Chapter 540: The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost

Chapter 540: The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost

As more and more of the black smoke emanating from the boulder containing the limestone cave was absorbed by the Taiqing Grandmaster's praying mat, the boulder became more and more transparent. Before long, it shattered in a cloud of black smoke that the praying mat rapidly sucked clean.

The praying mat continued to float in the air, while Zhang Lingjun continued to meditate within a cloud of red fog above it.

"What? That praying mat managed to absorb that entire limestone cave? How can it be so strong even after ten thousand years? It must be cursed!" Ao Zhou exclaimed.

Xiao Nanfeng interrupted Ao Zhou immediately and shot him a pointed glance. "The Taiqing Grandmaster is present. It's not your place to criticize it."

Ao Zhou hesitated, seemingly confused, until Ye Dafu nudged him and explained everything. Ao Zhou's eyes widened as his expression turned serious.

"Ao Shuai has already informed the Hall of Martial Aspects about the entire affair. Should I go into hiding for now?" Ao Zhou asked in worry.

"Remember this: the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost's death is unrelated to you, and you even took revenge on his behalf. You are innocent. You can't hide. If you do, that's when they'll deem you the culprit and issue a bounty on you. The whole world would be after you then—that's far more dangerous than the alternative," Xiao Nanfeng replied, describing the facade that they would uphold.

"What?" Ao Zhou blanched. Alll latest novels at novelhall.com

"You can't flee. You have to face any accusations head-on," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Ao Zhou's eyes twitched. In the end, he could only nod.

Just then, a beam of violet light shot toward them from afar, so quickly everyone was taken aback.

"A Golden Immortal!" Ao Zhou cried out.

The violet light descended on Thousand-Spirit Island in a plume of dust, which slowly dissipated to reveal a purple-robed man. Electric arcs surrounded the man's body, and an incredibly strong aura emanated from him. He was far stronger than the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost.

"Violetfrost, you're finally here!" Ao Shuai exclaimed, rushing forward.

The Martial Aspect, crackling with lightning, strode toward the coffin nearby and saw the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost lying within. His features distorted in rage. "Master, how did Silverfrost die?"

Ao Shuai recounted what had happened, then added, "I've received word that, in the Imperial Court's sea of fortune, the golden dragon of fortune corresponding to Silverfrost has dissipated. He's truly dead."

"Bastards!" the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost cursed.

He suddenly turned to Ao Zhou and shot over, forcing Ao Zhou to stumble back.

The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost snarled, "You're Ao Zhou? You killed my brother? Die!"

"I didn't!" Ao Zhou cried out.

He wanted to explain, but the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost didn't give him an opportunity to explain himself. He reached out for Ao Zhou.

"Martial Aspect of Violetfrost, do you dare kill an official of the Imperial Court?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

He strode forward to protect Ao Zhou, but the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost arced around him like a bolt of lightning and caught Ao Zhou by the neck.

"Save me!" Ao Zhou cried out.

Although he had just become a True Immortal, he was still far weaker than the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost. He froze, completely unable to move. He could sense that the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost could kill him at that very moment.

When Xiao Nanfeng saw that he couldn't stop the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost, he immediately walked up to Ao Shuai instead. "Ao Shuai, you've violated my commands multiple times. Now, you've even cajoled the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost into attempting to kill an official of the Imperial Court. I deem you a traitor conspiring against the Court, to be executed immediately. Do you accept this judgment?"

"Of course not! Xiao Nanfeng, you malign me time and again!" Ao Shuai thundered.

"I am the commander in charge of this mission to subjugate Thousand-Spirit Island, and you nothing but a minor general. My commands are not to be taken lightly, and I even issued you a writ to retreat from Thousand-Spirit Island immediately. You are in flagrant violation of my commands by returning—and I told you then that those in violation would be executed. Not only did you return, you've even cajoled the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost into attempting to kill an official of the Imperial Court. Don't you deserve to die?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

"You dare—!" the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost hissed.

This was too risky. He could easily kill Ao Zhou, but if Ao Shuai were to die as well, that would be a losing proposition.

Ao Shuai had no choice but to jump in to defend himself. "Violetfrost, calm down for the moment. The Hall of Martial Aspects contains relics that can uncover the truth of the situation. It won't be too late to execute him then."

The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost fumed. "Ao Shuai didn't incite me to kill an official of the Imperial Court, and certainly cannot be deemed a traitor."

He tossed Ao Zhou to the ground with such force as to disorient him.

"Since you've released Ao Zhou, Martial Aspect of Violetfrost, Ao Shuai certainly has done nothing traitorous," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Both sides stepped back. With Ao Zhou freed, Ao Shuai's life was secured as well.

The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost sniffed. He walked up to the coffin and reclaimed the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost's body, then turned. "Master, let's go!"

Ao Shuai glared at Xiao Nanfeng before nodding. He was growing angrier by the second and had no intention of remaining behind on the island.

He beckoned his subordinates before flying off toward the horizon alongside the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost.

"I was half-scared to death," Ao Zhou wheezed, shuddering. "They weren't planning to listen to reason at all!"

"Strength trumps all else," Xiao Nanfeng replied wryly.

Ao Zhou nodded, a series of complex emotions flashing across his face. "What's with this token? How did I become a guard captain of the princess' manor?"

"Because I arranged for it beforehand, of course. I did the same with Ye Dafu, Croak, Warble, and the others."

"What? Why didn't we know about it?" Ao Zhou exclaimed.

"Why would you have needed to? I was just preparing a protective talisman for all of you in advance. I stand out too much in the Imperial Court, so I knew I couldn't give you positions in my manor. That's why I asked the princess for her assistance. You should thank her."

"Thank you, Princess!" Ao Zhou said immediately.

"Worry not. So, what just happened?" Zhang Lingjun asked curiously.

Xiao Nanfeng described everything that had happened to date.

"What? Not only did you manage to claim the spirits of Thousand-Spirit Island, you even killed four Golden Immortals?!" Zhang Lingjun exclaimed.

"More like they killed each other, and that praying mat of yours was of incredible utility. I barely did anything," Xiao Nanfeng replied, shaking his head. "Princess, might I ask if the Taiqing Grandmaster is still around?"

"He left long ago," Zhang Lingjun replied.

Xiao Nanfeng breathed out in relief. Then, he smiled. "With the Taiqing Grandmaster's assistance, you must have advanced greatly, Princess."

"I did get an incredible boost to my cultivation. I'm about to undergo a tribulation," Zhang Lingjun related, nodding.

"A True Immortal's tribulation?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, surprised.

"That's right. I've been suppressing my advancement since. I intend to undergo the tribulation immediately."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded seriously. "Princess, we shouldn't stay here for long. Let's do so somewhere else. Will that be alright?"

Zhang Lingjun nodded. "Very well!"