Chapter 3550: Probing

The icicle dropped down at this moment, bringing with it a bone-chilling cold.

Although Meng Shan had gone all out with this attack, the icicle was easily destroyed by Duan Ling Tian’s space sword ray. After all, the space sword ray not only contained the law of space, but it also contained the Space Sword Dao, one of the Four Daos of Heaven and Earth.

Bang!

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the space sword ray continued flying toward Meng Shan after destroying the icicle.

‘It’s over!’ Despair filled Meng Shan’s eyes at this moment. He knew he would not be able to withstand the space sword ray. He was filled with regrets. He should have brought his Celestial Weapon out earlier, and he should not have let his guard down. After all, if he had his Celestial Weapon, he still had a chance of withstanding this attack. It was too late now.

Swoosh!

When the space sword ray was a hair’s breadth away from Meng Shan’s forehead, it suddenly vanished into thin air.

Meng Shan took a while to regain his senses. When he did, he turned to Duan Ling Tian and bowed before he cupped his fists together and solemnly said, “I’m grateful that you showed mercy, Purple-clad Nobleman.”

At this time, Meng Shan had no doubt that the person in front of him was the Purple-clad Nobleman who had recently shot to fame and attracted the attention of the top powerhouses in the Heavenly Dao Alliance. As rumored, the person before him was a young man dressed in purple who was skilled in the law of space. Everything was a match except for his strength. According to the reports the Heavenly Dao Alliance received, the Purple-clad Nobleman was just an ordinary Seven Star God of War. However, based on their earlier confrontation, the Purple-clad Nobleman was clearly as strong as a top Seven Star God of War. No wonder he was no match for the purple-clad young man in front of him.

Meanwhile, the crowd was shocked when they heard Meng Shan revealed Duan Ling Tian’s identity even if they already suspected it earlier.

“He’s really the Purple-clad Nobleman!”

“To be able to defeat Guardian Meng Shan so easily, there’s no doubt he’s the Purple-clad Nobleman!”

“Why is participating in the recruitment test when the Heavenly Dao Alliance has already extended an invitation to him? Isn’t it rather pointless?”

“Perhaps, he wants to experience the recruitment test? After all, these experts’ thoughts aren’t something we’re capable of understanding…”

At this time, the blue-clad young man standing next to Duan Ling Tian who had been mocking Duan Ling Tian earlier was dumbfounded. Various expressions flitted across his face at this moment. When he regained his senses, he looked at Duan Ling Tian fearfully as he cupped his fists together and bowed before he said in a slightly trembling voice, “I-I’m sorry for offending you earlier. I was really short-sighted. I humbly ask for your forgiveness…”

“Hm?”

Before Duan Ling Tian could reply, Meng Shan glowered at the blue-clad young man and said, “Brat, you dare disrespect the Purple-clad Nobleman? Aren’t you aware that he’ll be a Guardian of the Heavenly Dao Alliance if he decides to join our alliance?”

“G-Guardian Meng Shan, it… it wasn’t intentional… I… I didn’t know he’s the Purple-clad Nobleman,” the blue-clad young man stammered as he paled immediately. Then, he averted his eyes and looked at the middle-aged man standing at Meng Shan’s right.

The middle-aged man stepped forward at this moment and forced a smile on his face before he said, “Guardian Meng Shan, this is my junior brother. He just recently came to the Nine Serenities Battlefield so there are many things he isn’t aware of. Can you please let this matter go just this once?”

Meng Shan scoffed upon hearing these words, but he no longer pursued the matter. It cost him nothing to help his subordinate out. Naturally, this was also because he could see that the Purple-clad Nobleman had no interest in pursuing the matter as well. If the Purple-clad Nobleman intended to seek revenge, he would have sacrificed the blue-clad young man to appease the Purple-clad Nobleman.

Meng Shan asked with an enthusiasm that was lacking earlier, “Purple-clad Nobleman, I wonder why you came to the Heavenly Dao Alliance today?”

“To join the Heavenly Dao Alliance,” Duan Ling Tian bluntly replied.

Meng Shan was not surprised, but he was puzzled. “We’ve sent you an invitation. There’s no need for you to participate in the recruitment test to join our Heavenly Dao Alliance. After all, with your strength, it’d be a waste of your time to take the test…”

“I was unaware of the invitation,” Duan Ling Tian answered truthfully. “So, does this mean I’m part of the Heavenly Dao Alliance now?”

“Yes, of course!” Meng Shan nodded. He made a gesture of invitation and said, “Please follow me to meet the leader of our alliance. In fact, he was the one who issued the invitation…”

“Alright.” Duan Ling Tian nodded faintly.

Before leaving, Meng Shan said to the two middle-aged men who came with him, “Both of you will stay back and supervise the recruitment test this time…”

“Understood!”

As Meng Shan led Duan Ling Tian away, the two middle-aged men communicated with each other through Voice Transmission.

“How shocking! The Purple-clad Nobleman is stronger than the Seventh Guardian!”

“That’s right! In fact, I think he’s not inferior to the Second Guardian!”

On the other hand, the blue-clad young man and the others only regained their senses after Duan Ling Tian and Meng Shan vanished from sight. They felt like they were dreaming. They did not expect they would meet the Purple-clad Nobleman today. Moreover, he was even stronger than rumored! Even the Seventh Guardian who was stronger than ordinary Seven Star Gods of War was no match for him!

…

At the same time, Meng Shan led Duan Ling Tian into the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s base that was in a forest in a vast valley.

Figures could be seen flying in the sky above the base.

“Seventh Guardian!”

Many people greeted Meng Shan when they saw him. However, they were shocked and confused when they saw how courteous Meng Shan was toward Duan Ling Tian.

As they walked, Meng Shan asked, “Have you never joined an alliance before?”

Meng Shan was, in fact, trying to probe Duan Ling Tian. After all, who knew if Duan Ling Tian was sent by the enemy to infiltrate their ranks? They had extended an invitation to him to probe him as well. The sudden appearance of the Purple-clad Nobleman was rather suspicious after all.

“It’s not even been half a year since I entered the Nine Serenities Battlefield,” Duan Ling Tian said. Without waiting for Meng Shan to speak, he continued to say, “This is my first time coming to the Nine Serenities Battlefield. The reason I joined the Heavenly Dao Alliance is so I can cultivate peacefully without interruptions. I realized that it’s impossible to cultivate outside without being disturbed unless I join an alliance.”

“I see.” Meng Shan nodded as though his doubts had been cleared, but inwardly, he remained wary. After all, there’s no way to verify Duan Ling Tian’s claims. After a moment, he asked, “May I ask what’s your name?”

Up until now, no one knew who the Purple-clad Nobleman was. They did not know his name, where he came from, or which sect he belonged to.

“Duan Ling Tian.” Since Duan Ling Tian did not see the need to hide his identity, he easily revealed his name.

“What a good name,” Meng Shan said perfunctorily before he asked, “Which Devata Realm do you come from?”

“The Solitary Destructive Heaven.”

“Which force do you belong to? Or, are you a sectless cultivator?”

Duan Ling Tian replied patiently, “I’m from the Heavenly Palace of the Solitary Destructive Heaven.”

Meng Shan was shocked by Duan Ling Tian’s reply. After a brief moment, he said, “I’ve only heard about the Heavenly Savage Celestial Emperor in the Solitary Destructive Heavenly Emperor Palace who’s a Six Star God of War. I don’t think I’ve heard of you…”

Meng Shan was skeptical of Duan Ling Tian’s words. After all, it was widely known that, the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven notwithstanding, the strongest person was Meng Luo, the Heavenly Savage Celestial Emperor. Meng Luo was a top Six Star God of War. Since Duan Ling Tian was stronger than Meng Luo, he should have heard of Duan Ling Tian.

Before Meng Shan could ask any more questions, he discovered that they had arrived at their destination: a mansion at a remote corner of the valley. The mansion was surrounded by trees, plants, and flowers, and the sound of birds chirping rang in the air.

‘The leader of the alliance sure knows how to live it up,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself as he surveyed his surroundings.

At this time, Meng Shan called out respectfully, “Leader, the Purple-clad Nobleman is here to join our Heavenly Dao Alliance.”

Soon after, a voice that held a hint of surprise rang from the mansion.

“The Purple-clad Nobleman?”