Hundred Schools Leaders' Assembly

The instant he saw the image of the Outer God torn apart by the book's pages, he looked as though lightning had struck him. He threw back his head and let out a heartrending, beastlike roar that shook heaven and earth.

The recorded scene displayed by the orb of light ended there.

"He didn't even pass the first two trials."

"Then there was no need to proceed with the final trial of sealing." The old Daoist put away the orb of light and spoke calmly.

Li Shun fell silent.

Only after a long while did he ask, his voice heavy with dread, "Then Uncle Zhao... what will happen to him in the end?"

"Generally speaking, an Outer God's corruption of the soul is irreversible. But Zhao Cheng served the court with all his heart for many years, and even joined an expedition beyond our world in the past. Perhaps there is still a sliver of hope for him."

"For now, we'll suppress him beneath the Heaven-Watching Tower and order him to recite the classics of the sages day and night, to help him cleanse his heart and thoughts. Then we'll see what happens." The old Daoist lowered his gaze slightly as he laid out Zhao Cheng's fate.

"But don't get your hopes up. Thousands upon thousands of fiends are suppressed beneath the tower. Not one has ever truly escaped an Outer God's corruption," the old Daoist added.

"Thousands upon thousands?" Li Shun was startled.

He had not imagined that the Outer Gods' corruption had spread so far.

The old Daoist smiled. "Great Qian was founded over five hundred years ago. The number of those corrupted has naturally grown with time."

"Compared with the Outer Gods, they're hardly worth worrying about."

With that, the old Daoist waved a hand. A glowing