”
“At that time, Master will join forces with the Butian Sect and the three great holy lands to wipe out the Qingyun Sword Sect.”
Qi Tian nodded slightly, glanced up at the Tree of the Great Dao above Ye Qiu’s head, and said, “Junior brother, your luck is good. You actually obtained a treasure like the Tree of the Great Dao.”
Ye Qiu hurriedly replied, “Senior brother, if you like it, I will give this Tree of the Great Dao to you.”
Hearing this, Changmei Zhenren, standing to one side, grew frantic inside and silently cursed, “This little brat is staking far too much capital just to deceive the enemy.”
Qi Tian smiled and asked, “Junior brother, would you truly give the Tree of the Great Dao to me?”
“Of course.” Ye Qiu put on a magnanimous air and said, “Anything that is mine, if senior brother likes it, take it without hesitation.”
“Master said that senior brother will inherit his position in the future and become the leader of our Yin-Yang Sect.”
“Master told me to cultivate diligently so that I can assist senior brother in the future.”
After hearing this, Qi Tian felt several degrees more fondness for Ye Qiu. His smile grew warmer as he said, “Junior brother, you are thoughtful.”
“Since the Tree of the Great Dao came to you, keep it well. Senior brother has no need of it.”
“Rest assured, with me here, no one will take your Tree of the Great Dao from you.”
Ye Qiu quickly expressed thanks. “Thank you, senior brother.”
Qi Tian said, “We are fellow disciples. No need for such formality. Hurry and put the Tree of the Great Dao away.”
Ye Qiu swiftly stored the Tree of the Great Dao and said, “Since senior brother does not want it, when we return I will present it to Master as thanks for his guidance.”
Qi Tian thought to himself, “Master’s new disciple is truly excellent. He thinks of Master at every moment. What a grateful and loyal person.”
Just then.
Whoosh!
A razor-sharp sword qi streaked through the air like lightning, slashing fiercely toward Qi Tian.
Chen Tianming had struck!
Qi Tian was about to counter when Ye Qiu moved first, stepping in front to shield him.
Pfft!
The sword qi pierced Ye Qiu’s shoulder. Blood sprayed, his face paled instantly, and he staggered backward.
Qi Tian swiftly reached out, pressing a palm to Ye Qiu’s back to steady him. “Why did you block it? Your cultivation is weak. How could you possibly be Chen Tianming’s match?”
Ye Qiu said, “I feared he would injure senior brother.”
At once, Qi Tian’s fondness for Ye Qiu soared. He scolded gently, “Junior brother, never act so recklessly again.”
“I am your senior brother. It is my duty to protect you.”
“Remember this well. In future, never do anything so foolish.”
Ye Qiu lowered his head and pretended to comply. “Yes, senior brother.”
Qi Tian produced a spiritual pill and handed it to Ye Qiu. “Take this quickly.”
Ye Qiu recognised it at a glance as a top-grade earth-level pill. He thought to himself that, as expected of the first divine son of the Yin-Yang Sect, he was truly generous.
“Thank you, senior brother.” Ye Qiu expressed gratitude.
“Stay here and heal. Leave Chen Tianming to me.” Qi Tian strode forward. Ye Qiu watched his retreating back, a smile curving his lips as he quietly put the pill away.
He did not dare consume the pill carelessly. What if it was poisoned?
Though the chance was slim, caution was necessary.
Changmei Zhenren edged closer to Ye Qiu and transmitted, “Little brat, that flesh-wound ploy was masterfully played. This poor daoist admires you.”
Ye Qiu smiled. Divine light flickered at his shoulder wound, and the injury healed in the blink of an eye.
In truth, he had known full well that Chen Tianming’s sudden attack, though swift and fierce, could easily have been blocked by Qi Tian’s skill.
Ye Qiu had deliberately used his body to intercept the sword qi precisely to gain Qi Tian’s trust and favour. To that end, he had intentionally refrained from circulating his true qi.
Otherwise, with the formidable strength of his physical body, Chen Tianming could never have wounded him so easily.
Now Ye Qiu’s goal was achieved.
From Qi Tian giving him the pill and the words he had spoken, it was clear Qi Tian held him in high regard.
“It seems this move was the right one.”
“What I did not expect was that Qi Tian had never met Dragon Bodhisattva before.”
“But that is even better. After what just happened, Qi Tian trusts me completely.”
“I wonder what expression he will wear when he learns my true identity. I look forward to it!”
…
Qi Tian took several steps forward, staring coldly at Chen Tianming. His voice was icy. “You dared to wound my junior brother. It seems you no longer wish to live.”
Yet Chen Tianming remained as arrogant as ever, ignoring Qi Tian. His gaze fell on Ye Qiu as he sneered, “I was wondering why you were so bold earlier. So you are a disciple of Wuji Tianzun.”
“Unfortunately, though Qi Tian is rubbish in my eyes, compared to him you are not even rubbish.”
“The Tree of the Great Dao is a divine medicine. In your hands it would be utterly wasted.”
“I advise you to hand it over at once.”
“Otherwise, beware my sword taking your life.”
Ye Qiu had never feared Chen Tianming in the first place, and now Qi Tian was here besides.
“Hahaha…” Ye Qiu burst into laughter and said, “Chen Tianming, you spout big words without fear of biting your tongue.”
“I do not look down on you, but in front of my senior brother you are the complete waste.”
“If you want to kill me, have you asked my senior brother?”
Qi Tian declared loudly, “Chen Tianming, with me here you cannot kill my junior brother.”
He had long wanted to kill Chen Tianming. Moreover, when he had spoken earlier, Chen Tianming had ignored him, which stoked anger in Qi Tian’s heart.
So what if he was the first divine son of the Qingyun Sword Sect? What was there to be so proud of? I am the first divine son of the Yin-Yang Sect.
At last, Chen Tianming’s gaze settled on Qi Tian.
“Qi Tian, I am telling you, the Tree of the Great Dao will be mine, and that brat’s life will be mine today as well.”
“I would like to see whether you can protect him.”
With those words, vast battle intent surged from Chen Tianming.
Qi Tian stared at him, battle intent rising in kind.
In an instant, murderous aura filled the heavens and earth.
Qi Tian and Chen Tianming locked eyes, icy gazes brimming with deep-seated killing intent.
Battle was on the verge of erupting.
Just then, a voice boomed like heavenly thunder, resounding in all directions.
“Qi Tian, Chen Tianming’s life is mine!”
