185: Dilemma

"It was a slip of the tongue on my part." Daoist Yun Luo had already expected such an answer, and he cupped his hands in apology.

"The life and death of Elder Yu and the others indeed cannot be blamed on Fellow Daoist Qin. However, regarding the matter we discussed previously at the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, I wish to renegotiate it. This request is not excessive, is it?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Qin Chen and the others were slightly startled.

Qin Tianxing narrowed his eyes slightly. This dog of a Daoist had mentioned the Haotian Sect's losses first precisely because he wanted to renegotiate that matter.

If the Sect refused, he would use the excuse that their own Elders had not returned to the Sect to report, so how could the previous agreement count?

The Cloud Sea Sect also chimed in at the right time: "Daoist Yun Luo's sentiment is reasonable. It is difficult to judge why Fellow Daoist Yu disappeared after having a dispute with Fellow Daoist Qin. But the Cloud Sea Sect agrees with the Haotian Sect's proposal."

Qin Tianxing asked, "Then how does Fellow Daoist wish to negotiate? Why not speak plainly?"

Daoist Yun Luo stroked his beard. "Before I speak, let us first see the prodigies chosen by your noble Sect."

"I am also somewhat curious as to what kind of prodigies would cause Elder Yu to have a dispute with Fellow Daoist, and what kind of prodigies would make Fellow Daoist willing to spend such a great price to bring them back to the Sect."

Over the years, as the Yin Shen Sect went from its initial decline to its rise, Daoist Yun Luo had long noticed the keen eye of this Second Elder. For him to give up two opportunities to recruit Disciples at the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven just to take these prodigies away...

They must be extraordinary!

This was the main reason he had brought the Third Elder of the Yunhai Sect to visit this time.

If there really was a Prodigy with Void Refining Realm Aptitude, by branding them with a Slave Seal, the Sect would have one more powerful death warrior in the future.

Qin Tianxing frowned slightly. Li Pingan was currently digesting the medicinal effects of that Grade Eight Body Tempering Pill. It would be troublesome if the Haotian Sect group saw him.

With this dog Daoist's eye, although he couldn't see the heaven-shaking Luck on Li Pingan's body, the martial aura surrounding him was clearly visible. For such a young Fourth Level of Martial Dao, one could imagine his future achievements.

"So that's how it is!" Qin Tianxing explained with a smile, "It's just that Fellow Daoist might not know, those few youths have just undergone the trials of the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven and still have some unhealed injuries. They are currently resting peacefully. Why not wait a few more days?"

But Daoist Yun Luo clearly wasn't buying it. He waved his hand. "Fellow Daoist Qin, you are mistaken. Cultivation is all about following the timing of heaven. If they cannot even withstand a little disturbance, how can they achieve great things in the future? Besides, we will only look from afar and will not approach to disturb them. How could it affect their Foundation?"

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall. "If you push and pull over such a small matter, it's hard not to suspect whether the Yin Shen Sect is hiding some secret that cannot be seen by others?"

Qin Tianxing's Face darkened. Just as he was about to argue back, the Grand Elder beside him coughed lightly and interjected, "Sect Master, Daoist Yun Luo's request is reasonable. After all, this matter concerns the previous agreement at the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, and Elder Yu went missing after a dispute with our Yin Shen Sect."

Qin Chen also pondered for a moment, then looked up at the two groups in the hall. "Since Fellow Daoist Yun Luo insists, then let us go to Grotto Peak together to take a look."

Although Qin Tianxing was unwilling, he knew that things had come to this and further delay would only increase suspicion. He could only follow everyone's footsteps and walk toward Grotto Peak.

He didn't know where his foster father had gone.

He had to find a way to protect the three of them, including Qi Yue.

The group soon arrived at the foot of Grotto Peak. Just as they stepped onto the stone steps leading to the cliff, a sharp Sword Qi suddenly rose from the ground!

That Sword Qi carried an astonishing momentum, soaring straight into the clouds. Even more strangely, the Sword Qi was mixed with bits of fine Star Power, which was incredibly mysterious.

"This... this Sword Qi!" A Disciple from the Cloud Sea Sect couldn't help but cry out in alarm, his eyes staring straight at Xie Xingchen in the distant courtyard. "That youth... actually has such talent? At such an age, to be able to practice Sword Qi to such a degree and even draw upon Star Power?"

Daoist Yun Luo narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze piercing through the swirling mist to lock onto a thin figure.

The martial aura surrounding that person was pure and thick. Even for a Cultivator who had honed the Fourth Level of Martial Dao for many years, they probably wouldn't have such a scene.

He had lived for so many years and seen countless prodigies, but he had never seen anyone who could practice to such perfection at this age. Especially that faintly flowing blood energy—this was a sign of having consumed a high-grade Body Tempering Pill!

Qin Chen also stood in place, slightly stunned. Although he had heard from Qin Tianxing that Li Pingan's talent was extraordinary, he hadn't expected the youth's Aptitude to be so exaggerated.

And the other person as well; this Sword Qi actually contained Star Power.

Before Daoist Yun Luo could speak, the Third Elder of the Yunhai Sect couldn't hold back. "Fellow Daoist Qin, regarding the agreement in the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, it seems we need to have a good talk. At least, my Cloud Sea Sect will not agree to it."

Daoist Yun Luo nodded in agreement. "The Third Elder is absolutely right. Fellow Daoist Qin, I remember the prodigies you brought back from the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven should be four, right? Now, we don't want many,"

He reached out and pointed at Li Pingan, who was still in seclusion. His fingertips trembled slightly, clearly unable to suppress the greed in his heart. "I only want this person to join my Haotian Sect. As for the other Disciples and the matter with Elder Yu, I will no longer pursue any of it. What do you think?"

"Then I want that sword-wielding youth who can draw upon Star Power!" the Third Elder of the Yunhai Sect immediately spoke up.

"It would be a pity for such sword dao talent to remain in the Yin Shen Sect. It's better to let him join my Cloud Sea Sect; we will surely provide him with the best cultivation resources!"

Hearing this, Qin Tianxing's Face instantly darkened, and he refused decisively without even thinking: "Absolutely impossible. You two should stop joking."

If Li Pingan and Xie Xingchen were truly forcibly taken away by the Haotian Sect and Cloud Sea Sect and had Slave Seals planted in the depths of their Divine Souls, how would he explain it to his foster father?

All the trust previously established would also completely collapse.

The smile on Daoist Yun Luo's Face vanished instantly, and his tone turned cold. "Is Sect Master Qin of the same mind? My request is fair and reasonable, and I haven't let your Yin Shen Sect suffer a loss, have I?"

The Third Elder also chimed in: "We have already given the Yin Shen Sect enough Face. Or are you all thinking of dragging Bibo Palace in to share a piece of the pie? If things really get noisy, it won't benefit anyone!"

Qin Chen stood in place, his brow furrowed tightly, caught in a dilemma.

If he insisted on refusing, it would be equivalent to offending two great Sects at the same time.

If Li Pingan and the other were truly prodigies recruited by the Yin Shen Sect, he would certainly choose to support them without hesitation, even if it meant becoming enemies with the Haotian Sect and Cloud Sea Sect.

But in the end, Li Pingan and that sword-wielding youth were that Senior's Disciples. They were merely helping to look after them as a favor.

If, because of these two, they truly offended the two great powers of the Haotian Sect and Cloud Sea Sect, the Yin Shen Sect's future in this Flame Continent would be fraught with difficulties, and might even bring about a disaster of destruction. This was clearly very unfavorable.

The Grand Elder said in a deep voice, "Sect Master, there is no need to have an irreconcilable fallout with the two great Sects over such a small matter."