Chapter 453 - 452: Questioning
The three of them advanced together.
Finally, half an hour later, they reached the base of the Five Elements Array Platform ahead.
It was an Array Platform suspended above the Nether Sea.
The Array Platform hovered in mid-air, supported by five pillars carved with Inscription Patterns.
Each of the five pillars circulated one of the five types of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Dao Patterns swirled around them, suspended in the air, as if they were birthing five separate spaces.
Above the Array Platform ahead, a Yin Yang Pattern flowed, intertwining with the Five Elements Dao Patterns to form an immense Sealing Isolation Array Platform.
The Array Platform seemed to be suppressing something, and the fluctuations emanating from it made everyone on the North Spirit Platform outside grow tense.
Suddenly, Ling Fei and Shangguan Wan’Er stopped in their tracks. There, beneath the Array Platform, he saw a familiar figure.
"Xu Zitao!" A glint flashed in Ling Fei’s eyes as he stared intently at the man before them.
"He really is here." Shangguan Wan’Er’s expression turned grave.
At the same time, she cast a wary glance at Lian Shuang.
Meanwhile, Lian Shuang, who was walking ahead, also paused.
Ahead, Xu Zitao was looking up at the Array Platform before him, a contemplative look on his face. The arrival of Ling Fei’s group startled him.
Xu Zitao slowly turned, his gaze falling upon the approaching Lian Shuang and her companions.
"Xu Zitao is there too!" Outside, the hearts of the people on the North Spirit Platform tightened.
The various Sect Leaders wore grave expressions.
Some looked toward Beiming Transformation Sea, as if wanting to know something.
"This Xu Zitao is exceptionally talented. How he managed to get inside, I do not know," said Beiming Transformation Sea.
Since no one had been paying attention to Xu Zitao, they didn’t know the truth of the matter. With Beiming Transformation Sea having spoken, the Elders from the various sects were at a loss for words.
The Sect Leaders of the various sects remained silent, closely watching the situation inside.
Because what was happening inside at this moment could affect the situation of the entire Southern Wilderness.
"Lian Shuang!" Xu Zitao had turned around, but he showed no surprise at the sight of her. Beiming Transformation Sea had already sent him a message via sound transmission.
But then his gaze turned cold. He glanced at Ling Fei and demanded, "Why did you bring Ling Fei with you?" Judging by his tone, he seemed to know Lian Shuang well.
’They really do know each other!’ At these words, Shangguan Wan’Er couldn’t help but pull Ling Fei back.
But Ling Fei didn’t move. He stood his ground, an imposing aura gathering around him. His gaze fell upon Lian Shuang, waiting for her answer.
"This Xu Zitao and Lian Shuang know each other?"
"Is Xu Zitao questioning Lian Shuang?" The people outside felt a wave of astonishment.
Lian Shuang is from the Lingyun Sect, and Xu Zitao is from the Beiming Sword Sect, yet their relationship seems far from simple!
"This..." Everyone felt that things were becoming more and more complicated.
Then, gaze after gaze locked onto Lian Shuang, watching for the next development.
"We just happened to run into each other," Lian Shuang said with an indifferent expression.
"Just happened to run into each other?" Xu Zitao’s gaze sharpened. He didn’t say more, but his line of sight shifted to Ling Fei and Shangguan Wan’er.
When he saw Shangguan Wan’er tightly gripping Ling Fei’s arm, Xu Zitao’s brow furrowed.
"Junior Sister Shangguan, I heard the Sect Leader ordered you to kill this Ling Fei, offering you a chance to obtain the Kunpeng Blood in return. Why is Ling Fei still alive to have walked all the way here? Isn’t comprehending the Beiming Kunpeng Sword your goal? Or has Junior Sister Shangguan decided to give up?" Xu Zitao asked, the corners of his mouth curling into a smirk.
Originally, Xu Zitao had also wanted to kill Ling Fei with his own hands.
But Beiming Transformation Sea told him that arrangements had already been made for this matter, and even sent a sound transmission detailing the plan.
Only then did Xu Zitao come here with peace of mind.
’But from the looks of it now, this Junior Sister Shangguan has no intention of making a move!’
As soon as these words were spoken, Shangguan Wan’er’s gaze flickered, and she looked slightly guilty.
Because she had not told Ling Fei about this.
’Now that Xu Zitao has brought it up, what if Ling Fei misunderstands?’
Lian Shuang’s eyes shifted slightly, a playful smile touched her lips as she looked at Ling Fei.
She seemed eager to see how Ling Fei would react at this moment.
"The Beiming Sword Sect told Shangguan Wan’er to kill Ling Fei?"
"How vicious!" All the people from the Lingyun Sect frowned.
Everyone knew that Shangguan Wan’er and Ling Fei were a couple.
Asking Shangguan Wan’er to kill Ling Fei... if he wasn’t on guard, what chance would he have of survival!
"Is this true?" Even Ling Fei couldn’t help but frown as he looked at Shangguan Wan’er.
"Yes," Shangguan Wan’er said, lowering her head. "Ever since you defeated Xu Zitao in Alchemy, the Sect Leader has been telling me to find an opportunity to kill you."
"But I never agreed to it. Although I am devoted to the sword and want to become a Swordsmanship Grandmaster, I refuse to go against my own heart." As she finished, Shangguan Wan’er raised her head and stared at Ling Fei, saying word by word, "From beginning to end, I never once thought of killing you."
Her heart was pounding wildly at this moment, its rhythm chaotic. She was clearly worried.
She was afraid Ling Fei would doubt her intentions.
"If you don’t kill me, what will they do to you?" Seeing her like this, a pang of sorrow struck Ling Fei, and he immediately asked.
It wasn’t hard to imagine what a painful choice Shangguan Wan’er must have faced.
The people on the North Spirit Platform were also waiting for Shangguan Wan’er’s answer.
But Shangguan Wan’er remained silent.
"If she doesn’t kill you, then she will die!" Xu Zitao said word by word, his hands clasped behind his back, his voice tinged with coldness.
At this moment, he was like a lofty master, sitting back and watching the drama unfold.
"Is that true?" Hearing this, Ling Fei’s gaze hardened, and he questioned Shangguan Wan’er.
Lian Shuang, meanwhile, watched quietly from the side.
"Yes," Shangguan Wan’er nodded.
"The Beiming Sword Sect is too inhumane, forcing their own genius disciple like this!" the Cultivators from the various sects on the North Spirit Platform said, filled with righteous indignation.
You have to understand, Shangguan Wan’er is a genius!
If they even persecute a genius, what about an ordinary disciple?
At this moment, even the disciples of the Beiming Sword Sect felt a chill in their hearts.
"Sect Leader, let Shangguan Wan’er join our Lingyun Sect!"
"That’s right! This Wan’Er is a good girl. She’s been with Ling Fei all this time and has had numerous opportunities to strike, but she never did!"
Many people from the Lingyun Sect looked moved as they petitioned Sect Leader Yuan.
Back during the Martial Arts Competition, when Shangguan Wan’er was defeated, Ling Fei went up and caught her in his arms.
If she had struck then, she could have definitely killed Ling Fei!
And there must have been countless opportunities like that.
Now, Ling Fei was safe and sound, and he had been oblivious to this matter for so long. It must be that Shangguan Wan’er never had any intention of striking.
This made everyone look at this young woman in a new light.
Even those who had originally thought Ling Fei and Lian Shuang were the most compatible pair now felt that Shangguan Wan’er was a rare find.
This was true love for Ling Fei!
"Mm," Yuan Huaitian nodded slightly. "This young woman is indeed remarkable."
When Xu Zitao said this, even Lian Shuang showed a hint of surprise.
If this was true, then Shangguan Wan’er’s situation back then must have been extremely precarious.
It was already rare enough that she could resist the temptation of the Kunpeng Blood.
And on top of that, her life was in danger.
Yet even so, she still hadn’t made a move.
’But when we were entering the North Spirit Ruins, Junior Brother Ling said he had already negotiated with the Divine Mansion Realm Powerhouses from the various sects, so he wasn’t afraid of the Beiming Sword Sect.’ Lian Shuang thought, recalling the earlier conversation between Ling Fei and Shangguan Wan’er. ’It’s a shame. It would have been much better if Junior Brother Ling hadn’t made that arrangement.’
Lian Shuang sighed internally. ’Otherwise, I really would have liked to see what choice Shangguan Wan’er would make when her life was on the line.’
’But now, that’s obviously impossible.’
’Because whatever choice Shangguan Wan’er makes now, no one will know if it was her original intention.’
’So,’ Lian Shuang felt a touch of regret.
Immediately, she looked towards Ling Fei, wanting to see how he would respond.
