The air in the room felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible giant hand. Every wisp and drop of soul power flowed with a heavy, stagnant weight.
Gu Rong maintained his posture with his fingers bent. The black soul power condensed at his fingertips crackled like thunder, yet it was frozen in mid-air. A pulse rose from the depths of his soul—a sensation that made his hair stand on end, as if he were prey caught by some enormous beast. Every inch of skin screamed of danger.
Just as he was about to act, a gaze devoid of emotion appeared from nowhere. It did not come from any visible direction, but permeated the entire room like an invisible coercion, wrapping tightly around him like countless fine spiderwebs.
Gu Rong had lived nearly a hundred years, crawling up from being as insignificant as an ant to becoming a Titled Douluo today. He had experienced countless battles and could remain calm even before the Pope of the Spirit Hall. But right now, his back was drenched in cold sweat. His fitted clothes clung to his skin, the chill soaking through from his spine to the crown of his head.
"This… this is…"
Gu Rong's pupils contracted violently. The soul power at his fingertips started to tremble slightly under the pressure of that gaze.
He could clearly perceive that the owner of that gaze was hiding somewhere in the corners of the Shanhai Pavilion, overlooking his every movement as if in a panoramic view. The moment he fired that soul power from his fingers, the other party would strike in an instant—an attack that would certainly bring about catastrophic consequences.
All of a sudden, he recalled the scene when, in his youth, he met his father's old friend—Sword Douluo Chen Xin's father. That pinnacle Titled Douluo had reached the ninety-seventh rank. The sword intent emanating from his body was like ten thousand longswords suspended in mid-air, sharp enough to cut the very space around him. Even then, Gu Rong had only felt awe.
However, at this very moment, what he felt was a suppression arising from the difference in the very level of life itself. It seemed the slightest thought from the other party could strip him of his soul.
The atmosphere in the room was incredibly strange. Chen Yi still sat in his chair, toying with the crystal cup in his hand. His expression was indifferent to the extreme, as though everything around him had nothing to do with him.
As for the other four in the room, aside from the always-calm Ning Fengzhi, the other faces were filled with disbelief.
Dugu Yan's willow brows were slightly furrowed, a hint of shock surfacing on her delicate face. She had interacted with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan many times and knew well that Bone Douluo Gu Rong had a fiery and explosive temper, unable to bear any provocation from others.
Chen Yi's earlier words were already quite unpleasant. In other words, Gu Rong should have already flown into a rage and made a scene—yet this Titled Douluo was now motionless as if under a spell, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Ye Lingling's fair hands lightly covered her cherry-red lips. Her eyes were full of puzzlement. She was gentle by nature and delicate of heart. Naturally she understood that Gu Rong's current state was anything but normal. The tense body, the trembling fingertips, and the fear he could not conceal all told her he was under immense pressure.
Xue Qinghe sat beside Ning Fengzhi, outwardly maintaining the composure befitting a prince, but there was a slight ripple in her eyes. She had grown up in the Elder Hall and had seen countless powerhouses. But even if Second Grandfather went all out to exert his pressure, he might still not be able to force Bone Douluo into such a state.
"Bone Douluo…"
Xue Qinghe subconsciously glanced at Ning Fengzhi. The Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wore a solemn expression. His deep eyes were fixed on Chen Yi, clearly having sensed that something was amiss.
The hand holding Ning Fengzhi's teacup paused slightly, the warm tea sending gentle ripples against the cup's inner wall.
He had been friends with Gu Rong for decades and knew this old man's character well. Gu Rong might seem approachable on the surface, but he was actually very thoughtful and steady. Unless he was facing a truly mortal threat, he would never lose his composure like this.
This was not mere fear—but a terror that seeped into the very marrow of his bones.
"The one behind Chen Yi…"
Ning Fengzhi quickly engraved the answer in his heart.
From beginning to end, Chen Yi had never once stood up, nor had he released the slightest trace of soul power. Yet Gu Rong's reaction made it obvious he was being forcibly suppressed by someone. To frighten a Titled Douluo to this extent without even revealing one's face—this level of strength was simply terrifying.
He couldn't help but think of the Grand Worship in the Spirit Hall—an existence that had already reached the apex of the world, a living legend. Only that being, he feared, could exert such crushing pressure on old Bone.
Could it be that the person behind Chen Yi was actually a powerhouse at the same level?
Xue Qinghe was clearly thinking along the same lines. Her gaze toward Chen Yi became slightly more complicated. This youth had appeared suddenly and seemed ordinary at first glance, yet he might actually be secretly protected by such a powerhouse. His identity and origins were definitely far from simple.
"To suppress Bone Douluo without even showing his face… This strength… is in no way inferior to Second Grandfather, and may well be comparable to Grandfather…"
In her heart, Xue Qinghe quietly made this comparison, and her attention toward Chen Yi instantly rose several levels.
Just then, Chen Yi slowly set down his jade cup. The corners of his lips lifted into a slight smile as he looked at the still-immobile Gu Rong. His voice was not loud, but spread clearly throughout the hall.
"Old man, anger is bad for your health. You're already at your age; don't be so short-tempered."
This casual remark made the expressions of everyone present shift.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling exchanged a glance, seeing fear reflected in each other's eyes. They quickly guessed who the person secretly acting just now was—surely the Grand Elder of the Body Sect.
They just hadn't expected that the Grand Elder's strength had reached a level where he could suppress a Titled Douluo with mere pressure from afar.
Ye Lingling pressed her chest lightly, feeling her heart pounding violently. One year ago she had once crossed paths with the Grand Elder; at that time she had thought the other party was just an ordinary Titled Douluo. Now it seemed his level had already reached a height beyond imagination.
If the one who had come that first time had actually been the Grand Elder…
Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath, then slowly stood up. He glanced around the hall, then spoke with a tone filled with respect and sincerity.
"I do not know which senior has graced us with their presence. This junior is Ning Fengzhi. I humbly invite senior to show himself so this junior may fulfill the host's duty, however meager it may be."
There was a slight quiver in his voice—it was the respect due to a powerhouse, as well as his concern for the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
If an existence with such terrifying strength could establish friendly relations with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous boon for the sect's development.
As for the dispute just now—in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, it was already something insignificant. Compared to the benefits that powerhouse might bring to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it was not worth mentioning.
However, in response to Ning Fengzhi's words, the hall remained silent. No voice answered.
The gaze that had been pressing down on Gu Rong quietly dissipated, as if it had never existed. But Gu Rong's face was still ashen; he involuntarily retreated half a step, sucking in a sharp breath, clearly not having recovered from the terror.
Seeing this, Chen Yi slowly stood up. He cupped his hands toward Ning Fengzhi with a faint smile.
"Sect Master Ning, please don't blame me. The elder has a strange temper and doesn't like outsiders. I must ask you to be tolerant."
Regret churned in Ning Fengzhi's heart, but he dared not harbor the slightest resentment. He could only force a bitter smile and shake his head.
"Senior experts indeed have temperaments different from ordinary people. I truly did not expect that, outside of the Spirit Hall, there would still be such a powerful being in this world."
There was a faint emotion and a trace of vigilance in his tone.
The Spirit Hall's power was already immense, faintly suppressing the other soul master factions for many years. The situation on the continent had long been complicated and treacherous. Now, another mysterious force of such level had appeared. No doubt the future pattern of the continent would become even more complex.
Chen Yi smiled ambiguously, picking up the teacup on the table and taking a sip before speaking slowly.
"Sect Master Ning is too modest. Among the younger generation, they all praise the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Sword and Bone's brilliance is unparalleled. Senior Sword Douluo Chen Xin's swordsmanship is divine; Senior Bone Douluo Gu Rong's strength is unfathomable. With the two of them combining, your sect shines with an invincible light."
Hearing this, a relieved smile finally surfaced on Ning Fengzhi's face.
"Brother Chen overpraises us. The talk of sword and bone is only exaggerated flattery from outsiders."
Even so, he could not conceal the pride flickering in his eyes. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were indeed the firmest pillars of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Recalling Gu Rong's earlier loss of composure, Ning Fengzhi's inner pride turned solemn. Even Gu Rong himself had been so easily shocked. From this, he could faintly gauge how terrifyingly powerful that mysterious expert was.
If such a person were to become an enemy of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the consequences would be simply unimaginable.
The air in the hall gradually relaxed, but the shock in everyone's hearts lingered for a long time.
Gu Rong slowed his breathing, his face still pale. He glanced at Chen Yi with a hint of fear in his eyes. The fervor he'd had earlier was nowhere to be seen. The terror brought by that invisible gaze had been deeply imprinted in his heart.
Seeing the dignified and slightly embarrassed expressions of the two from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a slight trace of satisfaction flashed in Ye Lingling's eyes. Whether Ning Fengzhi or Gu Rong, both had always been lofty existences to her. Now, they also had such an awkward side.
Xue Qinghe sat silently off to the side, but in her heart she was quickly calculating. The sudden appearance of this mysterious power might very well change the pattern of the continent. Whether they would turn out to be friend or foe was still unknown.
"It's getting late. It's about time we took our leave," Ning Fengzhi said, glancing at the sky outside the window. He slowly rose to his feet and cupped his hands toward Chen Yi. He knew very well that if they stayed too long today, this mysterious force might no longer remain in the shadows. It was better to withdraw first and then plan.
Chen Yi nodded with a smile. "Sect Master Ning, take care on your way."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, then turned to Gu Rong and Xue Qinghe and said in a low voice, "Let's go."
Gu Rong felt as though he'd been pardoned. He hurriedly followed in Ning Fengzhi's footsteps. Right now, he just wanted to leave this suffocating place as soon as possible and get away from the breath of that mysterious power.
Xue Qinghe also stood, gave Chen Yi a light nod, and walked out of the council hall behind Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong. Yet before leaving, she gave Chen Yi one last indifferent look, probing and wary.
Watching the three departing figures, Dugu Yan couldn't help asking, "Chen Yi, was that really the elder just now? His strength is… too terrifying!"
Ye Lingling also looked at Chen Yi, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and fear.
Chen Yi smiled and did not answer directly. He only said, "The Grand Elder's strength is far beyond imagination."
…