Haven't you all made enough of a scene?
"Do you really want to blow up the Soul Refining Sect?"
Just before the mighty Kunpeng and the crimson blood moon were about to collide and unleash their earth-shattering power, a faint yet incomparably majestic voice came from the Nine Heavens above.
Before the sound had even faded, the world changed dramatically!
A giant blue hand, covering half the sky, suddenly emerged from the depths of the clouds without warning.
His five fingers, like mountains, his palm lines like a galaxy, carried an immense will to "control heaven and earth and suppress all laws," and he gently clenched his fist towards the two destructive energies that were about to collide—
"Buzz--!!!"
The moment the giant hands closed, time seemed to freeze.
The magnificent white light of the Vast Kunpeng and the crimson evil light of the Blood Moon Purgatory were like two fireflies held in the palm of a hand, struggling and thrashing about, but they could not break free from those five "pillars of heaven" finger bones.
"Disperse."
The ethereal sound rose again, calm and still, yet as steadfast as a divine decree.
Within the giant palm, the white light and the Blood Light both paused for a moment, then swayed violently like candles in the wind, and finally, with a "poof," they both vanished, leaving not even a ripple.
The suffocating aura of destruction that filled the world vanished with it.
"Phew—thankfully I arrived in time."
If these two things were to explode, the entire area within a hundred miles would likely be destroyed.
As the giant hand slowly dissipated, an elderly man dressed in a simple black robe, with white hair and beard, silently appeared in mid-air.
He had a lean face, gentle eyes, and no intimidating aura about him.
But when his gaze swept across, even the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi seemed to quiet down.
"Greetings, Vice Sect Master!"
Upon seeing the newcomer, all the Peak Master present, along with Zhang Lingyun, bowed respectfully.
This person was none other than Helian Jue, the Vice Sect Master of the Soul Refining Sect.
Although Xing Tian had suffered excessive depletion of his Essence Blood, and his aura was extremely weak, he was even unsteady on his feet.
But he still forced himself to kneel on one knee, his voice hoarse, despite his broken body:
"Xing Tian... greets the Vice Sect Master."
Zhang Yu was completely exhausted at this moment, collapsing to the ground, unable to even move a finger.
However, compared to Xing Tian, it's definitely not a loss; in fact, it's a huge gain.
He was simply exhausted and wasted several masterpieces.
But as a time traveler, he has no shortage of good articles.
Xing Tian consumed a large amount of his vital Essence Blood, which was a real and serious loss of his vitality.
Zhang Yu quietly looked up at the old man who had suddenly appeared and effortlessly averted the world-ending crisis, his mind racing—
Vice Sect Master of the Soul Refining Sect?
Enemy... or friend?
"Vice Sect Master, regarding this matter..."
The severely injured Zhu Wuwang struggled to speak, clearly intending to preemptively accuse the villain.
But Vice Sect Master Helian Jue simply raised his hand and stopped him from speaking.
The elderly man, with his white hair and beard, had a calm gaze and a composed tone, yet he exuded an undeniable air of authority.
I know the truth of the matter.
His gaze shifted to Zhu Wuwang, his eyes showing neither joy nor anger:
"You seized Crimson Flame Peak while Jiang Ling was missing, and even refined its disciples into the Myriad Souls Banner —this is a fact, there's no need to deny it."
"I..."
Zhu Wuwang's face turned pale, and he still wanted to speak.
But as Helian Jue opened his eyes slightly, an invisible pressure froze all his words like ice, even making him gasp for breath.
He didn't even have the right to make excuses in front of Helian Jue.
Even Xing Tian, who was standing to the side, lowered his head and dared not utter a single complaint.
Helian Jue then looked at Zhang Lingyun, his tone still calm:
"Zhang Lingyun, you've been missing for a thousand years, Crimson Flame Peak has been left unattended. It's perfectly reasonable for Zhu Wuwang to temporarily take over its management."
His words showed no favoritism towards either side; rather, like a skilled chess player, he subtly placed two moves, simultaneously striking a blow against both.
It not only points out Zhu Wuwang in "forcibly occupying" the property, but also indicates that Zhang Lingyun was "negligent in her duties" first.
The Soul Refining Sect is Devil Dao Sect, and there are often conflicts between its various peaks, but the higher-ups of the Soul Refining Sect have always ignored these matters.
But Zhang Yu and Xing Tian made such a commotion today that even he, as the Vice Sect Master, couldn't simply ignore it.
Now that he has shown himself, he still needs to maintain a semblance of impartiality, otherwise the sect's credibility will be completely lost.
"As for his refining of the souls of the Crimson Flame Peak disciples..."
Helian Jue turned his gaze to Zhu Wuwang again, speaking calmly to Wu Bo:
"Release the Crimson Flame Peak disciples."
Before he finished speaking, he raised his hand and pointed.
"Snap--!"
The already tattered and broken Myriad Souls Banner shattered instantly, its surface torn apart.
Countless wronged souls surged forth like a tide, coalescing into blurry figures in the sky.
Leading the group was none other than Aoki, Heavenly Human Realm Peak Qing Mu!
"Thank you so much, Vice Sect Master... for saving my life!"
Qing Mu led a group of wronged souls from Crimson Flame Peak, kneeling in mid-air before Helian Jue, their voices filled with excitement and gratitude.
"Puff--!"
With his Natal Artifact destroyed, Zhu Wuwang was struck as if by a heavy blow. He spat out another mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness.
"The Vice Sect Master's actions are far too biased towards Zhang Lingyun!"
Xing Tian finally couldn't hold back any longer and spoke in a deep voice.
Although Helian Jue was of high status, Xing Tian also had a powerful background.
Helian Jue merely glanced at him indifferently and asked in return:
"Weren't you just now also biased towards Zhu Wuwang?"
He paused, his voice still calm, but the implication in his words made Xing Tian's face stiffen:
"You're allowed to favor Zhu Wuwang, but I'm not allowed to favor Zhang Lingyun?"
Don't think that just because your master is Grand Elder the Soul Refining Sect, you can act recklessly.
In one sentence, Xing Tian was left speechless.
Yes.
Just now, when he relied on his Cultivation and power to forcibly suppress Zhang Lingyun, forcing her to hand over Crimson Flame Peak, and even threatening to take Zhang Yu's life, did he ever speak of the word "fairness"?
Helian Jue looking at him, his gaze sweeping across the entire room before finally settling on Zhang Yu, a subtle, unreadable meaning flashing in his eyes.
"That's enough for today."
He spoke slowly, his voice carrying far and wide:
"The items from Crimson Flame Peak have been returned to their rightful owner. Zhu Wuwang has been punished by being confined to the Netherworld Cave wall-facing for a hundred years of solitary contemplation. Xing Tian... you failed to discipline your subjects properly; you are hereby fined ten years' salary as a warning to others."
Having said that, he flicked his sleeve and prepared to leave.
"This old man... seems to have a good relationship with Zhang Lingyun?"
Zhang Yu lay sprawled on the ground, but his eyes darted around.
He endured the excruciating pain of his torn meridians, struggled to his feet, and bowed to Helian Jue:
"Vice Sect Master, this disciple... has one more question, and I humbly request your guidance."
His voice was weak, but his tone was surprisingly clear.
Upon hearing this, everyone around was taken aback.
This kid... he's got some nerve!
The Vice Sect Master personally made the ruling, and the matter was settled. How dare he still speak up?
How dare you "boldly ask for advice"?
Zhang Lingyun's expression changed slightly, and she quickly gave Zhang Yu a look, signaling him to stop while he was ahead and not cause any more trouble.
Helian Jue and her Master did have some past relationship, but that was a thousand years ago. No one can say for sure how much of that relationship remains now.
It's already commendable that he stepped forward to uphold justice and suppress Xing Tian; how can we allow him to push his luck any further?
Helian Jue paused slightly, his gentle gaze falling on Zhang Yu with a hint of scrutiny and... interest, and softly spoke:
"Speak."
"Zhu Wuwang occupied Crimson Flame Peak for a thousand years. During this time, shouldn't the resources and income generated from the peak, the Marketplaces revenue, and the mineral deposits be returned to Crimson Flame Peak?"
Zhang Yu was neither humble nor arrogant, and his arguments were clear and logical, as if he were simply stating a very simple truth.
"Whoosh--!"
A low murmur rippled through the surrounding area.
This kid... not only dares to ask, but he also dares to ask for money?!
And they calculated it so precisely!
Even Zhang Lingyun was stunned.
She was so focused on reclaiming Crimson Flame Peak that she hadn't really thought about the losses over the past thousand years.
At this moment, after Zhang Yu's suggestion, he suddenly felt... that it seemed to make a lot of sense?
Helian Jue looked at Zhang Yu quietly for a long while, then suddenly smiled softly.
"Interesting."
He turned his gaze to Zhang Lingyun, his tone carrying a hint of elusive emotion:
"Your Crimson Flame Peak truly produces talented people."
You, a Demonic Dao and evil spirit, have condensed Golden Body of Merit;
Your little apprentice, your words are always masterpieces, stirring up Righteous Qi... You've certainly brought Master."
He didn't answer Zhang Yu's question directly, but his words sent a chill down everyone's spine.
"You've made your Master proud."
These six simple words convey a self-evident attitude.
"Regarding resources..."
Helian Jue pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Zhu Wuwang, whose face was ashen, and said calmly:
"Obtaining someone else's resources by force will eventually have to be returned."
You keep half of the profits as management fees, and return the rest to Crimson Flame Peak.
He didn't completely favor Zhang Lingyun, after all, the Xing Tian lineage was also not to be trifled with.
That's exactly what Zhang Yu was waiting for. With thousands of years of profits, if he were to embezzle even a little bit, his Cultivation would skyrocket.