The entire place fell into dead silence, where even the sound of sweat slipping down became distinctly audible.
Master Rongâs words were no joke, and Situ Guixiong knew very well that if his soul was really to be searched, he would have no chance of survival.
He had no choice but to cast a pleading glance towards the high platform, towards his fatherâs position, knowing that his father had invited an unparalleled expert, and now only this person could save him!
The common peopleâs eyes also shifted from shock back to calmness, their expressions as still as water, their bodies radiating a murderous aura.
The third family head had guaranteed with his own life; even without soul searching, everyone knew that his words held no falsehoods. The masked people who had wreaked havoc in Aolai Country with arson, murder, and looting were these young members of the families in disguise, who later framed Li Xiaobai.
Afterwards, these familiesâ higher-ups even visited the third family head with millions of Spirit Stones, attempting to pay their way out of disaster.
Where in this world could such good things happen so easily? The ones who suffered were them, the common people. If the rich could do as they pleased with money, didnât it mean the commoners only had a dead end, to be slaughtered at will? Where was justice?
Now, it was not hard to discern from the words of the third family head that the family heads, led by the Situ Household, had rebelled!
Now that so many families were gathered here today, it was to coerce the great family head and support the third family headâs ascension. In doing so, they would become meritorious supporters, and after getting rid of the rival, they would dominate alone, obtaining more resources and benefits.
Unfortunately, what these family heads didnât even dream of was that the open and covert struggle between the two family heads was nothing but a show, aimed at drawing out their foxtails.
âMay I ask the third family head what this means, what exactly do you want to do by acting this way today?â
âYou should be aware, over the years, many of our familiesâ actions have been at your direction!â
High upon the platform, Patriarch Situâs expression turned icy as he dropped his pretense and got straight to the point in his query.
âIn these years, have I ever directed you to commit any atrocity? All this is but your own speculation, exaggerated to gain more benefits, leading to such turmoil that I have had to clean up your messes.â
âToday, I intend to clean house, to sweep out the pests that have rooted themselves in Aolai Country for too long. You, are free to die!â
Master Rongâs gaze suddenly turned sharp, a thick killing intent blossomed, piercing the heavens; meeting his gaze, a group of family heads felt like they had fallen into an ice cave, limbs stiffening.
After all, Master Rong was at the Half-step Human Immortal Realm, and although known for wisdom and not force, he was not someone ordinary cultivators could contend with.
Patriarch Situ couldnât help shivering, the bloodthirsty look in the otherâs eyes made him feel like he was facing a fierce sun, as if he would be scorched and melted in the next second.
Suddenly looking towards the black-robed cultivator beside him, he cupped his hands in a salute and said loudly:
âI implore the senior to take action, to stop this mad woman. Once this is over, the promised resources and territories to you will be doubled!â
âMoreover, the young man on the stage below is Li Xiaobai, whom you have been tirelessly searching for, and he is also our grand gift to you!â
âIndeed, I did not expect such an abrupt change today, but with the senior here, itâs of no concern. As long as we await the arrival of the high experts from the other two sects, Aolai Country will still be our world!â
âWhen the time comes, as the elder, I will divide Aolai Country among the Three Sects for governance and enfeoffment!â
Elder Su also hurriedly spoke; he too couldnât care less, as long as he could buy some time, he could flee from this disaster.
âYou actually dared to call upon people from the Elixir Sect and Array Formation Sect?â
âIngrates, do you intend to destroy Aolai Country?â
âCould it be you think that just because Xiao Liuzi is not here, you can do whatever you wish, as if this palace doesnât exist?â
The Great Family Head Huahuo had an icy demeanor. Suddenly standing up, her formidable and unparalleled presence swept out like a surge and crashed down upon the group on the high platform. In terms of cultivation level, she was on par with Master Rong and not beneath the Three Sectsâ Ancestors, but the crux was that the latter were three people united for a common cause.
If everyone truly gathered, their defeat was inevitable. By the time Liuren returned to exact vengeance, it would be too lateâthe moment would have already passed. They needed to suppress the opposition now!
In just an instant, the high platform cracked and shattered into fine powder. The family heads were firmly suppressed, prostrate on the ground, unable to move an inch.
âYou all had better behave.â
At the same time, on the fighting stage, Master Rong slightly raised his hand and waved it towards the many family disciples below. In the blink of an eye, an enormous hand that blotted out the sky and sun thundered down, entrapping over a hundred distinguished young cultivators in its palm, firmly restraining them.
Li Xiaobai subtly approached that sky-concealing palm. Within, it was nothing more than a prison space, but on the palmâs surface raged terrifying layers of Qi, repelling anything that attempted to get close.
Feeling the wild power continuously seeping into his body, Li Xiaobai frantically accumulated a massive amount of Attribute Points.
Nested within the giant hand was Immortal Spirit Qi, with a purity not even those in the Great Crossing Realm could match.
[Attribute Point +30000â¦]
[Attribute Point +30000â¦]
[Attribute Point +30000â¦]
These Attribute Points were the real deal; without someone of the Half-step Human Immortal realm stepping in, it would be impossible to destroy this world-shielding hand.
âWhat the Third Family Head has mentioned was all done by the family heads. We didnât know anything about it!â
âIndeed, I have been wholeheartedly cultivating within my clan, aiming to make a name for myself in Aolai Country one day. Iâve never been involved in such contemptible acts!â
Inside the palm, the disciples wailed and cried, terrified that Master Rong wouldnât be pleased and might crush them to death.
Many disciples felt their hearts filled with regret. Why had they listened to the deceits of Situ Guixiong and followed him in framing and scapegoating? Now that it was time for reckoning, their lives hung by a thread.
âHeh, I naturally wonât kill the innocent. After Iâve searched Young Master Situâs soul, I will restore freedom to those uninvolved.â
Master Rongâs expression was indifferent as he spoke slowly. With that single sentence, he essentially pronounced a death sentence for Situ Guixiong.
Everyone knew that the Situ Household had always been caught in the most precarious situation, part of the most troublesome group. It was possible that anyone could be innocent, but the Situ Household surely was not!
âThird Family Head, it was Situ Guixiong who coerced us into doing this!â
âYes, yes, pretending to be masked men, burning, killing, and looting in the villagesâit was all his own planning, threatening us to do it!â
âWe were all compelled by the power of the Situ Household to submit. We beg you, Third Family Head, for discernment and to grant us a way out!â
âFrom now on, we will certainly turn over a new leaf and be better people!â
Hearing the confessions of the surrounding cultivators, Situ Guixiongâs heart sank. He could not die here; he still had grand aspirations left unfulfilled!
Grinding his teeth and with a face full of resentment, he said:
âDammit, I too was acting under othersâ orders. It was all directed by my father. Third Family Head, if you want to kill someone, kill my father. He has long harbored treacherous thoughts, his only desire being to climb higher without any regard for the lives of common people. Someone blinded by power like him doesnât deserve to liveâexecuting him is the only way to quell the peopleâs wrath!â
âAs long as you spare me, Iâll do anything you ask. I can even publicly disclose my fatherâs crimes in front of the whole world!â