Chapter 66: and translation of chapter title

Yan Lao was staring at him with sharp eyes.

Cang Li remained calm and unhurried, stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and then nodded with a smile toward all the leaders present.

He also did not deliberately ignore Yan Lao.

Afterwards, without waiting for anyone to speak, he casually found a seat and sat down.

Throughout the process, Cang Li maintained a demeanor that was neither humble nor overly ostentatious; his every gesture revealed a generous and proper bearing, leaving nothing to fault.

All the representatives present knew what had happened outside, but they wisely chose not to intervene.

The Sixth Elder of the Tai Sui Sect continued the earlier discussion, saying: "I suspect that the citizens of Yunmeng City have been poisoned by a hallucinogenic substance. At this stage, we should gather physicians from all sects and schools to identify this hallucinogenic poison and concoct an antidote for it."

The plump elder of the Dual Polarity Sect firmly said: "No, this is not poisoning! If it were truly poisoning, why would moving the citizens of Yunmeng City out of the city cause the unconscious citizens to instantly wither and die completely?"

"We've been going back and forth in discussion, yet we can't come up with a solution! What's the point?! We might as well go in together to investigate!" The Third Elder of the Heavenly Cloud Sect, Pang Liang, abruptly rose to his feet and said angrily.

"Pang Liang, calm down!" Yan Lao frowned slightly.

"How can I calm down? Many disciples of our Heavenly Cloud Sect are in Yunmeng City!" Pang Liang became increasingly agitated as he spoke.

Moreover, among the disciples who entered Yunmeng City was the sect leader's cherished daughter—Weng Mingshu.

Pang Liang placed both hands on the table, widened his eyes at everyone, and shouted angrily: "We've been discussing countermeasures here since last night, and we've talked all the way up to now—don't we have a clear conclusion yet?!"

Yan Lao frowned and said: "Pang Liang, this matter is of great importance; if we cannot properly plan every detail, it will lead to more innocent people losing their lives here. Moreover, those who have entered Yunmeng City are not only a single team from your Heavenly Cloud Sect; each of our sects has previously dispatched their elite disciples to form small teams that have infiltrated the city."

After hearing that, Pang Liang retorted: "So what results have we come up with now? If we don't send people to investigate, are we supposed to wait until everyone dies before slowly going to rescue them?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Lao's face instantly turned grim, and he coldly said: "If your Heavenly Cloud Sect is in a hurry, then go investigate yourselves! I will not stand in your way."

"Good!" Pang Liang straightened his body, gave a cold laugh, and tossed out those words.

"Pang Liang..." someone wanted to dissuade him, but seeing Pang Liang stride out with long, swift steps.

Feng Degang of the Chongxu School spoke with a solemn expression: "Currently we know nothing about the truth behind the citizens of Yunmeng City falling unconscious; therefore, in my opinion, we must launch a comprehensive and thorough investigation. But this time, we are not sending disciples; instead, we will form a team ourselves. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, the leaders present exchanged glances.

One person said: "I agree with Elder Feng's view; the longer we waste time here, the more people will die in Yunmeng City. Therefore, I am willing to follow Elder Feng to Yunmeng City."

"I'll go too." said the plump elder of the Dual Polarity Sect.

Afterwards, more and more people voiced their agreement.

Yan Lao said nothing, waiting until the inner hall fell silent, then his gaze turned to the continually silent Cang Li: "Cang Li, does your sect really have no one willing to go as a representative?"

Cang Li let out a deep sigh and said regretfully: "To be frank, I know my cultivation is shallow; if I rashly follow you all into Yunmeng City, I fear I would only become a burden to everyone."

Yan Lao let out a cold laugh and said: "The sect leader of your Carefree Sect is quite at ease; from beginning to end, he has merely sent two so-called instructors and a group of young disciples who lack even the strength to truss a chicken to deal with matters."

These words were veiled barbs, practically spelling out outright: "The Carefree Sect is indifferent to this Yunmeng City incident, utterly unworthy of the name of a righteous orthodox sect."

Cang Li's expression shifted slightly, then he lifted his head to look at Yan Lao and said forcefully, word by word: "Yan Lao, you're wrong! Most of the disciples our Carefree Sect sent are physicians; they came to Yunmeng City to treat the unconscious citizens. Do you really look down on physicians, Elder Yan?"

"Of course not." Yan Lao's face twitched slightly, and he replied coldly.

Cang Li rose, clasped his hands in a salute, and smiled: "Then please, Elder Yan, reconsider before you speak your judgment."

Yan Lao's face instantly darkened.

Just as he was about to lose his temper—

A sound came from outside.

"The Second Elder of the Carefree Sect has arrived!"

Everyone present exchanged glances, then looked toward the doorway of the inner hall.

A woman in light-blue robes stepped forward, her expression stern, exuding an indescribably powerful aura that inspired awe.

"Second Elder!" Cang Li's face lit up with joy upon seeing Zong Rao.

Zong Rao glanced toward the youth, seeing him quickly stride up to her, his back to the crowd, secretly giving her a look.

Zong Rao instantly understood his meaning.

Actually, Cang Li had no desire to take part in this meeting; now that the Second Elder had arrived, he could consider his duty done.

"Second Elder, I'm heading out first," Cang Li whispered to Zong Rao, "my junior sister is still waiting for me outside."

Having greeted Xiao Yuan Yao while outside, Zong Rao nodded and sent a mental transmission: "You two wait for me out there; your master has a message for me to pass along to you."

"All right," Cang Li replied, feeling a pang of nervousness.

Cang Li first clasped his hands in a salute to those present, then turned and walked out of the inner hall.

Zong Rao looked at the crowd.

"Everyone, long time no see."

The crowd responded in turn.

Zong Rao stepped forward, passed through the crowd, came to Yan Lao's side, pulled out a chair, and sat directly beside him, tilting her head to gaze at the frail old man and smiling slightly: "Yan Lao, it's been a while for us too. I don't know if you've been speaking ill of our Carefree Sect; even if you have, don't say it in front of the juniors. If you scare them, I'll have to soothe their nerves."

"Zong Rao!" Yan Lao's wrinkled old face darkened, and he spoke in a warning tone.

Zong Rao raised an eyebrow: "Yan Lao still remembers me—I'm truly delighted."

Yan Lao's face turned completely black.

Zong Rao looked over the assembled representatives and asked, "Can anyone tell me how the discussion is going?"

The ignored Yan Lao had a mouthful of old blood caught in his throat, neither up nor down, extremely uncomfortable; he even wished he could kill the person beside him right then.

Feng Degang was the first to speak, telling her the current situation.

After hearing that, Zong Rao stood up.

Her expression grew solemn, and she said in a deep voice, "There's no delay; we must set out immediately."