As soon as Wanqi Jue’s voice fell, a group of familiar figures appeared in the distance. They were all the elders from the Wanqi clan who attended the Trading Conference at Seven Kills Valley. As for the younger generation, including Wanqi Hong, and another elder, they were not present on the scene. It seemed like they had left while this group of elders stayed to support Wanqi Wu Ming and Wanqi Jue.
At this moment, the group from the Wanqi clan had surrounded Duan Ling Tian and the others from the Pure Yang Sect.
At the same time, Duan Ling Tian could feel the slight pressure in the surroundings disappearing. He knew this meant that the Speed Limiting Formation was no longer in effect. After all, its energy consumption was huge. Hence, it would not last long after being activated.
Normally, one would have to etch the Speed Limiting Formation all over again once it lost its effect. This was not the case for the Formation compass, but it would take a while before one could use it again.
Meanwhile, the expressions of those from the Pure Yang Sect changed immediately upon hearing Wanqi Jue’s words and seeing the group of people from the Wanqi clan. The expressions of the younger generation were particularly grim, except for Duan Ling Tian who was still calm. This was because even if a fight broke out, Duan Ling Tian knew the Wanqi clan would not dare to kill anyone. Although the prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul was very important, if they killed someone from the Pure Yang Sect today, the matter would escalate and not in a good way for the Wanqi clan. On the contrary, the consequences would not be big if they only injured the members of the Pure Yang Sect. The Wanqi clan could apologize and compensate the Pure Yang Sect later. With this, it would be difficult for the Pure Yang Sect to take harsh actions against the Wanqi clan due to various factors.
Although the Wanqi clan was weaker than the Pure Yang Sect, if war broke out, the Pure Yang Sect would suffer losses even if they managed to annihilate the Wanqi clan. It would only be a Pyrrhic victory at best.
Zhen Yun Feng sneered. “Wanqi Wu Ming, so you really want to do this?”
Wanqi Wu Ming shook his head and said with a sigh, “Zhen Yun Feng, I’m trying to negotiate with you amicably. The prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul doesn’t make much of a difference to your son. He’s still young, and he has all the time to make his prominent divine artifact give birth to an incomplete artifact soul after he becomes an intermediate Emperor of Gods. Conversely, without the prominent divine artifact, Wanqi Jue might die within 5,000 years due to his inability to withstand the Heavenly Tribulation without his weapon. Moreover, I’m rather generous with my estimation. I’m not even sure if he’ll be able to survive his upcoming third Heavenly Tribulation…”
Wanqi Wu Ming stood by his earlier excuse.
Zhen Yun Feng stood his ground with no intention of giving in. “That has nothing to do with me. Did we force him to accept the bet? Did we force him to use his prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul as a stake? If he was unwilling, no one would be able to force him to do so. Do you think it’s acceptable if he had won the bet, and I asked you to return the 100 king-grade Limit Divine Pills to me? How ridiculous!”
At this time, Wanqi Jue said coldly, “Senior Brother Wu Ming. I’ve already said that Zhen Yun Feng won’t agree to it. Let’s carry out the plan as we discussed. No one will get hurt if they hand over my weapon! Otherwise, I’m afraid all of you won’t be able to escape being injured.” Then, he looked at the other elders from the Pure Yang Sect meaningfully as he added, “If you’re seriously injured, your cultivation will be affected, and you might not be able to survive your upcoming Heavenly Tribulation.”
Among the elders from the Pure Yang Sect who attended the Trading Conference, there were a few leaders of the factions. For some of them, it was not easy to overcome the Heavenly Tribulations, to begin with. Their chances of survival would become lower if they were seriously injured. All of them looked at the members of the Wanqi clan in anger and dissatisfaction. Not only did the Wanqi clan refuse to honor their words, but they even used such despicable methods.
At this moment, Zhen Ping Fan said to Zhen Yun Feng, “Father, all means of communication have been interrupted. It seems like they came prepared.”
Zhen Yun Feng nodded slightly with a calm expression on his face. “I expected as much.”
On the contrary, the others from the Pure Yang Sect were shocked when they heard Zhen Ping Fan’s words. This meant that they could not call for reinforcements from the Pure Yang Sect or even the Seven Kills Valley since all means of communications had been cut off for now. Although the Pure Yang Sect and the Seven Kills Valley did not have a particularly close relationship, the Seven Kills Valley would not refuse to help the Pure Yang Sect under such circumstances.
Zhen Yun Feng looked at Wanqi Wu Ming and Wanqi Jue and asked in a low voice, “Wanqi Wu Ming, Wanqi Jue, are you declaring war on the Pure Yang Sect on behalf of the Wanqi clan?”
Wanqi Jue said nonchalantly, “Elder Zhen Yun Feng, stop twisting my words. I’ve said, there’ll be no killings involved. However, injuries are inevitable in a conflict. I admit that not everyone from our clan here is a match for your people here. However, don’t forget that you have the younger generation with you. If a fight breaks out, the elders will have to split their attention between the fight and protecting the younger generation. If you’re distracted, who do you think will have the upper hand in the fight?”
Wanqi Jue was clearly fearless only due to Wanqi Wu Ming’s presence.
Duan Ling Tian frowned.
The Wanqi clan was too shameless. They seemed determined to regain the prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul. Based on the current situation, it seemed best for the Pure Yang Sect to compromise. Although the elders of the Pure Yang Sect present at this moment were more than a match for the elders of the Wanqi clan present on the scene, the situation was disadvantageous for the Pure Yang Sect since the elders had to protect the younger generation as well.
At this moment, Wanqi Wu Ming said again, “Zhen Yun Feng, things will be much easier if you compromise. As long as you return Wanqi Jue’s prominent divine artifact, both parties can leave this place safe and sound. What I said earlier is also in effect. Our Wanqi clan will compensate you with either 200 king-grade Limit Divine Pills or divine crystals. I’ll leave it up to you to choose. If you choose the Limit Divine Pills, it’ll take some time before we’ll be able to completely fulfill our payment. If you choose the divine crystals, we’ll be able to fulfill the payment before the Seven Mansions Feast begins.”
In other words, Wanqi Wu Ming was determined to fight the members of the Pure Yang Sect if the prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul was not returned to Wanqi Jue.
Wanqi Jue looked at Zhen Yun Feng and said in a low voice, “Zhen Yun Feng. Although you’re stronger than me, it’s not the case with Senior Brother Wu Ming. If we fight, he’ll keep you occupied while I keep your son occupied. The elders from both sides will also fight. However, during the fight, no one can guarantee the younger generation from your sect won’t be affected.”
At the end of his word, Wanqi Jue looked at Duan Ling Tian and the other young disciples of the Pure Yang Sect.
Zhen Yun Feng’s expression darkened even more.
Wanqi Wu Ming said, “Zhen Yun Feng, there’s nothing personal about this. It’s not like it’s an embarrassment for you to hand the prominent divine artifact over. In fact, if you return the weapon, the Wanqi clan will issue a public apology to the Pure Yang Sect. On top of the compensation I promised you, we’ll also compensate you with additional cultivation resources.”
Zhen Yun Feng took a deep breath before he asked, “Wanqi Wu Ming, is this Wanqi Jue and your idea or the Wanqi clan’s idea?”
Wanqi Wu Ming was slightly caught off guard by this question. Then, he replied nonchalantly, “The Speed Limiting Formation compass is usually with the clan leader. What do you think?”
Zhen Yun Feng nodded. An angry smile appeared on his face as he said, “Very well. This is the first time that I, Zhen Yun Feng, suffered such a huge loss. No, I should say this is the first time our Pure Yang Sect has suffered such a huge loss in the Eastern Ridge Mansion.” Then, after a brief pause, he said, “Ping Fan, lend that prominent divine artifact to the Wanqi clan for a few days.”
Zhen Ping Fan, Wan Qi Wuming, and Wan Qi Jue were shocked by Zhen Yun Feng’s words.
As for the others from the Wanqi clan, when they recovered from their shock, they chuckled inwardly. They thought that Zhen Yun Feng had used the word ‘lend’ to save himself from the embarrassment of having to give in. Although they knew the Pure Yang Sect would not let the matter slide just like that, they were prepared to apologize and compensate the Pure Yang Sect. It was fine even if their reputation was slightly tarnished as long as they regained the prominent divine artifact with an incomplete artifact soul. Compared to the death of an intermediate Emperor of Gods due to loss of that prominent divine artifact, the consequence of tarnishing their reputation was nothing. Moreover, since no lives were lost, the Pure Yang Sect could not act too excessively as well.
