The individuals engaged in discussion were none other than Han Li himself.
Upon hearing Jin Yue the Zen Master’s words, the few present who were inclined to hand over Han Li’s disciples immediately turned extremely grim-faced.
Even as the only remaining Great Ascension beings of the two races, Mo Jianli and Ao Xiao’s prestige slightly surpassed even that of the Sacred Island. Were it not for the ancient decree of the two races prohibiting Great Ascension beings from interfering in the daily affairs of the Sacred Island, Mo Jianli and Ao Xiao could have easily taken control of the Sacred Island without any issue.
Now that the matter involved these two Great Ascension beings, others, despite harboring their own thoughts, dared not voice their opinions lightly.
The grand hall fell into complete silence.
“Hmm, I have indeed verified this personally. It is said that the two venerables consider Fellow Daoist Han to be the most likely among our two races to successfully break through to the Great Ascension stage, hence their immense regard for him. Moreover, I’ve heard that Ao Xiao’s direct descendant, the ‘Linglong Fairy,’ for some reason, has been accompanying Fellow Daoist Han and is likely in seclusion with him now. If we truly anger Fellow Daoist Han, the consequences might be no better than offending the Sacred Island,” Jin Yue the Zen Master said slowly after some contemplation.
Upon hearing Jin Yue’s words, some remained expressionless, while others showed drastic changes in demeanor, clearly still divided in their opinions.
“Not necessarily. This time, the Sacred Island is demanding Fellow Daoist Han’s disciple for the sake of our two races’ future plans. According to the Sacred Island, Fellow Daoist Du Yu, who had been in seclusion for ten thousand years, has emerged ahead of schedule after achieving perfection in the late Body Unity stage. Moreover, he has mastered the Confucian supreme divine ability, the ‘Magnificent Righteousness Expelling Evil Technique.’ With this sacred technique and the various elixirs and artifacts prepared by the Sacred Island, Fellow Daoist Du has a full twenty percent chance of breaking through the Great Ascension bottleneck. The only issue is the True Lightning Tribulation, for which they have no effective countermeasure. However, someone from the Sacred Island discovered that Fellow Daoist Han’s disciple possesses an extremely rare Hidden Lightning Root, which can help withstand the lightning tribulation. Hence, they are determined to summon him to assist Fellow Daoist Du in overcoming the True Lightning Tribulation. If this can add another Great Ascension being to our two races, even Venerables Mo Jianli and Ao Xiao would surely be pleased. Even if Fellow Daoist Han learns of this, he cannot blame us,” a black-robed man who had remained silent until now spoke emotionlessly.
“Brother Yan speaks wisely! The Sacred Island merely wishes for Fellow Daoist Han’s disciple to assist Fellow Daoist Du in overcoming the True Lightning Tribulation. It’s not certain that any harm will come to him. He might even gain some fortuitous opportunities,” the golden-masked man stroked his chin and nodded in agreement.
“Hmph, you make it sound so easy. Fellow Daoist Han’s disciple has only just entered the Deity Transformation stage. Even with the legendary Hidden Lightning Root, how could he withstand the True Lightning Tribulation? Most likely, they would forcibly elevate his cultivation by stimulating his potential and consuming his lifespan. Even if he survives the tribulation, he would be rendered completely useless afterward. How could Fellow Daoist Han possibly let this go?” Silverlight Fairy retorted angrily.
“For the grand plan of our two races, sacrificing a mere newly ascended Deity Transformation cultivator to gain a Great Ascension being is a small price to pay. Why not?” the black-robed man narrowed his eyes and spoke ruthlessly.
“Heh, if Fellow Daoist Han never reaches the Great Ascension stage, everything would be fine—just let the Sacred Island suppress him. But what if he miraculously breaks through? How would we face him then? Would the Sacred Island sacrifice us to appease his wrath? Trading a few Body Unity cultivators to calm a Great Ascension being’s fury—wouldn’t that be a bargain for our two races? After all, our council personally promised Fellow Daoist Han before his departure that we would protect his disciples no matter what. Do you really think we can escape responsibility if this happens?” the purple-haired woman rolled her eyes and said sarcastically.
The black-robed man’s expression darkened slightly, but he shook his head and refrained from further rebuttal.
The hall fell silent again as everyone weighed the pros and cons in their minds.
“Brother Gu, what is your opinion?” Jin Yue the Zen Master sighed and suddenly turned to the silver-haired elder.
“What use is my opinion now? This matter is too difficult to handle. A few of us alone cannot possibly reach a resolution,” the silver-haired elder replied with a bitter smile.
“No matter how difficult, we must find a solution that satisfies both sides. We cannot openly defy the Sacred Island’s orders, but we also know Fellow Daoist Han’s prowess—he is arguably the strongest among the Body Unity cultivators of our two races. Moreover, he is not easily deceived. Let’s not resort to petty excuses or tricks. This old monk does not wish to incur his misunderstanding, like Fellow Daoist Qinglong did back then, meeting an inexplicable calamity,” the old monk’s face twitched slightly, revealing a trace of sorrow.
At the mention of Qinglong, everyone felt a chill.
Although none present had witnessed Qinglong the Transcendent’s demise, they all knew it was almost certainly Han Li’s doing.
Back then, Han Li had killed Qinglong, a Body Unity elder of the Nine Stars Sect, without hesitation over a nominal junior sister. If they provoked him now, who could say he wouldn’t do the same to them?
After all, they had promised Han Li they would protect his disciples.
Faced with the prospect of making an enemy who could easily take their lives, even the golden-masked man and the black-robed man hesitated again, despite the Sacred Island’s overwhelming influence.
“Enough. This matter concerns the entire council. A few of us alone cannot decide today. The Sacred Island’s envoy won’t arrive for some time. Let’s wait until all elders are gathered before discussing a proper solution. In the meantime, Fellow Daoist Han’s disciples must remain in Tianyuan City. Silverlight Fairy, try again to contact Venerables Ao Xiao and Mo Jianli. If they give direct orders, we can act without worry. Brother Yan, liaise with the Sacred Island to learn the identity of their envoy and see if their orders can be altered. If the Sacred Island is willing to forgo summoning Fellow Daoist Han’s disciple, Tianyuan City can endure some concessions,” the silver-haired elder finally declared after much deliberation.
“Venerables Ao Xiao and Mo Jianli vanished after the truce with the demons. Even their clansmen cannot reach them. I can only try again, but I hold little hope,” Silverlight Fairy replied resignedly.
“I have close friends in the Sacred Island. Gathering information is easy, but changing their orders is impossible,” the black-robed man sighed.
“I know both tasks are difficult, but you must try. If a miracle occurs, we might escape this predicament,” the silver-haired elder said impassively.
Hearing this, the black-robed man and Silverlight Fairy could only nod in reluctant agreement.
With the matters of the Sacred Island and Han Li temporarily set aside, the elders turned to discussing the eradication of the remaining demons near Tianyuan City…
Three months later, at a towering hundred-zhang city gate of Tianyuan City, over a hundred armored guards stood in formation on either side, while several figures in various attire gazed into the distant sky from atop the gate.
Among them were the silver-haired Elder Gu and Jin Yue the Zen Master, clad in a pale golden kasaya. The black-robed man, Silverlight Fairy, and several other elders were also present.
All stood silently on the gate, seemingly awaiting someone’s arrival.
After the time it took to finish a meal, the distant sky remained devoid of any spiritual light. The silver-haired elder, glancing at the midday sun, frowned and asked the black-robed man, “Brother Yan, are you certain the Sacred Island’s spirit vessel will arrive at noon today? Could you have mistaken the time?”
“Brother Gu, how could I err in such a small matter? Perhaps the envoy encountered some delay,” the black-robed man replied after a moment’s thought.
“What could delay them? This time, three envoys are coming, and even you couldn’t uncover their identities. The Sacred Island is clearly up to something,” the silver-haired elder shook his head, his thoughts elsewhere.
The black-robed man’s eyes flickered but he remained silent.
Jin Yue the Zen Master, however, said calmly, “Our council has discussed this multiple times without reaching a solution. We can only adapt to the circumstances.”
The other Body Unity elders nearby could only smile wryly in agreement.
“They’re here!” Silverlight Fairy, her face hidden behind a mask, suddenly murmured.
Everyone tensed and looked toward the horizon.
A flash of cyan light appeared in the distance, and a cyan rainbow shot through the sky with astonishing speed. In a few blinks, it arrived near the city gate.
The light faded, revealing a jade-green boat. At its prow stood a straight-backed youth in a blue robe. Spotting the crowd below, he showed a hint of surprise before cupping his hands and smiling, “Brother Gu, Master Jin, what brings you here? Did you know I’d return to Tianyuan City today?”
Upon recognizing the youth’s face, all the elders on the gate were struck dumb.
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