Chapter 600 - 256: Coercion

Chapter 600: Chapter 256: Coercion

"I have only one condition... Only disciples may enter. No Elders."

"What?"

This caused the leaders of many Sects to frown. Ji Wuying, in particular, said bluntly, "Entering the Grotto Heaven is incredibly dangerous. I doubt disciples alone can get to the bottom of things. This rule makes no sense whatsoever."

"Indeed. We ask that Sect Leader Yan not act rashly."

The representative from Fuling Hidden Dragon Hall also frowned slightly. "The situation inside the Grotto Heaven is unknown, and the dangers are unpredictable. Sending only disciples would be like throwing an egg against a rock—a futile sacrifice that will only increase casualties. The Elders of each Sect are experienced and have profound Cultivation. They are the only ones capable of handling unexpected events, protecting the disciples, and uncovering the truth. Sect Leader Yan, forgive me, but I find this proposal difficult to accept."

As the other Sects buzzed with discussion, Yan Wufeng’s cold voice rang out, "We’ve come this far. Let’s stop using ’getting to the bottom of things’ as an excuse. We all know full well why you are here."

"Let’s cut to the chase."

"Right now, nearly all of the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect’s Fifth Realm Elders are stationed at important posts in the Guardian Mansions. While the demon hordes have currently vanished, our Sect cannot simply withdraw these Fifth Realm Elders. Otherwise, if the demon scourge rises again and brings devastation to the people, who will take responsibility?"

"Allowing the various Sects to send their disciples into the Grotto Heaven to investigate freely is already my Sect’s bottom line. If you all continue to push so aggressively, then there’s nothing left to discuss. No one will be allowed into the Grotto Heaven. To enter would be to make an enemy of my Golden Rainbow Sword Sect. The Golden Rainbow Sword Sect was founded on the sword. If you all insist on trying to strong-arm my Sect..."

The Sharpness in Yan Wufeng’s eyes could no longer be concealed. "Then by all means, have a taste of my Sect’s Sword Aura, and see just how sharp it is!"

Yan Wufeng’s stance had become incredibly hardline.

His words had laid bare what everyone had been tiptoeing around.

...Everyone knew that the so-called investigation of the demon source, the so-called search for traces of the Three Religions, were all just excuses.

The true goal of every Sect had always been the ’Secret Treasure’ of the mysterious Seventh Realm expert that might lie within the Grotto Heaven!

Just as Yan Wufeng had said.

Right now, a large number of the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect’s Fifth Realm Elders had been dispatched to guard the various Counties in Jinlan Prefecture and deal with the scattered Demons within. How could they possibly have any spare forces to send into the Grotto Heaven?

If they were forcefully recalled, what would happen if the demon scourge erupted once more?

...The other Sects could just pack up and leave.

Who would be responsible for the devastation in Jinlan Prefecture?

The vast majority of the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect’s disciples came from the Counties of Jinlan Prefecture. Its future legacy would also come from these same Counties.

If the common people suffered too many casualties, it would shake the very foundation of the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect.

...The Royal Family might even come demanding accountability!

Naturally, Yan Wufeng couldn’t let something like that happen.

But if the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect could only send in disciples while the other Sects could send in Elders... they would undoubtedly be at a huge disadvantage instantly!

Even at the same Realm, the Elders of the various Sects had been cultivating for far longer. The time they had spent immersed in their current Realm, their practice of various Leaf Skills... all of it was far more profound than that of the disciples!

If any conflict were to break out inside the Grotto Heaven, it went without saying who would have the upper hand.

If that were the case, the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect might as well not even compete and just withdraw from the Grotto Heaven entirely.

...Because even if there was a Treasure inside the Grotto Heaven, it would certainly have nothing to do with them.

"Sect Leader Yan, what you’re saying..."

Ji Wuying frowned, just about to speak again.

With a sharp VSHING of a sword, a piercing Sword Aura instantly materialized in the air, aimed directly at the Shadowless Faction.

Ji Wuying’s pupils constricted as he stared fixedly at Yan Wufeng.

Yan Wufeng stood beneath the almost tangible Sword Aura, his fingers forming a sword sign in the air as he stared back at Ji Wuying.

"Ji Wuying, our Sects are neighbors, but you have pushed my Sect again and again today. I have no desire to waste any more words on you. You can keep on talking, but let’s see if my sword dares to strike you down."

In that moment, a chilling glint filled the eyes of the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect’s Leader!

...He had suppressed his anger to its limit and was just waiting to explode!

A flash of deep anger crossed Ji Wuying’s eyes, and he was about to say something more.

A calm voice suddenly spoke up. "I, for one, think Brother Yan’s proposal is excellent."

Everyone was stunned, and they subconsciously looked toward the source of the voice.

Master Xuan Qiong stood peacefully on the deck of the Cloud Boat and said, "In any case, even Fifth Realm experts will be suppressed inside the Grotto Heaven. The Golden Rainbow Sword Sect has already sent Fifth Realm Elders inside, and they came back with nothing. We are all fellow cultivators. It’s not worth damaging our harmony over such a small matter."

"Furthermore, if Elders were allowed to enter, it would indeed be unfair to the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect... These Elders are unable to serve their Sect because they are busy suppressing the demon scourge. But are they suppressing demons and slaying devils for themselves? No, they do it for the common people... and in truth, are they not also doing it for us?"

"If the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect truly didn’t care, couldn’t they just recall those Elders? But once they are recalled and their posts are left unguarded, the demons hiding in the shadows could seize the opportunity to cause chaos, slaughter the populace, and even escape Jinlan to wreak havoc across the Great Yu... Who would bear that responsibility?"

"So, I believe sending only disciples is a good solution. It’s fair to every Sect."

Hearing Xuan Qiong’s words, everyone from all the Sects frowned deeply.

Including Ji Wuying, whose brow was also furrowed in serious thought...

...Ji Wuying had instinctively refuted Yan Wufeng because he had keenly grasped a key point: the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect currently had no spare Fifth Realm Elders to deploy.

So he saw it as an opportunity. With so many competitors, the fewer, the better!

But Xuan Qiong’s words were a wake-up call.

...The Golden Rainbow Sword Sect wasn’t incapable of sending Elders.

It was just that they were currently tied up with other matters.

But if the various Sects insisted on forcing the issue... it would only take a single command for the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect to recall those Fifth Realm Elders!

...And then, naturally, there would be no advantage left to be had.

On the contrary, there would even be the risk of those demons rushing into their own prefectures.

It’s just...

’So we can only send disciples?’

Their eyes flickered as they began to calculate. ’Will the disciples I brought be able to gain an advantage in this investigation?’