Chapter 1628: Against the World

Yun Jianyue became enraged upon hearing this. "What's wrong with the Demonic Sect? Did the Demonic Sect wrong you?"

Just as she was about to go out and confront him, Qiu Honglei, who knew her temper well, quickly held her back, saying, "Master, calm down, calm down!"

If they went out now, wouldn't they become everyone's target?

One must know that the entire Golden Summit was full of Daoist masters, and the two of them, being from the Demonic Sect, were completely surrounded by wolves.

Yun Jianyue finally calmed down, but she stared intensely at Guan Chouhai in the distance, clearly making a mental note of this affront.

Guan Chouhai was bewildered, wondering when he had offended Kongming Island.

However, he had no time to think further at that moment and immediately accused Pei Mianman of using a sinister weapon that did not seem to be from a righteous source.

Mistress Huoling naturally launched into a furious tirade against him, but the other sect leaders had their own thoughts.

They had never seen the Fu Hao Owl Zun before and wanted to use this opportunity to let Guan Chouhai test its origins.

As for someone like Yan Xuehen, whose nature was to be unconcerned with worldly affairs, she naturally wouldn't speak up voluntarily.

Guan Chouhai said to Pei Mianman, "Miss Pei, if you bring out that bronze zun for everyone to examine, we can determine if it's an evil object. This is for your own good, lest you unknowingly carry an evil object that could eventually lead to a disaster from which there's no turning back."

Pei Mianman tightly pursed her lips. She couldn't explain the origin of the Fu Hao Owl Zun, and who knew if, after they examined it, it would be confiscated under the pretense of being a demonic or evil artifact?

Moreover, this was a memento of her decades as a couple with Zu An in the Yin Ruins; how could she allow others to lay hands on it?

Seeing her silence, Guan Chouhai sneered even more, "Are you keeping quiet because you have something to hide?"

The disciples around them all had strange expressions. The male disciples thought that someone as beautiful as Miss Pei must be innocent, but intimidated by Guan Chouhai's prestige, no one dared to say anything.

The female disciples had a different view, finding the woman too alluring and, at her age, obviously not proper, harboring an innate sense of hostility; moreover, some were fans of Zhiyin, and seeing how badly Zhiyin had fared, they immediately directed their anger at her, clamoring in support.

Mistress Huoling was enraged. "That weapon is my disciple's personal item! Why should it be brought out for everyone to examine? I think Zhiyin's... whatever that ball is, is an evil object! Why don't you make him bring it out for examination?"

No sooner had she spoken than Guan Chouhai extended his hand and summoned Zhiyin's Shadowless Orb into his grasp, saying, "The orb is right here. If any of you wish to examine it, I, Guan, have no objection whatsoever."

Mistress Huoling gasped, never expecting her impulsive remark to lead her into a trap.

Guan Chouhai then seized the opportunity to step onto the arena, but Mistress Huoling blocked him again, declaring, "Anyway, I won't allow you to bully my disciple!"

Guan Chouhai's face darkened. "Mistress, don't be foolish. If that truly is an evil object, it wouldn't just endanger your Biluo Palace, but also pose a common crisis for the entire Daoist sect."

Mistress Huoling retorted angrily, "Don't feed me that nonsense! In any case, I won't let you lay a hand on Manman."

Guan Chouhai scoffed, "If Mistress remains so stubbornly misguided, then don't blame me for offending you." Just as a confrontation was about to erupt between them, Wan Tongtian also stepped forward, asking, "What, Brother Guan, are you suggesting that Biluo Palace has no one to defend it?"

Instantly, he formed a pincer movement with Mistress Huoling, trapping Guan Chouhai between them. If the opponent dared to move, they would immediately unleash a thunderous pincer attack.

Mistress Huoling's originally fierce gaze now held a trace of softness. For the first time in decades, she found Wan Tongtian agreeable.

'My senior brother still cares for me...'

At that moment, Li Changsheng of Baiyu City walked over with a smile, saying, "Let's all discuss this properly and not cause any discord."

Although he said this, he deliberately or inadvertently positioned himself between Guan Chouhai and Wan Tongtian, clearly assisting Guan Chouhai.

It was no wonder he chose this. Wan Guiyi of Biluo Palace was already a renowned genius, and now with Pei Mianman emerging, who could even defeat the famous chief disciple Zhiyin, Biluo Palace's future was limitless. Perhaps, eventually, the nine sects of the Daoist school would all defer to them.

No other sect wished to see such a situation arise, so they naturally wanted to seize this opportunity to suppress them.

Wan Tongtian naturally saw through their intentions and was both startled and enraged. "What do you mean, Brother Li?"

Li Changsheng smiled faintly. "We are all old acquaintances, and I don't want us to fall out. Why don't we each take a step back and let your niece bring out that weapon for us to take a look? I guarantee that as long as it's not some evil artifact, it will be returned to its owner."

Wan Tongtian and Mistress Huoling's expressions turned grim. The premise of "as long as it's not" was vague; who knew how they would determine the weapon's nature at that time?

However, in a two-on-two situation, they did not have the advantage and could only wait for the stances of the other factions.

At this point, Elder Xuandu of Kunlun Void stroked his beard and said, "This old man believes there's no harm in an examination. As the saying goes, 'the pure will prove themselves pure,' and it can also resolve everyone's doubts."

Kunlun Void, Biluo Palace, and Lihen Heaven were among the three oldest and most powerful branches in the history of the Daoist sect. Historically, they were inevitably filled with grievances and entanglements, each wishing the others ill and hoping to completely surpass them.

Although these three sects had declined and no longer possessed their peak glory, this deeply ingrained habit persisted.

Elder Xu of Luofu Mountain, Vice Manor Lord He Yuan of Qingxu Manor, and Cave Lord Mu, one of the Two Cave Lords Longmu of Taixuan Cave, all chimed in with their agreement, naturally speaking some high-sounding rhetoric.

But they all had their own agendas. These sects were among the lower-to-middle ranks of the Nine Daoist Sects, always weaker than Biluo Palace and the others. They naturally hoped their rivals' strength would be impaired so they could replace them.

Seeing this scene, Qiu Honglei couldn't help but say, "Master, I've noticed that these righteous cultivators are even more shameless than those in the Demonic Sect! We're openly wicked, but these people, despite being full of sinister intentions, speak with such righteous indignation."

Yun Jianyue scoffed repeatedly, "Are you only just realizing this now? They and our Demonic Sect... bah, our Sacred Sect are no different in essence. Our biggest disadvantage is that we don't master these superficial tricks, which is why we're universally condemned, whereas they can deceive a bunch of foolish men and women."

Qiu Honglei muttered, "But I thought you, Master, were quite proud of this normally, and I never saw you asking us to change."

"Of course I'm proud," Yun Jianyue replied as if it were obvious. "If we were that hypocritical, wouldn't we be in cahoots with these fellows?"

Qiu Honglei was speechless.

She felt that the Sacred Sect's image likely wouldn't change anytime soon.

At this moment, Wan Tongtian and Mistress Huoling in the arena were both shocked and enraged. The strength of their single sect, after all, couldn't contend with so many sects united.

So Wan Tongtian said to Wang Wuxie, "Senior Brother Wang, you are the host here. Won't you say something?"

Wang Wuxie actually didn't care much; after all, his Righteous Yang Sect was currently the strongest.

However, since the majority now supported an examination, he didn't want to incur public wrath, especially since Li Changsheng also supported the examination.

In his view, Li Changsheng, being an elder of Baiyu City and Yan Xuehen's senior brother, naturally represented Yan Xuehen's intentions.

So he also smiled slightly and said, "Since everyone thinks it should be examined, I see no harm in it. Palace Lord Wan, Mistress Huoling, you needn't worry too much. We are all respected figures; in front of so many disciples, we certainly wouldn't embezzle your treasures."

Hearing him say this, Wan Tongtian's expression dimmed. It was as he expected.

So he quietly said to Mistress Huoling, "Junior Sister, why don't we just let them examine it? We'll be watching, and if they truly intend to embezzle it, it won't be too late for us to make a fuss."

Mistress Huoling's expression fluctuated. Although she had a fiery temper, she wasn't a reckless brute who disregarded everything. She understood the current power dynamics and knew that truly falling out with them would not benefit Biluo Palace.

However, agreeing to let them examine it felt deeply humiliating to her. Her disciple had defeated the chief disciple, and instead of glory, she was met with various interrogations and suspicions.

Just as she was caught between a rock and a hard place, a cold voice suddenly rang out, "It seems you haven't asked for my opinion yet?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zu An. At that moment, he seemed to harbor a subtle anger.

Seeing Zu An speak up, Pei Mianman, who had been somewhat uneasy on the arena, broke into a radiant smile, but soon began to worry again. After all, those present were all important figures from various sects. Although A'Zu was powerful, he was still too young compared to them.

Yun Jianyue quietly snorted, "See? I told you your philandering boyfriend wouldn't miss a chance to play the hero for a beauty."

Qiu Honglei, worried that her master might get angry, quickly explained on his behalf, "This actually makes me admire him even more. He would protect his woman, even if it meant opposing the whole world."

"You're not jealous at all?" Yun Jianyue stared at her, somewhat surprised.

"Why would I be jealous?" Qiu Honglei's eyes sparkled. "I was thinking that if I were on the stage right now, he would surely stand against everyone for my sake too."

Yun Jianyue was stunned, her mouth slightly agape, but she said nothing.

At this moment, Elder Xu of Luofu Mountain scoffed, "This is an internal matter of our Daoist sect. Why would we need your opinion?"