Chapter 596 - 596: Tense Relations

This Outer Elder was protecting Chu Qingyun, afraid that he would be targeted by the other sects if his identity was exposed.

And although he'd framed it as a "suggestion" and a "hope" that others wouldn't reveal Chu Qingyun's identity, he was a dignified elder. If anyone dared to ignore his suggestion and hope, and they were found out...

A Tier Four Flying Demon Beast was incredibly fast.

The journey from the Saint Extreme Sect's gates to the Celestial Sword Sect's Withered Wood Forest took just over a day, and they reached their destination at noon on the third day.

The arrival times for each sect at the Withered Wood Forest had all been arranged in advance.

Therefore, those closer to the destination departed later, while those farther away departed earlier. Generally speaking, they would all arrive at roughly the same time.

The hundred-plus people from the Saint Extreme Sect arrived neither early nor late.

A few other sects had already arrived before them.

Among them were people from the Saint Extreme Sect's greatest rivals: the Tianya Sect and the Purple Cloud Sect.

"Elder Zhu."

"Elder Zhu, it's been a long time..."

As one of the Three Major Sects of the Northern Domain, when the Saint Extreme Sect arrived, the leading elders from the other sects naturally came forward to exchange pleasantries with Elder Zhu Zhijing.

Zhu Zhijing, in turn, smiled and returned their greetings one by one.

"The disciples of the Saint Extreme Sect are truly impressive. You can tell they're extraordinary at a single glance."

"Worthy of being one of the Northern Domain's Three Major Sects. In my opinion, the Saint Extreme Sect will certainly have many people pass through the Withered Wood Forest and achieve great results this time."

As the elders from these sects gathered, the conversation naturally turned to the disciples standing behind Elder Zhu.

"Haha, not at all. They are just a few ordinary ninth-level Martial Spirits. You all flatter me..." Zhu Zhijing laughed.

He was normally a stern man who rarely smiled.

But now, facing the elders of other sects—some of whom were also Inner Sect Elders at the Earth Emperor Realm—he was representing the Saint Extreme Sect. He had to act the part.

But just then, two ill-timed voices cut in.

"Hmph. Great results? This is the Celestial Sword Sect's territory. With the Saint Extreme Sect's strength, what kind of 'great results' could they possibly achieve?"

"One of the Three Major Sects of the Northern Domain... Heh. I'm afraid some are unworthy of the title..."

The two speakers, one tall and one short, were also Inner Sect Elders from their respective sects.

The tall one was named Sui Chengzhou, an Inner Sect Elder of the Tianya Sect.

The short one was Kuang Feiyin, an Inner Sect Elder of the Purple Cloud Sect.

As these two approached, the elders from the smaller sects all wore awkward expressions.

They had just finished praising the Saint Extreme Sect's disciples, and now these two came out with such words. It was a complete slap in the face.

However, despite their dissatisfaction, they didn't dare let it show.

The Tianya Sect and the Purple Cloud Sect were powerful sects, second only to the Three Major Sects of the Northern Domain. In fact, their strength wasn't much less than that of the Saint Extreme Sect, the weakest of the three.

The strength of these five major sects far surpassed that of the other, smaller sects.

Chu Qingyun also learned the identities of the two men from the discussions of those around him.

Looking at the tall and short pair, Chu Qingyun couldn't help but sigh internally.

He'd known something of the relationship between the Tianya, Purple Cloud, and Saint Extreme Sects, but he hadn't expected the competition between the three to have reached such a level.

'For dignified Inner Sect Elders to be so openly antagonistic upon meeting...'

'Doesn't that mean their disciples will act like mortal enemies the moment they see each other?'

With that, a quiet sense of vigilance toward the disciples of the Tianya and Purple Cloud Sects rose in Chu Qingyun's heart.

However, this situation also highlighted a problem: the Saint Extreme Sect's strength had likely been matched by the Tianya and Purple Cloud Sects.

Otherwise, this wouldn't be happening. The Tianya and Purple Cloud Sects didn't provoke the Celestial Sword Sect or the Talisman Puppet Sect; they specifically targeted the Saint Extreme Sect. 'It's a classic case of picking on the weakest link...'

Seeing Sui Chengzhou and Kuang Feiyin, Zhu Zhijing's expression changed slightly, a somber look entering his eyes.

'Over the years, the Tianya Sect and the Purple Cloud Sect have grown increasingly insolent toward the Saint Extreme Sect.'

But he was also helpless to do anything about it.

Whenever the Saint Extreme Sect was involved, those two sects would immediately band together. Moreover, they also had a subtle connection with the Celestial Sword Sect.

Because of this, the upper echelons of the Saint Extreme Sect had long ago decided not to have a complete falling out with the Tianya and Purple Cloud Sects unless it was absolutely necessary.

"From the way Elder Sui and Elder Kuang are talking, it seems you're confident your disciples can outperform even those of the Celestial Sword Sect?"

Elder Zhu Zhijing retorted, his voice turning cold.

This remark was intended to push their two sects into opposition with the Celestial Sword Sect.

Everyone knew that the Celestial Sword Sect had always been domineering. If the two of them agreed with his statement, they would undoubtedly offend the Celestial Sword Sect.

However, those who could become Inner Sect Elders and be chosen to lead their disciples to an important place like the Celestial Sword Sect were no fools.

Sui Chengzhou and Kuang Feiyin didn't fall for the bait at all.

"Hehe, our two sects aren't part of the Northern Domain's Three Major Sects. Why would we compare ourselves to the Celestial Sword Sect?"

"The one that should be compared to the Celestial Sword Sect is the Saint Extreme Sect, which is also one of the Three Major Sects. Though it seems there's not much of a comparison to be made there, either. Hahaha..."

The two of them couldn't go three sentences without mentioning the "Three Major Sects of the Northern Domain," the mockery in their words completely undisguised.

The elders from the surrounding smaller sects all quietly stepped to the side, not daring to say a word for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Whether it was the Tianya Sect, the Purple Cloud Sect, or the Saint Extreme Sect, they couldn't afford to offend any of them.

Zhu Zhijing's expression grew even more somber.

The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

Just then, Sui Chengzhou suddenly spoke up. "I hear that Alchemy Dao genius the Saint Extreme Sect recruited in Celestial Martial City also came. Li Ruoguang, come over here and identify which one he is."

"Zhu Tianyun, you come take a look too. See which one is Chu Qingyun. I'm quite curious about such a genius myself..."

As they spoke, they each waved a hand, calling someone out from among their disciples.

Hearing their words, everyone from the Saint Extreme Sect, including Elder Zhu Zhijing, showed a slight change in expression.

And as he watched the two people step forward, Chu Qingyun's gaze hardened, and his own expression changed.

It was them—the two guys from the Pill Battle Conference in Celestial Martial City whose elixirs he had ruined with a blast of Soul Power!

'But they're both disciples from the Pill Institutes of the Tianya and Purple Cloud Sects. Logically, they shouldn't be here.'