Chapter 1272: Chapter 1272: An Infiltrator from Black Yan Hall
"Very good."
Elder Zhao was already satisfied with Lin Chen’s natural talent, and now seeing Lin Chen hand over ten Ice Clear Flowers, he stroked his beard with his hand, feeling quite pleased.
Immediately, a disciple of Yunlong Heavenly Palace approached Lin Chen, collected the ten Ice Clear Flowers handed over by him, and registered them for Lin Chen.
Yang Minghui, Yu Weilian, and others saw this and mimicked Lin Chen’s actions, submitting ten Ice Clear Flowers.
At this, Elder Zhao narrowed his eyes slightly, noticing that those beside Lin Chen had all found Ice Clear Flowers, indicating they could pass this examination.
However, as an elder of Yunlong Heavenly Palace, he was very familiar with the situation inside the Secret Realm.
The Ice Clear Flowers were sixth-rank spiritual medicines, often guarded by powerful magical beasts, and sometimes even mutated bloodline beasts.
Lin Chen’s strength was formidable, capable of defeating beasts to collect Ice Clear Flowers, but for people with lower cultivation like Yu Weilian and Su Xiao, collecting ten Ice Clear Flowers was far from easy.
Therefore, for Lin Chen’s companions to manage ten Ice Clear Flowers, they were likely assisted by Lin Chen and others.
Nonetheless, Elder Zhao lacked evidence, and even if he had it, he would choose to turn a blind eye, considering Lin Chen’s talent would soon earn him a place in Yunlong Heavenly Palace.
Elder Zhao was very satisfied with Lin Chen.
Unlike Yun Kaige, Lin Chen was remarkably gifted yet neither arrogant nor proud, but humble and polite, naturally likable.
Regarding Lin Chen’s companions, although their cultivation was slightly lower, their strength at such an age was close enough to Yunlong Heavenly Palace’s standards for recruiting disciples, so Elder Zhao didn’t bother much.
Yet he found it odd that Zhang Hongying and other members of the Zhang Family walked out of the Secret Realm together with Lin Chen, seemingly accompanying one another.
Not long ago, the Yunlong Inn incident spread throughout the city, where Lin Chen brutally humiliated the Zhang Family, turning them into enemies like water and fire.
Yet now, how could Lin Chen be in company with the Zhang Family?
This was indeed puzzling.
Furthermore, Wan Qiansan, one of the Top Ten Heroes, was also traveling with Lin Chen, and their relationship seemed quite good, which aroused Elder Zhao’s suspicion about what Lin Chen might have done in the Secret Realm to win over many martial artists.
However, before Elder Zhao could inquire, Zhang Hongying immediately stepped forward after submitting her Ice Clear Flowers.
"Elder Zhao, we encountered people from Black Yan Hall in the Secret Realm."
Zhang Hongying looked at Elder Zhao and immediately reported.
This matter was of great importance and naturally could not be delayed.
"What!? People from Black Yan Hall."
Upon hearing Zhang Hongying’s words, Elder Zhao’s aura burst forth, causing weaker martial artists around to retreat dozens of feet.
The four elders guarding the formation also were shocked by Zhang Hongying’s words, finding it hard to believe.
Yunlong Heavenly Palace and Black Yan Hall were archenemies, with absolutely irreconcilable enmity, and their martial artists dared to infiltrate the Secret Realm right under their noses; it was simply seeking death.
They couldn’t believe that Black Yan Hall’s people had such audacity.
This matter was not trivial.
"Miss Zhang, do you know what you are saying, this matter is not something to joke about, do you know the consequences of speaking falsely."
Elder Zhao looked at Zhang Hongying, asking seriously.
"What I said is true, and I am not the only one who saw it."
Facing Elder Zhao’s powerful aura, Zhang Hongying responded fearlessly.
"Elder Zhao, Miss Zhang’s words are true, I can testify."
"In the Secret Realm, that person fought with me and almost killed me. If it hadn’t been for Miss Zhang and Brother Lin Chen’s rescue, I would be dead by now."
Wan Qiansan stepped forward and spoke.
Upon hearing Wan Qiansan’s words, Elder Zhao’s brows immediately furrowed, realizing the seriousness of the matter, likely being true.
After all, in Yunlong City, everyone knew Wan Qiansan of the Top Ten Heroes was the most honest and straightforward, naturally frank and bright, never lying.
Now that two of the heroes mentioned the matter, it seemed certain that someone from Black Yan Hall had infiltrated the Secret Realm.
"Tell me the details, do not leave out any clue."
Elder Zhao looked solemnly at Lin Chen and the other two, speaking seriously.
Then, Zhang Hongying and Wan Qiansan recounted the encounter with the man in black in the Secret Realm in detail.
Listening to their account, Elder Zhao’s complexion became extremely unpleasant.
It turned out that the young man he had previously thought had fled the Secret Realm early out of fear was actually a member of Black Yan Hall.
That man had slipped away right under Elder Zhao’s nose, which undoubtedly was a huge slap in his face, and to Elder Zhao, it was a great humiliation.
"Elder Zhao, I must report another matter, which is that Liu Yong has affiliations with that person from Black Yan Hall."
Zhang Hongying’s gaze fell coldly on Liu Yong in the distance.
This statement caused even greater shock among everyone present.
Previously, Black Yan Hall’s infiltration into the Secret Realm was shocking enough; now, it was claimed that Liu Yong colluded with Black Yan Hall.
"Miss Zhang, you can eat food recklessly, but you can’t speak recklessly. If you slander me so, neither I, Liu Yong, nor the Liu Family will accept it. If you don’t have evidence, you’ll have to give me an explanation today."
Liu Yong looked at Zhang Hongying, speaking coldly.
"Hmph, how do you explain your unprovoked attack on me in the Secret Realm?"
Zhang Hongying looked at Liu Yong, questioning.
"Haha, you say I attacked you, and then claim I collude with Black Yan Hall; isn’t that ridiculous?"
"I attacked you simply because I’ve disliked you, Zhang Hongying, for a long time, and intended to take this opportunity to kill you and seize your magic treasure."
"The rules of this examination didn’t say that one can’t attack others, did they?"
Liu Yong looked at Zhang Hongying, speaking nonchalantly.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hongying frowned slightly, not expecting Liu Yong to admit the attack openly without any defense, thus leaving her unsure how to prove the collusion between Liu Yong and the man in black.