Posture, for a seasoned Young Master, is actually a profound study. Too upright appears rigid; leaning entirely against the chair back seems lethargic; sitting on just the front edge of the chair comes off as constrained, while occupying the whole chair is too casual. When legs are spread apart, hands supporting the knees suggest a rough demeanor, while arms folded across the chest can indicate a lack of confidence. In short, in different situations, it's incredibly difficult to get posture just right.

Wu Wang's posture at this moment was meticulously designed. He sat in the middle of the venue, legs crossed on top of the long table in front of him, and began to delicately file his nails with a small file. He even calmly absorbed the divine power from his necklace. Without uttering half a word, without an extra phrase, he had already fully embodied a brash, young, and successful Hall Master of the Punishment Hall. Especially since the woman sitting with poise by Wu Wang's side had been repeatedly confirmed to be the Tianyan Saintess from the Tianyan Xuan Nu Sect.

The cultivators around were already building up their irritation in advance; many young ones had even begun to get angry!

All just part of Wu Wang's calculations for the event.

To Wu Wang's right, Ling Xiaolan, the Tianyan Saintess of the Tianyan Xuan Nu Sect, sat quietly with a veil on, and the Grand Elder had specifically taken the seat on Ling Xiaolan's right. On his left were three Transcendent experts from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, with Xiao Jian Daoist being the closest to him.

After waiting for a short while, the calm voice of Xiao Jian Daoist filled the venue, "Are all the Sect Masters present?"

Several figures immediately sprang up from the side of the Sun Demolition Sect. The man at the forefront, burly and with a stern face, exuded intense pressure, his temples touched with white, adding an air of vicissitude to his features. This was Le Yao's father and Ji Mo's father-in-law. Walking to the center of the venue, he clasped his fists in salute to Wu Wang and the experts of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, and spoke loudly, "Le Tianbai of the Sun Demolition Sect! Greetings, Wuwang Palace Lord, and to all fellow Daoists here!"

Wu Wang acted as if he hadn't heard. Xiao Jian Daoist stood up to return the salute, exchanging pleasantries with the Sect Master of this sixth Demonic Sect.

Next, according to Wu Wang's plan, Xiao Jian Daoist would take Wu Wang's place to speak, acting as the 'host' for today's life-and-death duel. What Wu Wang and Xiao Jian Daoist needed to do at this moment was one thing—stall. They had to prolong the life-and-death arena as much as possible to attract more people from the Ten Evils Hall.

After the Sect Master of the Heaven Fire Sect arrived with more than a dozen other Sect Masters and Sect Leaders to pay their respects and finished exchanging pleasantries with Xiao Jian Daoist, both sides began to bristle with hostility. On each side, thousands of cultivators stood up, glaring at each other, tensions running high. Everywhere around the perimeter, both above and below, the cultivators watching the spectacle grew tense. They extended their Immortal Consciousness and Spiritual Sense to the maximum, fearing they would miss any detail. Loving a lively scene is in the nature of the Hundred Races.

Le Tianbai of the Sun Demolition Sect, with fists clasped, spoke aloud, "With so many fellow Daoists gathered here today, and with Wuwang Palace Lord of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion as a witness! My Sun Demolition Sect, together with the Heaven Fire Sect and various Immortal Sects, have set up this life-and-death arena! Let all previous grudges and grievances be settled in one fell swoop!"

The Sect Master of the Heaven Fire Sect, an elderly man with snow-white hair yet a youthful complexion, stepped forward, holding a longsword and shouting loudly, "Let us settle old scores today! Henceforth, we walk our separate paths!"

"Good!" Xiao Jian Daoist let out a loud shout, and a peerless Sword Intent shot straight into the heavens! He said, "Since all parties are determined to resolve their grudges today, I, along with the fellow Daoists here, shall bear witness! How do you wish to proceed?"

Le Tianbai took a deep breath, his figure flashed tens of yards away, his gaze fixed on the Heaven Fire Sect's Sect Master, and he said coldly, "Fellow Daoist, we shall duel first!"

"I, too, hold this desire!" The Sect Master of the Heaven Fire Sect stepped forward half a step, displaying a remarkable skill of shrinking the ground beneath his feet, revealing his extraordinary mastery of the Heaven and Earth Dao.

"Hmph!" Le Tianbai flung his sleeves, and behind him surged a ghastly blood aura.

The Heaven Fire Sect's Sect Master's longsword sang fiercely, with layers of Immortal Light appearing behind him!

As they stood facing each other, fury flared in their eyes. Within a radius of hundreds of miles, the heavens and the earth underwent a sudden, dramatic change. Boundless Spiritual Energy was stirred by the auras of these two masters; a great battle was on the verge of breaking out!

Just at that moment!

"Hmm?" A slightly hoarse nasal sound suddenly arose, and following that, a voice full of confusion forcefully intervened between the two clashing auras!

"Hold on, you're about to start fighting now?"

The momentum of the two Sect Masters was instantly broken, as the cultivators on both sides frowned in unison. The cultivators, who had been looking forward to a major battle, turned with some annoyance towards the speaker—the acting Hall Master of the Punishment Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, the young man valued by the Pavilion Master for his handling of Qiong Qi.

Wu Wang.

Incidentally, this was also the man closest to the Tianyan Saintess.

Wu Wang did not take his legs off the long table but simply glared at Xiao Jian Daoist, asking, "A life-and-death duel, and the leaders of both sides just go up and fight?"

Xiao Jian Daoist, hands clasped at his sides, replied earnestly, "Reporting to the Hall Master, according to convention, that is indeed the case."

"Then why call us here? To watch them fight and cheer them on if they're impressive?" Wu Wang frowned and said, "Starting a fight without a second thought? Isn't this so-called life-and-death duel just a convenient excuse for infighting within the sects? His Majesty has long decreed, and the Pavilion Master has reiterated it time and again, that the Human Domain now needs to accumulate strength, not engage in internal strife! What, do these sects want to rebel? Brother Xiao Jian, what are you doing! Just letting them start this battle?"

"This..." Xiao Jian Daoist suddenly lost his sword cultivator's prideful bearing, revealing a somewhat worldly smile, and quickly said, "It's my fault, my fault. I didn't make it clear to you beforehand, Hall Master. Life-and-death duels in the Human Domain occur when two sects' grievances become irreconcilable. They then face off openly and fairly in a duel to settle the dispute, resolving matters until all their grievances are cleared. Deaths and injuries during the duel are disregarded and should not be considered as further grievances."

"Is that reasonable?" Wu Wang finally retracted his legs from the table and slowly stood up. He turned to Ling Xiaolan, asking, "Fairy Ling, what do you think? Is that reasonable?"

Eyes from within and outside the arena converged on her, but Ling Xiaolan seemed oblivious, offering Wu Wang only a slight smile. Ling Xiaolan said, "I think it's not reasonable."

"Right, see?" Wu Wang said earnestly, "Even Fairy Ling thinks it's not reasonable!"

Le Tianbai and the Sect Master of the Heaven Fire Sect were about to speak, but Xiao Jian Daoist interjected, "But Hall Master, this is how the Human Domain has always done things since ancient times."

"Just because rules come from ancient times, does that necessarily mean they are correct?" Wu Wang remarked contemplatively. "The Human Domain, as it stands today, is indeed better off than before! But we in the Human Domain cannot afford to squander our Transcendent Realm experts. If internal strife costs us several, it would truly be damaging. Wouldn't that just make the gods of the Heaven Palace chuckle to themselves?"

"Wuwang Palace Lord!" Le Tianbai cupped his fists and bowed, proclaiming aloud, "If our two sects hadn't reached a point where we must battle to the death, we wouldn't have initiated this life-and-death arena! On the arena, life and death are decided. There will be no future resentment, and Dao lineages will be passed on. This rule, in my opinion, should not change!"

The Sect Master of the Heaven Fire Sect also said, "Today, allowing the experts of both sects to battle preserves the younger generations of both sides and reduces unnecessary casualties. This is the best strategy to maintain the strength of the Human Domain."

Wu Wang laughed, "The best strategy? I doubt that."

Upon these words, the elders present, both inside and outside the arena, all wore expressions of displeasure. Most cultivators of the Demon Path felt indifferent, finding this young Hall Master's actions quite to their taste. But in the eyes of most Immortal Dao cultivators present, this Wuwang Palace Lord, relying on his cleverness and past achievements, was becoming somewhat arrogant.

At this moment, in this place, only Ling Xiaolan and the Grand Elder (who had heard Wu Wang and Xiao Jian Daoist 'rehearsing their script' on the way), as well as the other two Transcendent masters from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, knew what Wu Wang was truly aiming to do. His goal was to establish new rules and set new precedents.

Xiao Jian Daoist hurriedly said, "Hall Master, you can't speak like this. The old rules of the Human Domain have their merits."

"I find the rules of this life-and-death arena to be quite average."

"Hall Master, speaking like that, you're likely to displease the esteemed figures of the Human Domain."

"Even if they're displeased, I've still said it," Wu Wang indifferently said, "Can our Human Domain not withstand a bit of criticism? Old rules also need fresh ideas. Remaining stagnant and complacent is simply a path to destruction."

As soon as these words were spoken, many cultivators inside and outside the arena glared at Wu Wang with anger. An elderly Heavenly Immortal Realm cultivator shouted, "Then you, little Hall Master, should come up with a better idea!"

"Nonsense!" The Grand Elder rose to his full height, his surging murderous aura enveloping the elder at the edge of the arena as he cursed, "How dare you speak so insolently? I will make you understand the consequences!"

The elder sneered, puffing out his chest and taking a half-step back, standing tall.

Impressive! So assertive!

Xiao Jian Daoist pondered for a moment, then gave Wu Wang a fist-and-palm salute and asked, "Hall Master, what do you think should be done about this matter?"

"Don't rush. Let me discuss a few things with the two seniors," Wu Wang walked past the long table, looked at the two experts standing before him, and spoke slowly, "Two seniors, if you fight directly like this, with the Sect Masters leading a fight to the death, can your grudges truly be resolved? Even if things calm down temporarily, won't there still be life-and-death struggles later on?"

Le Tianbai said coldly, "What do you mean, Wuwang Palace Lord? Are you suggesting that we cannot continue with this life-and-death arena we've set up today?"

The Heaven Fire Sect Master sighed, "Grudges and grievances, rights and wrongs—how can they be explained in just a few words? Wuwang Palace Lord is young and vigorous, precisely at the age where one thinks there is nothing too difficult in the world. But during the Human Domain's long and splendid history, if there were other solutions, would we choose to fight to the death? Moreover, this Sun Demolition Sect is arrogant and excessively cunning!"

Le Tianbai, not to be outdone, retorted, "It's clearly your Heaven Fire Sect that has been playing the thief crying 'Catch the thief!'"

The elderly Sect Master of the Heaven Fire Sect was enraged, raising his longsword and cursing, "You... you unfilial person!"

"You only know how to repeat 'unfilial person' over and over in your insults. Listen well to me!" Le Tianbai smirked coldly and declared loudly, "You, old and decrepit, lack respect for your age, speak without proof, cover for your disciples, collude disgracefully, attempt to reverse right and wrong, slander others, and know no shame!

"As a respected elder of the Human Domain, you do not think to unite your Sect, nurture talent, and contribute to the peace of the Human Domain. Instead, you draw boundaries to claim mines, kill for treasure, and rob by force!

"Seven thousand two hundred years ago, you inadvertently bullied our Sect's disciples, and my two fellow apprentices were framed and died with grievances!

"Ever since, you have escalated your efforts, harming our disciples, tarnishing our Sect's reputation, and infuriating everyone in my Sun Demolition Sect!

"Unfortunately, our multiple confrontations have always been stopped by the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion!

"I did not want to continue these grudges and disputes with you all, but then you came looking for trouble, insulting and spouting nonsense on the day I arranged a marriage for my daughter, acting unreasonably and bullying us too much!

"Today, in front of the life-and-death arena, I expected you, a renowned Immortal Dao elder, to have some insightful opinions, but I did not expect you to speak such vulgar words!"

The Heaven Fire Sect Master staggered back several steps, his face alternating between red and white, his eyes filled with fury. "You! You!"

Le Tianbai took a half-step forward and said coldly, "What now? Rendered speechless? No words to retort? Or is it that I've hit a nerve, leaving you flustered and unable to refute? If the top beam of the Heaven Fire Sect is not straight, how can the bottom beam be otherwise! You, old and decrepit, have truly lived in vain, achieving nothing for the Human Domain, only knowing how to bark madly! I have never seen such a shamelessly thick-skinned person!"

The Heaven Fire Sect Master's face turned crimson. He bent over and spewed out a mouthful of fresh blood, raising his sword, about to strike.

Fortunately, Xiao Jian Daoist promptly released an unparalleled Sword Qi that shot into the sky, temporarily separating the two Human Domain experts.

Wu Wang looked at Le Tianbai, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

What is the educational level of this Demonic Sect Master?

The old Sect Master of the Heaven Fire Sect jumped in rage and cursed, "Today, the Heaven Fire Sect accepts this life-and-death arena! The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion need not persuade us further! I will not rest until one of us is dead!"

"Good!" Wu Wang shouted, swiftly taking back control of the conversation, and looked at Le Tianbai with a complex expression. "Today, it seems this Hall Master cannot stop your life-and-death arena. Seeing how eager you all are, this Hall Master no longer wishes to stop it! However, the purpose of my visit today is to establish new rules and set new precedents for the life-and-death arena!"

Le Tianbai frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"It's quite simple." Wu Wang walked back to the long table, sat behind it, and spoke in an unhurried manner, "Since the goal is to resolve grievances, let's focus on the facts, avoid emotional bias, and not implicate the innocent. Is stirring the sentiments of an entire sect with emotions befitting of Human Domain masters? Right now, immediately, both parties should document your grievances. Write down all the matters you feel aggrieved about in a petition! For each incident, based on the participants, witnesses, and those affected who are still alive, write down the entire cause and effect, along with any physical evidence you can provide, and submit everything to my Punishment Hall. The Punishment Hall will then review it to determine if the incident requires reconciliation. If it's decided that a fight is needed to resolve the matter, we will permit the relevant individuals to participate in the life-and-death arena—outcome notwithstanding. After it's over, all grievances will be wiped clean. The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion will audit the process, with the heroes of the Human Domain as witnesses. What do you think of this proposal?"

The Sect Master of the Heaven Fire Sect furrowed his brows and said, "A petition?"

Having been previously advised by his son-in-law Ji Mo, Le Tianbai now feigned deep thought and then spoke, "After careful consideration, Wuwang Palace Lord's words are unexpectedly quite reasonable."

Xiao Jian Daoist stood up again and spoke aloud, "The solution our Hall Master has offered is to refine the rules of the life-and-death arena further, inheriting the old while establishing the new. The enmity between your two sects runs deep, not accumulated from a single incident or conflict. Therefore, you should write down each incident. This will allow both sides to state their cases, discuss them, and then decide if a life-or-death battle is truly necessary to resolve it. This approach is fair and just, and it can reduce internal conflict. So why not adopt it?"

After Xiao Jian Daoist finished speaking, the cultivators on both sides quieted down. The cultivators within and outside the arena were each deep in thought, and before long, many nodded in agreement, looking at Wu Wang with a different light in their eyes.

Wu Wang himself was unaffected by this. He gestured with his hand, and over a dozen scribes from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion stepped forward to help both parties organize their petitions.

A moment later, the experts who were supposed to engage in several fights returned to their respective territories. They summoned a group of Elders, administrators, and sect disciples, gathering around to start writing and drawing.

Wu Wang once again crossed his legs atop the long table.

Next, the two sides would argue more and more fiercely, creating the illusion of a fight to the death. But once they begin to communicate, identify the instigators, and allow those originally involved in the incidents to fight it out, at least half of the animosity could be resolved. The more contradictions are discussed, the clearer the truth becomes. Guiding the emotionally charged leaders of both factions to detach from their biases is actually the most effective means to resolve such problems.

Besides this, it might also attract certain people from the Ten Evils Hall to this place to stir the pot, potentially snagging a few fish to test their luck. If this sect conflict is handled properly, it could serve as a model for future sectarian disputes.

Is it necessary to sacrifice the lesser to save the greater?

With his hands tucked into his sleeves, Wu Wang seemed to be resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, he was secretly using the Crystal Ball hidden within his sleeve to check the Divine Soul conditions of the cultivators nearby and afar.

It wasn't long before Wu Wang's lips curled into a smile, but this smile quickly faded.

It turned out that quite a number of people from the Ten Evils Hall had come, but there didn't seem to be any big fish.

「A thousand miles away, in a shadowy part of the forest.」

Several men and women seated in meditation all looked up simultaneously, their expressions similar and synchronized. After just a glance, they each closed their eyes and continued meditating, introspecting within themselves. Inside each of their lower abdomens was a spinning, blood-red Treasure Bead.

In the southwestern region of the Great Wilderness, within the Qiong Qi's cave dwelling, the middle-aged man chuckled coldly.

A petition? That's truly a child's game. Wu Wangzi, what do you have up your sleeve to win this time?

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