The old lady scoffed, and a wave of imposing energy hit Tian Ji Yu again, causing him to stumble back a few steps and spit out a mouthful of blood.

Blood splattered in the air, looking like red roses blooming. It was an extremely eye-catching sight.

"You should've been a profound Great Overarching Golden Celestial for a long time now, right? It seems like your cultivation base has stagnated..." the old lady said as she looked at Tian Ji Yu knowingly. Without waiting for his reply, she continued to say, "If you're able to consume two or three Great Overarching Pills, it would be easy for you to break through the bottleneck. If I were you, there's no way I wouldn't make Duan Ling Tian participate in the competition. After all, based on your words, it'd be easy for him to rank first in the competition. Isn't that why the other 15 counties want to get rid of him?"

Tian Ji Yu smiled bitterly. "Senior, you're right. Naturally, I really hope Duan Ling Tian would participate in the competition since there's nothing I want more than those Great Overarching Pills. However, before he left, he had hinted that he didn't want to participate in the competition. I even told him I'm willing to give him one of the three Great Overarching Pill, but he didn't seem interested at all. Since there's a risk of him being killed by the other 15 counties, he thought it'd be better if he didn't take the risk and participate in the competition."

The old lady asked in a low voice, "Why didn't you force him to stay and participate in the competition?"

The old lady did not doubt Tian Ji Yu's explanation. After all, it was a flawless explanation. Finally, she asked in a low voice, "Did he say where he was going before he left?"

Upon hearing this, Tian Ji Yu knew the old woman had bought his explanation. He was inwardly delighted that his plan to mislead the old lady had worked. However, outwardly, he smiled bitterly as he said, "I did ask him where he planned to go. He said he had no destination in mind and that he was going to travel. However, since he had only left three days ago, he should still be in Nine Specters County."

"I hope you're not lying. If I were to find out you're lying, you'll definitely die!" the old lady said threateningly. As soon as she finished speaking, she disappeared into thin air. At least, it seemed that way to Tian Ji Yu who could not catch her movements.

After the old lady had left, Tian Ji Yu still felt lingering fear in his heart. He thought to himself, 'I think the old woman isn't an ordinary Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial.' Even King Qin's speed might not be as fast as that old lady's speed.

'I wonder how Duan Ling Tian provoked a person like that?' Soon after, his eyes widened as he thought to himself, 'Duan Ling Tian is almost as strong as a Great Overarching Golden even though he's not even 100 years old. Is it possible that he has an extraordinary background? Is he from a major force that had been annihilated so he's left alone to wander Nine Specters County? Perhaps, that old woman is from a rival force?' The more he thought about it, the more he thought it was plausible.

If Duan Ling Tian were privy to Tian Ji Yu's thoughts, he would have admired Tian Ji Yu's overactive imagination.

However, it was only natural that Tian Ji Yu had such thoughts since he was not aware that Duan Ling Tian had only ascended to the Spirit Overarching Heaven less than three years ago!

Tian Ji Yu continued thinking to himself, 'I hope that old lady doesn't go to King Qin's Mansion during the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties. She'll definitely find out I lied to her if she sees Duan Ling Tian there. At that time, not only would she kill Duan Ling Tian, but she would definitely kill me as well!' He fervently prayed the old lady would not show up in King Qin's Mansion during the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties.

...

Meanwhile, Duan Ling Tian was unaware that if he had left the County Governor's estate a few days later than he had planned, he would have been killed by the powerhouse from the Compassionate Celestial Traveler Sect.

At this moment, Duan Ling Tian was making his way to Bloody Specter City to bid farewell to Liu Feng Gu before he left Nine Specters County.

Although their relationship was not deep, there was no doubt that Liu Feng Gu had helped him tremendously, even if it might be only due to their deal. Moreover, thanks to the information Liu Feng Gu had given him, he managed to obtain a Celestial Fire. Therefore, he planned to give Liu Feng Gu some prominent Celestial Stones and Spirit Nourishing Pills before he left. These things might not be particularly valuable to him, but he knew it would be precious to Liu Feng Gu.

'I don't like owing people favors. Giving him some prominent Celestial Stones and Spirit Nourishing Pills can be considered as me returning his favor for disclosing the location of the Celestial Fire to me. Moreover, there's a chance we won't be able to meet anymore after this,' Duan Ling Tian thought to himself.

When Duan Ling Tian met Liu Feng Gu, he was taken back to see hints of relief and excitement on Liu Feng Gu's face when Liu Feng Gu saw him. It was obvious that Liu Feng Gu was relieved to see that he was fine.

Liu Feng Gu stumbled over his words as he asked, "Duan Ling Tian? You… you… you're alright?!"

Duan Ling Tian saw a hint of guilt flashed in Liu Feng Gu's eyes as well. It was as though Liu Feng Gu felt ashamed. He could not understand why Liu Feng Gu would feel relieved, ashamed, and guilty at the same time when he saw him. He asked skeptically, "City Governor, what's it?"

Seeing that Duan Ling Tian was unaware of it, Liu Feng Gu sighed. "Duan Ling Tian, please forgive me. I had no choice. A few days ago, an old lady came and demanded to know where you've gone. She even killed all the people in the City Governor's estate and Black Dragon Army to threaten me. I had no choice but to tell her you've gone to the County Governor's estate in the County City of Nine Specters County. She was too strong. With just her energy alone, she pressured me until I fell to my knees and made me like dying. There's no doubt she's even stronger than Lord County Governor!" His expression was grim when he spoke.