Chapter 980: Taking Action

Sun Sheng had been mingling in the military for a long time, and he had picked up many bad habits unique to the military.

He had a quick temper, was easily provoked, and relied more on physical actions than thinking. Many times, he would act before asking questions.

If it wasn't for the immense reputation of the Five Punishments Guard, he would have already lost his patience and acted.

He had managed to suppress his temper, but Feng Baofeng pushed him to the limit and finally angered him.

In the Cultivation World, higher-level cultivators reprimanded lower-level cultivators without needing any reason.

The disparity between a Primordial Spirit True Monarch and a Gold Core Daoist Master was substantial.

Being disrespectful to a Primordial Spirit True Monarch or even being slapped to death by one for a Gold Core Daoist Master who offended them was considered justifiable.

Sun Sheng snorted coldly, unleashing an unstoppable force from his hand that fiercely collided with Feng Baofeng ahead.

In his view, he had exhausted all civil discourse, so taking action against Feng Baofeng was completely defensible.

Facing Sun Sheng's casual strike, Feng Baofeng and several Five Punishments Guards beside him barely managed to defend themselves by joining forces.

Their blood and energy surged, their faces turned red, appearing unsteady as if they might collapse at any moment.

If Sun Sheng were to strike again, they would likely be unable to withstand it.

There existed an insurmountable gap between a Primordial Spirit True Monarch and a Gold Core Daoist Master.

Even the most outstanding Gold Core Daoist Masters from the Holy Land Sects would struggle to challenge an ordinary Primordial Spirit True Monarch above their level.

Feng Baofeng and his group had no chance against Sun Sheng; victory was simply out of the question.

Sun Sheng had already shown restraint with his first strike, but Feng Baofeng continued to block his path, driving him into complete fury.

Without even drawing a magic tool, Sun Sheng channeled his True Essence directly, sending forth another immense force that pressed down on Feng Baofeng and his companions.

Feng Baofeng's group immediately felt as if a mountain was on their backs, the tremendous pressure causing excruciating pain throughout their bodies.

Their knees started trembling, and they were on the brink of collapsing.

Wang Xibei watched the scene with a cold smile, looking delighted at their misfortune.

Qin Canmou still had the appearance of a good-natured person, shaking his head continuously.

"Why has it come to this, why has it come to this…"

Meng Zhang, on the other hand, made an unexpected move at this moment.

With a single wave of his hand, a gentle force infiltrated around Feng Baofeng and his group, effortlessly dispelling the immense pressure they were under.

"Let's talk it out. There's no need for physical confrontations," Meng Zhang said with a cheerful smile.

"You..." Sun Sheng glared angrily at the meddlesome Meng Zhang.

Wang Xibei also gave Meng Zhang a stern look, blaming him for interfering.

Qin Canmou nodded repeatedly, emphasizing the importance of harmony.

"Sect Master Meng, what's your intention with this?"

"Could it be that you're planning to grovel at the feet of the Five Punishments Guard?"

Sun Sheng discontentedly questioned.

As someone from the local Dali Dynasty, he had never heard of the Taiyi Sect or the name Meng Zhang. In his view, anything beyond the Dali Dynasty was just a backwater. The sects from such places were of no significance.

If it weren't for Meng Zhang being a fellow Primordial Spirit cultivator, he wouldn't have been this polite.

Being both Primordial Spirit cultivators didn't mean they were on equal footing. Figures like Meng Zhang were the ones holding back Primordial Spirit cultivators.

Sun Sheng decided to give Meng Zhang one last chance.

"Sect Master Meng, you came from the countryside, so you might not know about the situation in the local Dali Dynasty."

"Don't assume that these Five Punishments Guards are invincible just because they act arrogantly. Don't try to please them, thinking you can align yourself with them."

"These Five Punishments Guards have made many enemies within the local Dali Dynasty. They've long been preoccupied and have no time to take care of cultivators who seek refuge with them."

"If Sect Master Meng truly wishes to find support, I can introduce you to a few marshals in the military."

Thinking he had seen through Meng Zhang's intentions, Sun Sheng proposed conditions he thought would be hard to refuse.

"If Sect Master Meng doesn't mind, I can also introduce you to some respectable acquaintances on the Governor's side."

Although Wang Xibei was unhappy with Meng Zhang's actions, he was still unwilling to initiate a Primordial Spirit battle easily, so as not to attract excessive attention.

Meng Zhang sighed inwardly, realizing that Taiyi Sect's reputation was indeed not prominent. He was being treated as a naive country bumpkin.

He didn't feel any anger, just a sense that both Sun Sheng and Wang Xibei were overly self-assured.

They deluded themselves as official cultivators of the Dali Dynasty, yet their understanding of the powerful cultivator Han Yao behind the Five Punishments Guard was shallow, far inferior to this countryside bumpkin of theirs.

They only knew that Han Yao and his Five Punishments Guard had numerous enemies, offending many influential figures and drawing a lot of attacks.

However, they were oblivious to how formidable Han Yao was and how highly Ba Wudi regarded him.

The attacks from the court's influential figures couldn't shake Han Yao in the slightest.

At this moment, Meng Zhang secretly rejoiced, glad that he hadn't been stingy with information within the Heavenly Palace. He had spent a substantial sum to obtain detailed intelligence.

Through this information, he gained a certain understanding of Han Yao and developed some ideas.

Yes, Meng Zhang's purpose in taking action was just that simple and straightforward: he wanted to show goodwill to the Five Punishments Guard, ideally aligning himself with the influential cultivator Han Yao.

Since he knew the Five Punishments Guard had ulterior motives this time, they must have a backup plan.

Even if he didn't intervene, the Five Punishments Guard most likely had a way to suppress the troublemakers among the cultivators, including the three Primordial Spirit True Monarchs.

Taking action now didn't involve much risk, pleased the Five Punishments Guard, so there was no need for hesitation.

As for offending the two presumptuous and ignorant individuals in front of him, Meng Zhang wasn't too concerned. While they were decent as official Dali Dynasty cultivators, they held no authority over himself and the Taiyi Sect. Why would he need to care about them?

Furthermore, by challenging the Five Punishments Guard today, they had greatly offended the Guard. Did they believe that the influential cultivator Han Yao behind the Five Punishments Guard would turn a blind eye to this?

Meng Zhang not only ignored Sun Sheng's and Wang Xibei's persuasion but also directly sided with the Five Punishments Guard.

He stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Feng Baofeng and the others, speaking earnestly, "Investigating Demonic Cultivation is of great significance. As righteous cultivators, we should fully cooperate."

"How can we resort to physical actions against the Five Punishments Guard in the pursuit of Demonic Cultivation just due to some inconvenience?"

"Once we hinder the Five Punishments Guard's important task and let Demonic Cultivation slip through our fingers, can you shoulder the blame?"

"Brother Sun, please heed my advice. The bigger picture matters. Don't let personal emotions disrupt the main task."

"Brother Sun, Brother Wang, both of you hold positions in the court. You should know that the Five Punishments Guard's actions are just part of their duties, with no ill intentions."

Meng Zhang gave an all-out performance, assuming the role of a loyalist to the court who abhorred Demonic Cultivation. He earnestly advised Sun Sheng and the others, even feeling a bit moved by his own act.

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