The elders were flabbergasted by Zhang Ergou's words.
What had the boy just said? That Summoner Xiayang should give him some spiritual compensation.
It was an unprecedented marvel; they had never heard of a disciple extorting an elder. Today, their eyes were truly opened.
The elders all looked at Summoner Xiayang with sympathy.
Who told the old fellow to be so attention-seeking? Now he'd been caught in a bind.
"Little one, show mercy where you can. Let this matter rest here. Go back with your master and the others for now."
Elder Tiandao's tone was firm, allowing no room for opposition.
Zhang Ergou hunched his neck. This was a genuine Nascent Soul stage mighty figure; he couldn't afford to be defiant in the slightest.
It was a good opportunity to heed Elder Tiandao's words and leave quickly. The longer he stayed, the worse it would be for him.
The Zhang Ergou, who had been full of anger just moments ago and insistent on compensation from Summoner Xiayang, instantly changed his demeanor upon hearing Elder Tiandao.
"Since Elder Uncle Tiandao has spoken, I, your disciple, will naturally obey. I will leave with my master and the others now and not cause you any trouble, Elder Uncle."
Zhang Ergou said this with a fawning smile on his face.
Huh? What is this?
The elders present were utterly bewildered. Were they sure this boy wasn't just backing down because of Elder Tiandao's cultivation?
However, they dared not voice such thoughts. The gazes they directed at Zhang Ergou became even stranger.
So, this kid was just a bully who picked on the weak and feared the strong. They had thought he was different.
Some naturally scoffed at Zhang Ergou's performance.
Zhang Ergou didn't care what these people were thinking. His sole focus now was escaping this place.
Although Elder Xueshan had repeatedly assured him that even a Soul Transformation stage mighty figure wouldn't be able to detect his presence, Zhang Ergou dared not take the risk. His small frame couldn't withstand the meddling of these Nascent Soul stage grandees.
Even though these Nascent Soul stage grandees hadn't said anything overtly, Zhang Ergou, whose soul power far surpassed that of cultivators at the same level, had sensed several hidden probes as soon as he emerged.
He dared not say anything. Naturally, these were the powerful figures in the void making their moves. If he foolishly spoke out, he wouldn't be leaving today.
Seeing Zhang Ergou so obedient, Elder Tiandao nodded with satisfaction.
The situation here was no longer something a Golden Core stage cultivator could help with. With a command from Elder Tiandao, the onlookers, the elders, were dismissed.
Then, he continued with the several Nascent Soul stage magnates to investigate the true cause of the Icebound Snow Mountain's disappearance.
...
"You brat, are you really alright? That cold in the Ice Cave is not something ordinary people can withstand!"
Summoner Chunyang and Qiao Yanyun, along with others, had followed Chi Yu and the others to Lingyu Peak.
Zhang Ergou was currently surrounded like a giant panda. The elders didn't believe Zhang Ergou had emerged from the Ice Cave without any injuries.
"At first, I almost froze to death. But later, when the earthquake happened, the cold gradually lessened."
Zhang Ergou began to tell a blatant lie. He certainly wouldn't tell them that Elder Xueshan had saved him.
"Since that's the case, then we can rest assured. However, what you did this time was indeed a bit excessive. How could you resort to killing at the slightest disagreement?"
Summoner Chunyang and Qiao Yanyun had also heard the reason why Zhang Ergou was imprisoned in the Ice Cave. Neither of them agreed with Zhang Ergou's approach of killing at the slightest provocation.
"Heh, Masters, even if I had to do it again, I wouldn't show mercy."
Zhang Ergou not only showed no signs of regret but his aura shifted dramatically, his face filled with killing intent. Clearly, he was still deeply resentful of Qian Wenchao's actions.
Chi Yu, Chi Ling, Summoner Chunyang, Qiao Yanyun, and the others exchanged glances. All of them had felt a trace of threat from the killing intent Zhang Ergou had inadvertently released just now.
Isn't this kid too monstrous? In such a short time, his progress has been so rapid.
These few, who were Zhang Ergou's masters and martial uncles, felt immense pressure. In less than two years, he had transformed from a Qi Refining stage rookie into the current early Golden Core stage powerhouse.
This was an achievement many cultivators couldn't reach in their entire lives.
Indeed, comparing oneself to others could be maddening. However, while the elders felt pressured, they were also somewhat relieved.
"Master, I've just broken through to the Golden Core stage and haven't had time to consolidate my cultivation, yet I was imprisoned in the Ice Cave. I won't be accompanying you. I'll go into seclusion first."
With that, Zhang Ergou vanished in a flash. He really couldn't stand being stared at like a monkey by his masters.
"You brat!" Chi Yu naturally saw through Zhang Ergou's excuse and scolded him with a fake scowl, no longer dwelling on the matter.
...
After leaving the main hall of Lingyu Peak, Zhang Ergou did not go into seclusion. Instead, he directly descended the mountain and headed straight for the Inner Sect Battle Stage.
He still remembered his promise to Chi Yu that he would reach the top twenty on the Inner Sect Ranking within a month. He couldn't break his word.
Time was pressing. Since he had evaded the scrutiny of Elder Tiandao and the others, he should be safe for the time being.
Therefore, it was time to finish what he hadn't completed.
...
"What? Zhang Ergou is back? Wasn't he imprisoned in the Ice Cave by Elder Brother Jin?"
"You're saying Zhang Ergou was thrown out of the Ice Cave and is going to challenge the experts on the Inner Sect Ranking again?"
The disciples of the inner sect were in an uproar. How long had it been since Zhang Ergou came out of the Ice Cave? When they heard that something had happened at the Icebound Snow Mountain, they all sighed at Zhang Ergou's good fortune. However, Zhang Ergou's intent to challenge the experts on the Inner Sect Ranking again immediately drew the attention of the inner sect disciples.
"Zhang Ergou, I didn't expect you to have such a big life, to be able to come out of the Ice Cave alive."
On the battle stage, a man in green robes stood opposite Zhang Ergou, sneering. This was the opponent Zhang Ergou was about to challenge.
"Heh, my life is much bigger than yours. Even if you die, I'll still be alive and well."
Zhang Ergou seemed like a changed person, directly retorting the opponent's mockery.
"Zhang Ergou, you, stop your glib tongue. Take this sword!"
The green-robed disciple, angered by Zhang Ergou's arrogance, immediately roared.
A green longsword, entwined with spiritual energy, lunged towards Zhang Ergou.
"Tricks!" Zhang Ergou sneered condescendingly. He was no longer the same as before. Facing a sword strike from an early Golden Core stage peak cultivator, it was no longer necessary to use all his strength to dodge.
Zhang Ergou lightly waved his hand, and a condensed sword qi, as solid as a substance, shot directly towards the green longsword.
"What?"
The green-robed man's eyes widened. He saw his longsword being blocked by a sword qi that Zhang Ergou had casually conjured.
This was impossible. The green-robed man, refusing to believe it, thrust out another sword...