Chapter 243: Chapter 238: Elder Kaiyang Punting a Boat
"Whoosh—"
The lake water rippled as the Outer Disciple in charge of rowing pushed the oar, slowly steering the small boat away from the lake shore towards the Sect.
Jiang Li and the group of more than twenty people were divided into four boats, he was with Qi Changsheng, Luu Wangji, Jiang Luo, Jiang Yang—five people in one boat, while the rest were split among the other three.
Qi Changsheng looked at the Outer Disciple who was rowing and asked, "Is it now necessary to have someone specifically to row the boat for entering and leaving the Sect?"
Previously, whenever they entered or exited the Sect, they had to row the boats themselves.
Each Outer Disciple more or less mastered some skills in rowing, just as every disciple of the Dinghu Sect could swim.
The rowing Outer Disciple, who was bowing his head with a wide straw hat on, looked rather odd. Since it was already August and the season had turned to autumn, the weather cooled and the sunlight was no longer as harsh as in summer, and all Dinghu Sect disciples had their cultivation, they should not fear this bit of sunlight.
And looking at the disciples on the other three boats, none of them were wearing straw hats, only this person not only wore one but also deliberately lowered the brim to cover his face.
Hearing Qi Changsheng’s question, the disciple responded with a muffled voice, "Isn’t it because of those who do nothing but meddle, saying they need to accommodate fellow practitioners unfamiliar with rowing, deliberately assigning disciples to handle the boats? They don’t seem to think, that those who come to participate in the Sword Discussion Conference, each have their own cultivation. If not good at rowing, wouldn’t they just use True Qi or Magic? I think those folks just like making life difficult for people."
He muttered incessantly, a whole bunch of words cascading out, and his voice was quite strange, indicating he wasn’t young, probably at least thirty.
"This..."
Even the usually talkative Qi Changsheng was somewhat at a loss for what to say next, "Fellow disciple, speaking like this, isn’t it a bit inappropriate?"
Typically, these matters had to pass before the eyes of the Six Hall Elders, maybe not needing the elders to handle personally, but they must be informed. In other words, this Outer Disciple was actually including those six elders in his criticism.
Such an attitude was certainly bold.
"What can you do to me?" The Outer Disciple said, seemingly unconcerned.
[This voice... sounds familiar.]
Jiang Li, from the stern of the boat, looked towards this courageous Outer Disciple, examining him with eyes gradually showing skepticism.
The Emperor’s Qi Observation Skill naturally displayed itself, and in Jiang Li’s eyes appeared a blood figure.
A person formed of fresh blood, his vital energy so strong that it could condense into material form, especially under extreme restraint, flowing like a river of blood. Such vigorous vital energy, if burst forth, its power and momentum could perhaps match that of the sun.
In the Dinghu Sect, besides the Sect Leader, theoretically only one person had such powerful vital energy.
"Master Uncle Guan?" Jiang Li tentatively called out.
"It’s not," the man in the green robe of an Outer Disciple decisively replied.
He slightly lifted his head, and from under the straw hat, eyes shot out almost tangibly, a chilling sensation crawling up Jiang Li’s spine.
There was no mistake, it was him, Elder Kaiyang Guan Wuyang.
Jiang Li’s head revealed an anomaly, the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top faintly visible, coupled with "Seeking Truth" to stabilize his mind, then somewhat surprised, he asked, "Master Uncle Guan, are you... being punished?"
Elder Kaiyang acted first and reported later, which obviously would subject him to scrutiny by other elders, but Jiang Li really hadn’t expected such a... peculiar method of punishment?
It was as quirky as Elder Kaiyang’s ideas.
Elder Kaiyang was equally surprised because Jiang Li managed to stabilize his mind under his gaze.
One of the Dao Fruits he harbored greatly enhanced the intimidating power of his gaze; even though Elder Kaiyang hadn’t really been serious before, it was enough to silence a Seventh or even Sixth Rank, discouraging them from speaking further.
But Jiang Li managed to withstand it anyway.
Still, even so, he would not admit it.
"I already said, I’m not your Guan——"
Under the straw hat, facial muscles twitched, turning into another face in the blink of an eye.
However, just at that moment, a speck of starlight appeared at the forehead, suppressing the facial changes, and returned his appearance to its original state.
’The restriction is effective again! Damn it, Tianxuan that woman must have returned! Indeed, with Jiang Li back, how could that woman not return.’
Elder Kaiyang cursed inwardly, then no longer suppressed his voice, using his original tone he sighed, "Alright, I am your Master Uncle Guan."
"Young man, it’s been over a month since we met, your strength has improved a lot, not only have you been promoted to Seventh Rank, but also your power... tsk tsk."
Under the straw hat, his gaze swept over Jiang Li, Elder Kaiyang made noises of approval.
His appearance had grown a bit weathered, white hair showing at the temples, looking as if he had suffered injuries that impacted his life essence, giving his originally innocent face a touch of maturity.
But compared to the increase in strength, changes in appearance seemed trivial.
Strength comparable to Sixth Rank, a mental state not intimidated by his own gaze, the rumors were true indeed, this young man really had the qualifications to compete with Zhong Shenxiu and Yuan Zhen.
"Open—" At this moment, Qi Changsheng, beside him, finally understood what was happening.
He had met Elder Kaiyang before, having been led by Elder Kaiyang in a team to the Sword Discussion Conference at the Sword Discussion Sea. Now, with Elder Kaiyang reverting to his original voice, he was the first to realize it.
But before Qi Changsheng could finish speaking, Elder Kaiyang swept a gaze over him, leaving everyone on the boat except for Jiang Li stunned, rigidly sitting there, motionless, not even blinking.
"Emperor Guan’s Dao Fruit Ability..." Jiang Li observed and felt a chill in his heart.
As a disciple of Tianxuan, he naturally had some understanding of the other elders, including their Dao Fruits. Elder Kaiyang, when he was fifth-rank, had embodied the Dao Fruit of Emperor Guan.
Emperor Guan would not open his eyes; if he did, it meant someone would be killed.
The Dao Fruit Divine Power displayed by Elder Kaiyang at this moment was exactly the evolution of this saying.
Qi Changsheng and others did not have the stabilizing effects of "Three Flowers Gathering at the Top" and "Seeking Truth" like Jiang Li, and when faced with such a gaze, their bodies and minds subconsciously went into self-protection, completely stiffening—by now, they were probably not even conscious.
With one look, Elder Kaiyang had subdued everyone; his gaze slightly slanted as he looked towards Jiang Li.
Jiang Li immediately said, "Today, I have only met Master Uncle Guan."
Elder Kaiyang’s real name was scarcely known within the Sect, and being such a prominent figure, "Kaiyang Martial Arts" was more renowned than "Wuyang," which had long since replaced his real name. Therefore, when Qi Changsheng mentioned "Master Uncle Guan" previously, he did not react.
A similar example was Jiang Li’s master, Tianxuan.
Even now, Jiang Li did not know Tianxuan’s real name.
Saying "Master Uncle Guan" instead of "Elder Kaiyang" was to indicate that the matters of today would not be leaked.
"Um."
Elder Kaiyang nodded in satisfaction and then shook his head with a sigh, "The more I look at you, the more pleasing you are to my eyes. Compared to you, my foolish disciple falls far behind."
Thinking of his own disciple, Elder Kaiyang felt an indescribable sense of melancholy.
"I too feel a connection with Master Uncle Guan; it’s unfortunate that I do not pursue pure martial arts and cannot be his disciple," Jiang Li expressed with a hint of regret, "If I could receive even a little guidance from Master Uncle Guan, I wouldn’t have worried so much during my fight with Zhong Shenxiu."
Of course, this was a lie; if Jiang Li were at his peak, he wouldn’t have worried about facing Zhong Shenxiu. Perhaps the outcome would still be uncertain, but he definitely wouldn’t have avoided the fight.
Especially after learning the Wind Queen’s Strange Gate, Jiang Li felt his chances of winning had increased by at least ten percent.
However, this did not affect Jiang Li’s desire to learn a thing or two from Elder Kaiyang.
His martial arts combat was entirely reliant on techniques like "Yinglong Transformation" and "Emperor’s Qi Observation Skill." Although he appeared to be skilled in martial arts, he was actually a spellcaster and naturally hoped to make progress in his martial arts.
This way, he wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to break through Tianxuan’s defense in the future.
"You sure know how to seize an opportunity," Elder Kaiyang said with a chuckle and curse.
He stopped the boat and stroked his chin, "But that’s not impossible, as long as you meet my requirements."
"What requirement?" asked Jiang Li.
"Simple."
Elder Kaiyang slowly turned around, looking towards a nearby island, "Dull his edge so that he stops neglecting his martial arts practice and running to Tianshu Palace all the time."
Jiang Li also looked forward immediately and saw a young man in a red robe holding a long saber, standing at the edge of the island.
Ling Wujue.
Jiang Li recognized him at a glance.
Moreover, Jiang knew that Ling Wujue was likely waiting for him.
Within the Dinghu Sect, communication via transmission was a very simple matter, requiring only a disciple who embodied the Merit Dao Fruit to achieve one-way communication within the Sect. If both parties embodied the Merit Dao Fruit, they could have a telephone-like conversation.
Jiang Li’s return to the Sect was not disguised; he had seen disciples from afar apparently simulating Merit, and clearly, Ling Wujue had received their transmission and was waiting here for Jiang.
The question was, what was Ling Wujue’s purpose?
Testing him? Welcoming him? Or wanting to test Jiang’s current strength?
Jiang Li subconsciously thought too much, but after careful consideration, he felt it was unnecessary to ponder excessively.
Regardless of the intentions, Jiang Li could easily cope, both because he was now seventh-rank, because his strength was higher, and because this was the Sect. Jiang Li was not the same as before; some things didn’t require meticulous planning or consideration.
"How severe should the injury be?" Jiang Li asked directly.
Instead of wondering about Ling Wujue’s intentions, it was better to ask about the client’s requirements.
"Just bruise him a bit, so he won’t be able to go out for three days," Elder Kaiyang adjusted his hat, seemingly casual, "After all, his promotion ceremony is almost in three days."
Promotion?
Jiang Li kept that in mind.
As far as he knew, the most suitable Sixth Grade Dao Fruit for martial cultivators in the Dinghu Sect was the Spiritual Official Dao Fruit.
The Spiritual Official, a protector god of the Mystic Sect, naturally had a promotion ceremony related to the protector role. The ceremony for this Dao Fruit involved a Mystic Sect cultivator of sixth-rank or higher successfully advancing.
When Elder Kaiyang mentioned this statement at this time...
’Could it be that Yun Jiuye is about to advance?’ Jiang Li immediately thought of this possibility.