Nine Yin Gathering Evil Vein Termination Array

Even those Inner Sect Disciples at Qi Refining Stage Six who had come before had not behaved with such utter disregard for propriety. This left the Qi Family's second and third brothers deeply dissatisfied.

They were about to retort when Qi Yuanzong stopped them. At this moment, the local tyrant of Ba Dong Town and head of the Qi Family put away his smile, his expression somewhat stiff as he said,

"The Garrison Envoy from the higher sect is right. It was Qi's oversight."

"Since that is the case, the higher sect's affairs should take priority. Please..."

As he spoke, Qi Yuanzong shot a look at the second and third brothers behind him. The two immediately understood and swiftly slipped into the crowd.

Zheng Yi pretended not to notice the Qi Family's little maneuver. Before coming here, he had already decided to cut through the tangled mess with a sharp blade. He had no time to play their game of scheming and intrigue.

This was a valley enclosed by mountains on three sides, and the Black Refined Iron Ore Vein lay within it.

When Zheng Yi arrived at the valley, he saw gaunt, rag-clad miners standing timidly in rows across the open ground. Leading them were the Qi Family's second and third brothers.

"Envoy, this is the mine. They are nothing but lowly wretches; there is nothing worth seeing."

Seeing Zheng Yi intending to head inside, Qi Yuanzong stopped him and explained with a smile.

"This will be the place where Zheng personally garrisons from now on. If I do not even know how much Black Essence Iron Mine ore is produced, then when the sect holds me accountable, it will be the grave crime of deception."

With a sweep of his hand, Zheng Yi pushed aside the arm blocking his path and strode straight into the valley.

Anger surfaced on Qi Yuanzong's face behind him. As he watched Zheng Yi's retreating back, a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.

Coming to a stop, Zheng Yi spoke loudly to the mine's overseers and the many miners.

"From today onward, I will be stationed at this mine. I hope all of you will conduct yourselves properly and not violate my rules."

Then he continued, asking,

"Who is the chief overseer of this mine? Step forward and let me see you."

His calm voice carried an inexplicable majesty, and an invisible pressure settled over the many overseers present.

"Th-this..."

A fat man wiped the heavy sweat from his forehead and could not help looking toward Qi Yuanzong behind Zheng Yi, as though seeking instruction. Seeing that the other man stood behind Zheng Yi with an expressionless face, he hurriedly stepped forward.

"This lowly one is Qi Lin, the overseer of this mine."

Zheng Yi stared at the fat man with interest for a long while without speaking. The harshness in his gaze made Qi Lin grow even more uneasy.

He no longer dared wipe the sweat from his brow and could only let it drip down.

"Do not be afraid. Zheng is not going to eat you."

As he spoke, Zheng Yi walked over, patted Qi Lin's shoulder, and said with a smile,

"Qi Lin. Not bad. A good name."

With every pat on his shoulder, it felt as though a force weighing ten thousand jun pressed down upon him. Qi Lin's body shuddered again and again, and he seemed to shrink several inches.

"Y-yes!"

Qi Lin had no idea how to respond and could only keep nodding with a fawning smile.

"How much does this mine produce in a month?!"

Zheng Yi asked without warning. At that moment, an eerie green glow shone from his eyes. Drawing on the Soul Devouring Banner, his Lifebound Artifact, within his body, he unleashed the Soul-Capturing Demonic Sound and enveloped the fat man before him.

Already panicked, Qi Lin barely had any reaction at all before blurting out, "Sixteen thousand jun of Black Essence Iron Mine ore."

"Hmm?!"

Zheng Yi patted Qi Lin's shoulder again, then abruptly turned to look at Qi Yuanzong and asked,

"Then that is strange. I checked the sect records and found that only a little over six thousand six hundred jun were reported as placed in storage last month. Where, then, did the remaining nine thousand-plus jun go?"

Though he spoke with a smile, his tone contained a chilling aura cold enough to suffocate.

Qi Lin, the big fat man, suddenly felt as though the sky were collapsing. Why had he revealed such vital figures?

His face turned deathly pale. He furtively raised his head and glanced at Qi Yuanzong's eyes, brimming with killing intent, and terror seized him. His legs gave out, and he was about to collapse.

But Zheng Yi grabbed him and hauled him upright, making him stand firm.

"Could it be that the higher sect's envoy is not joking?"

Qi Yuanzong asked, his face dark, nearly enunciating every word.

"I also hope this is a misunderstanding, but the figures written above are perfectly clear."

"Who would have thought that, within the sect's territory, there would be people lining their own pockets? Do they think the blades of my Soul Devouring Sect are not sharp enough?"

Zheng Yi spoke without yielding, his eyes meeting Qi Yuanzong's. Their gazes clashed invisibly in the air.

"Envoy, I hope you will take responsibility for your words. This is still the Qi Family's territory. You would do well to think certain matters through."

Things had reached this point. This newly advanced Inner Sect Disciple of the Soul Devouring Sect had clearly come for their Qi Family.

The conflict had been laid bare, leaving almost nothing left to conceal. At Qi Yuanzong's side, Qi Yuanming and Qi Yuanshang gathered behind their family head, exerting pressure upon Zheng Yi.

"You are mistaken. This is not the Qi Family's territory. It is the Soul Devouring Sect's territory."

"Occupying the sect's interests, yet not only refusing to serve the sect but even seeking to line your own pockets—you truly harm the public to enrich yourselves, a pack of fat rats."

Zheng Yi swept his gaze across the crowd. The smile on his face deepened as he spoke unhurriedly.

"Besides, after arriving at this mine, I seem to have discovered something even more interesting..."

"What is the higher sect's envoy talking about? Qi does not understand very clearly?!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuanzong, the Qi Family head, showed a flicker of unease on his face, and killing intent finally emerged in his eyes.

"What Zheng is talking about? I am sure the Qi Family head knows very well."

"If not for the little treasure within my body warning me, I would never have known that the mighty Qi Family, a Qi Refining cultivation family, possessed such capability."

"To think you set up the Nine Yin Gathering Evil Vein Termination Array within the Black Iron Essence Mine, right beneath the eyes of my Soul Devouring Sect..."

"No wonder this mine vein has withered so quickly. The missing spiritual vein at the Ba Dong Town Mine must also be connected to this."

"The Nine Yin Gathering Evil Vein Termination Array could not possibly have been set up overnight. The Qi Family must have operated this place for at least sixty years!"

"Zheng may be untalented, but I would like to know just what secret is hidden within."

"On behalf of the Soul Devouring Sect, I declare the three Qi brothers guilty!"

"Today, surrender without resistance and await the sect's judgment..."

Before his words had faded, Zheng Yi moved his hand, and the Soul Devouring Banner appeared in his grasp. Black mist swept forth, and surging dark azure Sha Qi billowed like raging flames, illuminating the entire valley.

"Do not think that being the sect's envoy means you can cover the sky with one hand. Today, we will capture you and report to Lord Deacon, charging you with the crime of acting wantonly."

Seeing that battle was inevitable, Qi Yuanzong no longer bothered to hide anything.

Thanks to reader Finally Have Time for the 1,500 reward.