"Oh? Is that so? Is there really such a mysterious will hidden within the Cliff Dragon Painting?" Zhao Ya continued to feign ignorance.
"Of course, the Cliff Dragon Painting is the fundamental map of our Azure Dragon Temple. Over the millennia, countless brilliant figures have gazed upon it with deep contemplation. As time passed, a formidable will naturally condensed within. You, young man, are quite fortunate to have unintentionally integrated with it, which can be considered your serendipity."
Qin Jianji exclaimed, then stood up.
"Let’s go, accompany me back to the sect. This matter is of great significance and must be reported to the grand elders in person."
"As for that assassin..." Qin Jianji sneered.
"If my guess is correct, aside from the scoundrels hiding in the dark from the Separation Tower, no one else could possess the strange methods you described."
Separation Tower.
Zhao Ya memorized these three words and planned to thoroughly investigate them later in the Library.
Clearly, Qin Jianji was quite concerned about what Zhao Ya had described, and he promptly took him back to the Azure Dragon Temple.
Upon meeting Elder Guan Xuejiang, he relayed the entire situation.
Guan Xuejiang was visibly moved.
"Child, come over here."
Guan Xuejiang called Zhao Ya forward and then grasped his meridian gate, inspecting it carefully.
Zhao Ya remained calm.
Previously, Guo Luming had investigated him in the same manner and found no clues.
This means that as long as Zhao Ya wished, even those with higher levels could find nothing.
Zhao Ya merely circulated the Azure Dragon True Power through his Ren and Du Meridians.
Moments later, Guan Xuejiang released his hand, looking at Zhao Ya with surprise.
"It’s true; the Ren and Du Meridians are indeed open."
Qin Jianji breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes, I was also quite shocked."
"Someone, go to the Library and invite Elder Guo, and also Elder Shen from the Contribution Department. Tell them I have a matter of great importance," Guan Xuejiang instructed.
Generally, Guo Luming never leaves the Library.
But this situation is not typical.
Therefore, Guo Luming and Shen Yunshen arrived quickly.
The earlier process was repeated, and Zhao Ya narrated his condition once more.
Once confirmed, Guo Luming exchanged a glance with his junior, Guan Xuejiang.
Then Guo Luming laughed aloud.
"Good, good, good!"
Guo Luming exclaimed three times, looking at Zhao Ya with eyes so fervent they seemed to melt.
He had thought Zhao Ya exceptional from their first meeting, destined for unparalleled achievements, but he hadn’t anticipated this level of excellence.
To be able to harmonize with the millennia-old will contained within the Cliff Dragon Painting was an extraordinary fortune.
Could it be that after more than twenty years of decline, the Azure Dragon Temple is about to flourish again?
However, Shen Yunshen focused on a different aspect.
He was naturally pleased as well, but his expression soon turned somber.
"Did you say there were assassins chasing you?"
"Yes, Elder Qin deduces that it is very likely the work of the Separation Tower."
"Hmph, no matter who they are, the fact that they attacked you proves there is someone orchestrating it from behind."
At this, Shen Yunshen looked at Guan Xuejiang, speaking with a chilling demeanor.
"Grand Elder, it’s fortunate that Ya was alert, coupled with the Separation Tower’s carelessness, that he escaped this time. Otherwise, the future of our Azure Dragon Temple could have been buried by those scoundrels like Xia Jiye."
Though there was no concrete evidence proving that Xia Jiye bribed an assassin to kill Zhao Ya,
the people present were all astute enough to easily deduce the situation.
"So your meaning is..." Guan Xuejiang naturally picked up on Shen Yunshen’s implication.
"In the past, Xia Jiye’s actions were one thing, but now he’s dared to hire a hitman, and the target is one of our temple’s outstanding disciples. This has impinged severely on my principles, so my proposal is, kill!"
At the last word, Shen Yunshen’s face was filled with a cold, murderous intent.
Guan Xuejiang remained silent, only looking at Qin Jianji.
Qin Jianji understood, then stepped forward and said, "Yunshen, I understand your anger, but if you storm over there now, and Xia Jiye denies everything, what will you do?"
"I know given your strength, it’s not hard for you to kill him, but don’t forget Xia Jiye has a significant number of supporters behind him. If you can’t produce concrete evidence, righteous enough to convince them all, then the Azure Dragon Temple might face internal chaos. What then?"
Shen Yunshen was a bit frustrated, "This won’t work, and that won’t either. Must we let Xia Jiye roam free?"
At this moment, Zhao Ya, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke up.
"Elder Shen, I know you mean well for me, but there’s no need to be so anxious. It is Xia Jiye who should be anxious. Believe me, soon enough, he’ll learn that I’ve attained Meridian Opening. At that moment, he’ll have only two choices left: yield in defeat or confront head-on."
"Given Xia Jiye’s current position, even if he wants to yield, it’s no longer possible, so he must continue the confrontation. And when he attempts another move, that’s when we’ll strike."
Zhao Ya spoke this way because he didn’t want Shen Yunshen or Guan Xuejiang to be put in a difficult position.
After all, he himself was the victim, and the statement Qin Jianji made earlier was already pushing the limits. Going any further would be considered borrowing someone else’s power for personal gain.
Thus, only if Zhao Ya himself took the initiative to persuade would it seem appropriate.
Shen Yunshen’s earlier display could even possibly have been for Zhao Ya’s benefit.
But such a display bore no malice; instead, it provided Zhao Ya a means to vent.
If Zhao Ya had insisted on killing Xia Jiye, Shen Yunshen might indeed have taken action.
Everything stemmed from the fact that Zhao Ya’s current status was drastically different.
If previously, Zhao Ya in the Fifth Realm was merely a talented disciple,
now he had successfully opened the meridians and, by "chance," had integrated with the will within the Cliff Dragon Painting. The significance of this was evident.
To appease him, eliminating a corrupt elder was of little consequence, even if it led to endless troubles later, it could be tolerated.
But Zhao Ya was not "capricious."
Such matters call for mutual understanding.
Through investigating Nandian Town, annihilating Yu Zhang, and rebuilding the outer sect, Zhao Ya had discerned the ambitions of Grand Elder Guan Xuejiang.
At this moment, stability was even more critical.
For prematurely intensifying conflicts could destroy the carefully constructed situation.
Moreover, Zhao Ya believed that having stated his position, the Grand Elder and others would certainly provide some form of compensation.
Indeed.
After hearing Zhao Ya’s words, Guan Xuejiang’s expression relaxed, then he nodded and said, "Ya is right, but this matter cannot be overlooked."
"Xia Jiye will not be touched for now, but the fact that the Separation Tower dared target a disciple of our Azure Dragon Temple shows that years of endurance have led many to forget respect. Yunshen!"
"Present!"
"Lead a team to eradicate the Separation Tower, first to avenge Ya, and second, to warn Xia Jiye and others not to assume I am without temper. If they dare to play without bounds again, I will not hesitate due to former comradeship," Guan Xuejiang declared coldly.
"Yes!" Shen Yunshen felt a surge of long-lost excitement.
Over the years, it was his disdain for the shameless conduct within the Southern Azure Dragon faction that led him to constant inebriation.
Now, seeing the Grand Elder’s resolve to act and take the Separation Tower as the first target, he was naturally elated.
Seeing this, Zhao Ya was moved and suddenly said, "Grand Elder, may I join in this purge?"
"Oh? You wish to participate?" Guan Xuejiang glanced at Zhao Ya.
Zhao Ya nodded, "I let the assassin escape earlier. Now that there’s a chance, I naturally want to take revenge."
"Very well, but be cautious as the Separation Tower is quite formidable. Though you’ve achieved Meridian Opening, you’ve only unblocked the Ren and Du Meridians and haven’t developed substantial meridians yet, so your strength hasn’t been fully realized," Guan Xuejiang warned.
"Don’t worry, Grand Elder. With me there, I’ll ensure Ya doesn’t lose a single hair," Shen Yunshen assured with a smile.