"There was no mistake,"
Yaoguang said, taking out a projection crystal. "The reason I killed Xuan Shuang was that he coveted the inheritance I carry and directed Wang Daoshu of the Wang family to take my life. I have recorded imagery here that proves I acted in self-defense."
"Such a thing happened!?"
Wan Qianshan cried in shock. "Then Xuan Shuang deserved to die even more!"
Yaoguang nodded slightly.
From Wan Qianshan coming in person to bring up the matter of Xuan Shuang, it was obvious that the upper echelons of the Heavenly Dao Sect wished to show goodwill.
Yaoguang did not refuse, but he could not allow the matter to simply be swept under the rug either.
After all, he truly had acted in self-defense.
"As a true disciple of the sect, Xuan Shuang failed to act as a pillar of the sect and set a good example for his junior brothers and sisters. Instead, blinded by greed, he coveted the fortune of an inner disciple. Ten thousand deaths would not atone for his guilt."
Wan Qianshan delivered a definitive verdict on the matter on the spot.
"My thanks to the Law Enforcement Hall for clearing my name," Yaoguang said.
The Law Enforcement Hall elder made no further mention of severely punishing Hou Feng, and Yaoguang was not so tactless as to press the issue.
It was impossible for Wan Qianshan to offend a veteran Void Piercing cultivator on behalf of a junior sect master whose actual degree of influence remained untested.
Nor did Yaoguang believe that his status as junior sect master gave him the authority to decide the life or death of a Void Piercing elder with a single word.
Void Piercing cultivators were already true leaders of the sect. Even if the sect master or the supreme elders wished to move against one, they needed evidence solid enough to convince the masses. Otherwise, it would inevitably cause widespread panic, and the Heavenly Dao Sect would collapse from within without even being attacked.
Yaoguang turned his gaze toward the Chi family ancestor dressed like a noble lady—Chi Yu.
She, too, smiled and said, "I have come first to congratulate the junior sect master on advancing to Void Piercing, and second... Xuan Shuang attacked and attempted to kill you. For this, not only did he deserve death, but the Xuan family behind him is also undeniably guilty and must be sternly disciplined. I have already had the members of the Xuan family apprehended, to be dealt with at your discretion, Junior Sect Master Yaoguang."
"Already apprehended?"
Hearing this, Yaoguang understood the underlying game immediately.
Clearly, the moment Xuan Shuang died, the Xuan family behind him had already been carved up, and the Chi family had undoubtedly seized the lion's share.
Now that Xuan Shuang's affair involved him—the junior sect master—Chi Yu, even as the Void Piercing ancestor of the Chi family, did not dare show the slightest disrespect. She had sought him out at once, intending to yield all the profits they had swallowed from the Xuan family to avoid drawing his displeasure over their overstepping.
Well...
The people of the Heavenly Dao Sect were pragmatic indeed.
The changes brought by a rise in status were truly instantaneous.
However, he had no intention of forcing the Chi family to spit back out what was already in their mouths.
The Chi family stepping forward to make their stance known right away stemmed partly from wariness toward his status as junior sect master, but it also represented an overture of goodwill.
Although he was now the junior sect master, he had no one at his disposal. Facing the Chi family, who had been the first to approach him, he did not mind observing them for a while.
If they proved useful...
He could make use of them until the people from the Nine Cauldrons Sect arrived.
"The Chi family may handle it as you see fit. I trust that your family will grant me a fair and just outcome in this matter," Yaoguang said.
A smile appeared in Chi Yu's eyes upon hearing this. She cupped her hands in a hurried salute and said, "Thank you for your trust, Junior Sect Master. The Chi family will certainly handle the matter properly and will not disappoint you."
"Good," Yaoguang replied.
After a brief exchange, the two Void Piercing cultivators felt it improper to intrude any further.
In the eyes of these elders, Yaoguang had only just stepped into the Void Piercing realm and still needed time to consolidate his foundation. Lingering at such a moment was inappropriate.
Chi Yu and Wan Qianshan took their leave, and Lingxi and Zhang Qing also bowed and excused themselves.
As for Yaoguang...
He descended directly onto the main peak.
Unfurling the subordinate volume of the Golden Book of the Great Dao in his hand, he quickly found what he was looking for.
It was the control core for the twelfth-tier formation that had just been activated.
A twelfth-tier formation...
Even a Void Refining powerhouse would need to expend considerable time to breach it.
Golden light flickered as the formation was activated. A blanket of mist swiftly enveloped the peaks spanning a thousand li in radius, cutting off all prying eyes as they vanished amid the surrounding mountains of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
***
On the other side, Zong Wenxian withdrew his gaze from Nine Cauldrons Peak.
He turned to look at the four other figures.
Yuan Miaoyi, Lineage Master of the Immortal Lineage; Xiang Zhenlong, Lineage Master of the Heaven Lineage; and Zhou Xingdou, Lineage Master of the Battle Lineage.
As well as Yue Kuhai, Lineage Master of the Dao Lineage, who rarely involved himself in the daily operations of the sect.
If the Heavenly Dao Sect were compared to a nation, the rules carried within the Golden Book of the Great Dao would be its constitution, while Zong Wenxian and the four lineage masters would be the president and cabinet, formulating regulations to ensure the sect's smooth functioning.
The remaining supreme elders were akin to members of a parliament.
As for the deputy sect masters, they were not mere assistants to the sect master. In reality, there was no strict hierarchical chain of command between them and the sect master.
Each deputy sect master was usually dispatched to guard a certain region.
Moreover, unlike junior sect masters, there could be at most four deputy sect masters, each stationed in one of the four cardinal directions.
When there were not enough deputy sect masters, the duty of presiding over those directions was managed by the sect master in their stead.
After a deputy sect master broke through to the Void Shattering realm, if their performance was mediocre, they would be promoted to supreme elder.
If their performance was outstanding and brought substantial benefits to the sect, they could succeed as sect master, while the outgoing sect master would step down automatically to become a supreme elder.
"A spatial special constitution, and so young at that. There is real hope for Void Refining," Zong Wenxian remarked in a tone tinged with praise.
"If this Yaoguang's talent is truly extraordinary and he achieves Void Refining within a millennium, our Heavenly Dao Sect will gain another deputy sect master. That is a fine thing, and it will lighten your burden as well, Sect Master. Overseeing the development of the Southern Domain while simultaneously managing the operations of the sect's headquarters is truly no easy task," the Dao Lineage Master responded with a chuckle.
"His talent is indeed exceptional, but I fear this junior sect master may not share our heart," Xiang Zhenlong, Lineage Master of the Heaven Lineage, said with a furrowed brow.
"What could that Dao Lord of the Penglai Immortal Sect be thinking? Out of nowhere, she suddenly played such a hand against our Heavenly Dao Sect when we haven't provoked her in the least. Send people to inquire and discover her true stance," Zhou Xingdou, Lineage Master of the Battle Lineage, said with evident wariness.
"I have already dispatched people to investigate," Yuan Miaoyi hurriedly stated.
"Very well. Whatever the case, our priority now is to determine whether he can stand in the same boat with us. If he can, the sect gains a future Void Refining, or even Void Shattering, cultivator. That would be a blessing. If he cannot..."
Light flickered in Zong Wenxian's eyes, but he did not finish the sentence.
He still needed to discern the true attitude of that Penglai Dao Lord.
If that Dao Lord genuinely valued Yaoguang immensely, then even knowing he was her pawn, the Heavenly Dao Sect would have no choice but to treat him with reverence for now.
"In short, observe him for a time first."
"As it should be."
"It isn't as though our Heavenly Dao Sect cannot afford to maintain a single junior sect master."
"My only worry is that the deputy sect masters might take issue with it."
The lineage masters spoke in turn.
"I will speak to the deputy sect masters myself. Whatever disputes or conflicts exist between us are our own internal affairs. But this junior sect master... might very well draw the Penglai Immortal Sect into the fray. While unlikely, we cannot fail to guard against it. I trust the deputy sect masters can distinguish what takes precedence," Zong Wenxian said.
The lineage masters nodded, swiftly reaching a consensus regarding their stance toward Yaoguang.
Neither target him nor place him in important posts; simply observe him for several decades or a century first.
In any case, for Void Piercing cultivators with lifespans exceeding ten thousand years, there was plenty of time to judge a person's true character.
"By the way, Elder Hou Feng of the Immortal Lineage ought to be dealt with. To say nothing of secretly recording the junior sect master's mental imprint, issuing a warrant for his arrest without confirmation from the Law Enforcement Hall was thoroughly biased. If the junior sect master makes a fuss, none of us will look good," Zhou Xingdou, Lineage Master of the Battle Lineage, suddenly remarked.
"Elder Hou Feng..." Yuan Miaoyi's expression shifted. "Wasn't he merely acting in accordance with official duty?"
His gaze toward Zhou Xingdou turned profound.
Yet Zhou Xingdou showed no leniency. "Those actions have already exceeded the scope of official duty. Secretly copying a disciple's mental imprint to do another person's bidding can already be called betraying one's own sect. After all, before he recorded the junior sect master's mental imprint, Yaoguang hadn't even been suspected of being the killer of True Disciple Xuan Shuang."
Although the Immortal, Heaven, Battle, and Dao Lineages functioned like the cabinet of a nation, the power struggles within them were fierce.
After all, resources were limited. If the Immortal Lineage lost a Void Piercing elder, the Void Piercing cultivators of the Heaven and Battle Lineages could claim a larger share of supplies.
Hence, the Lineage Master of the Heaven Lineage also kicked him while he was down, nodding in agreement. "He has been keeping extraordinarily close company with that Jiang Tianzun. Even Elder Tushan of the Dao Lineage was dragged into it and used by him, employing the Myriad Immortals Compass to locate Junior Sect Master Yaoguang. That is misappropriating public resources for private ends."
The Dao Lineage Master frowned, but said nothing.
As sect master, Zong Wenxian weighed the situation before speaking. "Hou Feng is in the Deep Blue Sea right now, isn't he?"
"Yes," Yuan Miaoyi replied, biting the bullet.
"Tell him not to return for now. Let the junior sect master handle this matter."
Zong Wenxian's words carried pointed intent. "On one hand, we can test this junior sect master's methods and backing. On the other... the incident occurred in the Deep Blue Sea, which makes it an opportune moment to see whether the Penglai Immortal Sect has any further reaction."
The moment these words were spoken, the lineage masters understood.
As a newly advanced Void Piercing cultivator, Yaoguang theoretically had no way of confronting a veteran Void Piercing expert like Hou Feng.
The sect master having him handle the matter appeared magnanimous on the surface, as though seeking justice on his behalf. But in reality...
If he proved capable, it would reveal what hidden trump cards he possessed.
If he was incapable...
It would show whether the Penglai Immortal Sect would lend him a hand, thereby allowing them to gauge Penglai's true attitude toward him.
Although this effectively reduced Hou Feng to an abandoned pawn...
Who told him to leave behind such glaring leverage in the first place?
Yuan Miaoyi nodded. "Then we shall proceed as the Sect Master says."
***
On an island in the Deep Blue Sea.
Tongming, Hou Feng, Mo Shan, Jiang Tianzun, and the others were waiting.
Xi Liu had also arrived on the scene along with two Void Piercing Battle Immortals of the Xi family.
The reason they had notified the Xi family was to have them intercept Lu Li at a critical juncture, preventing their own intervention from escalating matters and causing the Heavenly Dao Sect and Taiyi Immortal Sect to clash head-on with the Penglai Immortal Sect.
"The two Battle Immortals you enlisted should have made their move by now, shouldn't they?"
Hou Feng glanced at Jiang Tianzun, his expression laced with anxiety.
"Judging by the time, they should be capturing him any moment now," Jiang Tianzun said with a slight smile. "The two Battle Immortals dispatched by my Cangwu lineage this time are considered exceptional even among Void Piercing Battle Immortals. Even against a true Void Piercing cultivator, they could hold their own in combat for quite some time. It is absolutely foolproof."
Hou Feng nodded and sent a mental voice transmission: "True Disciple Jiang, do not forget the things you promised me when the time comes."
"Rest assured, Elder Hou. I certainly will not disappoint you," Jiang Tianzun solemnly assured him.
Just then, the messaging jade talisman on his person vibrated slightly. "News has arrived! Yaoguang must have been captured by the experts of our Cangwu lineage!"
Filled with delight, he swiftly projected his divine sense into the talisman.
Yet the result...
"He isn't there?"
The joy in Jiang Tianzun's eyes froze. "They searched several times, and even Lu Li has returned, yet they couldn't find Yaoguang anywhere. Yaoguang... isn't in the Biyou Immortal Market!?"
"Not there!? How could that be!? The entire Biyou Immortal Market was under our surveillance! How could he possibly have slipped away?" Hou Feng found it hard to believe.
"Could he be hiding? Were those Battle Immortals simply not skilled enough to detect him?" Tongming asked, frowning deeply.
Just as they stood in bewilderment, the messaging jade talismans on both Hou Feng and Tongming began to vibrate as well.
Chapter 318