Chapter 716 - 389: Hesitation (2)
Chapter 716: Chapter 389: Hesitation (2)
If the person is exceptionally intelligent and talented, far above the norm, there might be a chance.
On the contrary... if they can master none of them, they will eventually fade into obscurity.
Liu Zhaonian and Ouyang Tianxu saw Sikong Yijian’s condition, and felt quite a bit emotional.
Deep down, they were somewhat envious.
However, now was not the time to think about this. Liu Zhaonian coughed lightly and seeing that Chu Qing didn’t seem to mind what had just happened, said:
"Let’s put this matter aside for now...
"Since Sect Leader Sikong has arrived and even tested San Gongzi with a move earlier.
"What does Sect Leader Sikong think of San Gongzi’s martial arts?"
"His martial arts are unparalleled."
Sikong Yijian blurted out without a second thought.
"Then... I intend to propose him as the Martial Arts Alliance Leader at the hero assembly. What does Sect Leader Sikong think?"
"I second it."
Sikong Yijian’s words were concise.
Since he was not Chu Qing’s match, the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader should naturally belong to the capable.
There was nothing more to say about that.
This smooth exchange left Liu Zhaonian at a loss for words...
And with Sikong Yijian’s joining, further conversation became a bit awkward.
People couldn’t ignore him, but when the topic shifted to him, he either remained silent or spat out a word or two, making a previously pleasant conversation suddenly dry and unappealing.
Chu Qing found this person quite interesting.
A cold conversation destroyer.
After discussing some inconsequential matters, they prepared rooms, letting Chu Qing and his people rest first.
Of course, the Supreme Sword Sect wouldn’t only send Sikong Yijian alone.
Though he was reticent and unworldly, there were those within the sect who understood the urgency.
Knowing this was a crucial moment for the sect’s survival; this hero assembly might even determine whether the Lingbei martial world would still exist. Naturally, they wouldn’t let just the Sect Leader come and mess around.
In fact, rumors had it that the entire sect was mobilized, as the General’s next target was most likely them.
Now, others had also arrived one after another and were arranged by Li Xianyi to stay at Immortal Cloud Manor...
Inside the room, Chu Qing, Wu Qianhuan, and Gentle sat around a table.
An item was placed on the table.
Heaven and Earth Four Directions Vase!
They had this item for some time, but because they were constantly on the move, Chu Qing hadn’t had the time to study it carefully.
This Heaven and Earth Four Directions Vase wasn’t too large, just slightly bigger than an ordinary wine vase.
Its peculiarity, naturally, lay in its extra foot; ordinary vases only had three.
It had four feet, resembling a cauldron.
Regarding its material, Chu Qing still couldn’t discern it; it’s not gold, iron, copper, wood, or stone...
The vase’s surroundings were carved with dragons and phoenixes, crafted in a unique style, showing the mark of a master.
Chu Qing was curious about how these carvings were made.
Because this thing was extremely hard, even with three-tenths of his power, he couldn’t affect it.
To be honest, if not for knowing its true function, Chu Qing thought it might still serve well as a weapon, throwing it at someone’s head unexpectedly, surely leading to a bleeding head, dizziness, and blurred vision.
After staring for a while, the three of them looked at each other, and finally, Chu Qing took up a jar of fine wine from the ground.
This was specially requested from Li Xianyi.
The wine Li Xianyi brought was not ordinary strong liquor but a carefully preserved vintage, the Immortal’s Drop.
Upon breaking the seal, the aroma soon filled the entire room.
He lifted the wine jar, slowly pouring it out.
The amber-colored liquor, like a line, fell from the mouth of the jar into the Heaven and Earth Four Directions Vase.
Soon after, it was full of fine wine.
The group continued to watch for changes.
But no changes occurred, and Wu Qianhuan looked at Chu Qing in puzzlement:
"Could it be that we were deceived?"
Chu Qing shook his head, feeling it shouldn’t be the case.
Few knew about his trip to Yao Tai Sect, and it made no sense for someone to have preemptively swapped it.
After waiting a while longer, still with no change, Chu Qing began checking the liquid for poison.
After experimenting with various methods, he was essentially sure there was no poison.
He took a drop of the liquor and fed it to a guard dog of Immortal Cloud Manor.
The dog, with its tongue hanging out, lapped up the liquor, was about to turn and leave but stumbled and fell asleep after a few steps.
Confident the dog was merely drunk and not poisoned, Chu Qing then took two wine cups and divided the liquor into them.
Gentle was already eager...
She wasn’t a drinker, but this Immortal’s Drop was a fine vintage, its age perfect.
Additionally, the Heaven and Earth Four Directions Vase seemed to enhance the liquor’s aroma, making her eager and unable to resist wanting to drink it quickly.
Wu Qianhuan also took a cup and clinked it with Gentle, who was ready to drink.
Just as they were about to down it in one gulp, Chu Qing suddenly spoke:
"Wait!"
"Do you want to drink too?"
Wu Qianhuan said:
"We can each spare you a bit."
"I don’t need this..."
Chu Qing shook his head, frowning, and said:
"I just feel something is amiss."
Hearing this, both Wu Qianhuan and Gentle placed their cups back on the table.
"What do you think is the problem?"
Wu Qianhuan asked softly.
Chu Qing shook his head:
"Firstly, the effectiveness of this item was said by Ning Wufang, and whether his words are true is uncertain.
"Moreover, the news he relayed was from the Celestial Evil Cult.
The Celestial Evil Cult has no ordinary characters, such news wouldn’t reach him by accident... it’s very likely this was deliberately leaked.
"Or perhaps they did it to showcase the benefits of the Celestial Evil Cult to win over Ning Wufang completely, but it’s also possible this exquisite liquor from the Heaven and Earth Four Directions Vase has issues."
Hearing Chu Qing, Wu Qianhuan pushed the cup away further.
Even though Gentle was craving it, her appetite couldn’t outweigh her life. Though Chu Qing’s words seemed a bit alarmist, they weren’t without reason.
Chu Qing continued:
"Additionally, have you thought about... whose hands was this item in originally?"
Naturally, it was originally in Sang Qingchen’s hands.
But Sang Qingchen was unaware of its significance and thus never used it.
Otherwise, Xiangshan Sea might not have been destroyed.
Yet turning over the thought, it was clear Chu Qing wasn’t asking such an obvious question.
Wu Qianhuan spoke softly:
"Han Qiujun!?"
"Indeed, Xiangshan Sea was destroyed for this, and Han Qiujun obtained the Heaven and Earth Four Directions Vase.
"But what kind of person is Han Qiujun?
"Would he possibly return such an item to the Celestial Evil Cult?
"Most importantly...
"Where did Han Qiujun get the information that the Heaven and Earth Four Directions Vase was at Xiangshan Sea?"
After this question was raised, Wu Qianhuan and Gentle both paused in surprise.
They knew this matter; the information also came from the Celestial Evil Cult.
"With the Celestial Evil Cult’s capabilities, is one Han Qiujun worth such elaborate effort, even using a Heaven and Earth Nine Treasures just to win him over?"
Chu Qing spoke slowly, and Wu Qianhuan furrowed her brow deeply.
Gentle replied decisively:
"Unnecessary."
This was obvious.
Initially, no one thought along these lines... after all, everything made perfect sense.
Star Split Mansion destroyed Xiangshan Sea for the Heaven and Earth Four Directions Vase.
This news came from the Celestial Evil Cult, who said it could be used as a gift for alliance.
Han Qiujun even hid it temporarily in a dowry to prevent it from falling back into the Celestial Evil Cult’s hands, delivering it to the Yao Tai Sect for the time being.
It all seemed so logical, and Chu Qing received these pieces of information as fragments.
So much so that he hadn’t realized if it were truly this straightforward, it wouldn’t make sense.
Only moments ago, when Wu Qianhuan and Gentle were about to drink, did he realize something was wrong.
This wasn’t right!
The battle at Celestial Melody City showed that Han Qiujun’s martial arts reached the Nine Stars Linked Pearls realm, yet he was only on par with the Eight Great Battle Generals under the General’s command.
Such a person, the Celestial Evil Cult wouldn’t say there’s an abundance of them, but there certainly isn’t a shortage of Han Qiujun.
The Celestial Evil Cult wouldn’t engage in unprofitable businesses... there’s likely much more in play here.
"There might be deeper secrets within this item."
Chu Qing pursed his lips:
"Of course, this could also be me overthinking, but I still wouldn’t recommend attempting its use rashly.
"Instead, let’s find a suitable person, spend a bit of time, and have them verify this item’s effects?"