The last time Jing Yan met Gui Yang, Gui Yang had mentioned that among the Independent Cultivation Dao Emperors, Zheng Sanxiao had been causing quite a stir.
However, through various channels of information, Jing Yan understood that Zheng Sanxiao’s personality was relatively straightforward and he wasn’t very scheming. Therefore, he had quite a few friends on the Continent.
At first, Jing Yan was puzzled as to why Guiyang Great Pill King had said that Zheng Sanxiao was the most troublesome. Now, after seeing the attitudes of Zheng Sanxiao and Qu Duo, Jing Yan began to understand.
It was very likely that Zheng Sanxiao had been used by Qu Duo as a pawn. He had been manipulated by Qu Duo, and this possibility was significant.
The key reason why Jing Yan didn’t believe that Zheng Sanxiao was in collusion with the Gai Family was Zheng Sanxiao himself, who had conflicts with the Gai Family. This conflict might not be known to most people, but Saint Master Shen Chong and Chang Huan, who was in charge of intelligence in the Holy City, were aware of it.
Concluding this, Jing Yan thought that Zheng Sanxiao was very much worth winning over. Zheng Sanxiao’s own Martial Arts Cultivation was at the Peak of the Dao Emperor Realm, and he had many friends, making him an excellent candidate to be courted.
As for Zheng Sanxiao’s current attitude being unfavorable, Jing Yan could completely ignore it. He valued not the present attitude but future actions.
"Brother Sanxiao, did you know Qu Duo from a long time ago? How much do you understand him?" Jing Yan asked politely.
Zheng Sanxiao was taken aback by Jing Yan’s words.
Because Jing Yan’s attitude toward Qu Duo was quite cold, but toward him, he was surprisingly enthusiastic, with no cold words or indifference.
He had been making a scene at the Splendid Dojo recently. Shouldn’t Jing Yan be cold toward him?
Wait... what did Jing Yan mean by his question?
"I had heard of Brother Qu before, but we didn’t have any direct contact. We only became familiar with each other after recently joining the Splendid Dojo," Zheng Sanxiao replied truthfully, not sure why Jing Yan would ask this.
At this time, Qu Duo’s expression grew increasingly ugly, and he faintly sensed that Jing Yan seemed to have discovered something wrong.
"I get along with Brother Zheng, although we haven’t known each other for long, we are like brothers," Qu Duo interjected at that moment.
"Hehe... Really?" Jing Yan let out a cold chuckle.
"Brother Sanxiao, you’re straightforward, and that’s well known on the Continent. I know that you despise those who are insincere and two-faced behind their fronts. Now think carefully, when you were pressuring Guiyang Great Pill King at the Splendid Dojo, was there someone, always subtly or blatantly feeding you these ideas?" Jing Yan suggested diplomatically.
Zheng Sanxiao might be straightforward, but he wasn’t a fool. Just a small hint was all he needed; if he had really been instigated by Qu Duo, it wouldn’t be hard for him to understand the problem.
Zheng Sanxiao paused and looked at Jing Yan.
Then, he subconsciously recalled his every interaction with Qu Duo during this period. Something indeed felt off.
Zheng Sanxiao looked at Qu Duo, full of suspicion.
Could it be that Qu Duo was truly using him?
"Brother Zheng, don’t think wildly!" Qu Duo was panicked, and at the same time, irritated. How cunning Jing Yan was, despite his young age.
When a person felt guilty, they were most likely to reveal their slip-ups.
"I get it! I understand!" Zheng Sanxiao came to a sudden realization. After thinking it through, he discovered that if it weren’t for Qu Duo’s influence, even if he had some dissatisfaction with Jing Yan, he wouldn’t have sought out Guiyang Great Pill King. And this Qu Duo, every time he met with him, would talk about the Splendid Dojo and Jing Yan, with many overt and covert complaints, yet Qu Duo himself had never once approached Guiyang Great Pill King.
"Qu Duo, I didn’t expect this of you!" Zheng Sanxiao’s eyes turned cold.
No one would be happy being used or made a pawn.
Seeing that Zheng Sanxiao had completely awakened to the situation, Qu Duo got reckless.
"Hmph, Zheng Sanxiao, to think that our friendship of over a month could be shattered by a few words from Jing Yan, it’s truly disappointing!" Qu Duo sneered.
"Enough!" Jing Yan shouted coldly.
"Qu Duo, you can leave now. From this moment, you are no longer a member of the Splendid Dojo, and you’re not welcome here." Jing Yan directly dismissed Qu Duo.
"You want me to leave?"
"Hehe, Jing Yan, do you think I want to stay in this dump? But what did you say at the beginning? Joining the Splendid Dojo would grant the opportunity to obtain Ninth-level Elixirs. Do you think if it weren’t for your Elixirs, I would join the Splendid Dojo?"
"You can ask me to leave, of course, but what about the nearly two months I’ve wasted here?" Qu Duo knew that staying at the Splendid Dojo was no longer possible for him, but before leaving, he wanted to take advantage of Jing Yan.
Jing Yan’s Elixirs were indeed good. If he left without any benefits, he would be resentful.
"You want Elixirs?" Jing Yan laughed in anger.
With a wave of his arm, dozens of Jade Bottles appeared in the air.
"I have plenty of Elixirs here. If you have the guts, come and take them!" Jing Yan squinted his eyes and said to Qu Duo.
If Qu Duo dared to make a move, then Jing Yan would not hesitate to kill him. For someone who was suspected of having close ties with the Gai Family, Jing Yan genuinely wanted to eliminate him directly.
He took out the Elixirs, waiting for Qu Duo to attempt to seize them.
Qu Duo saw the dozens of Jade Bottles, and his eyes reddened, but he stood still, not daring to go forward and snatch any.
If it weren’t for the precedent set by Tong Yue, he might have taken action without hesitation, grabbing the Elixirs and immediately leaving the Holy City. Now, he didn’t dare!
Compared to Tong Yue, his Martial Arts Strength was not as strong. If he tried to snatch Jing Yan’s Elixirs, he might end up not getting them and even lose his life here.
"How’s that? Don’t dare to take them? If you don’t dare, then leave! If you’re still within the Splendid Dojo after three breaths, don’t blame me for being rude," Jing Yan said with a scornful laugh.
"Fine! You’re ruthless!" Qu Duo clenched his teeth, stamped his foot, and using Primordial Energy, he swiftly flashed away.
He had no doubt that if he didn’t leave within three breaths, Jing Yan would make his move. And once Jing Yan took action against him, if he wanted to leave without anyone else’s help, it would be almost impossible.
Life was precious; it was better to leave first.
After Qu Duo left, Zheng Sanxiao, with an embarrassed expression, turned to Jing Yan and said, "I am ashamed! Alliance Hierarch, I never expected Qu Duo would be such a petty man. It’s ridiculous that I was used by him. I hope you can forgive me!"
In front of everyone, Zheng Sanxiao apologized to Jing Yan.
"Brother Sanxiao, don’t say that. You’ve been with the Splendid Dojo for almost two months, and I have yet to meet with you. It’s normal for you to be anxious; I understand," Jing Yan said with a shake of his head and a smile.