372 Multiple Deceptions
In addition to Yang Tianhan, a young man from the Heavenly Eagle sect named Qiao Shijie frequently engaged Qin Huai in conversation. Their talks initially centered around the scenic locales and noteworthy sites of Qingzhou City, but invariably, the discussion would veer towards Qin Huai’s affiliations and loyalties.
Qin Huai could surmise that Qiao Shijie aimed to understand his relationship with the Heavenly Eagle sect and discern if there were any animosities between him and other sects. Nonetheless, Qin Huai consistently reiterated his stance as a rogue cultivator, expressing his neutrality towards all factions with a non-committal, “They’re all good.”
Being a newcomer to the enigmatic bronze realm, Qin Huai had no intention of courting unnecessary conflicts. He chose to remain unobtrusive, devoting his time to cultivation and rest in a quiet corner.
While the destinies of the twenty-two individuals present were intertwined due to the bronze realm array, their alliance was tenuous. This was primarily due to their diverse affiliations with different sects in Qingzhou City.
According to Yang Tianhan, the gathering included at least five disciples from distinct sects and factions, with a few others of unknown origins. Moreover, several martial artists came from feuding families, contributing to a complex web of alliances and enmities.
If it weren’t for the collective goal of cultivating the ancient azure illusion scripture and escaping their predicament, they likely would have already descended into chaos. Thus, the present fragile equilibrium, though far from unity, was the most favorable outcome.
Qiao Shijie’s questioning likely stemmed from this complex situation.
…
Elsewhere, an old man with a piercing gaze sat atop a small hill, surveying the bronze realm below.
Light footsteps sounded behind him. The newcomer’s eyes were always gloomy, but there was a smile on his lips. There were many pockmarks on his face, a sight which often stirred immediate repulsion.
The man was Qiao Shijie, the only one who had spoken to Qin Huai throughout the month. He stopped and bowed to Lan Zhengtu, the man clad in a blue robe, before proceeding to pay his respects to the old man.
“Lord Yang.”
The old man was none other than Yang Tianhan, whose demeanor, previously modest while conversing with Lan Zhengtu, was now unmistakably superior.
“You’ve been observing Zhou Cunzhong for a month now, right? What is your opinion of him?” asked Yang Tianhan.
Qiao Shijie, a member of the Heavenly Eagle sect, was gifted with a peculiar sight. On occasion, he could perceive the subtle aura of luck radiating from individuals. While this ability was beyond his control, over the years, it had honed his skill in reading people’s expressions.
Held in high regard by the Heavenly Eagle sect, Qiao Shijie had only recently entered the bronze realm, and now, he was closely aligned with Yang Tianhan of the Ghost Ox sect.
Qiao Shijie answered with deference, “That person is quite cautious. He rarely reveals anything of consequence and is entirely devoted to his cultivation. Based on our daily exchanges, I’ve discerned that he likely possesses an extraordinary poison technique. Even in conversation, he seems to subconsciously prepare to unleash his poison and practice his strategy.”
Yang Tianhan’s expression remained unchanged. “And what about his luck?”
“A few days ago, I perceived a faint semblance of a dragon dancing around him, its aura commanding and powerful,” Qiao Shijie replied, knitting his brows in concentration.
Upon hearing this, Yang Tianhan perked up. “Are you suggesting… Could Qin Huai be a true dragon of the Great You?”
That’s because during the great conflict in the bronze realm, typically only the power of the ancient scriptures could be harnessed. Fighters relied on their physical strength and the potency of the ancient scriptures to vie for a superior position.
However, there were exceptions, one of which was the king’s force. Even the force of the bronze realm couldn’t suppress this particular power.
In the bronze realm’s battles, the already formidable king’s force would further augment its prestige. Those who would become king-tier in the future would reign supreme in the slaughter, suppressing the vast majority of martial artists.
“King’s force…” Yang Tianhan mused. Regardless of whether it was the true dragon or the king’s force, Qin Huai was undoubtedly a person worth recruiting.
“The two of you should try to win over this Qin Huai… Even if you fail, at least avoid offending him,” he instructed.
As a seasoned member of the Ghost Ox sect, Yang Tianhan understood the formidable nature of the king’s force. As long as these young ones survived, they were destined for exceptional accomplishments. Cultivating the king’s force also meant that they were blessed with great luck.
Unless they encountered a monumental disaster or an overwhelming terror, it would be immensely challenging to kill them effortlessly. Hence, it was best not to antagonize such individuals, and he, even as a master in the visceral prefecture realm, was no exception.
In the bronze realm, although the people around him were subject to reshuffling every two months, requiring him to change his dwelling, as long as they remained within this realm, their paths were bound to cross again.
The bronze realm was unpredictable, and no one could tell what the future held. It was always wise to have a prodigious genius on one’s side.
Yang Tianhan sighed, his voice heavy with regret. “If it weren’t for those scoundrels from Wuji Mountain pursuing me, I wouldn’t have forsaken the chance to comprehend the king’s force and advanced to the visceral prefecture realm to evade danger.”
His eyes blazed with loathing. He had secretly sworn a lifelong vendetta against those bastards of Wuji Mountain. As long as he had the chance, he would kill them all mercilessly.
Meanwhile, Qin Huai was oblivious to the fact that Qiao Shijie, the young man who regularly sought him out for conversation, had ulterior motives. Qiao Shijie’s true intent was to employ his special sight to discern Qin Huai’s potential and aptitude.