Each word he spoke made Qi Zhengliu's expression grow increasingly grim.
He wanted to refute it.
The prodigy that came out of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect last time was indeed a bit weak.
But this time is different!
This time, the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect has staked everything, not only sending its carefully nurtured Holy Maiden, but also the strongest Direct Disciple among the disciples of Quail Head Peak.
That was the strongest prodigy the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect had produced in thousands of years.
It's absolutely incomparable to what it used to be!
This time, he has absolute confidence!
Qi Zhengliu wanted to say something.
But he didn't know how to say it.
because...
It is indeed true that the sect's performance was poor previously.
If I say this now, others will only think that I'm trying to save face.
But what would happen if I said nothing and let things continue like this?
Qi Zhengliu knew almost without thinking.
The four major sects are fixed.
If Purple Firmament Palace wants to rise to power, then it must relinquish its position.
In this way, the Heaven-Gazing Token can no longer remain in his hands.
However, if he wanted to hand over the Heaven-Gazing Token...
Qi Zhengliu immediately felt a deep pang of heartache.
He decisively erased the thought from his mind.
There are no "what ifs"!
Not at all!
That's practically the lifeblood of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect right now!
Qi Zhengliu clenched his fist, looked at the other two silent men, and spoke in a cold voice.
"Is this what all of you mean?"
At this moment, Qi Zhengliu was prepared to turn against everyone.
yes.
That's right.
The Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect is indeed inferior to the other three.
However, to expect him to so humiliatingly back down, hand over the Heaven-Gazing Token, and relinquish his position, leading the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect to be swallowed up by the river of history, is simply out of the question unless he dies in battle and perishes here!
Qi Zhengliu's attitude was very firm.
However, the sect leader of the Divine Nether Sect lightly raised his eyes, glanced at him, and did not, as Qi Zhengliu had expected, engage in a quarrel or say anything sarcastic. Instead, he simply shook his head.
"Brother Qi, there's no need to be like this. Things aren't as complicated as you think."
"We only said that the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect's performance was not good; we did not ask you to hand over the Heaven-Gazing Token at this time."
Qi Zhengliu silent, merely staring coldly at him.
It wasn't said.
But given the current situation, with the Purple Firmament Palace already so arrogantly displaying itself, what difference does it make whether we speak up or not?
The sect leader of the Divine Nether Sect, You Qi, disagreed and continued, "However, rules are rules after all. The purpose of our four major sects is to seek the well-being of the Heaven-Gazing Domain Heaven-Gazing Domain and make it better day by day. If any sect is unworthy of its position, it naturally cannot sit in that position for long. I think Brother Qi should understand this in his heart."
"Therefore, after discussing it with a few others, we decided to let bygones be bygones."
"However, if the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect falls to the bottom again this time, and the gap between them and us widens too much, then I hope that Brother Qi can save face for everyone and for the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect by voluntarily handing over the Heaven-Gazing Token, ceasing to call themselves one of the four sects, and stepping down from this position."
"How?"
Qi Zhengliu neither said it was good nor bad.
Having dealt with these people for thousands of years, he knew their personalities all too well.
How could I possibly let myself off so easily?
So he simply retorted coldly, "That's well said, but what's the price?"
"The price, hahaha..." Lei Mingzi suddenly burst into laughter from the side. He forced a kind smile on his face, but his words revealed an extremely fierce tone.
He smiled and extended his hand to Qi Zhengliu.
"The price is simple, Brother Qi."
"I, Purple Firmament Palace, believe that my foundation is somewhat lacking, but my current strength is not much different from your Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect, and may even be slightly superior. So this time, I would like to trouble Brother Qi to make way for me."
He was large and had a very aggressive demeanor.
He was smiling, but anyone could see the sharpness almost overflowing in his eyes.
"Of the two Heaven-Gazing Token, my Purple Firmament Palace should rightfully possess one, and enter the Heaven-Gazing Secret Realm with the four of you, becoming one of the first explorers!"
As he spoke, he stepped onto the altar without any hesitation.
On the altar, the leaders of the Heaven-Viewing Saint Sect, the Divine Nether Sect, and the Azure Soaring Daoist Sect all remained silent, their eyes fixed on their noses, noses on their mouths, and mouths on their hearts, seemingly in agreement.
You have gone too far!
Qi Zhengliu on the altar, being coerced by the four families. The situation was tense, and his face was ashen.
Below, the Third Elder of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect could not bear to watch any longer. He roared and took a step forward, ready to support his sect leader.
However, before he could even take a step, three gazes were cast down from the sky, their auras released at the same time. The astonishing pressure was merciless, surging in like a tide and instantly covering the Third Elder who had spoken angrily.
All three auras belonged to the Late Great Saint!
In an instant, the Third Elder, who was only at the Early Great Saint, was completely unprepared and instantly bled.
He stumbled back a few steps.
Behind him were a group of panicked disciples.
"Third Supreme Elder!"
"Supreme Elder!"
"You!"
Witnessing this scene firsthand, the members of the other factions were also horrified and abandoned any thought of saying anything.
Given the current situation, they can only remain neutral and dare not get involved easily. They don't even have the courage to make a sarcastic remark, for fear of following in the footsteps of this Supreme Elder.
Silence fell again.
The three major sects, including the Heaven-Viewing Saint Sect, didn't even glance at this side.
It was as if the Third Elder, who had just roared in anger, was nothing more than a whimpering insect by the roadside.
contempt!
This is blatant contempt!
Qi Zhengliu certainly knew!
But...
He clenched his fists, realizing for the first time that he, as the sect leader of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect, a figure revered by countless people, was utterly powerless!
There's nothing he can do!
Behind each of the three major sects is an absolute powerhouse at the Late Great Saint. This is their reliance, the confidence they have to do this, and the reason why they can stand here and directly force the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect to hand over the Heaven-Gazing Token.
At this moment, the entire Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect was united, and almost everyone felt the same powerlessness and humiliation.
The strong possess the decisive power of discourse.
The weak can only passively take a beating!
This is a principle that applies everywhere.
The faces of most of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect disciples, however, showed deep fear.
They are afraid!
How can I not be afraid?
If the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect performs poorly again this time, then the sect will be forced to drop out of the ranks of the four major sects.
Even many of the affiliated forces that previously relied on the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect will break away and turn to the Purple Firmament Palace.
This is what is meant by "circumstances being beyond one's control."
Qi Zhengliu clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and gritted his teeth.
But what could he do?
The aura emanating from the heavens had already locked onto him!
At this moment, he had no choice but to agree...
We have to agree!