Zhang Chen fell silent upon hearing this. He did not refute Liu Feng’s words; he just wanted to climb the ranks in Yellow Heaven Dao to obtain more advanced Qi Cultivation Techniques. Why is it so difficult?
Liu Feng fixed his gaze on Zhang Chen and took a deep breath: "You shall remain in the small courtyard for now and are not permitted to descend the mountain. Wait for the sect’s news."
After speaking, Liu Feng left directly, leaving Zhang Chen and Xiaodouding standing behind, silently watching Liu Feng’s departing figure.
"Junior Brother, the Observatory Master is too much. Was his intention to strip you of your first-place qualification?" Xiaodouding spoke, gritting his teeth in anger.
Zhang Chen did not respond, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "They won’t easily take away what’s mine."
Meanwhile, inside the underground chamber, in front of the Pool of Faith, Wu Changming and Gu Mingyue watched the Power of Incense within the pool. Wu Changming’s voice was full of pride: "Senior Brother, your little prince has stumbled. It seems that the position of Star God is out of his reach."
Wu Changming felt triumphant; as long as the position didn’t fall into Gu Mingyue’s hands, he could at least let off some steam.
Gu Mingyue heard this and remained silent with a somber expression. At that moment, a figure appeared, standing above the Pool of Faith, looking at the two of them.
Upon seeing the figure, they recognized it was the projection of the Great Virtuous Master and both bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Master."
"Wu Changming, there is a problem with the teachings in Jiangnan; you must depart for Jiangnan Dao immediately to eliminate the enemies of the teachings," said the Great Virtuous Master.
Wu Changming respectfully bowed upon hearing: "Disciple obeys."
With those words, his figure vanished from the spot.
After Wu Changming left, the Great Virtuous Master looked at Gu Mingyue: "I’ve already seen your previous transmission."
"I beseech Master to make the decision," Gu Mingyue replied respectfully.
"I’ve already sent Wu Changming away, so you won’t need my guidance for the following matters, will you?" the Great Virtuous Master said.
"I’m afraid that once Wu Changming learns of this, he will desperately fight with me," Gu Mingyue gave a bitter smile.
"You must understand the bigger picture. A mere civilian disciple is nothing compared to Prince Pingbian. Yellow Heaven Dao has already placed its bet on Prince Pingbian’s Mansion; there cannot be any errors," said the Great Virtuous Master with a frown. "Zhang Xiaohua, despite mastering Superpower, was defeated by an ordinary individual. There is certainly something fishy here. You should properly investigate Zhang Chen and see what peculiarities he has."
With this, the Great Virtuous Master’s dissatisfied voice echoed in the underground: "That Zhang Xiaohua is worthless; he is like mud that can’t stick to a wall. A dignified superpower user was defeated by a mere mortal; it is truly embarrassing."
"Follow through with this task. You are responsible for everything here. I am about to enter seclusion. You will be in charge of this God Sealing Ceremony. I might not have time to leave seclusion to inspect it," the Great Virtuous Master’s figure gradually became dim.
"Master, has the reason for the lack of Power of Faith been found?"
As the Great Virtuous Master prepared to leave, Gu Mingyue hurriedly asked a question.
"The Daoist Temple has no anomalies. It must be that the disciples who spread teachings down the mountain are not diligent, leading to a decline in collected incense. You need not worry," as the Great Virtuous Master’s figure disappeared into the pool, the chamber became quiet.
Gu Mingyue stood dumbfounded before the pool, gazing at the Pool of Faith with eyes full of inexplicable emotions. After a long time, he sighed softly: "Immortality! Master, you attain longevity alone but are so heartless toward us. Take for example the Water God position in the Miluo River; Liu Feng has pleaded with you earnestly for three years, yet you persistently refuse to relent, yet you favor those useless ants. You truly are ruthless to us, your disciples."
After finishing his words, Gu Mingyue exited the chamber, making his way to the main hall, where he saw Liu Feng already standing in anxious anticipation.
"Uncle..." Liu Feng hastily stepped forward to greet Gu Mingyue respectfully.
"Enough, there is no need to apologize. You cannot be blamed for this incident," Gu Mingyue waved his hand, his voice gentle: "I have already reported to the Great Virtuous Master, who has transferred Wu Changming away. I am now wholly responsible for all following matters."
Upon hearing Gu Mingyue’s words, Liu Feng’s eyes immediately brightened: "Do you mean?"
"Zhang Chen severely injured fellow disciple Chu Mingyue, ignoring the spirit of competition and camaraderie. This is a grave offense, and thus his qualification for first place is revoked to serve as a warning to others," Gu Mingyue said coldly.
Liu Feng responded: "Given the circumstances, this seems the only recourse. However, if this matter spreads, other temples might secretly express their discontent."
"For the sake of the grand undertaking, nothing matters," Gu Mingyue replied.
Hearing this, Liu Feng could only nod and comply.
"Moreover, Zhang Chen was able to pierce through the Crown Prince’s protective divine techniques with a single sword; this is quite abnormal. There is certainly something fishy about it," Gu Mingyue remarked.
"By all accounts, Zhang Chen should not possess such ability. I have previously investigated, and I did not detect any mysterious aura on him..." Liu Feng explained.
"I will personally take a look. I must see what peculiarity this young man possesses," Gu Mingyue said, rising as his figure disappeared from the hall.
As for Zhang Chen, at the moment the Great Virtuous Master departed, the Devouring Skill within his body mysteriously sensed the subtle Qi mechanism vanishing into thin air, prompting an idea in Zhang Chen’s mind: "The Great Virtuous Master has left?"
"It makes sense; such a being like the Great Virtuous Master is constantly occupied, so how could he always linger in the Daoist Temple?" Zhang Chen felt joy within; the departure of the Great Virtuous Master’s will meant that he could continue to steal incense for personal use and obtain more points.
Currently unable to find a new source of points, Huangli Temple was certainly his financial source.
"You’re Zhang Chen."
Just as Zhang Chen was thinking of continuing his exploits, footsteps resonated outside, and then Gu Mingyue was seen entering from the doorway.
A golden light flickered deep in Zhang Chen’s eyes; the next moment, his pupils contracted, seeing the divine power surrounding the newcomer, comparable to that of the old Wu Changming.
This was one of Yellow Heaven Dao’s top ten Celestial Master level individuals.
Zhang Chen feigned ignorance of the visitor’s identity, stood up, and said blankly: "Who are you?"
Gu Mingyue ignored Zhang Chen and took a step forward to grasp Zhang Chen’s wrist. Next, his inner divine power surged, scanning Zhang Chen’s whole body but detecting no abnormalities.
"Huh, strange! This is merely a mortal body of an ordinary individual," Gu Mingyue frowned again, examining Zhang Chen from head to toe, ultimately fixing his gaze on the iron sword. Detecting the power of filth on the sword, he suddenly realized and beckoned the sword to him: "This sword possesses powerful mysterious and corrosive power, no wonder it managed to pierce through the Crown Prince’s protective barrier."
"Where did you get this sword?" Gu Mingyue asked dominantly.
"It was taken by the disciple from the Inspection and Supervision Department," Zhang Chen had long prepared for this and directly shifted all responsibility to the department. Even as one of the top ten Celestial Master level figures, Gu Mingyue could not go before Xie Lingyun to question her.
"It turns out it came from the Inspection and Supervision Department." Gu Mingyue examined the iron sword and then casually tossed it back to Zhang Chen, lamenting: "Unfortunately, the power of filth on this sword is fading, and it will revert to an ordinary mundane sword in a few days. No wonder you were able to defeat the Crown Prince; the secret lay with this sword, seems Xie Lingyun quite favors you."