Zhao Family's Zhao Qi

This roar was like a heavy hammer, smashing fiercely into everyone's hearts. Those with weaker cultivation realms, even while covering their ears with both hands, were shaken until their legs gave out, collapsing to the ground.

"..."

Ning Fan looked toward the source of the sound. A plume of black smoke surged from that direction, swirling like a tornado and carrying boundless momentum as it descended from the sky.

It was crashing straight toward Ning Fan!

Ning Fan was startled.

Not good.

This strike seemed to contain the might of heaven and earth; with his strength, he simply could not withstand it.

Just as Ning Fan stood frozen in shock.

A figure blocked his path. The owner of this figure was none other than the Peak Master of Long Bright Peak.

"Dao Lord."

"This boy is about to become my disciple. Regardless of whatever grievances the Dao Lord holds, please give me some face and spare him for now."

"..."

As her voice fell, the Peak Master of Long Bright Peak raised her palm, and a lotus drifted out from its center.

The lotus shot toward the black mist.

"Boom--"

The two collided and exploded. A terrifying storm of spiritual power swept outward, and the surrounding disciples were blown about like fallen leaves in the violent winds.

Several Peak Masters acted together, barely managing to control the situation.

Preventing any casualties from occurring.

After the black mist dispersed, an old crone leaning on a dragon-headed staff stood before Ning Fan. Her slightly sunken eyes blazed with overwhelming hatred.

She stared fixedly at Ning Fan.

This old crone was Zhao Wuqing, one of the two heads of the Zhao Family.

"Senior?"

Ning Fan was stunned.

Who was this person?

Why did she hold such great enmity toward him?

Ning Fan racked his brains but could not think of how he could have provoked such an existence.

"Fengyue, you are protecting him?"

The old crone looked at the Peak Master of Long Bright Peak.

She wanted to kill. The mere rules of the Sect could no longer restrain her. The Peak Master of Long Bright Peak standing before Ning Fan was her only obstacle.

Dao Lord.

The supreme existence below the Sect Leader and above the Elders. Those who could become Dao Lords were all leaders of major families, possessing not only extraordinary strength but also formidable backgrounds.

A mere Peak Master.

By all rights, they were far from being comparable to a Dao Lord.

Yet, facing the old crone before her, the Peak Master of Long Bright Peak maintained a calm and composed demeanor without the slightest hint of timidity.

"That's right."

The Peak Master of Long Bright Peak nodded.

"Disciple Ning Fan has deciphered the content on the stone stele and comprehended a martial skill. He is of utmost importance to my Long Bright Peak."

"The stele? The ancient ruins?"

The old crone paused.

She then looked at the massive stone stele beside her, and her brow furrowed.

Of course, she knew of the ancient ruins' existence.

Countless disciples and Elders had failed to comprehend it, yet Ning Fan had actually managed to glean something from it!?

And also...

Why was Ning Fan here, comprehending the contents of the stele!?

Ning Fan's trial-clearing had caused a great stir within the Sect, but he was ultimately still a new disciple. It was rather difficult for him to alarm a Dao Lord.

Moreover, the old crone had just learned of Zhao Qishuang's death and had spent the entire day searching for the murderer.

How could she have noticed Ning Fan!?

"Disciple Ning Fan intended to join my Long Bright Peak, but the Peak Master of Yin-Yang Peak used his privilege to forcefully snatch him. He has just now passed the second trial."

The Peak Master of Long Bright Peak explained.

"..."

The old crone was inwardly shocked by Ning Fan's talent, but in the next instant, this astonishment was replaced by hatred.

Because after several rounds of deep investigation, the old crone had confirmed that the one who killed Zhao Qishuang was precisely the person Zhao Qishuang had been 'entangled' with!

Ning Fan!!

Zhao Qishuang was the only remaining bloodline of the old crone's grandson-Zhao Wuji. And Zhao Wuji was a hero who had perished while covering the escape of Zhao Family disciples!

How could Zhao Qishuang die in vain!

"Senior, may I ask how this disciple has offended you?"

Ning Fan cupped his hands and bowed, speaking in a respectful tone. Facing such an existence, Ning Fan dared not show the slightest neglect.

"Zhao Qishuang died by your hand," the old crone stated with absolute certainty.

"Ah?"

Ning Fan was stunned.

It took several breaths before Ning Fan realized who the 'Zhao Qishuang' the old crone spoke of was. Wasn't that the disciple who had sought guidance from Yun Qingyao in the cave dwelling that day?

That couldn't be right.

Ning Fan had absolutely not laid a hand on Zhao Qishuang.

"Senior..."

"No need to explain. This Lord has already made a judgment in her heart."

The old crone fiercely stamped her dragon-headed staff.

"A blood debt must be repaid in blood!"

Ning Fan: "..."

If not for the old crone's overwhelming strength, Ning Fan truly would have cursed her out. This was a massive black pot firmly planted squarely on his head.

"I said it before. Disciple Ning Fan is under my protection."

"Zhao Wuqing."

"You haven't forgotten exactly where your Zhao Family's position as Dao Lord came from, have you?"

The Peak Master of Long Bright Peak's voice grew cold.

Hearing her tone, the surrounding Peak Masters and disciples were all startled. To speak to a Dao Lord like this, she was definitely not a simple Peak Master.

"..."

The other Peak Masters exchanged glances. Thinking carefully, they truly did not know the background of the Long Bright Peak Master. They only knew her name was Yin Fengyue.

Beyond that, nothing else.

Could it be...

Did this Yin Fengyue have a formidable background too?!

"..."

Faced with Yin Fengyue's words, the old crone's gaze flickered slightly. She actually did not choose to clash head-on with the former, but instead shifted the topic.

"The disciple snatching is now at the third trial, correct?"

"That is correct, Dao Lord."

Gui Yazi stepped forward, respectfully bowed, and replied.

"In that case."

"Let the final trial's participating disciple be provided by my Zhao Family. How about that?"

The old crone said.

"This..."

Gui Yazi hesitated. In this trial, he absolutely had to ensure Ning Fan failed. If he chose a Zhao Family disciple, would it be too risky?

"Zhao Qi."

"Come forth."

The old crone announced loudly.

As her voice fell, a figure suddenly leaped up from the distance. The figure vaulted over ten meters, forcefully cutting through the crowd, and landed in the center where Ning Fan and the others stood.

"Let Zhao Qi serve as the gatekeeper for the final trial."

"There's no problem, right?"

"Zhao Qi, the Iron Hand, Zhao Qi?!"

A cry of surprise rang out, revealing the newcomer's identity.

-Iron Hand, Zhao Qi.

A top-tier prodigy of the Zhao Family's younger generation. After joining Xuanpin Peak, he was immediately accepted as a personal disciple by the Peak Master, and then vanished without a trace.

Of course.

Zhao Qi's disappearance was not because his talent had dried up, but rather because the Zhao Family had poured all their means into him, piling every sort of top-tier cultivation resource onto him.

At this moment.

Zhao Qi's realm had already reached the fifth layer of the Profound Extreme Realm!!!

Although his realm was only two layers above Ning Fan's.

The resources Zhao Qi enjoyed were far beyond what ordinary disciples could ever hope to compare with. From cultivation methods to martial skills, everything he used was backed by the Zhao Family's immense reserves!

One had to know that when he first broke through to the Profound Extreme Realm, Zhao Qi had already defeated a disciple at the fourth layer of the Profound Extreme Realm. His talent was evident for all to see.

And now, Zhao Qi was at the fifth layer of the Profound Extreme Realm...

"You, step aside!"

Zhao Qi looked at Zou Yu, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Just this single look.

It caused that Talent Scout from Yin-Yang Peak to stagger half a step back.

"Then it's settled."

Gui Yazi nodded in satisfaction.

"For the third trial of the disciple snatching, Disciple Zhao Qi will face off against Disciple Ning Fan."

"..."

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