Chapter 414: The Di Ming Sect
Mo Yu's gaze lingered on the black snake-shaped sword for a moment before slowly shifting to the figure behind it. The figure was a young man dressed in black robes, his face displaying arrogance, and his eyes brimming with disdain for everything around him.
Behind the black-robed youth stood three elderly men and a familiar young man in white—none other than Bei Hao. The smirk on Bei Hao's face made it clear that this black-robed youth's sudden intervention was connected to him.
However, Mo Yu had no time to bother with Bei Hao. His focus shifted to the three elderly men, and his brows furrowed slightly as he examined them.
The two elders standing at the back exuded powerful auras, clearly having reached the level of an eight-star Dou Zong. But the elder in front of them caused Mo Yu's heart to tense up.
"A Dou Zun."
This elder bore a scar on his face and had a vicious, menacing look, though he resembled nothing more than an ordinary butcher. However, with Mo Yu's sharp spiritual perception, he could clearly sense that this man had reached the level of a Dou Zun.
The black-robed youth's sudden interference caught the attention of many, drawing curious glances from the onlookers. When they saw the three elders behind him, surprise flickered in their eyes. To have such an impressive entourage, this group clearly had a powerful background.
"Heh, friend, I can offer you double the price you're asking. Could you let me have that copper fragment?" the black-robed youth smiled at Mo Yu, though his snake-shaped sword remained firmly pinned on the copper fragment, showing no intention of moving.
Mo Yu locked eyes with the black-robed youth for a moment before shaking his head and calmly replying, "No."
As soon as Mo Yu finished speaking, his fingers flicked like lightning against the snake-shaped sword. A hidden force erupted, sending the sword skidding off the jade platform. In an instant, Mo Yu reached for the copper fragment again.
The youth's expression darkened, but he reacted swiftly. With a wave of his hand, the snake-shaped sword slashed toward Mo Yu's hand like a venomous snake, its sharp energy cutting through the air and leaving a fine crack in the space itself.
However, Mo Yu's expression remained unchanged. With a quick flick, he struck the copper fragment and then transformed his fingers into a palm, unleashing a surge of power that slammed against the snake-shaped sword.
Boom!
A dull thud echoed through the room as Mo Yu's palm forced the black snake-shaped sword to the ground.
Before the youth could retrieve his weapon, Mo Yu spun with lightning speed and delivered a powerful kick toward his face.
Seeing the force behind Mo Yu's kick, the youth's expression turned grim. He had no choice but to release the snake-shaped sword and step back two paces to avoid the strike.
"You insolent brat!"
As the black-robed youth retreated, the two elders behind him, both at the eight-star Dou Zong level, stepped forward, their faces darkening. With a single step, they closed the gap and extended their hands like eagle claws, reaching for Mo Yu's shoulders.
Just as the two elders moved, Mo Yu let out a cold chuckle. From his shoulders, two wisps of green energy surged out, carrying a deadly poison.
"Watch out!" warned the scar-faced Dou Zun elder, who had yet to make a move.
Hearing the warning, the two elders hesitated, wrapping their hands in Dou Qi, but a faint trace of poisonous wind still slipped into their noses.
Immediately, their Dou Qi fluctuated chaotically, and they hastily withdrew, struggling to suppress the poison surging through their bodies.
"What now? Are you planning to resort to force?" Mo Yu asked coolly, having given the two elders a not-so-subtle lesson.
The two old men, now barely containing the poison inside them, looked at Mo Yu with fear in their eyes. They hadn't expected such a young man to possess such a potent poison. If it weren't for their high cultivation levels, things could have gone terribly wrong.
Even Bei Hao, watching from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn't expected the disciple Bing Li had taken in to have such dangerous abilities. Could this Xiao Huo Huo really be connected to Mo Yu?
The black-robed youth glared at Mo Yu with a darkened expression. After a moment, a cold smile appeared on his face as he said, "Hmph, boy, I heard from Bei Hao that your name is Xiao Huo Huo, and you're the disciple of Master Bing of the Weapon Alliance. Not bad. But let me tell you, I am Lin Lang, the Young Sect Master of the Di Ming Sect. You think you're worthy of competing with me?"
"The Di Ming Sect?" Feng Mu and Lan Yingying's expressions changed upon hearing the name, while Mo Yu's brow furrowed slightly.
Mo Yu was familiar with the major powers of the Central Plains, and the Di Ming Sect was certainly no small name. In fact, its reputation was on par with, if not stronger than, that of the Myriad Sword Pavilion.
This was because the Di Ming Sect was backed by the renowned Tian Ming Sect, one of the two major sects on the continent.
The Tian Ming Sect had three subordinate sects known as the Lower Three Sects, and the Di Ming Sect was one of them, alongside the Xuan Ming Sect and the Huang Ming Sect.
The Di Ming Sect's influence was significant, rivaling even the Four Pavilions and the Three Valleys. After all, even if someone didn't respect the Di Ming Sect, they would still be wary of offending the powerful Tian Ming Sect behind it.
"Sorry, never heard of you. I saw the copper fragment first and have no intention of giving it up," Mo Yu replied calmly, though he now understood that the Di Ming Sect was no force to be trifled with. Still, he wasn't about to back down. He had faced greater threats before, including the Hall of Souls, and was undeterred by the Di Ming Sect.
The black-robed elder who owned the stall felt regret rising in his heart. Realizing that the copper fragment must be more valuable than he initially thought, he wanted to take it back. However, the deal was already made, and he couldn't simply go back on his word. He could only watch as Mo Yu and Lin Lang competed for the fragment.
Lin Lang's face turned dark at Mo Yu's blunt refusal. He coldly laughed and said, "Xiao Huo Huo, making enemies of the Di Ming Sect over something insignificant is not a wise move. Don't think the Weapon Alliance can protect you forever. The Master Swordsmith is a friend of the Di Ming Sect."
Bei Hao smiled at these words, casting a cold glance at Mo Yu and his companions.
Feng Mu and Lan Yingying's faces twisted in anger. While it was true that the Master Swordsmith and Old Bing were not on good terms, for Bei Hao to bring in outsiders to deal with one of their own was truly despicable.
Mo Yu, however, only smiled faintly. The Master Swordsmith had already made his way onto Mo Yu's blacklist, so the mention of him didn't provoke any real anger.
With a calm expression, Mo Yu stored the copper fragment in his storage ring and looked at Lin Lang. "I'm sorry, but I have no interest in being your friend. I need this item myself. But if you have the patience to wait, I might be able to leave something for you after I've studied it."
With that, Mo Yu gestured to Lan Yingying and Feng Mu and began walking toward the stairs.
"Humph!" As Mo Yu moved, the two elders who had just suffered his poisonous attack once again stepped forward, blocking his path.
Mo Yu's smile faded as he stood still, staring at the two elders. Though they had a Dou Zun on their side, Mo Yu was unafraid. After all, this was the Weapon Alliance's territory. If things escalated, Old Bing wouldn't stand by idly.
Still, Mo Yu thought, it seemed he would have to trouble Old Bing once again.
"Heh, gentlemen, the Blacksmiths' Trading Conference has always followed rules of fairness and order. Let's not break them now."
At this tense moment, a cheerful voice echoed through the room. A large, rotund man with a warm smile walked over, his presence like that of a peaceful Buddha. Despite his kind demeanor, the powerful aura emanating from him revealed that he, too, was a Dou Zun expert.
"It's Master Hui Shan, one of the five elders of the Weapon Alliance and a high-level seventh-tier blacksmith. He's also a friend of my teacher," Lan Yingying whispered excitedly to Mo Yu.
Mo Yu was briefly surprised before he nodded. If this man was a friend of Old Bing, the situation should soon be resolved.
Though the Di Ming Sect was powerful, it wasn't the Tian Ming Sect. Being only one of the three subordinate sects, they would still have to show respect to the Weapon Alliance's higher-ups.
The commotion had drawn the attention of many on the third floor, but most weren't shocked to see two Dou Zun experts. The people here had seen enough to remain composed, even in the presence of such power.
The two elders blocking Mo Yu's path hesitated when they saw Master Hui Shan approaching. After receiving a subtle signal from Lin Lang, they retracted their auras and stepped back.
"Heh, so it's Master Hui Shan. I've heard that you're rarely seen. I didn't know you had returned to Ten Thousand Weapons City," Lin Lang said with a smile.
Master Hui Shan smiled gently. "With the Blacksmithing Tournament approaching, I, as one of the Weapon Alliance's elders, had to return. But may I ask why the Young Sect Master of the Di Ming Sect is troubling a member of the Weapon Alliance?"
Lin Lang's expression stiffened, and he glanced at Mo Yu, his face growing colder. "I heard that Master Bing recently took on a new disciple, so I came to get acquainted. But it seems this disciple doesn't think much of the Di Ming Sect. Are all members of the Weapon Alliance so arrogant?"
Master Hui Shan glanced at Mo Yu. He already knew Feng Mu and Lan Yingying, but Mo Yu was new to him. Still, since he was Bing Li's disciple, Master Hui Shan quickly realized that this young man was no ordinary person.
With a kind smile, Master Hui Shan replied, "Oh, no, no. You're mistaken, Young Sect Master Lin. The Di Ming Sect, and even more so the Tian Ming Sect behind it, are powerful forces on the continent. The Weapon Alliance could never compare. I hope you'll let this matter go on my account."
Lin Lang's face darkened. Despite Master Hui Shan's friendly appearance, he was no pushover, especially since this was the Weapon Alliance's territory. If more of the alliance's higher-ups arrived, even as the Young Sect Master of the Di Ming Sect, he might find himself in a tough spot.
Reluctantly, Lin Lang shot a cold glance at Mo Yu before turning on his heel and walking toward the stairs. The three elders, along with Bei Hao, quickly followed him.
Clearly, the struggle over the copper fragment had ended in Mo Yu's favor.
Mo Yu watched Lin Lang's group disappear from view, his expression calm, but deep in his eyes, a cold glint flashed. Lin Lang had better not continue provoking him, or not even the Di Ming Sect, or the Tian Ming Sect behind them, would be able to protect him from a painful lesson.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Mo Yu turned to Master Hui Shan and respectfully cupped his hands. "Junior Xiao Huo Huo thanks Master Hui Shan for your assistance."
Lan Yingying and Feng Mu also stepped forward to greet Master Hui Shan.
"Heh, there's no need to be so formal. Since you're all disciples of Old Bing, consider me a friend," Master Hui Shan said warmly, clearly having a good relationship with Old Bing.
Then, his eyes fell on Mo Yu. "So, you're Old Bing's new disciple? I haven't had the chance to meet you before, but if Old Bing accepted you, your talent must be remarkable. It's just a shame you've gotten involved with the Di Ming Sect. Their power is considerable, and with their vengeful nature, I doubt they'll let this go easily."
Mo Yu smiled faintly and replied, "It couldn't be helped, but I'm not too worried. If Lin Lang tries anything, I'll deal with it."
Mo Yu wasn't speaking out of arrogance. With his current strength, if he unleashed his full power, he wouldn't fear anyone below the Dou Zun level. If things escalated further, his Black Thunder Talisman could even bring down the Di Ming Sect's leader.
Although the Di Ming Sect had a strong background, Mo Yu had no intention of handing over the copper fragment. Conflict was inevitable.
Master Hui Shan, along with Lan Yingying and Feng Mu, was briefly stunned by Mo Yu's calm words.
Even the Weapon Alliance was cautious when dealing with the Di Ming Sect, especially with the Tian Ming Sect backing it. Was Mo Yu overly confident, or did he truly have the strength to back up his words?
(End of the chapter)
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