Tianzhi City Lord, Yuan Xin's Doing

After a brief silence, the Dao Lord erupted in uproar.

"How is this possible!"

The one who spoke was a Dao Lord from the Eighth Constant Domain.

He wore a dark brown robe, its surface adorned with countless tiny bone fragments. "The Lord of Huang Shi City is dead? He was True Pattern Realm! This... how reliable is this news?"

Three seats away from him, another Dao Lord was equally shocked.

This person was short and stout, with translucent Amber skin, through which tiny specks of light could be faintly seen flowing along vein-like lines.

That was the Amber Marrow Tribe from the Ninth Constant Domain.

"Could this be a false rumor?" he asked suspiciously. "Those Lightless City Lord are all shrewd and cunning, each with their own hidden agendas. They've been scheming against each other for countless Universal Epoch. How could they suddenly start killing each other at this critical juncture?"

"That's right. While the Lightless City aren't exactly harmonious, they're far from being at the point of needing to besiege and kill a city lord. This news came as a complete shock," a Dao Lord beside him agreed.

"No. How could news spoken by Dao Lord Yuan Xin herself be false?"

The Dao Lord spoke had a cold, hard voice. He sat in the Sixth Constant Domain, his figure as straight as a blade.

Every inch of his skin gleamed with a cold, white metallic sheen, a mark of his Wo Silver Tribe. His shoulder armor and arm guards were essentially metal structures extending from his own flesh and bone, sharp-edged and gleaming with a chilling light.

"But I'm curious, the third proposal regarding the Lightless Ones hasn't even been announced yet, but they've already made their move. Where did they get that information?"

The simple words spoken by this core member revealed information that astonished the ordinary members even more, and for a moment, discussions arose in the hall.

Lin Yi remained seated, not joining either side's discussion.

"The Lightless Ones have yielded?" He slowly pondered the news, his gaze unconsciously sweeping across the core members throughout the hall.

Judging from the expressions of these core members, it was clear that they were unaware of the situation beforehand.

"What exactly is going on?"

As expected, another core member Dao Lord, spoke up.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an extremely deep and resonant quality, like an ancient bronze bell tolling in the hall. "The timing of this infighting is too coincidental, almost unbelievable."

He paused here, looked around, took a deep breath, and continued, "As you may have guessed, today's third item on the agenda was supposed to be about how to deal with the Lightless City. But before we could even make an announcement, this happened first. This makes me wonder if someone among our core members leaked today's agenda beforehand!"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall changed abruptly once again.

"Surely not? How could a core member do such a thing?"

"But if someone hadn't leaked the news, why would the Lord of Tianzhi City have chosen this crucial moment to strike first?"

"Yes, the timing is too coincidental. So coincidental that it makes one suspicious."

The discussion in the hall grew increasingly heated.

Even Lin Yi's brows furrowed unconsciously.

It should be noted that the two main figures in this insider deal are both top-tier Dao Lord at the True Pattern Realm.

If one can condense Dao Fruit at the Constant Source Realm, then one has entered the Path Source Realm.

When that Dao Fruit was first formed, it was completely empty, with only an outer shell outline constructed from strands of Dao Resonance.

Calling it a fruit is a bit of a stretch; it's really not much different from an empty room.

The Dao Lord at this stage is called the Hidden Pattern Realm.

Hidden Pattern Realm.

At first glance, it sounded quite mysterious, but Lin Yi knew that, to put it simply, the Dao Fruit simply didn't have Dao Patterns on its surface.

However, the first major realm of a dignified Dao Lord cannot be called the Realm of No Patterns or the Realm of Light Patterns.

So they gave it a nice name, called the Hidden Pattern Realm, which preserved the dignity of the newly promoted Dao Lord and also subtly reflected the fact that the Dao Patterns had not yet been revealed.

The Hidden Pattern Realm, to put it simply, is the long and arduous process of filling the interior of the Dao Fruit.

To fully enrich the interior of the Dao Fruit, ten thousand strands of Dao Resonance are needed.

Once that stage is reached, illusory Dao Patterns will begin to appear on the surface of the Dao Fruit.

Once the illusory patterns are formed, one's strength will experience a significant increase.

This is the Phantom Pattern Realm.

Lin Yi knew that the Dao Lord Xi Mo, the Dao Lord Han Yu, and the Dao Lord Ming Chi were all currently at the Phantom Pattern Realm, only their cultivation levels differed.

Beyond the Phantom Pattern Realm, one needs to comprehend 100,000 strands of Dao Resonance, transforming the Dao Patterns from illusory to real, unleashing boundless power with every gesture.

This is the True Pattern Realm.

Within the entire Dao Origin Hall, there are only nineteen top-tier Dao Lord at the True Pattern Realm.

The Sixth Constant Domain has four bits, the Seventh Constant Domain has five bits, the Eighth Constant Domain has three bits, and the Ninth Constant Domain has seven bits.

These nineteen people constitute the true core members of the Dao Origin Hall today.

Originally, among the nine Lightless City Lords, three were at the Hidden Pattern Realm, four at the Phantom Pattern Realm, and two at the True Pattern Realm.

Of the three at the Hidden Pattern Realm, one has been confirmed to have been killed by the Seventh Constant Domain. The other one had his city breached during the recent Black Silence Beast Tide and his whereabouts remain unknown.

In the Phantom Pattern Realm, there was another person who disappeared when the city was breached by the beast tide.

Those two True Pattern Realm were none other than the Lord of Tianzhi and the Lord of Huang Shi City.

But who could have imagined that the Lord of Tianzhi, along with the remaining Lightless City Lord, would surround and kill the Lord of Huang Shi City.

Lin Yi thought to himself.

Judging from the words of that True Pattern Realm Dao Lord, this third matter is related to the Lightless City.

But now, before this third item has even been announced, such a major internal affair has already occurred in the Lightless City Lord. It's quite normal to suspect that someone leaked the proposal to the Lightless City Lord in advance.

After all...

"Unlike that infamous Lord of Huang Shi City who cultivates devouring techniques, it's said that Lord of Tianzhi City has private connections with quite a few Dao Lord."

After becoming the Commander, he specifically reviewed the general information of all the Dao Lord in the Chaos Cosmic Sea, including the Lord of Tianzhi City.

The Constant Guard's own records contain a somewhat subtle evaluation of the Lord of Tianzhi City.

The Lord of Tianzhi City originally came from a mid-level family in a remote cosmic region, where a branch of the Eternal Source Family also resided.

The things that family did are clearly recorded in the archives.

The head of that branch family set up one trap after another in order to seize a rare mineral vein controlled by the Tianzhi family.

First, they signed a huge contract with the Tianzhi family in the name of the Chamber of Commerce. Then, they secretly ambushed the Tianzhi family's caravan during the freight transport. Finally, they lured an elder of the Tianzhi clan at the Eternal Source Realm into a dangerous place and surrounded and killed him.

At that time, the Lord of Tianzhi City was only at the High Order of the Eternal Source Realm.

He has no evidence.

That family was extremely cunning, each step seemingly treading on a knife's edge, yet they somehow managed to leave no direct evidence to convict them.

He sought help from the Constant Guard in the nearby area.

However, the message brought back by his men was that the Constant Guard was in seclusion seeking a breakthrough and could only handle affairs after emerging from seclusion.

During that time, the Lord of Tianbin City discovered that the family had begun to destroy evidence.

What happened next became a historical case in the entire archives of the Constant Guard.

Enraged, the Lord of Tianzhi City stormed the family's gates, slaughtering all the high-ranking members before fleeing into the Black Mist Sea with the remaining clansmen.

This matter immediately alarmed the nearby Constant Guard.

Soon, the truth came to light: that family was indeed guilty.

The Lord of Tianzhi was also placed on the wanted list for killing several people of the same rank without authorization.

As a member of the Constant Guard, Lin Yi understood this matter better than others.

He understood better than anyone else that in this vast and complex Chaos Cosmic Sea, the enforcers would ultimately lag behind.

Sometimes, even when you know the other person is guilty, you just lack that one piece of evidence.

Sometimes, by the time the truth is fully revealed, the victim is no longer alive.

Is justice delayed still justice?

No one can answer this question.

Lin Yi also clearly remembered that at the end of the case file he had seen, a very senior inspector had written the following sentence: "I cannot conclude that Tianzhi is innocent, but I also cannot be harsh on him back then. What is the purpose of a cultivator's cultivation? If I were in his shoes, I might do the same."

After the Lord of Tianzhi City fled into the Black Mist Sea, he cultivated all the way to the Path Source Realm.

He occupied a Lightless City and publicly called upon the entire Cosmic Sea to take in cultivators who had fled into the Black Mist Sea due to various injustices and forced to violate imperial laws.

Therefore, Lin Yi did not have any ill feelings towards the Lord of Tianzhi City.

After all, the actions of the Lord of Tianzhi City have significantly dampened the momentum of many powerful families.

Lin Yi even remembered that later there was a case where the Constant Guard couldn't find conclusive evidence to convict the victim, and as a result, the victim, who was at the mid-level of the Eternal Source Realm, actually escaped into the Black Mist Sea while being pursued by the high-level Constant Guard of the Eternal Source Realm after taking revenge.

That person later also entered Tianzhi.

"This Lord of Tianzhi doesn't seem like a villain in the traditional sense."

Lin Yi thought to himself.

He had also heard that the Lord of Tianzhi had accumulated so much Universal Epoch that he had many friends among the Dao Lord.

It is even said that the Lord of Tianzhi was able to reach the True Pattern Realm thanks to the secret guidance of his friends.

Therefore, what that core member said just now wasn't entirely unfounded.

It's not impossible that a core member might have leaked Dao Origin Hall's stance beforehand.

As Lin Yi pondered this in his heart, the discussion inside the hall grew louder and louder.

"If someone did leak the information in advance, then there must be a thorough investigation!"

"A thorough investigation? In the current situation, you're going to thoroughly investigate the core members?"

"That doesn't mean it never happened!"

Just as the Dao Lord were arguing endlessly, Dao Lord Yuan Xin finally spoke.

She gestured with her hands, "Everyone, please calm down."

Yuan Xin Dao Lord's voice was like a gentle breeze blowing from the depths of nothingness, and the excited Dao Lord almost simultaneously felt an invisible tranquility.

This tranquility was so subtle that the clamor in the hall vanished as if sinking into quicksand.

"Let's finish the third point first," Yuan Xin Dao Lord calmly. "After this matter, we can discuss any questions that may arise."

As she spoke, even though everyone was full of doubts, no one spoke again.

In the ensuing silence, Dao Lord Yuan Xin looked at everyone again and spoke, "After discussion among the core members, it is proposed to treat the Lightless Ones differently. Apart from those Lightless who have massacred innocents, used cultivation techniques as their foundation for cultivation, and committed a few unforgivable Lightless Ones, the remaining Lightless Ones can be separately incorporated into the military order of the Black Mist Sea Frontline, with their combat merits offsetting their corresponding crimes."

After these words were spoken, there was no immediate surprise in the hall; instead, an even deeper silence fell over it.

"Just as I thought."

Lin Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

The core of this third proposal, as expected, concerns the treatment of those Lightless Ones.

The timing of the attack on the Lord of Tianzhi City by leading his men to kill the Lord of Huang Shi City occurred precisely before the announcement of this proposal.

If this were purely a coincidence, even Yuan Xin Dao Lord probably wouldn't believe it.

Many ordinary members Dao Lord have clearly come to understand this point as well.

Many people subconsciously looked towards the core member who had just raised the question, only to see that the person's expression had returned to calm, but his lips were tightly pursed, and he seemed to be thinking about something.

After a moment, Dao Lord finally spoke up, "I see no problem with this suggestion. The gaps in the Black Mist Sea front are widening, and those Lightless Ones are still combat power. It's better to assign them to the Frontline than to let them cause trouble from behind."

"Indeed," another Dao Lord nodded in agreement. "Besides, those who deserved to die the most have already been excluded. If the remaining ones genuinely want to atone for their sins through military achievements, it's actually a good thing for the Frontline."

Lin Yi listened and nodded secretly.

Most Dao Lord are rational.

Since Yuan Xin Dao Lord set the rules so clearly, they are naturally willing to see a prudent solution.

However, Dao Lord couldn't help but voice their objections in hushed tones.

"But opening such a loophole would undoubtedly undermine the dignity of the Imperial Law! Which of those Lightless Ones doesn't have a few crimes on their hands? If we pardon them today, tomorrow someone will say, 'As long as I kill Black Silence Beast on the Black Mist Sea Frontline, can I trample on the law at will?'"

"Ha, you're still talking about this even now!" another Dao Lord immediately retorted, "No matter how important the imperial laws are, you have to live to see them! If the Frontline completely collapse and the Black Mist Sea rolls in, where will you find the dignity of those laws?"

"Furthermore, the Lord of Tianzhi has already taken drastic measures with the remaining Lightless City Lord, which is tantamount to going to extremes."

If this proposal doesn't pass in the end, what do you think they will do?

As soon as those words fell, the Dao Lord had previously insisted on opposing them fell silent.

It's obvious without even thinking.

The Lightless City Lord have reached a dead end. If the Empire continues to shut them out at this point, the remaining Lightless Ones will inevitably choose to overturn the table completely.

Seeing that no one voiced any further objection, Yuan Xin Dao Lord said, "In that case, the third item is passed."

As soon as the words were spoken, a complex emotion rose in the hall.

All the Dao Lord knew that although the proposal had been passed, the road ahead would only be more difficult.

Yuan Xin Dao Lord a moment, allowing the silence to settle, before speaking again, "Now that the third item has been approved, let Tianzhi Dao Lord the current situation inside the Black Mist Sea. After all, they know better than we do."

Upon hearing this, hundreds of gazes in the hall simultaneously focused.

Lin Yi was also taken aback.

Tianbin Dao Lord?

How could the Lightless City Lord directly arrive at the Dao Origin Hall?

Before everyone could recover from their surprise, a muffled tremor suddenly came from the depths of the Dao Origin Hall.

On the east side of the main hall, in a place that was originally empty, the bluish-gray ground seemed to have cracked open from the deepest part.

Light surged forth from the cracks, like a clear spring gushing from the earth.

The rays of light converged and slowly solidified into a new stone pillar before everyone's eyes.

Then, a flash of light appeared on the newly formed stone pillar.

Then, a figure appeared out of thin air.

Lin Yi slowly turned his gaze to Dao Lord Yuan Xin, who was sitting at the head of the table.

He already understood.

It's important to know that the creation time of the Dao Origin Ring is measured in hundreds of thousands of Epoch.

The fact that the Dao Lord Tianzhi could directly project himself into the Dao Origin Hall shows that he had already obtained the Dao Origin Ring.

How could the distribution of the Dao Origin Ring possibly bypass the master of the Dao Origin Hall?

"So... it was Dao Lord Yuan Xin's doing."