Zuo Shuming hesitated. He instinctively picked up his sword, but was rendered motionless by a Soul Formation suppressive force.
The next thing they knew, there was a loud crash. The wind blades had landed on the floor, leaving a huge pit from the impact. The entire Nameless Mountain vibrated. Even the stage that had been built just a few days ago for the disciples to train their sword technique collapsed.
Lonemoon's expression darkened. Chef's voice can be heard from the peak. They looked at the angered Tian Ji and asked, "Supremacy Tian Ji, why did you suddenly come forth to hurt a disciple of my Nameless Mountain?"
Tian Ji was getting angrier by the second. He glared at Zuo Shuming and said, "Hmph! Injure him? A despicable man like him – even if I kill him today, the hatred I feel for him would not dissipate!" HIs suppressive force overwhelmed them once more.
Lonemoon and Zuo Shuming were alright, but the disciples who had been training their sword techniques had just joined them. A lot of them were still in the initial stages of Qi Refinement. There was no way they could withstand the Soul Formation suppressive force. Immediately, they began to vomit blood.
Shti! Lonemoon was getting angry now too, yet he could not do anything. He watched as the disciples collapsed one by one. A huge suppressive force suddenly overcame them from above. Tian Ji's force visibly retreated.
Chef had arrived just in time. He raised his hand and caused a spirit sword to fly toward Tian Ji.
Tian Ji started. He tried to get out of the way of the sword, but did not make it in time. The sword sliced his sleeves into two.
"You-" Tian Ji was really angry now. He looked up and glared at Yi Qing, smoke coming out of his temples. "Yi Qing, are you trying to protect this bastard?"
Yi Qing looked at him blankly and turned to give Lonemoon a questioning look. What's going on? Is this man crazy? Lonemoon shook his head, showing that he was not so sure himself.
Yi Qing was just about to ask when Yu Luan, who was at the main peak, rushed over. He had sensed that something was wrong. He brought a few peak elders with him, and Tian Yi was among them.
"What... What is going on?" Yu Luan was shocked. He scanned the group of injured disciples and immediately called a few of his own disciples over to check on their vitals.
It was obvious that he was both anxious and angry. These people had been selected from a mass – they were among those who were most suitable for sword cultivation.. Their Gui Yi Sect only had pill cultivators. They were not good at battle. Thus, when they went out on expeditions, they would inevitably be bullied by other sects. Now that they obtained this sword cultivator supremacy out of nowhere, Yu Luan was adamant on changing the situation around. He did not think that this first batch of disciples would be so seriously injured within just days of arriving at Gui Yi Sect.
"Junior Brother Tian Ji, why are you doing this?" Tian Yi always had the bigger picture in mind. Of course he would understand what Yu Luan was thinking. He looked up at Tian Ji. It was obvious that he had been the trouble-maker.
"Today, I am going to kill this evil, conniving beast!" He reached out and pointed to Zuo Shuming. Coldly, he continued, "All of you had better not stop me – otherwise, don't blame me for not showing you mercy!"
"Zuo Shuming?" Yu Luan stared blankly at him. Why did Uncle-Master Tian Ji have so much hatred toward a mere Golden Core disciple? "Uncle-Master, what did this disciple do? Why are you doing this?"
"What did he do?" Tian Ji tutted. He shot daggers at Zuo Shuming with his eyes and spoke slowly, emphasising on each word, "I want to ask him too. What exactly did you do to Little Yi on the day of the competition? Why has she become like this?"
"Shu Yi!" The crowd gasped. On further thought, they realised that none of them had seen her for a long time.
"Senior Sister Shu?" Zuo Shuming paused. Full of concern, he asked, "What has happened to her?"
"You dare to ask me this question?!" Tian Ji's killing intent grew more intense. "From the day of the competition, her situation has been deteriorating. Now, her meridians are all broken. Even her golden core has fallen apart."
"What! Little Yi is injured?!" Shu Yuan exclaimed. This was his own daughter after all. It was natural that he would get anxious. "No, I have to go and see her!" Immediately, he abandoned the group and turned to fly in the direction of Shu Yi's peak.
"Uncle-Master Tian Ji, has there been some kind of misunderstanding?" Yu Luan asked. The competition had passed a long time ago. There was no problem with her before this?
"There's no misunderstanding!" Tian Ji pointed his sword at Zuo Shuming and sai, "Little Yi was fine before. But after she went on stage, she came back and fell into a coma. If he hadn't done anything, who did?"
Everybody stared on, their expressions changing. Everybody had seen what happened on the day of the competition. Zuo Shuming did not even do anything before the lightning tribulation occurred and he formed his core. What's more, Zuo Shuming was a whole cultivation level lower than Shu Yi at that time. Even if he really wanted to cause any harm to her, he would not have been able to.
"Uncle-Master Tian Ji, we all saw what happened that day. He really didn't do anything," Yu Luan explained. "Maybe Uncle-Master is overwhelmed with concern.'
"Hmph, he hasn't gotten along with my disciple ever since he entered this sect. What's more, Little Yi has been calling out his name ever since she fell into a coma. Apart from him, I can't think of anyone who could have done this to her." Tian Ji was obviously not willing to let it rest. He continued glaring at Zuo Shuming, as if determined to kill him. "I have to kill him today no matter what!"
As he spoke, he activated his spirit Qi and conjured a hundred thousand ice shards which shot straight toward Zuo Shuming. He did not care anymore who was standing around Zuo Shuming.
"Uncle-Master!" Yu Luan exclaimed. He wanted to do something, but was rendered motionless by Tian Ji's suppressive energy.
Yi Qing frowned. He turned around and activated his sword Qi. There was the sound of bells ringing. The ice shards were crushed and an overwhelming amount of sword Qi, which covered the sky, shot toward Tian Ji.
With a flick of a wrist, a spirit sword appeared in Yi Qing's hand. He sounded impatient when he said, "If you want to fight, come at me!" Hurry up if you want to fight – I still have to cook! I was only halfway done earlier!
"You..." Tian Ji's expression twisted. He was still overcome with anger. He gripped his sword tighter and shouted, "I'm not afraid of you!"
The two of them were about to engage in battle. Yu Luan's heart jumped. He rushed forward and said, "Uncle-Masters, please calm down!" They would be in deep trouble if the two of them fought. He quickly tried to persuade them, "This is not the time to fight. Uncle-Master Tian Ji, Shu Yi's situation is more urgent. Why not we go and figure out what exactly is wrong with her first? We can figure out who's to blame after she regains consciousness."
Tian Ji lowered his gaze. He pondered over this suggestion. After all, he had tried various different methods to wake her up, but to no avail. He did not think that anyone else would be able to do better.
"Uncle-Master Tian Yi has always had very good medicinal skills. Let's let him take a look?" Yu Luan suggested. Tian Yi, who was standing right beside him, nodded.
It was then that Tian Ji shot Zuo Shuming one final glare and kept his sword. He turned around and led the group toward Dan Xia Mountain.
Everyone exchanged glances with one another before following his lead.