Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Dark Parliament Headquarters.

In a great hall surrounded by burning torches, six Senators gathered at a round table.

Sage relayed Qin Yu’s words. He swept his eyes over everyone. “Fellow Senators, Ning Qin’s strength and status goes beyond our expectations every time. With the power that he erupted with today, remaining enemies with him would be an unwise choice.”

After a brief pause he continued, “So my proposition is to agree with Ning Qin’s request in exchange for reconciliation with him. This would be the best choice for the Dark Parliament.”

“I oppose!” Oriole’s young voice was sharp and piercing. Her fiery eyes blazed with manic lunacy. “The Chaotic Sky Chronicle concerns that great secret, the goal the Dark Parliament has been chasing after for countless years. You and I both know how important it is. If we cannot obtain the Chaotic Sky Chronicle, then we might not have any harvests even if a hundred thousand years pass again!”

Limitless’ cold voice flowed through the air. “I share the same opinion as Senator Oriole. The Chaotic Sky Chronicle is the parliament’s most important goal right now. We cannot lose it!”

Sage furrowed his eyebrows together. He said, “But in this current situation, if we were to refuse to honor our bet with Ning Qin, that would be thoroughly breaking relations with him. Have you thought about the consequences? Not only would the existence of the Dark Parliament be exposed, but we would also have to withstand his wild retaliation.

“Ning Qin’s anger would definitely cause heavy losses to the parliament, even shaking the parliament’s foundation. I’m sure that no one wants to see this.”

Jasmine nodded. “I agree with Senator Sage. It is too dangerous to break things off with Ning Qin. Even if we cannot obtain the Chaotic Sky Chronicle, the parliament can think of other solutions. This doesn’t mean there is no chance of success.”

The normally silent and taciturn Senator Lone Mountain suddenly spoke up. “I acknowledge that some other methods might exist as Senator Jasmine says. But, how much time would be required to find these methods? 1000 years, ten thousand years, or even longer?”

He looked around at everyone. His flame body exuded a chill that pierced into the bones. “This amount of time might mean nothing to you Senators, but I cannot wait. If I give up the Chaotic Sky Chronicle and cannot find a new solution, I will die as my lifespan comes to an end.

“So this time, I will not give up no matter what. If the parliament decides to compromise then I will choose to withdraw from the Dark Parliament…no one can stop me from obtaining the Chaotic Sky Chronicle, even if it is the lot of you.”

The air was thick with the smell of blood.

The hall fell deathly silent!

Sage and Jasmine could both feel a headache coming on. They firmly believed that with Senator Lone Mountain’s crazy personality, he would be able to do what he said he would do.

Oriole screeched, “Sage, are you really going to force a Senator to leave the parliament? The consequences of this truly cannot be withstood!”

The Dark Parliament only had seven Senators. Unless a Senator died, it was impossible for anyone else to join. This was because each Senator was an indispensable part of the Dark Parliament.

Losing a Senator meant that the parliament would no longer be complete. Their strength would fall precipitously.

The erratic and ephemeral Senator Moon Shadow, who seemed both close and far away, suddenly said, “In my heart, I agree with Senator Sage’s proposition, and I believe it is a bad decision to make enemies of Ning Qin. But unfortunately, because of some reasons that I cannot articulate clearly right now, I am facing a situation similar to Senator Long Mountain.

“If I cannot unravel that secret soon, I will likely perish and die. This is not a result I am willing to resign myself to. So, even though I know it isn’t right, I will still struggle to the end…I approve of Senator Oriole’s proposition and refuse to compromise!”

This was a deciding vote!

Four to two.

Even if Sage had the status of being the temporary speaker, he had at most three votes on his side, the minority vote.

Jasmine opened her mouth but didn’t say anything in the end. She looked at Senator Moon Shadow, a complex look in her eyes. In the face of life and death, nothing else mattered. So, she didn’t feel any anger at Moon Shadow’s betrayal.

But she was still willing to make one final effort. This was because her intuition told her that making enemies of Ning Qin would be the parliament’s worst decision.

This feeling didn’t weaken as time passed. Instead, it grew increasingly intense!

“I propose that before breaking things off with Ning Qin, we try one more time to soothe relations. We can try to trade for the Chaotic Sky Chronicle instead. As long as he is willing, the Dark Parliament is willing to shoulder any condition. I’m sure that my fellow Senators will not oppose this.”

Limitless said, “Very well.”

If he had a choice, he would rather not take any risks.

Oriole sneered, “What a pathetic and naïve thought. This will never succeed.”

Jasmine said, “Even if there is just one percent of hope, we should still try it.”

Sage made the final decision. “Then it is decided. I will represent the Senators here and express the Dark Parliament’s stance to Ning Qin.”

Hu –

His flame figure dissipated.

The other Senators didn’t leave. They would wait here for Sage to return and bring back the results, whatever they were, whether it was peace or war.

That’s right, with the strength that Qin Yu had displayed so far, breaking off relations with him meant that the Dark Parliament would need to engage in an all-out war!

…

Arena.

The Sage-controlled puppet woke up.

The moment Qin Yu saw the puppet cultivator’s eyes, his heart sank. He had a foreboding premonition.

As he expected, Sage’s following words confirmed his thoughts.

“I have already brought the Dark Parliament’s decision. Although I know that making enemies with you is a very stupid decision, I apologize, but we have no other choice.

“So concerning our bet, we will have to go back on our word. But we can still make peace if you hand over Yun Die to us. For that, the Dark Parliament is willing to pay any price and give you sufficient repayment. I hope that you can earnestly consider this.

“Peace or war, it is your choice.”

After Sage finished speaking he straightened himself. He looked at Qin Yu, awaiting his response.

At the side, the disturbed and anxious Yun Die paled.

Her body shivered as she looked at her teacher. Qin Yu’s silence proved that he was withstanding a great pressure right now.

Did these people possess a strength that not even her teacher was willing to provoke?

Yun Die thought that she should do something. Even if she couldn’t repay teacher, she couldn’t drag him into the swamp with her.

But before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Qin Yu. “If I cannot even protect my disciple, what is the point of cultivating?”

He nodded at Sage. “Then, it’s war!”

In truth, this was a very unwise and illogical decision for Qin Yu.

But there were some bottom lines that needed to be preserved, no matter what the price was.

Sage sighed inwardly. This result was within his expectations.

He bowed slightly and respectfully said, “Then, I ask you to take care.”

He turned and walked away.

Qin Yu didn’t stop him. This was only a puppet; it wasn’t worth wasting his strength.

If the one who came was Sage himself, then he wouldn’t mind suddenly attacking and killing this Senator where he stood.

Since he had chosen to wage war, this could only end with one side being destroyed.

“Teacher!” Yun Die shouted out, tears streaming down her face.

Qin Yu lightly said, “Since you know that saving you will use up a great deal of strength and effort, you have to live well from now on. Don’t waste everything that I’ve done.”

Yun Die nodded with effort. At this time, she recognized that this man in front of her was her life’s dependence and no one could replace him.

Qin Yu stood up and pulled her hand close. “Let’s go.” His pace wasn’t fast, but every step he took crossed a vast distance.

Several breaths of time later he arrived at the edge of the arena. He went to a temporarily uninhabited courtyard and pushed open the door.

And behind the door was an open spatial gate. Qin Yu turned and said, “Hide inside. When it’s safe I will come and bring you out.”

Yun Die didn’t hesitate. She respectfully bowed and walked inside. She knew that remaining here would only burden her teacher.

As the spatial gate vanished, Qin Yu let out a light breath, a helpless look on his face.

In the end, things had developed in the worst possible direction; it really was upsetting after everything he had done. However, now that he had sent Yun Die into the Hell Mystic Realm, he was able to act without scruples. If he borrowed the strength of the Ancient, getting out of here shouldn’t be difficult.

He turned and walked away. This time, Qin Yu didn’t stop. He flew out of Dragon City. Because he wasn’t able to cover up his aura, the momentum he left with was astonishing. Space shattered around his body and endless spiritual strength was swept up, causing a rumbling sound to follow him. Countless awe-filled eyes looked up at him.

“It’s the mysterious lord from the Hidden Fog Sect!”

Many cultivators sighed with emotion.

But what a pity, these people didn’t know that the currently awesome and incredible Qin Yu had stepped onto the road of a fugitive. As for whether or not he could cross this road, the difficulty was far higher than he would ever imagine!

After leaving Dragon City, Qin Yu continued forward. Each step he took caused space to twist. His figure would disappear, and when he reappeared, he would be far away.