Chapter 106: The Conclusion of the Ancient Relic

The sudden appearance of the swift soldier left most people present in shock. They had never seen such a person before, and they couldn't understand why he had emerged from the relic.

The only ones not surprised were the five disciples from the Wanxiang Sect, including Lei Qian, and the two disciples from the Divine Sword Sect, Ma Shaoyuan and Shi Sanmei. They had all seen this mysterious subordinate summoned by Lin Qian before, but they were puzzled as to why the swift soldier had appeared now.

After arriving, the swift soldier walked straight toward Lei Qian. Under everyone's gaze, he stood before Lei Qian and saluted. "Lord Lei, by His Majesty's command, I am here to deliver a message. You need not worry; His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress are cultivating within the relic and will emerge soon. There is no need for concern."

Lei Qian stood frozen for a moment before regaining his composure. "Uh... understood."

After delivering his message, the swift soldier turned into a shadow and darted back into the portal, disappearing into the light.

Even after the soldier vanished, the others were still processing what had happened.

"Lei Qian, who was that person, and what exactly happened?" Qin Wushuang looked at Lei Qian, bewildered by the events that had unfolded before his eyes.

"Master, that person was summoned by Lin Qian. I don't know much more about him," Lei Qian replied with a helpless expression. "When he mentioned 'His Majesty,' he was referring to Lin Qian, and 'Her Majesty the Empress' is Ye Xin."

"What?" Qin Wushuang was stunned by Lei Qian's words and glanced over at Mei Yuexia, who looked equally confused. It was clear neither of them understood what was going on.

"Master, there's something else. This time, something went wrong with the ancient relic. We didn't receive any rewards," Lei Qian added, causing both Qin Wushuang and Mei Yuexia's expressions to change.

Upon hearing this, Qin Wushuang and Mei Yuexia looked around at the disciples from other sects, noticing that they all wore expressions of disappointment and confusion.

It seemed that something had indeed gone wrong with the relic, just as Lei Qian had said, and no one had received any rewards.

For some reason, Qin Wushuang had a nagging suspicion that Lin Qian might have been involved in whatever had caused this.

Furthermore, the fact that the swift soldier had exited the relic and then returned was highly unusual.

In the past, once the ancient relic trial ended, the portal would close completely. Never before had it remained open after the disciples exited, as it did now, only closing after the swift soldier re-entered.

Qin Wushuang wasn't the only one who noticed this anomaly—others had picked up on it as well.

"Master Qin, who was that person who came out of the relic just now? It seems he's connected to your Wanxiang Sect. Could it be that this time's disturbance in the relic has something to do with you?" Zhang Dingyun, the sect master of the Shengtian Sect, narrowed his eyes and looked toward Qin Wushuang.

As Zhang Dingyun spoke, the leaders of the other five sects also turned their attention toward Qin Wushuang.

"Hmph, our Wanxiang Sect disciples didn't receive any rewards either. What does the relic's disturbance have to do with us? And as for that person, I have no obligation to explain anything to you!" Qin Wushuang retorted coldly to Zhang Dingyun's questioning.

"Oh? Is that so? I find this all rather suspicious..." Zhang Dingyun chuckled lightly, his gaze fixed on Qin Wushuang.

"What do you intend to do?" Qin Wushuang stared back at Zhang Dingyun, his demeanor indicating he was ready to fight at any moment.

As the tension between them rose, Mei Yuexia's expression showed signs of internal struggle. Recalling her senior sister's instructions, she let out a sigh and moved to stand beside Qin Wushuang.

Following her lead, Haixiao Yun, the sect master of the Near Sea Sect, also brought his disciples over to stand by the Wanxiang Sect, making his intentions clear.

Seeing this, a glint of malice flashed in Zhang Dingyun's eyes. He clenched and unclenched his fists, deep in thought.

After a moment, Zhang Dingyun forced a smile. "Since Master Qin is so insistent, it seems you are telling the truth. Farewell." With that, he turned and summoned a cloud boat, his expression turning cold.

As his disciples boarded the cloud boat, Zhang Dingyun silently mused, "It seems the Divine Sword Sect is siding with the Wanxiang Sect, along with the Near Sea Sect. Now is not the right time to act. However, the fact that Wanxiang Sect and Divine Sword Sect are joining forces suggests that Wei Wushuang is truly gone."

Wei Wushuang's return had once quelled the turbulent waters of Linhai Prefecture, as his presence made the Wanxiang Sect's position nearly unassailable. With a War Emperor in their midst, even the Shengtian Sect had hesitated to make any moves against the Divine Sword Sect, fearing mutual destruction and the possibility of the Wanxiang Sect capitalizing on the situation.

Now, with Wanxiang Sect and Divine Sword Sect forming an alliance, it was clear that Wei Wushuang, the stabilizing force, had vanished, prompting the two sects to join forces for protection.

"I'll let you have your way for now. But when that person arrives, it will be time for the Shengtian Sect to dominate Linhai Prefecture," Zhang Dingyun thought coldly as he stood on the cloud boat, casting a final glance at Qin Wushuang before leaving.

After the Shengtian Sect departed, Qin Wushuang and the others breathed a sigh of relief. If they could avoid a confrontation with Zhang Dingyun now, all the better.

Following that, the disciples from the Tyrant Blade Sect and the Beast Taming Sect also left, with those from the Rejuvenation Sect and the Tempering Flame Sect soon following.

"Master Qin, what are your plans now?" Mei Yuexia asked, looking at Qin Wushuang.

Qin Wushuang gazed at the now-quiet portal and sighed, "I'm staying here. If I don't bring Lin Qian back, I'm as good as dead..."

"What?" Mei Yuexia and Haixiao Yun, who had not yet left, looked at Qin Wushuang in shock.

They couldn't understand why Qin Wushuang would face such dire consequences if he didn't bring Lin Qian back.

After all, Qin Wushuang, as one of the former twin prodigies of the Wanxiang Sect and its current sect master, held one of the highest positions in Linhai Prefecture. Who would dare to threaten his life?

Seeing their confusion, Qin Wushuang could only smile bitterly.

Everyone believed his senior brother had succumbed to his poison, but Qin Wushuang knew all too well that his brother was alive and well.

If he didn't return with Lin Qian unharmed, he was certain his senior brother would have his hide.

Buzz!

Just as Qin Wushuang was lost in thought, a fluctuation of the formation rippled through the air, catching everyone's attention. They all turned to look at the portal to the ancient relic.

The light that had previously faded reappeared, and a figure stepped out from within.

"Lin Qian!" Qin Wushuang exclaimed in delight upon seeing who it was.