The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 1239: The Rotten One in the Flock

Zong Lian saw that everyone was beginning to waver and pressed on, "If you ask me, everything this boy said might not even be true. That nonsense about eating people to gain strength? Pure absurdity."

He paused before continuing, "Most likely, this kid just made it all up to scare us, so we'll panic and let him take control. Hehe, his real goal is to keep more of the valuable items for himself."

The more he spoke, the more convinced Zong Lian became of his own words. He glared coldly at Ling Feng. "Boy, you think your little tricks can fool me?"

At once, the tense atmosphere froze solid!

Except for Lou Qianzhong, the remaining Human Emperors quietly shifted away from Ling Feng's side and moved closer to Zong Lian. Their gazes toward Ling Feng carried faint wariness.

Even Lou Qianzhong himself found it hard to believe such a thing as humans eating humans for power. The idea was too outlandish, far beyond his comprehension.

"Zong Lian, are you saying Ling Feng and I plotted together to deceive all of you?"

Lin Mu's tone turned cold as he stared at Zong Lian. The latter's neck shrank slightly under his gaze.

"Heh, who knows?"

Despite Lin Mu's question, Zong Lian stubbornly retorted, "Anyway, it's just your word against ours. If it's true, why not bring that old woman back to testify face to face?"

"She's dead. You want me to bring her corpse back for you to question?"

Lin Mu laughed in frustration. He hadn't thought Zong Lian could be so unreasonable.

Zong Lian's eyes flashed coldly as he sneered. "Everyone, it's not that I'm suspicious by nature, but human hearts are unpredictable. We're just a temporary team, and after entering the Sea of Miracles, we've all been rivals. Certain people spread disturbing rumors to create panic, hoping others will make mistakes, then they can swoop in for the kill and seize the treasure!"

As he spoke of "certain people," Zong Lian's gaze stayed fixed on Ling Feng. His meaning couldn't be clearer.

"Uh..."

The other Human Emperors frowned slightly. They knew little about Ling Feng, and even Lin Mu wasn't from the Inner Sea. It wasn't impossible if the two really decided to cooperate for their own gain.

Seeing their hesitation, Zong Lian gave a low, sinister laugh. "So, I advise everyone not to believe baseless rumors. And you, Lord Lou, don't be fooled by appearances. Otherwise, you might find yourself in deep trouble later!"

How venomous!

Ling Feng narrowed his eyes. Zong Lian was clearly trying to drive a wedge between him and Lou Qianzhong.

Lou Qianzhong was the strongest among them. If even he started doubting Ling Feng, then everything Ling Feng said would become meaningless.

"Hmph, I don't need you telling me how to judge people!"

Lou Qianzhong glared at Zong Lian, but his gaze toward Ling Feng had already changed, no longer as trusting as before.

At that point, only Tuoba Yan and Lan Yuhuang stayed by Ling Feng's side. The two women knew his character well enough to trust him without hesitation.

"Zong Lian," Lan Yuhuang said through gritted teeth, "do you really think your petty schemes aren't obvious? Everyone knows you have a grudge with Ling Feng. Every word you've said targets him. You just want to push Ling Feng and Lin Mu out because you know they hold a better standing in the group than you. Once they're gone, you'll get a larger share of the valuable items, won't you?"

"The one with ulterior motives is you!" Lin Mu added with a cold laugh. "This young master has always been straightforward. Some old fools really forget gratitude. If Brother Ling hadn't figured out how to strengthen the array back on the volcanic island, we'd have been food for that fierce beast by now. You wouldn't even be alive to talk nonsense here."

"Hehe, that was different. Back then, he was just saving himself!"

Zong Lian didn't even blush, his tone calm and arrogant. "I'm merely making reasonable guesses and bold assumptions. I never said who those 'certain people' are, did I? Anyway, I won't be following this kid anymore. If any of you still trust me, come with me. Of course, if you still think that boy is trustworthy, stay with him."

Tuoba Yan snorted softly. "Rotten one in the flock!"

Lan Yuhuang trembled with anger. "You old scoundrel! When danger struck, you hid behind everyone. Now that it's safe, you're the first to stir trouble. You're a disgrace to the Inner Sea!"

"Hmph, Blood-Hand Venom Emperor, when I roamed the Inner Sea, you were still a little girl. What right do you have to lecture me?"

Zong Lian's gaze turned sharp as the aura of a mid-tier Human Emperor burst from him. Lan Yuhuang groaned under the pressure and stumbled several steps back.

"Fatty, you... you're not going to say something?"

Lan Yuhuang stomped her foot in frustration. Ling Feng hadn't said a word through it all, letting Zong Lian slander him.

"Those who trust me will believe me. Those who don't are just dead weight."

Ling Feng pursed his lips. The situation was dangerous enough already, splitting their strength now would be foolish. But if they couldn't trust one another, they might as well go their separate ways.

Silence fell. Everyone was weighing their options. Ling Feng and Lin Mu might be suspicious, but Zong Lian was clearly no better.

Soon, all eyes turned to Lou Qianzhong.

He was the strongest among them, and those who knew him understood. Though he was blunt and often offensive, he was upright and honest, a man who could be trusted to lead.

"Lord Lou, we'll follow you. Whoever you trust, we'll trust too," said President Fang with a smile. The other Human Emperors nodded in agreement.

"Damn it!" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

The veins on Lou Qianzhong's forehead bulged as he cursed, "What a fine team. We haven't even started searching for treasure, and you're already splitting apart. To hell with it! I'm going on my own!"

"Lord Lou, we'll come with you!" someone shouted.

"I'll cripple anyone who follows me!" Lou Qianzhong bellowed, glaring back at them. To him, the rest were just burdens anyway. Since trust no longer existed in this group, he'd rather travel alone.

"Uh..."

President Fang and the others froze, then sighed helplessly before drifting over to Zong Lian's side.