Mount Sumeru vanished into the clouds high above.
The great cultivators remained kneeling on the ground.
The leaders among them exchanged glances, knowing there was no way around Gu Qingshan. One after another, they turned to the celestial immortals and kowtowed, pleading desperately.
"Celestial immortals, please uphold justice!"
"Immortals, our strength is meager. We're no match for Gu Qingshan. Please leave us a sliver of hope for survival!"
"Please, immortals, save us!"
They cried out in grief, their miserable plight enough to move anyone.
If we can just move the immortals and get them to speak on our behalf, there might still be room to turn things around!
The celestial immortals exchanged glances at the sight.
Sure enough, living up to the cultivators' hopes, one righteous Venerable who despised evil stepped forward.
The Venerable snorted and said, "Rest assured, the Venerables of my Ten Absolutes Sacred Ground have upheld justice all their lives. We always see that justice is done, and never bow to power."
The cultivators rejoiced. "Thank you, Venerable!"
Before they could finish their words of gratitude, the Venerable began walking at an unhurried pace toward Gu Qingshan.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Gu. Thank you for guiding me into the Heavenly Path back then."
The Venerable bowed with a beaming smile.
"You're welcome." Gu Qingshan returned the salute.
The Venerable then took his place beside him.
The cultivators slowly fell silent.
Weren't you supposed to uphold justice?
Why'd you go over to his side?
Just then, another Fairy stepped forward and sighed. "The common people suffer so much oppression. Today, I must speak up for justice."
Without waiting for the cultivators to react, she had already glided over to Gu Qingshan and bowed. "Fellow Daoist Gu, back then, in the great terror of life and death, you appeared and