Outside the gates of the Immortal Court Residence, a large crowd had gathered at this moment. Most of these people were the rulers of the various Immortal Realms and great clans within Lingluo Heavenly Domain—some were masters of Immortal Realms, some were clan patriarchs, and others were elders.
Although these Immortal Realm clans held no deep-seated grudges against You Di—indeed, many had never even laid eyes on him—and would prefer not to provoke him if possible, the Book of Fate recorded that when the Primal Sin finds its true master, the Great Dao will fall, and the Modern Era will end. And according to rumors, You Di was precisely the true master sought by the Primal Sin. Thus, they were all deeply worried and afraid, fearing for their own safety and lives.
As the saying goes, it's better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't. Everyone hoped the Nine Heavens Immortal Path would step forward to eradicate You Di, eliminating a scourge for the people.
Alas.
To this day, the Nine Heavens had shown no movement whatsoever.
They could only come to the Immortal Court Residence that governed Lingluo Heavenly Domain to seek news.
Little did they know that upon arriving, not only were they refused entry, but only an old steward was sent out to inform everyone that the Immortal Court Residence was also awaiting an edict from the Nine Heavens. This left them all extremely anxious.
Fortunately, the appearance of one person gave them hope.
This person was none other than the Grand Elder of the Immortal Court Residence, Lord Saint Yang.
Grand Elder Saint Yang was a senior from the Ancient Era. Because of his integrity, incorruptibility, and unyielding righteousness, he enjoyed high prestige within Lingluo Heavenly Domain. His impartiality, majestic sense of justice, and noble character earned him not only respect in Lingluo Heavenly Domain but also venerable status throughout the Great Desolation.
Especially in the hearts of many minor sects, small factions, and lesser Immortal Realms, Grand Elder Saint Yang was held in the highest esteem and deepest reverence.
This was because most minor sects and small Immortal Realms lacked significant backing. Once conflicts of interest arose, they were often bullied and oppressed by those major Immortal Realm clans. Furthermore, mortal Immortals without family backgrounds or connections, who had risked their lives to find superior resources, often had them snatched away by those young masters and elegant Immortal scions.
In such situations, as long as one sought out Grand Elder Saint Yang and he agreed to intervene, he would invariably uphold justice for the minor sects and small Immortal Realms.
Not only that.
Even when conflicts occurred between major Immortal Realms and great clans, Grand Elder Saint Yang would similarly step in to mediate. Whenever he intervened, both sides would accept his judgment, for a simple reason: Grand Elder Saint Yang was utterly impartial and would not favor any party.
Throughout his life, Grand Elder Saint Yang had mediated countless conflicts, resolved innumerable grudges, and upheld justice on countless occasions.
He absolutely deserved the description of being "highly virtuous and esteemed."
Precisely because of this, within Lingluo Heavenly Domain, Grand Elder Saint Yang was also respectfully addressed as Lord Saint Yang.
However.
When it came to Lord Saint Yang, not everyone in Lingluo Heavenly Domain revered him; quite a few people deeply disliked him.
The reason was simple.
While Lord Saint Yang was impartial, he was also inflexible.
While he was honest and incorruptible, he was also stubborn and unyielding.
While he was upright and unflinching, he was also severe and harsh.
In his eyes, there was only justice and evil, only light and darkness. Immortals were all righteous beings of light, while demons and monsters were all evil beings of darkness.
Towards demons and monsters, Lord Saint Yang had only one word: exterminate without mercy. Even demon Immortals canonized by the Nine Heavens were, in Lord Saint Yang's view, nothing good.
Let alone demons and monsters, or demon Immortals.
Even if an Immortal befriended demons or monsters, in his eyes, they were equated with evil individuals.
Over the years, while Lord Saint Yang might have upheld justice for many Immortal Realm clans, there were also many clans driven to ruin by his severity and harshness.
Of course.
In the face of such supreme honors as impartiality, majestic justice, and integrity, so-called inflexibility, stubbornness, and harshness seemed somewhat insignificant.
Moreover.
Everyone understood clearly that Lingluo Heavenly Domain needed a senior like Lord Saint Yang to oversee it, especially in a situation like the present one. Lingluo Heavenly Domain had already been thrown into chaos over the matter of You Di, and the major Immortal Realm clans were all extremely anxious.
Alas, the Nine Heavens Immortal Path showed no movement, and the Immortal Court Residence showed no movement either. It was as if a group had lost its leader, leaving them all without reassurance. However, the appearance of Lord Saint Yang was like a lifeline to the leaders of the major Immortal Realm clans, and they all began to clamor.
"Lord Saint Yang! You've finally come! We've all been worried to death! Why hasn't the Nine Heavens Immortal Path made any move yet? What exactly do they mean? What if You Di really appears?"
"Lord Saint Yang, now the news of You Di's death and resurrection has spread throughout the Myriad Heavens and Worlds, known to all. There are even rumors that You Di is right here in our Lingluo Heavenly Domain. Right now, all the major Immortal Realm clans in our domain are living in fear for their lives!"
"That You Di is the true master of the Primal Sin, bringing chaos to heaven and earth, wreaking havoc upon all living beings. We must eliminate him!"
"We beseech Lord Saint Yang to uphold justice for us and eradicate You Di!"
The leaders of the major Immortal Realm clans shouted in unison, hoping Lord Saint Yang would uphold justice for them.
Before the main gate of the Immortal Court Residence stood an elderly man, upright and poised. He wore a white robe and appeared vigorous and spirited. His aged face featured prominent, unique cheekbones, and his eyes were piercing and awe-inspiring. His expression was one of extreme majesty. With one hand behind his back and the other stroking his goatee, he spoke in a deep voice.
This person was precisely the Grand Elder in charge of the Immortal Court Residence of Lingluo Heavenly Domain, Lord Saint Yang.
"This old man can understand your feelings," Lord Saint Yang's voice, like the man himself, was filled with authority and resonant strength. He gazed calmly at the crowd and said in a deep tone, "Upon learning of this matter, this old man immediately rushed back. On the way, I also gained some understanding of the situation."
He paused briefly before continuing, "Whether that criminal You Di has truly returned from death cannot yet be confirmed. Whether he is actually within our Lingluo Heavenly Domain is also unknown. Even if that criminal has indeed returned from death and appears within our Lingluo Heavenly Domain, I ask you all not to panic or fear. Our Immortal Court Residence will absolutely not stand idly by, and the Nine Heavens Immortal Path certainly will not either. I hope you will trust our Immortal Court and, moreover, trust the Nine Heavens Immortal Path. As long as that criminal You Di dares to appear, this old man can assure you all that he will come but never return!"
Hearing Lord Saint Yang's words, the leaders of the major Immortal Realm clans present felt somewhat comforted, and the stones that had been hanging in their hearts gradually settled. However, they were still very worried and asked, "Lord Saint Yang, it's not that we don't trust the Nine Heavens, but why hasn't there been any movement from them until now?"
"As for why the Nine Heavens Immortal Path has not yet issued an edict, this old man is not entirely clear at the moment. Subsequently, I will send someone personally to the Nine Heavens to inquire about the situation."
"Lord Saint Yang, our Lingluo Heavenly Domain is in utter chaos right now. If this continues, even if You Di doesn't appear, a major disaster will occur!"
"Please rest assured, everyone. Subsequently, this old man will issue an order: from today onward, all worlds and Immortal Realms within Lingluo Heavenly Domain will be placed under martial law. At the same time, I will also command the various Immortal Dynasties to search for that criminal You Di."