Once Meng Yaoyin’s identity is confirmed, not only does Wen Ruanyu have no reason to resist, but the entire White Paper Immortal City will be enveloped by the grand narrative of "repaying kindness" and "inheriting the mission," leaving them in an extremely weak position.
Duanmu Zhang, Zhong Dao, Qin De... these troubles need not be addressed.
"However, this method will definitely not pass," Wei Ji’s heart is as clear as a bright mirror.
Because, once this point is acknowledged, the Meng Family will grasp the greatest argument for righteousness! Under the guise of "benefactor’s kin," not only will they smoothly interfere, but they could even lead the profit distribution of White Paper Immortal City.
The deceased Meng Yaoyin will also become a sharp banner for the Meng Family to wield against White Paper City!
The method is good, and easier to execute than before, beneficial for the Myriad Images Sect, best for the Meng Family of Purple Thunder Peak!
But what about the other peaks?
Can Tuoba Huang, Ling Juejian and others willingly become vassals?
With a glance towards Wei Ji, Meng Wuyan said, "Heavy Array Peak holds the Array Core, discerning all mechanisms. Peak Master Wei Ji, whether true or false, whether righteous or not, I beseech you..."
Wei Ji’s pitch-black eyes met Meng Wuyan’s purple gaze, distant and calm as if through an invisible glass. He slowly spoke, his voice not high: "Heavy Array Peak has no intention to get involved in the interests of White Paper Immortal City."
"However, the City’s Mountain Protection Array, after this calamity, will be a fraction of its former self. Once the dust settles, its reconfiguration, defense, and maintenance — these fundamental matters of Protecting the Dao and the People — should be entirely undertaken by Heavy Array Peak."
With those words, Cloud Ruins fell silent.
The same silence, yet completely different from the atmosphere Meng Wuyan had created before.
Tuoba Huang’s rage restrained, Ling Juejian’s coldness faded, Wang Yu smilingly nodded...
No one objected.
Though Wei Ji is just the Deputy Peak Master of Heavy Array Peak, he represents the Peak Master of Heavy Array Peak in this gathering of Eight Peaks, who is also the current Sect Master of Myriad Images Sect.
Everyone present is well aware of this Sect Master’s modus operandi.
Heavy Array Peak Master Dong Chen prefers a superlative neutrality, anchoring the core interest, rather than directly participating in the tearing and dividing of profits.
Wei Ji’s intention is Dong Chen’s intention: you may fight over White Paper Immortal City’s gains, I don’t care. But the whole White Paper Immortal City must belong to me.
His plan to replace the City Protection Formation is to truly bring this Immortal City under his control.
Meng Wuyan’s purple eyes flickered momentarily, before he took a step back and remained silent.
Seeing that the situation was settled, Wei Ji withdrew his gaze and spoke once more.
His voice echoed in the spacious Cloud Ruins: "Summon Evil Slaying Hall Master, Zhong Dao, into the array for discussion!"
Zhong Dao’s Divine Sense touched the array, the boundary wall lit up, and cloud energy condensed rapidly, forming a Cloud Body Clone.
Zhong Dao (Clone) slowly opened his eyes, landing in front of everyone.
He appeared middle-aged, with deep vertical lines on his brow formed from long years of frowning, his gaze sharp like a blade, filled with an unabashed intent to investigate and judge, making it hard for anyone to meet his eyes.
His nose was prominent like a peak, lips straight and tense, jawline was resolute.
He stood tall and upright, with wide shoulders and back, and his stance was like a straight pine tree. Upon arriving in front of everyone, he stepped forward a few steps, his gait steady and powerful, every step infused with undeniable authority and determination.
His entire presence commanded respect without threat, imparting an extremely reliable yet stubborn feeling, hard to compromise.
"What matter have you called me for?" Zhong Dao asked, looking evenly at the seven people gathered.
His combat power, cultivation level, and age surpassed the seven present, though his role as Evil Slaying Hall Master was slightly inferior.
The crowd remained silent.
Ling Juejian’s face was calm, he nodded slightly towards Zhong Dao. Tuoba Huang, frowning, stared at Zhong Dao with a wary expression.
Wei Ji coughed, summarizing the previous discussion briefly.
"White Paper City? Yin Mountain Black Swamp?"
After listening to Wei Ji’s explanation, Zhong Dao understood what was going on.
"Ha," he chuckled lightly, "You summoned me for this kind of matter?"
"As Evil Slaying Hall Master, matters discussed should be about cleansing the universe and purging demonic influences, not about petty bargaining and weighing private benefits."
With a serious face, he swept his sharp gaze around: "Wen Ruanyu, Duanmu Zhang? Fellow practitioners should interact righteously, treat each other sincerely. How can they be used as bargaining chips?"
"As for Qin De, originally a captive of demonic evildoers, shackled in prison, awaiting celestial punishment. How can he become a pawn in the game?"
"What are you thinking? This is simply nonsense!"
He stepped forward heavily, his voice suddenly raised: "The prestige of Myriad Images Sect is founded on resplendent righteous laws, on vast magnanimity, on the iron shoulders of sages throughout generations bearing the Dao, on countless warriors with blood and heart sacrifice! Not a trickster path can steal, not a selfish gain can stain!
"You want me to cooperate with you?!"
The Evil Slaying Hall Master glared at everyone, anger surging, as if ready to fight upon disagreement.
Wei Ji sighed bitterly: "Master Zhong Dao, please temper your anger. The location of White Paper Immortal City is sensitive, its interests immense, any slight misstep could bring harm to the entire sect."
"Our sect’s Meng Yaoyin, Wen Ruanyu, and other disciples, all walk the righteous path, preserving our sect’s prestige and righteousness. But precisely because of this, our sect is also involved, it must be handled gracefully."
Zhong Dao coldly snorted, his sharp gaze already piercing through the hypocrisy of those present.
He directly clasped his fists: "To rectify the name of White Paper, act as a dignified division. Have the bloodblade of Evil Slaying Hall clear the path, mobilize the elite of three peaks to continue. This Hall Master’s own hand shall wield the execution cauldron, break Yin Mountain, plow Black Swamp. Every clearly convicted great demon, every evil filled leader will be bound in front of White Paper Immortal City, executed with bright justice, hanging their heads as a warning to all!"
"Conduct yourself thusly, only then is it dignified and righteous, while also ensuring great benefit!"
"First, proclaim to all: righteousness and evil cannot coexist!"
"Second, intimidate demons: debts of sin must be repaid!"
"Third, inform the city’s populace: the immortal path is not mere idle talk, it wield iron fists to cleanse demons and protect the Dao, to correct people’s hearts."
"Fourth, By purging demonic influences and clearing the jade sky, this is the supreme grace! By enforcing celestial punishment and upholding laws, this is unprecedented awe! By combining grace and awe, we ensure control over White Paper Immortal City, with no future worries."
Everyone else was stunned.
Looking at the murderously fierce Zhong Dao, his unwavering stance against demons, everyone suddenly recalled the experiences and temperament of this sect strongman.
Including Wei Ji, they all felt regret: "How did we muddle through and bring Zhong Dao here for discussion? With his hatred for evil demons, he is bound to have strong personal opinions."
Thus, they exchanged glances, communicated through Divine Sense.
"Zhong Dao and Duanmu Zhang are arguably the most rigid and obstinate individuals throughout the sect. Alas, how did White Paper Immortal City’s affair involve both these people?"
Feeling a headache, Meng Wuyan instead smiled slightly, looking as if watching a good show.
At the same time.
In some hall of the Evil Slaying Hall, the Xingyun Trial within the array space was underway.
On the stone platform, Ning Zhuo stroked the official plaque of The Bright Mirror Hung High, facing a question from the elderly cultivator — having captured the Demon Evil, if the opponent pleaded, offering great rewards, or volunteered to serve, how should he deal with it?
The elderly cultivator’s methods could detect whether the words are sincere, but unknowingly activated Ning Zhuo’s Buddha Heart Demon Seal in his Divine Sea Upper Dantian.
The Treasure Seal emitted Demon Light, providing Ning Zhuo a vast space to act.
Ning Zhuo’s thoughts flashed, first recalling Zhong Dao’s related intelligence.
The next moment, he stood tall like a pine tree, his eyes unwavering, voice like metal clashes, cold but clear: "Exterminate evil to its entirety, no leniency!"
"Retaining them sows future harm, polluting Heaven and Earth Righteous Qi. Cut when needed, execute when deserved! Demonic heads serve only one purpose: hang them high, serve as warnings! Give pause to all demons and evildoers!"
As he spoke, an invisible chilling aura of slaughter spread, as if the sound of Golden Spear clanging.
On the stone platform, the many high-level cultivators of Evil Slaying Hall heard this, their eyes lit up.
The elderly cultivator’s appreciation for Ning Zhuo deepened, internally praising: "Good, truly eradicating evil entirely. Truly a promising seedling of the Righteous Path."
The cultivators were unaware that the Silk Lady, who should have been "eradicated entirely," was busying herself gleefully constructing arrays, twined around Ning Zhuo’s waist inside Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon.