Chapter 1602 - 1497: The Frontline

Seeing that Wang Fugui was still gloomy, Qin Hao said sternly, "In light of your previous bravery, I can make an exception and first pass on to you a Qi Absorption Technique."

"Qi Absorption Technique? Is it the method immortals use for cultivation?" Wang Fugui’s worries turned to joy as he excitedly asked.

"Indeed." Qin Hao smiled faintly, "Listen carefully, I’m going to start explaining."

He then narrated the introductory Qi Absorption Technique of the Huashan Sect.

Wang Fugui still felt like he was in a fog after listening, but he remembered every word clearly.

"After you return to Beijing, practice diligently according to the method. If, when I come to find you, you have spiritual qi born within your body, I can then teach you immortal techniques."

Qin Hao had the demeanor of a master.

In fact, he himself was only a True Disciple and wasn’t technically qualified to take on disciples.

However, with this private disciple not being reported within the Inner Sect, it would not be noticed, so it was not much of an issue.

"Thank you, Master!"

Wang Fugui wore an expression full of gratitude.

"Alright, I have to go now, remember my words."

Leaving that sentence, Qin Hao rushed out the door.

"Master, wait!" Wang Fugui had more to say and hurriedly followed, but could not find Qin Hao’s figure.

"He’s gone already? Master truly has great divine powers!"

Unable to find him, Wang Fugui didn’t feel regretful, but instead clenched his fist with a sense of longing.

...

...

Bai City is located at the border of the Tang Country and is a critical stronghold guarding the frontier.

At this moment, the gates of Bai City were tightly closed, doors of homes within the city were shut, and few civilians wandered the streets. The entire city was shrouded in an atmosphere of killing.

In the Martial Arts Training Ground in the western part of Bai City, white tents were set up extensively.

Surrounding the tents was a massive green protective shield, a hundred feet tall, enveloping the area.

By now, mortals knew this shield was an immortal’s barrier, used to protect the main camp from evil sect bombardments.

At this moment, within the largest tent in this area, several high-ranking members of the Huashan Sect were gathered.

They sat on the ground covered with carpets, seated according to their rank within the Inner Sect.

Sitting at the head was Lei Dingtian, who clenched his fists on the table, his face calm and saying, "This war has dragged on too long, our sect has already been depleted of its vitality, and if this continues, it will only be detrimental to future development."

The atmosphere was silent, with the surrounding elder Gao Cen looking sullen.

They all knew that the longer the war dragged on, the more detrimental it was to the sect’s development.

After all, on this continent, the Huashan Sect is not a top-tier sect and does not have so many resources for wanton consumption.

If this continues, Huashan Sect might fall to a second or third-tier sect.

Kong Denghui said gloomily, "I said at the beginning, this war had no meaning. Although the Wuji Sect has declined, they once had their days of glory, and with such deep foundations, they are not so easy to swallow."

Speaking of this, he glanced at the Punishment Hall Elder not far away, "Sect Leader, you were harmed by some warmongers!"

This war has not been spectacular, and the desired outcomes were not achieved, so Lei Dingtian naturally had to bear the main responsibility.

Kong Denghui’s words were no less than a criticism.

"Kong Denghui!" The Punishment Hall Elder stood up angrily, "You are simply mocking me! Let me make it clear to you! I do not regret this war! Although it has burdened the people and wasted resources, it at least displayed grandeur and effect. The commoners under our jurisdiction now support us, and those sects secretly watching did not take action because they feared us..."

"Heh, and what was the result? Haven’t we still suffered great losses?" Kong Denghui poured cold water with a sneer.

"Coward! Planning to avoid the battle while being bullied!" The Punishment Hall Elder shouted angrily.

"That’s better than being a reckless person who drags the sect down." Kong Denghui was not polite.

"Alright." At this point, Sect Leader Lei could not stand it, waved his hand, and said, "Huashan Sect’s vitality is affected, but the Wuji Sect is not much better off either, otherwise they wouldn’t send people to negotiate, now, let’s discuss the matter of the Azure Cloud Battle."

Once this was said, everyone fell silent.

The Azure Cloud Battle was a solution proposed by the Wuji Sect’s high-level officials six days ago to resolve the conflict.

They felt both sides had similar strength and neither could defeat the other, so instead of this senseless internal attrition, it was better to find a way with less impact to end the war.

Thus, they proposed the Azure Cloud Battle, whereby each sect sends out young disciples to fight, and the victorious side receives compensation. The losing side loses money and face, but at least would not lead to the demise of the sect.

"We have no objections to the Azure Cloud Battle. But what about the disciples who do not follow the sect’s orders?"

At this point, Kong Denghui looked at Ji Xinhu with a face full of inquiry, "We all agreed, Qin Hao must be present in the Azure Cloud Battle, but so many days have passed, where is your disciple? Could it be he knows the danger here and chose to avoid the battle?"

Upon these words, Li Tongtian also snorted in dissatisfaction, "That Qin Hao kid is always causing trouble, how come when it comes to critical moments, he disappears! Truly unreliable!"

Several days before, the high-ranking members agreed to the Azure Cloud Battle, and among the chosen young generation candidates, Qin Hao’s votes were only second to the main forces, Ji Yue’Er and Su Lingfeng.

The reason was none other than Qin Hao’s recent penchant for stirring trouble and stealing the limelight!

So, the high-ranking members unanimously decided to send Qin Hao out as a surprise force.

But so many days have passed, and Qin Hao has yet to arrive in Bai City, understandably causing resentment among the high-ranking members.

"The Wuji Sect is urging the Azure Cloud Battle to proceed soon, Sect Leader, do we still wait for Qin Hao?" At this time, the Artifact Refining Elder said with dissatisfaction.

"What’s the point of waiting for such a coward, with so many young disciples in the sect, do we really need him?"

Another elder spoke up.

"Report!" At this moment, a disciple walked in from outside, knelt on the ground, and reported: "Daoist Shan Xu of the Wuji Sect has appeared outside Bai City."

Upon hearing this, the high-ranking members were startled, they left the tent and came to the top of the city wall.

They saw Daoist Shan Xu floating in the air, followed by a group of Wuji Sect high-level officials, their imposing manner was astonishing.

"After so long, can’t we start yet?" Daoist Shan Xu’s face was extremely gloomy.

Lei Dingtian did not rush to speak, he could see the eyes of Daoist Shan Xu were full of hatred, as if wishing to skin him alive.

"Sect Leader, shall we start?" The Punishment Hall Elder, who initially chose Qin Hao, felt it could not be delayed any longer.

"Yes, let’s start then? Qin Hao is not worth our wait!"

Many high-ranking members began to agree, wishing to end the war quickly through the disciples’ battle.

"Alright."

Sect Leader Lei nodded and asked, "Daoist Shan Xu, where should the Azure Cloud Battle take place?"

"That is simple!" Daoist Shan Xu let out a long whistle, a small bowl flew out of his sleeve, and as it spun, the bowl grew to a zhang in height and width, landed on the ground, and its surface had a light screen.

"This is our sect’s ultimate treasure, the Heaven-Reaching Bowl, which contains a small world inside. We could place the disciples in here and let them battle it out, how about that?"