Watching the Banner Masters and Elders from the ten branch halls of the Crimson-Letter Sect below kneel on the ground, expressing their loyalty to the Immortal Dynasty, Liuguang Jiaoying and the dozen or so other Immortal Court nobles standing within the Immortal Estate's radiance grew even more arrogant, overbearing, and lawless.
"Senior Brother Xingyao, do you still think this noble is just making trouble?"
Liuguang Jiaoying's cold, mocking voice rang out. Xingyao's face darkened, and the expressions of Yingnian, Ruolan, and the others also turned extremely unpleasant.
Only today did they realize they had underestimated Liuguang Jiaoying and his capabilities. They also came to understand one thing: Liuguang Jiaoying's move against the Crimson-Letter Sect today was not merely to show off or flaunt his power; it was premeditated and part of a long-standing plan. However, Liuguang Jiaoying was merely the vanguard; the true mastermind behind it all should be Young Master Long.
"Hmph! From now on, don't use your shallow perspectives to judge this noble. You are unworthy and lack the qualification. A bunch of timid, hesitant cowards, yet you dare to dream of contending with this noble? Truly overestimating yourselves!"
With that, Liuguang Jiaoying turned his gaze to Lord Xun, sneering, "Lord Xun, Lord Xun, Chief Steward. Just now you said this noble would commit a grave error. Now, please tell me, where is this grave error?"
Lord Xun's face was also grim as he stared at the ten Banner Masters of the Crimson-Letter Sect below.
He finally understood why Young Master Long had instructed Liuguang Jiaoying to provoke the Crimson-Letter Sect so recklessly in the Northwest. Without a doubt, Young Master Long had likely begun laying the groundwork in the Northwest long ago, waiting for the opportune moment to seize control of the Northwest Crimson-Letter Sect in one fell swoop. And this 'seizure' might not be about annihilation; more likely, it was to test the Crimson-Letter Sect's stance. At the same time, it was an opportunity to display the Immortal Dynasty's hegemony and majestic authority to the Northwest, not only to intimidate the region but also to make those wavering sects hesitate no longer in accepting the Immortal Dynasty's enfeoffment.
It could be called killing three birds with one stone.
As for the so-called felon Gu Qingfeng, he was probably just an excuse from the very beginning—an excuse to test the Crimson-Letter Sect, an excuse to display the Immortal Dynasty's majestic authority, and a timing that couldn't be more appropriate.
This move was undeniably clever.
But it was also a risky gambit.
Although ten branch halls of the Crimson-Letter Sect had already submitted to the Immortal Dynasty, the true core of the Crimson-Letter Sect was not these so-called Banner Masters and Elders, but those Chixiao People who possessed Blood Fiend Aura and Dragon-Elephant Spirits.
To be honest, Lord Xun did not approve of this plan. However, Liuguang Jiaoying held Young Master Long's decree, and Young Master Long's decree was something even he, as Chief Steward, had to obey.
Suddenly, another group of people, over a hundred strong, flew majestically toward the Immortal Estate from the distant sky.
They were also from the Crimson-Letter Sect—specifically, the Gold Feather Branch Hall. The Banner Master of the Gold Feather Branch Hall, along with all the Elders, Chief Stewards, Executive Stewards, and even the personal disciples, had almost all arrived.
Wait!
That's not right!
It seemed there were also seven Chixiao People!
Indeed!
They were precisely the seven Chixiao People stationed at the Gold Feather Branch Hall. The leader among them was even a former Incense Master under the Black Nether Banner of the Chixiao Sect from back in the day—Jin He, Senior Jin.
Seeing the seven Chixiao People from the Gold Feather Branch Hall, many in the venue couldn't believe their eyes, their hearts pounding wildly. It was one thing for the Banner Masters and Elders of these Crimson-Letter Sect branch halls to submit to the Immortal Dynasty. After all, they had no deep-seated hatred with the Immortal Dynasty, and the Immortal Dynasty represented the Path of Light. A wise man submits to circumstances. Although they would inevitably bear the stigma of traitors in the future, becoming Immortal Officials of the Immortal Dynasty offered more hope of achieving immortality later on—something others could somewhat understand.
But if the Chixiao People, who had once fought and killed against the Immortal Dynasty, also submitted to the Immortal Dynasty... then...
This joke would be taken too far!
Everyone knew that the people of the Immortal Dynasty and the Chixiao People were as incompatible as fire and water. Although the Chixiao People had overthrown the Immortal Dynasty in the past, countless Chixiao People had also died at the hands of the Immortal Dynasty. Most crucially, the Great Hidden Dragon-Elephants that once protected them had died in the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao, and each of them had the blood of the Great Hidden Dragon-Elephants flowing in their veins, their souls tempered by the spirits of the Great Hidden Dragon-Elephants.
Moreover, the Chixiao Monarch, who gave them their second life, had also died in the Immortal Dao Judgment.
Yes.
Second life.
Everyone knew that the Chixiao People were originally either solitary cultivators with no sect or backing, or Immortal Dynasty criminals with nowhere to turn, hunted by the Immortal Dynasty. There was absolutely no third category. If the Chixiao Sect hadn't taken them in back then, forget about making a name for themselves or becoming the revered Chixiao People—whether they could have survived to the Present-Ancient Era was an unknown.
This was why it was said the Chixiao Monarch gave them a second life.
The Chixiao People upheld righteousness above all, were loyal and devoted through thick and thin, forged Dragon-Elephant souls, tempered Blood Fiend bodies, swore heavenly oaths, and sealed alliances with blood.
If even the Chixiao People submitted to the Immortal Dynasty, they wouldn't just bear the stigma of traitors; they would become utterly dishonorable and faithless, betraying their fallen Chixiao brothers, betraying the Great Hidden Dragon-Elephants that protected them, and betraying the Chixiao Monarch who gave them their second life.
Even these Dharma Form Great Sovereigns of the Immortal Dynasty would despise and look down upon them. Although they had all accepted the Immortal Dynasty's enfeoffment and were Nine-Star Immortal Officials, that didn't mean they harbored hatred for the Chixiao People. On the contrary, in their hearts, they still felt gratitude toward the Chixiao People, even reverence. Because everyone knew that if the Chixiao People hadn't overthrown the Immortal Dynasty in the Ancient Era, all cultivators in this world, including themselves, would probably still be living in dire straits, and there would be no prosperous era of universal revival in the Present-Ancient Era.
"The Gold Feather Branch Hall pays respects to the various Immortal Nobles and Officials."
The Banner Master, Elders, Chief Stewards, Executive Stewards, and personal disciples of the Gold Feather Branch Hall all knelt on the ground.
Although many in the venue had already guessed what was coming, they still stared fixedly at the seven Chixiao People from the Gold Feather Branch Hall.
"Subordinates Jin He and others greet Lord Xun and the various Immortal Court nobles."
A commotion erupted!
Amidst the uproar, the seven Chixiao People led by Jin He all erupted with dazzling silver-white radiance from their bodies. The radiance was a holy, pure, sacred light, resembling clouds and mist. This was protection—the Immortal Dynasty's Light Protection, and moreover, Nebula Protection. In other words, Jin He and the other six Chixiao People had not only submitted to the Immortal Dynasty but had also long accepted the Immortal Dynasty's enfeoffment, and were enfeoffed as Nebula Immortal Officials.
Watching Jin He and the other six Chixiao People bowing with clasped hands and lowered heads, along with the Nebula Immortal Protection radiating from their bodies, the hundred or so Hundred Tribulation Elders, the thousand-plus Dharma Form Great Sovereigns, and even Lord Xun and the dozen or so Nebula Immortal Officials in the venue all wore expressions of shock and stunned disbelief. They couldn't believe their eyes, couldn't believe this was real, and couldn't imagine that eminent Chixiao People would so ungratefully accept the Immortal Dynasty's enfeoffment.
Had they forgotten their Life and Death comrades, Life and Death brothers who died at the hands of the Immortal Dynasty?
Had they forgotten the Great Hidden Dragon-Elephants who died in the Nine Heavens protecting them?
Had they forgotten the Chixiao Monarch who gave them their second life, who willingly shouldered all the blame alone so they could live in peace?