What exactly happened inside the main hall was unclear to those in the square, but the outcome was plain for all to see.
At the command of Sect Leader Li of the Zixia Sect, Sect Leader Fang was immediately struck down. It was unknown what tricks they had employed, but he was rendered utterly incapable of resistance. The other Core Formation cultivators were nowhere to be seen, either ensnared in a trap or having been persuaded to stand down.
Core Formation cultivators were notoriously protective of their own lives. Even in the face of their sect's destruction, they might not necessarily be willing to fight to the death. Sect Leader Fang, however, was the leader of a sect. Knowing full well that with his status, he would gain nothing good from the Cloud Mist Sect's annihilation, he had chosen to resist desperately. Now that Sect Leader Fang had fallen, it was clear his life would not be spared either. The Yunwu Sect disciples in the square were all shocked and terrified.
"Fang Dingyue, you can rest in peace now. Today, our Zixia Sect merges the three sects, and from now on, we shall be the eighth great sect! Hahahaha..."
Amidst the laughter, Sect Leader Fang collapsed with a heavy thud. A grief-stricken and furious cry rose from among the Yunwu Sect disciples: "Sect Leader..."
Sect Leader Li turned his head, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. With a flick of his sleeve, that person let out a miserable scream and fell to the ground with a thud.
Mo Tiange turned her head and saw the fallen Foundation Establishment cultivator, his eyes wide open as if in death he could not rest in peace, a bloody hole in his body gushing fresh blood. Then, she heard a heart-wrenching scream: "Father!!" It was Wang Qianyi. The dead Foundation Establishment cultivator was none other than her father, Wang Qiao. Although Wang Qianyi had a Foundation Establishment father, she had never flaunted it, usually just calling herself Wang Qiao's disciple. This was the first time she had called him 'father' in front of outsiders, and it was during a life-and-death parting.
Mo Tiange worriedly looked up at Sect Leader Li, who was still hovering in mid-air. Fortunately, seeing it was merely a Qi Refining cultivator, Sect Leader Li did not harbor any killing intent.
Under such ruthless methods, the Yunwu Sect disciples immediately dared not move a muscle. The few Foundation Establishment cultivators were trembling with fear, not expecting this Li Mingzhang to be so vicious and merciless, killing Wang Qiao for just one shout.
Seeing the silence below, Sect Leader Li seemed quite satisfied, even revealing a faint smile: "Disciples, you have all seen it. The Yunwu Sect is henceforth erased from East Kunwu! If you join the Zixia Sect, you will receive the same treatment as before, perhaps even better. If not..." He swept his gaze across the square, lingering on Wang Qiao's corpse. The implication was all too clear.
Under such a display of both favor and intimidation, the Qi Refining disciples and several Foundation Establishment disciples of the Yunwu Sect dared not move an inch, silently accepting this outcome.
Sect Leader Li snorted with satisfaction, then turned to the Golden Blade Sect disciples: "Do not harbor any illusions. Sect Master Jin is now immobilized and at our mercy. Your Golden Blade Sect, like the Yunwu Sect, will from today be incorporated under the banner of my Zixia Sect. If anyone is unwilling... hmph!"
With the example of the Yunwu Sect before them, the Golden Blade Sect also dared not move. The current Zixia Sect was simply too powerful. Even if the two sects combined, they would not be enough to contend, let alone now when all their Golden Core cultivators were trapped.
At that moment, several figures flew out from the ruins of the main hall, carrying or dragging both the dead and the living. These were the Golden Core cultivators of the Yunwu and Golden Blade Sects from this event!
Mo Tiange glanced over hastily. Most were already dead; a few were alive but unconscious. It was unknown what methods the Zixia Sect had used to capture so many Golden Core cultivators in one fell swoop!
Sect Leader Li turned his head and said to one person, "Brother Jiang, this success is all thanks to you. From now on, the Yunwu Mountain branch of our Zixia Sect will rely on you."
The one he called 'Brother Jiang' was a man who looked to be in his thirties. He wore a yellow robe with... a few clouds embroidered on the sleeves—the emblem of the Yunwu Sect! His expression was remarkably calm as he said, "How could I disobey the Sect Leader's orders?" In his words, he had already acknowledged Sect Leader Li as the leader of the three sects.
Sect Leader Li seemed very pleased with his answer and laughed heartily.
Clearly, this Cultivator Jiang was the inside agent within the Yunwu Sect. It was unknown what benefits the Zixia Sect had promised him to betray his own sect. One must know that Core Formation cultivators were mostly proud and arrogant. Without immense benefits, they would never bear such infamy.
At that moment, a commotion arose from the Golden Blade Sect's ranks. A Golden Core cultivator dragged someone over and threw him before Sect Leader Li. Mo Tiange focused her gaze and saw it was none other than Sect Master Jin of the Golden Blade Sect!
Flushed with success, Sect Leader Li looked at the ashen-faced Sect Master Jin and smiled: "Brother Jin, for the sake of our many years of friendship, I, Li, will give you one more chance. Will the Golden Blade Sect submit to my Zixia Sect?"
Sect Master Jin's face was filled with anger, his entire person in a sorry state. He turned to look at the Golden Blade Sect's ranks, then his gaze fell on the corpses nearby. After a long while, he finally sighed in defeat: "Do I have any choice now? You are the cleaver, I am the fish on the chopping block. I can only let Brother Li decide."
These words were clearly an admission of defeat. Although everyone knew this was the case, having the sect master say it himself was different. The Golden Blade Sect disciples immediately lost all hope. The overall situation was settled; the Golden Blade Sect would cease to exist.
A satisfied smile appeared on Sect Leader Li's face as he looked into the distance: "Very well. Uncle-Master Qian has given the order. Since these people have all submitted, it's time to deal with the remaining issues."
Remaining issues? Mo Tiange was momentarily puzzled, but she saw Sect Leader Li issue a command, leave one Core Formation cultivator behind, and then lead the others away on their escape lights. Sect Master Jin was also taken along.
Only when their escape lights disappeared over the horizon did the Qi Refining disciples in the square collectively breathe a sigh of relief. The pressure from so many Core Formation cultivators had been truly unbearable for them. Now that they had left, the Zixia Sect disciples were already cheering and laughing. Naturally, they had not known about such a major event in advance, but witnessing their sect annex the other two sects and grow into the largest sect in the region, of course they were overjoyed.
In contrast, the disciples of the Yunwu and Golden Blade Sects were all downcast and anxious. Although Sect Leader Li wanted them to submit rather than be exterminated, they were, after all, the annexed party. Who knew what would follow? Moreover, most of them were disciples from cultivation families attached to the Yunwu Sect. They didn't know if their families would suffer as a result. If so, it would mean the extermination of their clans.
The sole remaining Core Formation cultivator now sat cross-legged in the center of the square. Perhaps the noise was too loud, for he opened his eyes and barked: "Original disciples of our sect may leave. Remaining disciples of the Yunwu and Golden Blade Sects are not to take half a step away from this place!"
At these words, the square immediately fell silent. The Zixia Sect disciples bowed their heads and left one after another, while the disciples of the other two sects dared not make a sound.
Watching as the Zixia Sect disciples cleared out completely in mere moments, the Core Formation cultivator closed his eyes again to meditate.
A long time later, seeing that the Core Formation cultivator paid them no mind, the disciples of the two sects each sought out their friends and relatives to gather and discuss in low voices.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange also quietly walked over to where Wang Qianyi was.
Since Wang Qiao's death, Wang Qianyi had been sitting on the ground, holding her father's corpse, shedding tears in a daze, seemingly unable to accept it for the moment. Shen Bing and Murong Yan were already by her side, softly consoling her while also being extremely anxious themselves. Both of them were also from cultivation families and had masters. Faced with such a sudden change, they feared their families and masters would be implicated.
Reaching their side, Mo Tiange first bowed slightly to Shen Bing and Murong Yan, then whispered to console Wang Qianyi: "Senior Sister Wang, now is not the time for grief. With Martial Uncle Wang gone, the matters that remain must be handled by you. You must gather your spirits."
Wang Qianyi's gaze flickered. Mo Tiange quickly continued: "Your mother and the Wang family still need Senior Sister Wang to look after them, to avoid being caught up in this disaster."
Wang Qianyi took a deep breath, wiped her tears clean, and looked at her: "Thank you for the reminder, Junior Brother Ye. I will persevere."
Mo Tiange nodded gently and said no more to them. Although she was familiar with Wang Qianyi, their friendship had not yet reached the point of sharing weal and woe. Before the situation became clear, it was better not to have too much association.
Lifting her head to look for Liu Yidao and the others, she first saw Jiang Shanghang. His face was grim, making him appear even more gloomy and sullen, though the reason was unknown.