Chapter 176: Han Cang Appears
Chapter 176: Han Cang Appears
The experts of Lou Ri City were surprised, as Hua Mantian hadn’t mentioned Cheng Lingyu or later events when questioning Qi Wei earlier.
“Was Cheng Lingyu alone then?”
“He had a companion named Lan Xiaozhu. Both are new disciples of Lou Ri City.”
Tianye Spirit Master turned to the city lord. “Please summon Cheng Lingyu and Lan Xiaozhu for questioning.”
After a pause, the city lord sent Hua Mantian to fetch them.
Cheng Lingyu exchanged a glance with his elder brother Wan Fang upon seeing Hua Mantian, then followed without protest.
Wan Fang hurried to the Supreme Spirit Palace to inform their Master.
Soon, Cheng Lingyu and Lan Xiaozhu stood in the grand hall. They recognized none except Hua Mantian among the Spirit Master-level figures present.
Lan Xiaozhu’s eyes narrowed slightly when spotting Li Xiang, Qi Wei, and Fang Cuiyu.
Cheng Lingyu remained calm though equally alert.
Tianye Spirit Master stared them down. “Did you encounter Ouyang Lie near Xi Yang Pass?”
Cheng Lingyu shook his head. “We flew over Xi Yang Pass in a Sky Boat without stopping.”
“Then why do witnesses claim Ouyang Lie intercepted you there?”
Tianye Spirit Master’s crushing aura nearly buckled Cheng Lingyu’s knees.
The city lord coughed once, dissolving the pressure instantly.
Ignoring Tianye’s dark expression, Cheng Lingyu answered steadily, “Ouyang disliked me, but being at the Blood Martial Realm while I was merely third stage Soul Martial—would I foolishly provoke him if I knew he was there?”
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the hall.
Tianye pressed, “These three say Ouyang spotted your Sky Boat and vanished after pursuing you. Your denial means little.”
Cheng Lingyu countered, “Their account proves I didn’t meet him. Perhaps he got delayed, changed plans, or fell to enemies among the tens of thousands visiting Lou Ri City. Blood Martial experts die too.”
“Or you’re lying,” Tianye snapped.
“Am I being accused of killing a Blood Weapon Second Level expert as a Soul Martial cultivator?” Cheng Lingyu’s lips twitched. “Would Divine Martial Sect’s warriors truly be so weak?”
“Impudent!”
Lou Ri City’s Spirit Masters hid smiles as Cheng Lingyu continued unflinching: “Why would a mighty Spirit Master waste time interrogating someone beneath notice?”
The city lord nodded approvingly at Cheng Lingyu’s composed defiance. Where Tianye’s bluster alienated the crowd, the youth’s calm logic won silent approval.
“I came to investigate the whole matter. Since you’re involved, answer truthfully.”
Cheng Lingyu asked, “How does Tianye Spirit Master wish me to respond? Should I admit to killing Ouyang Lie or claim I hid him?”
Tianye Spirit Master said coldly, “Relax your body and open your mind. I’ll read your memories to judge right from wrong.”
Cheng Lingyu raised an eyebrow. “By what right? I’m a disciple of Lou Ri City. I’m not obliged to help you find Ouyang Lie, nor do you have authority to demand anything.”
Tianye Spirit Master growled, “You dare speak to me like this? Seeking death?”
The city lord coughed, breaking the tension.
“The youth speaks rashly. Brother Tianye, don’t take offense. His strength might allow killing Ouyang Lie, but he’s no match for a Spirit Master. Let this end.”
Tianye Spirit Master insisted, “No. My instinct says he’s hiding something. His answers are too rehearsed.”
The city lord said, “Perhaps he’s truthful.”
Tianye Spirit Master snapped, “His memories will reveal the truth.”
“This isn’t proper…”
“This concerns the fate of a Divine Martial Sect Spirit Master! We won’t rest until it’s resolved. He’ll only need a day’s rest afterward.”
Tianye Spirit Master’s stance hardened, intent on forcing memory extraction.
Before the city lord could protest, a cold voice echoed through the grand hall:
“By what right?”
The words came not from Cheng Lingyu, but from the hall’s entrance.
A shadowy figure stood bathed in light, eerie yet radiating icy indifference.
Tianye Spirit Master rose slowly. “By the authority of Divine Martial Sect.”
“This is Lou Ri City, not your sect.”
The figure stepped forward, making the hall tremble as if the earth shook.
The city lord stood, voice wavering slightly. “Han Cang? Why come?”
“To witness Divine Martial Sect experts bullying Fallen God Ridge disciples.”
Han Cang’s tone dripped with mockery.
Though familiar with Lou Ri City’s experts, Tianye Spirit Master didn’t recognize Han Cang, who rarely left Fallen God Ridge.
Sensing Han Cang’s chill, Tianye Spirit Master’s Spiritual Light flared. Luminous rings expanded as a Battle Platform materialized underfoot, his fighting spirit surging.
The atmosphere crackled with impending violence.
The city lord shouted, “Tianye! Stand down!”
Tianye Spirit Master refused. “I’ll read his memories today. None shall stop me.”
Han Cang sneered, “Touch one hair, and your head becomes my chamber pot.”
Tension spiked. The city lord warned Tianye Spirit Master, “Leave. You can’t win. Provoke him, and you die today.”
Tianye Spirit Master scoffed, “Threatening me? Think Divine Martial Sect fears you?”
When reasoning failed, the city lord roared, “Escort him out!”
The hall froze. Though arrogant, Tianye Spirit Master hesitated facing multiple Lou Ri City Spirit Masters.
At his cultivation level, pride warred with survival instinct. He’d bullied Cheng Lingyu assuming a Soul Martial Realm cultivator was insignificant, relying on his status and city lord’s acquaintance.
Han Cang’s intervention changed everything, with the city lord clearly taking Han Cang’s side. Trapped by pride, Tianye Spirit Master blustered until expulsion became inevitable.
“Lou Ri City will regret favoring a Soul Martial Realm disciple!” Tianye Spirit Master stormed out, sleeves flaring.
Han Cang retorted, “Offend him, and Divine Martial Sect won’t live to regret.”
The city lord urged, “Enough. Walk with me.”
Han Cang hesitated oddly, puzzling observers.
Hua Mantian escorted Cheng Lingyu and Lan Xiaozhu out, while Li Xiang, Qi Wei, and Fang Cuiyu departed separately.
Though the incident ended quietly, offending Divine Martial Sect boded ill for Cheng Lingyu’s future – a brewing storm momentarily shielded by Lou Ri City’s protection.
Lan Xiaozhu and Cheng Lingyu resented Li Xiang’s trio’s betrayal. Without their meddling, would he have angered the sect?
Cultivation continued peacefully. Within a month, Cheng Lingyu soared from Three Cave Heavens to Eight, each foundation rock-solid.
This explosive growth stemmed from Supreme Spirit Palace’s spiritual liquid saturating his body, accelerating his progress dramatically.