Chapter 207: Painless and Itchless

"Wanting evidence? Isn't that simple?"

Ding Huan raised his hand and tossed out a crystal sphere; the sphere activated, and an image appeared.

In the image, Gao Ou, though merely a disciple, acted high and mighty toward Liu Yinzhu.

He not only said that Elder Liu Yinzhu should beg for mercy, but also said that even if the Sect Master stood before him, he would still listen to Elder Gong.

"Hmph, can you do as you please just by casually fabricating a fake crystal sphere?" Gong Hua roared in fury, raising his hand and slapping Ding Huan's crystal sphere into shards.

Ding Huan didn't care; everyone had seen it with their own eyes—real or fake, anyone who isn't a Bai Chi would know.

"Since Elder Gong believes my crystal sphere is fake, may I ask who else here thinks my crystal sphere is fake?"

Ding Huan's gaze swept across the crowd.

He wasn't asking this question for himself, but on behalf of Sect Master Gu Mo.

Liu Yinzhu was full of admiration—why hadn't she thought of recording a crystal sphere? Earlier, Ding Huan had even asked her for an image-recording crystal sphere.

Even though the crystal sphere had been destroyed by Gong Hua, everyone here was sharp-eyed; they all knew whether it was real or fake.

"What Elder Gong said is the truth. Your crystal sphere is not only fake, but it's obvious at a glance." A yellow-robed elder stepped forward to back up Gong Hua.

As this elder stepped forward, another nine people spoke up to support Gong Hua.

Dong Lishang, seated in the Sect Master's chair, let out an angry shout:

"Guards, seize this beast and execute him outside the sect. Elder Liu, go to the Abyss Cliff for confinement on your own." Killing intent laced Dong Lishang's voice.

Liu Yinzhu glanced at Elder Posun; what disappointed her was that Elder Posun, clearly knowing the crystal sphere was real, had not stepped forward to speak.

She looked at Ding Huan again and found him calm and composed, as if nothing were the matter.

"Is there really not a single fair elder left in the sect?" Liu Yinzhu asked sorrowfully.

Elder Posun still stepped forward:

"Elder of Enforcement, Elder Gong's destruction of the crystal sphere just now was somewhat excessive, and as for whether the crystal sphere is real or fake, no one has yet carefully appraised it.

Ordering Elder Liu to confinement like this is somewhat inappropriate."

Dong Lishang seemed to know Elder Posun would step forward; he sighed:

"Elder Gong, although you have the right on your side, your temper is a bit too violent. Elder Posun is right about this matter; you shouldn't have destroyed the crystal sphere prematurely."

Gong Hua cupped his fist:

"It was my mistake in handling this matter. At the time I was so outraged I lost control for a moment."

Ding Huan swept his gaze over the remaining elders; aside from Elder Posun stepping forward, the rest remained silent.

Neither stepping forward to support Gong Hua, nor stepping forward to support Liu Yinzhu.

Ding Huan was now certain—Gu Mo intended to use him as a pawn; that old fellow was truly underhanded.

Because at this point, all of Gu Mo's objectives had been achieved; if he still didn't come out, he was definitely using him as a pawn.

If Gu Mo still didn't appear shortly, he would bring out the backup crystal sphere. As long as he was allowed to leave, he would destroy it publicly.

"I believe Elder Liu is innocent."

Just as Ding Huan was at a loss for words, two elders stepped forward at once, both declaring Liu Yinzhu innocent.

Of the two, Ding Huan knew one—it was the one who had brought Jia Sha over—and the other he didn't recognize.

"Since that's the case, let's let the minority obey the majority." Dong Lishang said lightly, though inwardly he noted down those two fellows.

Ding Huan chuckled:

"Sect Master Dong, you certainly know how to be a sect master. This is the first time I've ever heard of such a method—impressive, handling matters both quickly and well."

Dong Lishang was infuriated by Ding Huan's sarcastic words; he slapped the tea table beside him:

"So what if I am the Acting Sect Master? In my capacity as Acting Sect Master, I now strip you of your status as a disciple of Xiagude Sect."

Ding Huan laughed heartily: "Your grandpa here isn't even a disciple of Xiagude Sect, so you have no right to strip anything."

As he said this, Ding Huan already knew the crystal sphere couldn't save his life.

Even if he begged for mercy, the other side wouldn't let him go; since that was the case, why wrong himself?

If Gu Mo didn't come out shortly, he would directly call Gu Mo out.

Elder Posun also looked at Ding Huan speechlessly—why was this mere entry-level disciple so unyielding? Wouldn't it be better to soften up and save his life first?

At this rate, if Dong Lishang wanted to kill him, no one could plead for him.

"What? You're not even a disciple of Xiagude Sect?"

Dong Lishang was thunderstruck by Ding Huan's words—if you weren't a disciple of Xiagude Sect, why have you been yammering on here for so long?

"Guards—"

Because it involved Elder Liu Yinzhu, the people Dong Lishang had summoned had actually long since arrived; everyone had been arguing, so they simply hadn't acted.

Now that Dong Lishang spoke again, two enforcement disciples didn't even wait for him to finish before charging at Ding Huan.

"Get down." A furious shout rang out.

Following it, a gaunt, bony man walked out from the back of the great hall.

"Sect Master?" Everyone was stunned.

The one who walked out was actually Xiagude Sect's Sect Master Gu Mo—were their eyes playing tricks?

"Sect Master, you've recovered?" Dong Lishang's expression turned somewhat ugly.

He did have a backer—Elder He—but unfortunately his backer was still in closed-door cultivation.

He also knew that sending resources to his backer was fine, but actually getting his backer to come out and help him was difficult.

This backer served more as a deterrent.

The two enforcement disciples who had been about to take Ding Huan away saw the Sect Master appear, quickly bowed in salute, and swiftly retreated.

Gu Mo stared coldly at Dong Lishang:

"I haven't died yet, and you're already trying to snatch my Sect Master seat. Who appointed you as Acting Sect Master? How is it that I, Gu Mo, didn't know about it?"

"Lord, I am worried the sect will fall apart, so I was forced to temporarily take over and manage sect affairs."

Dong Lishang bowed deeply, his tone also carrying a measure of respect.

Yet inside he was roaring—wasn't it said Gu Mo was certain to die? How is he now so full of vigor?

Then again, he himself had gone to check—Gu Mo was indeed certain to die.

If he had known Gu Mo could come back to life, he would have killed him long ago.

"Minority yields to majority—is this how you, as acting Lord, handle matters?" Gu Mo's voice was icy.

Ding Huan thought silently: What's all this talk for? If it were him, he'd have killed him already.

Could it be that Gu Mo doesn't want to kill these bastards? If he won't kill under such circumstances, he definitely won't have any connection with Purple Cloud Valley.

With a lord like this, the sect is a bottomless pit—it will be wiped out sooner or later.

"Someone, bring in Elder Dong Lishang—he has abused the Lord's authority and failed to enforce discipline. Take him to the Broken Abyss Cliff and imprison him for three years."

Gu Mo raised his hand, seized Dong Lishang, and hurled him to the ground, simultaneously sealing his cultivation.

"Lord, this matter is not entirely my fault," Dong Lishang cried urgently.

Ding Huan was stunned—this was the punishment?

And this half-hearted punishment? Dong Lishang still thinks it's too harsh? What a pathetic sect?

Is Gu Mo mentally ill? Didn't this guy used to be decisive? If he weren't decisive, how could Liu Liu Yinzhu have invited him to become Lord of Purple Cloud Valley?

Ding Huan cursed inwardly—so this is why he's being made a scapegoat? Or perhaps just a temporary placeholder, a desperate gamble?

In other words, if Ding Huan can find a way to help Purple Cloud Valley survive, all the better; if not, then everyone dies together.

Add to that how he'd worked hard to draw out the opposition for Gu Mo—he wasn't just a spear, he'd been used utterly.

Ding Huan let out a long sigh—he was still too kind, and now he vaguely understood.

With his such mediocre talent, how could Gu Mo possibly care? Gu Mo truly had no one else left. When he heard Liu Liu Yinzhu introduce him, he simply decided to see if this weakling could overcome the odds and seize control of Purple Cloud Valley.

After all, his talent was terrible—he wouldn't affect anything in Purple Cloud Valley.

Whatever. He cared only for the cultivation resources of Morning Glow Peak—they needed each other.

As Gu Mo handled affairs, Liu Liu Yinzhu kept watching Ding Huan. Seeing his expression, she sighed inwardly.

Clearly, the Lord's methods of handling matters were far from what Ding Huan wanted.

Think of how Ding Huan killed Gao Ou the moment he arrived at the sect—completely opposite to the Lord's approach.

Still, she could understand the Lord's predicament.

Whether Gong Hua or Dong Lishang, both were True Core Fully Cultivated. If Purple Cloud Valley clashed with Nine Sounds Gate,

Two True Core Fully Cultivated could shift the battlefield's balance—that was why the Lord hadn't killed Dong Lishang.

If so, then Gong Hua certainly wouldn't be punished either.

Sure enough, after dealing with Dong Lishang, Gu Mo turned to Gong Hua and said coldly:

"Elder Gong Hua, you tolerated your disciples' disrespect and destroyed the true crystal ball—what crime do you deserve?"

Gong Hua stepped forward immediately and bowed deeply in apology:

"Gong Hua was blinded by greed—please, Lord, punish me."

"Same punishment: three years' imprisonment at the Broken Abyss Cliff. Do you accept it?" Gu Mo barked.

Gong Hua did not complain like Dong Lishang—he accepted the guilt without hesitation.

Ding Huan didn't even bother speaking. No wonder these elders were so arrogant. No wonder this sect, occupying such a prime location, had remained this pitiful for so long.

"Everyone, Friend Ding Huan was invited to our sect by me. My illness was cured by Friend Ding."

"In my eyes, Ding Huan is the future of Purple Cloud Valley—and I have designated him as the designated Shao Sect."

After handling Dong Lishang and Gong Hua, Gu Mo sat upon the Lord's seat and announced loudly.

Designated Shao Sect?

Everyone's minds cleared—they now understood why he lived on Morning Glow Peak.

Ding Huan bowed his fist:

"Thank you, Lord, for your favor. But my talent is mediocre—I have no intention of joining Purple Cloud Valley. Please forgive me."

Gu Mo froze. Wasn't Ding Huan a lone cultivator? Why would a lone cultivator, being groomed as Designated Shao Sect, refuse?

Liu Liu Yinzhu understood Ding Huan better. She stepped forward quickly:

"Lord, Ding Huan is naturally lazy. He is truly unsuited to be Designated Shao Sect. My suggestion: let him remain on Morning Glow Peak to cultivate, and grant him a portion of sect contribution points."

Ding Huan thought silently: Liu Liu Yinzhu truly understands me.

If Gu Mo kept going, he might not even want to stay on Morning Glow Peak.

The other elders, seeing Liu Liu Yinzhu say Ding Huan was unsuitable for Designated Shao Sect, all chimed in.

They especially didn't want some unknown outsider like Ding Huan to become Designated Shao Sect—this was ridiculous.

They had all previously supported Gong Hua and Dong Lishang, and dared not oppose the Lord.

Gu Mo trusted Liu Liu Yinzhu deeply. Hearing her words, and seeing many elders oppose, he immediately said:

"Very well. Then Friend Ding Huan may temporarily reside on Morning Glow Peak. Additionally, reward Ding Huan with one hundred thousand sect contribution points."

Ding Huan thought silently: Looks like this old bastard knows I'm dissatisfied—he gave me one hundred thousand contribution points.

This was the real useful thing—he'd use it immediately.