121: Chapter 121 Undercurrents, Poisonous Schemes

Zhao Kanglong fled in a wretched state. The sharp pain in his wrist and the public humiliation filled him with bone-deep hatred for Ye Tian.

As soon as he returned to the Law Enforcement Hall, he reported the matter to his direct superior, adding his own embellishments to the story.

The Law Enforcement Hall's Outer Sect Deacon was also his distant cousin, Zhao Qian.

Inside a side hall of the Law Enforcement Hall, Zhao Qian's expression turned gloomy after listening to Zhao Kanglong's tearful complaints.

He was about forty years old with a thin face. His cultivation had reached the Peak of the Condensing Essence Seventh Level, and he held significant weight within the Outer Sect faction of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Though the brothers Zhao Kanghu and Zhao Kanglong were useless, they were still members of his Zhao Family. One must look at the master before beating the dog!

A new Disciple who had just entered the Sect dared to be so arrogant, injuring Zhao Family descendants one after another. This was practically a slap to Zhao Qian's face!

"Useless!"

Zhao Qian snorted coldly, his pressure making Zhao Kanglong tremble. "You couldn't even take down a kid at the Fourth Level of Yuan Condensation, and yet you have the face to come back crying?"

"Uncle, that kid is very strange!"

Zhao Kanglong hurriedly defended himself, lingering fear still on his face. "That finger of his was so fast I couldn't see it at all! His power is definitely not just at the Fourth Level of Yuan Condensation! I suspect he's hiding his cultivation!

And... and Elder Mo seems to think highly of him, even personally acting as his Protector during his Epiphany..."

"Elder Mo?" Zhao Qian frowned.

Elder Mo held a transcendent status and his cultivation was unfathomable; even Inner Sect Elders had to show him respect.

If that kid really caught Elder Mo's eye, it would be a problem.

He pondered for a moment, his gaze suddenly turning sinister. "Even so, injuring someone from my Zhao Family cannot be overlooked just like that.

Moving against him openly would easily invite criticism, especially with the connection to Elder Mo.

But... within the Sect, outside of the rules, there are plenty of ways to make his life a living hell!"

Just then, an announcement came from outside the hall: "Deacon, Senior Brother Liu has arrived."

A sharp light flashed in Zhao Qian's eyes, and his face instantly shifted into a warm smile. "Please, bring him in!"

Before he finished speaking, a cold and proud young man wearing a moon-white robe and a jade belt stepped slowly into the hall.

His steps were composed and his aura restrained. He was none other than one of the Genius Disciples of the outer Sect, Liu Jingtao!

Liu Jingtao possessed extraordinary talent. At only nineteen, he had already reached the Ningyuan Sixth Stage and was hailed as a Genius likely to stand out in the next Inner Sect selection.

He came from a branch of the Liu Family, a great clan in the Northern Region. Haughty and single-mindedly pursuing the Martial Dao, he rarely socialized, yet he held immense prestige among the Outer Sect Disciples.

"Nephew Liu, what brings you to my Law Enforcement Hall today?"

Zhao Qian smiled and stepped forward to greet him, his attitude quite polite.

Not only was Liu Jingtao's talent startling, but his Family also held significant influence within the Sect. Naturally, Zhao Qian did not dare to be negligent.

Liu Jingtao nodded slightly as a greeting, his voice cold and clear. "Deacon Zhao, I heard that someone at the Qi Wu Hall had an Epiphany today and triggered a Martial Dao Will seed. Is this true?"

His gaze was sharp, cutting straight to the point.

For a Genius like him, the emergence of such a figure among his peers was the only thing truly worth his attention.

Zhao Qian's heart stirred; he thought to himself, 'Perfect!'

He sighed, feigning difficulty. "It is indeed true. It's a new Disciple named Ye Tian. He's only been in the Sect for three months, but he's reportedly broken through from Ningyuan First Level to the Fourth Level. Today, he even had an Epiphany in the Qi Wu Hall, drawing Elder Mo himself to act as his Protector. His fame is unparalleled for the moment."

"Ye Tian? A new Disciple? Able to have an Epiphany at the Fourth Level of Yuan Condensation?"

A flash of surprise and deep interest crossed Liu Jingtao's eyes.

Liu Jingtao considered his own talent superlative, yet even he hadn't touched the edge of an Epiphany. How could a newcomer have such ability?

Zhao Qian observed his expression and deliberately lamented, "This boy's talent is indeed terrifying, it's just... his Heart-Nature seems to have some issues.

Just now, my useless nephew Kanglong went to reason with him because his cousin Kanghu had some friction with Ye Tian previously. Who would have thought that Ye Tian would, without a word, strike heavily and injure Kanglong, while also speaking arrogantly and showing contempt for the majesty of our Law Enforcement Hall.

Sigh, young people who become so domineering just because they have a bit of talent... I fear he is not a blessing for the Sect."

As he spoke, he signaled Zhao Kanglong to show his swollen, purple wrist.

Liu Jingtao glanced at Zhao Kanglong's injury, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The residual finger force at the wound was exceptionally condensed; it was definitely not something an ordinary Fourth Level of Yuan Condensation could achieve.

His curiosity about Ye Tian grew, but Zhao Qian's words also planted a thorn in his heart.

A Genius?

Liu Jingtao had seen too many so-called geniuses who eventually faded into mediocrity.

But a Genius who didn't follow the rules and was overbearingly arrogant often died even faster.

"The Sect has its own laws," Liu Jingtao said indifferently. It seemed impartial, but his gaze had already cooled by several degrees.

He pursued absolute strength and loathed those who thought too highly of themselves.

Seeing his goal achieved, Zhao Qian rejoiced inwardly and continued, "Nephew Liu is exactly right. It's just that this boy is currently in the spotlight and seems to be under Elder Mo's care, so ordinary methods might be hard to restrain him.

The Outer Sect Grand Competition is coming up soon. If such a person with a twisted mind takes a ranking or even enters the Inner Sect, I'm afraid he'll be even harder to discipline in the future."

Liu Jingtao remained silent for a moment, a cold gleam flashing briefly in his eyes. "The Outer Sect Grand Competition relies on true skill. If he really has the ability, he will naturally stand out. If he is just a hollow name, or if his Heart-Nature is unbearable..."

He didn't continue, but the meaning was clear.

In a public setting like the Outer Sect Grand Competition, if one crushed another with strength, no one could find fault!

"A brilliant view, Nephew!"

Zhao Qian clapped and laughed. "When the time comes, we will need a Genius like you to step up and set the Outer Sect's atmosphere right."

He quietly pushed Liu Jingtao into opposition against Ye Tian.

Liu Jingtao neither agreed nor disagreed and turned to leave.

To him, Ye Tian was merely a noteworthy opponent. If Ye Tian stayed in his place, he might not do anything.

But if he truly was as headstrong and unruly as Zhao Qian said, then he wouldn't mind personally knocking him off his pedestal during the Outer Sect Grand Competition, letting everyone know who the true Genius of the Outer Sect was!

Watching Liu Jingtao's departing back, the smile on Zhao Qian's face gradually vanished, replaced by a cold sneer.

"Ye Tian... Humph! So what if you have extraordinary talent? This whetstone called Liu Jingtao will be enough to give you a hard time. And if that's not enough..."

A poisonous light flashed in his eyes as he whispered to the waiting Zhao Kanglong, "Go, leak word to the people of the Iron Eagle Gang. Say... Ye Tian has a secret treasure or a high-grade Cultivation Technique that allows for rapid cultivation increases."

"Also, have people keep an eye on that kid. Report any movement to me immediately!"

Zhao Kanglong was stunned at first, then realization dawned on him, and a sinister smile appeared on his face. "Brilliant, Uncle! Those desperadoes in the Iron Eagle Gang will do anything for profit! Besides, their background is complex; even if something happens, it won't be traced back to us! I'll see to it right away!"

Zhao Qian nodded with satisfaction.

Killing with a borrowed knife, driving a wolf to swallow a tiger—these were the methods of a superior.

He could already see that brat who didn't know the heights of the heavens dying without a place to be buried.

"A Genius? Hmph, a Genius who hasn't grown up is nothing!"

...

Meanwhile, Ye Tian had returned to Courtyard No. 71 of the Yi Class.

He sat cross-legged in silence, carefully digesting what he had gained from his Epiphany and consolidating his Middle Stage Ningyuan Seventh Level cultivation. Simultaneously, he continuously contemplated the Starfall Finger and Taixu Star-Shift Steps, both of which had reached the Minor Achievement stage, his mind clear and serene.

However, his keen Divine Sense faintly detected a trace of a lingering gaze coming from outside the courtyard.

Though extremely well-hidden, it failed to escape his perception.

"It seems trouble won't disappear on its own."

Ye Tian opened his eyes, cold starlight flickering within them. "So be it. I will meet whatever comes. I'll use you all to sharpen the edge of my Martial Dao!"