"There is also that incident years ago when Elder Wu, in seclusion to cultivate, suddenly suffered a cultivation deviation, his cultivation level fell, he was severely injured, and nearly perished. That was, in fact, also my master's doing.
Because Elder Wu and the Gate Master were friends back then, and Elder Wu was one of Gate Master's main assistants in the election, my master harbored deep hatred for Elder Wu. He had long sought an opportunity to eliminate Elder Wu.
That time, Elder Wu was in seclusion trying to break through to a higher cultivation level, reaching a critical juncture. My master colluded with several other elders to suddenly activate a secret art within Earth Observation Arts, altering the Earth Energy and Earth Laws of the land where Elder Wu's seclusion cave was located. This caused that patch of land to erupt in upheaval, affecting Elder Wu who was in the middle of cultivation and causing him to be severely wounded on the spot, almost to the point of death.
This is the detailed course of events of that incident..."
Qi Ping began narrating once more.
"Qi Ping, you treacherous disciple who betrays your own master! Shut your mouth! Still trying to slander me further?"
The Third Elder was both shocked and furious upon hearing Qi Ping's words. He knew that if Qi Ping continued, he would have very little chance to defend himself.
Because once Qi Ping revealed certain details from back then, everyone would understand what truly happened.
As he spoke, the Third Elder stamped his foot. The ground beneath Qi Ping's position began to churn violently. Vast Earth Qi Energy condensed into a massive yellow energy hand that abruptly grabbed towards Qi Ping.
"Third Elder, why the haste?"
Shoudi Laoren was already prepared. He pointed a finger.
Boom...!
The immense yellow net gently trembled, blocking the Third Elder's attack on Qi Ping.
This entire area had long been laid with the Net of Heaven and Earth by Shoudi Laoren, completely under his control. There was no chance for the Third Elder to make a move here.
"Qi Ping, what you described is precisely how I was sneak-attacked and grievously injured while in seclusion cultivation that year.
Qi Ping, your account matches my experience back then exactly.
All these years, I have constantly pondered who was the one who struck against me.
Third Elder, so it was you who moved against me from the shadows back then.
Good. Very good.
All that time, I considered you my close friend, confided in you with utter sincerity. Perhaps it was precisely because I held no guard against you that you found the opportunity.
Third Elder, you are truly ruthless!"
At this moment, an elderly man with a withered frame appeared in the distance, speaking in a quiet, somber tone.
This elder appeared somewhat frail, leaning on a yellow cane and wearing a yellow robe.
"Elder Wu, you must not believe the words of this treacherous disciple! Every sentence he speaks is false, fabricated by Nan Gongshi to slander me, to drive a wedge between us and ruin our relationship."
The Third Elder immediately tried to explain upon seeing the old man.
"Third Elder, there is no need for explanations. Qi Ping's details align perfectly with what I suffered that year.
Some of these details I have never mentioned to outsiders even until now, yet Qi Ping knows them with such clarity. This proves he knows the entire process.
Third Elder, he is your disciple. If you claim this matter has nothing to do with you, do you think I would believe it? Do you think there's any point in further explanations? Is it meaningful?"
Elder Wu fixed his gaze on the Third Elder and spoke slowly.
Hearing Elder Wu's words, the Third Elder was momentarily at a loss for a response.
Everyone here was intelligent. Words had gone this far, and there truly was little more to say. Any further speech would seem pale and feeble.
For a moment, the Third Elder stood there silently, his expression shifting unpredictably, impossible to tell if it was anger or something else.
By now, the other upper echelons of the Earth Gate also saw everything clearly.
Those events from back then were undoubtedly done by the Third Elder. And it was certain that the Third Elder had colluded with the Blade Realm and the Divine Sword Sect, striking against Shoudi Laoren from behind.
Shoudi Laoren was the Gate Master of the Earth Gate at that time. Conspiring with outsiders to attack the Gate Master was equivalent to betraying the Earth Gate; it made him a traitor.
"According to the sect rules of our Earth Gate, how should a traitor be dealt with?"
Shoudi Laoren fixed a cold gaze on the Third Elder and spoke slowly.
"Gate Master, according to our Earth Gate's sect rules, any traitor's physical body and Soul Body will be suppressed and sealed. They will then be subjected one by one to the ten most severe tortures of the Earth Gate. Finally, their bones will be ground to dust and ashes, their Soul Body extinguished, their soul scattered until dispersion, utterly losing any chance of entering the cycle of Samsara."
A nearby elder stepped forward and announced clearly.
This elder was in charge of the Earth Gate's Punishment Hall.
"Good. Relay my command. Arrest the Third Elder immediately and proceed according to the Earth Gate's sect rules.
Though he is the Third Elder, holding a high position of power within our Earth Gate, as a traitor, he shall be dealt with no differently by the rules."
Shoudi Laoren spoke slowly.
"We obey the Gate Master's command!"
Upon hearing Shoudi Laoren's words, the elder in charge of the Punishment Hall and the large group of Punishment Hall members behind him spoke simultaneously, their voices rolling out like thunder, shaking heaven and earth.
The Third Elder watched the murderous Punishment Hall members, his expression turning extremely grim.
He knew the situation was beyond saving. Any further words of defense were now useless.
"Nan Gongshi, who would have thought... in the end, you are the one who wins."
The Third Elder's gaze shifted to Shoudi Laoren, turning utterly cold as he spoke slowly.
At this moment, the previous indignation vanished from him, replaced by a chilling apathy.
"Ha ha ha... Third Elder, no longer acting?
Indeed. I have indeed won."
Shoudi Laoren laughed heartily.
From this point on, this Third Elder would be utterly disgraced within the Earth Gate, forever branded as a traitor.
"Third Elder, we all knew about the grievances between you and the Gate Master back then. But you should not have taken your personal grievances out on others.
You killed so many of our Earth Gate members in those days. Now you must pay the price."
A white-bearded elder stepped forward, speaking coldly.
This elder was one of the Ancestral Elders of the Earth Gate.
"Gate Master, there's little point in further words. Act. Take down the Third Elder and end this farce.
However, the Third Elder's strength is not to be underestimated. We all need to be careful."
The white-haired elder moved a step closer to Shoudi Laoren and spoke.
Right at this moment, the vast yellow net shrouding the sky and earth suddenly erupted, rumbling as it swept towards Shoudi Laoren!
Then, that very same white-haired elder stomped his foot. Dense swarms of Earth Dragons surged from beneath the ground, forming over a dozen large earth formations that surrounded and assaulted Shoudi Laoren.
A gigantic silver compass soared into the sky, erupting with rolling silver radiance, spinning violently as it suppressed towards Shoudi Laoren.
As this white-haired elder made his move, three other elders nearby also simultaneously attacked Shoudi Laoren.
The enormous yellow net high in the sky, carrying a terrifying aura of energy pressure, instantly suppressed and sealed the space where Shoudi Laoren stood.
This giant yellow net was the Earth Gate's Net of Heaven and Earth, capable of drawing upon all the Earth Energy and Earth Laws of the entire continent and the surrounding void as energy for its attacks. Its power was horrifying.
"Ha ha ha... Nan Gongshi, did you not expect this?
Did you truly believe you held all the winning cards?
I originally planned to make more arrangements before moving against you. But since you couldn't wait to jump out, today shall be your day of death!"
The Third Elder laughed wildly.
He then soared into the air, followed by tens of thousands of Earth Dragons, charging in a mighty wave towards Shoudi Laoren.
Simultaneously, countless magical treasures rose into the air around them to surround Shoudi Laoren, while from beneath the ground, large numbers of Geomancers emerged.
These Geomancers gathered together to form a large combat formation—one of the Earth Gate's trump cards.
The more Geomancers that comprised this combat formation, the greater its power.
At this moment, a vast number of Geomancers acted together, unleashing a formidable wave of attacks.
In the blink of an eye, Shoudi Laoren found himself mired in layers upon layers of encirclement and attack.
The suddenness of this turn of events was such that not even Ye Yunfei had anticipated such a development.
"This is bad! The senior is under sneak attack and siege!
This Third Elder was prepared all along! I must lend my aid!"
Ye Yunfei's expression changed drastically upon seeing this. He stomped his foot, releasing all tens of thousands of Earth Dragons gifted by Shoudi Laoren. With a saber in his left hand and a sword in his right, he shot into the air, charging forward.
Just at that moment.
"Ha ha ha... Everyone, finally couldn't hold back, could you? Did you really think this Nan Gongshi is so easily deceived?
That backstab I suffered back then, I remember it to the marrow of my bones. I will not give anyone any chance to betray me today.
From the moment I returned and set foot upon this continent, I have been guarding against you all.
Finally couldn't resist revealing yourselves all at once today?
Good. Then we'll take care of you all in one pot."
Shoudi Laoren laughed loudly as he declared this.
The next instant, over a dozen figures radiating powerful energy auras appeared simultaneously beside Shoudi Laoren. High above, that immense yellow net changed its direction, rumbling outward to block the various assaults aimed at Shoudi Laoren.
"Not good! Nan Gongshi was prepared! He called upon so many experts to follow him covertly!"
The Third Elder's expression changed drastically at the sight.
"Nan Gongshi! When we laid the Net of Heaven and Earth, we clearly agreed I would be the one to control it! Why do you now hold its control instead?!"
The white-haired elder was both shocked and furious. Though he desperately summoned the colossal yellow net, it showed no reaction. He understood he had already lost control.
Originally, this Net of Heaven and Earth was his greatest trump card against Shoudi Laoren. But now he had lost it. Clearly, the net was now under Shoudi Laoren's control.
Furthermore, those figures beside Shoudi Laoren were all top-tier experts within the Earth Gate. All of them had secretly followed him.
"Young Master Ye, there's no need for you to act. Find a safe place and wait to watch the show."
At this moment, Ye Yunfei received a Sound Transmission from Shoudi Laoren. Immediately, a large group of Earth Dragons emerged from beneath the ground, surrounding and enveloping Ye Yunfei.
Just then, the Third Elder suddenly turned, his gaze falling upon Ye Yunfei.
He knew how important Ye Yunfei was to Shoudi Laoren. If he could capture Ye Yunfei, he could use him to threaten Shoudi Laoren.
The Third Elder's figure flashed as he charged towards Ye Yunfei.
But at that exact moment, the yellow net high in the sky fiercely lashed downwards towards the Third Elder, forcing him back on the spot.
"Damn it!"
The Third Elder was filled with shock and rage. He had originally thought this Net of Heaven and Earth was in his ally's hands, ensuring certain victory when moving against Shoudi Laoren. Who could have known that Shoudi Laoren had secretly tampered with it during the setup, seizing control!