The moment the words "Heavenly Dao" left his lips, Zhang Yuxian's expression turned grave.
Everyone knew Lu Ze was tied to that being by countless threads.
Even as a mere fragment of the Heavenly Dao, that being remained a transcendent existence above all things.
Had anyone else said it, he could have dismissed it as a joke.
Coming from Lu Ze's mouth, however, it meant something entirely different.
Zhang Yuxian had no doubt that, if he went along with Lu Ze, the Fragment of the Heavenly Dao, both righteous and evil, really would step forward to personally determine the truth!
"I stake my sect's reputation on it. Our disciples would never stoop to such despicable acts!"
Zhang Yuxian quickly composed himself. Knowing he could not target Lu Ze, he immediately turned a stern gaze on Chao Wendao and thundered:
"Elder Chao, your sect has already taken first place. Why must you slander our Azure Peak Sect like this? What exactly is your Spirit Cloud Sect playing at?!"
Chao Wendao looked at Zhang Yuxian, then at Lu Ze.
How could he not understand? Zhang Yuxian wanted to redirect the fire and have him rein in his own disciple.
But the moment he remembered that this matter involved two of his beloved disciples, Zhong Yi and Lu Ze, he immediately chose to play dumb.
"Old Zhang, our disciple certainly spoke out of turn and sullied the Azure Peak Sect's good name..."
"Then make him shut up! Let's part on good terms! The Azure Peak Sect is magnanimous enough not to hold this against him!"
"But, well..."
Chao Wendao's eyes darted about, and a trace of cunning crept across his wrinkled face.
"You see, so many fellow cultivators around the world are watching. If we don't establish your innocence, what will people say