In about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Qiu Xuan led Wen Qingye to the majestic Central Hall, the most important place in Feiyun Dock. Standing at the entrance, Wen Qingye could hear a clamorous din from within.
Qiu Xuan rubbed his hands together and gave a dry laugh. "Young friend, please follow me inside."
Wen Qingye nodded and followed Qiu Xuan into the hall. He saw that it was filled with more than a dozen people, their cultivation ranging from the First to the Sixth Heaven of the Destruction Realm. It seemed these people formed the very backbone of the Feiyun Dock sect.
The group seemed to be arguing about something, so engrossed that they didn't even notice two new people had entered the hall.
At their head sat a middle-aged man with the highest cultivation. His face was grim and his brows were knitted tightly together. Occupying the central seat, he remained silent.
Below him, an old man was speaking with great agitation, spittle flying from his lips. His eyes darted around the crowd as he gestured wildly, passionately explaining something to those around him.
Suddenly, the man seated above could no longer bear it. He roared, "Enough! Great Elder, Feiyun Dock has no map! Everything they've said is baseless! If they want to destroy Feiyun Dock's eight-hundred-year legacy, then let them come! I, Zhang Wen, will face them all!"
The old man below narrowed his eyes at Zhang Wen. "Sect Leader, I don't think it's that simple," he said. "If we don't have the map, why would they suddenly descend on Feiyun Dock and demand we hand it over? I believe where there's smoke, there's fire. Or could it be that the Sect Master intends to keep the map for himself?"
"Insolence! You dare to question me?" Zhang Wen shot to his feet, glaring furiously at Feiyun Dock's Great Elder.
The others in the hall looked at one another, at a complete loss.
The atmosphere became incredibly tense, devolving into an awkward stalemate.
Seeing his chance, Qiu Xuan stepped forward quickly. "Sect Leader, an honored guest has arrived."
At his announcement, everyone turned to look at Qiu Xuan and Wen Qingye, their gazes zeroing in on the latter.
Zhang Wen heard this and quickly asked, "Elder Qiu, who is this person?"
Qiu Xuan glanced at Wen Qingye. Wen Qingye rose and cupped his fist toward Zhang Wen. A moment later, a voice sounded in Zhang Wen's mind: *Celestial Profound Sect*.
Wen Qingye was using the Hundred Miles Sound Transmission Secret Technique, a skill that was difficult for ordinary people to detect or block. As such, the others were completely unaware of his words.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wen was instantly overjoyed. "So it is an honored guest! I see now! Quick, prepare a seat!"
Everyone else was stunned for a moment before realizing what must have happened. The man in the Black Iron Mask must have used some sort of technique, which was why they hadn't heard him speak to Zhang Wen.
Feiyun Dock's Great Elder sneered at Wen Qingye. "A mere Martial Artist at the Destruction Realm Third Heaven dares to put on such a mysterious act?"
Only then did the others notice Wen Qingye's cultivation level. They frowned and began whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with disbelief as they looked at him.
More than half of the people present had cultivation levels above the Destruction Realm Third Heaven; by comparison, Wen Qingye's was truly nothing to look at.
Wen Qingye heard the Great Elder's words but paid them no mind, slowly taking his seat.
Zhang Wen turned to the Great Elder and shouted angrily, "Great Elder! Watch your words! Do not forget that I am still the Sect Leader!"
The Great Elder let out a heavy snort and fell silent.
Zhang Wen turned back to Wen Qingye with a smile. "I trust that with Your Excellency present, everything can be resolved."
The members of Feiyun Dock were shocked. 'Why is the Sect Leader acting so humble and respectful toward this man? His cultivation isn't even high!'
Wen Qingye nodded, his voice slightly hoarse. "Tell me everything, in detail. I want to hear it all."
"Yes, of course, of course." Zhang Wen nodded repeatedly. His brow furrowed as he began to explain. "About a month ago, everything at Feiyun Dock was proceeding as normal. Then, we suddenly received a letter. It demanded that our sect hand over a map without delay. The letter also said that for every day we refused, they would prevent our disciples from leaving the sect and would not grant us a moment of peace."
At this, Zhang Wen gave a bitter smile. "I don't even know what map they want. Feiyun Dock has no treasure worth starting a war over. It's a pity our sect's Supreme Elder passed away a year ago. Otherwise, how could we allow such lowly villains to bully us?"
"A map?" Wen Qingye's brows furrowed slightly.
"Yes. Just three days ago, another letter arrived. It stated that if we do not hand over the map within five days, they will storm Feiyun Dock and take it by force."
As soon as Zhang Wen finished speaking, the hall once again erupted into a clamor.
Wen Qingye's voice was grave. "Who are these people? Do you know?"
Zhang Wen shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure. They are all here for the map. One of them, a woman, has an exceptionally high cultivation. She wears all black, including a veil, and her cultivation is at the peak of the Sixth Heaven of the Destruction Realm."
"Sect Leader, don't sacrifice Feiyun Dock's eight-hundred-year legacy over a map!" the Great Elder suddenly cried out again.
Zhang Wen's fury flared at the Great Elder's words. "I have told you, I know nothing about any map! Stop your baseless slander and twisting of the truth!"
Hearing this, the Great Elder flicked his sleeves in frustration. With a tragic expression, he looked to the heavens and sighed, "Feiyun Dock is finished. We are finished."
With that, the Great Elder turned and walked toward the entrance.
The others exchanged glances, then stood quietly to the side, saying nothing more.
"Please, pay him no mind," Zhang Wen said, gesturing with his hand. "I will show you to a place to rest."
Wen Qingye remained silent, just giving a slight nod, but inwardly he found the situation quite strange.
'First, why was the Great Elder so convinced that Feiyun Dock possessed a map? And second, why did Zhang Wen place so much trust in him? The cultivation he'd revealed was only the Destruction Realm Third Heaven, while Zhang Wen himself was at the Destruction Realm Sixth Heaven. It made no sense for the Sect Leader to have such faith that he could solve this crisis. There was something fishy going on.'
Zhang Wen then led Wen Qingye to the guest quarters of Feiyun Dock.
"Is there something else, Sect Leader?" Wen Qingye asked with a smile, noticing Zhang Wen's hesitant yet determined expression.
Zhang Wen looked at the man before him, his gaze lingering on those exceptionally bright eyes. He contemplated for a moment, then nodded heavily. "Actually, there are many legends within Feiyun Dock, though I don't know if they relate to the map these people want. One legend speaks of a supreme treasure our sect guards, located in the Ten Thousand Void Tower. Generation after generation of Feiyun Dock's Sect Leaders have searched for it, but tragically, none have ever found this great treasure."
"Oh?" Wen Qingye heard this and asked, "If it's possible, I'd like to go see this Ten Thousand Void Tower tomorrow. Would that be permissible?"
"Of course," Zhang Wen nodded. "The Ten Thousand Void Tower is the most magnificent structure in Feiyun Dock. It primarily houses our sect's Martial Arts Essentials. If you are interested, you are more than welcome to take a look."
Wen Qingye shook his head and smiled. "No need. I'm only going to look around. I have no intention of learning your sect's Martial Arts."
'How could he possibly be interested in the Martial Arts of a sect like Feiyun Dock? He had never even bothered to visit the Three Pristine Hall in the Martial Arts Tower of his own Celestial Profound Sect.'
Right now, Wen Qingye's Primordial Qi was overflowing. He urgently needed a quiet place to achieve a breakthrough. Only then would he deal with Feiyun Dock's problems.
After arranging a room for Wen Qingye, Zhang Wen left. He showed no trace of panic, appearing entirely calm and composed.
After watching Zhang Wen's retreating figure disappear, Wen Qingye sank into his Heart Spirit and spoke to the Ice Python, "Stand guard. I'm going to attempt a breakthrough to the Fourth Heaven of the Destruction Realm."
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter