"Ah, the vigor of youth..."
Just then, a charming laugh suddenly resounded, breaking the stiff atmosphere. Ling Chen looked in the direction the voice had co from; the person laughing was none other than Lian Ji.
"Elder Lian Ji, please don’t mock ."
The previous scene must have been fully observed by her, Ling Chen thought with a helpless shrug.
"Our Saint Witch Religion doesn’t abide by the rules of the Righteous Sects. If you two truly like each other, why worry about others’ opinions? Just do as you wish," Lian Ji chuckled softly.
If she hadn’t seen Ling Chen and Xia Yunxin suddenly stop, she would have certainly left quietly. Their abrupt halt had left her sowhat disappointed.
"Now is not the ti for romance."
Ling Chen simply replied with a dismissive smile. Even though the Saint Witch Religion is now unified, the entire Martial World remains riddled with hidden dangers. Many issues have yet to surface, and if they do, it will likely be a massive catastrophe. Whether it’s the long-dormant Shentu Yan or that sinister Exotic Demon Beast, if they remain silent for too long, they could potentially bring about a great disaster.
However, he had already sent Liu Feiyue to investigate and gather intelligence on both of them.
He believed he would receive results soon.
「Black Market Headquarters.」
The news of the Black Market Master’s disappearance was initially concealed. However, as ti passed, the top brass of the Black Market began to grow restless.
The Black Market Master hadn’t made an appearance in a long ti.
When the Black Market Master left, he had taken a group of the Black Market’s top experts with him, none of whom had returned.
"When Master left in a hurry, his whereabouts were unknown to everyone. He stated he would return within three days, but it has been far longer than that, and there’s still no news," the beautiful Lin Ya said in the great hall.
"Recently, a blood-stained Heavenly Remnant Flying Knife was delivered here. It seems our Master may have t with misfortune."
An elder from the Black Market then stated solemnly, "The Heavenly Remnant Flying Knife is exclusive to the Black Market Master. Even if soone else replicated it, we could easily recognize it."
"Who could it be? Who has the power to kill our Master, who was at the Fifth Level of Sky Apex Realm?"
The high-ranking officials of the Black Market lapsed into silence.
In the entire Martial World, the number of individuals capable of killing the Black Market Master could be counted on one hand. Moreover, those few had no deep-seated grudges with the Black Market, giving them no reason to do so.
"There’s no need for everyone to panic and lose composure."
Just then, a voice suddenly echoed through the hall. The crowd looked towards the source of the sound, only to see a man with an aquiline nose, speaking with a playful smile.
"Elder Guest Official Linghu Yi, what insight do you have to share?" an elder of the Black Market frowned and asked.
"I hardly have any profound insights."
Linghu Yi shook his head with a laugh. "I just feel that our Black Market is vast and well-established. Even if the Black Market Master is dead, there’s no need for you all to be so distraught."
"The priority now is to elect a new Black Market Master to guide everyone and end this situation of being a headless group of dragons."
Upon hearing these words, Lin Ya, Chikong, and Qi Hongyan exchanged glances. Linghu Yi definitely has ulterior motives for saying this, they thought. He’s rely a Guest Official; why is he suddenly concerned about the internal affairs of the Black Market?
"The position of the Black Market Master is critical. It needs to be decided by the collective vote of the Black Market’s various branch masters. Furthermore, our Master is only missing, and his body hasn’t been found. We cannot blindly appoint a new Master," one of the Black Market Elders comnted, his brow furrowed.
"I disagree," Linghu Yi shook his head. "A nation cannot be without a ruler for a day, and likewise, the Black Market cannot be without a Master for a day. These are extraordinary tis, so we should use extraordinary asures. As long as everyone agrees, we can select a new Black Market Master today."
"Listening to Elder Linghu, it seems you already have soone in mind?" Lin Ya queried, her eyes twinkling.
Upon hearing this inquiry, Linghu Yi smiled, his gaze suddenly shifting to a man in black standing not far behind him. This was the very man who had saved him on Green Cloud Mountain.
This man was nad Black Chonghou. He was a highly influential figure in the Black Market, second in power only to the Black Market Master.
Linghu Yi’s lips curved upwards slightly. "Black Chonghou is wise and martial. In my opinion, he is the most suitable person to be the Black Market Master."
"Black Chonghou?"
Everyone exchanged glances. Although Black Chonghou was one of the Black Market’s top experts, according to their rules, only the three young masters—Chikong, Wuxin, and Wuyou—were qualified to inherit the position of Black Market Master. No matter how formidable Black Chonghou was, he lacked this qualification.
"Though Black Chonghou is powerful, he is not among the eligible candidates. Let’s drop this matter," an elder from the Black Market spoke, his expression sowhat grim.
"Drop it? Elder, your word alone isn’t final. We need to consider everyone’s opinion," Black Chonghou let out a cold chuckle, clearly not taking the elder seriously.
"Then let’s hear everyone’s opinion," the elder said confidently, laughing.
"This... seems inappropriate."
"Although Black Chonghou is powerful, succeeding the Master’s position requires careful deliberation."
Most people did not support Black Chonghou. So elders voiced their opposition, while many others adopted a wait-and-see attitude.
Seeing these reactions, Black Chonghou exchanged a look with Linghu Yi, a chilling glint appearing in both their eyes.
"In that case, don’t bla for disregarding past courtesies," Black Chonghou said, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.
In an instant, he vanished from his spot. When he reappeared, he was already in front of the Black Market Elder who had spoken earlier. His hand shot out with lightning speed, faster than one could react, and gripped the elder’s throat.
Although the elder was a Sky Apex Realm First Layer expert, he was no match for Black Chonghou, whose cultivation was at the Fifth Level of Sky Apex Realm. He was captured in a single move.
Witnessing this sudden turn of events, the many Black Market experts in the hall were utterly shocked. They couldn’t believe their eyes—Black Chonghou had attacked in public.
"Black Chonghou, what are you doing?!"
"Stop it! Are you trying to rebel?"
Shouts of condemnation rose one after another.
CRACK!
However, Black Chonghou completely ignored these shouts. With a firm grip, he snapped the elder’s neck.
"You..."
The Black Market Elder couldn’t finish his sentence before his life was extinguished. His eyes bulged, he stopped struggling, and his hands fell limply.
In that instant, the atmosphere in the entire hall froze. An eerie silence descended as everyone, utterly shocked, beca as quiet as cicadas in winter.
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