Main Vein of the Qilin Mountain Sect, Sect Leader's conference room.

The meeting room was laid with wool carpets, and three paintings hung on the spacious walls, each depicting an old man with a white beard. These three were the founding ancestors of the Qilin Mountain Sect.

At this moment, before the bronze-colored square conference table in the Sect Leader's meeting room, the major figures of the Main Vein, Right Pulse, and Left Pulse of the Qilin Mountain Sect were holding a meeting.

The meeting was regarding the matters related to the Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament two months later.

Sitting in the middle across from the conference table was the Main Vein Sect Leader, Ning Qingyun, with the Right Pulse Sect Leader Xie Yunzhen and Left Pulse Sect Leader Qiao Zheng seated to his left and right, respectively.

On either side of the conference table sat elders of great strength and authority from each of the Three Veins.

Of course, the awkward thing was, only Qiao Zheng was there from the Left Pulse, while the rest were elders from the Main Vein and Right Pulse.

At that moment, the elders were engaged in animated discussions, while Qiao Zheng, sitting alone, seemed somewhat isolated.

"Haha Sect Leader Senior Brother, this time around, I don't think there's any suspense in the Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament. That lad Chu Lingfeng is said to be nearly breaking through from the Primordial Pill Middle Stage to the Late Stage. With his strength, he can match us elders. Participating in the Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament is a piece of cake for him. I think the championship is practically reserved for him."

Ma Changqing, sitting beside Xie Yunzhen, laughed heartily.

"Junior Brother Ma, you're mistaken. Last time, Yu Wenfeng of the Right Pulse narrowly lost to Chu Lingfeng. It's said that over the past two years, his cultivation and combat power have improved significantly and he's also at the Primordial Pill Middle Stage. When Chu Lingfeng and Yu Wenfeng are at the same Cultivation Level, if they really fought with all their might, well, the outcome is unpredictable!"

Ning Qingyun stroked his white beard, speaking without any humility. Clearly, in his view, it seemed inevitable for Chu Lingfeng to win the championship without incident.

Of course, the other elders of the Qilin Mountain Sect were fully aware of this as well.

The title "Peerless Twins" has long been used to describe Chu Lingfeng and Yu Wenfeng, not without merit.

Moreover, Chu Lingfeng's combat power had always been above Yu Wenfeng's, a fact even Yu Wenfeng himself admitted.

Originally a meeting to arrange various tasks for the Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament, halfway through, it had become a session for the Main Vein and Right Pulse elders to shower praises.

The "Peerless Twins" and the "Five Great Talents of Qilin" all hailed from the Main Vein and Right Pulse. No doubt, this Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament was just like two years ago, effectively a competition between two veins. Everyone assumed the Left Pulse was just there for show.

Qiao Zheng had already accepted internally that it was just for show; he had decided long ago that the Left Pulse disciples wouldn't participate in the Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament to avoid humiliation.

But then Qin Tian told him one day that he wanted to perform well in the Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament to bring glory to the Left Pulse, his words stirred something within Qiao Zheng.

"If by any chance, Qin Tian turns out to be a dark horse and makes it to the top eight, at least my Left Pulse would be spared from ridicule."

Qiao Zheng thought to himself, deeply torn and conflicted, hence he remained silent during the meeting, not knowing what to say.

If Qin Tian could make it to the top eight, his Left Pulse would gain respect; but if Qin Tian couldn't even reach the top sixteen, the Left Pulse would likely forever be a laughingstock, with no hope of redemption!

Might as well not compete at all.

"Senior Brother Qiao, why aren't you speaking? Haha, the Main Vein and Right Pulse have set small targets for this year's Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament, what about your Left Pulse?"

Just as Qiao Zheng was wrestling with his thoughts, Ma Changqing's words, dripping with sarcasm, reached Qiao Zheng's ears.

At those words, the lively conference room suddenly fell silent!

Those who always enjoyed mocking the Left Pulse were now silent after Ma Changqing spoke, wanting to see how Qiao Zheng would respond.

As everyone's gaze fell upon Qiao Zheng, the troubled mind of Qiao Zheng made up his mind.

"Our Left Pulse is withdrawing from this Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament, we will not participate," Qiao Zheng said calmly.

These words dropped like a stone into a lake, causing ripples of shock. Everyone began to express their thoughts.

Ning Qingyun's expression changed slightly, and with a cold snort, demanded, "Junior Brother Qiao, the Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament is a tradition set by our ancestors. What do you mean by your Left Pulse not participating?"

As an elder of the Main Vein and the Sect Leader of the Qilin Mountain Sect—an essential figure, Ning Qingyun looked icily at Qiao Zheng, "Are you planning to betray the Qilin Mountain Sect? Or perhaps you think that, as your senior, my strength is so lacking that you can act recklessly under my management!?"

Ning Qingyun's imposing manner made Qiao Zheng's face stiffen immediately, and he explained, "Sect Leader Brother, you've misunderstood. Senior Brother, saying the Left Pulse won't participate in the Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament is due to some unspeakable difficulties. Our Left Pulse has been declining in strength over the past twenty years, and now, participating in the Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament makes no difference, so it's a helpless decision..."

"What helpless decision? Didn't your Left Pulse recently produce a slave disciple named Qin Tian? I hear he's been quite sensational. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet, but this time, I want to see just what kind of slave he is, who's become so arrogant after just a few months of cultivation!"

Ning Qingyun's eyes were sharp, and upon hearing this, Qiao Zheng's heart sank.

Clearly, Ning Qingyun's words were aimed at Qin Tian!

Qiao Zheng understood Ning Qingyun's personality very well—arrogant and dismissive towards those of low status. It seemed he had learned about Qin Tian and clearly had a poor impression of him.

"Sect Leader Brother..."

"Don't say another word. This matter is settled. Just like last time, I'll give your Left Pulse a special pass: all official disciples must participate!"

"Hahaha..."

Ning Qingyun's words were laden with sarcasm, and the Main Vein and Right Pulse elders beside him laughed heartily, without any restraint.

Qiao Zheng felt his face grow hot, still wanting to argue, "Sect Leader Brother, I think our Left Pulse..."

"What 'our Left Pulse' 'your Left Pulse'! It's all the Left Pulse of the Qilin Mountain Sect!"

Ning Qingyun rudely interrupted Qiao Zheng, saying, "Junior Brother Qiao, let me remind you that there will be an election for the Sect Leader in two years. You should behave cooperatively for these two years; I don't need to spell out what your fate will be then, do I? Hmph, if you don't wish to be the Left Pulse Sect Leader, there's no shortage of others who do! Look at what's become of the Left Pulse under your leadership!"

Ning Qingyun's expression was incredibly stern, publicly admonishing Qiao Zheng, giving him no regard or face as the Left Pulse Sect Leader!

"I truly admire you—you managed to lead the Left Pulse into decline. The ancestors of the Left Pulse have been utterly disgraced by you! The Right Pulse and Main Vein, the entire Qilin Mountain Sect, have been humiliated by you! For years, your Left Pulse has been the laughingstock of other Sects, ridiculing our Qilin Mountain Sect. Hmph, and you have the audacity to say you won't participate in the Three Veins Martial Arts Tournament? What right do you have to say that to me? Stand down!"

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