Qing Tan's Candidate

Upon seeing the handsome man in black who had suddenly appeared, Qing Tan's expression turned grim.

Sure enough, those old guys on the Elder Council had no good intentions.

On the other side, the handsome man in black seemed oblivious to Qing Tan's increasingly gloomy expression, instead continuing to stare intently at her and speaking sincerely.

"Qing Tan, you know how much I like you. As long as you agree to let me become your Shadow Guard, I will definitely help you rise to the position of Hall Master of the Darkness Hall!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the many Darkness Hall elders in the Elder Council all had their eyes flickering, seemingly lost in thought.

The entire Darkness Plaza was silent. Countless people stared at Bo Xuan and Qing Tan on the altar, while some who knew the inside story of the Darkness Hall kept speculating.

Judging from this, it seems the Elder Council of the Darkness Hall really want to plant a spy next to this future Hall Master.

In a corner of the square, Lin Langtian gazed at the scene on the altar, his brows furrowing slightly as if recalling something.

Based on his understanding of the original plot, Lin Langtian was no stranger to the two factions within the Darkness Hall.

In the original novel, three years later, after Qing Tan succeeded Bo Xuan as the Hall Master of the Darkness Hall, she triggered a massive internal strife within the Darkness Hall during that grand festival.

The main theme of the internal strife was the discord between the Hall Master's faction and the Elder Council. In particular, when the new Hall Master, Qing Tan, lacked the prestige, seniority, and strength to suppress the Elder Council, the Elder Council began to attempt to gain greater power.

If it weren't for Lin Dong, who was capable of contending with the Reincarnation Stage at the critical moment, saving the day, Qing Tan's position as the Sixth Hall Master would probably have been revoked before she even had a chance to warm up. After all, there were still two old monsters at the Reincarnation Stage hidden within the Elder Council.

Currently, because Bo Xuan is still alive, the Elder Council' faction and the Hall Master's faction maintain a peaceful relationship on the surface, but the probing beneath the surface has already quietly begun.

On the altar, Qing Tan gazed at the handsome man in black, her small hands clenched tightly, and fine blue veins stood out on the back of her fair and delicate hands.

Qing Tan took a deep breath, and just as she was about to refuse, Bo Xuan, who was standing next to her, had already spoken up in refusal.

"Elder Luo, as Qing Tan's Hall Master, I will make arrangements Master her Shadow Guard. There is no need for the elders of the Elder Council to worry about this."

Qing Tan was Bo Xuan's prized disciple. If she were to be harmed or abused by the Elder Council, Bo Xuan would probably not be able to resist immediately wiping out the Elder Council.

Elder Luo was not annoyed by Bo Xuan's refusal. Instead, he smiled and said, "Reporting to the Hall Master, the reason why I recommended Nephew Mo Ming to serve as Nephew Qing Lin's Shadow Guard is naturally due to my good intentions."

Over the years, although my Darkness Hall is still the undisputed overlord of the Northern Xuan Region and appears to be infinitely glorious from the outside, internally, my Elder Council and the Hall Master's faction have become increasingly estranged and even developed some barriers.

In my humble opinion, one of the main reasons for this estrangement and estrangement is undoubtedly the isolation between the Elder Council and the Hall Master's faction, and the lack of communication and exchange.

Both the Elder Council and the Hall Master's faction are the core forces of my Darkness Hall. Therefore, for the long-term prosperity and stability of my Darkness Hall, the Elder Council and the Hall Master's faction must strengthen communication and avoid internal strife.

"My nephew Mo Ming is a prized disciple cultivated by my Elder Council. He is exceptionally talented and powerful. Serving as my nephew Qing Tan's Shadow Guard will not only fulfill his responsibilities but also bridge the gap between the Elder Council and the Hall Master's faction, enhancing communication between the two sides. This is a win-win situation, and I believe there is nothing wrong with it."

At this point, Elder Luo paused slightly, then seemed to remember something and chuckled, "By the way, Hall Master, this is also the intention of the two Grand Elder. We hope Hall Master will consider it carefully."

"Oh, what do you two Grand Elder mean?"

Upon hearing this, Bo Xuan's usually calm and unwavering eyes trembled slightly. Clearly, these two Grand Elder posed a considerable challenge even to him, the Hall Master of the Darkness Hall.

And Elder Luo's words were indeed correct. Since the second generation of the Hall Master, the Elder Council ' group and the Hall Master's group of the Darkness Hall have become increasingly estranged.

If each successive Hall Master of the Darkness Hall had not possessed the two sacred artifacts, the Dark Ancestral Symbol and the Dark Sacred Scythe, and thus absolute power, the authority of the Darkness Hall would likely have fallen into the hands of the Elder Council.

Elder Luo has now taken the initiative to mend the relationship between the two sides, considering the overall situation of the Darkness Hall, which makes it difficult for the Hall Master to say anything.

Not to mention the two Grand Elder, who are two immortal beings in the Reincarnation Stage. Even he, the Hall Master, has to call them Martial Uncle in terms of seniority.

As Bo Xuan's expression changed, Qing Tan bit her red lips, clearly aware of the pressure her Master was under.

After all, the larger the power, the more complex the internal factions. Even Bo Xuan, the master of a palace, sometimes has to make some decisions against his will.

However, just as the two sides were gradually reaching a stalemate and the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, the handsome man in black named Mo Ming spoke again with a light laugh.

"Since the Hall Master is hesitant to make a decision on the selection of the Qing Tan Shadow Guard, I think it would be better if the Hall Master's chosen Shadow Guard could defeat me, then I would voluntarily give up my qualification to become Qing Tan Shadow Guard. What do you say?"

"Mo Ming, this..." Elder Luo was stunned when he saw this scene, and quickly whispered.

Mo Ming waved his hand lightly, a confident smile appearing on his lips. The Shadow Guard could only be selected from the younger generation, and he did not believe that anyone among the younger generation of the Darkness Hall could surpass him.

The entire Darkness Plaza was completely silent as countless people watched this scene, never expecting to witness such an unexpected competition at this festival.

Upon hearing this, Bo Xuan looked at Mo Ming, who exuded confidence and composure, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

This young man is said to be the grand-disciple of a certain Grand Elder. Although he has never openly displayed his strength or talent, the fact that he is valued so highly by the Elder Council shows that he is no ordinary person.

And he absolutely could not refuse this request, otherwise wouldn't it be proving in front of everyone that the Palace Hall Master's lineage had no one left?

"Master, let me make a move." Seeing this, Qing Tan pursed her red lips and said in a deep voice.

"This is to select Shadow Guard for you. If you make a move, what will those old guys in the Elder Council say?" Shaking his head, Bo Xuan then looked at Chen Kui not far away and said.

"Don't worry, just let your Chen Kui handle it. He was originally the Shadow Guard I arranged for you."

"Chen Kui..." Upon hearing this, Qing Tan frowned slightly. Although Chen Kui was not weak, she always felt that he was no match for Mo Ming.

Thinking of this, Qing Tan suddenly glanced subconsciously at the handsome young man in the blue robe in the corner of the square, and murmured to herself, "Perhaps, I have another candidate..."

As Qing Tan pondered this, on the altar, Chen Kui, under Bo Xuan's instruction, also stepped onto the competition stage amidst the attention of thousands.

"Hehe, I knew it. The Hall Master originally intended you to be the Shadow Guard."

Mo Ming stared at Chen Kui in front of him, then glanced at Qing Tan, whose face was grave. But he did not rush to make a move and spoke in a relaxed tone.

"Heh, since you know this, why are you still so determined to fight for this Shadow Guard position? This is a matter for my Hall Master's faction, yet your Elder Council dare to interfere."

Chen Kui sneered. His face, covered by a ghost mask, looked eerie. As the most outstanding disciple of Bo Xuan after Qing Tan, Chen Kui clearly had his own reasons for being so confident.

Upon hearing this, Mo Ming slowly shook his head and chuckled, "Elder Luo has already said that my role as Qing Tan's Shadow Guard is to bridge the gap between the Elder Council and the Hall Master's faction."

Moreover, in my opinion, compared to you, whether from a strategic perspective or in terms of ability, I am more suitable to serve as Qing Tan's Shadow Guard.

"Hmph, after all this talk, let's see who's the best," Chen Kui said coldly.

Mo Ming smiled faintly and slowly spread his hands. Instantly, extremely astonishing Yuan Power surged out of his body like a tidal wave. Such a powerful force seemed to transform into rolling black waves behind him, with a thunderous roar that resounded throughout the heavens and earth.

Upon seeing this, Chen Kui's eyes flashed, and a torrent of gray-black Yuan Power, also permeated with Yin Sha, surged out from his body, transforming into towering clouds and mist.

Both of them had reached the Life Profound Stage Realm, and their Yuan Power was so strong that it was comparable to some of the leaders of the forces under the Darkness Plaza!

"Believe me, you will be greatly disappointed if you fight me."

Mo Ming slowly clenched his fist, and an extremely simple Black Iron Spear appeared in his hand. He stared at Chen Kui, a strange glint appearing in his eyes.

"It might be a bit early to say that now."

Chen Kui clenched his fist, and a Ghost-Face Black Serrated Great Saber flashed from his hand. He raised the broadsword and pointed it at Mo Ming, then smiled faintly.

"Make your move. Let me see just how powerful this disciple, whom your Elder Council have carefully nurtured, really is."

Mo Ming stared at Chen Kui, a sharp smile slowly curving his lips. In the next instant, a blur appeared, and his figure transformed into a black shadow as he shot out. In that instant, the Heavenly Yuan Power roared forth!

An amazing clash begins instantly!

High in the sky, Heavenly Yuan energy was at play, and two beams of light, each carrying extremely violent fluctuations, collided continuously in mid-air.

As the two most outstanding disciples of the Darkness Hall, the aftershocks of their battle were an eye-opener for many leaders of forces in the Darkness Plaza.

With a powerful surge of Yuan energy, the two tore through the sky, and finally collided once more amidst countless moved gazes.

Thump!

The moment of impact was like a thunderclap from the heavens, and visible ripples of Yuan energy spread out. The two figures were thrown backward, their feet landing on the void before they regained their footing.

Mo Ming waved his sleeves, dissipating all the internal energy. He looked at Chen Kui in the distance and said with a faint smile, "As expected of the Hall Master's prized disciple, your strength is indeed outstanding."

"Each other is not bad either." Chen Kui clenched his fist, and gray-black Yuan energy flowed and condensed in his palm. He glanced at Mo Ming with a solemn expression.

For some reason, he always felt that the other party was unfathomable, as if he hadn't used his full strength.

Thinking of this, Chen Kui's expression hardened, and he said in a deep voice, "Next, I'm going to use my killing move!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone saw that in the midst of the sky filled with gray-black Yuan energy, Chen Kui's pair of dark arms were emitting streaks of dark light.

"Boom!"

A towering black light condensed behind Chen Kui. In the next instant, his eyes suddenly sharpened, and he took a step forward, his palm curving into a claw shape. Then, he reached out with his claw towards Mo Ming in the distance.

"Great Dark Heavenly Ghost Claw!"

At the same moment, a deep voice came from Chen Kui's mouth. Immediately, countless shrill, ghostly screams suddenly rang out in the sky. A towering gray-black halo condensed and transformed into a dark ghost claw that was nearly a hundred feet long. A cold wind blew from the ghost claw.

Bang!

The dark claw pierced through the void, carrying extremely terrifying and sinister energy, and fiercely grabbed at Mo Ming.

"Haha, so this is your proud martial art, Chen Kui? Very well, today I will break through all your martial arts in front of everyone!"

Mo Ming stared at the ghostly claw that was coming with terrifying energy, but he did not flinch at all. Instead, he laughed loudly, and at the same time, a surging black energy roared behind him like waves.

"Great Dark Nether Hand!"

Amidst laughter, Mo Ming reached out with his large hand and then suddenly gripped it.

Rumble!

Behind him, an exceptionally powerful surge of dark energy roared out, transforming into a massive black, netherworld hand hundreds of feet long under the countless moved gazes. On that giant hand, a terrifying power that seemed to shake the heavens and earth seemed to be condensed.

Bang!

As soon as the enormous, dark hand took shape, it lashed out fiercely, and in the next instant, under the spotlight of countless gazes, it collided violently with the dark ghost claw.

Bang bang bang!

At the moment of impact, a thunderous sound erupted, and the ghostly claws and black hands continuously released violent fluctuations in the sky, attempting to shatter each other.

However, at this point, the two sides were clearly evenly matched, so no matter how violent the fluctuations were, their attacks failed to achieve any significant results.

"Evenly matched..."

Bo Xuan, the Elder Council, and even the crowd in the Darkness Plaza watched the stalemate and murmured amongst themselves.

In the sky, Mo Ming seemed to hear the many murmurs, and a cold smile flashed in his eyes, gradually revealing a sneer on his lips.

"Chen Kui, I told you, you are no match for me!"

Mo Ming gazed at Chen Kui from afar, smiled gently, and then the aura within his body surged dramatically!

As Mo Ming's aura surged, the dark hand also grew stronger and expanded in size, tightly gripping the dark ghost claw. The terrifying power was released, and cracks immediately appeared on the dark ghost claw.

"Broken!"

Mo Ming suddenly shouted coldly, and then everyone heard a crisp sound as the dark ghost claw was directly crushed.

"Snort..."

With the Dark Claw broken, Chen Kui let out a muffled groan, and a pale look flashed across his face.

A beam of black light shot down from the sky at that moment, finally crashing heavily to the ground. The terrifying force blasted a huge crater into the ground.

In the deep pit, Chen Kui's face was deathly pale, his body was split open, revealing his pale face, and blood was flowing from his body, clearly indicating that he was seriously injured.

"Life Profound Stage Great Success!" Upon sensing Mo Ming's powerful aura, the crowd in the square immediately erupted in an uproar.

Upon seeing this, Bo Xuan's face darkened, while the Elder Council smiled. As the most outstanding disciple of the Hall Master's lineage, Chen Kui's defeat meant that the Shadow Guard spot was practically a done deal.

However, just as they thought so, Qing Tan seemed to have known their thoughts in advance. She then ignored Mo Ming's burning gaze and cupped her hands to Bo Xuan.

"Master, I have another candidate for Shadow Guard."