Wet viviparity

Chapter 913 Surveillance, Game Theory
On the Xunfeng Terrace, the atmosphere was as taut as a bowstring.

The envoy from the Dog Kingdom, with the appearance of a dog's head and a human body, had two pointed ears and a body covered in smooth, glossy black fur. He wore a willow-leaf gold-embroidered cloud-shaped shoulder cape and a tiger-skin waistcoat. He stood in the center of the field, his voice as loud as a bell, each word striking the heart.

Who decides the reconstruction process?

Who manages this public treasury?

What criteria are used to select spirit houses certified by the Spirit Court?

His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, swept over the members of the Taipingshan Cabinet, finally settling on Article 11 of the regulations on the case—Fund Allocation: After the resolution is passed, the spiritual funds exchanged for the treasure money will not be directly given to the existing spiritual materials and treasures, but will be directly paid by the public treasury to the large workshops certified by the Spirit Court in accordance with the progress of the "Reconstruction Plan," ensuring that every penny is used for the righteous cause.

"This clause, though seemingly rigorous, actually puts the power of fund allocation entirely in the hands of Ling Ting—that is, Tai Ping Shan!"

He stepped forward, his voice deeper, carrying a power that could shake people's hearts, "At that time, the precious money obtained by each sect through mortgaging their Dao property will determine what kind of resources can be exchanged, when to exchange it, from whom to exchange it, and whose Dao property will ultimately be strengthened after the exchange, all of which will be decided by Taiping Mountain with a single word."

If they intend to show favoritism or deliberately delay, they can completely decide which sect in Tiannan should be strong and which should be weak in the future.

As soon as this statement came out, there was an uproar.

The Black Dragon King of the Flood Dragon Palace was the first to snort coldly, his voice like muffled thunder, "I have long felt that this matter is inappropriate!"

"King Black Dragon!"

Wen Daoyu shouted loudly, his voice carrying the sound of thunder, but to his surprise, the Black Dragon King was completely unaffected.

“If your Taiping Mountain cannot guarantee that everything will be fair and impartial, my Jiaomo Palace would rather not take this loan or this special treatment.”

"How dare he?" Wen Daoyu's eyes were filled with surprise and doubt. The black dragon of the Jiao Demon Palace was a benchmark erected by Taiping Mountain, just like the Xiaozhu Jinting used to restrain Tianteng Mountain. The Jiao Demon Palace was used to restrict the Jinbi Water Mansion of Nanpan River.

At this moment, Prince Linghan and Dragon Girl Lankong of Jinbi Water Palace sat to the side, as if they had expected all of this.

Venerable Huofeng of Tianteng Mountain chimed in, “That’s right! Merit belongs to all of Tiannan, how can its distribution be decided by one party? If you act in this way, will the Spirit Court become the master of Heaven in the future? An inspection team must be established to ensure fairness.”

Beside Venerable Huofeng, Goddess Danluan and Zhu Tao remained silent, their expressions differing.

"What do you take this place for?!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan stepped forward, bearing all the pressure, and said sternly, "This agenda was originally set up by the Little Saint and the True Lord out of Heaven's benevolence and compassion for the suffering of all living beings after the calamity. It is up to us to decide. When did it become your place to interfere?"

If you are unwilling, the main gate of Taiping Mountain is right in front of you; you may leave or stay as you please.

If you suspect that Taipingshan has ulterior motives, you can collect irrefutable evidence and file a complaint with the Southern Heavenly Gate in the Upper Realm, so that Heaven can judge your guilt.

"Anyone who dares to spread conspiracy theories and disrupt public opinion in this serene and sacred place will face severe consequences, and I will show no mercy!"

As the words were finished, a clear and melodious cry of a roc echoed across the stage. All the cultivators from various sects were momentarily captivated by the sound, swaying back and forth in their seats. Only Man Shenying, Linghan Prince, and Zhu Tao were able to withstand the sound.

"He's gotten stronger again."

Man Shenying's forehead furrowed, and the yang line was almost completely obscured by the wrinkles.

Master Yuanren closed her eyes and remained silent, while Old Man Zheng stroked his beard and shook his head, looking as if he had known this all along.

Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, a beam of light descended from the direction of Dexuan Cave on Lingcui Mountain, revealing Ding Ruyi's figure.

The canine messenger from the Dog Seal followed Ding Ruyi's movements with his gaze, thinking to himself, "Under such circumstances, given Little Saint's personality, he will certainly not compromise. If the two sides clash head-on, then the agenda of the Great Council will inevitably fall apart."

The leaders of the various sects on Xunfeng Terrace would not stand by and watch the agenda here develop without their participation, allowing the Xingshan lineage, Shuihudi "Taoxiu Cave", Xiaozhu Jinting and others to be supported and turned into "henchmen" of Taipingshan.

Even a force as strong as Taiping Mountain cannot guarantee its invincibility indefinitely when surrounded by Nanmu Divine Mountain, Yunyu Temple, Jinxiu Water Mansion, and Tianteng Mountain.

Tigers may be strong, but if blinded by pride and arrogance, they become no different from sick cats; even with sharp claws and teeth, they are nothing more than trapped beasts struggling.

"quiet!"

A clear shout rang out, instantly drowning out all the noisy whispers.

All eyes were focused on Ding Ruyi, awaiting his response, or rather, the response from the Spirit Void Lesser Saint behind him, anticipating a firm refusal as everyone expected. Ding Ruyi took a deep breath and declared loudly, each word crystal clear.

"By the decree of the Lesser Sage, the proposal of the inspection mission is rejected!"

These few simple words were like a thunderclap, causing an initial silence in the entire Xunfeng Terrace, followed by an even greater uproar. A mix of emotions—questioning, anger, astonishment, and sneer—were present, and even the cabinet members found it difficult to respond.

Everyone knew that Little Saint would respond with a tough stance, but those who actually heard it could still feel the determination in it, as if the Grand Council was really heading towards a chaotic war in the south.

This topic is too broad and the consequences too severe; no one on Xunfeng Terrace could handle it.

"Ah!"

A smile tugged at the corner of the Dog Seal Envoy's mouth. He turned his head to speak to Mr. Gu Chen of Mount Nanmu when he suddenly felt a warm breeze on his face. Several protective lights around him flashed and disappeared. Immediately afterward, he felt a chill below his neck.

"Master Gu Chen, be careful! Be careful of the Divine Qi Sword! It's about to strike!"

He opened his mouth, and amidst Mr. Gu Chen's horrified expression, a pair of gentle hands lifted his cheeks and gently lifted his head off his body.

Ji Ming sat cross-legged on the platform, placing the black dog's head on his lap, and raised his eyes to scan the leaders of the various sects in front of him.

The crowd looked gloomy, but showed no fear. They were all men forged in the crucible of war. Ji Ming said softly, “Those who come uninvited are thieves. Taiping Mountain welcomes like-minded people, but there is a proper way to treat uninvited guests.”

The hand covering the black dog's head gradually increased its pressure, causing the black dog's facial features to gradually distort, as if it were shifting. Its mouth opened and closed as if trying to speak, but only gurgling syllables were squeezed out. In the end, its primordial spirit was destroyed, leaving it with no chance of reincarnation.

"The decision is yours."

Prince Linghan broke the silence, speaking seemingly out of nowhere.

Upon hearing this, Venerable Huofeng's skin tensed involuntarily, then relaxed, and he said, "The heads and representatives of all the sects are here. We are all people who can decide the will of our sect. There is no one here to question the authority of you, Little Sage Lingxu of Taiping Mountain."

Yes, even a powerful sect like Taiping Mountain wouldn't dare guarantee victory under the siege of other sects. But could those other sects say they wouldn't perish and their teachings destroyed under the combined might of Taiping Mountain?
In the end, the various sects could not withstand the potential costs of this power struggle and voluntarily compromised, which was exactly the outcome Ji Ming needed.

State your terms.

"I still feel a lingering fear," said Mr. Guchen.

He was not a Taoist from Tiannan. After a major conflict with the two elders more than a thousand years ago, he had been living in the peaceful West Sea. Hearing that the two elders had broken the seal on the sacred mountain, he came as a former subordinate to take over the religious affairs inside and outside the sacred mountain.

Compared to the past, he found it hard to accept the current style of those who force themselves to become high-level cultivators. Their ruthless, cold-blooded, and extremely focused-on-real-world interests made him feel like an old relic abandoned by the times.

"Huangting Palace and Zhenling Sect are not allowed to participate in the inspection mission."

"Can!"

"good!"

"."

Without hesitation, everyone agreed, but Old Man Zheng said with a grim expression, "Gentlemen, this is different from what we said before."

"The matter of Tiannan should be decided by Tiannan." Man Shenying looked at Zheng Laodian, his tone revealing his disdain, and said, "As for your True Spirit Sect, you should take care of your own affairs."

Old Zheng's face flushed red. He was about to retaliate when he saw a series of gazes coming his way. His heart turned cold, and in the end, without saying a word, he turned into a beam of light and left.

Ji Ming turned to look at Abbess Yuanren, who was sitting alone to one side. He understood that the abbess had been keeping silent all this time because she was concerned about her reputation. He said with a rare hint of apology, "Abbess, this is a matter of great importance to our sect. Please forgive me."

"It's alright, you did well. As the head of a sect, you should have this kind of courage and killing intent." Abbess Yuanren said with satisfaction, and then she also transformed into a blade of light and fled.

Article 11 of the charter must be adopted.

The ombudsman mission shall not exceed three members and shall be replaced every hundred years.

Ji Ming continued.

(End of this chapter)