Tian Yuan Palace
From a gathering crowd to an empty doorstep, it took only half a day.
Except for the few newly enlightened flower and plant spirits, only Golden Spirit Saint Mother, Zhao Gongming, and a few others remained, while the rest of the guests had all found excuses to leave.
The vast Tian Yuan Palace appeared desolate in the twilight.
"How utterly despicable!"
Zhao Gongming could barely contain his anger: "To think I once respected him as my elder, only to find that not only would he harm a junior, but his methods would be so shamelessly low…"
Though he didn't name names, everyone present knew who he was cursing.
After a pause, he looked at Yu Yuan and said seriously: "Nephew, you needn't overthink this! I will soon inform the Immortal Gods of all realms, exposing their Chan Sect's conspiracy!"
"Brother is right; we must expose their plot!" Beside them, Bi Xiao spoke righteously and loudly: "What 'evil entity from beyond the domain', it's clearly a scheme to tarnish you and our Jie Sect's reputation!
Rest assured, nephew. Once our master returns from Zixiao Palace, he'll surely take your side!"
Yu Yuan smiled and nodded, yet his heart was still rather heavy.
Compared to the others' optimistic attitudes, Yu Yuan felt more pessimistic.
Although he was certain that he was at most an illegal stowaway and indeed not someone from the Demon Path, in the future timeline, he was the one expelled from Primordial by Taoist Ancestor.
Now with Sect Hierarch Tongtian and Yuanshi Tianzun visiting Zixiao Palace together, the outcome might lead to his early expulsion from Primordial, or even to be obliterated by Taoist Ancestor!
Golden Spirit Saint Mother, having accompanied him to the future timeline, also had a very solemn expression, and she conveyed to him through a secret transmission: "Now that you have attained the Primordial Dao Fruit, you can freely travel the Outer Heaven Chaos.
With the situation unclear, it might be best for you to leave Primordial soon and create your own Small Thousand World in the Outer Heaven Chaos, then wait for the situation to clarify before making plans."
They were suggesting that he flee!
Yu Yuan's heart warmed.
Whether it be Zhao Gongming and the other few uncles or his master, Golden Spirit Saint Mother, or the fiercely imposing Sect Hierarch Tongtian, they all trusted him unreservedly and without a second thought, stood up for him and strategized on his behalf.
Yu Yuan thought it over and still rejected Golden Spirit Saint Mother's proposal.
If he fled now, wouldn't that make him look guilty like a thief?
That would be a tremendous blow to the reputation of the Jie Sect.
The fortunes of the Jie Sect might plummet because of it.
"Now that this incident has occurred, people within the sect will certainly be unsettled. This is a good opportunity for us to rectify our customs," Yu Yuan stated earnestly.
"This…"
Zhao Gongming pondered for a moment and looked at him with some hesitation: "Is this really an appropriate time for that?"
Yu Yuan understood his meaning.
With over ten thousand disciples in the Jie Sect and numerous factions and sects within, establishing new rules would inevitably touch on many people's interests.
Previously, with Yu Yuan's status as Vice Sect Hierarch, these people might not have dared to do anything, but now, with his identity under great suspicion, they would find it easier to target him as a weakness.
Although Zhao Gongming and the others believed that he wasn't an evil entity from beyond the domain, the other disciples of the Jie Sect might not be so trusting.
Unless Sect Hierarch Tongtian returned from Zixiao Palace and confirmed Yu Yuan's identity as being without issue, he would never truly be able to shake off this doubt.
Under such circumstances, for Yu Yuan to establish new rules would be difficult to make convincing.
Without the presence of Sect Hierarch Tongtian to maintain order, it would be nearly impossible to make the arrogant immortals of the Jie Sect listen obediently.
Not to mention that many were dissatisfied with Yu Yuan being appointed the Vice Sect Hierarch!
A single misstep could trigger severe conflicts and disputes due to the schemes of those with ulterior motives.
However, Yu Yuan had no intention of resolving this matter peacefully from the beginning.
Rectifying customs, after all.
The most important part is the "rectification".
On this matter, Yu Yuan staunchly believed in one principle—the bigger the fist, the stronger the law!
…
The next day
As the sun rose, purple light dazzled on Purple Ganoderma Cliff, and mists of qi surged.
"Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang!"
Six tolls of the Gathering Immortals Bell rang out, the sound crossing space and time, reaching the ears of every Jie Sect disciple.
Before long, Jie Sect disciples started to fly in from various locations in the East Sea.
They were all puzzled.
Could it be that the Master has returned?
That was incredibly quick!
But when they arrived in front of Biyou Palace, they saw only that its doors were tightly shut, with only Zhao Gongming and two disciples waiting outside to welcome the assembled disciples to be seated in the square.
The square had been prepared with several thousands of meditation cushions, each transformed from flowing clouds, light as a feather and soft as cotton.
The disciples looked at each other in confusion.
The last time such an effort was made to gather all the disciples not in seclusion was during the negotiation talks between the Three Sects.
Now with the doors of Biyou Palace shut tight, it was evident that the Master had not returned.
So who was it that rang the Gathering Immortals Bell?
The newly appointed Vice Sect Hierarch?
Some of the more astute Jie Sect disciples immediately realized that today's events were not simple.
But no matter how they inquired, Zhao Gongming, who was usually easy to speak with, just smiled and shook his head, giving vague responses like "You'll know soon enough."
The celestial beings could only wait quietly.
As the afternoon approached, the square had filled up densely with Jie Sect disciples.
There were well over three thousand!
Apart from those who were in seclusion, traveling, or cultivating in Great Shang, the majority had already arrived.
Seeing that nearly everyone had come, Yu Yuan finally arrived leisurely on an Auspicious Cloud and landed in front of Biyou Palace.
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