Chapter 28: Chapter 26: No Right to Say No

Wang Xinglong’s heart was bleeding. Wang Hao was his only grandson, the one he had poured all his heart and soul into.

But now, Wang Hao was dead. Worse, he had been killed in front of everyone, a humiliating death at the hands of Mo Qi, an Outer Sect Disciple who supposedly couldn’t even cultivate.

He wished he could strike Mo Qi dead on the spot, but he couldn’t.

He was the only person, besides Wang Hao, Fang Min, and Gu Dong, who knew the real story.

Mo Qi had jumped into the Wailing Abyss, yet not only had he survived, but his power had grown so much that even Wang Hao was no match for him.

Wang Xinglong suspected that Mo Qi had obtained a heaven-defying stroke of fortune in the Wailing Abyss, perhaps even discovering an immense treasure.

Otherwise, how could Mo Qi, who couldn’t even condense True Essence, possibly defeat Wang Hao—a man with Refining God Cultivation and a full set of Profound Level gear? It simply didn’t make sense.

At this thought, Wang Xinglong’s mind began to race.

The Wailing Abyss... what was that place? A forbidden land!

It wasn’t just a forbidden land for the Void Sect, but for the entire Mountain and Sea Empire.

In the past, countless people had ventured inside seeking treasure, but not a single one had ever emerged alive.

Even the Mountain and Sea Empire, in a joint effort with the Four Great Sects, which included the Void Sect, failed to pry into the secrets of the Wailing Abyss. Instead, they suffered heavy losses, and the matter was eventually dropped.

This just went to show that the Wailing Abyss was an extraordinary place, one that surely concealed a world-shaking opportunity and a monumental secret.

’If I can seize this opportunity for myself,’ Wang Xinglong thought, ’then the Void Sect, the Mountain and Sea Empire... they will all kneel at my feet.’

Wang Xinglong forcefully suppressed the urge to kill Mo Qi. He had to pry the secrets from his lips first, no matter what.

’Until I get what I want, Mo Qi cannot die.’

But the rage in his heart demanded an outlet. ’Mo Qi is too weak. It would be a problem if I accidentally killed him.’

And so, the anxious, elderly referee standing nearby became Wang Xinglong’s target.

"You useless piece of trash!"

Wang Xinglong struck out with his palm. Instantly, the wind howled and clouds gathered as the Power of Heaven and Earth erupted. The already dim sky turned completely black, as if signaling the apocalypse.

The elderly referee had no time to react before he was struck and beaten half to death, collapsing to the ground in a mangled heap of flesh and blood—a truly wretched sight.

The hair on Mo Qi’s arms stood on end. Though Wang Xinglong’s attack wasn’t aimed at him, the instant he struck, Mo Qi felt an immense pressure and the unmistakable stench of death.

He knew that if Wang Xinglong wanted him dead, he wouldn’t stand a chance, even with all his trump cards. He’d be killed in an instant.

"Now, it’s your turn!" Wang Xinglong said, turning to Mo Qi.

Mo Qi’s brow furrowed slightly, but he showed not a shred of fear.

"Third Elder, the rules of the Void Sect state that for a life-and-death match on the Gambling Arena, once the combatants step onto the stage, their fates are their own. All grudges are to be settled then and there. No one is permitted to interfere, nor may they seek revenge afterward. By acting this way, where does that leave the sect’s rules? Or do you, Third Elder, believe you are above the Void Sect itself?"

Mo Qi stood before Wang Xinglong, neither servile nor arrogant, speaking with confidence as he challenged the Elder with the sect’s own rules.

Down below, the disciples, regardless of their previous attitudes, now all felt a deep-seated admiration for him.

They were also desperate to see how Wang Xinglong would ultimately handle Mo Qi, and whether the Sect Leader, Yun Xuzi, would intervene.

"You insolent whelp! You think you can restrain me with the sect’s rules?" Wang Xinglong sneered. "A mere Outer Sect Disciple, and so arrogant. Today, I will teach you a lesson about respecting your superiors!"

With that, Wang Xinglong moved to seize Mo Qi.

Just then, a dragon’s roar thundered through the sky as a dazzling golden light tore through the darkness.

A burly figure, shimmering with brilliant light, appeared before Mo Qi to confront Wang Xinglong.

"If you want to harm my Lord, you’ll have to get through me first." Liu Hui had activated the Dragon Energy in his body, and was undergoing a draconic transformation. Golden scales covered him, his arms morphed into Dragon Claws, and he looked like a Celestial God incarnate.

Everyone was stunned by Liu Hui’s appearance, Wang Xinglong included.

"Who is that? Why have I never seen him before?"

"He looks so familiar, but I just can’t place him."

"What kind of Cultivation or Martial Technique is that? It looks incredible!"

Now free of his Innate Weaknesses, Liu Hui stood significantly taller. That, combined with his Dragon Transformation Divine Technique, had completely altered his presence. Even those who knew him well couldn’t recognize him now.

Wang Xinglong’s expression was grimly uncertain; his knowledge far surpassed that of the disciples below.

He could recognize the sound from Liu Hui’s appearance as the legendary roar of a dragon.

’And his appearance... that’s clearly not something achieved through a Cultivation Technique or a Martial Technique,’ he thought. ’It must be his bloodline!’

If his veins truly held Dragon Blood, even the smallest drop would be enough to cause a massive uproar.

If the Mountain and Sea Empire were to learn of it, they would undoubtedly dispatch their strongest cultivators to recruit him immediately.

"Who are you? Which Elder is your master?" Wang Xinglong asked.

Wang Xinglong had mistaken Liu Hui for the disciple of some important figure within the sect.

Liu Hui shot him an arrogant glance. "I am my Lord’s subordinate. I have no master. For now, I’m an Outer Sect Disciple."

As soon as he said this, the various powerful figures watching from the shadows could no longer remain still.

’Gods, a talent like this is in the Outer Sect? And he doesn’t even have a master!’

As for Mo Qi, the "Lord" that Liu Hui had mentioned twice, he was completely ignored by everyone.

Even Liu Hong, who was hidden in the shadows, felt a covetous stirring for such talent. But unlike the others, his gaze was focused more on Mo Qi than on Liu Hui.

"Grandpa, let me out! Brother Mo is in danger!" Liu Ruyan cried, breaking out in an anxious sweat as she tugged hard on Liu Hong’s beard.

Liu Hong took one last, reluctant sniff of the empty food container before swatting Liu Ruyan’s hand away. "Relax," he said. "If it becomes necessary, I’ll step in."

Liu Ruyan froze, thinking she must have misheard.

Liu Hong had stated on more than one occasion that he would not help Mo Qi within the Void Sect.

She placed her hand on Liu Hong’s forehead.

"Grandpa, are you running a fever?"

Liu Hong shot Liu Ruyan an irritated glare and tightened his grip on the food container, thinking, ’If he had made something this delicious earlier, would I have waited this long?’

Seeing that her grandfather wasn’t joking, Liu Ruyan finally relaxed, her face breaking into a smile that could topple kingdoms.

"Wang Xinglong, watch yourself. Don’t you dare harm my future disciple. You know who I mean."

"Wang Xinglong, don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you dare to injure my disciple, don’t blame me for getting nasty."

"Wang Xinglong, know your limits..."

...

In the space of a few breaths, no fewer than ten Divine Sense messages reached Wang Xinglong. Without exception, they all carried the same demand: he was not to harm Liu Hui. And every single sender was already claiming to be Liu Hui’s master.

Wang Xinglong didn’t object. After all, by not revealing themselves, these old foxes were giving him face.

Liu Hui had made it clear he was protecting Mo Qi. If they were to appear now to claim Liu Hui as a disciple, they would inevitably have to confront Wang Xinglong.

It was better to let Wang Xinglong deal with Mo Qi first. It wasn’t like Liu Hui was going anywhere.

Wang Xinglong gave a casual wave of his hand. Liu Hui immediately felt an immense, overwhelming power descend from the heavens, pinning him to the spot.

He couldn’t even speak, let alone struggle.

Compared to Wang Xinglong, Liu Hui was simply too weak—so weak that the Elder could crush him with a single finger.

"Mo Qi, since you’re so fond of quoting sect rules, what is the penalty for disrespecting an elder and murdering a fellow disciple?" Wang Xinglong demanded.

Mo Qi sneered. "I’ve said it already. On the Gambling Arena, life and death are left to fate. The charge of murdering a fellow disciple is invalid!"

"The Third Elder wasn’t referring to Wang Hao, but to Cui Yu!" a hoarse voice called out. A gaunt, gloomy-eyed old man appeared—it was Xu He, the Fourth Elder in charge of the Punishment Hall.

Xu He and Wang Xinglong were on very good terms, and he had come today at Wang Xinglong’s unspoken request.

"According to the evidence we’ve obtained, one month ago, in the Servant Area, you killed Inner Sect Disciple Cui Yu and brutally decapitated him. According to the laws of the Void Sect, this crime is punishable by death. Now, you will come with us."

Xu He’s words were a bombshell, sending a massive shockwave through the crowd.

Mo Qi had killed an Inner Sect Disciple?!

Before today, no one would have believed it; after all, Mo Qi was just a waste of space who couldn’t even condense True Essence.

But now that he had killed Wang Hao, a cultivator in the Refining God Realm, the idea of him killing another Inner Sect Disciple suddenly didn’t seem so far-fetched.

Mo Qi’s mind flashed back to the night he’d jumped into the Wailing Abyss, to the ungrateful Qi Refining Realm cultivator who had ambushed him.

It seemed Fang Min’s plot—digging up Uncle Niu’s grave and setting a trap to kill him—hadn’t just been backed by Wang Hao. The shadow of Wang Xinglong had been behind it all along.

"I refuse." Mo Qi paused, then added, "Fourth Elder, if you want to arrest me, shouldn’t you at least present some evidence first?"

Xu He gave a chilling smile. "Refuse? I’m afraid that’s not your choice to make! As for evidence, you’ll see it soon enough once you’re back at the Punishment Hall with me!"

Wang Xinglong sneered inwardly. ’So naive.’

’Without power, without status, without a backer, you don’t have the right to say no.’

Once Mo Qi was in the Punishment Hall, he would be like a fish on the chopping block, ready for the slaughter.

Then, Wang Xinglong would have ten thousand ways to pry the secrets of the Wailing Abyss from his lips.

And once he had those secrets, he would make Mo Qi beg for a death that would never come, and in doing so, avenge Wang Hao.

Seeing no other way out, Mo Qi called out in his mind, ’Pig Emperor, I need an emergency rescue!’ 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The Pig Emperor was his greatest trump card. He refused to believe the creature could only eat, sleep, and talk. Otherwise, how could it have laid claim to such a prime piece of blessed land in the Wailing Abyss?

"Oink... I must have the worst luck in eight lifetimes," the Pig Emperor’s disgruntled voice echoed in Mo Qi’s mind. "All you ever do is exploit me! Oink!"

"So you do have a way, don’t you?"

"Oink... Fighting isn’t my specialty, but running away..."

Mo Qi, knowing the Pig Emperor’s personality all too well, immediately made a promise. "From now on, you get first dibs on any Medicinal Cuisine I cook."

"It’s a deal! Oink!"

Just as Xu He was about to seize Mo Qi, just as Liu Hong began forming the hand seals for an Array, and just as the Pig Emperor was about to whisk Mo Qi away, Yu Liang appeared, clad in a white robe.

"Get your damn hands off him!" a voice roared.

The various powerful figures who knew Yu Liang were all stunned—not by his appearance, but because this was the first time in their lives they had ever heard him curse.

As an Alchemy Master, Yu Liang was known for his legendary patience and even temper.

Combined with his gentle nature, he had always been approachable; never mind cursing, even the emotion of anger itself was something rarely associated with him.

Yu Liang descended from the sky and landed in front of Mo Qi, glaring furiously at Wang Xinglong and Xu He.