The sect leaders of various factions were mostly present, but they were somewhat puzzled to see Chen Shanhe enter.
They hadn't expected Chen Shanhe to attend this Gathering of Heroes instead of accompanying his son.
When they saw Yu Daochen enter right behind him, their faces were filled with even greater astonishment.
What the hell was going on?
They all knew what had just happened, and these two enemies had entered one after another.
As fragmented whispers reached his ears, Chen Shanhe's expression grew even more somber. With just a look, he silenced everyone.
Yu Daochen, on the other hand, seemed indifferent and took his seat at the Yanhuo Sect's designated area.
Chen Shanhe also walked to his seat and sat down.
Huang Yong looked at Chen Shanhe and whispered, "Old Chen, I never expected what happened to Xiao Yan. But don't worry, I will definitely avenge your nephew Chen Yan."
Hearing this, Chen Shanhe became even more annoyed. It was this scoundrel who had incited him to provoke Yu Daochen.
"I will handle Xiao Yan's affairs myself, so you don't need to trouble yourself. If you want to incite me to deal with Yu Daochen, forget it," Chen Shanhe said irritably.
He also knew that Huang Yong wasn't entirely to blame; the fault lay with his own foolishness.
In the world of adults, to be incited by a few words to provoke someone else.
This only proved his stupidity.
Yu Daochen paid no mind to Huang Yong and Chen Shanhe; instead, he looked towards the Yan Shu Sect.
He saw that it wasn't Zhang Xiaoqiang attending the meeting this time, but a woman he had never met.
She appeared to be only around twenty-five years old.
This Gathering of Heroes had been announced on short notice, and most sects had only sent a representative with influence within the sect to attend. This was especially true for some sects.
After all, with the massacre of sects, the leaders of both major and minor factions dared not leave their sects easily.
It was possible that their sect might be annihilated by the Divine Religion the moment they left.
Seeing that most people had arrived, Li Shaohun, seated in the front center, cleared his throat and slowly began, "Since everyone is here, the Gathering of Heroes will officially commence."
As usual, the leaders of the three major sects were responsible for maintaining order, and Nanjing Shuo was to explain the purpose of the meeting.
Nanjing Shuo briefly spoke about the three sects that had been annihilated.
The people below frowned upon hearing this, especially those from the smaller sects.
It was possible that their sect would be the next to be annihilated.
Nanjing Shuo further emphasized the need to be vigilant against people from the Divine Religion, urging all sects to increase their precautions.
In reality, the Paranormal Bureau had no easy solutions for this matter.
Sending high-level experts to guard the smaller sects was also impractical.
Putting aside whether there were enough experts, even if there were, it would be impossible to send them all to guard the smaller sects simultaneously.
In this situation, no one could be relied upon; everyone had to rely on their own sects.
After discussing this matter, Nanjing Shuo began to explain the true purpose of calling everyone together today: "There is another matter. The Paranormal Bureau and the three major sects have discussed and decided to launch an offensive to reinforce the encirclement and reseal the escaped malevolent spirits."
Upon hearing this, everyone present fell silent.
The decision to launch an offensive to reinforce the encirclement meant the need for more manpower, which in turn meant that each sect would have to send more disciples to the front lines.
For some of the larger sects, this was a minor matter, of no consequence.
After all, they had plenty of cannon fodder.
However, for some of the smaller sects, it was a disaster.
These smaller sects already had only about a hundred members.
If they had to send more disciples to attack the encirclement, what was the difference between that and annihilation?
The number of malevolent spirits within the encirclement was countless. It would be considered fortunate if even one out of ten disciples who went to attack returned alive.
Seeing the reluctance of the crowd, Nanjing Shuo did not rush.
This was entirely within his expectations.
After all, the smaller sects truly did not have many people. Some disciples had already been sent to guard the encirclement, so it was understandable that they would be unwilling to send more disciples again.
Currently, they had to guard against sneak attacks from the Divine Religion internally and send disciples to the encirclement to eliminate malevolent spirits externally.
In this situation of internal and external troubles, no one wanted their sect's disciples to sacrifice themselves in vain.
A representative from a small sect spoke up, "Master Nan, our smaller sects do not have many disciples to begin with. Preventing sneak attacks from the Divine Religion is already a struggle. If we have to send disciples to attack the encirclement, we truly cannot do it. It's no different from annihilation."
"Exactly, exactly."
"That's right."
Representatives from several other smaller sects began to protest.
The representatives from the larger sects in front remained silent, but in their hearts, they hoped that the situation would escalate further.
Huang Yong's lips curved upwards, and he murmured, "Interesting. This matter is getting more and more significant."
Seeing that the situation was about to spiral out of control, Nanjing Shuo spoke.
"I understand everyone's feelings, but think about it, what would be the consequences if the Divine Religion were to unseal another entrance to hell?"
Those smaller sects did not care about these matters. If the sky were to fall, the taller ones would bear it; it had nothing to do with them.
Seeing everyone still clamoring, Nanjing Shuo was about to loudly intervene when he heard the head of the Chuma Xian Hall on the left suddenly roar, "All of you, shut the hell up!"
At these words, the clamoring sects instantly fell silent, and all eyes turned to Ma Shaogang, the head of the Chuma Xian Hall.
They knew what the consequences would be if they said another word.
No one would openly defy him at this juncture.
This was suppression by absolute strength.
Ma Shaogang looked at the crowd below and cursed, "What are you all shouting about? This isn't a market for old women. This is the Gathering of Heroes, so be serious. Besides, we're not asking your entire sect to go to its death."
"What are we studying magic for, if not to vanquish demons, eliminate evil, and save the world?"
Everyone was so berated by Ma Shaogang that they dared not speak.
It wasn't that they realized their mistake, but that they were afraid to speak.
It was like when you were a child, and your father, holding a "Seven Wolves" belt, would scold you.
And you could only lower your head and not dare to retort.
Was everything your father said absolutely correct?
No.
Because you knew that if you dared to talk back, the "Seven Wolves" belt in his hand would be swung at your backside the next second.
Why is it that when you grew up, your father no longer held a "Seven Wolves" belt to scold you?
Because he knew that he had the "Seven Wolves," and you had alligator skin (a belt).
He could hit you, and you could hit him back.
Seeing the silence below, Ma Shaogang decided to stop there.
At this moment, it was Li Shaohun's turn to deliver his speech: "Everyone, I know it's difficult for you, but it concerns the well-being of the world, and there's no other way."
Since Li Shaohun had said so, the various sects could only acquiesce.
After all, an arm could not twist a thigh.
Some of the first-rate influential sects appeared to be gloating.
They were all indifferent.