Chapter 143: Zuoqiu Chaolong

What?!

Hearing this, Xu Wenhao was stunned for a moment, looking at Tian Ming with a blank expression, utterly speechless. If even their Sect Master had to show this person utmost courtesy, it would mean that the person standing right in front of him possessed at least the cultivation level of the Spirit Severing Realm.

After all, their Sect Master was a cultivator in the Golden Core Stage. Without any real strength or status, how could Gongzhong Ruixing—their Sect Master—treat him with such pleasantries?

"Senior, I was blind and offended you earlier. Please do not take it to heart." Thinking of this, Xu Wenhao patted his chest with a lingering sense of fortune. Fortunately, he hadn't uttered anything too outrageous.

Hmph!

Compared to Xu Wenhao's shock, Ren Dongqiang's expression was far from amicable. Instead of feeling relieved about escaping death by a hair's breadth, he looked extremely resentful, turning his head away with sullen displeasure.

"Take it to heart? Heh, I wouldn't dare trouble you with such a concern. I wonder who it was that tried to chase me away just now." Glancing at Ren Dongqiang, who still harbored malicious intentions, Tian Ming showed no rush to leave. He shook his head and spoke in a soft voice.

"Then what does Senior want?"

Witnessing the scene unfold, Xu Wenhao naturally understood the implication of his words, though he did not immediately point it out. Although this Ren Dongqiang was nothing special, his master was none other than the esteemed Elder Gongzhong Hehua.

No matter how unruly Ren Dongqiang might be, it was not the place of ordinary disciples without status to pass judgment on him.

"Simple. Just have him apologize to me for his wrongdoing. Otherwise, if any crucial information is delayed and my master—the Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect—flies into a thunderous rage, none of you will be able to bear the consequences."

Nodding repeatedly and without even sparing Xu Wenhao a glance, Tian Ming walked up to one of the thirty-two men standing behind him. He patted the man on the shoulder and whispered in a low voice, "My friend, this isn't asking too much, is it?"

This man possessed a commanding and dignified posture with striking features. His eyes were sharp like those of a prowling wolf or leopard, and his thick eyebrows looked as though they had been painted with ink. His chest was broad and wide; despite his simple attire, it failed to conceal the inherent aura of a superior being deeply rooted in his bones.

"Oh, you recognize me?" Initially somewhat surprised, the man now wore an even more eccentric expression. Logically speaking, he should have concealed his identity quite deeply. Why had he been seen through so easily?

"......"

Seeing this, Tian Ming felt a quiet sense of triumph inwardly. In truth, under the guise of feigned anger, he had already quietly used his spiritual soul power to probe these plainly dressed individuals.

Not only had he deduced their cultivation realms, but Tian Ming had also deliberately left behind a trace of his Spirit Severing Realm aura to overawe them. This was precisely why these people chose not to back Ren Dongqiang up.

"Brother Chu! His name is Qiu Chaochong, and he is one of the Thirty-Two Heavenly Dippers of the Hanhan Sect, at the first-grade Spirit Severing Realm." Suddenly, a voice transmission echoed in Tian Ming's mind.

Xie Xin?

Hearing this, Tian Ming's expression shifted slightly. Sweeping his peripheral vision backward, he nodded inwardly. This piece of information was indeed accurate; among all these people, only the one named Qiu Chaochong remained unaffected by his aura.

"Very well, please lead the way!" Seeing that Tian Ming had no intention of explaining further, Qiu Chaochong did not pursue the matter. Instead, he extended his hand in an inviting gesture.

Following the sound of the man's voice, the other thirty-one figures in plain attire turned in unison toward Tian Ming. They lined up in two orderly rows along his left and right sides, every single one of them wearing a solemn expression.

"Without verification, don't even think about stepping inside..."

"Ren Dongqiang, what on earth are you trying to do? Are you not yet ashamed of yourself?!" Seeing that Ren Dongqiang still wore an unyielding expression, Xu Wenhao stepped forward to dissuade him before Qiu Chaochong could speak.

"Have you forgotten what the Sect Master said before he left? We are not to let a single soul enter the sect, especially those of unknown identity. Get out of my way!!!"

A chilling, venomous voice burst from Ren Dongqiang's lips as he abruptly stood up, radiating the aura of the ninth-grade Spirit Void Realm. Caught off guard, Xu Wenhao was forcefully shoved aside by a single wave of Ren Dongqiang's hand.

However!

How could this sort of energy fluctuation possibly affect Tian Ming? In an instant, he dissolved into traces of falling plum blossom petals and vanished from the spot, reappearing directly behind Xu Wenhao the very next second.

"Many thanks, Senior!" Feeling the gentle surge of energy at his back, Xu Wenhao cast a cold glance at Ren Dongqiang before turning around to bow deeply in gratitude to Tian Ming.

"......"

Seeing this, Tian Ming shook his head to indicate it was nothing, then turned his gaze back to Ren Dongqiang. To be fair, this fellow did have some distinct traits. Although his words were crude and somewhat stubborn, his loyalty to the sect was genuine.

Presumably, that was the very reason Elder Gongzhong Hehua had taken him in as a disciple.

"Kid, you still dare to act so presumptuously? Earlier, I spared you because you thought you had reason on your side. Or is it that I am still being a bit too merciful?" While his thoughts ran deep, Tian Ming could not afford to show an appreciative expression.

After all, this was the prime moment to press the advantage. Ren Dongqiang had now drawn the ire of the crowd; with just a little push from behind, Tian Ming believed that even if he didn't lift a finger, Qiu Chaochong and the others would gladly do the job for him.

"Ren Dongqiang, we only refrained from punishing you out of regard for your status as the Third Elder's disciple. Hurry back and reflect on your mistakes in seclusion. This matter has nothing to do with you."

"That's right, don't be so arrogant. Do you really think our judgment is inferior to yours? I'd say this person clearly has critical matters to report. If any vital information is delayed because of you, will you bear the responsibility?"

"Get lost, or don't blame us for refusing to help you out when trouble comes."

......

Seeing that Tian Ming appeared genuinely displeased, the people behind Qiu Chaochong hastily chimed in. Even Xu Wenhao, who had been on his side, shifted his stance and stared straight at him; though he remained silent, his stance was unmistakable.

Bastards!!!

"Do you people intend to commit treason against the sect? Why haven't you captured this old man yet?!" Facing the scene before him, Ren Dongqiang extended a trembling hand into mid-air, his expression a tangled mess of complex emotions.

"Ren Dongqiang, things have reached this point and you are still speaking recklessly. Is this how your master taught you? Hurry up and apologize to this Senior, or else even the sect won't be able to protect you when the time comes!"

Perhaps recalling their past friendship, Xu Wenhao bowed once more to Tian Ming before turning to Ren Dongqiang. A flicker of pity crossed his eyes as he looked upon Ren Dongqiang's current wretched state.

"Xu Wenhao, forget it. Take me to see your Elder."

Watching Ren Dongqiang, Tian Ming felt a sympathetic resonance. With a quiet sigh, he spoke up to halt the confrontation.

"......."

Qiu Chaochong, who had remained silent for a long while, looked at Tian Ming approvingly and nodded repeatedly. He immediately cast a stern, cold gaze at both Xu Wenhao and Ren Dongqiang. "The two of you stay right here. If there is the slightest disturbance, signal us immediately!"

"Understood, Hall Master Qiu!" Xu Wenhao looked at Qiu Chaochong in bewilderment, but under the latter's severe glare, he could only lower his head.

As for Ren Dongqiang, he did not dare utter another word of protest. While he might have dared to talk back to others, he wouldn't dare to act presumptuously in front of this Enforce Hall Master belonging to the Thirty-Two Heavenly Dippers.