While the Righteous Qi Sect and Cloudmist Palace were carefully preparing for the grand wedding, several figures gathered in a secluded hall of the Righteous Qi Sect to discuss something. Disciples stood guard outside, while defensive and screening formations had been set up within.
They were Nangong Xun, master of the Artifact Refining Hall, Nangong Jing, master of the External Affairs Hall, and several ordinary elders, plotting to overthrow Zhou Yong. They planned to strike without warning during the ceremonial bows in the Righteous Qi Hall on his wedding day, kill him in one stroke, then swiftly seize control and claim the position of sect master.
With Zhou Yong and Yun Yao's wedding approaching, the entire Righteous Qi Sect and Cloudmist Palace were immersed in joy. This wedding would be not only a magnificent ceremony, but also a grand celebration between the two sects. For Zhou Yong and Yun Yao, it would mark a new beginning in their lives. They would build a family together and spend their days wrapped in the sweetness of mutual affection.
During this time, Zhou Yong also went to see Li Dalong alone, hoping he would attend his wedding. He suggested that Li Dalong leave the forbidden grounds and offered to arrange a palace near the Righteous Qi Hall for him to live and cultivate in as a supreme elder. Li Dalong declined his request, but gave Zhou Yong his blessings! He passed the Righteous Qi Formula on to Zhou Yong and gave him a copy of the Exquisite Immortal Scripture as a wedding gift for Yun Yao. He also warned Zhou Yong that only Yun Yao herself could cultivate the Exquisite Immortal Scripture, and that it must not be passed on to anyone else. He explained that this cultivation method could take her to a level higher than any of the methods widely known in the Cultivation World. Thus, it absolutely must not be leaked. Unable to persuade Li Dalong, but delighted to have received such precious cultivation methods, Zhou Yong left the base with a heart full of joy.
Watching Zhou Yong's spirited expression and light steps, Li Dalong had a thought. With a flick of his finger, he sent a Sword Formula into Zhou Yong's body.
Although Zhou Yong had cultivated even more diligently over the years, his aptitude and the limited time had prevented his cultivation from advancing rapidly. He remained in the late Nascent Soul Realm, though he was only a hair's breadth from breaking through to the Out-of-Body stage. Spiritual energy was growing denser by the day, and powerful cultivators were emerging one after another in the Cultivation World. Giving Zhou Yong a Sword Formula with the strength of the late Out-of-Body stage could save his life at a critical moment. Better to be prepared than caught helpless.
Amid countless people's anticipation, the day of Zhou Yong and Yun Yao's wedding arrived.
Joy filled the Righteous Qi Sect from top to bottom, and the place bustled with excitement. Guests arrived in an endless stream from every direction to offer their congratulations. Even many top sects sent important figures to celebrate, while some masters of small and medium-sized sects from far away arrived several days early. The Righteous Qi Sect housed them in guest courtyards within the sect to await the wedding.
Inside the Righteous Qi Hall, Sect Master Zhou Yong and Princess Yun Yao were holding their solemn wedding ceremony before the assembled elders and honored guests.
"First, bow to Heaven and Earth."
Tang Mingxuan, master of the Pill Hall, presided over Sect Master Zhou Yong and Princess Yun Yao's wedding with a broad smile.
Filled with joy, Zhou Yong bowed with Princess Yun Yao at the officiant's call, while thinking regretfully, If only Senior Brother could attend my wedding, it would be even better. But he dislikes appearing in public and is devoted to cultivation. I can hardly force him.
Just as he finished bowing and was about to straighten, Nangong Jing, master of the Artifact Refining Hall, who stood watching behind him to one side, unleashed the ninth form of the Nine-Turn Tyrant Fist, Heaven-Earth Throw, and attacked him. The Nine-Turn Tyrant Body Fist was a fist technique that cultivated both inner power and the body, which Nangong Jing had obtained by chance during his travels. Its ninth form, Heaven-Earth Throw, was its strongest attack. This move abandoned all defense and erupted with every ounce of spiritual power in the body to deliver the greatest possible offensive force.
"Sect Master, watch out!"
"Protect the Sect Master!"
When the sudden upheaval struck, the sect elders in the hall immediately sensed the danger. The guests were startled as well, and each began to guard against an attack.
It took longer to describe than to happen! The cries had barely rung out before Nangong Jing's attack reached Zhou Yong. The distance was simply too short for the elders to react, and even Zhou Yong himself had no time to respond.
But just as Nangong Jing's fist came within a palm's breadth of smashing into Zhou Yong, a dazzling sword light flashed out of Zhou Yong's body and sliced open the fist hurtling toward him. A miserable scream was forced from Nangong Jing's throat.
On the other side, Nangong Xun, master of the External Affairs Hall, charged at Princess Yun Yao, intending to subdue her in a single move. Nangong Jing and Nangong Xun were brothers. The other elders involved also attacked their predetermined targets.
As Nangong Jing was sent flying by the protective sword light that had suddenly emerged from Zhou Yong's body, Zhou Yong came to his senses. He immediately shielded Yun Yao behind him and raised a barrier of spiritual power. A flying sword appeared in his hand an instant later.
Once his defenses were ready, he began surveying the situation in the hall and ordered the sect's elders and disciples to protect the guests. After apologizing to the guests, he asked everyone attending the wedding to remain where they were. Then he ordered the elders and disciples to seal off the sect and apprehend the traitors.
Li Dalong, who was watching Zhou Yong's wedding from the forbidden grounds with his divine sense, saw Nangong Jing and the other elders rebel and injure numerous elders. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and killing intent gathered within him. Rebelling at my junior brother's wedding-these people deserve to die!
It seems the Righteous Qi Sect has not established enough authority yet. It is time to display some strength. The fire in his heart boiled with his anger. Law of Heaven and Manifestation of Earth! A projection suddenly appeared above the Righteous Qi Hall and began to solidify. An immense pressure descended from the sky, making the souls of everyone below tremble. It felt as though their lives were entirely in the hands of the giant overhead, as though he were a god who ruled over their life and death. Only Zhou Yong and Princess Yun Yao were spared this crushing pressure, by Li Dalong's deliberate choice.
Once the enormous figure in the sky solidified, he looked like a true giant. A majestic voice rang out in everyone's mind: "Death to all rebels! Death to all who harbor disloyalty!"
Then the giant in the sky reached down with an enormous palm toward Nangong Jing and the others. The manifested hand seized every traitor with unerring precision and lifted them above the Righteous Qi Hall. Then the enormous hand clenched, crushing the brothers Nangong Jing and Nangong Xun, along with the rebellious elders, into a mist of blood.
Below, both the Righteous Qi Sect's disciples and the guests watching the ceremony trembled with terror, their hearts turning cold! Even the weakest of those elders had been in the middle Nascent Soul Realm, while Nangong Jing had been in the early Out-of-Body stage. Yet they had all been seized at once without the slightest resistance, then reduced to a skyful of blood mist with one gentle squeeze! The Righteous Qi Sect actually had such a powerful expert hidden away. As expected of a sect that had stood as an overlord tens of thousands of years ago-its reserves were terrifying!
Nangong Jing and the others had never imagined that their carefully plotted rebellion would end like this just as it began. Not only had their plan ended, but the lives of everyone involved had ended as well.
The rebellion came suddenly and ended just as quickly! Before anyone could react, it had been quelled. Like a grand drama whose curtain had only just risen, it vanished in a flash!
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