After the white figure appeared, it simply stood still, treading on the void. A powerful aura immediately enveloped the entire summit of Misty Cloud Mountain. Sensing this presence, all the disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect on the viewing platforms felt a surge of awe and dropped to their knees in reverence.
While the elders and deacons did not kneel, they bowed deeply in respect. Even Yun Leng and Yun Li, despite their severe injuries, did the same.
As if sensing the situation on the summit, the white figure looked over. Every expert present felt a calm yet heart-pounding gaze sweep over them.
Then, they all watched as the white figure lifted its foot and stepped forward.
With each step, the space beneath its foot rippled like the surface of disturbed water. In the next instant, its form flickered and reappeared a hundred meters away, moving toward the grand plaza. Every time the figure flickered, the spatial ripples emanating from its feet sent debris flying from the surrounding floating mountain fragments.
In just a couple of breaths, the white figure arrived in the sky above the plaza.
Only then did everyone get a clear look at the newcomer. He was dressed in a magnificent white robe adorned with cloud patterns. His face was handsome, his skin fair, and his snow-white hair cascaded over his shoulders. His form was slender, and his feet were bare. A red mark was imprinted between his brows, and his eyes were closed, giving him a transcendent and serene aura, the very picture of a great master.
The moment they saw him, every member of the Misty Cloud Sect cried out in unison with a single, respectful voice:
"We pay our respects, Old Sect Leader!"
In the air, Yun Shan slowly opened his eyes. He gave the wretched-looking Yun Leng a faint glance before speaking softly, "Yun Leng, explain. I recall telling you not to disturb my seclusion unless it was a matter of utmost importance."
"Old Sect Leader, you're finally here! If you had been any later, the Misty Cloud Sect would have been destroyed..."
With his backer present, Yun Leng cast aside all restraint and immediately recounted the entire sequence of events. However, in his telling, the Misty Cloud Sect was painted as the victim.
Listening to Yun Leng's pitiable tale, Yun Shan showed no emotion. Instead, his gaze swept faintly over the assembled experts. "Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma... it's quite lively today. And Hai Bodong. I thought you old fool had died at Medusa's hands."
"If an old relic like you isn't dead yet, how could I possibly pass on before you?" Hai Bodong returned flatly.
Yun Shan paid his words no mind, his gaze shifting to Zhou Changqing and Xiao Yan. When he saw the Dou Qi Wings behind them, even he couldn't help but let a flicker of astonishment cross his eyes.
"You must be Zhou Changqing and Xiao Yan?"
"I am Zhou Changqing." "I am Xiao Yan. We greet Sect Leader Yun Shan." Zhou Changqing and Xiao Yan cupped their fists in greeting, their demeanor neither servile nor arrogant.
Yun Shan nodded slightly. "Impressive composure. A three-star Dou Wang and a four-star Da Dou Shi, to be able to push the elders and disciples of my Misty Cloud Sect to this state is truly remarkable."
He had already perceived their cultivation realms the moment he laid eyes on them.
Xiao Yan was one thing. A seventeen-year-old four-star Da Dou Shi could be called the number one genius of the Jia Ma Empire, comparable even to the founder of the Misty Cloud Sect. But what truly shocked him was Zhou Changqing.
If his senses weren't mistaken, this young man was the same age as Xiao Yan. A seventeen-year-old Dou Wang... this was no longer a matter of mere genius. Such a monstrous talent was not something a barren place like the Northwest Continent could possibly produce. Only in the Central Plains might one find such an individual.
With this in mind, Yun Shan's calm eyes studied the two of them and he said slowly, "Regarding what Yun Leng has said, do you two have anything to rebut?"
"Heh, does Sect Leader Yun Shan believe Yun Leng's account?" Despite the pressure from Yun Shan, Zhou Changqing remained calm, retorting with a question of his own.
This took Yun Shan by surprise. The young man remained so composed even after his appearance. Could it be that he still had some hidden ace?
Shaking his head slightly, Yun Shan glanced at the miserable Yun Leng on the plaza. "I believe half of what Yun Leng said. I know his character. My Misty Cloud Sect is not an unreasonable place. State your side of the story, and I will make my own judgment."
Feeling the Old Sect Leader's placid gaze, Yun Leng lowered his head even further, a look of fear on his blood-streaked face.
Zhou Changqing was genuinely surprised to hear this. Since when was Yun Shan so reasonable? What he didn't know was that if it had only been Xiao Yan, Yun Shan would not have been so accommodating. As the greatest pillar of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Shan had to consider the sect's future as well as its reputation. A seventeen-year-old Dou Wang possessed potential he had never seen before; it was terrifyingly vast. Offending such a monstrous talent to the point of no return would be a catastrophic liability for any faction.
Seeing Zhou Changqing's confident and fearless demeanor, Yun Shan felt a sense of uncertainty. He wasn't one hundred percent confident he could eliminate the young man here and now. Given that, how could he not be reasonable?
Seeing an opportunity to negotiate, Xiao Yan cleverly stepped forward and cupped his hands. "This matter began because of me, so allow me to explain."
Xiao Yan then recounted the events from the beginning, his version far more impartial than Yun Leng's. Jia Xingtian and the others stroked their beards and nodded in agreement as they listened.
Yun Shan noticed this as well. He glanced at Yun Leng again, a hint of coldness entering his eyes. Clearly, he was now displeased with him. After all, the entire affair was purely a result of Yun Leng being unreasonable. Zhou Changqing had offered a perfect solution, yet he had stubbornly insisted on detaining Xiao Yan, revealing his true intentions. Most importantly, Yun Leng had been foolish enough to continue antagonizing a monstrous talent like Zhou Changqing, relying on the sect's power to bully him.
However, now was not the time to deal with Yun Leng. After a moment of thought, Yun Shan turned to Zhou Changqing and the others. "I understand the matter now. However, you have left my Misty Cloud Sect in this state. Regardless of who was right or wrong, there must be a resolution. The reputation my sect has built over so many generations cannot be lost on my watch."
"But I, Yun Shan, am not a tyrant. Let's do this. If the three of you can last a quarter of an hour against me, then today's events will be written off. How about it?"
Hai Bodong's brow furrowed at his words, his expression turning grave. If the gap between a Dou Ling and a Dou Wang was a massive chasm, then the disparity between a Dou Huang and a Dou Zong was even greater. Just as he had been able to quickly dispatch two Dou Wangs, Yun Shan could likely deal with two Dou Huangs even faster.
Furthermore, he was only a two-star Dou Huang, and Xiao Yan was just a Da Dou Shi. Even with Zhou Changqing, whose combat strength was equivalent to a Dou Huang, he likely wouldn't be stronger than a mid-tier Dou Huang. Against a Dou Zong like Yun Shan, surviving for a quarter of an hour was nothing but a fool's dream.
Xiao Yan's expression was just as grim as Hai Bodong's. He called out to Yao Lao in his mind. "Teacher, Teacher, what do we do? This Yun Shan is a Dou Zong. Elder Hai and Zhou probably can't handle him. Should you make a move? With you, we might have a chance."
"Stop your whining, you brat. Have you forgotten someone? With her here, a mere Yun Shan doesn't warrant my attention."
"That's right! How could I have forgotten about her?" Xiao Yan froze for a moment before remembering, and a smile spread across his face.
Just then, Zhou Changqing looked at Yun Shan and smiled faintly. "Sect Leader Yun Shan jests. You are a Dou Zong expert. Forget a quarter of an hour, we would be hard-pressed to last even a dozen breaths against you. However, since Sect Leader Yun Shan is looking for some exercise, I happen to have a friend who can spar with you."
He had no intention of being a one-sided punching bag.
Without waiting for Yun Shan's reply, Zhou Changqing turned his head toward the third viewing platform on the left side of the plaza, calling out to the graceful figure who had been sitting there silently all this time.
"Your Majesty, the Queen, what do you say?"