Chapter 480: Chapter 296: Settled

“This…”

Upon hearing these words, all the Tribulation Realm powerhouses, regardless of allegiance to the Righteous or Evil Path, were stunned in place, their expressions a marvelous sight to behold.

What a sight, truly remarkable.

While it has long been a tradition for Mercy Sailing Temple to “feed the demons with one’s own body,” it was always the ancestors and teachers who instructed the next generation to do so. Now here was a disciple flipping the script, asking a Supreme Elder to “protect the Way with their body.” This was their first time witnessing such a scene.

One cannot say there will never be another like her in the future, but there certainly had been no one like her before.

Of course, that was not the point. The point was…

“What a cunning plan!”

A cold voice shattered the stalemate.

People followed the voice and saw Leng Aotian stepping forward, exuding overwhelming killing intent: “Worthy of the Great Zhou Heavenly Martial, royal dignity indeed. Such imperial strategies are truly extraordinary, coaxing us into fratricidal conflict with but a few words?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than he raised his hand and struck out with a palm, aiming directly at Yun Mengyao.

“Hm!?”

However, those from the Righteous Path were not to be underestimated. Ning Beiming’s eyes narrowed, and with the momentum of a giant kunpeng, he blocked Leng Aotian’s strike.

“Leng Aotian!”

Jue Shenni also snapped back to her senses in shock and anger, staring at Leng Aotian, who had suddenly attacked: “Do you think I do not exist?”

Without another word, she drew her sword to protect Yun Mengyao behind her, confronting Leng Aotian.

Although Yun Mengyao’s request for a Supreme Elder to “protect the Way with their body” was somewhat insolent, after all, she was one of their successors and key to resolving the dispute with Wandao School. If Leng Aotian were to kill her, wouldn’t they be forced to stand with the Demon Sect and resist to the end?

While they did not have plans to submit, the members of the Righteous Path clearly did not want to cut off this potential means of retreat.

Hence, not just Jue Shenni, but every Tribulation Realm practitioner from the Righteous Path, including the two Nings, stood together against Leng Aotian.

Seeing this, Deng Yunpeng and other old demons of the Evil Path, regardless of their injuries, also stood behind Leng Aotian.

They had no other choice; the Righteous Path might have a chance to surrender, but the members of the Evil Path certainly did not.

Previously, Wandao School had made their stance clear, not accepting any surrender from the Demon Sect, nor had they sent younger members like Yun Mengyao to negotiate, clearly intending to eradicate them without leaving any threat for the future.

Therefore, Leng Aotian made a decisive move, attempting to murder Yun Mengyao in anger and sever the Righteous Path’s option to defect.

Leng Aotian acted this way, and these old demons of the Evil Path had no choice but to fully support him.

The Righteous and Evil Path, all within the Tribulation Realm, were once again in a standoff, swords drawn and bows bent, ready to explode at a touch.

“Hmph!”

Seeing this development, Leng Aotian was still unafraid, coldly surveying the hesitant Righteous Path members: “You have cultivated for a thousand years, yet you are so naive. A mere envoy speaks a few words, and you’re ready to kneel and surrender? Don’t you feel that diminishes the dignity of your hard-earned power and the prestige of the Tribulation Realm?”

“Exactly!”

Deng Yunpeng chimed in: “Such actions are clearly intended to sow discord among us, prompting us to kill each other. If he can’t tolerate our Demon Sect, do you really think he’d accept you? It’s nothing but a stopgap measure. Afterward, it’ll be the case of ‘when the hare is killed, the hound is cooked; when the birds are all taken, the bow is put away.'”

“Brother Deng speaks the truth!”

Another old demon also spoke: “I urge all of you to ponder deeply before acting. Don’t fall for that person’s scheme, or when the time comes for ‘the hare to be killed and the hound to be cooked, the birds taken and the bow put away,’ it will be too late for regrets!”

“…”

“…”

“…”

In response, the people of the Righteous Path remained silent, all frowning without speaking.

Although Leng Aotian and others’ words carried an element of bluster and intimidation, they were not without reason.

As Tribulation Realm powerhouses, leaders of their sects, they truly did not wish to bow down and be subject to another.

But…

“A bunch of demon heads spouting nonsense is truly laughable!”

In the midst of the Righteous Path members’ hesitation, Yun Mengyao sneered: “Setting aside whether Wandao School would engage in such actions as ‘when the hare is killed, the hound is cooked,’ even if that were the case, surely you demon heads are no virtuous beings either, right?”

Having said that, she turned to Ning Beiming and the others: “Esteemed predecessors, during the fierce battle outside just now, this Heavenly Demon God Monarch performed exceedingly well. If you join forces with him and endure another thousand years within this Temple of War God, exchanging insights on the Divine Martial arts, perhaps there is a real chance to help him break through to the Heavenly Tribulation Realm. However…”

“When the hare is killed, the hound is cooked.”

“When the birds are all taken, the bow is put away.”

“Do you successors believe that Wandao School is more inclusive, or is this Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect more capable of embracing all rivers?”

“After he achieves the Heavenly Tribulation, will he keep the Temple of War God to himself, or will he share it like our Scholar’s Palace, spreading the teachings far and wide without distinction…”

“Shut up, you wretched girl, still daring to bewitch people’s hearts here!”

At Yun Mengyao’s words, the faces of the Demon Sect’s members turned ashen, with surging murderous intent.

Leng Aotian’s expression turned icy as he watched Ning Beiming and the others filled with hesitation, knowing he had no other choice.

There was no helping it, as credibility is something the Demon Sect has never been associated with. Moreover, with the longstanding hatred between the Righteous and Evil Paths, it was unrealistic to expect these people to lay down their grudges and help him reach the Heavenly Tribulation. It was like asking for a tiger’s skin.

In comparison, Wandao School’s offer seemed more generous. Although there still existed the risk of ‘when the hare is killed, the hound is cooked,’ surely it was lower than the possibility of the Demon Sect turning their back and breaking all bridges?

Faced with both options, the choice was clear without saying.

They had no way back, no other option!

Only…

“Kill!!!”

With a furious shout, Leng Aotian broke the deadlock and attacked, plunging into the ranks of the Righteous Path.