"Since that criminal surnamed Gu claims to be the successor of the Immortal Dao felon Gu Tianlang, and I hear he's even gained the acknowledgment of many Chixiao people... Hah! This suits this noble scion's intentions perfectly."
Liuguang Jiaoying flung the cloak behind him, his eyes flashing with arrogant madness as he roared sharply, "Men! Arrest all the hall masters of the Crimson-Letter Sect's branch halls in the Great Northwest and bring them back here! Anyone who dares resist is to be executed without mercy!"
These words erupted like a tidal wave or a thunderclap from a clear sky, shocking everyone present into pallor.
The Immortal Officials of the Immortal Estate were shocked.
The hundred Hundred-Tribulation Elders and thousand Nine-Star Immortal Officials from the Immortal Dynasty were shocked.
Even Star-Shining Immortal Noble, who had remained composed and indifferent, was so startled by Liuguang Jiaoying's action that he instantly rose to his feet.
The conflict between the Immortal Dynasty and the Crimson-Letter Sect was a taboo in this world that no one wished to mention.
For the past century of the Current Era, both the Immortal Dynasty and the Crimson-Letter Sect had been extremely cautious. Although conflicts occasionally erupted between them, they were merely conflicts. Neither dared challenge the other's bottom line, for everyone knew that once war broke out between the Immortal Dynasty and the Crimson-Letter Sect, it would be a disaster beyond anyone's prediction.
This principle was clear to all.
Even arrogant and domineering Immortal Dynasty noble scions like Yingnian and Ruolan knew it. They might look down on the Crimson-Letter Sect, and they might have conflicts with them, but that was the extent of it. As for openly provoking the Crimson-Letter Sect's existence, none of them had the guts for that.
They all knew Liuguang Jiaoying had immense audacity, acted without considering consequences, and was wildly arrogant and lawless to the point of defying heaven and earth. If he was like that in the Divine Land, let alone in this desolate Northwest borderland.
However.
What they never expected was that Liuguang Jiaoying's audacity could reach such an extent. Coming to the Northwest borderland, defying all laws, he actually wanted to arrest all the hall masters of over eighty Crimson-Letter Sect branch halls in the Northwest, executing resisters without mercy?
This was truly insane.
"Liuguang Jiaoying, what are you trying to do!" Steward Bai's face flushed red as he roared furiously, disregarding everything. "What are you trying to do? Do you want to start a war with the Crimson-Letter Sect? Do you know the consequences of such an action? Have you gone mad!"
"A mere Crimson-Letter Sect in this insignificant Northwest is nothing but a group of ants in this noble scion's eyes. I can crush them however I please. War? Hah, they aren't even qualified to wage war against this noble scion."
"Ignorant! Truly ignorant!" Steward Bai trembled with rage, pointing angrily at Liuguang Jiaoying and shouting, "The Crimson-Letter Sect's branch halls are spread across the world! If you dare move against the Northwest Crimson-Letter Sect today, all the Crimson-Letter Sect halls under heaven will rise up tomorrow! Do you know that? The world will fall into great chaos then, do you know! The Crimson-Letter Sect is now a slumbering evil dragon that no one dares awaken! Why must you do this! You are truly ignorant!"
"You old fool!" A radiance flashed around Liuguang Jiaoying as his Great Sun Brightness Dharma Form condensed. He grabbed Steward Bai by the throat and said viciously, "This noble scion gives you face by calling you Steward Bai. If I don't, you're nothing in my eyes. The Crimson-Letter Sect may be an evil dragon in your eyes, but in mine, it's just a worm! Let me tell you, others may not dare challenge the Crimson-Letter Sect, but that doesn't mean this noble scion doesn't! You old fool, today I'll let you witness with your own eyes how I, Liuguang Jiaoying, eradicate the Crimson-Letter Sect from the Northwest borderland!"
"Cough! Cough!" Enveloped by Liuguang Jiaoying's Great Sun Brightness Dharma Form and choked by the neck, Steward Bai's face turned deathly pale, and he couldn't move. Yet he still shouted, "Liuguang Jiaoying, you'll bring about a great disaster... You'll pay a heavy price for your ignorance..."
"Old thing! You're seeking death!" Liuguang Jiaoying suddenly exerted force, raising his hand to press against Steward Bai's head. Bang! Steward Bai's body trembled violently as he spat out a mouthful of blood, bleeding from all seven orifices.
"Even if you kill this old man today, I must say it! You arrogant, ignorant, heaven-defying profligate! All you know is showing off! You understand nothing! Every branch hall of the Northwest Crimson-Letter Sect has Chixiao people stationed there, with Lord Blackwater Earth Fiend presiding over them! The Blood Fiend Slays Immortals Path, the Dragon-Elephant Defies Heaven Road—have you heard of them? Do you know the Immortal Dynasty of the Ancient Era was overthrown because of people like you? The Chixiao Sect overthrew the Immortal Dynasty once; they can do it a second time! Do you know that!"
Steward Bai threw caution to the wind, wildly circulating the Dharma Form within his body as he roared recklessly, "Heaven-defying brat! In the Divine Land, your parents clean up your mess! Here in the Northwest, if you cause a great disaster, no one will clean up after you! No one! You're just waiting to die!"
"Old thing! Since you seek death, this noble scion will grant your wish!" Liuguang Jiaoying was also livid with rage, killing intent flashing in his eyes. He raised his hand again, intending to obliterate Steward Bai on the spot. But at that moment, a figure flashed into view, stopping Liuguang Jiaoying. It was none other than Star-Shining.
"Liuguang Jiaoying, enough! Stop this nonsense!"
"Star-Shining? What are you to dare stop me?"
"I don't mean to stop you. I just want to tell you that some things can be done, while others cannot. Mobilizing forces to arrest the criminal disciple Gu Qingfeng is permissible, but if you want to use this opportunity to provoke the Crimson-Letter Sect, you're going too far. Some things are better done in moderation."
"Too far? Hmph!" Liuguang Jiaoying snorted coldly, waving his hand arrogantly as he declared, "This noble scion insists on playing today! Not only will I play, I'll play big! Star-Shining, if you want to play, I'll bring you along. If you don't dare, if you lack the guts, then don't meddle! Stay put obediently!"
"Liuguang Jiaoying, you're playing with fire!"
"So what if I'm playing with fire?"
"The consequences this matter will trigger—even Young Master Long probably won't be able to help you!"
"Hahaha! Star-Shining, I'm sorry to tell you, but this matter is precisely what Elder Brother Long instructed this noble scion to do. You didn't know, did you?"
"What!" As if he hadn't expected Liuguang Jiaoying to say this, Star-Shining was greatly shocked.
"I can see you didn't know. You aren't qualified to know about our affairs either." Liuguang Jiaoying flung his cloak, ignoring the stunned Star-Shining. Noticing that the Hundred-Tribulation Elders and Nine-Star Immortal Officials beside him hadn't moved, Liuguang Jiaoying swept a glare over them and roared angrily, "What? Are this noble scion's words useless now? All of you, move out! Arrest all the hall masters of the Crimson-Letter Sect's branch halls in the Northwest!"
Although Immortal Dynasty noble scions held no real authority, due to their noble status, the Immortal Officials present would obey their orders. However, they all knew what consequences arresting people from the Crimson-Letter Sect would bring. No one dared bear that risk. The Immortal Officials looked at each other. When they met the flickering killing intent in Liuguang Jiaoying's eyes, they no longer dared delay. All of them set out to arrest the hall masters of the Crimson-Letter Sect's Northwest branch halls.