Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 855 - 855 0523 Shocked and Even More Chilled_2

Chapter 855: Chapter 0523: Shocked and Even More Chilled_2 Chapter 855: Chapter 0523: Shocked and Even More Chilled_2 Zhao Haiying looked at the approaching expert of the Gold Core Realm and said, “Who are you? Since when did Great Zhao Nation have such a Gold Core expert?”

The Gold Core expert hastily introduced himself, “I’m Zhang Liangliang. I left Great Zhao Nation nearly a hundred years ago. It’s completely normal that you haven’t heard of me, Sir. I would like to discuss something with your Master, if I may be given the opportunity?”

Zhao Haiying didn’t know what Zhang Liangliang’s intentions were and didn’t dare to make a decision for Qi Tian on his own. He glanced at Qi Tian, saw him nod slightly, and said, “My Master agrees to meet with you, but be mindful that if you intend to do or say anything disrespectful towards my Master, the consequences will be more than you can bear.”

Zhang Liangliang nodded in a hurry and was then brought before Qi Tian. Zhang Liangliang greeted Qi Tian with a bow, “Greetings, Sir Qi Tian, I am Zhang Liangliang.”

Qi Tian nodded indifferently by way of a greeting and said, “Great Zhao Nation, along with Chi Di and Bei Rong Kingdom, are sworn enemies. Although a peace treaty has been reached recently, the enmity from a hundred years ago cannot be so easily dissolved. Despite being a cultivator of Great Zhao Nation, you seem to get along rather well with the cultivators from Chi Di and Bei Rong. That is quite remarkable.”

Zhang Liangliang pretended not to understand the sarcasm in Qi Tian’s words and replied, “Those of us gathered here share a common passion for cultivation. We are devoted to our practice and regard the conflicts between nations as worldly matters, irrelevant to cultivation; we do not concern ourselves with them.”

A cold smile appeared on the corners of Qi Tian’s mouth. No one knew better than him what the relationship between the cultivators of the three nations was really like, hardly as trivial as Zhang Liangliang made it out to be, attempting to separate the secular from the cultivation world as if it were nonsense. However, Qi Tian didn’t bother to expose Zhang Liangliang. Some people insist on feigning ignorance on these matters, and anything he said would be useless.

“Speak then. You insisted on meeting me, about what exactly?” asked Qi Tian.

Zhang Liangliang said, “I have a somewhat presumptuous question to ask you, Sir.”

Qi Tian responded, “Go ahead and speak your question. Whether I answer it will depend on my mood.”

Zhang Liangliang continued, “I’ve heard that a highly influential person recently emerged in Great Zhao Nation, a person who has single-handedly changed the dynamics between Great Zhao, Chi Di, and Bei Rong. Particularly, both Chi Di and Great Zhao Nation have experienced monumental transformations because of this individual, who is now revered as the Master of Great Zhao Nation, Qi Tian. May I inquire as to how you address your relationship with Qi?”

Upon Zhang Liangliang’s query, Gao Jinmei and the others showed visible displeasure. In their eyes, Qi Tian’s identity was immensely prestigious. This Zhang Liangliang, ignorant of peril and even less powerful than themselves, not only dared to call out Qi Tian by name but also lacked any respectful address, using merely a perfunctory “Sir.” It was outrageously presumptuous. Had Qi Tian not been in disguise, Gao Jinmei might have been tempted to rush forward and slap Zhang Liangliang to the ground.

Unaware that he was skating on thin ice, Zhang Liangliang kept his gaze fixed on Qi Tian, awaiting an answer.

With a chuckle, Qi Tian asked, “Why do you ask?”

Zhang Liangliang pointed at Gao Jinmei and replied, “I ask this because I have seen this lady with Qi Tian on several occasions. Reasonably, she must be held in high trust by Qi Tian, so why would she suddenly appear by your side? Unless you are Qi Tian himself?”

Hearing this, Qi Tian burst into laughter and said, “Your question is really amusing. Just because she has been seen a few times by Qi Tian’s side, she can’t be by my side? What a joke. If that logic holds up, then you’ve been seen more than once by your father’s side and now here by my side. Does that mean I am your father?”

Upon hearing that, Zhang Liangliang’s face turned red with anger, never anticipating that Qi Tian would throw such a humiliating retort at him.

Qi Tian glanced indifferently at Zhang Liangliang and said, “Such a short temper? Can’t even take a little joke? Forget it, we can’t be friends. Off you go.”

Zhang Liangliang was seething with anger, but he dared not say anything and could only leave in disgruntlement.

Qi Tian gave Gao Jinmei a meaningful look. She understood his signal; soon, she would find an opportunity to get rid of Zhang Liangliang. This Zhang Liangliang was no good thing; not to mention his collusion with the cultivators from Chi Di and Bei Rong Kingdom as a cultivator from the Great Zhao Nation, but the mere fact that he tried to guess Qi Tian’s identity was a taboo. If Qi Tian weren’t worried about revealing his identity as the Great Zhao Nation’s National Master, why would he disguise himself? Yet Zhang Liangliang insisted on exposing him. If anyone said his sole motive was curiosity, they’d be a fool to believe it.

For a moment, the forces around the world fell into a silent pause. Zhao Haiying was about to check on the Defensive Barrier when, suddenly, she saw another group of cultivators flying towards them.

Zhao Haiying was startled. Even from a great distance, she could feel that the newly arrived group of cultivators was not to be trifled with. She hastily called out, “Master, another group of strong cultivators from the Gold Core Realm are coming; they seem very powerful, please be extremely careful.”

Qi Tian turned his head and was instantly shocked. His eyesight was no weaker than Zhao Haiying’s, if not stronger. He quickly ordered, “Not good, quickly form the Array.”

In the Cultivation World, there were many widely known Joint Attack Arrays, which everyone knew of. As long as the cultivator was not too isolated, they could learn them without needing to cram at the last minute.

Zhao Haiying, Gao Jinmei, and others did not know what Qi Tian had seen, but they all listened to him. Even if they were unclear about why Qi Tian had given such an order, they still chose to form the Array without hesitation.

Before long, Qi Tian, Zhao Haiying, Gao Jinmei, Liao Chongru, and Deng Chuanliang quickly formed the Five Elements Joint Attack Array. This Array was one of the crudest kinds, with not a very high efficiency in joint attacks. However, combined with their power and the enhancement from the Array, they could barely stand a chance against a cultivator at the Gold Core Stage Level 6.

Just as Qi Tian and his group had barely set up the Array, the group of cultivators that had been flying towards them had significantly closed the distance. Their features were now clearly visible. When they saw them, the factions in the Great Rift Valley stirred, particularly Qi Tian’s group and Lin Zhiyuan’s group, who were the most alarmed and, especially in Lin Zhiyuan’s group’s case, felt a chill running down their spine.

While the other two factions might only sense that the newcomers were strong without any knowledge of their origins, Qi Tian and Lin Zhiyuan’s groups were different; they knew all too well who these newcomers were.

The Eight Pill Alliance!

The newcomers were none other than the Eight Pill Alliance, a faction with a renowned reputation even in Wanjie City.

If that were the end of it, Qi Tian and his companions would not be both alarmed and apprehensive. The reason for their reaction was that this time the Eight Pill Alliance had sent out their elite forces. They dispatched a total of twelve Gold Core Realm strong cultivators, led by the Vice Leader of the Eight Pill Alliance, Wang Fengna.

This female cultivator was not only Zhang Jun’s cultivation couple, the leader of the Eight Pill Alliance, but was also formidable in her own right. She possessed the incredibly strong cultivation base of the Gold Core Realm Seventh Level Peak, making her a prominent figure even in Wanjie City, which housed hundreds of Gold Core Realm strong cultivators.

The group of twelve Gold Core Realm strong cultivators led by Wang Fengna, excluding her, included three core Gold Core Realm strong cultivators sent by the Eight Pill Alliance. The other eight Gold Core Realm strong cultivators—although not core members of the Eight Pill Alliance—were in a very close relationship with the alliance, the kind where they could entrust each other in times of need, a relationship as solid as iron.