Yanxi's capital.
City Lord's Mansion.
The rough-hewn throne stood elevated at the head of the hall. Below the nine tiers of stone steps, the spacious chamber was plain and austere. Pairs of enormous candles burned along the stone walls, their pure white flames illuminating the vast space as brightly as day. Every corner of the main hall exuded the discipline and bloodthirstiness unique to a military camp.
Pei Ling sat alone on the throne, legs planted wide. His face was rigid. The moment he regained control of his body, he immediately circulated the [Sun Erosion Secret Record], preventing his true appearance from being exposed all at once.
At that moment, Yanxi City's Grand Elders and fortress lords were still discussing matters. "Pei Ling is a rare talent, but even the strongest swimmer can drown. Compared to the City Lord, he's still too young..."
"He's a Prodigy of his generation, but what a pity he was born under the rule of a demonic sect. The moment he entered the Dao, he set foot on a crooked path... Enough of that. City Lord, the Chongming Sect's Holy Son has been executed. We should drink to that! You've won a great victory this time; the whole city ought to celebrate and raise morale!"
"Exactly! We should also invite the other four sects to spread the word about the City Lord's achievements, so the whole world knows what it means for the Dao to rise a foot above the demons!"
"Since ancient times, evil has never triumphed over good. Heretical demons and outsiders may possess exceptional talent and plunder the world, but their actions erode their virtue. In the end, they can never last..."
Pei Ling quietly gazed at the many high-ranking Yanxi City cultivators, while inwardly cursing every last ancestor of the system.