Hu Shengyu said indifferently, "A Registered Disciple, kill him as you wish." Zhang Yan was not an entry-level disciple, and with the influence of their family backgrounds joining forces, even the Upper Masters might not be able to intervene.
Chen Lan suddenly thought of something and reminded, "But Ai Zhongwen seems to be on good terms with Zhang Yan. He hails from the Anfeng Ai Family, which may prove to be a troublesome matter."
Hu Shengyu's expression remained cold as he said, "No problem, leave this person to me."
"Since Senior Brother Hu is stepping in, that couldn't be more reassuring." Hu Shengyu was always prideful and arrogant; if he spoke up, mistakes were unlikely. Lin Yuan instantly felt relieved. He glanced around and added, "If Zhang Yan loses this round, we need not go too far. Just find a way to expel him from the Mingcang Sect. But if he wins, we must act swiftly!"
At the moment atop the earth platform, no one could have expected the fierce contest to reach such unprecedented intensity. The two continued their deductions, and unknowingly, they had already made it to the third Star Tablet. Exclamations filled the air, as no one knew where their limits lay.
It must be noted that only six Star Tablets had been deciphered thus far, all of which were now present here.
Even Zhang Yan felt tremendous pressure now, unable to spare attention to the fluctuations of the Qi Mechanism. He dedicated himself fully to deciphering the Erosion Text, his consciousness seeming to split in two: one part swiftly deducing calculations within the Broken Jade avatar, the other tirelessly writing on white paper in his main body.
While Zhang Yan struggled on, Shen Jingyue fared no better. As the effects of the elixir pills waned, his Heart and Spirit depletion became severe. For one who forcibly stimulated mental capacities to enhance calculations, the pressure felt like a thousand-pound weight crushing down without respite.
Soon after, his vision blurred, pausing momentarily at a particularly challenging part, his Qi Mechanism destabilized, and a mouthful of blood burst forth, spraying onto the white paper. He paid no mind to his bleeding, instead gazing regretfully at the paper he had soiled.
Unable to stop now, he sat up straighter, swallowing another mouthful of blood rising in his throat, and continued writing unceasingly.
Having deciphered another segment, Zhang Yan stole a glance at Shen Jingyue, noticing blood soaking his collar and strands of white hair creeping along his temples. Seeing him in such a state, Zhang Yan knew that the opponent wouldn't last much longer.
He shook his head and sighed, "Senior Brother, why push yourself so hard?"
Shen Jingyue couldn't reply. Suddenly, he felt another surge of blood rushing up, his vision blackened, and unable to contain it, more blood spewed forth as he collapsed beside the desk.
"Junior Brother!"
Wen Jun cried out urgently from below the platform, rushing up to clasp Shen Jingyue's wrist. His expression immediately darkened.
Shen Jingyue's condition was extremely grave, his Qi Mechanism chaotic and scattered across his internal organs. Moreover, the elixir pills he had consumed seemed to have fractured his heart channels, leaving him mentally depleted. Without immediate treatment, not only would his foundation be destroyed, his life would also be in peril.
Shen Jingyue struggled to open his eyes and weakly grasp Wen Jun's wrist, saying, "Senior Disciple, if I perish, please tell my elder brother not to seek revenge against Zhang Yan. He is a talent. Given the chance, he should be brought into our Guangyuan Sect; he will surely strengthen us."
Even at this stage, Shen Jingyue still saw potential in Zhang Yan. Not merely because of Zhang Yan's extraordinary abilities, but perhaps because of the sacrifice Shen Jingyue had made. In his last moments of deduction, he seemed to touch upon a faint thread of Heavenly Mechanism flow, sensing some hidden destiny surrounding Zhang Yan.
Wen Jun's eyes reddened, his voice choked. "Junior Brother…" He knew Shen Jingyue was the second son of his family, with an elder brother, Shen Juefeng, a formidable Upper Court Xuan Guang Stage expert notorious for his irritable temper. Knowing Shen Jingyue still cared about their sect at such a time, Wen Jun, as the Senior Disciple, felt both grief and guilt.
After entrusting Shen Jingyue to the hurriedly arriving Qi Xuan, Wen Jun descended the platform and approached Mingcang Sect Lower Court Senior Disciple Zheng Xun, bowing deeply and saying, "Junior Mo's youthful ignorance these past days; I hope Senior Brother can overlook his folly."
The crowd below erupted in astonishment. Wen Jun's words signified that the Guangyuan Sect had officially conceded.
Zheng Xun, wearing a kindly expression, helped Wen Jun up. The other being a sect's Senior Disciple, showing such humility here only elevated Zheng Xun's image. Not wanting to be seen as petty, he replied warmly, "Junior Brother Wen, Junior Brother Mo is young and playful. How could I hold it against him? Let this matter pass, and may our two sects maintain great relations in the future."
Wen Jun revealed a faint bitter smile. Their sect's defeat at the Dharma Assembly was undeniable, and what chilled his heart further was the silence of the Nanhua Sect, who didn't step forward to say a word on their behalf. With a quiet sigh, he ordered Mo Yuan summoned, then left with the Guangyuan Sect disciples in quiet retreat.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuan and two others appeared at the side of the earth platform, shouting loudly in Zhang Yan's direction, "Zhang Yan, come here!"
Seeing this, Ai Zhongwen quickly stepped in front of Zhang Yan and murmured, "That's Senior Brother Lin. Be cautious, Junior Brother!"
Zhang Yan nodded slightly, having naturally heard of Lin Yuan's reputation. He knew trouble was likely, so he stepped forward slowly, clasped his hands, and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother Lin."
Lin Yuan sneered coldly and said harshly, "Zhang Yan, do you know your crime?"
Zhang Yan's expression didn't change as he responded, "I am unaware of any crime, Senior Brother."
Lin Yuan's face darkened as he replied, "You provoked your fellow disciples without cause, engaged in unauthorized conflicts, sowed discord between our sects, deceived your senior brothers above, and incited your peers below to speak on your behalf. Your intentions are treacherous!"
Having delivered this tirade, Lin Yuan expected Zhang Yan to panic or falter, but Zhang Yan remained composed, calmly saying, "Senior Brother Lin, Mo Yuan blocked my path, preventing Mingcang Sect disciples from ascending for three days. Though merely a Registered Disciple, I understand the meaning of disgrace. Confronting Guangyuan Sect was to protect the honor of Mingcang Sect from being freely tarnished by other factions."
Lin Yuan roared, "Enough! The elder disciples' plans are meticulously arranged. How dare a junior act recklessly! Fellow disciples, seize this man!"
Ai Zhongwen felt a surge of fury and was about to speak up, but suddenly he felt a heavy pressure on his chest. His body became immobile. It turned out Hu Shengyu had grabbed his wrist, channeling a pulse of Primordial Qi that locked his vital points instantly. Unable to speak, Ai Zhongwen's face reddened in anger and shock.
Zhang Yan glanced around. Several entry-level disciples had already surrounded him, and the mountain paths above and below were somehow blocked by more than a dozen other disciples. He smirked coldly, readying himself for action...
Just then, a clear and resonant chime of bells and drums rang out from atop Dangyun Peak, turning all heads toward its summit.
A delicate and porcelain-like Daoist boy appeared on a distant rock and called out loudly, "Where is Zhang Yan? Upper Masters Shi Shoujing, He Shouxuan, and Zhen Shouzhong summon Shanyuan Temple Registered Disciple Zhang Yan to the temple for an audience."