Chapter 209: First Entry into the Divine Weapons Secret Realm!

Qin Colonel!!

On Crouching Dragon Peak, Yan Jue-ming saw the black-clad youth who had come together with Elder Yuwen, and a flicker of surprise appeared in his eyes.

He quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.

Elder Yuwen!

Hmm, where is the Valley Master?

My master—

Just as Yan Jue-ming was about to reply, a figure streamed down from Divine Arrow Peak, landing before him in the blink of an eye.

Master!

Valley Master!

……

Yan Jue-ming and Yuwen Tai both bowed, while Qin Shuo looked left and right, as if he hadn't noticed Nie Jinfeng's arrival.

Yuwen Tai's mouth twitched, but he still said in a low voice, "Valley Master, Colonel Qin says he has business with you."

Oh? What business does Colonel Qin have with me?

Nie Jinfeng's expression was indifferent, seeming not very enthusiastic.

This made Yuwen Tai's heart pound; it seemed their relationship wasn't as close as the rumors claimed.

Could it be that he's deliberately putting on an act for me to see?

Is this how Valley Master Nie greets honored guests?

Qin Shuo didn't answer, instead throwing the question back, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Honored guest?

Nie Jinfeng's face showed mockery: "You hacked my mountain-guarding army formation, brought people to search my Wind and Thunder Valley—what honored guest is that?"

Or are you saying, Elder Yuwen, that you consider this person an honored guest of my Wind and Thunder Valley?

His gaze shifted.

When Nie Jinfeng's slightly mocking gaze fell upon Yuwen Tai, the latter's heart gave a thump, and he couldn't help but want to curse.

Deliberate.

This brat is definitely doing it on purpose!

He's trying to turn the tables, dragging the disaster onto himself.

Valley Master...

Yuwen Tai's palms sweated, feeling as if he had been struck by his own returning dart, utterly stifled.

He had just wanted to explain when he heard Nie Jinfeng coldly interrupt:

"Since Colonel Qin is Elder Yuwen's honored guest,"

"Jue-ming, please receive him well and take Colonel Qin to tour the main peaks of my Wind and Thunder Valley."

"If anyone blocks you, say this person is Elder Yuwen's honored guest, already permitted by me, the Valley Master, to roam freely in the valley."

"Valley Master, I..."

Yuwen Tai wanted to make excuses, but Nie Jinfeng again violently cut him off: "Go on, I and Elder Yuwen will wait for you here!"

Yan Jue-ming looked bewildered, completely unable to grasp what was happening.

But he couldn't disobey his master's order; he immediately whistled, summoning his mount, the Thunder Hawk, and truly set out to take Qin Shuo on a tour of the peaks.

This made Yuwen Tai utterly panicked; he hurriedly bowed and said, "Valley Master, I, Yuwen Tai, am guilty!"

Oh? What crime does Elder Yuwen have?

Nie Jinfeng said in a flat tone, "It's merely that he received a colonel from the Demon-Suppression Office as an honored guest; that's hardly a crime."

Valley Master, I merely... merely...

He wanted to say that he had merely heard that this Qin surnamed person was the Valley Master's illegitimate son, whom the Valley Master had personally taught archery, and might even be groomed as the junior valley master; in a fit of indignation, he had incited the mountain-guarding disciples to cause trouble.

But the words reached his lips and yet he could not utter them no matter what.

He was well aware of his sect master's temperament: he does not inquire into small matters, but decides major ones unilaterally.

If he were to actually admit it, because of a mere rumor, stirring up relations between the mountain-guarding disciples and the other party, he might well be beaten half to death on the spot.

Merely how?

Nie Jinfeng knew what the other wanted to say, but he did not expose it, merely looking down from above with a cold stare.

I should not have listened to rumors; I beg the Valley Master to punish me!

Faced with Nie Jinfeng's aggressive aura, Yuwen Tai ultimately chose to yield.

Although he had the backing of the Startling Thunder Hall and Xue Wanlong as his patron, if he truly clashed with this Valley Master Nie, only he would suffer the loss.

At present, Nie Jinfeng seems determined to deal with him.

If he continues to refuse to yield, his position as mountain-guarding elder will likely be replaced.

Believing rumors?

Nie Jinfeng's tone was cold and hard; he stared at Yuwen Tai for a long time before finally speaking,

"Since that's the case, according to the sect rules, I fine you six months' salary, confine you to the mountain for a month of reflection!"

Yes!

In the end, Yuwen Tai slunk down the mountain, having tried to steal a chicken only to lose his rice, and was completely crushed by Nie Jinfeng.

This old fogey, he's quite skilled at psychological warfare.

Watching Yuwen Tai flee down the mountain as if escaping, Qin Shuo muttered to himself, and at the same time felt a surge of exhilaration.

Although the other party had just deliberately incited the disciples down the mountain, mainly targeting Nie Jinfeng, he too was caught in the crossfire, wasn't he?

If I don't give this old fogey a lesson, he'll really think he's a soft persimmon.

He knows Nie Lao Deng's vengeful nature, and also knows that the other party wishes to cooperate with him but does not want to get too close.

Therefore, he directly laid out what had just happened.

And Nie Lao Deng was quite reasonable, directly picking up this matter to cause trouble, putting Elder Yuwen in a difficult position, ultimately forcing him to back down.

Provoking the authority of one's own sect master is a major taboo in any sect.

Yuwen Tai is truly foolish from overtraining, or perhaps he feels his status is lofty, and Nie Jin Feng would not dare to act against him, which is why he acts so recklessly.

Actually, given Nie Jin Feng's temperament, that old fogey will eventually run into trouble.

"Let's go!"

Seeing Yuwen Tai rush down the mountain, Nie Jin Feng's face showed no ripple, and he turned and walked toward the main hall.

Over these years he has focused all his mind on the Boundary-Pacifying Divine Weapon, neglecting sect management, which is why someone as brainless as Yuwen Tai dares to come out and provoke him.

On this point, he is as clear as a bright mirror in his heart.

However, the urgent task at hand is to help that brat seize the divine weapon swiftly, lest the Divine Weapon Secret Realm emerge in Wind Thunder Valley and cause a great disaster.

Therefore, he only gave Yuwen Tai a minor punishment and a major warning, without excessive blame.

If it were in the past, not beating the opponent into lying in bed for three months unable to get up would already be considered him showing mercy.

Qin Shuo followed Nie Lao Deng into the main hall.

Yan Jue Ming, however, stayed in the square in front of the main hall and did not follow.

"What do you want from me?"

Only after entering the hall door did Nie Jin Feng's expression ease slightly, his gaze toward Qin Shuo carrying a question.

"I want to undergo the trial in the Divine Weapon Secret Realm; I want to ask you to help me guard the law!"

Qin Shuo got straight to the point, directly stating the purpose of his trip.

"What?"

Just as Nie Jin Feng had sat down, he jumped up with an incredulous expression, "You felt the pull of the divine weapon? When?"

"I've felt it since three days ago."

Qin Shuo did not conceal anything, briefly explaining how he had comprehended the Collapsing Cloud Arrow Technique and then been summoned by the Divine Bow.

Of course, he concealed the part about the Taotie Cauldron, only saying that he had comprehended the Collapsing Cloud Arrow relying on the Divine Intent Diagram.

"One day's time to comprehend the Collapsing Cloud Arrow?"

Nie Jin Feng's gaze was strange.

But upon thinking that the other party had comprehended his family's Thunderbolt Arrow in the time it takes to finish half a cup of tea, he immediately felt relieved.

Although the Collapsing Cloud Arrow Technique is also a top-tier arrow art, it still falls short compared to the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique of Wind Thunder Valley.

This brat didn't take long to comprehend the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique; comprehending the Collapsing Cloud Arrow Technique in just a day is nothing surprising.

Just……

It's only been a few days!

And yet he already meets the conditions for the Divine Weapon Trial.

Thinking back, from when I received the summons to becoming qualified to enter the secret realm trial, it took me several years.

Could it be that this is the difference between "outstanding talent" and "peerless appearance"?

For a moment, Grand Sect Master Nie's gaze toward Qin Shuo was filled with complexity.

But he quickly composed himself and said, "Entering the Divine Weapon Secret Realm is like separating consciousness from the body and entering another mysterious space,

therefore, if it is not absolutely safe, do not enter it lightly.

Next, I will guard the law for you; try to communicate with the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, letting it guide you in."

"Good."

Qin Shuo readily complied, sitting on the futon as Nie Jin Feng instructed.

Hum!

Almost the instant he thought of the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, a dazzling red light pillar shot up from the void before him.

Then, the light pillar split in two, one strand descending from the void to envelop Qin Shuo.

At the same time, that cold, mechanical voice, indistinguishable as male or female, sounded again in his ear:

【Qin Shuo】

【Archery Talent: Peerless Appearance, once in a century!】

【Archery Proficiency: Level Six!】

【Eligible to enter the secret realm and participate in the Divine Weapon Trial!】

【Begin the trial?】

"Yes."

This time, Qin Shuo had no hesitation, directly answering with his thought.

Hum!

The instant his thoughts turned,

Qin Shuo only felt his vision filled with blazing red light; when he opened his eyes again, there was no trace of the futon stone room or Grand Valley Master Nie.

Before his eyes stood a towering divine mountain that pierced the clouds, ten thousand feet high.

A stairway of unknown number of steps stretched like a long dragon from the mountain's base to its summit.