Chapter 147: Without the Chief, the Main Hall Remains Closed

Long Wushuang raised his sword-like brows and strode toward the tightly shut Main Hall doors, intending to enter ahead of time.

The other fourteen Tianshu Hall disciples exchanged uncertain glances, remaining silent except for Manzhu Lver.

“Yijian hasn’t arrived yet! How can you do this? The sect’s notice said we must all gather here, every Inner Hall Disciple!”

“Heh heh, he’s late for so long. It’s not that we won’t wait for him—he just didn’t come. Wherever we go, reason is on our side.”

Houdao Xiaosheng gave a sinister, cold laugh. He was among the most delighted by Ye Rong’s mistake.

Among the only sixteen Tianshu Hall disciples, quite a few held grudges against Ye Rong. Long Wushuang was clearly a rival. People like Houdao Xiaosheng, despite being quiet for a time, hadn’t turned over a new leaf or decided to shake hands and make peace. If he had the chance, he’d leap out to take a couple shots at Ye Rong; he’d never pass that up.

Others, like Red Dust White Hair and Jianggong Wangyue, didn’t view Ye Rong favorably either.

The rest were mostly neutral, just watching the drama unfold, with only Manzhu Lver speaking up on his behalf.

“Uncle Long, are all the Tianshu Hall disciples not yet assembled?”

The two young Taoist boys guarding the Main Hall were a generation below Long Wushuang, but everyone who looked at them saw a chain of question marks above their heads—meaning their Levels were at least twenty higher than everyone else’s. Supposedly, after Level 50, one could learn the Qi Observation Art. Not only could it reveal the Level info of monsters and NPCs within 50 Levels, it could also detect the names and Levels of Players who were lower Level, no longer hidden.

“But the time clearly has come—it’s already a quarter-hour past Shen hour! Why isn’t it open? You’re just wasting our time!”

Long Wushuang shouted and yelled, but he didn’t dare actually force his way past the two Taoist boys’ blockade.

Among Qingcheng’s many NPCs, only those acting as laborers or servants were Common Tier. Even the Herb-Refining Boys and Fire-Tending Boys were Elite Tier NPCs.

Long Wushuang estimated that even with his seniority advantage, he couldn’t afford to act arrogantly before them, so he had to be well-behaved.

“Without the presence of Chief Yijian of Tianshu Hall, the Main Hall will not open. The meeting cannot begin!”

The two Taoist boys were firm, leaving no room for negotiation. Their tone of address differed too: though both were called “Uncle,” they clearly showed more respect toward Yijian Kurong, while for Long Wushuang it felt more like a formality.

Long Wushuang was shut out and could only slink back.

“Giggle, some people just overestimate themselves. The Chief Disciple isn’t even here yet—what’s the hurry?”

Manzhu Lver ignored Long Wushuang’s fiery, furious glare and spoke to herself. Her bell-like laugh was like scornful daggers stabbing into Long Wushuang’s back.

Several neutral Inner Hall disciples like Yu Shuangxue began to realize something, their expressions thoughtful. Judging by the NPCs’ attitude, Yijian Kurong’s status in the sect seemed even higher than they’d imagined. Was this worth reconsidering? Did they need to adjust their approach?

It was made clear: only when Yijian Kurong arrived would they enter the Main Hall for the meeting. If he didn’t come, the meeting simply wouldn’t be held. Everyone could only wait helplessly, finding a shaded stone bench to sit on.

The Tianshu Hall Chief could enjoy such special privilege—the meeting time could be delayed for his sake. But they were ordinary Tianshu Hall disciples without that status. If they left and Yijian Kurong returned just then, wouldn’t that make them the ones late?

…

“So many bamboo swords! My Universe Pouch is about to burst!”

Ye Rong had always thought his storage space was quite large, enough for use. But this trip made him realize it wasn’t enough again—lately he’d heard about a Kunlun Player obtaining a Ninth-Tier Mustard Seed Ring with a full eight hundred slots of space.

Regarding such insanely large storage-type accessory equipment, players on the Forum could only gasp in amazement—the storage slots on that one piece of gear exceeded the combined slots of several ordinary players.

Entering the Ancient Tomb this time, Ye Rong’s gains were considerable. Blackberry Thorns, Thousand-Spider Silk Pouch, Nether Toxic Bone Arrow—he’d gathered a pile of these Second- and Third-Tier Flying Swords and Magic Treasures. Plus the spoils taken from Baiman disciples, mostly Fourth-Tier or above, added up to over ten more items.

Now from the Mechanical Puppets he got lots of bamboo swords: six Fifth-Tier Thunder Bamboo Swords, seventeen Fourth-Tier Shadow Bamboo Swords, twenty-two Fourth-Tier Frost Bamboo Swords. In such circumstances, he couldn’t help but envy that Kunlun Player’s eight-hundred-slot Mustard Seed Ring.

“At this rate I could open a bamboo sword specialty store before long!”

Hundreds of Mechanical Puppets couldn’t withstand the violent push of the six, especially since Ye Rong alone had taken down nearly one-third of them.

“Truly Sixth-Rank Mechanical Puppets, Barren God Giants! A full twenty, not a single one missing!”

Blood Colored Poppy was overjoyed. These mechanical giants were his main goal for this trip—only getting them counted as success.

All twenty Barren God Giants were somewhat damaged and immobile. He just reached out, stroked them, and easily stored them in his Universe Pouch, along with a pile of blueprints on the nearby stone platform. Blood Colored Poppy didn’t leave a single one behind, collecting them all.

During this time, the other five were observing the Ancient Tomb’s third level. Could it be that this final third level only contained these Mechanical Puppets and Mechanism Blueprints, with no other hidden treasures?

“Nothing left. Those bamboo swords earlier were probably all the treasures on the third level.”

Breeze Clear and Clouds Light was the fastest. He flew a lap around the entire third level, then returned and landed, speaking.

After the fight with the Mechanical Puppets, though the others’ gains weren’t as staggering as Ye Rong’s, each still got quite a few bamboo swords.

Though their attributes were poor, using them would lower one’s status and they didn’t feel right. Even for sending Flying Sword Messages, they were too slow. But their Tier alone made them presentable as gifts.

And in some special situations where Flying Swords were consumed, these worthless bamboo swords that one wouldn’t mind sacrificing could come in handy.

“Damn, what a crappy Ancient Tomb! I thought the third level would at least have an Level 80 Elite Monster or a Level 60 Rare Monster. Who knew it’d just be a bunch of clumsy Mechanical Puppets!”

Fang Geyin’s hands and feet were a bit slow; he didn’t manage to snag any of the large Mechanical Puppets that dropped Fifth-Tier bamboo swords, which were mostly taken by Ye Rong and the Long-Legged Lady. Only the fastest, Breeze Clear and Clouds Light, managed to take down one.

“I didn’t even get to exert myself, and they all fell!”

“Brother Yijian, I heard you’re Qingcheng’s Chief Disciple. I recently accepted a Sect Mission to go to the Dujiangyan Waters. I wonder if you could do me a favor. I only need to kill some Aquatic Demonic Creatures and collect some things. It definitely won’t affect Qingcheng Disciples’ interests.”

Breeze Clear and Clouds Light ignored Fang Geyin, instead trying to return the Water-repelling Pearl to Ye Rong, while making a request.

It was just a small Water-repelling Pearl—of course Ye Rong wouldn’t ask for it back. He decided to give it to the other. As for the trip to Dujiangyan Waters, as long as he gave notice first, it wasn’t impossible.

Truthfully, given Qingcheng’s current strength, they were far from able to turn the Dujiangyan Waters into their private garden, keeping Players from other sects out. Moreover, Ye Rong, as Chief Disciple, only had this few people under him; he was still a long way from controlling all of Qingcheng’s power.

With Breeze Clear and Clouds Light’s strength, he could freely enter if he wanted. Giving notice was just showing Ye Rong respect.

“Of course, just send me a Flying Sword Message when the time comes. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, I can arrange for someone to guide you.”

Breeze Clear and Clouds Light also showed a happy expression, adding Ye Rong as a friend. With his speed, unless he was charging into the Shushan Sword Alliance’s Guild Stronghold, he could go anywhere. Getting Ye Rong’s approval was also about building a closer relationship, believing in this Qingcheng Chief Disciple’s future prospects. After all, this Ancient Tomb trip had shown his strength—it truly was convincing.

Ye Rong was about to speak when he noticed he’d received another friend request. Looking down, it was actually from the Long-Legged Lady. He quickly hit accept.

“If you have time, come visit Taihu Lake. I’ll definitely be a good host.”

Graceful Dream Butterfly gave a slight nod, then her form changed into scattered bits of smoky light, slowly fading away.

“Poppy, since your business here is finished, I’ll take my leave first.”

Blood Colored Poppy had just finished gathering the Mechanism Blueprints. He walked over just in time to see Graceful Dream Butterfly depart, feeling a bit regretful. But it was already rare for her to stoop to helping him with this Ancient Tomb trip; he couldn’t ask for more.

“Since there’s nothing good left, let’s head back to Kunlun first. As agreed, the Yue Zu and Dai Pao brothers are still waiting for us there. I’ll give you the promised rewards, then we can all go to a tavern in Chang’an for a few drinks to celebrate.”

“Poppy, I have urgent matters back in my Sect, so I’ve got to leave first too. As for the reward, I’ll contact you another day for that. Sorry, can’t join you for drinks.”

Ye Rong checked the time—it was already half an hour past Shen hour. If he didn’t reach the Sect’s Main Hall soon, the meeting would probably be over.

“Oh… if it’s urgent, there’s nothing to be done. We’ll just have to meet up another time.”

Ye Rong bid everyone farewell, nodded to Breeze Clear and Clouds Light indicating they’d contact each other later by Flying Sword Message, then tore the Green Leaf Bamboo Talisman. A green light flashed, teleporting him back to the Sect.

“Run! Run fast! Hope it’s not Short Elder Zhu Mei presiding—getting caught by him would be trouble!”

Inside the Sect, Sword Flight wasn’t allowed. Ye Rong could only sprint on foot, not caring about the surprised looks from other Players nearby.

Yijian Kurong, Qingcheng’s Top Disciple and number one expert, was usually calm and composed. What happened today? Did something big happen in Qingcheng?

Various guesses spread among these ordinary Players, evolving into different versions.