Watching Tian Luoxing and Xuan Pi disappear from the main hall with Xuan Ze in tow, Yan Luo’s expression instantly became unsightly.
These guys were obviously heading straight to cause trouble for the Hehuan Sect!
How could the Hehuan Sect possibly withstand the combined might of the Xuan Family and the Pill Sect?
No!
Something must be done!
Should… should I ask Grandpa to step in?
Yan Luo lifted her eyes and glanced at her grandfather, who wore a playful smile, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Her grandfather was a Tribulation Crossing expert.
If he intervened, he could easily resolve the situation.
But if she did that, wouldn’t it be like telling Grandpa directly that the person she mentioned before was Chen Yuyang?
No! Absolutely not!
Anxious, Yan Luo subconsciously turned to Nie Qi for help.
Nie Qi had already taken everything in.
Meeting his disciple’s pleading gaze, he immediately gave a slight nod.
He had always intended to intervene and mediate.
Seizing an excuse, Nie Qi left the Pill Sect’s main hall and hurried straight to Spirit Medicine City.
Just as he arrived at Spirit Medicine City, he sensed the restless surge of spiritual power in the air—a great battle was about to erupt.
“Stop!”
Nie Qi made a decisive move.
The boundless Sword Intent within him burst forth without reservation!
A sharp, unmatched Sword Intent shot out, as if thousands of swords unsheathed at once.
His low shout thundered like a bolt from the heavens, resounding throughout the entire Spirit Medicine City.
Upon seeing Nie Qi appear, Xuan Pi’s brows drew together.
He’d long heard of the past between Nie Qi and Sect Master Bu Lingxuan of the Hehuan Sect.
He hadn’t expected it to be true, or that Nie Qi would step in directly because of it.
Beside him, Tian Luoxing’s eyes brightened at the sight of Nie Qi.
As the Vice Sect Master of Sword Gate Mountain, Nie Qi had enough strength and status to command respect.
If Nie Qi mediated, they could avoid direct conflict with Bu Lingxuan, preserve the Pill Sect’s dignity, and—most importantly—not be dragged into muddy waters by Xuan Pi.
In the distance, Yun Lian watched Nie Qi’s sudden arrival, her elegant brows creasing as a shadow flickered in her eyes.
Nie Qi has actually stepped in…
It seemed her original plan would not go as she wished.
Bu Lingxuan was also rather surprised by Nie Qi’s sudden intervention, but her face remained as icy as ever.
Chen Yuyang stood by Bu Lingxuan’s side, eyes shifting slightly as he pondered.
After a moment, the three talismans hidden in his sleeve vanished without a trace.
“Vice Sect Master Nie.”
Xuan Pi broke the silence first, his tone somewhat displeased: “This matter concerns my Xuan Family and the Pill Sect with the Hehuan Sect. It shouldn’t have anything to do with your Sword Gate Mountain, right?”
Nie Qi’s expression remained unchanged as he spoke lightly: “Young friend Chen saved the life of my cherished disciple Yan Luo. I cannot simply stand by.”
At those words, Xuan Pi’s face darkened considerably.
He hadn’t expected this brat to have such a connection to Nie Qi.
And, having saved the Yan Family’s young lady, could it mean this brat was also linked to the Yan Family?
“So that’s how it is…”
Xuan Pi took a deep breath, weighing the situation inwardly.
If Nie Qi insisted on interfering, he really couldn’t act rashly right now.
“Since you have old ties with Vice Sect Master Nie, I’ll give you this face today, so as for today’s—”
“I’m aware of what happened today,” Nie Qi interrupted coldly before Xuan Pi could finish, “But I believe both of you are people of high status. Every move you make affects many. How can you pass judgment and mobilize forces based on Xuan Ze’s one-sided account?”
“Now, with all the great sects gathered here, first for the Pill Gathering, second to unite against the great battle in three years. This is a time for unity—how can we let such a trivial matter stir up conflict and ruin our harmony?”
“If someone were harboring ill intentions, guiding events from the shadows to break our unity, wouldn’t we be falling right into their hands?”
“Why not let me, Nie Qi, serve as a fair arbiter today, to discern right from wrong and give a just conclusion?”
As Nie Qi spoke, his gaze fell on Tian Luoxing.
This was exactly the step Tian Luoxing had been waiting for, and he spoke up at once.
“Since Vice Sect Master Nie has spoken, I have no objections. I trust Vice Sect Master Nie will be fair, and whatever the verdict, I will accept it without complaint.”
Now, even if Xuan Pi didn’t wish to agree, he could only nod and wave his hand, “Then, Vice Sect Master Nie, please proceed!”
Nie Qi nodded, his sharp gaze snapping to Xuan Ze, who was cowering behind Xuan Pi.
“Boy, recount everything that happened today to me honestly! Not a single false word!”
Nie Qi’s voice suddenly grew stern, laced with unquestionable authority, “I, Nie Qi, swear by my soul to judge this impartially! But should anyone dare lie or conceal, I will not forgive!”
The final words fell one by one, his sword intent rising fiercely around him.
Seeing this, Xuan Ze couldn’t help but shiver, his face going deathly pale.
But with all eyes on him, he had no choice but to speak.
The shattered door was still there.
Under pressure, and with Bu Lingxuan present, Xuan Ze dared not exaggerate as before.
When Xuan Ze finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
Nie Qi did not give a verdict—because none was needed.
“You unfilial disciple!”
Suddenly, Tian Luoxing roared, a whip of spiritual power lashing out.
“I trusted you, and you dared make a fool of your teacher!”
The whip struck Xuan Ze’s face with a vicious crack, eliciting a string of miserable howls.
Xuan Ze dropped to his knees, weeping and begging for mercy.
Yet Tian Luoxing showed no mercy, striking him several more times in quick succession.
Beside them, Xuan Pi’s brow twitched, knowing his plan had failed, so he put on a show of remorse: “My foolish nephew has led me astray! I nearly wronged Sect Master Bu!”
After a dozen lashes, leaving Xuan Ze half-unconscious, Tian Luoxing finally stopped.
With a light cough, Tian Luoxing stepped forward, cupping his fist toward Nie Qi, then turning to Bu Lingxuan and Chen Yuyang, his tone softening and carrying an apologetic note: “It seems this was indeed a misunderstanding. Today, we acted rashly and disturbed Sect Master Bu. I hope you will forgive us. Upon returning, I shall punish this unfilial disciple severely, to give you justice.”
Xuan Pi, though unwilling in his heart, could only grit his teeth and echo, “That’s right! The fault lies entirely with this worthless brat’s lies and deception, which led us to misunderstand. We beg your forgiveness.”
As he spoke, Xuan Pi also cupped his fist toward Bu Lingxuan.
Now that the matter was settled, Nie Qi said no more.
Bu Lingxuan snorted coldly, saying nothing, but the pressure around her dissipated, tacitly agreeing.
For things to resolve this peacefully was already beyond her expectations.
She had indeed prepared for a major battle just now.
Chen Yuyang also showed a magnanimous smile at the right moment, “The misunderstanding is resolved, that’s all that matters.”
Tian Luoxing and Xuan Pi didn’t linger.
Carrying the unconscious Xuan Ze, they swiftly disappeared from everyone’s sight.
Nie Qi descended from the sky to stand before Bu Lingxuan and Chen Yuyang.
Bu Lingxuan looked at him.
Though she disliked Nie Qi, she couldn’t deny that had he not intervened, the consequences would have been dire.
So, for once, she put aside her cold demeanor and cupped her hands toward Nie Qi: “This time, thank you for your assistance, Vice Sect Master Nie.”
Nie Qi waved it off, his gaze falling on Chen Yuyang, “No need for thanks. I’m just repaying this lad a favor.”
Then Nie Qi’s eyes returned to Bu Lingxuan, an unnoticeable hint of concern flickering in them.
His tone softened, “Um, Lingxuan, how have you been lately?”
Given their previously frosty relationship, that was about all Nie Qi could say—stiff and pointless as it was.
Yet Nie Qi felt this incident might be a chance to ease things with Bu Lingxuan.
At the name “Lingxuan,” Bu Lingxuan’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly, her tone a bit cold, “Thank you for your concern, Vice Sect Master Nie. I am well.”
“Your cultivation…”
Suddenly, Nie Qi’s eyebrows rose in surprise, “It seems you’ve broken through again! How could it be so fast?”
Bu Lingxuan pursed her lips, clearly unwilling to explain.
But, seeing as he had just helped her, she couldn’t ignore him completely.
Thinking for a moment, she subtly glanced at Chen Yuyang beside her.
A thread of divine sense transmitted directly into the young man’s mind: “Yuyang, help me out. Though he helped me, I don’t like being entangled with him like this.”
Receiving the message, Chen Yuyang immediately understood.
He nodded, stepped forward, and cupped his hands with a smile, “Thank you for your help this time, Senior Nie!”
Nie Qi, helpless, withdrew his gaze from Bu Lingxuan and smiled at Chen Yuyang, waving his hand, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. They went too far, after all.”
Chen Yuyang nodded, then turned to Bu Lingxuan, his face showing a sly smile as he whispered, “Master, since everything’s settled here, let’s go back and continue our dual cultivation. We were halfway through just now, and there are still some parts I don’t quite understand.”
Though Chen Yuyang spoke softly, it was loud enough for Nie Qi, standing closest, to hear every word.
At those words, a blush bloomed instantly on Bu Lingxuan’s pretty face.
She shot Chen Yuyang a small glare, but her heart was full of bashful sweetness.
Bu Lingxuan naturally understood that Chen Yuyang was helping her out, so she bit her lip and nodded to him ever so gently, her voice soft, “Mm, let’s go back.”
Nie Qi, standing aside, had his smile freeze on his face at those words.
He gave a dry cough, his gaze drifting away unnaturally, pretending not to hear a thing.
This brat… he did that on purpose!
Definitely on purpose!
Nie Qi couldn’t help but curse in his heart.
…
This brat is really something!
He kindly stepped in to help, and the kid had the nerve to show off right in front of him—stabbing him right in the heart!
But, seeing Bu Lingxuan’s tender expression, Nie Qi gave a silent sigh.
Forget it, forget it.
Since she’s found someone she likes, all he could do was wish her happiness…
Though there was some disappointment and regret, at this moment, what Nie Qi felt most was relief.
And with that sense of relief, Nie Qi suddenly found himself on the verge of enlightenment.
His cultivation even showed signs of advancing to the next stage.
“Since you both have matters to attend to, I won’t disturb you further. Farewell.”
With a quick bow, Nie Qi turned and left, transforming into a sharp shadow as he departed, ready to break through.
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