NOVPUB"There’s no mistake."
Alkaid said, taking out a crystal stone, "But the reason I killed Xuan Shuang was because he coveted the inheritance I possess, instructing the Wang Family’s Wang Daoshu to assassinate me. This recording shows the images that can prove I was acting in self-defense."
"How can this be!?"
Wan Qianshan exclaimed in shock, "Then Xuan Shuang deserved his death even more!"
Alkaid gave a slight nod.
By personally coming to mention Xuan Shuang’s matter, it was clear that the higher-ups of the Heavenly Dao Sect intended to show goodwill.
Alkaid didn’t reject the offer, but he also couldn’t let this matter just fade away into confusion.
After all, he had indeed acted in legitimate defense.
"Xuan Shuang, as a True Transmission disciple of the Sect, should have set an example for his junior brothers and sisters, instead of being blinded by greed and coveting the opportunities of an Inner Sect Disciple. His countless sins make him indubitably culpable."
Wan Qianshan directly declared the nature of the issue.
"Thank you, Enforcement Hall, for vindicating me."
Alkaid said.
This Elder from the Enforcement Hall no longer mentioned how to severely punish Hou Feng, and Alkaid wasn’t so tactless either.
Wan Qianshan wouldn’t offend a seasoned Hollow Void for the sake of a Junior Sect Leader like him, whose specific influence was yet unknown.
Alkaid also didn’t believe that, just by virtue of his Junior Sect Leader status, he could decide the life or death of a Hollow Void Elder.
The Hollow Void already belonged to the true upper echelons of the sect; even the Sect Leader and Supreme Elders would need enough evidence to convince others if they were to move against a Hollow Void, lest it lead to a scenario where everyone felt threatened and the Heavenly Dao Sect disintegrated from within.
Alkaid then turned his gaze to the elegantly dressed elder from the Chi Family—Chi Yu.
This Elder smiled and said, "I came here for two reasons: first, to congratulate the Junior Sect Leader on ascending to the Hollow Void, and second... Since Xuan Shuang attempted to assassinate the Junior Sect Leader, it’s not only he who deserves his death, but the Xuan Family behind him cannot escape their guilt and should receive severe punishment. I have already had the Xuan Family members arrested, awaiting the Junior Sect Leader Alkaid’s decision."
"They have been arrested?"
Upon hearing this, Alkaid immediately grasped the ins and outs of the situation.
Clearly, at the time of Xuan Shuang’s death, his backing, the Xuan Family, had already been divided up by others, and the Chi Family undoubtedly claimed the lion’s share.
However, now that the matter involved him as the Junior Sect Leader, even Chi Yu, a Hollow Void Elder from the Chi Family, did not dare show any neglect and came to him at the first opportunity, intending to hand over all benefits reaped from the Xuan Family to avoid upsetting him with their presumptuous acts.
This…
The people of the Heavenly Dao Sect are indeed realistic.
The changes brought about by the promotion of status were immediate.
However, he had no intention of asking the Chi Family to give up the benefits that were already within their grasp.
The Chi Family’s immediate expression of stance partly stemmed from their wariness of his Junior Sect Leader status and also represented a gesture of goodwill.
Although he had become a Junior Sect Leader, he completely lacked useful people around him, so he didn’t mind taking a closer look at the Chi Family that approached him first.
If they proved to be useful...
He would make use of them before the people from the Nine Cauldrons Sect came over.
"Leave the Chi Family to handle it. I trust that your family will give me a fair and just outcome for this matter," Alkaid said.
Upon hearing this, Chi Yu’s eyes also revealed a hint of a smile as she promptly bowed and said, "Thank you for your trust, Junior Sect Leader. The Chi Family will surely handle the situation properly and not disappoint you."
"Good."
Alkaid replied with a single word.
After a simple exchange, the two Hollow Void Elders knew it was inappropriate to impose any longer.
After all, in their eyes, Alkaid had just entered the Hollow Void Realm and needed time to consolidate his realm; to persist further at this time was inadvisable.
Following the departure of Chi Yu and Wan Qianshan, Ling Xi and Zhang Qing also bowed and took their leave.
And Alkaid... 𝚗o𝚟pub.𝚌𝚘𝚖
He directly landed on the main peak.
In his hands, he unfolded a section of the Great Dao Golden Book, quickly finding something.
This was the control hub for the newly activated Twelve-Level Formation.
A Twelve-Level Formation...
Even powerhouses in the Void Refinement Realm would need a good deal of time to break through it.
The golden light flickered, the formation was activated, and in a flash, the peaks within a thousand miles were shrouded in a layer of mist, obstructing the sight of all, vanishing amidst the mountains surrounding the Heavenly Dao Sect.
...
Elsewhere, Zong Wenxian also withdrew his gaze from Nine Cauldrons Peak.
He then looked at the other four individuals.
Immortal Vein Vein Master Yuan Miaoyi, Heavenly Vein Vein Master Xiang Zhenlong, War Vein Vein Master Zhou Xingdou.
And the Dao Vein Vein Master Yue Kuhai, who seldom interfered in the sect’s affairs.
If one were to liken the Heavenly Dao Sect to a country, the rules embedded within the Great Dao Golden Book would be akin to the constitution; Zong Wenxian and the Four Veins’ Vein Masters would be like the president and his cabinet, making regulations to ensure the smooth operation of the sect.
The remaining Supreme Elders are somewhat analogous to members of parliament.
As for the Vice Sect Leaders, they do not act as deputies to the Sect Leader; they don’t have a strict hierarchical relationship with the Sect Leader.
Each Vice Sect Leader would typically be assigned to oversee a region.
Moreover, unlike the Junior Sect Leader, there are at most four Vice Sect Leaders, each ruling one of the four directions.
If there aren’t enough Vice Sect Leaders, the responsibility for those directions falls to the Sect Leader by proxy.
Vice Sect Leaders who break through to the Shattered Void Realm can, if they perform ordinarily, be promoted to Supreme Elder.
However, if they perform exceptionally well and bring significant benefits to the sect, they can succeed as the new Sect Leader, with the former Sect Leader automatically resigning to become a Supreme Elder.
"With such a special Void-type constitution, and still so young, there’s hope for Void Refinement," Zong Wenxian said with a praiseworthy tone.
"If this Alkaid truly has exceptional talent and attains Void Refinement within a millennium, our Heavenly Dao Sect will have another Vice Sect Leader; that’s a good thing. Sect Master, you’d have less to shoulder too, bearing the duties of the Southern Region’s development as well as managing the affairs of the Sect—it’s truly no easy task," the Dao Vein Vein Master responded cheerfully.
"Indeed, the talent is high, but I fear that this Junior Sect Leader may not share our convictions," Heavenly Vein Vein Master Xiang Zhenlong said with a frown.
"What is the Penglai Immortal Sect Dao Lord thinking? Why did she suddenly put on such a show at our Heavenly Dao Sect, when we didn’t provoke her in the slightest? Send someone to inquire and understand her true intentions," the Heavenly Vein Vein Master instructed.
War Vein Master Zhou Xingdou spoke with a hint of apprehension.
"I have already sent someone to investigate."
Yuan Miaoyi promptly declared his stance.
"Alright, no matter what, next we must first ascertain whether he is willing to join us in mutual aid. If he is, the Sect would gain a potential Refining Void, or even a Shattered Void in the future, which is a good thing. If not..."
Zong Wenxian’s eyes sparkled with light, but he did not speak.
Because he still had to clarify the stance of the Penglai Dao Lord.
If the Dao Lord truly valued Alkaid greatly, even if it was known that he belonged to her, the Heavenly Dao Sect would still have to appease him for the time being.
"In any case, we observe for a while first."
"That’s how it should be."
"For a Junior Sect Leader, our Heavenly Dao Sect is certainly not lacking in resources."
"It’s just that I’m afraid some Vice Sect Leaders might have their own ideas."
Several Vein Masters said in turn.
"I will speak to the Vice Sect Leaders. Regardless of any disputes or contradictions among us, they are internal matters of the Heavenly Dao Sect. But this Junior Sect Leader, if mishandled... could lead to the Penglai Immortal Sect’s involvement. Though the likelihood is small, we can’t afford to be unguarded. I believe the Vice Sect Leaders would also be able to discern the urgency and importance of the matter," said Zong Wenxian.
The Vein Masters nodded, and quickly decided on their attitude towards Alkaid.
No targeting, but also no preferential treatment. They would just observe him for a few decades or a century before deciding.
After all, to those who had lifespans exceeding ten thousand years in the Hollow Void, there was plenty of time to discern a person’s true character.
"By the way, it seems that Elder Hou Feng of the Immortal Vein may need to be dealt with. Not to mention his private recording of the Junior Sect Leader’s spiritual imprint, issuing a bounty on him without confirmation from the Enforcement Hall is not impartial. If the Junior Sect Leader made a fuss, it would be embarrassing for all of us."
At this moment, War Vein Master Zhou Xingdou suddenly said.
"Elder Hou Feng."
Yuan Miaoyi’s face changed: "He was just performing his official duties, correct?"
He looked at Zhou Xingdou with a deep gaze.
But Zhou Xingdou was unsympathetic: "These actions have already crossed the boundaries of official duties. Especially recording the spiritual imprint of a disciple to help others, it can be considered as betrayal. After all, he recorded the Junior Sect Leader’s spiritual imprint before there was any suspicion that he was the murderer who killed Xuan Shuang’s True Transmission."
The Immortal Vein, Heavenly Vein, War Vein, and Dao Vein, though equivalent to a country’s cabinet, did not have internal power struggles any less intense.
After all, the resources were limited. If the Immortal Vein’s Hollow Void Elder reduced by one, the Hollow Void Elders of the Heavenly Vein and War Vein could gain more materials.
Therefore, Heavenly Vein Master also nodded and added fuel to the fire: "His connection with Jiang Heavenly Venerable is not superficial, even Elder Tushan of the Dao Vein was dragged into it, used to find Alkaid’s whereabouts with the Myriad Immortals Disk. This is the abuse of public tools for private purposes."
The Dao Vein Master frowned, but said nothing.
As for Zong Wenxian, the Sect Leader...
After weighing the situation, he spoke up: "Hou Feng, is he currently in the Deep Blue Sea?"
"Yes," Yuan Miaoyi replied stiffly.
"Let him not return for now. Let the Junior Sect Leader handle this matter."
Zong Wenxian had an implication in his words: "On one hand, to see the means and foundation of this Junior Sect Leader, on the other hand... the incident took place in the Deep Blue Sea, it’s just right to see if the Penglai Immortal Sect will react otherwise."
As this statement was made, the Vein Masters came to an understanding.
Alkaid, a newly advanced Hollow Void, theoretically, could not confront an established Hollow Void like Hou Feng.
The Sect Leader now letting him handle the matter appeared magnanimous, as if to seek justice for him, but actually...
If he had the capability, it would reveal what kind of cards he was concealing.
If he lacked the capability...
It would also reveal whether the Penglai Immortal Sect would lend him support, thus assessing the Immortal Sect’s true attitude towards him.
Although it amounted to treating Hou Feng as a sacrificial pawn, but...
Who made him get caught with leverage against him?
Right away, Yuan Miaoyi nodded: "Then, let’s follow the Sect Leader’s instruction."
...
On an island in the Deep Blue Sea.
Tong Ming, Hou Feng, Mo Shan, Jiang Heavenly Venerable, and others were waiting.
Besides them, Xi Liu and two Hollow Void War Immortals of the Xi Family had also arrived at the scene.
The reason they notified the Xi Family was that they hoped he would interfere with Luli at the required moment to keep them from acting and escalating the issue, thus avoiding a direct confrontation between the Heavenly Dao Sect and the Taiyi Immortal Sect with the Penglai Immortal Sect.
"Now, the two War Immortals you invited have taken action, haven’t they?" Hou Feng glanced at Jiang Heavenly Venerable, looking somewhat anxious.
"According to the time, they should have captured him by now," Jiang Heavenly Venerable said with a smile: "This time, the two War Immortals dispatched from my Cangwu lineage are outstanding even among Hollow Void War Immortals. They can fight against a true Hollow Void for a while and are absolutely fail-safe."
Hou Feng nodded and then telepathically transmitted: "Jiang True Transmission, don’t forget the things you promised me."
"Rest assured, Elder Hou, I will not let you down," Jiang Heavenly Venerable guaranteed fervently.
At this moment, his communication Jade Talisman trembled slightly: "There’s news! That Alkaid must have been captured by the experts from my Cangwu lineage!" Continue reading on freewebnovel
With excitement, he quickly probed into it.
But the result...
"Not there?"
Jiang Heavenly Venerable’s joy stiffened slightly: "They’ve searched several times, Luli has even returned, but they couldn’t find Alkaid. Alkaid... is not in Biyou Fairy City!?"
"Not there!? How is that possible!? The entire Biyou Fairy City is under our surveillance, how could he possibly escape?" Hou Feng found it hard to believe.
"Could he be hiding? Is it possible that those War Immortals weren’t able to detect him due to insufficient capability?" Tong Ming furrowed his brow as well.
While they were puzzled, the Jade Talismans on both of them began to vibrate in unison.
