2638 The Representative of King Qing’s Mansion

Tian Ji Yu, the County Governor of the Nine Specters County, glanced at Zhou Fei and said indifferently, "Stand up and speak." As the County Governor, he had, naturally, heard about the incident in Latent Dragon Abyss. In fact, he knew that someone would be coming to see him today in regard to the incident. However, he thought Zhou Tong, the strongest Revered Elder in the County Governor's estate, would come looking for him. He did not expect to see Zhou Fei instead. Based on his knowledge of Zhou Tong's character, he would definitely go looking for Duan Ling Tian in the Latent Dragon Abyss as soon as he learned about what happened. If Duan Ling Tian was willing to become Zhou Tong's direct disciple, there was a chance he might let the matter slide. After all, Duan Ling Tian would be more valuable in Zhou Tong's eyes compared to his godson, Zhou Fei. Ultimately, Duan Ling Tian was a powerhouse who was not even 100 years of age, like Zhou Fei, but Duan Ling Tian managed to defeat his godson with just a move. Based on that, there was no doubt Duan Ling Tian would achieve greater heights compared to Zhou Fei. However, he learned from Zheng Qiu, an inner-estate elder, that Duan Ling Tian who came from Bloody Specter City would never agree to become Zhou Tong's direct disciple. Therefore, he expected Zhou Tong to come see him and request for Duan Ling Tian to be severely punished for violating the rules!

Zhou Fei rose to his feet, but his head was lowered. He said angrily, "Lord County Governor, Duan Ling Tian from Bloody Specter City has crossed the line! He's aware of the rules in Latent Dragon Abyss where the challengers are prohibited from severely injuring or killing the person he challenges, and yet, he severed all my limbs. His blatant disregard for the rules you've set is obvious, my lord." He tried to fan the flames by deliberately saying Duan Ling Tian had no regard for the County Governor.

However, as the County Governor of Nine Specters City, how could Ji Tian Yu not see through Zhou Fei's intention? He asked, "Where's Revered Elder Zhou Tong? Why isn't he here with you?"

"Godfather, he…" Zhou Fei said before abruptly stopping. He was about to say his godfather was not present in the estate when he remembered his godfather's trip was supposed to be a secret that even the County Governor was not privy to. He quickly made up an excuse. "Godfather has gone into closed-door cultivation so I didn't want to bother him."

As a Revered Elder of the County Governor's estate and one of the two Great Overarching Golden Celestials in Nine Specters County, by right, Zhou Tong had to inform the County Governor if he was leaving the estate. Since Zhou Tong did not inform the County Governor of his trip, it was clear he meant to keep this a secret from the County Governor. For this reason, Zhou Fei did not dare to speak about it.

"Okay." Upon hearing that, Zhou Fei felt assured. In his opinion, the County Governor would not be biased even if Duan Ling Tian was much more talented than him and had a higher cultivation base. After all, his godfather was the strongest Revered Elder in the County Governor's estate. Not only that, but his godfather was one of the two Great Overarching Golden Celestials in Nine Specters County. His godfather was definitely more important and valuable compared to Duan Ling Tian.

Zhou Fei who felt much better bowed before he left. "Lord County Governor, I'll take my leave then."

Indeed, Tian Ji Yu's thoughts were just as Zhou Fei had speculated. However, before he punished Duan Ling Tian, he had to discover every detail of that incident. Therefore, he sent his men to investigate the matter.

...

Two days later.

The County Governor's estate of Nine Specters County welcomed a distinguished guest today. The guest was none other than a delegate of King Qing's Mansion. The delegate had come to convey a message from King Qing to Tian Ji Yu, the County Chief's Mansion of the Nine Spectre County.

In the main hall of the County Governor's estate.

Tian Ji Yu respectfully invited the delegate from King Qing's mansion to take the main seat. Although they were both Great Overarching Golden Celestials, his status was, naturally, different from someone who came from King Qing's Mansion. After all, the delegate from King Qing's Mansion represented King Qing himself. This person was not someone he wanted to offend.

The delegate from King Qing's Mansion was an old man with white hair who was dressed in white robes. However, his face was relatively youthful. He exuded an otherworldly aura.

"County Governor Tian," The white-clad old man looked at Tian Ji Yu and said with a faint smile, "We've not seen each other for decades… Tell me, how have you been all these years?"

"Thank you for your concern. I have been well," Tian Ji Yu responded with a smile.

"I came on King Qing's order to bring you a message, County Governor Tian." The white-clad old man did not beat around the bush and said, "After three years, sixteen counties, including the Nine Specters County, will each send 30 Golden Celestials below the age of 100 to King Qing's Mansion for the Martial Competition of the Sixteen Counties. The top ten participants of the competition would be heavily rewarded. Moreover, the county the participants come from would also be rewarded. The participant who ranks first would be given three mediocre Celestial Pills, the Great Overarching Pills. The participant who ranks second would receive two Great Overarching Pills, and the participant who ranks third would receive one Great Overarching Pill." He seemed a bit excited as he said, "I don't need to explain the effects of a Great Overarching Pill to you, right, County Governor Tian?"

Upon hearing this, Tian Ji Yu inhaled sharply. A hint of enthusiasm could be seen in his eyes at this moment. Although the Great Overarching Pill was only a mediocre Celestial Pill, it was one of the top mediocre Celestial Pills. Moreover, due to the uniqueness and rarity of some of its ingredients, the pills were considered more valuable than some prominent Celestial Pills. The pills could improve the cultivation base of a Great Overarching Golden Celestial, and if a peak Golden Celestial took the pill, it was almost guaranteed that the peak Golden Celestial would become a Great Overarching Golden Celestial! One could see it in this way; one Great Overarching Pill could produce one Great Overarching Golden Celestial.

Tian Ji Yu thought to himself, 'With my current cultivation base, if I take two of the pills, I'll definitely be able to break through the bottleneck I've been stuck in for the past few hundred years.' He continued thinking to himself, 'If any two of the 30 Golden Celestials below the age of 100 I send to the Martial Competition of the Sixteen Counties manages to rank in the top three, this means the Nine Specters County would receive at least two Great Overarching Pills. It would definitely help me to break through. Moreover, the Nine Specters County will probably have another Great Overarching Golden Celestial as well!' His breathing quickened the more he thought about it. His chest rose and fell rapidly, he was clearly excited.

At this moment, the white-clad old man looked at Tian Ji Yu and said, "I heard the Nine Spectre County has a young powerhouse called Zhou Fei who's a Yellow Sun Golden Celestial. You have three years to train him. It's not impossible for him to rank in the top three of the competition. If Zhou Fei is able to rank third, he'll be able to obtain a Great Overarching Pill." A flash of enthusiasm could be seen in his eyes as he spoke about the mediocre Celestial Pill, the Great Overarching Pill again.

"Zhou Fei?" Tian Ji Yu was momentarily stunned when he heard the white-clad old man's words. Then, Duan Ling Tian who had just arrived from Bloody Specter City appeared in his mind.

Although Zhou Fei was rather strong and talented, Duan Ling Tian managed to defeat Zhou Fei and severed his limbs with just a strike. Based on this, it was clear that Duan Ling Tian's strength and talent were significantly better than Zhou Fei!

"Since I've already conveyed the message from King Qing, I'll take my leave now. See you in three years, County Governor Tian. I hope your Nine Specters County's Zhou Fei would shine during the competition and rank in the top three of the Martial Competition of the Sixteen Counties!" After he finished speaking, he did not waste any time and left immediately.

After sending the white-clad old man off, Tian Ji Yu stood outside the great hall and looked in the direction of the Latent Dragon Abyss. His eyes shone brightly as he thought to himself, 'I, Ji Tian Yu, must obtain the mediocre Celestial Pill, the Great Overarching Pill!'

...

Another day passed in just a blink of an eye.

It was destined that today would not be a peaceful day in the City Governor's estate. This was due to the announcement the City Governor had made. It was related to the incident three days ago where Duan Ling Tian had severed Zhou Fei's limbs.

"Regarding the incident in Latent Dragon Abyss three days ago, it has been determined that it's Elder Zheng Qiu's fault for failing to explain the rules of the Latent Dragon Abyss to Duan Ling Tian. Therefore, Duan Ling Tian's actions are understandable and will be forgiven. As for Elder Zheng Qiu, he'll be punished for this incident!"

As soon as the announcement was made, silence descended on the entire County Governor's estate.