Wan Lei's impassioned speech made the surrounding disciples flush with embarrassment.
After all, disciples of the Five Elements Hall were proud. They only submitted to fellow disciples significantly stronger than themselves. Since Wan Lei was stronger, they naturally accepted him.
Moreover, they prided themselves on being the moral compass of the immortal realm. While they hadn't committed such a dishonorable act, their fellow disciples had, filling them with shame.
Unconsciously, everyone distanced themselves from the Fire Hall disciples.
However, no one cursed them, as they were still fellow disciples.
But their expressions of disdain and aversion said it all.
The leading Fire Hall disciple's face turned red. He wanted to retort but found no valid argument, as, by the rules, Wan Lei had indeed committed no offense.
As he said, was he supposed to offer his neck and await death?
Wan Lei then shifted his expression to one of geniality, his tone gentle as he asked,
"Esteemed Senior Brother, may I know your honored name?"
"I am Chen Gao. What, do you intend to seek revenge later?"
The disciple asked with a grimace.
"Heaven forbid. I and Senior Brother Chen will still be fellow disciples. Of course, we should value harmony.
Furthermore, I see Senior Brother Chen as a reasonable person, likely misled by some scoundrel into making things difficult for me and causing unnecessary trouble.
This surely is not Senior Brother Chen's true intention."
As everyone wondered why Wan Lei was making excuses for Chen Gao, Wan Lei turned to the elder and spoke,
"Elder, I believe Senior Brother Chen is innocent and was certainly incited and misled by villains, leading him to do something that tarnishes the reputation of our Five Elements Hall and damages our name. I implore the elder to investigate thoroughly and deliver justice for Senior Brother Chen."
The astute ones gasped in shock, finally understanding.
Wan Lei's actions, while seemingly an exoneration of Chen Gao, actually solidified his crime of tarnishing the hall's reputation.
Initially, this matter might have only warranted a few reprimands and a dismissal. But with Wan Lei's words, it would inevitably lead to the detention and interrogation of these individuals.
Damn, this young man is cunning and holds grudges. I must be cautious and never offend him in the future.
The elder's expression flickered. Then, with a wave of his sleeve, he declared,
"Take them away first. After the truth is ascertained, appropriate punishment will be meted out!"
Immediately, members of the Law Enforcement Hall stepped forward and led them away.
Wan Lei sighed. He had actually intended to follow up by suggesting an investigation into the masterminds behind the incident – perhaps those who harbored grudges against him, were close to Chai Yan, or he even considered directly naming Chai Lian. However, he reconsidered.
Because for such a minor matter, there was no concrete evidence sufficient to punish Chai Lian, nor could it even be considered slander.
Furthermore, his relationship with Xiao Yu had likely been reported by Chai Lian. But it might not have circulated widely among the higher echelons of the Five Elements Hall, or perhaps the Security Department, lacking any evidence of his crimes, deemed it insignificant and didn't report it.
If he were to frame Chai Lian at this juncture, the other party might remain unharmed, but he would draw the attention of the Five Elements Hall's higher-ups to his relationship with Fang Xiao Yu, proving to be a loss rather than a gain.
Therefore, in the end, he did not voice that statement.
With the assessment concluded, the elder smiled and told Wan Lei that he would go register Wan Lei's information before departing.
Wan Lei, meanwhile, amidst the cheers of Xiao Jin and the disciples of the Thunder Hall, flew towards the interior of the Five Elements Hall.
In the very center of the Five Elements Hall, above the Sacred Hall, floated a cloud invisible to the naked eye.
At the cloud's edge stood a man in black, hands clasped behind his back. His gaze radiated wisdom.
He watched Wan Lei being escorted into the Five Elements Hall, a faint smile gracing his lips, though his eyes held a hint of worry.
"A bit of cunning, but not enough. If you continue like this, you won't be able to save her..."
Upon entering the Five Elements Hall, Xiao Jin enthusiastically produced his small airship and invited Wan Lei aboard. Wan Lei was somewhat bewildered, but the earnest invitation was hard to refuse, so he complied.
The interior of this small airship was not spacious; it was even somewhat cramped. The pilot's seat could accommodate one person, the co-pilot another, and the rear bench could seat three.
It was nowhere comparable to the space within a flying ship.
Moreover, Wan Lei noticed that nearly every disciple of the Five Elements Hall possessed their own airship.
While the Five Elements Hall was vast, it was ordinary for immortal cultivators. Why the insistence on traveling by airship?
"Because we're lazy,"
Xiao Jin grinned smugly, patting the steering wheel in front of the pilot's seat.
"Everyone in the Five Elements Hall has one of these. The public provides them, and energy expenses are reimbursed. Why wouldn't we use them? Why bother flying ourselves?"
Wan Lei felt a surge of admiration for Xiao Jin's approach to "milking the public funds" and declared that he would do the same once he received his own airship.
As Xiao Jin piloted the airship, he explained the surrounding areas to Wan Lei.
"The periphery of the Five Elements Hall headquarters is almost entirely occupied by administrative offices. All directives sent worldwide are issued from here. We have the Administrative Hall, the Security Department, prisons, and departments managing various affairs. In essence, consider this the capital of the entire world.
Further inside are the living quarters for staff, as well as areas for leisure and entertainment, and markets. Anything you wish to buy or do, if it exists outside, it can be found within our Five Elements Hall.
Let's arrange a time sometime. I'll treat you to drinks at a bar, or we can go singing, get foot massages, or whatever you fancy. The services are quite comprehensive."
Wan Lei was utterly astonished. Was this a legitimate sect?
He found it hard to believe that this was the most revered cultivation sacred land in the entire Origin Plane. It seemed more like a massive entertainment complex.
"Moving deeper, we reach the core area of the Five Elements Hall. This is where the disciples, elders, and the Hall Master reside. We are the core members of the Five Elements Hall, managing all the office personnel across the Origin Plane. Those are hired employees; we are the true family."
"That cluster of mountain peaks is the Combat Arena. Fighting is forbidden within the Five Elements Hall. If you wish to spar, you must first issue a challenge. Once the opponent agrees, you may engage in a duel at the Combat Arena.
Fighting elsewhere will result in punishment from the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Over there are various secret realms for cultivation. Disciples of the Five Elements Hall can enter them to train."
"That is the Tower of Fortune."
Wan Lei quickly looked in that direction.
"The Tower of Fortune is the cultivation holy land of the Five Elements Hall. It is the most crucial asset for both disciples and elders. If you decide to challenge it someday, remember to call me."
"Ahead lie the Ten Halls of the Five Elements. The ten peaks surrounding the central colossal peak are the Ten Halls, which you should already know.
To our left is our Sword Hall, and ahead is your Thunder Hall.
It's fortunate you are not a Sword Cultivator, nor do you refine pills, nor are you a demon. Otherwise, if poached by those three halls, the Thunder Hall members would weep tears of blood."
The small airship slowly flew towards the Thunder Hall. Wan Lei knew that upon his arrival here, he would officially become a disciple of the Five Elements Hall.