The night deepened, and the Hidden Spirit Palace, located at the depths of the sea floor, fell into tranquility.
Gu An lay on a chair, holding a book in one hand, while occasionally the sound of the ocean’s tides and the cries of mysterious demon beasts echoed in his ears, like a symphony that brought peace to his mind.
Time rapidly slipped away in such an atmosphere.
Gu An set his book aside, stood up, stretched lazily, and looked outside the Hidden Spirit Palace, where he saw the Deep Sea Dragon Carp again embarking on the journey to find the Hidden Spirit Palace.
There should be no problem with the journey ahead, as there were no formidable demon creatures blocking the path.
Gu An watched for a while, then left the Hidden Spirit Palace and returned to the Supreme Sect.
The case of Wu Jue was still the most prominent concern within the Supreme Sect, with many righteous hearts demanding that the Sect thoroughly investigate the reasons behind the madness of those disciples, and if their claims were true, Wu Jue must be granted justice.
How could other disciples not panic when even a talent like Wu Jue could be slandered, suppressed, or even potentially killed?
This was happening right beside them!
There were even disciples who publicly called out in the Inner Sect City, seeking to rally the sense of justice in other disciples, holding the “Righteousness and Demons” written by Pan An, a book that documented the Sword Venerable Fudao’s efforts to quell internal strife within the Supreme Sect. With this book in hand, even the disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall dared not apprehend him.
While Gu An used his Divine Thought to observe the disciple’s public address, he walked into the Third Medicine Valley.
Some disciples had already introduced the issue to the Medicine Valley, prompting other disciples to join in discussions.
The storm was growing bigger!
This pleased Gu An.
Perhaps the higher-ups were worried that this matter would bring unrest to the Supreme Sect, but Gu An was not afraid. He had feelings for the Supreme Sect and did not wish to see it become the sect of a single family, especially since this family was a newcomer from overseas.
Wasn’t this like a dove taking over a magpie’s nest?
Now it remained to be seen how the Supreme Sect would confront the pressure from the disciples.
Gu An did not join in the discussions of the disciples and returned to his attic alone.
On the other side.
Within a dimly lit hall, Lv Baitian, Ji Hantian, and three Great Cultivators sat around a long table, looking very grim.
These three Great Cultivators were from the Venerable Pavilion of the Supreme Sect, which towered above the Hall of Elders.
Despite years of development and foreign forces diluting the power of various halls within the Supreme Sect, the Venerable Pavilion remained under the control of the original families, which was their bottom line.
Gu Gua took a deep breath and said, “The situation has escalated beyond concealment, it’s time to put pressure on the Sheng Family.”
The aged Ji Hengshi stroked his beard and said, “Indeed, pressure must be applied, but the question is how. Sheng Tianzong is already furious and even hopes that we defend the image of the Sheng Family.”
The Venerable who replaced Zhou Yu, coming from the Lv Family and named Lv Lie, had a gloomy face and remained silent.
Lv Baitian glanced at Lv Lie with a flicker of displeasure in his eyes.
Ji Hantian, known for his explosive temper and inability to hold back, glared at the three Venerables and said, “At this point, we should stop passing the buck around. We are all in this together, and if the Supreme Sect does nothing, we will be the first to suffer. If we don’t suppress the Sheng Family now, other families will certainly trample over us!”
His attitude was starkly different from when he faced Gu An, fearing at that time that Gu An would be exposed to the Sheng Family.
“If only Sword Venerable Fudao could take action, how wonderful that would be?” Lv Lie suddenly spoke up.
Lv Baitian glared at him and said, “What, should we disturb him over such a trivial matter? Have you forgotten his current status? He is now the Holy Sword of the Holy Court; even the colossal Star Sea Congregations appear insignificant before him.”
Lv Lie shook his head and remained silent.
Gu Gua pondered, “Investigate the Sheng Family thoroughly. This is a good opportunity. It’s rare for the Sheng Family to make a mistake, and we can use this to suppress the influence of other overseas families. Think carefully—how could those disciples be driven mad by the Sheng Family? Even if it were true, the Sheng Family would never let them out.”
“The talent of Wu Jue is no small matter, and he rose from humble beginnings. Throughout history, where have there been so many strokes of luck? Anyone who rises from obscurity has surely the backing of a Great Power behind them.”
Ji Hantian looked at Gu Gua with brightened eyes and asked, “Do you mean that Wu Jue has the support of Sword Venerable Fudao behind him?”
Gu Gua replied, “It’s not impossible. Think about it, the Supreme Sect is not some geomantic treasure land. Who among the past geniuses wasn’t related to him? He wouldn’t care about the small affairs of the Supreme Sect, but he would definitely step in if it involved the overall spirit of the sect. This group of disciples who inexplicably went mad is the best proof.”
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Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
The shadows on their faces gradually dispersed.
If they had the support of Sword Venerable Fudao, what was there to fear?
“Perhaps he is also watching our actions. If we…” Gu Gua continued, leaving his sentence unfinished, but everyone understood his implication.
Following his train of thought, the others were shocked and felt a chill run down their spines.
Ji Hantian slammed the table and said, “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s do it now! I’ll take the lead!”
With that, he disappeared from the room in an instant.
The rest looked at each other, and Ji Hengshi gave a wry smile, “Will his temperament ever change?”
“Change? Maybe in the next lifetime. I’m off as well.”
Lv Baitian laughed and stood up to leave, vanishing as well.
The three Venerable Pavilion members did not linger long, vanishing from their seats simultaneously.
An hour later, a piece of news shook the Supreme Sect. The Venerable Pavilion ordered a thorough investigation of the Sheng Family and deployed a large number of disciples to surround the Sheng Family’s residence. As soon as this news came out, cheers erupted in the cities of the Supreme Sect.
The truth had yet to be verified, but the Sheng Family’s reputation had already soured. This was because other disciples who had been oppressed by the Sheng Family were also exerting their influence, spreading word of their high-handed behavior.
In the evening, Gu An sensed the breath of battle emanating from the Main City of Sect, but it quickly faded. The one who had made a move was the Nine-Finger Divine Lord.
Lv Baitian personally went to invite the Nine-Finger Divine Lord, who himself held the position of an Elder and thus was not afraid of the Sheng Family.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord had intervened, moved by what Lv Baitian had said, for Lv Baitian hinted that Sword Venerable Fudao was secretly observing this farce.
Gu An did not mind the Venerable Pavilion using his influence as leverage; after all, it was the truth. Moreover, without giving them some confidence to forcefully confront the Sheng Family, it would have been difficult.
What Gu An wanted was their stance!
That night was destined to be restless.
When the sunlight of the following day streaked across the entire Supreme Sect, many legends had already spread among the populace.
Two days later, the Supreme Sect posted a declaration, revealing the cause and consequences of Wu Jue’s case, clearing his name. It also informed the disciples that the Sheng Family too was unaware of the truth, deeming it all a misunderstanding.
Although many disciples were dissatisfied, wanting to directly topple the Sheng Family, the Supreme Sect would not abandon a noble family over this affair, especially since the deceased was a genius of the Sheng Family.
Wu Jue came to find Gu An as soon as he was released, expressing his gratitude.
“Me? I had nothing to do with it. I spoke up for you and ended up getting lectured by the Sect Leader and the Vice Sect Leader,” said Gu An, shaking his head while he poured Wu Jue some tea.
Wu Jue showed a smile and said, “They’re only scolding you because they’re worried you might get into trouble. They’re probably just trying to stabilize you first while they prepare the evidence.”
He felt that the frenzy among the disciples was stirred up by the likes of Lv Baitian and others, who dared not openly claim it was the intention of Sword Venerable Fudao. Faced with numerous speculations, they neither denied nor acknowledged.
Gu An huffed, “Who knows what they’re thinking. But as long as you’re cleared of the charges, I’m happy. We must drink joyously all day and night today; you can’t run away!”
Wu Jue laughed, “With your cultivation level and mine, you think you can outdrink me?”
After this ordeal, he had gained clarity about many people and events. He did not harbor resentment but swore to become stronger and to repay Gu An.
A noble family, huh?
If that was the case, then I too must become a noble family!
Holding his bowl of wine, Wu Jue thought to himself as he looked at Gu An’s smiling face.
He also wanted to become Gu An’s support, as a way to repay him!
Gu An didn’t know what he was thinking, but regardless, it didn’t matter to him.
The issue with the Sheng Family was, in his eyes, no issue at all. Helping Wu Jue had many methods; choosing this way simply added a bit of fun and anticipation to life.
Gu An turned his gaze towards the window. A gale had begun to blow outside, as if the world was on the brink of great upheaval.
Compared to the grand trend of the world, the Supreme Sect’s minor incidents were insignificant.
The Immortal Dynasty was poised to make new moves!
Lately, Gu An had sensed the return of many existences above the Immortal Dao Fifth Layer Heaven to the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, all of them spirits from the Immortal Dynasty.
Although the Holy Court had not welcomed a large influx of powerful individuals, they were clearly strengthening their positions in every domain.
It seemed that the Magic Battle Conference had not brought long-term peace but had given the Immortal Dynasty greater hope.
…
Beneath a night sky sprinkled with dazzling stars, atop a colossal palace with no ceiling, the Yang Xian Emperor was meditating below a golden light sphere, eyes closed, hands continually casting spells.
A figure appeared above the grand hall—the Ancient Immortal Emperor.
The Ancient Immortal Emperor, frowning slightly, asked, “Do you truly intend to break through by force? With your talent, you would surely surpass me. Why can’t you be a bit more patient?”
Without opening his eyes, the Yang Xian Emperor replied, “It’s not that this Emperor lacks patience, but Shengtian isn’t giving this Emperor a chance. If we let him succeed in his Tribulation Crossing, the Immortal Dynasty will no longer exist. His talent, as you know, is clear. The realm you could not traverse, he will surely reach; it’s just a matter of when.”
The Ancient Immortal Emperor said, “The Reincarnation Tribulation is not that simple.”
“Do you want to gamble the fate of the Immortal Dynasty on his failure? Or bet that it will take him a million…ten million years?”
The Ancient Immortal Emperor fell silent at Yang Xian Emperor’s retort.
Soon after, the Yang Xian Emperor opened his eyes and looked toward the distant cosmos, saying, “Moreover, the Yuanxu Ancestor did not open the paths of Reincarnation without merit. What comes next will be the most potent period in the history of the Immortal Dynasty. All those supreme beings will return to fight alongside this Emperor.”
Excitement appeared on his face, unable to wait for a battle with the Holy Court.
The Ancient Immortal Emperor watched him and said, “Then how do you plan to break through? You don’t think the Holy Court would be so arrogant as to allow you to break through, do you? If the Saint Ancestor does not make a move, I too must refrain, or else the situation will spin even further out of control.”
The Yang Xian Emperor shook his head and said, “You need not worry, for this Emperor has his own plans. I would even hope for them to try to stop my Tribulation Crossing. It would give me a justified cause to gain the upper hand.”