927: Chapter 923 Tian Qi 927: Chapter 923 Tian Qi The figure stood with her back to Ye Tian, making it impossible for him to see her face clearly, but judging by her voice, she appeared to be a woman!
A woman, dressed like this—this truly made Ye Tian sigh inwardly.
What struck him even more was how she used a black robe to conceal the curves of her body and her visage, lending her an almost spectral presence.
“…”
At the moment, Ye Xuong was seated across from the black-robed woman.
However, as Ye Xuong had little knowledge of tea, he couldn’t respond to what she had said.
When Ye Tian entered the tea room, Ye Xuong felt as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
He stood up immediately and said, “Boss, you’re here?”
“Mm!”
Ye Tian slowly walked to the seat opposite the black-robed woman.
Taking his time, he sat down and then said to Ye Xuong, “Ye Xuong, I need you to leave for now.
It seems this lady wishes to speak with me alone.”
“Yes!”
Since it was Ye Tian’s order, Ye Xuong left the tea room without hesitation.
Ye Xuong didn’t need to worry about Ye Tian’s safety; after all, Ye Tian’s strength far exceeded what Ye Xuong’s three-legged cat skills could provide by way of protection…
After Ye Xuong exited the tea room, Ye Tian carefully observed the woman seated before him!
Because her face was entirely concealed by the black robe, even face to face, Ye Tian couldn’t discern her appearance.
Still, though he couldn’t tell what she looked like, Ye Tian was more than capable of commenting on what she had said!
“Madam, you are mistaken!
Tea from the thousand-year-old ancient tree, the Da Hong Pao, does not taste inferior because the tree has lost interest in life.
In fact, it’s because the ancient tree has gained a new understanding of life that its flavor becomes richer and more refined!
Anyone who has experienced even a trace of time’s tempering can detect the unique flavor within Da Hong Pao!
Compared to so-called tender brewed Pu’er tea, the taste of Da Hong Pao defies mere words!”
Ye Tian had trained under a master from an early age, learning nearly every known skill, including the art of tea.
Thus, Ye Tian possessed extraordinarily high expertise in tea philosophy!
In the Night King Hall, the tea served to distinguished guests was none other than the Da Hong Pao yielded from the thousand-year-old ancient tree, coincidentally Ye Tian’s favorite flavor.
In contrast, this black-robed woman’s opinions on tea philosophy ran completely counter to Ye Tian’s, which compelled him to refute her remarks outright!
“As expected of the Black Night King!” The black-robed woman nodded faintly.
“It appears I did not choose the wrong person!”
As she spoke, the black-robed woman pulled back the hood of her robe, revealing her face!
Pale skin, delicate features, crimson lips, and pristine teeth—her face was stunningly exquisite.
This woman could be considered nothing short of a top-tier beauty.
Yet, why would someone this beautiful dress in such an odd manner?
Ye Tian smiled as he remarked, “Madam, with such an elegant appearance, why bother wearing a black robe?
It makes you look like a monster.
Aren’t you, like most women, inclined to relish others’ praise?”
The black-robed woman sighed and replied, “Where I’m from, beauty and ugliness hold no meaning.
Everyone dresses the way I do.
Who would bother to compliment a beautiful woman?”
“So that’s how it is!”
Ye Tian nodded in seeming agreement with the black-robed woman’s sentiment.
She glanced at him and said, “Black Night King, given my attire, surely you’ve deduced my identity by now, haven’t you?”
“I’ve only gleaned a little!”
Ye Tian smiled bitterly.
“Your robe reminds me of a formidable adversary I once faced—someone so strong that I nearly lost my life to him.
It wasn’t until I mastered higher-level martial arts that I ultimately defeated him.
Otherwise, the person speaking to you now might not exist.
That enemy’s name was Tian Shisan, and he hailed from the Black Hole Clan.
The robe he wore was identical to yours!
Madam, if I’m not mistaken, you must also belong to the Black Hole Clan, correct?”
“That’s correct.” The black-robed woman nodded faintly.
“I am indeed a member of the Black Hole Clan.
My name is Tian Qi, though others simply call me Qiqi.”
Upon learning the black-robed woman’s name, Ye Tian smiled in response.
“Qiqi?
That’s quite a lovely name!
Among numbers, seven is certainly the most melodious one!”
Tian Qi sighed and said, “Our names in the Black Hole Clan aren’t chosen for their appeal but are assigned based on our ranking in strength.
Within our ranks, I am seventh in terms of power, so they call me Tian Qi.
Similarly, Tian Shisan is ranked thirteenth, hence the name Tian Shisan!”
“Huh?”
Ye Tian was visibly taken aback by Tian Qi’s explanation.
It had taken every ounce of effort he had to defeat Tian Shisan.
Yet, the woman before him—despite her refined and noble appearance—was stronger than Tian Shisan.
Such truth amazed him…
And yet, Ye Tian could distinctly sense the vast, deadly power within Tian Qi’s being, power that surpassed Tian Shisan.
Her words were undoubtedly genuine.
However, Ye Tian knew that when facing Tian Shisan, he hadn’t yet achieved mastery of the force of nature nor attained the Innate Realm.
Thus, what he once thought of as an overwhelmingly strong opponent now seemed less impressive.
While Tian Qi was undoubtedly formidable, Ye Tian knew that in a direct confrontation, Tian Qi could not best him!
Tian Qi seemed to discern Ye Tian’s thoughts and continued, “Black Night King, I’m here at the Night King Hall not to challenge you in combat.
Besides, even if I were to fight, I know I couldn’t possibly defeat you!
With your current strength, combined with the amplification of Innate power, within the Black Hole Clan, perhaps only the elders or those ranked fourth and above could pose a real threat to you!”
“…”
Ye Tian listened to Tian Qi’s assessment of his strength but refrained from commenting.
Tian Qi continued, “Black Night King, despite all I’ve said regarding the Black Hole Clan, the truth is that I am no longer one of them.
That is why I’ve made my way to the Night King Hall!”
Faced with such honesty, Ye Tian smiled and said, “That does make sense!
After all, Tian Shisan died by my hands, establishing my enmity with the Black Hole Clan.
For a member such as yourself to seek me out…
Upon learning of your Black Hole Clan identity, I suspected immediately that you had likely defected, which is why I didn’t choose to drive you out at once!
Tian Qi, it seems we have much to discuss!”
“Indeed.
Allow me to tell you everything!”
Tian Qi took a sip of tea before beginning her account.
In truth, the Black Hole Clan had always been scarce in numbers.
The Clan’s top echelon consisted of seven elders, who ruled over the Black Hole Clan.
Beneath the seven elders were the Thirteen Guardians, among whom Tian Qi and Tian Shisan were included.
Below the Thirteen Guardians were the ordinary clan members of the Black Hole Clan.
The clan’s rigid hierarchy forced a distinct alienation between its ordinary clansfolk and elite members, reducing the former to mere objects of subjugation.
The seven elders at the highest tier of the Black Hole Clan viewed the lower-class members as nothing more than tools, subjecting them to relentless oppression and exploitation…
Even more chilling was the fact that even the Thirteen Guardians weren’t privy to the machinations of the seven elders!
During the past six months, the seven elders had been conducting a perilous experiment, shrouded in secrecy known to only a select few.
Tian Shisan’s assignment had been to kill a certain individual, though he instead lost his own life—a development that shook the entire Black Hole Clan to its core!
Given Tian Shisan’s capabilities, dealing with an ordinary martial artist should have been as simple as slicing vegetables.
And yet, he still met his demise!
This incident sparked widespread speculation within the clan—one plausible theory being that Tian Shisan was tasked with capturing a figure called the Black Night King—a figure intimately tied to the elders’ ongoing experiment.
After Tian Shisan’s death, news of it circulated in the Black Hole Clan for a brief period before abruptly ceasing.
Initially, Tian Qi had stopped paying heed to matters regarding Tian Shisan…
But some months later, Black Hole Clan members began disappearing one after another!
Though this technically fell outside the Guardians’ jurisdiction, Tian Qi sought to prevent further disappearances and launched an investigation, which ultimately led her to uncover the involvement of the seven elders.
“I confronted the seven elders, demanding to know why they were sacrificing clan members’ lives for dangerous experimentation.
They told me it was for the Clan’s future.
If they didn’t continue the research, the Black Hole Clan would vanish in the tides of history!
Only by achieving success in their experiments could the clan escape the fate of being trapped between mortal and divine, finally ascending to true godhood!
I couldn’t accept their explanation, and so I left the Black Hole Clan.
After much turmoil, I found my way to you, here in the Night King Hall!”
Tian Qi’s words exuded genuine conviction, and Ye Tian, inheriting a keen ability to read people’s intentions, could tell with certainty that she was telling the truth.
After defeating Tian Shisan, Ye Tian had used his resources to investigate the origins of the Black Hole Clan, but he found nothing—not even the world-renowned intelligence agency Tiansuo could uncover useful insights.
Ultimately, Ye Tian learned of the Black Hole Clan’s existence from Ye Zhirong…
In Ye Tian’s mind, the Black Hole Clan had always been an enigmatic entity, but even the most mysterious outfits have their secrets exposed through their stories.
Thus, a martial artist like Tian Qi found her way to him after leaving the Black Hole Clan…
“What an intriguing tale!
But tell me, Tian Qi, as the leader of the Night King Hall, entrusted with the fortunes of countless martial artists, why should I believe your words?”
Although Tian Qi seemed truthful, Ye Tian probed strategically nonetheless.
The gravity of the circumstances demanded caution, particularly given the Black Hole Clan still viewed him as their target…