CHAPTER 559: CHAPTER 552: SO IT’S XIANG SHAOLONG_1

The City Lord smiled faintly. "If they want to cause a scene, let them!"

The Martial Palace Hall Master stared at the old man in disbelief. "Sir, aren’t you indulging them?"

The old man smiled but said nothing, causing the Martial Palace Hall Master to frown.

At this, the Elixir Palace Hall Master sighed, "Some people’s intelligence truly is worrisome!"

"Who are you talking about?" The Martial Palace Hall Master’s eyebrow twitched as he turned to glare at him.

"If the shoe fits." The Elixir Palace Hall Master stated indifferently, "Sir allowing them to make a fuss has nothing to do with indulging them. Sir merely wants to use this opportunity to observe everyone’s strength and pick out a team leader. After all, the Nine States Great War isn’t child’s play. If we remain as disorganized as we are now, we stand no chance of victory."

"So, that’s the reason," the Martial Palace Hall Master murmured.

The Elixir Palace Hall Master replied with amusement, "You couldn’t even figure that out? Aren’t you a bit slow?"

"You..." The Martial Palace Hall Master was furious.

"That’s enough!" the lady in colorful clothes chided. "With so many disciples present, can’t you two conduct yourselves properly and set a good example?"

The two Hall Masters immediately fell silent.

However, the disciples below began to stir. Because the Elixir Palace Hall Master’s words weren’t deliberately kept quiet, everyone present heard them.

Everyone started guessing who would ultimately be the team leader.

Being a team leader wasn’t just a title; it involved many benefits. Most importantly, the leader had the authority to command everyone.

Meanwhile, Qin Feiyang was also hesitating. Should I vie for the team leader position? Although becoming the team leader would maximize my interests, it would also attract a lot of trouble. And the one thing I detest the most is trouble.

At that moment, Xui Yang and his companion stabilized themselves, wiped the blood from the corners of their mouths, and immediately glared at Fatty. Their gazes were cold and piercing!

"What?" Fatty glanced at them disdainfully. "Still want to play?"

Wu Yan said gravely, "If you have any guts, stop hiding behind Qin Feiyang and fight us properly!"

Fatty retorted confidently, "This is called hiding? This is strategy, understand?"

"Bastard!"

"There’s a limit to shamelessness!"

The two were absolutely furious.

BOOM!!

Behind them, two colossal figures soared into the air. Similar to their battle techniques, one was a towering mountain peak, and the other was a fiery red disc. However, the aura they emanated was even more powerful than their battle techniques!

Yes! These were their Battle Souls!

Summoning their Battle Souls showed just how furious they were.

"Heavens!" The moment Fatty saw them summon their Battle Souls, he yelped and unhesitatingly dove behind Qin Feiyang.

"That damn shameless fellow!" Witnessing this scene, many people couldn’t help but entertain the thought of giving Fatty a good thrashing. This included Dong Zhengyang and the other two Kings.

Dong Zhengyang was actually less bothered, having interacted with Fatty before. As for the stalwart man and the slender young man, although they usually cultivated in seclusion, they had heard bits about Fatty’s exploits. But seeing it firsthand was completely different from what they’d heard. They couldn’t fathom how anyone could be so utterly shameless. Does that damn fatty even know how to write the words ’shame’ and ’decency’?

Undoubtedly, Xui Yang and his companion were even more enraged; they felt like their lungs would explode!

CLANK!

BOOM!

The two Battle Souls roared through the sky, charging towards Fatty with immense might. They were utterly confident in their own Battle Souls, believing that not even Qin Feiyang could withstand them. But they quickly learned that things in this world are often not as simple as they imagine.

Qin Feiyang merely raised his arm and pointed his index finger. An invisible force, like a torrential beast, surged forward overwhelmingly!

The fourth form of the Return-to-the-Ruin Art: Return to Ruin!

BOOM!

After a stalemate of several breaths, both the two Battle Souls and the invisible force dispersed simultaneously.

Qin Feiyang’s body trembled slightly, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. But Xui Yang and his companion were once again sent flying, their faces as pale as paper.

"HAHA..." Fatty immediately stepped forward, hands on his hips, laughing triumphantly. "Did you see that? That’s the difference between us!"

Qin Feiyang frowned and snapped, "Enough! Stop causing trouble!"

With that said, he retreated to the side and fell silent. Because during his clash with Xui Yang and the others, he had decided not to contend for the team leader position. On one hand, he feared trouble. On the other, he didn’t want to waste effort looking after these ignorant people.

Fatty grinned sheepishly and obediently stood beside Qin Feiyang.

The old man looked at Qin Feiyang, a slight frown creasing his brow. In his mind, Qin Feiyang was the ideal choice for team leader. But clearly, Qin Feiyang had no such intention; otherwise, he wouldn’t have voluntarily stopped fighting.

"AHEM!" Clearing his throat, the old man looked at Xui Yang and the other two. "Everyone calm down. Now, let’s discuss who is most suitable to be the team leader."

The City Lord had spoken, so naturally, Xui Yang and his companion dared not continue their dispute, though they were still deeply dissatisfied.

"I support Senior Brother Dongfang Wuheng," Wu Yan said first.

"I also support Senior Brother Wuhen to be the team leader," Xui Yang followed.

"I support him too. Only Senior Brother Wuhen is capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility."

"That’s right, I support him too!"

A group of disciples below began to chime in.

"Thank you all for your high regard, but I’m afraid I’m not capable enough. Please choose someone else," the slender young man immediately cupped his fists and said with a smile.

So his name is Dongfang Wuheng, Qin Feiyang muttered. Could he be a member of Dongfang Yue’s clan?

"Actually, I think Senior Brother Murong Xiong is also perfectly capable of serving as team leader this time."

"I disagree. Although Senior Brother Murong Xiong is a King of the Inner Palace, to put it bluntly, he has brawn but lacks brains."

"I believe Senior Brother Dong Zhengyang has the qualifications. He has both the intellect and the strength."

"That may be so, but Senior Brother Dong Zhengyang, after all, is only a recently promoted King and cannot yet be compared to Murong Xiong and Senior Brother Dongfang Wuheng."

"It doesn’t matter to me. They are all Kings. It’s the same no matter who becomes the team leader."

Everyone discussed animatedly, their gazes fixed on Dong Zhengyang, Murong Xiong, and Dongfang Wuheng. However, the three individuals in question offered no opinions, all maintaining their silence.

"I support Qin Feiyang!"

Just then, an exceptionally loud voice rang out.

The entire area instantly fell silent. Everyone turned to look at the speaker. Qin Feiyang looked over as well. The speaker was actually Lu Xingchen!

"If we set aside all prejudices, no one can deny that Qin Feiyang, with his talent, intellect, and methods, is undoubtedly the top candidate," Lu Xingchen said with a smile. "Most importantly, he can concoct Top Grade Elixirs that others cannot, which would be immensely helpful for our victory."

"That point is indeed undeniable."

"But Qin Feiyang is too selfish. If he becomes team leader, I’m afraid he’ll be the only one to benefit in the end."

"As for the rest of us, we’d surely end up as cannon fodder."

"Therefore, I firmly object!" Wu Yan and Xui Yang stated.

Others nodded in agreement.

Lu Xingchen said with a faint smile, "I’m just stating the facts. Whether you choose him or not is your decision."

With that, he closed his mouth and said no more.

Qin Feiyang gave Lu Xingchen a meaningful glance and said calmly, "I’m not interested. You all can continue choosing."

"Even if you were interested, we wouldn’t choose you!" Xui Yang sneered.

Qin Feiyang’s expression was calm, showing no ripples, but a cold glint flashed deep within Fatty’s eyes.

After some debate, the final decision for the team leader was made: Dongfang Wuheng would take the role.

Firstly, Dongfang Wuheng’s strength was supreme within the Inner Palace; even the stalwart Murong Xiong was a notch below him. Secondly, Dongfang Wuheng was also an Alchemist, and his talent in alchemy was not inferior to Lu Xingchen’s.

However, the old man wasn’t entirely satisfied with Dongfang Wuheng, despite him being the popular choice. Nevertheless, it was everyone’s decision, and he couldn’t say much more.

The old man announced, "Commander Wang Hong and Jiang Qianqing, the current City Lord of East City, will escort you for this Nine States Great War. You must obey their commands."

"Yes!" everyone responded.

Jiang Qianqing? Qin Feiyang was somewhat愣taken aback. It wasn’t surprising that Wang Hong would escort them. After all, besides the old man, Wang Hong was the strongest existence in Spirit State and could better ensure everyone’s safety. But having Jiang Qianqing as an escort was unexpected. Although Jiang Qianqing held a significant position, he was, after all, a City Lord and had no affiliation with the Holy Temple. Why would he be chosen as an escort?

At the same time, the old man then looked at the Chief Hall Master and the others, asking, "Do you have anything else to add?"

"No," the Chief Hall Master and the others shook their heads.

"Then, let’s depart!" The old man waved his hand, and a portal opened in the void.

Wang Hong walked to the portal first. Looking at the disciples of the two palaces, he said, "I will say this one last time. I have personally experienced the Nine States Great War and know how brutal it is. It’s not too late to reconsider now. But once you step through that portal, your fate will no longer be in your own hands. Think carefully."

After saying this, Wang Hong turned and stepped into the portal. Jiang Qianqing didn’t enter, instead standing beside the portal, scanning everyone.

Hearing Wang Hong’s words, some disciples began to hesitate. But there were also those who entered the portal without any hesitation, such as Dong Zhengyang, Dongfang Wuheng, Murong Xiong, Lu Xingchen, Wu Yan, and Xui Yang.

As people entered the portal one after another, the number of individuals in the Inner Palace steadily dwindled.

Suddenly, Qin Feiyang spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.

It was Xiang Shaolong!

How is he in the Inner Palace? When I first encountered Xiang Shaolong, he had only recently broken through to Nine-Star War King. How long has it been since then for him to reach the Inner Palace?

Just as he was pondering this, something seemed to click. His eyes lit up, and he murmured, "So it was you!"

Fatty, who was beside him, heard Qin Feiyang’s murmur and asked curiously, "What do you mean, ’So it was you’?"

Qin Feiyang said, "Remember the night we returned to the Inner Palace? Someone met Lu Xingchen on the mountaintop, right? Back then, I felt the voice was somewhat familiar, but for a moment, I couldn’t recall who it was. Just now, when I saw Xiang Shaolong, I instantly remembered. It was him."

"Him?" Fatty was slightly taken aback. Following Qin Feiyang’s gaze, his eyes filled with astonishment as he looked at the person. How did this person get involved with Lu Xingchen?