"Yeah, why should we be punished too? This is so damn unfair!"
"If there's a punishment, it should be Qingyun Sect. We didn't take him in. We just came along with the villagers to join the fun. What the hell do we have to do with it?"
"Is the Arbitration Council trying to take advantage of us? Let me tell you, it's impossible. If you can take a single penny from me today, I'll elope with my daughter-in-law when I get home, believe it or not!"
Apart from Qingyun Sect, the people from the other six major sects were determined not to pay the fine, making the hall as noisy as a marketplace. However, Shen Zhao was not at all flustered, as if he had already expected this.
After everyone had argued enough, Shen Zhao said calmly, "Finished arguing? Are you done?"
"Didn't you all say the seven major sects of the Eastern Continent are like branches of the same tree, that they supervise each other?"
Now that such a scandal has occurred in the Qingyun Sect, why aren't you fellows who always talk about being of one mind willing to be of one mind anymore?
This is clearly a major failure in mutual supervision. Shouldn't there be a penalty?
If you're not willing to take responsibility for this, then this so-called alliance is really just a pretense."
He Lixian immediately jumped onto the table and retorted, "This is simply sophistry. It was the Qingyun Sect that made a big show of recruiting disciples, not that we forced them to.
Besides, we didn't receive any prior notice. Now that they've lost face, how can it be our fault, as outsiders? I cannot agree with this reasoning!"
Shen Zhao narrowed his eyes, "So, you're not planning to pay?"
He Lixian said proudly, "My head can be cut off, my blood can flow, but you can forget about forcing me to bow down to evil forces! That's impossible!"
"Good, you have a backbone! I hope you can keep it up!"
After saying that, he gave Liang Hao a look.
Liang Hao immediately understood and jumped out, "Hey, He, I think we've been too easy on you, letting you forget your place.
You dare to defy the Arbitration Council's decision? Where does your Tianqing Sect get the nerve to talk like that?
How about this, I'll go out and spar with you. I'll let you have a hand and a leg, and I'll even let you hold Kun'er while you fight.
If you can beat me by even half a move, then your Tianqing Sect doesn't have to pay, how about that?"
He Lixian was startled; he naturally couldn't reason with this powerhouse who had entered the Nirvana Realm.
Moreover, let alone giving him a hand, a leg, and a Kun'er, even if he just stood there and let him attack continuously, he might not even break through the opponent's defenses.
There were many cases of people on the Immortal Martial Continent killing those stronger than them, even across realms, but those were all just in the lower tiers.
Once you reach the Mystic Void Realm, it's basically impossible to kill someone stronger than you, unless you've got a cheat code.
The gap between the peak of the Mystic Void and the first stage of the Nirvana Realm, though only a half-step difference, is a massive chasm.
It's no exaggeration to say that if Liang Hao were to make a move, all the heads of the seven major sects present would be nothing but cannon fodder.
Instantly, He Lixian's momentum faltered.
Liang Hao continued, "You can voice your opinions. Although we definitely won't adopt them, we can keep your opinions as a reference. I believe the Arbitration Council's decisions are all made after careful consideration."
Careful consideration?
Damn, is this careful consideration after less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea?
Everyone was deeply shocked by Liang Hao's shameless words, and internally they gave their regards to all the women in his family, including Messi.
"Why is everyone so quiet? Are you agreeing or refusing? Can't you just give me a straight answer? Do you want me to just stand here and wait for you to open your mouths?"
Three questions in a row nearly sent them reeling.
He Lixian steeled himself to resist, "Aren't you going too far? Didn't we agree on fairness and justice? I strongly protest this despicable act of bullying!"
Liang Hao retorted, "Are you, the Tianqing Sect, trying to provoke the legitimacy of our Arbitration Council's enforcement? If so, just keep running your mouth. If you can walk out of this Qingyun Sect standing up today, I swear I'll take your family name, how about that?"
A blatant threat. He Lixian truly regretted being so stubborn.
The reason they dared to speak to him like this was simply their strength.
Strength was the essential rule for survival on the Immortal Martial Continent, and the key to obtaining all dignity.
He Lixian completely surrendered, "Fine, it seems to be the negligence of the seven major sects of the Eastern Continent. The Tianqing Sect is willing to pay the required spirit stones."
Tianqing Sect and Qingyun Sect were the two most respected powers on the Eastern Continent. Since they had both agreed, the other five sects could only grit their teeth and pay the spirit stones they owed.
A million spirit stones weren't a small sum, but it was definitely affordable for these second- and third-rate sects.
They decided to treat it as a way to avoid disaster. The key was that they could establish a connection with the Arbitration Council. Perhaps it could be useful in critical moments later. After all, everyone understood that it was better to have more friends than enemies.
The matter finally came to an end. Suddenly, Master Zisong said, "I was blind to the truth and nearly harmed the reputation of Qingyun Sect and the other fellow daoists of the Eastern Continent.
I feel guilty for committing such a heinous crime.
From today on, I will step down from the position of Sect Leader and go to Meditation Cliff to reflect for a hundred years."
"Sect Leader, no!"
The elders of Qingyun Sect immediately spoke up to dissuade him upon hearing this.
But Master Zisong had already made up his mind: "There's no need for further discussion, everyone. What Young Hero Shen said is absolutely correct. As the Sect Leader, I've only pursued strength and fame,
neglecting the discipline of my disciples and clouding my own judgment, unable to distinguish right from wrong. This is a serious dereliction of duty.
My lifespan is nearing its end, with only a century left. Let me spend the rest of my days atoning for today's mistakes. After I leave, Elder Mo will take over as Sect Leader."
Mo Xinchen quickly said, "Sect Leader, I fear I'm not up to the task."
"Junior Sister Mo, please don't decline. In the Qingyun Sect, no one is more suitable than you for the position of Sect Leader right now. Lu Chen and Xuanji are promising talents.
You must nurture them carefully..."
Having said all this, Master Zisong seemed relieved, letting out a long sigh.
He Lixian immediately spoke up, "Old man Zisong, are you admitting defeat? We've been fighting for a thousand years, and you're just going to bow out like this?"
"Old Man He, the grudges between us have lasted for several hundred years. Over these centuries, our open and secret struggles have caused quite a few jokes.
Now that I'm old, I've understood. Actually, you are more outstanding than me. After I'm gone, I hope you can take care of the Qingyun Sect for me. I hope you won't decline."
He Lixian didn't speak.
In fact, the root of the grudges between the two of them was simply that neither of them was convinced by the other, vowing to compete for dominance. There was no deep hatred, but rather, they had long held a mutual appreciation for each other.
After a long while, he sighed, "You think you can get rid of me and enjoy some leisure like this? Impossible, Old Man Zisong, after I handle the aftermath of the Tianqing Sect, I'll compete with you again."
Master Zisong smiled without speaking, and just let him be.
Inside a room in the Qingyun Sect, Su Yunying slowly woke up. Looking at everything unfamiliar before her, she shook her slightly aching head, then sat up.
"Awake?"
Shen Zhao's voice came from outside the door.
"Shen-laoda, I…"
"If you're not feeling well, lie down and don't move."
Shen Zhao sighed softly, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, gazing at Su Yunying.
Su Yunying felt uneasy under his gaze, and seemed to remember something. She curled up in the corner of the bed, her hands hugging her fair, jade-like knees, and lowered her head, saying nothing.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Shen Zhao spoke directly, "Do you remember what happened before? The way you were acting crazy in the Green Bamboo Forest, even the King of Hell would shake his head."
Su Yunying quickly raised her head, asking nervously, "Was I ugly at the time?"
Shen Zhao stumbled, nearly falling.
"No, aren't you missing the point? I'm talking about your appearance!"
"It must be hideous."
Su Yunying touched her already burning cheeks, mortified.
Shen Zhao decided to get straight to the point: "Girl, what triggered you back then?"
Hearing this, Su Yunying's expression immediately darkened, and she hesitated, as if wanting to speak but stopping herself.
Seeing that she didn't want to talk, Shen Zhao didn't bother to press her, and said directly, "If you don't want to say it, then don't. We'll rest tonight, and we'll return to Qingyang City tomorrow morning."
With that, he turned and was about to leave.
"Big Brother Shen!"
Su Yunying suddenly called out to him.
"Do you believe in past lives and this life?"
Shen Zhao turned around and looked at her with suspicion.
Su Yunying said, "I wouldn't have been like this normally, but the moment I saw that Lin Feng, a vivid memory surfaced in my mind.
In the memory, Lin Feng tricked me, severing my hand tendons, taking my Dan Yuan, ruining my Qi Sea, and even draining my bloodline. Finally, he pulled out my tendons, broke my limbs, and threw me into the mountains, leaving my corpse in the wilderness.
This memory was like I experienced it myself. I could clearly feel the despair and fear. The pain was so heart-wrenching.
I... I couldn't control my emotions at that moment. Only an irrepressible resentment echoed in my mind. It would be difficult to resolve the hatred in my heart if I didn't tear him to pieces."
"So..."
Shen Zhao understood after hearing this. This girl hadn't been reborn, but she had awakened some of her past life's memories.
What she said was basically consistent with what he knew.
"Don't overthink it. Rest well first. I'll handle the rest."
Shen Zhao said, then turned and left.
He paused as he was about to step out and added, "I believe everything you said. Whether it's true or not, I will make the culprit pay the price. But I won't let them die so easily."
Looking at Shen Zhao's departing figure, Su Yunying's eyes were dazed.
But before Shen Zhao could leave the room, Lu Chen, who was in a hurry, blocked his path.
"Brother Shen, please, go and persuade my sister. She... she wants to take her own life. You can't just ignore this..."
Shen Zhao's expression immediately changed upon hearing this: "Damn it, what does your sister's life or death have to do with me? Can you stop acting like I'm the one who wronged her?
First of all, I've barely exchanged a single sentence with your sister, so can you please stop dragging me into this?"
Lu Chen pleaded, "Brother Shen, I beg you, go and persuade my sister. This matter with Lin Feng has hit her hard. I only have one sister, I really don't want to see her like this."
Shen Zhao looked disgusted: "I am deeply moved by the touching affection between you siblings, but damn it, it still has nothing to do with me. There are so many people in the Qingyun Sect, why does it have to be me?
You have time to argue with me here, why don't you go and persuade your sister not to do anything rash? Besides, what does she have to be so upset about?
With her looks and talent, can't she find a high-quality male of the same species? Or does she think all the men in the world are now just average guys because she lost Lin Feng?"
Lu Chen said, "Brother Shen, I really don't know what to do. I know you're good with words, maybe you can persuade her to change her mind."
"I appreciate the compliment, but I'm still going to refuse! After all, your sister is an adult, does she really need someone to coax her?"
Lu Chen was silent for a moment, then took out a storage bag from his pocket.
"Brother Shen, here are two thousand spirit stones and some spirit herbs. Consider it a reward for helping catch the mastermind. There will be another substantial reward when we return to Qingyang City."
Upon seeing this, Shen Zhao immediately accepted the storage bag and said righteously, "Say no more, I understand. Your sister was bewitched by a demonic cultivator. I will go persuade her to change her mind.
First, let me be clear, I'm just doing this because I don't want to see a young woman lose her life because of heartbreak, definitely not for your worldly possessions."
As soon as he finished speaking, Su Yunying also ran out the door, "Shen, I heard everything from inside the room. Don't think you can leave me out of this fun."
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