Chapter 2658 The Location of the Celestial Fire

Duan Ling Tian could clearly sense the difference in treatment from Liu Feng Gu, the City Governor of Bloody Specter City. Liu Feng Gu had even changed the way he addressed him. He knew it was due to his strength that was not any weaker than a Great Overarching Golden Celestial.

When they left Bloody Specter City, Qin Yu who could sense Duan Ling Tian’s urgency curiously asked, “Duan Ling Tian, why are you in such a hurry to return? Don’t you plan to stay for a few days since it’s rare for you to come back?”

“The Martial Competition of the 16 Counties that’s organized by King Qing’s Mansion will take place in a year so I plan to spend more time cultivating,” Duan Ling Tian replied. He made an excuse on the spot since he did not plan to tell Qin Yu about the Celestial Fire.

“Martial Competition of the 16 Counties?” Qin Yu was slightly taken aback. He smiled wryly as he said, “I would’ve forgotten about it if you didn’t mention it. However, with your current strength, I don’t think anyone will be a match for you. After all, the participants are all younger than 100 years old. Let alone the Nine Specters County, I’m afraid no one below 100 years of age in the Cloudy Rock Celestial Kingdom is a match for you.” He had witnessed Duan Ling Tian’s strength after all. Although Duan Ling Tian was not a Great Overarching Golden Celestial yet, Duan Ling Tian’s strength was not any weaker than a Great Overarching Golden Celestial. This could be seen by the way he had easily defeated Zhou Tong, a first Revered Elder of the County Governor’s estate in Nine Specters County, who was a Great Overarching Golden Celestial. Moreover, with Duan Ling Tian’s soul defense Celestial Weapon, there was no need for Duan Ling Tian to fear soul attacks from Great Overarching Golden Celestials. He did not think there was anyone below the age of 100 in the history of Spirit Overarching Heaven who possessed the strength of a Great Overarching Golden Celestial.

However, Duan Ling Tian said, “Nothing is certain. There would always be someone stronger no matter how strong you are. Who can confidently say all the participants are weaker than me?”

Upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s words, Qin Yu fell silent. Although he did not think there would be anyone stronger than Duan Ling Tian in the competition, he could not say for sure as well.

They remained quiet during the journey back. They arrived in the County City of Nine Specters County after Duan Ling Tian effortlessly killed two groups of people who looked for trouble with them.

As soon as they arrived in the County City, Duan Ling Tian said, “Qin Yu, there’s something I must attend to so you can go ahead and return to the County Governor’s estate first.” He did not wait for Qin Yu’s response before he disappeared in a flash.

Qin Yu knew Duan Ling Tian did not want him to come along. Therefore, he tactfully returned to the County Governor’s estate and made his way to the Latent Dragon Abyss. He thought to himself, ‘With Zhou Fei’s death, I can claim his stone chamber as mine.’ After all, the cultivation environment in Zhou Fei’s stone chamber was more superior than his. It was only second to Duan Ling Tian’s stone chamber.

During Qin Yu’s journey back to the Latent Dragon Abyss, he was surprised when he overheard the whispered conversation between three guards.

“I heard that Revered Elder Zhou Tong died soon after Zhou Fei died… Is it true? But Revered Elder Zhou Tong was a Great Overarching Golden Celestial…”

“W-what? Revered Elder Zhou Tong is dead? Where did you hear this?”

“Yes, I heard it from two inner-estate elders…”

Qin Yu thought to himself, ‘It’s only natural that the County Governor’s estate has learned about Zhou Tong and Zhou Fei’s deaths. I’m not sure about Zhou Fei, but Zhou Tong’s Soul Pearl is definitely kept by the County Governor.’

The three guards continued to talk as they walked further and further away.

“If Revered Elder Zhou Tong has died, doesn’t this mean the murderer is a Great Overarching Golden Celestial at least? Apart from Lord County Governor, there’s no one stronger than Revered Elder Zhou Tong in Nine Specters County.”

“I suppose the murderer is not from our county. I’m really curious why he killed Revered Elder Zhou Tong.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu smiled wryly. ‘Not from our Nine Specters County?’ If these people knew Duan Ling Tian was the one who killed Zhou Tong, they would be shocked beyond words.

…

In the main hall of the County Governor’s estate.

Zheng Qiu, the inner estate elder of the County Governor’s estate, looked at Tian Ji Yu, the County Governor of Nine Specters County, who was sitting in the main seat. He asked in a low voice, “Lord County Governor, have you found Revered Elder Zhou Tong’s murderer?”

Upon hearing this, a few inner-estate elders who were present looked at Tian Ji Yu curiously.

Tian Ji Yu shook his head with a grim expression on his face. “No. The murderer is undoubtedly stronger than Revered Elder Zhou Tong. Otherwise, I would’ve received a Communication Celestial Talisman from Revered Elder Zhou Tong.” He continued to say, “The only thing I’m sure of is that Revered Zhou Tong was killed shortly after Zhou Fei was killed. It’s highly likely that they were killed by the same person.”

The other inner-estate elders, including Zheng Qiu, nodded their heads in agreement. They believed it could not be a coincidence that Zhou Tong had died shortly after his godson’s death. Their deaths had to be closely connected.

An inner-estate elder looked at Tian Ji Yu and said, “Lord County Governor, I couldn’t find out when Revered Elder Zhou Tong had left the estate. However, apart from Zhou Fei, I found out two young men had also left the Latent Dragon Abyss and the estate.”

Tian Ji Yu asked in a low voice, “Who are they?”

“Duan Ling Tian and Qin Yu,” the inner-estate elder replied.

Upon hearing this, Tian Ji Yu started laughing. He asked, “What? Are you trying to say Zhou Fei and Revered Elder Zhou Tong’s deaths have something to do with them?”

“I… I’m not sure, and I do feel like it’s just a coincidence. However, we can’t disregard the fact that there was enmity between Duan Ling Tian and Zhou Fei,” the inner-estate elder replied honestly.

“Zhou Fei might have hated Duan Ling Tian, but Revered Elder Zhou Tong had decided to help Duan Ling Tian get stronger for the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties. Therefore, even if Zhou Fei hated Duan Ling Tian, there was nothing he could do to Duan Ling Tian since he was too weak. As for Qin Yu, although he’s from Bloody Specter City as well, he has no enmity with Zhou Fei. Most importantly, he’s not strong enough to kill Zhou Fei,” Tian Ji Yu said indifferently.

“Apart from that, I have no other leads.” The inner-estate elder smiled bitterly. An idea suddenly appeared in his mind, and he asked tentatively, “Lord County Governor, should we investigate both of them?”

“It’s just a waste of time to investigate them. I don’t think it’s necessary!” Tian Ji Yu shook his head. Naturally, he made the decision because Duan Ling Tian was his only hope to obtain the mediocre Celestial Pill, the Great Overarching Pill. He did not want Duan Ling Tian’s cultivation to be disturbed because of this matter. Otherwise, he would definitely investigate Duan Ling Tian even if it was highly unlikely for Duan Ling Tian to have anything to do with Zhou Tong and Zhou Fei’s deaths.

Duan Ling Tian was, naturally, unaware that he had almost become a suspect. Nevertheless, he would not care even if he knew. After all, he knew the investigation would not bear any fruits. Since Zhou Tong had annihilated the Silverwyrm Army, only Liu Feng Gu, Qin Yu, and Elder Hong were privy to his origins. He trusted them not to betray him. Even if they betrayed him, they had no concrete proof to support their words. Even if Tian Ji Yu could confirm he was the culprit, he was certain Tian Ji Yu would not act against him, at least not until the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties was over.

…

About 100,000 miles away, in the opposite direction of the County City of Nine Specters County. A vast mountain range could be seen in this place.

Duan Ling Tian hovered in the sky above the vast mountain range as he muttered to himself, “If City Governor Liu didn’t tell me the exact location of the Celestial Fire, even if I know the Celestial Fire is in this area, with my current Divine Consciousness, I still wouldn’t be able to find it after a few hundred years.”