Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

He wanted to say something more, but Dao Xuan had already waved his sleeve.

The light from the spirit bead faded, and the connection was unilaterally severed.

Qingyun Mountain has once again regained its ethereal, misty atmosphere.

Dao Xuan stood with his hands behind his back in front of the Jade Purity Hall, looking down at the surging sea of ​​clouds below, his gaze deep and profound.

Five days from now, there will likely be another upheaval above this sea of ​​clouds.

"I hope... you won't make a mistake."

five days later

All the sects came towards Qingyun Mountain.

Yun Yilan, who was on the road at this moment, felt even more uneasy.

However, they were also prepared to go all in.

On Yunhai Square, disciples from different sects greeted each other.

The sect leader entered the Jade Purity Hall.

Inside the Jade Purity Hall

Six chairs, symbolizing the highest authority of the righteous path in China, are arranged in a fan shape on the high platform.

Dao Xuan Zhenren was dressed in a dark green Daoist robe.

He sat with the leaders of the other five sects.

Yun Yilan tried her best to remain calm.

But the knuckles of the hand hidden in the wide sleeves had turned slightly white from excessive force.

He felt gazes coming from all directions—inquiring, suspicious, and even cold.

In particular, Dao Xuan's seemingly calm yet penetrating gaze made him feel extremely uneasy.

His unwavering determination to "burn his boats" began to waver under this invisible pressure.

Fellow Daoists,

Dao Xuan spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.

It carries a strange power to soothe restlessness.

"I'm sure you've all heard the reason why I've gathered you all here today."

Rumors are swirling throughout the land, all pointing to the connection between Burning Incense Valley and the beast god who wreaks havoc on the world.

This matter concerns my upright reputation and the safety of the world; it cannot be ignored.

His gaze swept across the entire room, finally settling on Yun Yilan:

"Master Yun, although rumors should not be taken entirely at face value, there is no smoke without fire."

In front of all righteous disciples, we humbly request that the Valley Master clarify our doubts and set the record straight.

Instantly, everyone's eyes were focused on Yun Yilan.

Yun Yilan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the pounding in her heart, and stood up.

He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the surroundings, forcing a slightly stiff composure onto his face:

"Dao Xuan Zhenren, Sect Leader Dugu, fellow Daoists!"

I, Yun Yilan, have been in charge of Fenxiang Valley for hundreds of years. I have always been conscientious and diligent, and have never dared to forget my responsibility to protect the land.

The Beast God is the common enemy of the world, and our Incense Valley will never coexist with him!

These rumors circulating in the streets are nothing more than the tricks of petty people who want to slander our valley and sow discord among our righteous alliance. How can we believe them?

"You ask me this, does it mean you doubt my reputation as Yun Yilan, or the thousand-year-old honor of Fenxiang Valley?"

His words were righteous and forceful.

First, the Incense Valley is positioned as the victim, then it is implied that the Qingyun Sect listened to slander and is suspected of undermining unity.

Some hushed conversations arose inside the hall.

Representatives from some smaller sects that were on good terms with Fenxiang Valley showed their agreement, feeling that Yun Yilan's words made sense.

Dao Xuan, however, did not become angry. He merely nodded slightly, his tone remaining calm.

"Master Yun Valley, you flatter me."

It is not that I am suspicious, but the facts are undeniable, and I cannot ignore them.

He paused, his voice suddenly turning somber, "Besides, it's not just rumors."

Yun Yilan's heart skipped a beat: "What do you mean by that, Master?"

Dao Xuan stopped looking at him and turned to the outside of the hall, saying loudly, "Please invite the Grand Elder of the Witch Clan..."

As soon as he finished speaking, a scorching and ancient aura instantly filled the entire Yuqing Palace.

There stood an old man dressed in a shaman's robe and holding an ancient wooden staff.

Led by a Qingyun disciple, they slowly walked into the hall.

The old man had a weathered face, but his eyes burned like flames. He was none other than the highly respected elder of the Southern Border Witch Clan!

"The Grand Elder?!"

Yun Yilan's expression changed drastically, and she gasped in shock.

He never expected that Dao Xuan would actually invite this elder of the Witch Clan who almost never leaves the Southern Frontier!

The Wu tribe lived next to Fenxiang Valley and were aware of its movements.

Especially regarding the clues related to the Beast God, they probably know them better than anyone else!

The Grand Elder first bowed slightly to Dao Xuan and Dugu Yuyun.

Then his gaze, sharp as lightning, pierced Yun Yilan, his voice hoarse yet carrying an undeniable power:

"Master Yun, how have you been?"

A month ago, the aura of the Beast God revived in the Southern Frontier, and its demons and monsters secretly entered and exited the forbidden area "Mysterious Fire Altar" in the back mountain of your Incense Valley several times.

There are also traces of the fusion of pure witch power and beast god demon power.

Our Wu clan has guarded the southern border for generations and is most sensitive to the power of the Beast God. We would never mistake it!

What explanation do you offer?

These words shocked everyone present!

If the previous rumors were just speculation, then the confirmation from the Great Elder of the Witch Clan now carries a completely different weight!

Even those who had previously favored Yun Yilan now showed expressions of surprise and uncertainty.

"Disgrace! This is disgrace!"

Yun Yilan's face flushed red as she excitedly waved her arms.

"Elder! Your Witch Clan and my Incense Valley have a long-standing feud."

Your baseless accusations today are nothing more than an attempt to take revenge!

"Old grudges?"

Xuanhuo Gong sneered.

"Protecting the divine land and suppressing the beast god is the common responsibility of my witch clan and you righteous people. Why would we have personal grudges?"

Yun Yilan, don't try to confuse the issue!

I swear on the thousand-year reputation of the Wu clan that everything I just said is true!

If even half a word of this is false, may my witch clan's lineage be severed, and may I perish in flames!

I swear on the fate of my entire nation!

The solemn oath was so heavy that the entire Jade Purity Hall fell silent instantly.

Yun Yilan swayed, her face turning from red to white, her lips trembling, still wanting to argue.

"Master Yun Valley,"

Dao Xuan's voice rang out again, interrupting him.

This time, his voice was no longer calm, but carried a deep sorrow and a majesty that seemed to come from the heavens.

It exploded in Yun Yilan's ears like a thunderclap.

"The evidence is irrefutable, are you still going to remain obstinate?"

Dao Xuan slowly stood up, without exuding any particularly terrifying aura.

But the moment he stood up, it seemed as if all the light in the entire Jade Purity Hall was focused on him alone.

The ethereal yet immense pressure of the Earth Immortal Realm silently filled every inch of space.

The pressure was so intense that everyone felt breathless, and Yun Yilan felt a suffocating fear.

"I..." Yun Yilan stammered under their gaze.

I felt like all my defenses were crumbling.

Dao Xuan did not give him a chance to organize his thoughts.

He stepped forward, his gaze sharp and fixed on Yun Yilan's eyes.

The gentleness of the past was gone from those eyes; only a chilling, all-knowing coldness and... a heart-wrenching sorrow bordering on pity remained.

He did not question "Did you collude with the Beast God?" nor did he sternly rebuke "Why did you betray the righteous path?"

Instead, with an extremely sorrowful tone, as if striking the depths of everyone's heart, he slowly asked:

"Yun Yilan!"

"Fenxiang Valley has been established since its founder, Yun Feiyang, 1,300 years ago! 1,300 years ago..."

Countless sages sacrificed themselves, and countless disciples shed their blood on the southern frontier, forging this illustrious reputation as a "pillar of righteousness under heaven!"