Chapter 3986: The End of the Trading Conference; Returning to the Pure Yang Sect
To confirm his speculation, Duan Ling Tian even looked for Wanqi Jue, the Golden Seat Elder from the Wanqi clan. As he had suspected, Wanqi Jue, who clearly could not wait to kill him yesterday, was very calm today. Although there was no smile on Wanqi Jue’s face, he was not hostile either.
After that, Duan Ling Tian found Zhen Ping Fan and said, “Elder Zhen, I feel that something is up. Those from the Wanqi clan, Wanqi Jue in particular, are behaving strangely.”
Perhaps, if it were just the members of the Wanqi clan, Duan Ling Tian would not have been so suspicious. After all, they were only humiliated at best and did not suffer a great loss. However, it was highly suspicious for Wanqi Jue, who was directly involved in the matter, to act like nothing happened.
Upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s words, Zhen Ping Fan said with a smile, “There’s nothing wrong. They’ve likely vented their anger yesterday. Let alone Wanqi Jue, even Wanqi Hong has lived for almost 10,000 years. They’re aware of the saying, ‘There’s no use crying over spilled milk’. Even if they shout, curse, and feel unwilling, they know it won’t do them any good nor would it change anything. Moreover, if they’re too hostile toward you, if something happens to you in the future, they’ll definitely be the first suspect. At that time, they’d have to deal with the wrath of the Pure Yang Sect. All in all, it’s better for them to pretend like nothing’s wrong. They won’t act unless they’re 100% sure they can kill you. Even if the Pure Yang Sect suspects them, it’d be hard to convince the ma.s.ses, which also limits what the sect can do to the clan, if they’ve been cordial toward you on the surface.”
Duan Ling Tian’s eyes widened slightly. He had considered this briefly as well. However, he had subconsciously thought that since he and Zhen Ping Fan had taken Wanqi Jue’s prominent divine artifact with an artifact soul away, which was likely more important to Wanqi Jue than his wife, Wanqi Jue would lose his reason and act reasonably for all to see. He did not think Wanqi Jue would be able to stay calm while he bided his time patiently, pretending to be unaffected while he waited for the right moment to plunge a dagger into his back.
“I need to be more careful…” Duan Ling Tian muttered to himself. It was not like he had never met people like Wanqi Jue during his time in the mundane realm until now. However, it had been quite a while so he had become a little lax.
Apart from that, Duan Ling Tian was also so focused on increasing his strength before the Seven Mansions Feast that when he saw how unaffected Wanqi Jue was, he did not bother to a.n.a.lyze the situation first.
Saying that, Duan Ling Tian’s guard was not down at all. After all, he had met many sinister figures and plots in the lower realms. Otherwise, he would not have been alerted when Wanqi Jue acted as though nothing happened. No matter how Wanqi Jue behaved, he would still be on guard against Wanqi Jue.
…..
Duan Ling Tian understood that the human heart was unpredictable. He also understood that when one did not have the strength, it was best to lay low and bide one’s time before finis.h.i.+ng one’s opponent in one fell swoop. He had done this many times as well in the past. The time when he had just arrived in the Profound Energy Land was the most recent example. At that time, he felt as though he was treading on thin ice. When he was in the Linghu clan he had to sneak out to refine Limit Divine Pills and be mindful of the Hidden Fog Sect members and Kuang Tian Zheng from the Flying Dragon Sect discovering his whereabouts. Otherwise, he would die for sure.
…
A few days pa.s.sed in just a blink of an eye, marking the end of the Trading Conference.
Duan Ling Tian gained a lot of things this time. Since most of the things he bought, which were of considerable value, were paid for by Zhen Ping Fan, he did not spend much.
On the final day of the Trading Conference, while the Pure Yang Sect members were returning to their residence in the Seven Kills Valley, Duan Ling Tian asked Zhen Ping Fan through Voice Transmission, “Elder Zhen, when are we leaving?”
Duan Ling Tian could sense the apprehensive gaze of the others from the Pure Yang Sect when they looked at Wanqi Jue, who was leading the entourage from the Wanqi clan. It was not surprising that they were worried and wary. After all, the Pure Yang Sect did fool the Wanqi clan into giving them the prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul. Although they did win fairly and acted in an upright and just manner, they knew in their hearts they indeed tricked the Wanqi clan.
Everything from Zhen Ping Fan’s initial provocation to Duan Ling Tian feigning weakness was premeditated and was intended to dig a pit for Wanqi Jue to jump into. Most importantly, they succeeded in tricking the Golden Seat Elder and intermediate Emperor of G.o.ds from the Wanqi clan.
In fact, if they were in Wanqi Jue’s shoes, they also would not have let the matter slide just like that.
For this reason, over the past two days, many members of the Pure Yang Sect had sent Voice Transmissions to Zhen Ping Fang, asking him if they should wait for the entourage from the Wanqi clan to leave first before leaving themselves.
Zhen Ping Fan agreed to their suggestion mostly to make them feel relieved. In truth, he did not think there was much of a chance of the Wanqi clan making a move during their journey back to the Pure Yang Sect. Moreover, the Wanqi clan would not be able to catch up to their flying s.h.i.+p as well. However, there was also no harm in exercising caution.
“I’ve already discussed this with Senior Brother Ye. We’ll leave after the Wanqi clan leaves.”
Duan Ling Tian nodded slightly. He thought this was the best choice as well. It was not impossible for the Wanqi clan to attack them like a cornered beast after they left the Seven Kills Valley. Even if they did not go in for the kill, they would surely at least try to s.n.a.t.c.h the prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul back. After all, a prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul was rare.
Duan Ling Tian did not feel guilty about deceiving Wanqi Jue and the Wanqi clan into giving up the prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul. Before executing the plan, Zhen Ping Fan had told him about the time Wanqi Jue killed a prodigy from the Pure Yang Sect’s Cloud Peak faction in a sparring session. Wanqi Jue could have easily spared his opponent’s life, but he did not. The prodigy who died was Zhen Ping Fan’s senior brother. If he were still alive, he would be a rudimentary Emperor of G.o.ds at least.
Naturally, Duan Ling Tian also knew that Zhen Ping Fan told him about the matter to relieve him of any mental burden regarding tricking Wanqi Jue.
After a few moments, Duan Ling Tian sent another message to Zhen Ping Fan.
“Elder Zhen, why don’t we inform the sect so they can send an Ascension Elders to escort us back to the sect? Perhaps, Ascension Elder Zhen can come if it’s convenient?”
Although Duan Ling Tian thought that they should be fine, it was better to be safe than sorry. Moreover, he thought his suggestion was not very troublesome as well.
Upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s Voice Transmission, Zhen Ping Fan said with a smile, “You’re really very cautious. Well, my father is already here. He’s waiting for us outside of the Seven Kills Valley’s estate. He’ll join us as soon as we leave.”
Duan Ling Tian did not expect this at all. He was both surprised and relieved. “Elder Zhen Yun Feng is here? Why didn’t he come into the Seven Kills Valley instead of waiting outside?”
“He doesn’t want to exchange small talks with the Seven Kills Valley,” Zhen Ping Fan said somewhat helplessly.
Duan Ling Tian asked, “Since he’s here, we don’t need to wait for the Wanqi clan to leave before leaving, right? There’s no need to fear an ambush from the Wanqi clan, after all.”
“Don’t worry. We won’t have to wait for long anyway,” Zhen Ping Fan said, “This is the suggestion of Ye Tong and the others. My father arrived late last night, and I’ve yet to inform them about it. I think I’ll keep it that way. They’ll be pleasantly surprised when they see my father later.”
Zhen Ping Fan’s words completely alleviated Duan Ling Tian’s worries. With Zhen Yun Feng around, there was no need to worry about anything. After all, Zhen Yun Feng was much stronger than Wanqi Jue even when Wanqi Jue was in possession of his prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul, let alone now that Wanqi Jue had lost his weapon.
…
The Wanqi clan left the next morning in a hurry.
Two hours after the Wanqi clan left, Duan Ling Tian received a message from Zhen Ping Fan.
“It’s been two hours since the Wanqi clan left. We should leave now.”
Duan Ling Tian left the courtyard as soon as he received the message. He saw that many members of the Pure Yang Sect had already begun to gather as well.
At this time, Ye Tong, the Hidden Sword faction’s Nirvanic Elder, suggested, “Junior brother, why don’t we ask an intermediate Emperor of G.o.ds from the Seven Kills Valley to accompany us to the entrance? I’m worried the Wanqi clan might be waiting to ambush us near the entrance. Moreover, we’d still be in the range of the Seven Kills Valley’s Guarding Formation so we can’t use our flying s.h.i.+p yet.”
Zhen Ping Fan shook his head. Seeing how worried Ye Tong was, he said with a smile, “There’s no need for that. My father is already here. He’ll be meeting us at the entrance, and he’ll be escorting us back to the Pure Yang Sect.”
Everyone was pleasantly surprised and visibly relieved upon hearing Zhen Ping Fan’s words.
Ye Tong smiled brightly. “Since junior uncle is here, there’s naturally no need for us to seek protection from the Seven Kills Valley.” Then, he looked at Zhen Ping Fan with a helpless expression as he said, “Junior brother, you should’ve told me about this earlier. I’ve been worrying about this matter.”
The elders from the other factions in the Pure Yang Sect also smiled with helpless expressions on their faces. Indeed, if they had known the Ascension Elder from the Cloud Peak faction was here, they would not have worried at all.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Zhen Ping Fan flew at the lead as Duan Ling Tian and the others followed from behind, leaving the Seven Kills Valley’s estate. As soon as they left the estate, they saw Zhen Yun Feng. Everyone quickly greeted him.
Following that, those that came on different flying s.h.i.+ps all boarded Zhen Ping Fan’s flying s.h.i.+p as well. Although it was a little crowded, no one complained. After all, this concerned their safety. Who knew if their return trip would be a smooth and peaceful one?