Chapter 60

Ning Yan felt the elder's gaze pinning him down, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

An invisible pressure came straight at him.

He only felt that although the elders of the Technique Hall ahead had not released their aura, the sense of oppression was overwhelming.

"What's going on? Why is the elder staring at Senior Brother Ning?"

"Could Senior Brother Ning be the one who broke the rules?"

"But Senior Brother Ning didn't come in with them, did he? We've been watching right under our noses, and we didn't see him do anything."

The fellow disciples could only wonder in their hearts.

"You all go out and wait."

"Elder Nie, what happened..."

Outer Sect Elder Mu Feng still wanted to ask what had happened.

But Elder Nie gave him a glance, and he hastily swallowed his words back.

"You also go out."

"This brat actually carries a remnant soul on him—who exactly is he? What is his purpose entering the Technique Hall? What is his aim in joining the Azure Cloud Sect?"

"All of this is completely unknown."

"Although disciples are recruited after passing the Illusory Heavenly Ladder trial."

"But even a sea ten thousand li deep has a bottom, while the human heart, five cun deep, cannot be fathomed."

"As an elder of a hall, and furthermore the Technique Hall is one of the sect's very important halls."

"He would rather mistakenly kill a thousand than let one slip, nipping all danger in the bud."

"After everyone had left, he then spoke again."

"\"This Saint asks you: what are the second and sixth clauses of the sect's eight major rules? \""

"Ning Yan was a bit dazed; why is the elder asking him this?"

"But he still answered honestly: \"Reporting to Elder, the second sect rule is: No betrayal of the sect; violators shall be executed! \""

"\"The sixth rule is: No leaking of the sect's techniques; violators shall be executed together! \"

Ning Yan spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, asking himself if his conscience was clear.

"\"Since you know, then speak: why did you bring a remnant soul into the Technique Hall? \""

"\"Do you still want to slip past under this Saint's very eyes? \""

Nie Hailong's sharp gaze kept fixed on him, as if trying to see through him.

"Damn it! It's ruined!"

"\"The elder actually saw through my master; he won't think I intend to betray the sect and leak its techniques, will he? \""

"The elders he usually dealt with in the Outer Sect were not above the Saint Realm, so he had never considered the possibility of exposure."

"The only high-level sect figures he had contacted were Elder Mu and Elder Luo, who led the campaign against the beast tide—both Inner Sect elders."

"In fact, Ning Yan was unaware that Mu Shuixian had already seen through everything."

"To her, however, he was merely a trivial remnant soul that could be pinched to death at will, so she didn't bother further."

"Everyone has their own secrets."

"It is probably because his master is merely a remnant soul, with divine sense less than one percent of its peak, that the Saint Realm elder saw through him at a glance."

"Actually, even if exposed it wouldn't matter; the sect treats him and all disciples so well and is so powerful that it simply wouldn't care."

"The key is, this damn situation is totally inappropriate!"

"\"Elder… this… actually… because… therefore… I…\""

"\"This old one, Dan Qing, greets you; I have met your sect's elder. \""

"Just as Ning Yan spouted nonsense, Elder Dan flew forward on his own."

"\"Elder, Ning Yan has been my disciple since before joining the sect, and I have been residing in the Holy Light Chain all along. \""

"\"This time, our master-disciple pair's oversight also caused me to be brought along. \""

"\"We dare not harbor any designs on your sect's techniques. \""

"As for Ning Yan before joining the sect, he once said that in his former life such a minor force could be slapped to death in a large swath, which he had long forgotten completely."

"Did I say that?"

"Slanderers are punishable! Do you understand?"

"\"Dan Qing? This Saint has taken note of you. \""

"\"You first enter the magical artifact; after I report to the Sect Master, we will decide. \""

"\"As for Ning Yan, everything remains as usual. \""

"The monk may flee but the temple cannot; if these two really have problems, just crush them outright."

"\"Thank you, Elder. \""

Upon hearing this, Elder Dan and Ning Yan replied respectfully.

"\"By the way, Elder, I have a favor to ask. \""

"\"To be frank, I was originally an elder of the Alchemy Sect in the Central Region, but after being schemed against by a fellow elder, I am left only as a remnant soul, fleeing all the way to the Eastern Region. \""

"\"In life I attained the Saint Realm of Manifestation, and was also a tenth-tier transcendent Alchemy Saint of the Alchemy Sect. \""

"\"Therefore I wish to ask the elder to report to the Sect Master. \""

"\"I wish to personally meet the Sect Master, and I also want to join your sect. \""

"Such an awesome sect—he also wants to join!"

"Seizing this opportunity, whether he can return to the peak is right before his eyes."

"\"Elder, rest assured; although I am merely a remnant soul, I possess an extraordinary flame—the Azure Netherworld Flame—within me. \""

Refining medicinal pills of seventh rank and below is still as easy as picking them up.

So I want to become your sect's alchemist; let me handle this bitter work of alchemy.

See the Sect Master? Now just anyone can see the Sect Master?

If every person who comes wants to see the Sect Master, the Sect Master would be worked to death.

Manifest Saint Realm? A tenth-rank alchemist?

Not to mention a mere fragment of a soul; even ten Manifest Saint Realms, what then? Even ten tenth-rank alchemists, what then?

I don't even put the Azure Cloud Sect in my eyes.

Of course, alchemists can be invited (or captured) to make pills (mass production, working day and night without rest).

Alright, this saint won't waste more words with you; I will personally report your matter to the Sect Master.

Thank you.

Elder Dan gave his thanks, then flew back into the Holy Light Chain.

Ning Yan then took off the Holy Light Chain from his neck and handed it to Elder Nie.

Alright, there's no problem for now; go call the people outside in.

We can begin the selection.

Elder Nie said that, then turned and walked toward the rear of the main hall.

The Saint Realm's divine sense envelops the entire main hall, so there's no need to personally supervise.

It's the Elder.

Ning Yan finished speaking, then walked toward the gate, pushed it open, and went out.

Everyone was waiting outside the gate, curiously speculating.

Then they saw Ning Yan push the gate open and come out.

Senior Brother Ning Yan has come out!

Sorry, Elder, Senior Brother Qin Han and all the junior brothers, I've delayed your time due to some personal reasons.

I've caused you trouble, sorry.

Ning Yan spoke sincerely as soon as he came up.

If it weren't for his sake, I'd guess everyone would have already finished selecting their cultivation methods.

It's fine, it's fine.

As long as Senior Brother Ning Yan is fine.

Seeing Senior Brother Ning Yan apologize so sincerely, the disciples hurriedly said it was fine.

They also wondered why the Elder said Ning Yan broke the rules; perhaps he discovered something?

It seems mostly a misunderstanding.

As long as it's fine.

Since there's nothing wrong, go inside and make your selection.

Remember, you cannot exceed one hour, and each person may select only one book.

Elder Nie is the one who cares most about the rules.

Elder Mu Feng once again gave his instructions, and moreover glanced at Ning Yan.

It seems among the outer sect disciples, quite a few are not ordinary.

He clearly remembers that Ning Yan is the Eightfold Heavenly Pride, ranked second on the outer sect list.

There must be some connection.

Yeah, how could such a tiny Eastern Domain produce so many heavenly pride?

Surely there must be some great fortuity.

Afterward he shook his head, not thinking further; this isn't something he can manage, only the sect's high-level officials can.

Didn't he just want to ask what happened a moment ago, then swallow it back again…