"Since the Sect Leader of the Century has taken the initiative to bring it up, there must be a level of confidence and assurance in him. Otherwise, if this matter cannot be implemented and is hindered, even if it is not vetoed and temporarily shelved, it would be a significant blow to the Sect Leader's prestige." Wu Shijiu explained in a low voice.
Even though the two were using the Sound Transmission into Secrecy, which is not easily detected by others, Wu Shijiu instinctively lowered his voice, fearing that their conversation might be intercepted.
To be honest, for Wu Shijiu, Pei Xuanjing was becoming more and more unfathomable.
After all, after suppressing the Taixu Venerable, Pei Xuanjing's power had nearly reached its peak, which is why so many formidable ones descended at the Dao Debating Conference he held on Shenxiao Mountain today.
The matter Pei Xuanjing wanted to implement was essentially to impose an additional constraint on numerous cultivators in the world. For those cultivators of low strength, they might be angry at Pei Xuanjing's power, but dare not speak against it, and might even fully agree with it, considering it a form of protection for them.
However, for these top forces, powerhouses of first-class forces, this was all disadvantageous with no benefits. These were just shackles limiting their actions, unacceptable to many of them.
Pei Xuanjing's current proposal would naturally face opposition from some formidable people; it was inevitable. At this time and place, if Pei Xuanjing's proposal met opposition, he would face one choice: to forcefully execute it. Otherwise, whether it gets vetoed or temporarily suspended would have an enormous impact on his credibility at this critical moment, undermining his authority and causing those who originally feared him to review their perceptions.
So from Wu Shijiu's perspective, he didn't understand why Pei Xuanjing was so confident in speaking out. Did he not worry about failure?
"Master Pei always plans thoroughly before taking action. If he proposed it, he naturally has the confidence for its success. Mr. Wu might be overly worried." Zhu Houji stated, frowning.
As for Pei Xuanjing, Zhu Houji had practically grown under his protection and had personally witnessed Pei Xuanjing's legend, so he had an almost blind confidence in him.
However, Wu Shijiu's current state seemed somewhat strange.
To Zhu Houji, Wu Shijiu had always given him the impression of having everything under control, portraying a mature and steady demeanor.
But today was different. After interacting over so many years, Zhu Houji could clearly feel that Wu Shijiu's confidence was not as great as before, but he appeared much more cautious and careful.
Upon further thought, Zhu Houji could understand Wu Shijiu's performance. Wu Shijiu had always relied on his own strength, decisively handling any issue and remaining unperturbed, even if his initial planning failed. He could still suppress everything with his strength.
But today was different. Inside this hall,with the presence of numerous supreme beings who were within the Nine Realms of the Spirit,who could suppress Wu Shijiu at will and even cultivators of Spirit Realm Eightfold who posed a significant threat to him.
"Mr. Wu, rest assured, as long as Master Pei is here, nothing will go wrong today," Zhu Houji comforted Wu Shijiu.
In the beginning, he was also a bit unsettled. As the ruler of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, he was aware of the various forces' perceptions and apprehension towards the dynasty, so he knew the situation he was dealing with.
But even though he kept a low profile during today's ascension to Shenxiao Mountain, Zhu Houji could detect countless eyes watching his every move, examining and scrutinizing him with both malintent and benevolence, indifference and many other emotions.
Nevertheless, regardless of their attitudes, they ultimately feared Pei Xuanjing's presence and did not dare to directly confront him.
Despite the somber atmosphere in the hall, with a myriad of different expressions and attitudes from the crowd, Pei Xuanjing seemed to have been expecting it all. He wore a small smile and did not show any signs of impatience, waiting quietly.
The area's silence brought a weird vibe to the atmosphere. The supreme beings could ignore it, but for ordinary powerhouses, even cultivators of Spirit Realm Eightfold had to maintain a facade of smiles, regardless of their feelings.
The powerhouses of the ancient Xue country also wore smiles, but their hearts were pounding. As far as others were concerned, they had nothing to worry about, but in their case, someone from the ancient Xue country once signed a contract with the Sect Leader regarding the matter.
Although the Sect Leader initially promised not to expose the contract, the current situation had spiraled beyond their control. So even if he revealed the contract, they could do nothing about it.
While the other forces may not be able to confront the Sect Leader, it did not mean they couldn't retaliate against the Xue ancient country. They inevitably became targets of everyone's dissatisfaction.
Fortunately, the Sect Leader seemed to be upholding his initial promise and didn't seem to have revealed the contract.
As the powerful figures of the Xue ancient country hesitated, the silence of the hall was finally broken by someone who dared to speak.
"I wonder what the Grandmaster means. Is he intending to impose a shackle on all the cultivators in this world?"
Even though the voice was calm, the chilly tone echoed in every one's heart like an alarming thunderclap.
The one who spoke was none other than the Blood Fiend Ancestor, the Sect Leader of the Blood Fiend Sect, one of the top demonic forces.
The Blood Fiend Ancestor was a well-known demon in this world, known for his overbearing power of the blood demon technique, which reverberated across countless powerhouses. Although he had no record of suppressing a supreme being, he was no weaker than the Witch God Sect Leader, making him a hegemon among supreme beings, stronger than the Taixu Venerable.
Demons usually do as they please without any restraint or consideration. While others feared Pei Xuanjing, the Blood Fiend Ancestor had no fear and confronted him directly.
Pei Xuanjing wasn't angered by the Blood Fiend Ancestor's confrontational tone. He smiled and said, "Blood Fiend Ancestor, why say such a thing? Are you saying that the lives of ordinary cultivators in this world are not worth mentioning? Cultivation is not easy, and no cultivator wishes to die in the clash of formidable ones."
Pei Xuanjing did not address the 'shackles' reference directly but instead stood on moral high ground to retort, which prompted a nod from quite a few people.
As Pei Xuanjing said, cultivation was indeed not easy. No one wished to die trivially.
So, if they can genuinely restrain the stronger ones from acting rashly, it could also be a blessing for their disciples.
"The National Master's words are rather biased, we cultivators are naturally free, how can we be bound? How is this different from being a mortal?" Blood Fiend Ancestor spoke unhappily.
However, after he finished this sentence, before Pei Xuanjing had the chance to speak, he saw the Master of Mystiq Sky coldly say, "So this is your excuse for slaughtering humans indiscriminately in the Demonic Way?"
Those from the Demonic Way are naturally free and fearless, and especially some Demonic Way cultivators, in order to improve their practice or refine powerful Divine Weapon treasures, often use the lives and bodies of ordinary people and other cultivators. This is a common occurrence.
The Master of Mystiq Sky, as the dominant person on the Righteous Path, is sometimes restrained by his status and identity. Even knowing that this Blood Fiend Ancestor is taking the opportunity to test him by actively engaging in conflict with Pei Xuanjing, he can choose to sit back and watch from a distance.
But when Pei Xuanjing stands on the moral high ground and accuses him, the Master of Mystiq Sky must speak up for the cultivators and the human race.
In such a situation, especially when it involves the conflict between the Demonic and Righteous paths, if he, as the leader of the Righteous Path, does not speak up, how will his followers view him and how will the rest of the cultivators see him?
He cannot just let Blood Fiend Ancestor keep talking, nor can he allow Pei Xuanjing to have the upper hand in this matter.
So voicing his opinion and views at the right time, while also taking control of the situation from Pei Xuanjing's hands, is the best approach.
Indeed, the issue raised by Pei Xuanjing is a constraint for all cultivators in the world, it will evoke a lot of dissatisfaction, because it adds a layer of restraint to them.
Before the Master of Mystiq Sky's question, the Blood Fiend Ancestor showed no signs of panic, he leads the Righteous Path, but the Demonic Way does not respect their authority.
Blood Fiend Ancestor sneered, saying, "If the Master of Mystiq Sky is so righteous, why does he turn a blind eye to the strife in the world, and never has any of the Mystiq Sky's disciples taken up the responsibility to maintain the world's rules?"
The Righteous Path, it's all crap!
Nothing more than a bunch of hypocrites, they wave the banner of righteousness, but in fact, they are no different from the Demonic Way.
The countless disputes in the Sky Wasteland over the past thousand years, numerous people have been affected, is it because of the Demonic Way?
The so-called Righteous Path is never-ending in their struggle for power, they fight for interests, and they cover their battles with a glamorous coat.
"Humph!" The Master of Mystiq Sky snorted coldly.
He was very unhappy with the people of the Demonic Way, but he also knew that there was no way to deal with these troublemakers.
"Hehe." The Blood Fiend Ancestor sneered.
Cultivators are unbound, especially the Demonic Way. The Blood Fiend Ancestor does not want his followers to be bound like this. For them, this is the end of the Demonic Path. After all, for the Righteous Path, they also need to obey many rules and the impact on them is sure to be much less than the Demonic Way.
Moreover, how can common mortals compare with them? In the Demonic Way's philosophy, the weak have no right to speak, they are born only fit to obey.
Pei Xuanjing looked unperturbed, and took the opportunity to ask, "Dare I ask Ancestor, when the many Divine Dynasties suppressed the world, could the Blood Fiend Sect ignore the Divine Dynasty's laws?"
The Blood Fiend Sect has a long heritage and has experienced several eras of Divine Dynasty rule. You must know that at the peak of those Divine Dynasties, they suppressed the world. Even if a sect had the most supreme beings of the Nine Realms of Spirit, they would still have to obey the laws of the Divine Dynasty, or else their destruction could become a reality.
Since the Blood Fiend Sect has experienced such times, they naturally followed the laws of the Divine Dynasty, they were constrained. At least Pei Xuanjing doesn't think they provoked the Divine Dynasty and still survived to this day.
"National Master!" The Blood Fiend Ancestor's face turned cold and his tone was eerie, "Is the National Master suggesting that the Great Ming Divine Dynasty intends to suppress the world and make us swear allegiance?"
For the Blood Fiend Ancestor, the era when the Divine Dynasty suppressed the world was the most uncomfortable time for him. After all, even as a supreme being then, he faced dangers of extinction in front of the peak Divine Dynasty. He had to be cautious, how uncomfortable it would have been.
Now hearing Pei Xuanjing mentioning those days, he naturally felt some displeasure.
Furthermore, reflecting on Pei Xuanjing's concerted efforts to elevate the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, seizing the opportunity of the Ancestral Land's emptiness to bring down the Divine Dynasty into the world again, it was enough to show the formidable ambition of the opposite party.
Thinking of this, the Blood Fiend Ancestor was filled with rage. He wanted to eliminate the Great Ming Divine Dynasty immediately, so that no Divine Dynasty would exist in this world anymore.
Pei Xuanjing shook his head and said, "I am merely stating a fact, this is an undeniable fact."
He looked at the others and said with a smile, "We are not naturally superior. Everyone here has come from the most ordinary mortal status to where we are today. We are of the same kind, why must we be like this?"
At Pei Xuanjing's words, the many cultivators present showed various expressions. Although they agree, there were very few who would just be simply persuaded.
Those who have made it to where they are today, each and everyone's resolve is strong as stone, they have their own understandings and views. If their minds did not originally hold similar concepts, they would not be easily persuaded by Pei Xuanjing's words.
The Blood Fiend Ancestor, a powerful figure like him, of course, was not going to be easily convinced by Pei Xuanjing's words, just like back then when he was deterred by the Divine Dynasties and chose to follow their laws. He, a great figure in the Demonic Way, only recognizes power. Only the rules of the strong deserve his recognition, otherwise, he would not be moved.
Just as he was about to speak, a voice sounded in the hall.
"In fact, I very much support the National Master's view." The Ancestor Celestial Master from Dragon Tiger Mountain suddenly spoke up, attracting numerous side glances.
As soon as he spoke, all the various powerful figures were shocked. After all, a man's reputation precedes him. The Ancestor Celestial Master's fame was deeply rooted in people's hearts. As a rare tyrant who had defeated the top being of the Nine Realms of Spirit, his words and his views warrant no one's disregard, even the Master of Mystiq Sky could not underestimate him.
The Blood Fiend Ancestor had rebutted the Master of Mystiq Sky, but before the words of the Ancestor Celestial Master, he did not respond immediately but chose to remain silent.
In this world, unless you are an unrivaled powerhouse, you will know who you can provoke and who you cannot.
The Blood Fiend Ancestor is not afraid of the Master of Mystiq Sky, but for the present Ancestor Celestial Master from the Dragon Tiger Mountain, he was filled with awe and would not dare to provoke him because of a slip of the tongue.
Dragon Tiger Mountain, one of the highest-ranking powers in the Sky Wasteland, despite having only two cultivators in the Nine Realms of Spirit, still holds a superior place, even among top-tier powers in this world.
Everything is attributed to the existence of Ancestor Celestial Master, a dominant figure who has defeated other cultavators with equal powers in the Nine Realms of Spirit. His presence alone is equivalent to the existence of two such supreme cultivators.
Of course, the Blood Fiend Ancestor's wariness of the Ancestor Celestial Master does not stop there; it also arises from his understanding of the Ancestor Celestial Master's personality.
As a high-ranking cultivator who has lived for thousands of years, one would assume him to be composed, magnanimous, and wise. However, those who know the Ancestor Celestial Master well are well aware of his temperamental nature.
If Blood Fiend Ancestor truly disrespects him today and breaks the peace, even if no action is taken now, in the future, the Ancestor Celestial Master will undoubtedly storm to the Blood Fiend Sect's door, a scenario that the Blood Fiend Ancestor would prefer not to witness.
What surprised the crowd, however, was the Ancestor Celestial Master's early stance. They were not at all surprised about his approval of supporting Pei Xuanjing's plan.
The Ancestor Celestial Master is responsible for the success and rise of the Taoist School, establishing dominance by defeating spirits, establishing the Zhengyi Alliance Prestige and setting the rules.
Pei Xuanjing's plan actually appeals to the Ancestor Celestial Master or rather it could be said that such a similar idea occurred to him long ago, even before the Sky Wasteland era.
He established Zhengyi Dao and used the Zhengyi Alliance Prestige to control various forces, aiming to implement similar rules and govern all sides with the Taoist School. However, he encountered a significant obstruction, and as a result, this strategy could not be carried out in Zhengyi Alliance Prestige and could only be circulated within the Taoist School.
Now that Pei Xuanjing has come forward with this plan, no matter what others may think, the Ancestor Celestial Master would not miss this opportunity and chose to back it up.
Apart from this, another reason is the lineage of Dragon Tiger Mountain and Pei Xuanjing have some history and connections. Thus, there is no reason not to assist Pei Xuanjing.
With the Ancestor Celestial Master openly supporting the plan, he became the first among all the top-tier forces present to back Pei Xuanjing's plan, and his endorsement is something that cannot be taken lightly.
The Master of Mystiq Sky, standing aside, looked uncomfortable and silently regretted. He initially voiced his opinion, mainly seeking to question the Blood Fiend Ancestor and seize the opportunity to wrest control of the plan from Pei Xuanjing.
But now, before he realized it, the situation changed again. As soon as the Ancestor Celestial Master voiced his support, a significant shift occurred.
Dragon Tiger Mountain's standing in the Sky Wasteland is not insignificant, along with them there are also numerous followers of Taoist School. When the Ancestor Celestial Master, the head of the Taoist School, expressed his support, the followers naturally echoed his stance.
In the blink of an eye, several major and secondary forces under the Taoist School expressed their attitudes, agreeing with Pei Xuanjing's plan.
Furthermore, when the Ancestor Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain came forward, the rest of the top-tier forces no longer hesitated and expressed their views one after another.
For example, the powerhouse of Xuan Du Guan then voiced his opinion, "We think that the national teacher's plan is good. If it can be successfully implemented, it will be greatly beneficial."
For the likes of Xuan Du Guan, a top-tier power, even though they are a top-tier force, they don't recruit disciples wholesale, and their disciples are not a mixed bunch, they actually follow the elite route and all their disciples are exceptional.
So, even if Pei Xuanjing's plan is implemented, it will not impact them. Instead, they see this plan as another way to test their disciples. If this opportunity allows their disciples to excel even more, then why not?
Following that, Taisu Sect also expressed their position; they also agree with this plan.
After all, Taisu Sect is a top-tier force, but it is one of the few forces composed of many female cultivators. They originally didn't like battles. Implementing such a plan would be beneficial for their disciples traveling around.
With the cascade of approval from these top-tier powers, their affiliated parties naturally agreed.
No one expected that this initially unsupported plan would garner the support of nearly a fifth of all forces in such a short time.
"National Counselor, you're amazing!" Wu Shijiu sighed as he watched the scene unfold.
He initially thought that the proposal that Pei Xuanjing was implementing was a bit hasty and might be difficult to carry out. The earlier opposition and obstruction by the Blood Fiend Ancestor seemed to confirm his thoughts.
However, in a flash, after the Ancestor Celestial Master voiced his opinion, the situation turned around. Pei Xuanjing quickly gained the support of so many people, creating quite a momentum.
Regardless of whether Pei Xuanjing communicated with the Ancestor Celestial Master beforehand, the current situation looks promising.
"Now we need to see how the forces of Demonic Way, Buddhism School, and Mystiq Sky take their stance." Wu Shijiu spoke to Zhu Houji, analyzing the current situation.
Zhu Houji asked in confusion, "Doesn't the Sword Sect, whose strength can compete with the Mystiq Sky for the position of the Righteous Path, also play an important role?"
Wu Shijiu smiled, "The Sword Sect will definitely agree because the national teacher's plan actually aligns with the tastes of the Sword Sect, especially now when Mystiq Sky has not yet expressed support."
Zhu Houji was somewhat speechless. After all, he didn't know much about the entanglement of various forces in the Sky Wasteland. But the next moment, the situation in the main hall validated Wu Shijiu's words.
Before Wu Shijiu finished speaking, the powerhouse of the Sword Sect expressed his agreement with Pei Xuanjing's plan. This dominant top-tier power has enough strength to compete with Mystiq Sky. When they made a decision, it attracted even more forces to respond, gaining nearly a quarter of overall support in the blink of an eye.
The idea of the Sword Sect is simple. They can't let Mystiq Sky have it easy. When they saw that Mystiq Sky wanted to seize Pei Xuanjing's opportunity for their own use, they naturally supported it first, creating a fixed situation and disrupting Mystiq Sky's plans and ideas.
It has to be said that the Sword Sect's undermining move made the Master of Mystiq Sky extremely uncomfortable and caused him to worry.
Just as Wu Shijiu said, now only Mystiq Sky, Demonic Way, and Buddhism School are left to express their stance. If he chooses to oppose, he will directly confront Pei Xuanjing, which is not what the Master of Mystiq Sky wants to see.
But, if he capitulates just like that, he will be simply complying with the Sword Sect's plan and making a wedding dress for Pei Xuanjing in vain.