Zheng Sanxiao and others who had joined the Splendid Dojo as Independent Cultivation Dao Emperors from Loose Cultivators didn’t really feel a sense of belonging.
Their interaction with Jing Yan was basically limited to the previous Pill Conference.
At the Pill Conference, Jing Yan’s performance was undoubtedly shocking, but it was still far from enough to truly subdue the Independent Cultivation Dao Emperors.
Nine of the Dao Emperor Realm experts who joined the dojo, the majority were likely there for Jing Yan’s elixirs. Especially after they knew about the unresolved conflict between Jing Yan and the Gai Family, which would inevitably lead to a battle, their inner hesitation became more severe.
Because they couldn’t be sure if Jing Yan’s chances of winning would be higher than the Gai Family’s. And if Jing Yan were to fail, would the Splendid Dojo even exist anymore?
"You guys really are patient."
"Jing Yan had us join the Splendid Dojo, saying that joining the dojo would grant us access to elixirs, but now we can’t even see Jing Yan. Don’t you think there’s something wrong with this situation?" Zheng Sanxiao’s high voice echoed in the room.
"If you ask me, we might just have been deceived," Zheng Sanxiao said through gritted teeth, looking at the others.
"Brother Zheng, what could Alliance Leader Jing Yan possibly deceive us about? Guiyang Great Pill King also said that Alliance Leader Jing Yan is in seclusion, so he can’t meet us on time," a deep voice responded.
"Haha, Brother Liu, the human heart is a mystery! It’s hard to guess what Jing Yan is really thinking! But I must say one thing, our staying here, if Jing Yan wanted to harm us, would be very dangerous."
"The day Jing Yan slew Tong Yue, you all saw as well. Inside and outside this Splendid Dojo, the Big Array is pervasive. If Jing Yan were to leverage the power of the Big Array, among those present, who can confidently contend with him?" a slightly sinister voice spoke, "I, rather, lean towards Brother Zheng’s idea, we better leave together, while Jing Yan hasn’t made a move against us. Once he does, it would be too late for us to even think about escaping!"
The speaker was an elder dressed in a dark red robe, sitting next to Zheng Sanxiao.
His words caused everyone else to fall silent.
They couldn’t refute, having witnessed the power of the Big Array in the Splendid Dojo themselves. If Jing Yan were to trigger the Big Array against them, they indeed would be in mortal danger. Even a powerful figure like Tong Yue perished here, brutally killed by Jing Yan after his Defensive Spiritual Artifact was destroyed; they were confident, but not deluded enough to consider themselves on par with Tong Yue.
"Senior Qu, from Alliance Leader Jing Yan’s performance during the Pill Conference, he doesn’t seem like a scheming and deceitful person. All the actions of Alliance Leader Jing Yan have been aboveboard. We all saw it, people like Gu Xian Lun from the Gai Family left, and Alliance Leader Jing Yan did not hinder them in any way. Given his enmity with the Gai Family, were it another person, I’m afraid they couldn’t have done what Alliance Leader Jing Yan did, allowing Gu Xian Lun and other Gai Family members to leave," someone spoke.
This person was an Early Stage Dao Emperor Realm Martial Artist who had spoken with Jing Yan on the day, about joining the Splendid Dojo.
"I too believe that Alliance Leader Jing Yan wouldn’t secretly harm us. Not to mention his character, just consider that he established the Splendid Dojo and Glory Alliance hoping to attract more powerful individuals to join. If he were to act against us, then who would dare to come?" Elder Liu, a Dao Emperor Realm Peak elder, remarked.
This elder was the Martial Artist who exchanged a Dragon Pattern Carp Flower for a Longevity Pill with Jing Yan and had also joined the Splendid Dojo.
The people in the room were broadly divided into two factions.
One faction advocated for everyone to leave together, while another faction advocated staying and waiting further.
The debate was quite intense.
Jing Yan, standing just outside the room, paused for a moment, observing everything inside clearly with his Divine Soul.
His lips slightly curled, Jing Yan stepped into the room.
His entry brought the noise inside the room to an abrupt halt. All eyes turned to Jing Yan.
"Alliance Leader Jing Yan!"
"Greetings to the Alliance Leader!"
Most of the Martial Artists stood up to pay their respects upon seeing Jing Yan. Only two or three did not speak.
Jing Yan gestured with his hand, his gaze sweeping over those few who had remained silent, choosing not to dwell on it.
"I apologize for keeping you all waiting," Jing Yan spoke, "The main reason was that I had an epiphany in Martial Arts, so I hastened into seclusion and didn’t have the chance to greet everyone properly."
Jing Yan was explaining why he hadn’t shown up for such a long time.
"Alliance Leader is exaggerating, a month or two means nothing to us old folks," Elder Liu said with a smile, unconcernedly.
"Alliance Leader Jing Yan is a very busy person, and we are only loose cultivators with nothing much at hand; it’s only right for us to wait," Elder Qu added with a smile.
However, Jing Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly at this remark.
Elder Qu seemed to be harboring ill intentions. His words, though seemingly harmless at first, carried an undertone upon closer scrutiny, aimed at isolating Jing Yan.
Jing Yan narrowed his eyes at Elder Qu, his words from outside the room were not pleasant to hear. Not only did he want to leave, but he also wanted to pull others with him.
This person’s motivations for joining the Splendid Dojo were likely impure.
"What is your respected name, Daoist?" Jing Yan asked, staring intently.
"I am Qu Duo!" Qu Duo bowed in greeting.
"So, you are Daoist Qu Duo," Jing Yan also bowed, "If Daoist Qu Duo feels uncomfortable joining the Splendid Dojo, you are free to leave on your own."
Jing Yan’s voice suddenly turned colder.
Jing Yan established the Splendid Dojo and Glory Alliance to seek help, not to find troublemakers. This Qu Duo was plainly a troublemaker.
Moreover, this person had a shifty gaze, giving Jing Yan a feeling of being sly and scheming. A quick check with his Divine Thought confirmed that this person harbored ulterior motives.
Jing Yan even suspected whether this person was secretly colluding with the Gai Family. If he had joined the Splendid Dojo to cause disruption,
Then there was no need for politeness. If you don’t want to stay, then get out.
Hearing Jing Yan’s words, Qu Duo’s expression darkened, a glint of coldness briefly passing through his eyes. He was good at concealing it, this brief chill nearly imperceptible, hardly noticeable to most. But under the cover of Jing Yan’s Divine Thought, how could he deceive Jing Yan?
Detecting this, Jing Yan became even more resolute about driving this Qu Duo out, keeping such a person would definitely be a disaster.
"Alliance Leader Jing Yan, Brother Qu didn’t say much! You don’t need to be so rude, do you?" Zheng Sanxiao frowned and said.
From his demeanor, it seemed Zheng Sanxiao was quite familiar with Qu Duo. Seeing Jing Yan’s attitude towards Qu Duo, he stood up to speak for Qu Duo.