Moreover, Ye Qingchen simply couldnât figure out why someone of Hei Zeâs standing would willingly stay by his side just to take care of his daily life. Especially when he remembered how Xiao Xiao, back when she was here, would always look at Hei Ze with an expression of "lamenting his unfulfilled potential." In the face of Xiao Xiaoâs scolding, Hei Ze was always submissive and never dared to talk back! Even when Xiao Xiao left, she pitied the overly honest Hei Ze, promising to buy his freedom and even help him find a wife. Thinking of this, Ye Qingchen felt utterly exasperated.
Since he couldnât figure it out for the time being, he decided to stop dwelling on it. At the very least, in all his time with Hei Ze, he had never sensed any malice. If Hei Ze had leaked even a sliver of malicious intent, it definitely wouldnât have escaped the perception of his Dual Pupil Martial Soul.
Li Zongruiâs strength was too low for him to understand the intricacies of the battle. Instead, he turned his attention to Ye Qingchen, remarking playfully, "Hey, Ye Qingchen, I never expected you to be so bold. To be honest, Iâve found those guys from the Heavenly Profound Sect annoying ever since the great Alchemy Dao Competition. But you know me, as the young sect master of the Qingyun Sect, my status doesnât allow me to act as recklessly as you. Otherwise, I wouldâve beaten them up long ago to vent my frustrations."
Ye Qingchen remained focused on the battle between the six combatants, paying no heed to Li Zongruiâs rambling.
Despite this, Li Zongrui continued to prattle on, "Ye Qingchen, what you did was very manly. Seeing as youâve acted like a true man, Iâll be the bigger person and wonât hold your past offenses against you!"
But Ye Qingchen continued to ignore him, and Li Zongrui started to feel bored. He couldnât understand the battle, and the person he tried talking to wasnât responding.
Just then, the Old Sect Master of the Heavenly Profound Sect suddenly shouted to Tian Jice, "Tian Jice, activate the sectâs grand array! We must end this quickly!"
Tian Jice nodded in agreement. While still fighting Li Qingfeng, he took out an Array Plate and crushed it!
In an instant, a ten-mile radius around the Xuan Ore Cave was enveloped by the grand array. Everyone from the Qingyun Sect caught inside, including Ye Qingchen, felt as if a crushing weight had been placed upon them, and their movements became sluggish.
Tian Jice also understood the Old Sect Masterâs intent. Given their current situation, it would be difficult to take down the group from the Qingyun Sect. Instead of dragging out the battle, it was better to use the sectâs grand array to catch them by surprise.
After the grand arrayâs activation, the Qingyun Sect members found themselves in dire straits. The fighters, who had been evenly matched or even had a slight advantage, were now unable to exert their full strength under the arrayâs pressure. They were forced back again and again by their Heavenly Profound Sect opponents.
Tian Jice burst into laughter and said to Li Qingfeng, "Li Qingfeng, donât you forget, this is the Heavenly Profound Sectâs domain! For daring to cause trouble so brazenly on our territory, today you will taste the power of our sectâs grand array!"
The Old Sect Master of the Heavenly Profound Sect also laughed heartily. "If we can eliminate you all here today, how can the remaining members of the Qingyun Sect possibly compete with us? We will kill you all now and then destroy the Qingyun Sect in one fell swoop! Then, the Heavenly Profound Sect will become the number one sect in the Northern Desolate Country! Hahaha!"
Li Qingfeng and Venerable Heize exchanged glances, both seeing the grim look in the otherâs eyes. The pressure from the sectâs grand array had shattered their plans. If this continued, they knew they would be no match for the Heavenly Profound Sect.
Since Elder Wujiâs strength was lower than that of Li Qingfeng and Heize, the pressure he felt was even more pronounced. In a moment of carelessness, the Heavenly Profound Sectâs Great Elder managed to land a palm strike on his chest, injuring him severely.
"Elder Wuji, are you all right?" Li Qingfeng pushed Tian Jice back and moved to stand in front of Elder Wuji, asking with concern.
Elder Wuji wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shook his head, indicating he could still hold on.
Tian Jice didnât rush to pursue Li Qingfeng. He knew that within the sectâs grand array, the longer things dragged on, the greater the pressure on his opponents would become. Soon, the strain from the array alone would be enough to incapacitate them, even if he didnât lift a finger.
The Old Sect Master of the Heavenly Profound Sect sneered, "For a mere handful of you from the Qingyun Sect to dare attack our gates... youâve truly overestimated yourselves!"
The Old Sect Masterâs words were true. Although the Qingyun Sect was undisputedly the number one sect in the Northern Desolate Country, they couldnât just crush another one-star sect on its home turf. Every sect had its own hidden strengths, and such a rash attack was indeed not a wise choice.
But Li Qingfeng couldnât be entirely blamed for his lack of foresight. After all, he had assumed Ye Qingchen was just coming to the Heavenly Profound Sect to cause some minor trouble. As the Qingyun Sectâs Master, he believed the Heavenly Profound Sect would give him face and not make things too difficult for Ye Qingchen.
He never expected Ye Qingchen to cause such a massive commotion upon arriving. Furthermore, from Tian Jiceâs words, it seemed Ye Qingchen had somehow uncovered an incredible secret of the Heavenly Profound Sect. This was what had driven them to try and kill Ye Qingchen at any cost.
And Li Qingfeng understood that Ye Qingchen was the future hope of the Qingyun Sect. Even if he could choose again, he would still unhesitatingly stand up for him.
Just as Li Qingfeng and Heize were secretly discussing their options, a series of violent impacts echoed from outside the Xuan Ore Cave.
"Not good! Someone is attacking the sectâs grand array from the outside!" As the arrayâs controller, Tian Jice immediately detected the anomaly.
As the grand array was attacked, the oppressive pressure on the Qingyun Sect members began to lessen.
By this point, Li Zongrui was already drenched in sweat, his lips cracked. It was difficult for him to even speak. He felt that if the arrayâs pressure had continued for much longer, his internal organs might have ruptured.
As the pressure subsided, Li Zongrui finally felt some relief. However, when he glanced at Ye Qingchen beside him, he couldnât help but sneer. He noticed that although sweat beaded on Ye Qingchenâs forehead, his expression was calm, as if the immense pressure hadnât affected him much at all.
Li Zongrui felt indignant. How had Ye Qingchenâs strength advanced so rapidly? A short while ago, Ye Qingchen was no match for him, but now he had been left far behind.
What Li Zongrui didnât know was that Ye Qingchenâs composure wasnât just due to his superior strength, but because of his Dual Pupil Martial Soul.
At first, Ye Qingchen had also felt the arrayâs oppressive force. However, as his Dual Pupil Martial Soul began to operate, he was astonished to find that the sectâs grand array seemed to be gradually losing its effect on him.
For the moment, he didnât understand what was happening.
Iâll have to investigate this later when I have time.