Chapter 2640 Zhou Tong’s Return

“The Celestial Origin Energy of a Scarlet Sun Golden Celestial is much stronger than a Violet Sun Golden Celestial…”

Duan Ling Tian could acutely sense the difference in his Celestial Origin Energy now that he had become a Scarlet Sun Golden Celestial. In comparison, the difference in the Celestial Origin Energy when he was rising through the ranks of a Heavenly Celestial was not worth mentioning at all.

“I wonder how long I spent cultivating…” Duan Ling Tian was too focused on cultivating that he did not know how much time had passed. “Although I can’t be certain, I’m sure it’s not a short period of time. It’s strange that no one came to punish me for severing Zhou Fei’s limbs. After all, I’ve broken the rules in the Latent Dragon Abyss.”

When Duan Ling Tian had severed Zhou Fei’s limbs, he had already prepared himself for the consequences. Not only did he break the rules, but he had even severely injured Zhou Fei who was Zhou Tong’s godson. It was truly unexpected that he was not interrupted at all during his process of cultivating to become a Scarlet Sun Golden Celestial. ‘I wonder what happened…’

When Duan Ling Tian emerged from his stone chamber that was located at the deepest part of the Latent Dragon Abyss, a few youths were also coming out of their respective stone chambers.

These youths noticed Duan Ling Tian immediately since Duan Ling Tian had emerged from his stone chamber first.

“It’s Duan Ling Tian! He has come out from his closed-door cultivation!”

“Finally! It’s been six months since he went into closed-door cultivation. I’m still shocked by the conclusion of that incident six months ago. How unexpected!”

“Conclusion? You think it’s over? From what I heard, the incident is far from being over. Apparently, Revered Elder Zhou Tong is still in closed-door cultivation. Once he comes out from his closed-door cultivation, do you really think he’ll let the matter go even though it happened six months ago?”

“You’re right. It’s obvious Elder Zheng Qiu deliberately took the blame for what happened six months ago to protect Duan Ling Tian. I think Revered Elder Zhou Tong won’t let Elder Zheng Qiu off as well.”

A few of the youths began to whisper among themselves when they saw Duan Ling Tian.

Duan Ling Tian, naturally, overheard their conversation. He was stunned when he heard their discussion. ‘The incident six months ago? That must be when I broke the rule and severed Zhou Fei’s limbs. So the reason Zhou Tong didn’t come looking for trouble with me is due to him being in closed-door cultivation… However, what do they mean by Elder Zheng Qiu took the blame to protect me? What happened?’

Duan Ling Tian moved and suddenly appeared before the youths who were whispering among themselves. He looked at them and calmly asked, “What do you mean by Elder Zheng Qiu took the blame to protect me?”

Upon seeing this, the faces of the youths turned pale from fright. They thought Duan Ling Tian was angry about them talking about him. They only calmed down when they discovered Duan Ling Tian did not seem angry and had no intention of hurting them. After that, they quickly recounted what had happened to him.

From this group of people, Duan Ling Tian confirmed he had been in closed-door cultivation for half a year. During this half a year, he found out his cultivation was uninterrupted and he was not punished because Zheng Qiu, an inner-estate elder, had taken the blame for him.

“Elder Zheng Qiu said that I was unaware of rules in the Latent Dragon Abyss due to his negligence, therefore, I severely injured Zhou Fei?” A frown appeared on Duan Ling Tian’s face when he learned about what had happened. “Doesn’t he know that he risks offending Zhou Tong by doing that? Isn’t he afraid of Zhou Tong causing trouble for him?”

Duan Ling Tian calmed down before he left the Latent Dragon Abyss and made his way to Zheng Qiu’s residence based on his memory.

…

“Duan Ling Tian! You’ve come out of your closed-door cultivation!” Zheng Qiu was taken aback when Duan Ling Tian appeared in his residence. After all, Duan Ling Tian had been cultivating and did not leave his stone chamber at all during the past six months. Naturally, he knew why Duan Ling Tian had come looking for him.

‘Yes.” Duan Ling Tian nodded. “I didn’t expect to cultivate for half a year…”

Zheng Qiu chuckled and said, “Well, that’s how cultivation is like… There’s this once I forgot about time as well and cultivated for ten years. As the saying goes, ‘Time flies when one’s cultivating’,”

Duan Ling Tian’s expression was solemn as he said without beating around the bush, “Elder Zheng Qiu, I heard you took the blame for me for that incident six months ago. I know you mean well, but have you thought about the consequences once Zhou Tong comes out of his closed-door cultivation and finds out about this? He won’t let you off for this!”

Zheng Qiu asked, “Duan Ling Tian, do you think I took the blame to repay you for what you did during our journey to the County City of Nine Specters City?”

“Isn’t that the case?” Duan Ling Tian asked, perplexed.

“No,” Zheng Qiu shook his head and replied honestly, “When we arrived, I’ve already told you I’ll try and ask Lord County Governor to help you if Zhou Tong tries to force you to become his direct disciple. That’s how I will repay my debt to you. In fact, after I left you and Qin Yu in the Latent Dragon Abyss, I’ve already repaid my debt to you after I looked for Lord County Governor.”

At this moment, Duan Ling Tian recalled Zheng Qiu said he was going to see the County Governor of Nine Specters City before he left him and Qin Yu in the Latent Dragon Abyss. However, he still felt confused and uneasy as though there was more to it. “Since you’re no longer indebted to me, why did you take the blame for me?”

Why would Zheng Qiu risk offending Zhou Tong just to protect him when Zhou Tong no longer owed him anything? Moreover, he was not very familiar with Zheng Qiu.

“I’ll tell you all about it in a moment…” Zheng Qiu looked at Duan Ling Tian and said, “I have a question of my own. Why did you insist on severing all four of Zhou Fei’s limbs even though it meant breaking the rules in the Latent Dragon Abyss? You should know by doing that, not only did you offend Zhou Fei’s godfather, the Revered Elder of the County Governor’s estate, but you also risk offending the County Governor of Nine Specters City who set the rules in the Latent Dragon Abyss. That’s akin to playing with fire. Since you knew about the consequences, I’m really curious why you did that…”

“Why did I do it?” Duan Ling Tian narrowed his eyes that gleamed coldly. “I only gave him a taste of his own medicine. If he did not demand that I sever my limbs, I wouldn’t have severed his limbs!”

“It’s… It’s as simple as that?” Zheng Qiu looked at Duan Ling Tian in shock. “You… You severed his limbs just because he threatened you?”

“Just because he threatened me?” Duan Ling Tian laughed at Zheng Qiu’s words. “Elder Zheng Qiu, it’s fortunate that I’m stronger than him. Otherwise, there’s no doubt that he would have severed my limbs back then!”

“Even so, you’re too reckless!” Zheng Qiu shook his head and said, “According to the rules in the Latent Dragon Abyss, a challenger is not allowed to severely injure the person he challenged. However, the person who’s challenged is allowed to severely injure the challenger… This means it’s within his right to sever your limbs if he were capable of it.”

Duan Ling Tian said flippantly, “Under those circumstances, I couldn’t care less.”

The way Duan Ling Tian spoke made him seem like a reckless person. However, was he putting on an act or was he truly reckless? It was true that he had decisively severed Zhou Fei’s limbs even though he knew the consequences. However, he had already thought of a way to get out of trouble if Zhou Tong or the City Governor of the Nine Specters County came for him.

…

While Duan Ling Tian and Zheng Qiu were chatting, an old figure flashed in the sky thousands of miles north of the County City of Nine Specters County. Every time it flashed in the sky, it moved closer and closer to the County City.

The figure belonged to an old man. As he traveled in the sky, he muttered to himself in an icy voice, “That Duan Ling Tian who severely injured Fei’er is from Bloody Specter City? And that Zheng Qiu… He dug his own grave the moment he took the blame for Duan Ling Tian!”

Based on the old man’s words, it was obvious he was Zhou Tong, the strongest Revered Elder in the County Governor’s estate in the Nine Specters County!