"Saint Taixu, you put on quite a show. At this point, are you still going to hide your head and tail?"
Seeing the six Hall Masters of the Sacred Sect appear one by one, but Saint Taixu was nowhere to be found, Xuan Yi Xian scanned the direction of Sacred Mountain and snorted coldly.
His resonant voice shook the mountains below.
"Xuan Yi Xian, although you are now the sect leader of Xuan Sect, in terms of seniority, you are still my junior nephew. Do you call an elder by their given name like this? Is this what Cang Xuan taught you?"
As soon as Xuan Yi Xian finished speaking, a figure slowly appeared in front of Wang Wen Chun and the others.
The newcomer was dressed in a blood-red robe, exuding an exceptionally sinister aura. Looking at his face, it was indeed the man from the cliff earlier.
This person was none other than the sect leader of the Sacred Sect, Saint Taixu!
"My Xuan Sect and your Sacred Sect have no seniority relations. Furthermore, someone who has betrayed his sect, what face do you have to talk to me about lineage? Moreover, we are both sect leaders, Saint Taixu, don't you think what you said is laughable?"
Xuan Yi Xian snorted coldly upon hearing this, showing no courtesy to Saint Taixu. After all, Xuan Sect was clearly here to wage war against the Sacred Sect, and if his tone didn't carry a hint of provocation, they would have lost the initiative in terms of momentum.
"Xuan Yi Xian, since you are a sect leader, why have you brought your entire sect into the territory of my Sacred Sect today? Do you intend to start a war?"
As soon as Xuan Yi Xian's words fell, Saint Taixu's expression instantly turned grim. Although Saint Taixu had indeed betrayed Xuan Sect in the past, the Sacred Sect he founded years later was already comparable to Xuan Sect, and in many aspects, it had even surpassed it.
Xuan Yi Xian bringing this up in front of various factions was a direct blow to Saint Taixu's face. Seeing Saint Taixu's displeased expression, Yuan Qiong Jin immediately shouted.
"Why have we brought our entire sect? It's a joke! Your Sacred Sect sent three experts at the Hall Master level to intercept my Xuan Sect's returning team from Ying Long Cave Heaven halfway. And now you ask me why?"
"Earlier, the Old Ancestor instructed me to avoid trouble, and I have repeatedly tolerated the actions of your Sacred Sect. However, my tolerance has limits! Furthermore, with the Old Ancestor no longer concerned with my affairs, it is time for us to settle our grievances!"
Xuan Yi Xian scoffed and sneered, and the spiritual energy of the Dao Realm instantly permeated the air.
"The Sacred Sect ambushed Xuan Sect's team in secret? No wonder Xuan Sect is advancing so aggressively, it turns out that's what happened."
"I was also wondering why Xuan Sect would suddenly be so unbridled. It turns out the Sacred Sect wanted to quietly eliminate Xuan Sect's elite team. But why did it fail? Leading to the current situation."
"Xuan Sect's Cang Xuan Old Ancestor has not appeared for many years. The words just now from Xuan Yi Xian seem to suggest that Cang Xuan Old Ancestor supports him starting a war. Could it be that Cang Xuan Old Ancestor has come out of seclusion?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, all the various factions were shocked.
Only now did everyone understand why Xuan Sect had come in full force, and in their hearts, they secretly supported Xuan Sect's actions. After all, if it were them, they would likely do the same.
The rise and fall of a sect, its disciples were paramount. If the team from Ying Long Cave Heaven that Xuan Sect had entered were all killed by the Sacred Sect, Xuan Sect would likely withdraw from the stage of the Shengyuan Continent.
As for Saint Taixu, the party involved, after listening to Xuan Yi Xian's words, his narrowed eyes involuntarily trembled. Clearly, the discussions among the various factions had reached Saint Taixu's ears.
However, what caught Saint Taixu's attention the most was the part about Cang Xuan Old Ancestor. Saint Taixu knew Xuan Yi Xian's character well. Since he dared to lead his sect here today, it was highly probable that Cang Xuan Old Ancestor had returned.
"Xuan Yi Xian, I know nothing of what you speak of. This matter was not my order. After knowing about it, I had intended to give your Xuan Sect an explanation, but before I could even act, your Xuan Sect had already attacked."
"The matter of my Sacred Sect intercepting your Xuan Sect halfway was ordered by an Ancestor privately. I have already imprisoned that Ancestor in the You Meng Pavilion. Do you have any further dissatisfaction?"
Saint Taixu pondered for a moment before ultimately choosing to tread cautiously.
If Cang Xuan Old Ancestor had returned to Xuan Sect, then some of the Sacred Sect's actions would have to be adjusted. Moreover, in the presence of various factions, even the Sacred Sect could not completely suppress them.
If they couldn't find an excuse to quash the Sacred Sect's ambush of the Xuan Sect's team, the Sacred Sect would ultimately be at a disadvantage from the outset.
"You Meng Pavilion? Could it be the legendary place where the Sacred Sect imprisons notorious criminals? Rumor has it that powerful formations and restrictions are within, and anyone who enters, regardless of their strength, will be suppressed. Afterward, they will suffer the torment of their souls being drawn out, just like mortals!"
"Is this true? As far as I know, the Ancestor of the Sacred Sect was the former Grand Hall Master of the six halls."
"If anyone else said this, it might be hard to believe. But Saint Taixu is a sect leader, he wouldn't lie to us in front of so many people, would he?"
"..."
As soon as Saint Taixu finished speaking, the various factions present began to discuss.
Xuan Yi Xian and the others, upon hearing Saint Taixu's words, all frowned. Regardless of whether that Zu Xiao Yao was truly imprisoned by Saint Taixu in the You Meng Pavilion, based on Saint Taixu's words alone, it would be difficult for Xuan Sect to pursue the matter further.
If previously Xuan Sect stood on the side of righteousness, then Saint Taixu's words had now absolved the Sacred Sect of their wrongdoing. If Xuan Sect were to press the issue further, it would instead leave a bad impression on the various factions.
"Junior Brother Li Xuan, what should we do now?" Yue Ming Chi naturally understood Xuan Sect's predicament and asked in a low voice.
After all, the suggestion to wage war was made by Li Xuan. Especially seeing Xuan Yi Xian and the peak masters of the other five peaks fall silent, it was naturally necessary for someone to break the deadlock.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then glanced at Saint Taixu and slowly said, "Compensation."
"Compensation? You want Saint Taixu to compensate our Xuan Sect?" Yue Ming Chi was taken aback, repeating the question with some disbelief.
If they proposed compensation, Saint Taixu would likely fly into a rage. After all, in front of so many factions, Saint Taixu had already conceded some ground. If they were to demand compensation again, Saint Taixu might choose to declare war immediately.
Li Xuan smiled upon hearing this and then nodded affirmatively, "That's right, compensation!"
"Compensation?"
When Yue Ming Chi quietly relayed Li Xuan's suggestion to Xuan Yi Xian, Xuan Yi Xian's expression was slightly surprised.
However, Xuan Yi Xian quickly regained his composure, a hint of admiration appearing in his eyes. He then raised his gaze and looked at Saint Taixu again.
Saint Taixu, who was closely watching Xuan Yi Xian, noticed the change in Xuan Yi Xian's demeanor.
"Since you have imprisoned that Zu Xiao Yao in the You Meng Pavilion, I can overlook the primary culprit. However, my Xuan Sect must seek justice for the disciples who died. At the very least, their families and their burials require a substantial sum of money. Since Zu Xiao Yao has been imprisoned by you in the You Meng Pavilion, I can only seek this expense from your Sacred Sect!"
Indeed!
Just as Saint Taixu sensed Xuan Yi Xian's unfavorable expression, Xuan Yi Xian's voice rang out again. To Saint Taixu's ears, even with his cunning mind, he felt a surge of anger.
This Xuan Sect, actually demanding compensation from him!