Chapter 342: Unveiling the Scheme
"What rumour?" Tang Yin inquired, finding it hard to believe that Qian Zhong would act solely based on hearsay. The idea that such significant actions were driven by mere rumours seemed unlikely to him.
Qian Zhong’s smirk widened upon Tang Yin’s ’frantic’ questioning. He languidly opened his mouth and started speaking.
"It was rumoured that Senior Tian’s father, the Heavenly Emperor of the Divine Emperor Kingdom, bestowed upon his son two coveted Tier 1 Martial Skills, the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning and Heaven’s Descent."
Qian Zhong paused briefly before adding, "By the way, the 25 Tier 1 Martial Skills are ranked in order of their strength, from the lowest to the highest. Among them, the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning holds an impressive position of 3rd among Tier 1 Martial Skills, while Heaven’s Descent follows closely as the 12th in rank." He then continued with his explanation.
"Anyway, after those two Tier 1 Martial Skills were passed onto Senior Tian, both father and son had a falling out. Senior Tian left the Divine Emperor Kingdom and his father to become a Demonic Cultivator."
"Interestingly, the Heavenly Emperor didn’t intervene or stop his son. Instead, he issued a statement declaring, ’Tian Huang has severed his connection to the Divine Emperor Kingdom. Anything he does is not related to the Divine Emperor Kingdom in any way.’"
"Just to clarify, this part is not a mere rumour, it’s an actual event. However, the rumours surround the act of the Heavenly Emperor passing the two Tier 1 Martial Skills to Senior Tian, nobody knows for certain whether this part is true or not." Qian Zhong clarified, shedding light on the uncertain aspects of the story.
"Once you revealed yourself as Senior Tian’s disciple, my suspicions arose, but I couldn’t be certain if you truly possessed the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning and Heaven’s Descent." Qian Zhong chuckled lightly.
"So, I decided to delve into your past. Strangely, there were no records of anyone named ’Xiao Chen’ before you entered the Neutral Cultivation Alliance Branch. But that didn’t bother me."
"Knowing ’Xiao Chen’ was just a false identity, I delved even deeper. To my astonishment, I found absolutely nothing about you, it was as if you didn’t exist prior to joining the Neutral Cultivation Alliance Branch."
"You must possess an extraordinary concealment technique to remain so thoroughly hidden even from my investigation." Qian Zhong continued to praise Tang Yin.
Tang Yin was not at all surprised by what Qian Zhong was saying. ’Demonic Asura’ was just his code name in the Neutral Cultivation Alliance. ’Xiao Chen’ was the ’real identity’ he had signed up with.
"Nevertheless, all that is inconsequential now. What truly piqued my interest was what I discovered during my swift investigation into ’Xiao Chen.’ You’ve been actively commissioning missions to gather different types of Lightning Essences."
"I also made another interesting discovery. A cultivator named ’Feng Tian’ launched an attack on the Rou Family and abducted the daughter of the Rou Family Patriarch, Rou Ling. This ’Feng Tian’ then demanded the Demonic Lightning’s Lightning Essence as a ransom for Rou Ling’s safe return. It seems to me that this ’Feng Tian’ was none other than you, am I correct?" Qian Zhong inquired, seeking confirmation from Tang Yin about his involvement in the incident.
In silence, Tang Yin met Qian Zhong’s gaze unwaveringly. There was no need for denial since Qian Zhong had already deduced his involvement in the attack. The truth spoke for itself, and Tang Yin chose not to add any further words to the matter.
Qian Zhong’s sinister grin widened as he taunted, "I’m quite intrigued by how you managed to survive the Divine Retribution for breaking your Divine Oath. The fact that you evaded Virtuous Enigma’s divination is equally puzzling. But don’t worry, I’ll uncover all your secrets once I search your soul."
"If I’m not mistaken, you’re aiming to collect various types of Lightning Essences to refine the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning." Qian Zhong’s countenance twisted, revealing a mix of greed and yearning.
Tang Yin’s expression darkened further as he realized that his seemingly unrelated actions of collecting Lightning Essences and attacking the Rou Family had inadvertently revealed his possession of the method to refine the Tier 1 Martial Skill, Nine Heavens Divine Lightning.
"How many people know?" Tang Yin asked softly. His voice held indifference as if he did not care about this matter. freewēbnoveℓ.com
"Well since the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning will belong to me, why would a third party know? Why, are you planning to silence me to keep your little secret safe?" Qian Zhong ridiculed Tang Yin openly.
The notion of a mere Mid-stage Principle Manipulation Realm cultivator seeking to take down a Law Domain Realm cultivator was utterly preposterous! The power gap between the two realms was immense, and attempting such a feat was impossible.
"There is one thing I don’t understand. How did you, an Early-stage Law Domain Realm cultivator, manage to direct the Abyss Dragon, a Peak-tier Rank 8 Demonic Beast, to attack me?" Tang Yin ignored Qian Zhong’s ridicule and asked a question that had been lingering in his mind for a while now.
"Well since you’re about to die soon, it won’t hurt to reveal my method." Qian Zhong confidently announced before answering Tang Yin’s question.
"In some enigmatic area in the Bright Yang Continent, there is a mysterious phenomenon known as the "Abyss Attraction Aroma." It is an intangible fragrance that possesses a unique and captivating allure, but unexpectedly, it lacks any discernible scent that ordinary beings can perceive. This inscrutable aroma, existing solely on a metaphysical plane, can only be sensed by a being as ancient and extraordinary as the Abyss Dragon."
"At the first inhalation of the Abyss Attraction Aroma, the Abyss Dragon experiences an inexplicable and irresistible pull toward its source. This mysterious force tugs at the very core of the dragon’s being, awakening a deep longing and yearning to obtain the fragrance at any cost."
"I infused the Abyss Attraction Aroma into the jade token I gave you right before you entered the Hectic Chasm Holy Land. Unbeknownst to you, you carried the Abyss Attraction Aroma with you into the Abyss Layer, and that’s what lured the Abyss Dragon to attack you." Qian Zhong explained.
As Tang Yin pondered the situation, his memory rewound to the moment when Qian Zhong handed him the jade token containing all the information about the Hectic Chasm Holy Land.
After reading its contents, he decided to destroy the jade token. It dawned on him that it must have been during the act of destroying the jade token that the Abyss Attraction Aroma inadvertently seeped into his body.
Qian Zhong’s eyes glimmered with greed as he spoke, "I spent a considerable fortune to obtain just a fragment of the precious Abyss Attraction Aroma. However, once I possess the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning and Heaven’s Descent, all of my efforts and expenditures will be justified."
Qian Zhong’s tone took a chilling turn as he revealed his original scheme, "You see, my initial plan was to have you marry my granddaughter, and in return, you would willingly yield the two Tier 1 Martial Skills and the rest of Senior Tian’s inheritance to me. However, your refusal to marry her sealed your fate, and now there’s no turning back." His sinister intentions were laid bare, leaving no room for negotiation or mercy.
"Is that so? Well, after I deal with you, I’ll make sure to take good care of your family back at the Moonlit River Sect." Ignoring the fact that Qian Zhong was a Law Domain Realm cultivator, Tang Yin openly taunted him.
"How dare you! You arrogant bastard! Let’s see how you handle my wrath!" Qian Zhong roared with intense fury, his forehead veins bulging and his eyes turning bloodshot.
This time, Qian Zhong’s demeanour turned serious, and he held nothing back. With a commanding wave of his palm, a dreary illusion of a half-moon materialized behind him, exuding an ominous aura.
"Domain of Crescent Magnificence!" Qian Zhong’s voice thundered with overwhelming authority.
BANG
With a deafening bang, a resplendent white aura, brimming with boundless Lunar Qi and Moon Principles, erupted from Qian Zhong’s body, exuding an unparalleled sense of elegance. The aura, reminiscent of the radiant moon itself, expanded rapidly in a majestic circular wave, encompassing the entire space around him.
This was the embodiment of his Law Domain, Crescent Magnificence!
As Qian Zhong unleashed his Law Domain, Tang Yin’s Heaven Piercing Gaze came into play. This extraordinary ocular Martial Skill allowed him to witness a spectacular phenomenon unfold before his very eyes.
With each surge of Qian Zhong’s power, Tang Yin could see all the Principles in the atmosphere being pushed aside, making way for the dominance of Moon Principles and Lunar Qi.
The overwhelming display of lunar energy was a breathtaking sight to behold, and Tang Yin felt the sheer force and majesty of Qian Zhong’s Law Domain with awe and wonder.
Qian Zhong’s face displayed a mixture of confusion and uncertainty, which was unusual for him. Typically, when cultivators below the Law Domain Realm witnessed his awe-inspiring Domain of Crescent Magnificence, they would tremble with shock and terror.
However, Tang Yin proved to be an exception. Instead of showing fear or shock, his countenance exuded a profound sense of confidence and mockery. This unexpected response puzzled Qian Zhong, as he couldn’t comprehend how Tang Yin could face his formidable Law Domain with such nonchalance.