Chapter 130: Cards on the Table?
“Yun Fei, clear the field.”
Before Lu Qingyang could speak, Cloud Artisan had already turned to Yun Fei beside him and given the order himself.
Hearing this, a look of confusion appeared on Yun Fei’s face.
Didn’t we say that after the disciples’ Battle Puppet match, both sides would offer commentary?
Then let Sect Master Lu take the stage and show a few moves, while we seize the chance to flatter him and secretly learn a thing or two?
What’s wrong with Big Brother? He actually wants to personally duel with Sect Master Lu?
Wouldn’t that end up offending Sect Master Lu?
Yun Fei was full of doubt, but seeing Cloud Artisan’s calm expression, he did not dare to voice any of it.
He simply turned and dismissed the gathered disciples.
“What’s going on? Weren’t they saying the Sect Master was going to duel personally?”
“Yeah, why won’t they let us watch?”
“Exactly, such a rare spectacle, and they won’t even let us see it.”
“What a letdown…”
“…”
Seeing Yun Fei’s actions, the many disciples present could not help but complain.
But bound by their superiors’ orders, they had no choice but to withdraw.
On the plaza before the sect’s grand hall, only Lu Qingyang’s group and the three Yun brothers remained.
What does this Cloud Artisan actually want?
Could it be that he invited me here as a guest just to have a private duel with me?
Impossible. There’s definitely something fishy going on.
Lu Qingyang’s eyes flickered, but he did not utter a word.
After glancing back at Yang Yu and the others, his heart gradually calmed.
He refused to believe that with all these people in tow, he could still capsize.
Even if that Cloud Artisan had heaven-toppling abilities, he was not afraid!
Fine. Let’s see what kind of play this man is putting on.
With that thought, Lu Qingyang slowly rose and looked toward Cloud Artisan.
“Sect Master Yun, did you invite me here just to compare puppet-refining techniques with me?”
“I had thought the Thousand Bamboo Sect invited me out of a desire for friendly exchange with my Chaotian Sect!”
“Isn’t this rather too forceful, a bit too rude?”
“If that’s how it is, then it truly is boring. Farewell.”
Having spoken, he moved to summon his Dharma Ship and leave.
Of course, Lu Qingyang had two reasons for this.
First, he genuinely intended to leave.
Because ever since arriving at the Thousand Bamboo Sect, he had felt something was off.
He did not wish to stay long, and the other party’s attitude was far too rigid.
After all, when he refined artifacts at the Sect Management Council, even Mahayana Venerables would come to watch.
The other party being so overbearing, Lu Qingyang naturally was unwilling.
As for the second reason… it was that Lu Qingyang wanted to probe this Cloud Artisan.
To see what medicine the man was actually selling.
Sure enough, upon seeing Lu Qingyang rise.
Cloud Artisan’s brow immediately furrowed.
Then, after a moment of silence, he slowly spoke.
“Sect Master Lu, why leave in such a hurry?”
“Could it be that Sect Master Lu is afraid?”
As his words fell, the high platform instantly fell silent.
Yun Fei and Yun Qi widened their eyes, looking at their elder brother in disbelief!
“Brother, what are you saying!”
“How can you speak to Sect Master Lu like that!”
“Sect Master Lu, please do not be angry. My elder brother must be itching for a challenge, so…”
Yun Fei hurried forward with a placating smile. “Please be magnanimous, Sect Master Lu!”
Yun Qi’s reaction was not as intense.
But he too stood there dumbfounded.
Completely unable to understand why their eldest brother had suddenly changed his attitude.
As for Lu Qingyang, hearing this, he withdrew the foot he had already stepped forward.
He slowly turned around, eyes narrowing slightly.
“Is Sect Master Yun planning to lay his cards on the table with me?”
“Or… does he intend to keep us here?”
A double meaning.
As his words fell, the atmosphere on the high platform shifted once more!
A chill abruptly spread out!
This time, forget Yun Fei and Yun Qi — even Yang Yu, Zhao Layue, and the others were somewhat stunned.
A moment ago there had at least been some displeasure, but nothing that would lead to drawn blades!
How had it turned into this in the blink of an eye?
Yun Fei and Yun Qi’s faces were a mixture of uncertainty and turmoil. For a moment, neither could grasp what the other side was thinking.
“Senior Brother… do we fight?”
A voice transmission suddenly appeared by Lu Qingyang’s ear. It was from Yang Yu.
“Observe for now. If it comes to blows, you must protect Layue and the others.”
“Mm, Senior Brother, rest assured. I understand.”
Hearing Yang Yu’s transmission, Lu Qingyang’s expression eased slightly.
On the other side, Yun Fei was also secretly transmitting, his tone anxious.
“Big Brother! What’s going on!”
“How can you be so forceful? This isn’t how you usually act!”
“Even if you truly have ill intentions toward this man named Lu, you can’t make a move here!”
“If the Sect Management Council investigates, where in the Human Race would our Thousand Bamboo Sect have a place to shelter!”
A string of transmissions rang in Cloud Artisan’s ear.
But the latter paid them no heed, as if he had not heard at all.
Seeing this, Yun Qi beside him also grew anxious.
“Big Brother! Are we really going to fight!”
“Then… then I’ll first activate the sect formation, lest word leaks out!”
Just as the two groups were locked in a standoff, Yun Qi suddenly formed hand seals and summoned the Thousand Bamboo Sect’s Grand Sect-Protection Formation!
“Buzz buzz buzz!”
In an instant, layer upon layer of formation patterns condensed out of thin air, covering the entire mountain gate of the Thousand Bamboo Sect!
With this, those outside could not enter, and those inside could not leave!
And the Thousand Bamboo Sect’s Grand Sect-Protection Formation was a sixth-rank grand formation. Below Dao Integration, it was simply impossible to break!
This sudden turn of events caused Yang Yu, Zhao Layue, and the others to instantly change expressions!
They each summoned Dharma Artifacts and clutched talismans, ready to act at any moment.
Not only them — even the Thousand Bamboo Sect disciples who had just withdrawn from the plaza were now dumbstruck.
“What’s happening?!”
“This is… the Grand Mountain-Protection Formation?!”
Seeing this, the entire sect’s disciples were thrown into shock!
After all, the grand formation was only summoned when the sect faced life or death.
Weren’t the two sect masters just competing in puppet refinement? Why would the grand formation be summoned?
Could it be… there was danger inside?
Thinking of this, everyone grew tense.
As for Lu Qingyang, upon seeing this formation that practically represented a declaration of war.
His originally guarded heart settled.
Fine. Whatever the trick is, we’ll know once we fight.
At the thought that he had not fought in a hundred years, his hands suddenly began to itch…
At this thought, Lu Qingyang’s lips curved into an indifferent smile. He then turned his head toward the high platform.
“Sect Master Yun, speak. How has my Chaotian Sect offended you?”
“Or is there something on this Sect Master worth you risking a warrant from the Sect Management Council to seize?”
“Speak. Once you’re done, perhaps I might spare the lives of your entire sect’s disciples.”
“I’m not joking. If it’s only the three of you Void Return cultivators, then today, most likely… the Thousand Bamboo Sect will perish.”
Lu Qingyang’s words grew sharper with each sentence, causing Yun Fei’s and Yun Qi’s faces on the high platform to grow darker and darker.
Amid their fury, they also did not know how to respond.
As for Cloud Artisan, hearing this, he fell silent for a long while before taking a deep breath and speaking, word by word.
“A thousand years ago, in battle with my lord, I was unfortunately blown apart by a single sword strike.”
“At that time, my lord… that is, the Sect Master of this Thousand Bamboo Sect, Cloud Artisan, was gravely wounded by someone, half his body scraped away…”