CHAPTER 683: 683 TOWER MASTER’S COMMAND?

"Xingmou, you’ve been back for so long, why haven’t you come to see us old folks?"

The Great Elder of Star-picking Tower, Yin Buqun, opened his eyes and stared at Shen Xingmou for several breaths before squeezing out a slight smile. As he spoke, he strode into the latter’s residence.

Seeing this, Shen Xingmou’s frown deepened. Although this was only the main hall, these two old men barged in without even saying hello, showing too little regard for her status as a disciple of the Tower Master, right?

However, intimidated by Yin Buqun’s long-standing dominance, Shen Xingmou didn’t say much. This was still not her limit, so now, she had to wait and see what these two old men really wanted to do.

"Great Elder, my teacher is in seclusion. I was planning to wait until he finishes his retreat to fully report the matters of the Lower Realm!"

Shen Xingmou followed and retreated back to her room, glancing at Shang Li, who seemed slightly uneasy. The words she spoke carried another meaning; that is, the mission was assigned by her teacher, and you, the Great Elder, have no right to hear it.

"Xingmou, the matter of the Blood Moon Jade is no trivial issue. It’s uncertain how long the Tower Master’s retreat will be—why not tell this Elder first, so we old folks can deliberate over it!"

Yin Buqun settled down nonchalantly, without even glancing at Shang Li. Their conversation, however, gave the latter some understanding and increased her confidence in what Shen Xing had said earlier.

"Heh, even the Great Elder knows that the matter of the Blood Moon Jade is of great significance. That’s why there are some things I must tell my teacher first, and he’ll personally decide whether or not to inform the others!"

A hint of a smile appeared on Shen Xingmou’s face, but the unwavering words made Yin Buqun’s mood turn even gloomier. Did this girl think that he, the Great Elder of Star-picking Tower, didn’t have the authority to be privy to those secrets?

"Well, let’s not talk about this matter for now, but..."

Seeing that Shen Xingmou refused to disclose anything, Yin Buqun had no choice but to change the subject and suddenly pointed at Shang Li and demanded, "This woman is key to the Blood Moon Jade. Was it improper for you to bring her here from the dungeon on your own?"

The previous question involved the orders of the Tower Master, which was beyond Yin Buqun’s realm to inquire further. However, Shang Li was someone Ning Fu, appointed by him, personally captured from the Lower Five Realms, and now she had been taken by Shen Xingmou. That’s why he came in person this time.

"The key to the Blood Moon Jade? I want to ask Steward Ning Fu, it’s been over three years. Have you managed to get even half a word out of her?"

Shen Xingmou would not be intimidated by Yin Buqun’s domineering presence, instead coldly laughed, pointing at Ning Fu. Her words left Ning Fu rather embarrassed, and even the Great Elder’s face darkened a bit.

Because Yin Buqun knew that if Ning Fu had extracted any information, he would have scampered to him to take credit long ago. Thus, he was quite aware of the cause and effect.

"However, I’ve only brought her here for three months and managed to clarify everything. What do you think, Great Elder, whose method is more effective—yours or mine?"

Shen Xingmou didn’t even glance at Shang Li, but as Shang Li watched with surprise, Shen Xingmou said such words, stirring her heart.

At least Shang Li was certain that none of the information she knew was divulged, not a word or a hint. So why would this black-clad girl say such things? Was she taking on all responsibility by herself?

From the conversation between the two, Shang Li also realized that the green-robed elder held an extremely high status, certainly much higher than the Steward Ning who had tormented her for years.

To dare to lie in front of such an important figure, Shang Li could imagine the amount of risk Shen Xingmou would be taking. Thinking of a possibility, Shang Li’s gaze towards Shen Xingmou softened considerably.

Shang Li was no fool, and in an instant, she understood that Shen Xingmou was trying to protect her. Since Shen Xingmou claimed to have disclosed everything, from now on, the people of Star-picking Tower should no longer subject her to severe interrogation, right?

"Oh? Is that so?"

Hearing Shen Xingmou’s words, Yin Buqun was not concerned with their veracity. He only wanted to know the whereabouts of the Blood Moon Jade and Yun Changtian’s hiding place. All else was inconsequential.

"Great Elder, my apologies, these matters concerning the Blood Moon Jade... I also must first tell my teacher, and then he will decide whether or not to inform you!"

Just as Yin Buqun was about to ask, Shen Xingmou took the initiative to speak, blocking the words he wanted to say and causing his expression to darken considerably.

"This damn girl!"

Yin Buqun realized what Shen Xingmou was insinuating – that his status wasn’t high enough, and if he wanted to know these things, he’d have to wait until he himself became the Tower Master.

But he could not refute such a statement. Could he really claim that his status was on par with the Tower Master? If he did, he would likely face many troubles in the future.

"Hmph, if you won’t speak, you think I can’t ask myself?"

Displeased, Yin Buqun’s gaze shifted to Shang Li, and he said, "Since she has told you everything, then there’s no use for her staying here, right?"

Phew...

After Yin Buqun’s words fell, without waiting for Shen Xingmou to interject, he moved his wrist and reached out, gently grasping at Shang Li from across the space, and then her entire body, as if enveloped by some force, uncontrollably shot towards the Great Elder of the Star-picking Tower with great speed.

One had to say that the powers of these great beings from the Li Yuan Realm were immensely formidable; even the Long Xiao Battle God from the past might not have been able to exhibit this method of capturing from afar.

"Great Elder, what are you doing?"

Upon seeing this, Shen Xingmou was greatly shocked, having not expected the Great Elder to take action so abruptly, with utter disregard for her status as the Tower Master’s Disciple, and she immediately cried out in alarm.

Swoosh!

Shen Xingmou was quick to react, and knowing she was far inferior to Yin Buqun in terms of strength, she immediately brought out the Jinghong Umbrella.

The Jinghong Umbrella was an Ancient Divine Artifact on par with the Dragon Taming Sword. Though Shen Xingmou’s Meridian Qi Cultivation was far from matching Yin Buqun’s, with the help of the Jinghong Umbrella, she was able to sever the connection between Yin Buqun and that unique force.

Shang Li, whose body came to an abrupt halt, was breathing heavily. Soon, she saw a graceful figure in black standing in front of her, and she couldn’t help feeling touched.

Originally, Shang Li thought Shen Xingmou was adopting a strategy of retreating in order to advance, speaking kindly to her with the ultimate goal of coaxing out her secrets. Now it seemed there might be some discrepancies with her own speculations.

That elder in the Green Robe didn’t look easy to deal with. Although Shen Xingmou held a distinguished status, she could only be considered dominant amongst the younger generation. In terms of Meridian Qi Cultivation or status, she surely couldn’t compare to this elder in Green Robe.

Yet under such circumstances, Shen Xingmou still had the courage to boldly rescue her. From this action, it no longer seemed like an act but rather genuine sincerity.

"Shen Xingmou, you are becoming more and more presumptuous!"

Frustrated and embarrassed by Shen Xingmou cutting off his power, Yin Buqun was indeed quite angry. Just as Shang Li thought, while Shen Xingmou might be the Tower Master’s Disciple and the top talent of the younger generation of Star-picking Tower, she probably didn’t measure up to him, the Great Elder.

Thus, Yin Buqun’s shout no longer contained any trace of politeness. As a Great Elder of the Star-picking Tower, a figure of high authority surpassed by only one, he didn’t think anyone could obstruct him if he wished to take someone away.

"Presumptuous? I think it’s the Great Elder who’s being presumptuous. Do you really believe I would dare to rescue someone from the Tower’s dungeon without the Tower Master’s orders?"

Feeling the overwhelming aura emanating from Yin Buqun, Shen Xingmou found it difficult to breathe. She knew she was no match for him, so she could only wave the flag of a tiger’s skin, hoping to use the fear of the Tower Master’s authority to deter this arrogant old man.

"The Tower Master’s orders?"

Taken aback by Shen Xingmou’s claim, Yin Buqun’s violent aura instantly retreated, replaced by a thick sense of shock.

No matter how strong Yin Buqun was, compared to the Tower Master of the Star-picking Tower, there was likely some gap. Moreover, as one of the three major powers ruling the Li Yuan Realm, the methods of its wielder were enough to leave countless people apprehensive.

"What? Does the Great Elder think I’m lying?"

Since the situation had escalated to this point, Shen Xingmou had no way out but to go all in, knowing that perhaps only her Tower Master teacher’s reputation could intimidate this old man within the entire Star-picking Tower.

"Humph, since it’s the Tower Master’s orders, I’ll let you off this time. However, I will verify this matter with the Tower Master myself!"

Seeing that Shen Xingmou didn’t seem to be lying, Yin Buqun knew that if he persisted, he would be showing disrespect to the Tower Master. He didn’t want to give others a chance to criticize him, but the final warning he gave before leaving made Shen Xingmou’s eyelids twitch.

Perhaps only Shen Xingmou knew of the calmness she had forcibly composed, and even she herself did not understand why she would take such a great risk to protect Shang Li.

"Could it be because of that lad Yun Xiao?"

A thought emerged deep in Shen Xingmou’s mind, causing her to quickly shake her head, trying to dismiss the frightening idea from her thoughts, until Yin Buqun and Ning Fu both turned and left the hall, leaving her still unable to snap back to reality for a long while.

"Sigh..."

In a daze, Shen Xingmou seemed to hear a soft sigh, and that voice even sounded somewhat familiar, finally snapping her out of her reverie.

"Teacher?"

Recalling the sigh and the familiar feeling it evoked, Shen Xingmou’s heart raced as she couldn’t help but exclaim softly. If it were really her teacher who had come, wouldn’t her lie be exposed on the spot?

Alas, even after a long while, the entire hall was extremely quiet, with no sign of a response, which allowed Shen Xingmou to breathe a sigh of relief, yet it made Shang Li contemplative.