Refining the Mountains and Rivers

At almost the same time, golden motes of light emerged from thin air, covering all the Hidden Fog Sect cultivators and the supporters behind them. Even if those supporters or cultivators weren't in the arena, the golden light still appeared and covered them. This was the present from Dragon City, and all those involved with the victor could receive it.

Qin Yu could feel a slight change in the golden light that entered his body. But, he couldn't figure out exactly what it was. He only knew that his mind seemed a bit more clear and insightful.

And this was the true function of Dragon City's present. It didn't directly promote a cultivator's cultivation but strengthened their perception so that their future cultivation would be even faster.

Of course, the golden light that Qin Yu obtained was different from the others'. For instance, the amount that entered his body was at least ten times more. But due to the dazzling golden light, no one discovered this.

"The position of leader has been decided. As the final victor of the arena, you may put forth your request." A deep voice rumbled through the arena. This was the key point for why the seven great sects came to the arena and fought in the Beast King War.

With the supervision of the arena, no one dared to renege on their agreement. They could guarantee the authority of the leader to the highest degree.

Hu Fu took a deep breath. He loudly said, "Great and wonderful spirit of the arena, the Hidden Fog Sect is willing to give up all authority as leader. We hope to exchange it for your help."

Whoosh -

The entire audience was sent into an uproar!

The reason the seven great sects desperately competed for the position of leader was to gain benefits. But, the Hidden Fog Sect was willing to give up all of this.

Just what were they trying to do?

The Hidden Fog Sect cultivators revealed surprised and puzzled looks. But, Hu Fu's actions had won their respect. They silently waited for the Sect Master to give his explanation.

After a brief silence, the arena's voice sounded out once more. "You may."

Hu Fu pointed a finger, "I ask that you lift the inheritance curse that Moonkeep Tower placed on the Hidden Fog Sect and return to us our freedom!"

Everyone was sent into an even greater uproar!

Hu Fu's accusation had exposed an unbelievable secret. The solemn Hidden Fog Sect, one of the seven great sects of the Eastern Plains, was nothing more than a puppet controlled by others. And, the ones who controlled the Hidden Fog Sect were the mysterious and low-key Moonkeep Tower!

Countless eyes looked over at the expressionless face of the Moonkeep Tower Master. In their view, she seemed even more ordinary and pleasant, and their hearts were still filled with doubts. It was difficult to imagine that this woman actually possessed such horrifying secret methods.

But since Hu Fu spoke up and didn't hesitate to exchange the authority of the leader for the arena's help, his words must be true.

The ones most shocked and bewildered were the cultivators of the Hidden Fog Sect. It was like a bolt of thunder had crashed into their heads, leaving them completely frozen in place. The incomparably formidable sect that had always been their point of pride was actually nothing but a puppet controlled by others. Then, what were they?

"Sect Master, this…just what is happening here?"

"My Hidden Fog Sect's lineage has been inherited for tens of thousands of years and our strength is enough to rule over our own region. How could we possibly be controlled by Moonkeep Tower!?"

"I must ask Sect Master to give a clear explanation!"

The agitated Elders were all flushed red with blood.

Hu Fu had a solemn expression. There was bitterness in his eyes. He slowly said, "This curse existed from the moment our Hidden Fog Sect was founded. It spread throughout the sect, and anyone that cultivated our inheritance techniques would become carriers of the curse.

"For tens of thousands of years, all the previous Sect Masters tried everything in their power to look for a way to lift the curse. But besides paying with their lives, they simply had no harvests. In the ancient records of the sect, several Sect Masters who suddenly died horrific deaths actually died due to this reason."

He revealed a pained yet firm expression. "But our ancestors never gave up, they never stopped struggling. Generation after generation, they slowly waded through the dark until they finally found a method that could temporarily block the power of the curse. But, this method could only be used once, and once it failed and was discovered, the Hidden Fog Sect would certainly welcome a great catastrophe.

"So we had no choice but to wait, wait for our chance to arrive. My teacher, my teacher's teacher, they all died while waiting for a hope they would never see to come. And when the inheritance reached my generation, I finally found an opening. This is because the Hidden Fog Sect obtained mister's help. After considering things repeatedly, I decided to bet it all!

"With this, the Sect Masters of the Hidden Fog Sect who resisted for tens of thousands of years have finally realized their wish. I, Hu Fu, the 17th generation Sect Master of the Hidden Fog Sect, will henceforth shatter the shackles that imprison the Hidden Fog Sect, allowing my people to obtain true freedom!"

A resistance that lasted tens of thousands of years and through 17 generations of Sect Masters…if they didn't hear this with their own ears, no one would have believed it. But since all of this came from Hu Fu's own lips and in today's situation, they knew he was speaking the truth.

Moonkeep Tower…Moonkeep Tower…!

Who would have imagined that the most low-key of the seven great sects and the one with the least interference had actually controlled the Hidden Fog Sect since tens of thousands of years ago.

Now that everyone knew the truth, when they carefully sifted through their memories, they realized that in all these years the Hidden Fog Sect had never taken the initiative to create conflict with Moonkeep Tower. Even if conflicts occurred, there had always been a side that decided to make concessions and calm down the situation.

All of these coincidences became the solid proof that confirmed this!

A Hidden Fog Sect Elder cried, tears falling down his cheeks. "Sect Master, if this was true, why didn't you tell us? If there is a flaw in our inherited techniques, we can simply abandon them. Why should 16 previous generations of Sect Masters have had to be suppressed so severely?"

Hu Fu shook his head. "It's useless. If we stop cultivating our inherited techniques, the hidden power of the curse will erupt and the entire Hidden Fog Sect will be destroyed. So even if I know that our inheritance techniques are the source of the curse, we can only continue cultivating them.

"But after today, this curse will be wiped out. The future generations of our Hidden Fog Sect will no longer be the slaves of others."

"Sect Master, I was unfair to you!"

"I've offended Sect Master so many times before, I ask that you forgive me!"

"We were wrong!"

Hu Fu took a deep breath. "The past is in the past." He looked at all the Hidden Fog sect cultivators and said, "I hope that you will all forever remember what happened today. Today is when the Hidden Fog Sect obtains a new life. Moreover, you all need to firmly remember that the reason our Hidden Fog Sect can obtain a new start is all thanks to Mister Ning Qin helping us. Without mister, we would still be slaves struggling in our chains. Perhaps we would never have the chance to free ourselves!"

He turned around and deeply bowed. "The Hidden Fog Sect will never forget the great graciousness that mister has given us. As long as mister has any requests in the future, the Hidden Fog Sect will pass through water and fire to accomplish them!"

Flap -

Flap -

The Hidden Fog Sect cultivators all bowed together. "We will never forget mister's great graciousness!"

Qin Yu silently shook his head. Although this Hu Fu fellow seemed as if he was repaying a debt of gratitude, the truth was that he was thinking of every possible means to protect the Hidden Fog Sect.

Whatever. Since Hu Fu had sacrificed his lifespan for him and because of all the hardships the Hidden Fog Sect had suffered, he wouldn't haggle with him over this.

Qin Yu nodded and said, "If I have need of anything in the future, I will ask for it."

Hu Fu was overjoyed. Gratitude flooded his eyes. "Thank you mister!"

Although it seemed that the Hidden Fog Sect would have to shoulder a great burden from now on, the truth was that with mister's strength, how could he ever need their help?

But after saying these words, there was a sense of closeness between the Hidden Fog Sect and mister. It was like holding onto a powerful guardian amulet!

The voice of the arena continued to sound out. "Moonkeep Tower. Are you willing to dissolve the curse placed upon the Hidden Fog Sect?"

The Moonkeep Tower Master bowed. "I respectfully follow your will."

She lifted a hand. Light surged in her palms and a black stone tablet appeared.

The surface of the black tablet had countless tadpole-like runes wandering on it as it emitted a pitch black halo of light.

With just a glance, Hu Fu could determine that this stone tablet was the source of the hidden curse power that haunted the Hidden Fog Sect's cultivation methods.

This was a heart-wrenching feeling of being completely controlled by others. There was no way he would mistake it!

Although he didn't believe that Moonkeep Tower would give up so easily, the truth was placed in front of him. Perhaps it was because they feared the will of the arena. The seven great sects all had a clear understanding of its strength.

The Moonkeep Tower Master formed a fist and smashed down. The black stone tablet shattered, turning into countless pieces that turned into powder in the air.

The Moonkeep Tower Master lifted a hand. The black stone tablet collapsed further. It tumbled onto the ground and faded away in the wind.

The Hidden Fog Sect cultivators felt their hearts loosen and relax. It was like someone had lifted invisible chains from their bodies.

It was at this moment that everyone finally believed. The existence of the curse was actually true!

They thought back to how they were all puppets that were to be controlled, and how even their own life and death wasn't in their hands. A cold sweat drenched their bodies. After the initial panic and horror disappeared, all that was left was overwhelming anger.

Eyes ruthlessly looked at the Moonkeep Tower Master. All of the Hidden Fog Sect cultivators knew that from this point on, this woman was their eternal nemesis.

Enslaved for tens of thousands of years…

This was a great enmity, one that would only end when one side died!