Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 838 - 838 0515 We are Just a Burden_1

Chapter 838: Chapter 0515: We are Just a Burden_1 Chapter 838: Chapter 0515: We are Just a Burden_1 Chapter 0515: Bringing Us Along Would Just Be a Burden

Qi Tian stepped forward, and the disciples of the Refining God Sect almost subconsciously followed his lead, retreating further. Although doing so made them feel somewhat ashamed, the sight of their fellow disciples slain by Zhao Haiying on the ground convinced them that retreating was not an unacceptable course of action.

Qi Tian paid no heed to the reactions of the Refining God Sect disciples. For him, he no longer needed to consider how the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators and the Qi Cultivation Period cultivators would respond to his actions. As long as they did not interfere with him, he was no longer on the same level as them.

“Who is in charge of your Refining God Sect now? Have him come out to meet me,” Qi Tian demanded boldly. As the National Master of the Great Zhao Nation, he had been granted authority by Prince Zhao, in the name of the Crown Prince of the Great Zhao Nation, to oversee all cultivators within the nation’s borders. This included the power to make decisions in emergencies and the right to execute now and report later. In terms of strength, Qi Tian towered above all other sects and clans within the nation, fully entitled to disregard the Refining God Sect.

The Refining God Sect had already had its edge blunted by Qi Tian. Confronted by his questioning, someone immediately responded, “The one in charge of our Refining God Sect at present is Master.”

Qi Tian nodded and said, “Master, is it? Whoever knows where Master is, would you be so kind as to call him for me and ask him to come here to meet me?”

Someone was immediately sent to summon Master. It was not just out of fear, but also to allow this so-called Master to quickly present a plan on how to deal with a troublesome visitor like Qi Tian, who had come knocking on their door.

Qi Tian then took out a portrait, unfolded it, and asked, “Has anyone seen someone who looks somewhat like the person in this portrait?”

This was not the first time Qi Tian had brought out the portrait. He had done so once before in Three Gods City. The portrait depicted Emperor Zhi Wu in the guise of a wealthy noble.

The disciples of the Refining God Sect were all startled upon seeing the portrait, for they recognized the person depicted all too well. Similar images were worshipped in the Ancestral Hall of their sect. Aside from the portrait, there were also members of the Refining God Sect who bore a striking resemblance to the person in the portrait. Given that these lookalikes belonged to the most powerful echelons of the sect, the disciples were unsure of Qi Tian’s intentions in searching for this person and thus dared not betray their fellow sect members at this time.

Zhao Haiying’s eyes were sharp as eagles’. As soon as Qi Tian pulled out the portrait, his gaze locked onto the disciples of the Refining God Sect. Seeing that they all remained silent, he naturally did not believe that they knew nothing. He snorted coldly and said, “Master has given you an opportunity to offset your wrongs by rendering meritorious service, but alas, it seems you all do not cherish this chance. Fine, since none of you wish to appreciate it, I will have no choice but to point them out myself and have them serve my young master. You, and you, step forward.”

Zhao Haiying pointed directly at two disciples from the Refining God Sect. He had noticed that these two cultivators, along with a few others, had been trying to hide at the back after Qi Tian produced the portrait. Such behavior was sure to be concealing something, and it was time to bring them forward.

The two cultivators were ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage practitioners. After Zhao Haiying called them out, they did not dare to resist and could only stiffen up and step out of the crowd, facing Zhao Haiying with forced smiles, saying, “Elder, what do you summon us for?”

“I am giving you a chance. Do you recognize the person in the portrait?” Zhao Haiying inquired. “I should remind you, as lower-level cultivators, when an upper-level cultivator asks you questions, you ought to tell the truth. If any concealment is found, it is tantamount to a death sentence.”

Zhao Haiying’s words were not said in jest. Those whose cultivation realm and strength were inferior were like lambs to the slaughter, and to avoid being killed, they had to show submission to stronger cultivators. If they dared to deceive at a time like this, no one could save them. Of course, if someone possessed enough acting skills to deceive a higher-level cultivator, that was also an ability. However, such instances were rare, with not even one among ten thousand cultivators capable of doing so.

The two singled out cultivators broke out in cold sweat on their backs. They truly wanted to say they did not know, but considering the methods of Zhao Haiying, they lacked the courage to claim ignorance. Yet to betray their fellow disciples was even more impossible, as they could not bear the ensuing consequences.

Cold light flashed in Zhao Haiying’s eyes. By nature, he was not a benevolent sort. Just as he was about to step forward and employ his methods, a voice suddenly called out from afar. “Elder, please stay your hand. Whatever the matter is, you can ask me.”

Upon hearing this, the disciples of the Refining God Sect swiftly moved aside, creating a clear path between the voice’s owner and Qi Tian’s group. Gazing down the pathway, Qi Tian couldn’t help suspecting he was seeing things. He actually saw a cultivator dressed in the python robe of the Great Zhao Nation, adorned with a jade belt and a purple gold crown, unmistakably attired as a Prince of the Great Zhao Nation. What astounded Qi Tian even more was the uncanny similarity between this prince, whom he had never met before, and the features of Emperor Zhi Wu.

Amidst Qi Tian’s astonishment, the prince approached him and said, “Qi Tian, you wanted to see me? Here I am.”