After listening to Master Bei’s explanation, Gong Ling exclaimed, “There’s actually such a capable youth? I want to meet him. So that’s why he has the courage to barge into our Neo-Vestige Sect.”
Master Bei’s eyes flickered. “Ever since this kid established the Great Eastern Alliance, he has caused millions to die tragic deaths. He’s actually terrifying. This disaster should best be taken care of.”
Gong Ling smiled and sipped from a cup of tea, though he did not respond to Master Bei. Instead, he said, “Right, I heard Gong Chou mention that only Little Peach is left from that line. How is Little Peach? What happened?”
Master Bei smiled drily. “She’ll be arriving soon. Senior will be able to meet with her shortly.”
Gong Ling exclaimed, “After being in seclusion for some decades, my old friends are no longer around. Little Peach, keke. It’s just like her to pick such a name.”
Neo-Vestige Sect was a rather sparse sect. Other than a space station that floated outside the mountain gate to receive incoming spacecraft, the only form of travel within the mountain was walking, as there were no teleportation devices. Fortunately, the speed of the current group was quite fast. If it were commoners, they would not have been able to reach the main hall even after walking for ten years.
“Brother Gong, what is that place?” Lu Yin asked as he pointed to a certain location that he saw on their way to the main hall.
Gong Chou replied, “That’s Arrow Mountain. My Neo-Vestige Sect’s weapon of choice is the bow and arrow, and over the course of countless years, we have searched far and wide for all sorts of rare materials that can be used to create arrows. Those arrows are then placed on Arrow Mountain. Disciples with contributions can go there and exchange contribution points for them.”
“Your Highness, Arrow Mountain’s arrows were all created using rare treasures, and even the worst ones are more precious than the arrows that you normally see. They are all very valuable,” Peach quietly explained as she moved over to Lu Yin’s side.
Lu Yin nodded. He had noticed Arrow Mountain not because of the arrows, but rather because there was a peculiarly boundless amount of rune lines there. Neo-Vestige Sect contained an absolutely terrifying number of rune lines, most of which came from Arrow Mountain. Could the rune lines all be from those arrows? That was impossible. No matter how precious these weapons might be, they could not possess such a terrifying number of rune lines.
Peach was in possession of one of the original three arrows, and it had continued to be passed down since ancient times, but Lu Yin had never seen such terrifying rune lines from her.
“Arrow Mountain’s security must be very tight,” Lu Yin said casually.
Gong Chou smiled. “There’s no security, just an Elder who oversees it year round.”
“An elder? Are they an Enlighter as well?” Lu Yin was curious.
Gong Chou smiled. “Perhaps. We are rarely able to see that elder.”
“Rumor has it that a single arrow from Neo-Vestige Sect took out a powerhouse from the Innerverse whose power level was over 300,000. It must have been this elder who attacked,” Meng Tianlong probed.
Gong Chou nodded. “That’s right, Elder rarely makes a move, but once he does, there’s no trouble that he cannot take care of.” This sentence was said with a tone of arrogance, but nobody could refute such a claim. This crowd knew just how powerful a powerhouse with a power level of over 300,000 was.
Just a few minutes ago, Master Bei had nearly overpowered all of them to the point of exhaustion, so there was no need to mention an expert whose power level exceeded 300,000.
Regarding powerhouses at this level, the only ones that Lu Yin remembered were Northgate Taisui and that elder from the Seven Courts’ Yōu family. As for the Sea King, Mister Mu, Blackless God, and other such experts, Lu Yin did not know how powerful they were at all, though they all definitely surpassed a power level of 500,000.
A power level of 500,000… Lu Yin wondered when he would be able to achieve such strength, and he was looking forward to that day.
Soon, the group arrived at Neo-Vestige Sect’s main hall, which was at the top of the mountain.
The main hall was grand and magnificent, but it was not overly impressive to Lu Yin since he had visited the Sea King’s Dome in the past.
The rune lines that he saw in the main hall were very majestic, and he could tell that there were two Enlighters here. One of the rune line groups was from Master Bei, who had just attacked them, so the other should belong to Neo-Vestige Sect’s Sect Leader Gong Ling.
In the Outerverse, any organization that had an Enlighter could dominate an entire region. Frostwave Weave, Northcastle Weave, and quite a few other weaves did not even have a single Enlighter, but Neo-Vestige Sect had three Enlighters along with an unfathomable elder. This was a great power that possessed multiple hidden trump cards that could make even forces from the Innerverse hesitate.
Lu Yin had visited this place with his status as the Great Eastern Alliance Leader along with the Vastdearth Sect Leader Meng Tianlong, which meant that this trip was a more formal occasion. However, as soon as they entered the main hall, Gong Ling did not bother with anyone and simply stared straight at Peach.
Peach saw Gong Ling as well, and her eyes turned red.
Gong Ling instantly appeared in front of Lu Yin and the others, and he looked at Peach apologetically as he reached out with his hand to lightly touch Peach’s hair. “You have suffered, child.”
Peach was once again reminded of the pain that she had gone through, but she did not cry like she had been alone with Lu Yin. However, her expression was even more heart-wrenching in this moment.
Gong Ling looked over at Gong Chou. “Back then, which disciples chased after Little Peach? Has this been investigated?”
Gong Chou answered in a deep voice, “The investigation was finished long ago, but Training Elder did not allow us to take action.”
Gong Ling looked at Master Bei with cold eyes.
Master Bei stood up. “There might have been a misunderstanding back then. I know those disciples, and they are not bad people by nature. Possibly-”
Gong Ling quickly raised a hand to cut off Master Bei, and he looked at Gong Chou. “No matter what their reason is, anyone who acted against Little Peach back then shall be captured and thrown onto Arrow Mountain as slaves. Return everything that once belonged to Little Peach’s line back to their original owner, and anything that is missing will be replaced by those disciples’ seniors and mentors.”
“Yes, Sect Leader,” Gong Chou acknowledged.
Master Be’s face twisted into an ugly expression. He was an Enlighter, but he had just been forcibly interrupted, and the Sect Leader’s unspoken meaning was plain for Master Bei to hear.
“Sect Leader, how should we handle Shao Zisong?” Gong Chou asked.
Master Bei looked over at Gong Ling.
Gong Ling’s expression trembled. “Throw him onto Arrow Mountain as a slave for ten years. Nobody is to plead for mercy for him.”
“Yes.”
Shao Zisong’s face turned ashen, and he looked pleadingly at Master Bei. Although there would be no threat to his life while he worked as a slave on Arrow Mountain, how would he ever be able to lead Neo-Vestige Sect after enduring such an experience? How would he ever be able to fight for the position of Sect Leader in the future?
Master Bei desperately wanted to plead for mercy, but when he saw Gong Ling’s icy expression, he ultimately decided not to speak up.
Lu Yin observed this Neo-Vestige Sect Sect Leader’s actions with a calm expression.
Meng Tianlong’s expression became even uglier as, after all, he was the Vastdearth Sect Leader. But despite that, he was being shunned to a corner.
“Little Peach, how are you? Come and let Uncle Sect Leader take a look at you,” Gong Ling cooed at Peach in a gentle and apologetic tone.
Peach shook her head. “I’m alright. I’ve been living in the Great Yu Empire all this while, and it’s thanks to His Majesty that I was saved.”
Gong Ling only noticed Lu Yin and the others at this moment, and he looked at Lu Yin with a smile. “You’re the one who awakened me?”
Lu Yin respectfully answered, “I disturbed Senior’s seclusion, but I really had no other choice. I ask for Senior’s forgiveness in this matter.”
Gong Ling smiled. “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. You are very intelligent and also very daring. It’s makes sense how you were able to establish the Great Eastern Alliance. Even Sect Master Meng has been pulled in by you.” Finally, at this time, the Sect Leader looked at Meng Tianlong.
Meng Tianlong forced a smile onto his face. “It’s been a long time, Sect Leader Gong.”
Gong Ling nodded. “You’ve become so big in just the blink of an eye. Back then, I even drank with your grandfather.”
This sentence stifled Meng Tianlong, as how could he respond to that? His grandfather had been brought into the conversation in an instant.
Lu Yin looked at Meng Tianlong with sympathy. From start to end, this Vastdearth Sect Leader had had no presence. Not only had he been ignored by Neo-Vestige Sect, but he was even two generations younger than their Sect Leader. It was no wonder why he had been so reluctant to travel here with Lu Yin.
“Everyone, come and take a seat while we talk,” Gong Ling said as he invited them to take their seats.
Master Bei said, “Senior, I have something to take care of, so I’ll head out first.”
Gong Ling grunted in acknowledgement, and he did not keep the elder behind.
Master Bei glanced at Lu Yin with a deep emotion in his eyes before leaving.
Gong Ling did not really seem to care about the guests from afar, or rather, he did not care much about Lu Yin or Meng Tianlong. He only bothered to speak with Peach.
Peach was honest and shared everything that happened during her years in the Great Yu Empire, and the two of them talked for half an hour.
Lu Yin was not in any sort of rush, so he merely watched on as the two spoke.
With some difficulty, Gong Ling finally diverted his attention over to Lu Yin and Meng Tianlong.
“Alliance Leader Lu, Sect Leader Meng, I’ve neglected the two of you.” Gong Ling smiled.
Meng Tianlong hurriedly made some courteous remarks.
Gong Ling looked at Lu Yin. “Little Peach has caused a great deal of trouble for your Great Yu Empire these years. As repayment for your kindness in saving her, my Neo-Vestige Sect will naturally offer you some rewards. You may go to Arrow Mountain and choose any five arrows to take with you.”
Lu Yin’s brow arched up. Only five?
“Seventh Bro, this old fart is too stingy! Five arrows? You are the Great Eastern Alliance Leader!” the Ghost Monkey commented.
Behind Lu Yin, Aden’s expression was not too pleased either. They had been looked down upon with contempt ever since they had arrived at Neo-Vestige Sect, and now, the sect leader wanted to send them away with merely five arrows, which was simply too condescending. He was treating them as if they were just some random Outerverse sect.
Peach kept trying to give Lu Yin covert looks, and she nearly squeezed her eyes together, much to Gong Ling’s amusement.
Lu Yin’s heart moved. “In that case, thank you, Sect Leader Gong. Lu Yin will reluctantly accept your gratitude.”
Gong Ling smiled. “How straightforward. If you have any matters in the future, feel free to contact my Neo-Vestige Sect, and we will help you if we are able.”
Lu Yin was delighted at this offer. “Thank you, Sect Leader Gong.”
The few of them stayed there for half a day, but most of the time was taken up by Gong Ling chatting away with Peach.
Lu Yin grew bored, and he had Gong Chou take him on a tour of Neo-Vestige Sect. Meng Tianlong hurriedly followed after the two youths, and Gong Ling did not mind their departure.
That night, Lu Yin and the others rested in Neo-Vestige Sect, and nobody caused any trouble for them.
In another part of Neo-Vestige Sect, Gong Chou gave his father an in depth introduction of the Great Easter Alliance, as Gong Ling was not willing to rely on Master Bei’s biased explanation.
However, various parts of the Outerverse held varying opinions of Lu Yin, and when Gong Ling saw the various online reports and news clips, he was rather amused by the whole deal.
“The four great corporations have always remained low key, but then the Outerverse was isolated from the Innerverse. This allowed Aegis to develop an inflated sense of ambition, so they started acting overbearingly. They would have fallen to a disadvantage sooner or later, but I never would have thought that it would be at the hands of a junior. Although Aegis has not been around for a very long time, they still have a hidden foundation. Despite that and their enormous network of second level managers, they still lost. This kid is pretty good,” Gong Ling praised as he looked at a screen.
On the screen was an image of Zenyu Star being attacked.
Gong Chou said, “As a Limiteer, Lu Yin was able to challenge experts on the Top 100 Rankings, defeated the Divine Grade Hall’s Ze Lin on Planet Pyrolyte, and was even known as an unequalled Limiteer. After he broke through to the Explorer realm, he was able to participate in battles with Hunters without relying on any foreign objects, and he has the strength to rival the top ranked individuals of the Top 100 Rankings. He’s a genius, and when he uses his various external tools, he can even join in battles involving Enlighters.”
Gong Ling exclaimed, “That’s not as simple as being a genius—this kid is a true monster. And he’s only cultivated for seven years.”
Gong Chou felt ashamed. “Compared to him, everyone else fades in comparison.”
Gong Ling smiled. “It would be alright if he was just talented in cultivation, but this kid’s ambition goes beyond most cultivators’ imagination. It turns out that his abilities match up to his ambition—that is what’s most astonishing about him. The establishment of this Great Eastern Alliance shows that this kid is extraordinarily courageous and that there’s no limit to his future achievements.”
“Is Father that optimistic about him?” Gong Chou asked.
Gong Ling fell deep into thought, but he did not reply.
