Chapter 1515: An Unexpected Turn of Events
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Naturally, Duan Ling Tian was unaware of the crisis Fang Hui was facing.
He did not think that after rising to fame and becoming prominent, Liu Huan would resort to such a desperate measure and want to kill his teacher, Fang Hui.
Currently, he was with Bai Li Hong and the group of people from the Moon Illumination Sect. They were on their way over to the venue of the Hunting Assessment, in the sky above a dangerously steep mountain ridge.
From afar, the sight of the lofty mountains and high ranges were so vast that it made people tongue-tied.
“The lofty mountains and high ranges will be the stage that all of you will enter soon… You can kill as many wild beasts as you like inside. However, it’s best to leave a mark on the beasts that you killed so we can evaluate the results later,” Zhong Huo, the Vice Sect Leader of Moon Illumination Sect, said to the group of inner court disciples including Duan Ling Tian.
Duan Ling Tian and the others nodded after hearing his words.
‘It looks like I can’t directly obliterate the wild beasts. After all, if I leave no trace behind, I won’t be able to prove I killed the wild beasts. In fact, I won’t be able to prove I killed any wild beast at all,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself.
During their journey here, he had roughly gone through the rules of the Hunting Assessment.
For the Hunting Assessment, the points given would be different depending on the strength of the wild beast one killed.
“Everyone, take one of these jade tokens… If you encounter a mishap, just crush it. At that time, three inner court elders and I will immediately come and look for you.” Zhong Huo lifted his hands and took out more than ten jade tokens before passing it to Duan Ling Tian and the others.
“However, there’s something I have to warn you about. Once you crush the jade token, the Hunting Assessment will come to an end for you. Whoever crushes the jade token will have to immediately stop the assessment.” The underlying meaning in Zhong Huo’s words was simple. It was better not to crush the jade token unless one was in a dire situation.
The group of inner court disciples was nodding their heads including He Zhong. Duan Ling Tian, however, looked deep in thought as he looked at the jade token in his hand.
“Saint Inscription?” At this moment, Duan Ling Tian discovered the Saint Inscription that was inscribed on the jade token in his hand. The Saint Inscription was special. It was neither offensive nor defensive. Personally, he had never encountered such a Saint Inscription before.
“Senior Brother, did you inscribe the Saint Inscription on the jade tokens?” Duan Ling Tian asked Bai Li Hong through True Energy Voice Transmission. Although he did not recognize the Saint Inscription on the jade token, he could still see traces of Bai Li Hong’s work in the striations on the jade token.
When it comes to words, everyone has their own unique handwriting. For the Saint Inscriptions, it would be the striations.
“Yes,” Bai Li Hong replied, “Junior Brother, don’t look down on the Saint Inscription on this jade token. This Saint Inscription is a Three Star Saint Inscription!”
Three Star Saint Inscription?
Duan Ling Tian’s heart leaped when he heard Bai Li Hong’s words.
“Although these Saint Inscriptions are all Three Star Saint Inscriptions, they only function as a warning. The cost of making them is much lower. They can’t even compare to Two Star Saint Inscriptions,” Bai Li Hong added.
Duan Ling Tian finally understood the Inscription better.
“However, they’re still Three Star Saint Inscriptions even though the cost of making them is low. Even the territory of an Imminent Saint Stage powerhouse wouldn’t be able to nullify its warning. Naturally, it would be a different story if it’s a Saint Stage powerhouse,” Bai Li Hong continued saying.
“A warning that can overcome an Imminent Saint Stage powerhouse’s territory?” Duan Ling Tian was taken aback. He no longer dared to look down on the Saint Inscription on the jade token in his hand.
“Alright, all of you can go now… The three patrollers and I will take turns to patrol and help boost your morale. If you encounter any danger, just crush the jade token in your hands, and we’ll come to your rescue immediately,” Zhong Huo, the Vice Sect Leader of Moon Illumination Sect, said directly without beating around the bush.
As for the rules of the Hunting Assessment, he had already informed the others of them during their journey here.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
As soon as Zhong Huo’s words left his mouth, the group of inner court disciples descended from the sky one after another and entered the lush green lofty mountain range. All of them disappeared in just a blink of an eye like stones that were dropped into the sea without eliciting any waves.
Duan Ling Tian also descended from the sky and entered the lofty mountain range after he nodded at Bai Li Hong.
After the group of inner court disciples, including Duan Ling Tian, entered the lofty mountain range, Zhong Huo smiled at Bai Li Hong and asked with narrowed eyes, “Elder Bai Li Hong, among all the participants of the Hunting Assessment, I have the highest expectation for Junior Brother Duan. I’m certain he’ll most likely get first place. What do you think?”
Naturally, he had deliberately asked this question.
However, he was struck dumb the instant he heard Bai Li Hong’s reply.
“Not most likely but definitely! Junior Brother will definitely get the first place in this Hunting Assessment,” Bai Li Hong replied.
Bai Li Hong’s reply did not only make Zhong Huo dumbfounded, but even the two inner court elders were speechless. They felt that Bai Li Hong was too blind in his faith in Duan Ling Tian.
Although they had to admit Duan Ling Tian’s innate talent was indeed remarkable, remarkable innate talent did not equal to being powerful!
In their opinion, Duan Ling Tian had made a breakthrough to the Saint Rudiment Stage from the Perfection Mortal Shedding Stage in such a short period of time so his foundation should not be that stable yet. Moreover, they did not think he would be able to compare to the group of inner court disciples who participated this time.
Naturally, this was only because they were unaware of Duan Ling Tian’s secret.
If they knew that Duan Ling Tian had a heaven-defying Celestial Supreme Treasure, the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, in his hand, they would not think this way at all.
As soon as Duan Ling Tian entered the lofty mountain range, he began to slaughter the wild beasts.
Meanwhile, a crisis was happening in the City Governor’s Estate on Mound Hill City.
Up high in the sky, Fang Hui, the City Governor of Mound Hill City, looked at Su Qi with a complicated expression. However, he did not say anything in the end.
In his opinion, Su Qi’s decision was not wrong.
In this world where strength was revered, the reason one risked one’s life to cultivate was to obtain a better life.
Su Qi’s survival instinct led him to become Liu Huan’s disciple. Therefore, he truly did not blame him at all.
It was not wrong for Su Qi to want to survive.
However, when Fang Hui saw the murderous intent gleaming in Liu Huan’s eyes, his heart turned cold immediately. He realized Liu Huan came with ill intent, he had come to kill him.
It did not surprise him that Liu Huan wanted to kill him. His heart had turned cold because Liu Huan had brought Su Qi along.
Liu Huan wanted to flaunt his prowess before he killed him. He intended to violently trample on his dignity in front of his disciple before killing him.
“Fang Hui, I must really thank you for finding me such an excellent disciple.” Liu Huan chuckled as he looked at Fang Hui.
“Liu Huan, you don’t have to keep up the farce anymore… Didn’t you come today to kill me? Duan Ling Tian’s existence is like a fishbone stuck in your throat, isn’t it?” Fang Hui said bluntly as he glanced at Liu Huan. “Even if I, Fang Hui, die today, I don’t have any regrets… Duan Ling Tian is destined to become your nightmare for the rest of your life. Well… that’s only if you manage to live long enough! Hahahaha…” When Fang Hui reached the end of his sentence, he laughed out loud unreservedly and delightedly.
“Fang Hui!” Liu Huan roared as his face turned grave.
He did not expect Fang Hui would still dare to provoke him at this moment. It was obvious he did not fear death at all.
Soon after, Liu Huan was hit with a pang of realization, and he regained his senses. He asked with a smirk, “You intend to provoke me so you can die a fast and painless death?”
“Liu Huan, your imagination is really as rich as before,” Fang Hui replied nonchalantly. His face was calm as though he had already been enlightened and was not bothered by life or death.
“Hurmph! I must have guessed correctly, right? Since you want to die a fast and painless death, I definitely won’t give you that!” Liu Huan smirked. “You’ll definitely die today although there’s no way I’m going to grant you a fast and painless death. I’ll make you watch as I flay you alive!’
Upon hearing Liu Huan’s words, Fang Hui could not help but feel chills running up his spine even though he was no longer bothered about life or death.
“Liu Huan, my death is only going to be the beginning of your nightmare!” Fang Hui laughed wantonly, delighted.
This was the first time in a long time since he felt so happy when he encountered Liu Huan.
All these years, he had been living like a zombie. Was it not because of the small shred of obsession he had stubbornly held onto in his heart?
However, his disciple, Duan Ling Tian, had risen to the top now. His existence was akin to a fishbone stuck in Liu Huan’s throat. He suddenly felt as though everything he had endured and all the contributions he had made throughout the years were worthwhile for he had been greatly rewarded.
In his opinion, Duan Ling Tian was the best gift God had given him.
With Duan Ling Tian around, did he need to be afraid that there would be no one to avenge him?
Although the time he spent with Duan Ling Tian was only less than a year, he knew very well what kind of person Duan Ling Tian was.
If he died, Duan Ling Tian definitely would not let Liu Huan go so easily.
“You’re looking for death!” Liu Huan flew into a rage. True Energy surged up from his body, and his robe began to flutter even though there was no wind.
Liu Huan was brimming with arrogance. His robe fluttered again, and he was about to make his move. His face darkened as he raised his hand at lightning speed and thrust a palm out next to him.
Bang!
A loud explosion sounded, and a body could be seen flying back like an arrow leaving a bowstring. That person was none other than Su Qi.
To be more precise, Su Qi had sent a needle into Liu Huan’s body before he was sent flying by Liu Huan with a thrust of his palm.
“Su Qi!” When Fang Hui saw how Liu Huan’s body was trembling violently and how his entire face was green, he would have lived in vain all these years if he still could not figure out what was happening.
As it turned out, Su Qi did not betray him. His heart still lay with him.
Su Qi did not fear of death. He was only waiting for an opportunity to seek revenge for him.
As soon as Fang Hui thought of this, he instantly flew out and caught Su Qi without any hesitation.
“Master, if only I have a few more months, I would’ve been able to help you kill Liu Huan! What a pity! What a pity…” Blood poured out of Su Qi’s mouth as the light slowly vanished from his face.
“Unfilial disciple, when did you poison me?!” In the distance, Liu Huan roared as he questioned Su Qi.
He discovered a great amount of poison suddenly appeared in every part of his body as soon as the needle pierced him.