168: Chapter 168 Yun Yun's words shocked the entire audience.

"What do you think about this matter?" Fa Ma suddenly asked Jia Xingtian.

"What can I think?" Jia Xingtian stroked his beard. "You and I both know those things are facts. If Gu Han were willing, he really could become the Great Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect right now."

Of the two, one was the President of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild, a Tier 5 Alchemist and a Peak Dou Wang powerhouse.

The other was the spokesperson for the Jia Ma Empire's Imperial Family, a Peak Dou Huang powerhouse.

They naturally had ways to obtain accurate intelligence from neighboring countries.

"You know that's not what I'm talking about." Fa Ma spoke with a chuckle. "I mean that earth tier mid-rank earth-attribute cultivation technique."

Mulan Valley has the earth tier mid-rank Three Beasts Savage Art, the Golden Goose Sect has the Earth Rank secret technique Nine Wings of the Heavenly Goose, and the Izumo Empire also has Earth Rank cultivation techniques.

Fa Ma knew clearly in his heart that whether it was the Cloud Mist Sect or the Imperial Family, both had Earth Rank cultivation technique legacies; he just didn't know why they hadn't been used.

As for the Imperial Family, he was clear that their Earth Rank Low Tier technique was water-attributed, which didn't suit an earth-attribute cultivator like Jia Xingtian.

If he could obtain an Earth Rank Low Tier technique, Jia Xingtian might already be a Dou Zong powerhouse by now.

"You believe that?" Jia Xingtian's expression was calm as he gently shook his head. "The intention behind such clear intelligence coming from the Mu Lan Empire is obvious. This old man won't fall for it."

Setting aside that he simply didn't believe an earth tier mid-rank earth-attribute technique was given to Gu Han as compensation by the Three Elders of Mu Lan,

even if it were true, considering the attitudes of the Cloud Mist Sect, Hai Bodong, and the 'Queen Medusa' who had broken through to the Dou Zong level,

he, who had always acted steadily and followed his heart, would never be so foolish as to target Gu Han.

If there really were such a technique, he would only try to obtain it through soft-handed trade methods.

The Jia Ma Empire was already weaker than the Izumo Empire, Luo Yan Empire, and Mu Lan Empire, surviving by maintaining a delicate balance in the cracks. He wouldn't be stupid enough to create a feud with his own internal backbone, only for outsiders to reap the benefits in the end.

As long as the Cloud Mist Sect didn't ride over the Imperial Family's head to act tyrannically, he would turn a blind eye.

Not to mention he had a good relationship with the master-disciple pair Yun Shan and Yun Yun, and knew their temperaments.

"Naturally, I don't believe it either. Such shallow sowing of discord couldn't possibly fool you. The Three Elders of Mu Lan thought their open scheme was unsolvable, but that's because they don't know you well enough." Fa Ma was very familiar with his old friend's character.

Unless Gu Han brought out the earth tier mid-rank earth-attribute technique and said something like 'from now on, the Imperial Family follows the Cloud Mist Sect's lead,' only then might Jia Xingtian take action.

Mere so-called 'solid evidence' wouldn't move him, especially when Gu Han had Hai Bodong and 'Queen Medusa' standing behind him.

"The Core Disciple Tournament officially begins!"

Regardless of the crowd's commotion, once the time arrived, the elder in charge stepped forward.

The Core Disciples went forward to draw lots and began matching with opponents for round after round of competition.

However, most of the audience had no heart to focus on the battles in the plaza, instead whispering and discussing among themselves.

"Snow Sword Young Master didn't come."

"Is he still out training and hasn't returned to the sect?"

"You wouldn't know this, but at yesterday's Cloud Mist Sect general assembly, the Cloud Mist Sect Great Elder tried to make things difficult for the Ice Emperor over the killing of Mo Cheng, the Great Elder of the Mo Clan. In the end, the Ice Emperor and Snow Sword Young Master appeared one after another and slapped his face hard. The matter even involved Yun Ling's adopted son."

"I heard about this too. It's said the Cloud Mist Sect's biological son was also indirectly killed by that adopted son."

"Not just that, the Punishment Elder's Personal Disciple, Zhang Chuchen, was also a victim."

"Isn't that just an ungrateful wolf?"

"We're just here for the excitement. Although this matter damaged the Cloud Mist Sect's reputation, it's only to that extent. Be careful of trouble coming from your mouth."

"Watch the match, watch the match. Since Snow Sword Young Master isn't participating, he probably lacks the confidence to take first place and plans to come back next time to win it all in one go."

"After listening around, your guess is the most reliable. Snow Sword Young Master isn't even seventeen; he won't even be eighteen by the next tournament."

"Nowadays, Snow Sword Young Master can fully live up to the title of 'Young Master.' He's younger and more talented than the young masters of the three surrounding empires."

"..."

Amidst the endless whispering, the Cloud Mist Sect Core Disciple Tournament quickly reached its conclusion.

As the final rankings were set and the elder announced that the disciples should go to the Affairs Hall to collect their rewards, the Core Disciple Tournament drew to a close.

Just as the spectators were preparing to leave, Yun Yun, who had been sitting high in the main seat, suddenly stood up and spoke loudly: "Today we held the Core Disciple Tournament, and friends who are close to our sect happen to be here as well. This Sect Master hereby announces a few matters."

"I believe many have heard of Mo Cheng being killed by the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong. This matter..."

No one expected that Yun Yun would actually reveal a scandal that occurred within the Cloud Mist Sect in public.

A former disciple, now an Outer Sect Deacon, had conspired with a Personal Disciple within the sect to attempt an assassination of the sect's genius disciple while he was out training.

If this were any other power, let alone making it public, not hiding it would already be considered good; most would choose to cover it up.

Yun Yun's move was unexpected, even catching most of the Cloud Mist Sect's elders and disciples off guard.

However, in the next moment, everyone understood why Yun Yun had such confidence.

"Strictly speaking, this matter is an internal affair of my sect, including the matter of Old Hai killing Mo Cheng." Yun Yun's tone shifted, a smile appearing on her face. "Because Old Hai, Hai Bodong, has already accepted my Cloud Mist Sect's invitation to become our sect's Supreme Elder."

*Hiss!*

The entire audience broke into an uproar.

Hai Bodong was from the same era as Yun Shan, one of the Top Ten Powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire.

He wasn't a rogue cultivator either, but the Supreme Elder of the Mittel Family, one of the three great Dou Wang clans of the Jia Ma Empire.

The Mittel Family was the wealthiest family in the Jia Ma Empire; calling them as rich as a nation was no exaggeration.

As for the status of an 'Elder,' it didn't hold much power and usually just involved enjoying the resources provided by the sect for cultivation, but it meant they were absolutely one of their own.

If someone were to attack the Cloud Mist Sect now, a Supreme Elder would have to live or die with the sect, which was completely different from a Guest Elder.

Hai Bodong becoming a Supreme Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect was a major event capable of affecting the internal landscape of the Jia Ma Empire.

"I heard that back then, after Old Sect Master Yun Shan defeated His Excellency the Ice Emperor, he extended an invitation, but the Ice Emperor refused. I didn't expect that after more than ten years, he actually agreed."

"Sect Master Yun Yun's disciple is Nalan Yanran of the Nalan Family, and now the Supreme Elder of the Mittel Family has become a Supreme Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect. Thinking about it deeply is terrifying..."

"Not counting the military and those City Lords, the Cloud Mist Sect is likely to surpass the Imperial Family and become the number one power in the Jia Ma Empire."

"..."

Countless people whispered to each other.

Jia Xingtian was no longer calm, showing a solemn expression with deep wariness hidden in the depths of his eyes.

The Cloud Mist Sect was too strong; it was hard to guarantee they wouldn't develop thoughts they shouldn't have.

At this time, Yun Yun continued: "This Sect Master intended to hold a grand ceremony for Old Hai, but he personally refused, saying he dislikes such trouble. So I am taking this opportunity to explain to everyone and publicly reveal his identity."

As she spoke, the Cloud Mist Sect brought out an exclusive token for the Supreme Elder.

*Hum!*

The energy of heaven and earth surged violently.

Hai Bodong arrived, riding upon an Ice Dragon.