Chapter 737: A fine youth! A true seedling of our righteous path

"Wait!" A sharp shout drew everyone's attention.

The cloud-body avatar of Meng Wuyan, Vice Peak Master of Purple Lei Feng, stepped forward. A flash of lightning flickered and vanished within his narrow, purple eyes.

A smile played on his lips: "Your arguments are all linked, one after another. Yet, there is one person who actually far surpasses the four: Wen Ruanyu, Senior Duanmu Zhang, Qin De, and Zhong Dao."

"She is the most critical figure in the entire affair of the White Paper Xiancheng."

Tuoba Huang exhaled a scorching breath, his brows furrowed tightly: "Stop being mysterious. Tell us exactly who it is!"

He was impatient.

The eyes of the crowd were like needles, all pinned on Meng Wuyan's face.

Though urged, Meng Wuyan maintained his own rhythm. He slowly opened his palm, clouds churning as he held up several phantoms:

An ancient jade slip bound by green silk, its surface covered in cracks, yet emitting a faint glow of accumulated time.

A delicate infant's rattle woven from blood-pith vine, its clapper a teardrop stone condensed with innate clear qi.

And a yellowed, tattered page of a local gazetteer with charred edges and blurred text, the eight characters "Infant daughter of the Meng clan, entrusted in the drifting clouds" written in ink as red as blood!

Tuoba Huang's expression grew increasingly impatient. Just as he was about to rebuke him, Meng Wuyan finally spoke the name of this key figure, word by word: "This person is Meng, Yao, Yin."

The entire hall fell into silence.

Tuoba Huang was stunned, then retorted: "Are you saying this Meng Yaoyin is not dead? Is she still alive?"

Meng Wuyan showed a look of sorrow, slowly shaking his head, his voice low: "Her life-bound cloud tablet has already disintegrated; she passed away long ago."

"However, according to my research, I unexpectedly discovered that Meng Yaoyin was not merely a rogue cultivator."

"Perhaps even she herself did not know, but she was actually a descendant of our Meng family's bloodline, scattered outside."

"And these are ironclad proofs!"

Meng Wuyan extended his palm, displaying the physical evidence he had just listed to the crowd.

The hall fell silent once more.

But this time, it was not just silence; there was oppression.

Tuoba Huang's reaction was intense. He waved his hand, whipping up a strong wind, and roared: "Lies! This is absolutely impossible!"

Ling Juejian crossed his arms and sneered: "Meng Wuyan, do you take us for fools? Since Wen Ruanyu reported his duties, all eight peaks have investigated with full effort. We long ago investigated Meng Yaoyin's identity to the very bottom."

"She was a pure rogue cultivator, with no relation to the Purple Lei Feng Meng family whatsoever."

"As for these so-called ironclad proofs of yours, heh, I have a question instead."

"Why did the people of the other seven peaks not find a single trace of this? Why is it that only your Purple Lei Feng collected them, and with so much evidence?"

"Hahahaha!" Tuoba Huang laughed loudly, causing the air to ripple: "Purple Lei Feng is truly regressing. Not only letting a demon cultivator act as Vice Peak Master, but even coming up with such a stupid method to try and monopolize the White Paper Xiancheng!"

"Make up a decent excuse, damn you! Do you think we are all fools to be fooled by these trinkets?"

Before his voice faded, he swung his giant palm fiercely, instantly transforming it into a giant magic claw, grabbing at the evidence, wanting to crush it to vent his anger.

Meng Wuyan immediately retreated, a sharp glint flashing in his narrow purple eyes. This retreat left the evidence exposed to Tuoba Huang's attack.

But the next moment, golden patterns flowed from Wang Zuo's fingertips, and his horsetail whisk flicked gently, deflecting Tuoba Huang's giant magic claw.

"Let me see."

Wang Zuo beckoned gently, drawing the evidence before him.

He scanned them one by one with his spiritual sense, finally lingering on the jade slip.

Before long, a playful, almost pitying admiration surfaced on his face: "Tsk tsk... every word weeping blood, every sentence filled with emotion. The effort put into compiling this 'Meng Clan Genealogy', the precision of the research... Vice Peak Master Meng, you have truly gone to great lengths."

Purple qi flashed and vanished on Meng Wuyan's face. He stood tall, his voice suddenly rising, carrying a righteous indignation: "Do you fellow Daoists actually think these are forged?"

"These are absolutely true!"

"You might as well think about it: Meng Yaoyin was a Jin Dan true disciple of our sect; this identity cannot be faked."

"It was precisely because of her efforts that the White Paper Xiancheng was preserved many years ago. Otherwise, the city would have been destroyed long ago."

"This woman not only carried the orthodox bloodline of the Meng family, but she was also the benefactor who rebuilt the White Paper Xiancheng! What great righteousness this is."

"Without her risking her life to protect it, White Paper City would have long since become a gloomy ghost realm! How could Wen Ruanyu's achievements in education and transformation today even exist?"

"If we acknowledge this layer of her identity, then the ownership of the White Paper City naturally includes a share for our sect. This is the most legitimate way!"

"And Wen Ruanyu himself worshipped Meng Yaoyin deeply; otherwise, he would not have stayed in the White Paper Xiancheng for so many years. If our sect wants to reclaim the White Paper Xiancheng and preserve Meng Yaoyin's achievements, how could Wen Ruanyu not follow her 'dying wish' and cooperate with all his might?"

"In this way, why would you need to exhaust your schemes, using coercion and inducement?!"

The hall fell silent once more.

The anger on Tuoba Huang's face was like churning lava, Ling Juejian's mocking sword qi was chilling, Wang Zuo's smiling lips seemed pitying but were actually cold. Heng Zifang lowered his head, while Lu Zhenshu remained immersed in the world of books.

On the head seat, Wei Ji's pure black pupils reflected Meng Wuyan's impassioned phantom, as well as the expressions of those around him.

Wei Ji sighed inwardly: The Purple Lei Feng Meng family recruiting a demon cultivator like Meng Wuyan to act as Vice Peak Master is indeed justified.

This method of Meng Wuyan's is more precise and clever than what everyone else discussed.

Once Meng Yaoyin's identity is confirmed, not only will Wen Ruanyu have no reason to resist, but the entire White Paper Xiancheng will be brought under the grand righteousness of "repaying kindness" and "inheriting a dying wish," placing it in an extremely weak position.

Senior Duanmu Zhang, Zhong Dao, Qin De... there is no need to touch these troubles.

"However, this method will absolutely not pass." Wei Ji was as clear as a mirror in his heart.

Because once this point is acknowledged, the Meng family will grasp the greatest evidence of righteousness! In the name of the "benefactor's clan," the Meng family can not only successfully meddle in but even dominate the distribution of benefits in the White Paper Xiancheng.

And the deceased Meng Yaoyin will also be reduced to a sharp flagpole for the Meng family to plant in the White Paper City!

The method is good, and easier to execute than before; it is also good for the Wanxiang Sect, and best for the Purple Lei Feng Meng family!

But what about the other peaks?

How could Tuoba Huang, Ling Juejian, and the others be willing to be vassals?

Meng Wuyan looked at Wei Ji: "The Heavy Array Peak controls the array hub and discerns all mechanisms. Peak Master Wei Ji, regarding the truth of this matter and where the righteousness lies, please..."

Wei Ji's pure black eyes met Meng Wuyan's purple pupils; that gaze remained separated by invisible glass, distant and calm. He spoke slowly, his voice not loud: "The Heavy Array Peak has no intention of interfering in the struggle for the benefits of the White Paper Xiancheng."

"However, the city's protective mountain array has suffered this calamity and is less than one percent intact. Once the dust settles, its resetting, defense, and maintenance are the foundation of protecting the Dao and the people, and should be undertaken by our Heavy Array Peak alone."

As his voice fell, the Cloud Ruins were silent.

The same silence, but completely different from the atmosphere Meng Wuyan had created before. Tuoba Huang's anger subsided, Ling Juejian's cold expression faded, Wang Zuo nodded with a smile...

No one had any objections.

Wei Ji was only the Vice Peak Master of the Heavy Array Peak, but in convening the eight peaks for discussion this time, he represented the Peak Master of the Heavy Array Peak, who was also the current Sect Master of the Wanxiang Sect.

And everyone present was already familiar with this Sect Master's style of conduct.

The Heavy Array Peak Master Dong Chen did not like to participate directly in the tearing and carving up of benefits; he preferred to be transcendent and neutral, stabilizing the basic foundation.

Wei Ji's meaning was Dong Chen's meaning: I don't care how you fight for the benefits of the White Paper Xiancheng. But the entire White Paper Xiancheng must belong to me.

He wanted to replace the White Paper Xiancheng's protective array, which meant truly controlling this immortal city in his own hands.

Meng Wuyan's purple eyes flickered for a moment, and finally, he took a step back and said no more.

Seeing that the overall situation was settled, Wei Ji withdrew his gaze and spoke again.

His voice echoed in the empty Cloud Ruins: "Summon the Hall Master of the Evil-Slaying Hall, Zhong Dao, to enter the array for discussion!"

Zhong Dao locked his spiritual sense onto the array, the boundary wall glowed, and cloud qi condensed, rapidly forming a cloud-body avatar.

Zhong Dao (avatar) slowly opened his eyes and landed before the crowd.

He looked middle-aged, with deep vertical lines between his brows from years of frowning. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, filled with undisguised investigation and judgment, making people afraid to look directly at him.

His nose bridge was high and straight like a peak, his lip line was flat and tight, and his jawline was rugged.

He was tall and straight, with broad shoulders and a wide back, standing as straight as a green pine. After landing before the crowd, he walked forward a few steps, his gait steady and powerful, every step carrying unquestionable majesty and determination.

He was awe-inspiring without anger, giving people a feeling of being extremely reliable and extremely rigid, yet also extremely stubborn and difficult to compromise with.

"Why have you summoned me?" Zhong Dao looked levelly at the seven people in the hall.

His combat power, cultivation base, and age all exceeded the seven people in the hall, but he was slightly inferior in status as the Hall Master of the Evil-Slaying Hall.

No one spoke.

Ling Juejian's expression was calm, nodding slightly to Zhong Dao. Tuoba Huang's brows furrowed slightly, staring at Zhong Dao with a face full of wariness.

Wei Ji coughed and briefly explained the results of the previous discussion.

"White Paper City? Yin Mountain Black Swamp?"

After hearing Wei Ji's explanation, Zhong Dao understood what was going on.

"Heh." He chuckled, "You summoned me here just for such a matter?"

"As the Hall Master of the Evil-Slaying Hall, the matters I discuss should be about sweeping the universe and clearing away demonic atmosphere. Not about petty schemes and weighing private interests."

His face was solemn, his sharp gaze sweeping around: "Wen Ruanyu, Senior Duanmu Zhang? The way of fellow disciples should be based on righteousness and sincerity. How can they be used as bargaining chips?"

"As for Qin De, he is a demonic prisoner, locked in the criminal prison, waiting for heaven's punishment and earth's destruction. How can he be used as a piece on the chessboard?"

"What were you thinking? This is simply nonsense!"

He showed anger, took a big step forward, and his tone suddenly rose: "The prestige of our Wanxiang Sect is built on grand righteous laws, built on vast atmosphere! Built on the iron shoulders of past sages carrying the Dao, built on the pure hearts and red blood of thousands of patriots! It cannot be stolen by treacherous paths, nor can it be tainted by private interests!"

"You want me to cooperate with you?!"

The Evil-Slaying Hall Master glared, questioning the crowd, his anger exploding, looking like he would start a fight if things didn't go his way.

Wei Ji sighed bitterly: "Lord Zhong Dao, please calm your anger. The White Paper Xiancheng's location is sensitive and its benefits are immense; the slightest mistake will implicate the entire sect."

"Our sect's disciples like Meng Yaoyin and Wen Ruanyu all walk the righteous path and have not tarnished our sect's prestige and righteousness. But precisely because of this, our sect is also implicated and must handle it properly."

Zhong Dao snorted coldly, his sharp gaze having long seen through the hypocrisy of the crowd.

He directly cupped his fists: "To rectify the name of White Paper, we must send a grand army. Please have the Evil-Slaying Hall lead with blood blades, and mobilize the elite troops of the three peaks to follow. This Hall Master will personally hold the criminal tripod, break the Yin Mountain, and plow the Black Swamp. Any giant demon with clear evidence of crime, any evil leader with full-blown wickedness, must be bound before the city gate of the White Paper Xiancheng for public execution, their heads hung to show the public!"

"Acting in this way is the grand righteous path, and it also brings immense benefits!"

"One, announce to heaven and earth that righteousness and evil cannot coexist!"

"Two, deter demons, for evil debts must eventually be repaid!"

"Three, tell the people in the city that the orthodox immortal path is not just about empty talk, but also has the iron fist to sweep away demons and defend the Dao, so as to rectify the hearts of the people."

"Four, we clear away the demonic atmosphere and sweep the universe clean; this is supreme kindness! Strictly enforcing heaven's punishment and clarifying the legal code is unparalleled prestige! With both kindness and prestige, controlling the White Paper Xiancheng will be worry-free from now on."

The rest of the crowd was dumbfounded.

Looking at Zhong Dao, who was filled with murderous intent and incompatible with demons, they suddenly woke up, suddenly remembering the experiences and character of this sect powerhouse.

Including Wei Ji, everyone felt some regret: "Why were we so muddled to summon Zhong Dao into the discussion? With his character of hating evil like an enemy, there will inevitably be a strong personal will."

Thus, the crowd exchanged glances and communicated with spiritual sense.

"Zhong Dao and Senior Duanmu Zhang can be said to be the most stubborn and hard-headed people in the entire sect. Sigh, how did the White Paper Xiancheng affair involve both of them?"

The crowd felt a huge headache, while Meng Wuyan curled his lips, looking like he was watching a good show.

At the same time.

In a certain hall of the Evil-Slaying Hall, the Cloud-Raising Trial in the array space was underway.

On the stone platform, Unlike Ning Zhuo stroked the official plaque hanging high like a bright mirror, facing the old cultivator's question—if a demonic demon is captured, and the other party begs for mercy, promises heavy benefits, or is willing to be a pioneer with their useful body, how should it be handled?

The means used by the old cultivator could detect whether it was sincere, but he did not want to trigger the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal in Unlike Ning Zhuo's lower dantian.

The precious seal emitted demonic light, providing Unlike Ning Zhuo with a huge space to perform.

Unlike Ning Zhuo's thoughts were like lightning, but he first recalled the relevant intelligence about Zhong Dao.

The next moment, his figure stood as straight as a pine, his eyes without a ripple, his voice like the clashing of gold and iron, cold and clear: "Exterminate evil completely, with no leniency!"

"Leaving them to linger only increases disasters and taints the righteousness of heaven and earth. Cut when it should be cut, execute when it should be executed! The only use for a demon's head is to hang it on a high pole to warn others! Let all evil spirits in the world tremble at the sight of it!"

As he spoke, an invisible, biting aura of slaughter permeated the air, as if the sound of weapons clashing was ringing.

On the stone platform, the many high-level cultivators of the Evil-Slaying Hall heard this, their eyes lighting up one after another.

The old cultivator's appreciation for Unlike Ning Zhuo grew even stronger, sighing in his heart: "Good, what a good 'exterminate evil completely'. Truly a fine seedling of our righteous path."

The cultivators did not know that inside the Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon coiled around Unlike Ning Zhuo's waist, the Pan Si Niangzi, who should have been "completely exterminated," was huffing and puffing, building an array for Unlike Ning Zhuo. ===== CHAPTER 738 =====