War Sovereign Soaring The Heavens

“Duan Ling Tian, you shouldn’t be so reckless. You’re lucky this time. Otherwise, you’d be severely punished even if you’re not killed for injuring Zhou Fei six months ago!” Zheng Qiu said with a darkened expression as he looked at Duan Ling Tian. In his opinion, if it were not for the timely appearance of the delegate from the King Qing’s Mansion to convey a message from King Qing, Duan Ling Tian would have been doomed. After all, the person Duan Ling Tian had severely injured was Zhou Fei, Zhou Tong’s godson. Zhou Tong was usually very protective of his godson. It might be fine if Duan Ling Tian agreed to be Zhou Tong’s disciple, but he knew Duan Ling Tian would never agree to it.

“You managed to escape unharmed this time, but you might not be so lucky next time! You’re highly talented but there are many who are as talented as you in Devata Realms such as the Spirit Overarching Heaven. If you want to be the last one standing, you need more than just talent and brute strength!” Zheng Qiu advised.

“Hmm.” Duan Ling Tian nodded. Naturally, he understood that. Otherwise, he would not have come up with more than one way to deal with the consequences of injuring Zhou Fei. If he did not have ways to deal with the matter, he would not have recklessly severed Zhou Fei’s limbs. However, he did not plan to explain himself to Zheng Qiu. Moreover, it was not convenient for him to explain the matter. He looked at Zheng Qiu curiously and bluntly asked, “Elder Zheng Qiu, why did you take the blame for me half a year ago? I suppose it has something to do with why you said I’m lucky?” Naturally, he knew there was something strange about the entire incident.

Zheng Qiu replied, “I took the blame for you half a year ago under the order of Lord County Governor…”

However, before Zheng Qiu could finish speaking, Duan Ling Tian narrowed his eyes and interjected, “You’re saying the County Governor of the Nine Specters County asked you to take the blame for me?”

“Yes.” Zheng Qiu nodded.

“Why?” Duan Ling Tian asked. He did not expect the County Governor would ask Zheng Qiu to take the blame on his behalf. He could not figure out the County Governor’s motive. After all, he had never met the County Governor’s before

Zheng Qiu replied, “It’s because of the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties that’ll be held in two and a half years,” Zheng Qiu answered.

“Martial Competition of the 16 Counties? What’s that?” Duan Ling Tian was confused.

“Well, I’m sure you’re aware that there are 16 counties under King Qing’s Mansion. Our Nine Specters County is one of the counties,” Zheng Qiu said.

Duan Ling Tian nodded. He knew about this. Similar to how Bloody Specter City had to pay tribute in the form of Celestial Stones to the Nine Specters County, the Nine Specters County had to pay tribute to King Qing’s Mansion since it was under the rule of King Qing’s Mansion.

“As you know, we’ve gathered 30 Golden Celestials under the age of 100 like you six months ago. All of you are currently staying in the Latent Dragon Abyss,” Zheng Qiu said.

Duan Ling Tian nodded again.

“Prior to this, I know the 30 of you were gathered due to King Qing’s Mansion’s request. However, as I told you previously, I was not aware of the reason. Three days after you severed Zhou Fei’s limbs, a delegate from King Qing’s Mansion came to the estate to convey a message to Lord County Governor. He came to tell Lord County Governor that the Martial Competition for 16 Counties would be held in three years in King Qing’s Mansion. The Golden Celestials under the age of 100 from the counties under King Qing’s Mansion’s rule will be the participants,” Zheng Qiu explained.

“So all of us who are living in the Latent Dragon Abyss would have to participate in the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties in two and a half years? Our opponents are the Golden Celestials under the age of 100 that the other 15 counties had gathered?” Duan Ling Tian asked.

“Yes.” Zheng Qiu nodded. Then, he continued to explain, “It seems like King Qing’s Mansion places great importance on the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties. According to Lord City Governor, King Qing’s Mansion will not only generously reward the top 10 participants, but also the respective counties they’re from. The top three participants will win three mediocre Great Overarching Pills, two mediocre Great Overarching Pills, and one mediocre Great Overarching Pill respectively.”

“Great Overarching Pills?” Duan Ling Tian was taken aback by the generosity of King Qing’s Mansion. He knew the Great Overarching Pills could help a Violet Sun Golden Celestial become a Great Overarching Golden Celestial. Moreover, ordinary mediocre Celestial Alchemists were unable to refine the pills. Only mediocre Celestial Alchemists who possessed a specific Celestial Fire were able to refine the pills. For this reason, to a certain extent, a mediocre Great Overarching Pill was more precious than most prominent Celestial Pills.

Even Great Overarching Golden Celestials could improve their cultivation bases greatly by consuming the Great Overarching Pills. They could consume the pill to break through a bottleneck they encountered during cultivation. This was also one of the reasons why Great Overarching Pills were precious.

“I’m sure you’re aware of how precious mediocre Great Overarching Pills are, right?” Zheng Qiu asked.

“Yes.” Duan Ling Tian nodded before he asked in confusion, “Elder Zheng Qiu, do you know why King Qing’s Mansion is organizing the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties?” He felt there was more to it than just looking for rising talents from the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties. After all, King Qing’s mansion would be giving out six precious mediocre Great Overarching Pills for the competition!

Initially, Zheng Qiu was going to say it was to search for rising talents. However, similar to Duan Ling Tian, when he thought about the generous rewards, he thought things were not as simple as they seemed. Therefore, he replied with uncertainty before asking, “Erm, well… I’m not sure. In any case, you understand now why Lord City Governor asked me to take the blame for you, right?”

Duan Ling Tian nodded as his eyes gleamed. He was not stupid. After Zheng Qiu told him about the mediocre Great Overarching Pills that would be given to the top three participants and the respective counties they were from, he knew why the County Governor would protect someone whom he had never met. “I truly have the timely arrival of the delegate from King Qing’s Mansion to thank for this…” He discovered that he, a nameless rookie, who had just arrived from Bloody Specter City had inadvertently become as valuable, or possibly more valuable, than Zhou Tong, the Revered Elder of the County Governor’s estate, in the County Governor’s eyes.

Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, ‘If I’m not around, the County Governor would have placed his hope on Zhou Fei, Zhou Tong’s godson. However, since I easily defeated Zhou Fei and severed his limbs as soon as I arrived, the County Governor has placed his hopes on me. After all, based on my strength from six months ago, it’s obvious my chances of winning are higher than Zhou Fei!”

When Duan Ling Tian was about to leave Zheng Qiu’s residence, a thunderous voice laden with anger suddenly rang in the air. “Zheng Qiu!” The person spoke as though Zheng Qiu was his sworn enemy.

“Hmm?” Duan Ling Tian was startled by the anger contained in the voice. He instinctively turned to look at Zheng Qiu.

Zheng Qiu narrowed his eyes as he said, “It’s Revered Elder Zhou Tong! It seems like he has finally come out of his closed-door cultivation.” He had already prepared himself for Zhou Tong to come looking for trouble with him after Zhou Tong came out from his closed-door cultivation. For this reason, he remained calm.

Swoosh!

Zheng Qiu lifted his hand and took a jade token out. He sent his Celestial Origin Energy into it before it turned into a streak of light that flew off at lightning speed.

With just a glance, Duan Ling Tian could tell it was a Communication Celestial Talisman. It was not difficult for him to guess who Zheng Qiu had summoned. After all, there was only one man in the Nine Specters County who was capable of suppressing Zhou Tong. The person was none other than Tian Ji Yu, the County Governor of the Nine Specters County!