"Young Master Ling Feng, are you perhaps too suspicious?" The Great Elder shook his head repeatedly, unable to believe what he said, "Qingling Hermit has also had over a decade of friendship with this old man. He absolutely has no reason to harm me."
"He may not, but it doesn’t mean others don’t." Ling Feng’s eyebrows rose slightly as he spoke indifferently, "Tuoba Cheng once told me that the Sky Strategy Clan is divided into two factions. The other faction’s Elder Heiyu probably has long wished for the Great Elder’s swift removal. If Qingling Hermit is colluding with Elder Heiyu..."
"Impossible!" The Great Elder declared adamantly, "Heiyu has always disliked outsiders. Although Qingling Hermit has lived in Wangduan Mountain for twenty years, he is ultimately still an outsider."
"Nothing is impossible. In any case, I have said all there is to say." Ling Feng said coolly, "Ultimately, all the Great Elder needs to do is to continue feigning illness. Whether Qingling Hermit harbors ill intentions will soon become apparent."
"Alas..." With a light sigh, the Great Elder’s expression dimmed somewhat, "In truth, whether it’s me or Heiyu, our goal is merely to continue the legacy of the Sky Strategy Clan. It’s just a pity that we have never been able to come to an agreement regarding the opening of the Emperor Tomb."
"That Elder Heiyu is clearly narrow-minded. Our ancestor left a prophecy, yet he insists on going against heaven’s will!" Tuoba Cheng clenched his fist, his voice filled with hatred.
"From a young age, Heiyu has been stubborn. He does not want to see the legacy of our ancestor fall into the hands of an outsider, which is not completely unreasonable." The Great Elder spoke gravely, "This time, bringing Young Master Ling back with you, I fear he will still not let the matter rest."
"It doesn’t matter whether he is reconciled! The timing of this return is just right. Three days from now will be Ancestor Sacrifice Day. All we need to do is to have Master open the Emperor Tomb after three days. Even Elder Heiyu won’t be able to make any waves!" Tuoba Cheng said through clenched teeth.
"Master?" The Great Elder looked slightly puzzled, "Little Cheng, have you already taken Young Master Ling as your master?"
"No, no, no, that was just a jocular nod." Ling Feng hurriedly denied.
"What jest, Master, I’ve lost to you in gambling, and am sincerely willing to take you as my master!" Tuoba Cheng said resolutely, "Whether the Master acknowledges it or not, in my heart, you are my master!"
"..." Ling Feng’s forehead darkened, too lazy to speak further. This sticky candy, simply impossible to shake off.
"You muddle-headed fellow!" The Great Elder shook his head and smiled, "Young Master Ling, once Little Cheng is determined on something, it’s not easily changed. You may be young, but with such maturity and shrewdness, serving as Little Cheng’s master is more than sufficient."
"See, Master! Even the Great Elder says so!" Tuoba Cheng chuckled.
"..." Ling Feng was silent without a word.
"Right!" Suddenly, it seemed Tuoba Cheng remembered something and leaned in to whisper a few words to the Great Elder. Upon hearing them, the Great Elder’s pupils contracted sharply, he looked at Ling Feng with a stunned expression, then immediately knelt before Ling Feng, respectfully saying, "Your subordinate, Tuoba Ce, greets the Heavenly Strategy Saint!"
"Hmm?" Ling Feng was taken aback, his face full of confusion. When had he become some "Heavenly Strategy Saint?"
Meanwhile, within the Wangduan Mountain West City Area, which was under the jurisdiction of Elder Heiyu. In a rather magnificent hall, a middle-aged man dressed in a black robe sat cross-legged. Around him floated a black lantern, within which a flickering, gloomy light wove inscriptions that circled around him, seemingly aligned with a profound Taoism Truth, enigmatic and inscrutable.
This black lantern, known as the "Tianhang Bright Wheel," was a unique weapon of the Sky Strategy Clan.
With the use of Tianhuan Bright Wheel, it was possible to calculate the Heavenly Mechanism, deduce the future, and at the same time, it served as a weapon for the Sky Strategy Clan to perform powerful secret techniques. Based on the different colors of the Bright Wheel, it was also classified according to True Qi Attribute, into the Five Elements Attribute, Three Strange Attributes, as well as various rare Special Attributes.
For instance, Elder Heiyu, holding a black Tianhuan Bright Wheel, possessed the extremely rare Dark Attribute.
"Master, someone from the City Patrol Department has sent news!"
At this moment, there came a knocking sound from the door, followed by the person outside pushing the door open without waiting for Elder Heiyu’s permission.
Elder Heiyu slightly opened his eyes, and the person who came was a girl dressed in a green gauze dress, about seventeen years old, with bright teeth and sparkling eyes, her eyebrows like mountains, and an aura that was as cold as an iceberg, keeping others at a distance.
Elder Heiyu slowly ceased his practice, the black engravings around the Tianhuan Bright Wheel merged into his body, and the Bright Wheel also ceased its glow, which he then stored away in his Space Magic Treasure.
"Master, the City Patrol Department reports that Great Elder’s confidant, Tuoba Cheng, has returned."
Tuoba Yan’s face was indifferent, and the expression on her face was like ice that had not melted for ten thousand years, without a trace of emotional fluctuation.
Her physique was the rare Extreme Yin Body; naturally reticent, she was later discovered by Elder Heiyu, who appreciated her talent and took her as an apprentice to personally teach her Cultivation Techniques.
"Tuoba Cheng has returned!"
A sliver of cold light flashed through Elder Heiyu’s eyes as he coldly said, "If that’s the case, has he found the Prophetic Son?"
"The City Patrol Department said that Tuoba Cheng brought back a young man and a black donkey, but Tuoba Longchuan took the initiative. They didn’t dare to intervene or get too close, and thus they couldn’t obtain more valuable information."
Tuoba Yan said flatly.
Elder Heiyu let out a grunt, "It seems there’s a high likelihood that this young man is the Prophetic Son. To return at this critical juncture? How interesting!"
Tuoba Yan, with an indifferent demeanor, said softly, "I could go and kill him."
"No rush, this person is still useful for now." Elder Heiyu stroked the little mustache above his lips and said with a sinister voice, "I have long since planted a spy by that old fool Tuoba Ce’s (Great Elder’s) side. The Prophetic Son he has painstakingly sought after will only end up making wedding clothes for me!"
At this moment, a copper mirror in the hall suddenly flickered with a five-colored rotating light screen, and then, within that light screen, appeared a clear face—the Qingling Hermit!
"Lee Qingling, haven’t I told you not to contact me via the Yuan Light Mirror unless it’s important?" Elder Heiyu approached the copper mirror and coldly spoke.
"Elder Heiyu, if I contact you, it naturally means I have urgent news!" The Qingling Hermit narrowed his eyes into a smile, "I believe it’s something Elder Heiyu would be very interested in."
"Oh? Let’s hear it then!" Elder Heiyu stood with his hands behind his back and said indifferently.
"The Great Elder has already found the Prophetic Child, whose name is Ling Feng!"
"I have known about this matter for some time." Elder Heiyu’s gaze was profound as he stared at the Qingling Hermit through the Yuan Light Mirror and coldly said, "Lee Qingling, I cooperated with you in hopes that you could provide valuable information, as well as ensure that Tuoba Ce dies before the Ancestor Sacrifice Day, but you keep dragging your feet—utterly useless!"
"Elder Heiyu, please have patience!" Qingling Hermit cursed inwardly: Old fox, it’s not you who’s taking the risk! It’s easy for you to talk without understanding!
Qingling Hermit stood with his hands on his back and said with a faint smile, "There’s another matter which I think you probably don’t know yet!"
Elder Heiyu’s eyes narrowed, fixing his gaze on the Qingling Hermit, he articulated every word, "What is it? Speak!"