C9 The Book of Shocking Heaven!

The disciples surrounding them were all at the second or third level of Qi Refining. Seeing the Chief Elder poised to kill Ling Han as effortlessly as one would a chicken, not a single one dared to stick their neck out, even with Bai Ning'er's encouragement, for fear of facing death themselves.

"People's hearts have grown so cold. Can the just no longer survive when faced with the tyranny of the wicked?" Bai Ning'er mused, squeezing the center of her palm.

"Bai Ning'er, please stop getting involved in my affairs. If you don't, you won't be able to remain in this sect," Ling Han said, though it pained him. His tone was deliberately harsh and unfeeling.

It was the only way to convince the elders that he and Bai Ning'er were not allies, ensuring her a better future.

"So, have you considered our deal?" asked the Chief Elder, his demeanor serene, showing no sign of the fury one would expect from a man whose grandson had been harmed.

Given the choice between advancing his own power and addressing his grandson Chu Qing's injuries, the Chief Elder clearly preferred the former. On this continent, might made right. With the Chief Elder's superior realm, no one, except Bai Ning'er, dared to challenge his decisions.

"My terms are simple. Bai Ning'er must leave this place first," Ling Han stated, maintaining a neutral tone that betrayed no weakness.

"Very well, Bai Ning'er, leave immediately," the Chief Elder commanded, cutting straight to the point.

"Release Ling Han first. I'm not one to forsake greater principles for minor gains," Bai Ning'er declared, her stubborn nature shining through. She was determined to see her commitments through to the end.

"Bai Ning'er, go ahead," Ling Han urged, his face devoid of emotion.

Ling Han knew his fate was sealed. Despite the Chief Elder's assurances, he was certain the elder would renege on his word. Yet, Ling Han was resolved not to let Bai Ning'er suffer on his account. Since Chu Qing's injuries were partly due to the residual force from his and the Second Elder's clash, it was only fair to let Bai Ning'er go.

"No, I refuse." Bai Ning'er inherently possessed a streak of pride.

Ling Han's tone grew stern as he addressed Bai Ning'er, "Stop poking your nose into other people's business. And don't expect me to be overflowing with gratitude!"

"Hmph! Ling Han, do you really think I'm the type to meddle? I'll have you know that as of today, I'm officially leaving the sect. Your fate is none of my concern!"

Bai Ning'er could see that Ling Han's sudden outburst was an attempt to provoke her into leaving, but she was determined to maintain her air of aloofness in his presence.

"I'm leaving, and no one is to stop me!" Bai Ning'er announced to the Second Elder and the rest.

As expected, after receiving a signal from the Chief Elder, they let Bai Ning'er walk out, understanding that she was severing ties with the sect for good.

Before departing, Bai Ning'er cast a lingering glance at Ling Han, then vanished from the sight of all present.

"If you survive this, Ling Han, I swear I'll come looking for you," Bai Ning'er vowed silently as she left.

With Ning'er gone, Ling Han breathed a sigh of relief, not wanting to drag her down with him out of ingratitude.

"Chief Elder, do you really want me to reveal what I have in front of everyone?" Ling Han had apparently picked up a trick or two from the Chief Elder's playbook and was now turning the tables on him.

"Fine, come with me to the ancestral hall. It will be just us, away from the other disciples." The Chief Elder bound Ling Han with ropes made of genuine energy and led him to the sect's ancestral hall.

Inside the ancestral hall.

"Now, show me what you've got. The disparity between our realms is vast; you're not just a little behind," the Chief Elder said confidently. "You must realize that you can't fool me with any tricks."

"It seems you're right," Ling Han conceded. "The reason I've been able to break through so many layers is all thanks to this."

As Ling Han spoke, he grasped a miniature that resembled Earth and said, "I wouldn't dare deceive you. This representation is quite sentient."

Indeed, as Ling Han was speaking, the miniature began to speak on its own, "Ding! The strongest system has now gathered the Earth's power of faith."

"Hmm?" The Chief Elder furrowed his brow for the first time and questioned, "What strongest system? Why is there a miniature of a world? Odd! It truly is remarkable!"

"Are you trying to pull one over on me? Are you scheming to have me accept this disguised object only to kill me afterward?" The Chief Elder had countless schemes running through his mind. Being the Chief Elder of a sect, he was always calculating.

Ling Han was taken aback. He had honestly shown the purple genuine energy he had cultivated and the ace up his sleeve from the strongest system he had connected with, not anticipating the other's suspicion of deceit.

"Very well, very well!" The Chief Elder sneered, "You're skilled enough to spar with the Second Elder, and to claim you have no stratagems would be disingenuous. But do you think I lack the means to conquer your miniature world?"

While talking, the Chief Elder pulled a book-like object from his sleeve, murmuring as if reciting an incantation.

The book opened to a page on its own, in sync with the Chief Elder's chanting, and astonishingly, it contained a space just like the miniature world Ling Han was holding.

Ling Han gasped in surprise.

The miniature he held was merely a false world created by the power of faith, yet this book contained its own heavenly domain.

"My book is no ordinary tome; it can consume all things, regardless of the tricks you try to play with it."

Once the Chief Elder finished speaking, he thrust the book toward Ling Han, seemingly intending to envelop Ling Han's Earthly apparition.

"Ding! A damaged heavenly-grade container has been detected. Initiating data transfer. 10%..." The strongest system intoned.

The situation, however, was unfolding differently. The Chief Elder was gradually consuming Ling Han's world shadow with the book.

Just as the system's alert tones rang out, "20%, 30%...", the miniature representation of Earth correspondingly diminished to match those percentages.