Yuchi Bing Xia and Zhangsun Xun Yi watched on as Qiu Ling fought with Elder Gongxi, their expressions getting more and more complicated. They knew there was nothing they could do but it wasn't a nice feeling to only be able to watch. Should they try to call out? But then what if Qiu Ling still didn't stop? That might make matters even worse.
Finally, the white feathered boat appeared in the vicinity of the sect grounds. Zhangsun Xun Yi leaped to his feet, not sure if he should feel hope or get even more frustrated. He stared at what was obviously a magical artifact. If he wasn't wrong, then this feathered boat should be the one Hua Min had always been using when he went somewhere with his disciples. So the Liu He Alliance had sent him over? His Master had been friends with Grandmaster Leng so maybe Hua Min would have a way to contact him?
On one hand, that would help them immensely and might be able to save Elder Gongxi or at least everybody else from the storm Qiu Ling had created. On the other hand, that would also put Hua Min and his disciples in danger. After all, he knew that Hua Min wasn't any stronger than he himself. There was no way he would be able to contend with Qiu Ling. The only way to put an end to this was Leng Jin Yu.
Zhangsun Xun Yi glanced at Yuchi Bing Xia at that thought. It was troublesome though. If Leng Jin Yu came out as who he truly was, then the Sect Master would certainly be shocked. It was no wonder. Contrary to him who had found out that Qiu Ling was his disciple in name only early on, Yuchi Bing Xia had never wavered in the belief that Yu Jin was his disciple. On the contrary, he had even been happy that he had managed to pick up such a talent. If he found out this way now …
Yuchi Bing Xia got up from his seat when he noticed his gaze and motioned over. "What's that?"
Zhangsun Xun Yi tightened his lips and shook his head. "A delegation from the Liu He Alliance. I'm just afraid … This won't help much. If anything, it might just add to the chaos."
Yuchi Bing Xia also furrowed his brows and looked at the middle of the training grounds where Elder Gongxi was still trying to somehow resist the onslaught of Qiu Ling's attacks. It didn't look good for him. If nothing was done …
The white feathered boat approached further and a person jumped into the air. Both Zhangsun Xun Yi and Yuchi Bing Xia narrowed their eyes and stared at that person through the raging storm. This was … Unfortunately, they couldn't tell. The person wore the usual robes of the Liu He Alliance judging from the color and the embroidery at the hem but the rest of their body was hidden below a dark veil. The person didn't bother to announce themselves either and just rushed at the storm, entering as if they were going on a walk.
Needless to say, this person was Jinde. Even though he was unable to contend with Qiu Ling's current strength, he was still able to enter the storm based on the fact that he was a dragon. As long as Qiu Ling didn't try to attack him deliberately, the winds wouldn't hurt him.
Thus Jinde entered the training grounds and got closer to Qiu Ling. He wasn't stupid enough to get too close though. Obviously, his stepson had lost quite a bit of his reason or otherwise, he would never do something like this.
"Qiu Ling. Qiu Ling!"
Jinde called out but Qiu Ling didn't pay him any attention. His whole mind was focused on the fight.
Jinde sighed and looked around. He didn't know what had happened but normally, there was only one reason why a dragon would behave like this. Most likely, the idiot down there had threatened Qiu Ling's lover or maybe even injured him. Otherwise, even someone as emotional as Qiu Ling wouldn't go this overboard.
Jinde continued to look around until he finally spotted the boy in the audience. It seemed he at least wasn't hurt. The boy looked spooked though. Well, it wasn't a wonder. He had probably never seen his lover like this.
Jinde didn't know too much about their relationship but considering Qiu Ling's heritage and past, he would certainly try to hide that side of himself. He would never want anybody and especially not somebody he loved to equate him with a demon. So this kind of senseless killing was something he wouldn't do with his lover around. Even if he could explain it later on, he still wouldn't take the risk.
Jinde inched closer to Qiu Ling. Since he knew more or less what had happened, he should try to work with that. "Qiu Ling. Do you really want him to see you like this? I'm afraid you're scaring your beloved. Have a look at him."
Qiu Ling's gaze flickered. His beloved … He was scared? It had to be that stupid Elder's fault! He had been scared because this person had threatened him. In that case … He raised his hand, the storm around them even intensifying.
Jinde cursed under his breath and then looked back at the boy that was now crouching on the ground. The disciples of the Yun Zou Sect really couldn't take it any longer and Jing Yi didn't feel much better. His cultivation base might be high already but he had never learned to use it. He still kept his gaze trained on Qiu Ling as if that could change anything.
Jinde narrowed his eyes and then waved at the boy. Apparently, he wasn't able to make the bear child stop but somebody else could.
Jing Yi looked at the veiled man that had appeared. Seeing him wave while he looked in his direction, his heart couldn't help but thump. Did he mean for him to go over? But with that storm going on around them there was no way he would be able to do that.
Jinde glanced at Qiu Ling again and then landed on the ground, walking over to Jing Yi's side. "Child, stay calm now. You better talk him out of this or who knows what he'll do in the end? Can you do that?"
Jing Yi looked at him, feeling as if he had heard that voice before. Wasn't this the person that was with senior martial brother Yu before? The man with the golden hair and eyes? That was somebody Qiu Ling seemed to know very well. In that case, he could trust what he said.
Jing Yi motioned at the storm. "I do but …"
Jinde shook his head and reached over, grabbing his hand. "Don't worry about that. I'll make sure you're not hurt and you make sure that the same applies to everyone else." Then he pulled him up into the air.