Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

"I remember, eight hundred years ago, the Zhu Yan under the command of the Beast God wreaked havoc."

It is you, Yun Lie, the seventh generation Valley Master of Fenxiang Valley, leading three hundred elite disciples.

Using the "Eight Fierce Mystic Fire Formation" as its core, Zhu Yan was resealed within the earth's lava veins.

Three hundred heroes, not one survived!

All for the sake of protecting the millions of lives in southern Xinjiang!

"I remember, five hundred years ago, when the demon race in the southern border revolted, you were the previous elder of the Incense Valley who passed on your skills."

To protect the people of the seven villages and eight hamlets that were besieged.

He fought valiantly against the three demon kings, but ultimately his life force was exhausted, and he was reduced to ashes!

"I remember it was just a short time ago."

To thwart the plot to resurrect the Beast God, your Incense Valley also has dozens of outstanding disciples.

Led by the elders, they fought a bloody battle on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Mountains, and ultimately... were buried far from home!

Dao Xuan's voice was not loud, but every word carried immense weight, like a heavy hammer striking Yun Yilan's heart.

It also struck a chord in the hearts of everyone present.

He recounted a glorious chapter in the history of Fenxiang Valley, and a tragic sacrifice.

Yun Yilan's face paled even more, and her body trembled even more violently.

Inside the Jade Purity Hall, you could hear a pin drop.

Only Dao Xuan's deep yet clear voice echoed.

Many of the disciples who had accompanied Fenxiang Valley had reddened eyes, and some were even sobbing softly.

Those martyrs who sacrificed their lives are their ancestors, their predecessors, and their pride!

Dao Xuan's tone suddenly rose, filled with an incomprehensible anger and heartache, aimed directly at Yun Yilan's soul:

"This foundation spanning 1,300 years!"

The blood of countless martyrs!

This is the belief and glory that thousands of disciples have protected with their lives!

In your heart, Yun Yilan, is it really... is it really less important than the Beast God's vague and malicious promise?!

Tell me! What exactly did the Beast God promise you?

Immortality? Power?

Or is it the power to unify the righteous path?!

How can you so easily discard all of this like trash?!

How could you be so heartless as to let the spirits of those who shed their last drop of blood for you and for Burning Incense Valley suffer such humiliation and disgrace in the afterlife?!

"boom--!"

These words were like a thunderclap from the heavens, completely shattering Yun Yilan's pretense and psychological defenses.

He wasn't defeated by the evidence, but by Dao Xuan's piercing question!

He was defeated by the weight of history and the countless eyes of his martyrs that seemed to be gazing at him from the void!

"I...I..."

Yun Yilan staggered backward, her face ashen, cold sweat instantly soaking her back.

He wanted to refute, but found that no language could withstand Dao Xuan's soul-searching words.

They all seem so pale and powerless.

He could almost see the angry looks in the eyes of the patriarchs of all ages, as if they were furious at his lack of ambition.

I could see the blood-stained faces of those disciples who died in battle appearing before my eyes.

"Pfft—" Anger surged through her, coupled with Dao Xuan's invisible pressure as an Earth Immortal.

Yun Yilan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his aura instantly weakened, and he looked as if he had aged a hundred years.

Unable to hold on any longer, he collapsed to the ground with a thud, his eyes glazed over, muttering, "I...I was wrong...I was bewitched..."

This scene shocked everyone.

There was no fierce fighting, no cruel torture; Dao Xuan relied solely on a few words.

This caused the Dao heart of a top sect leader in the Taiqing Realm to collapse.

He confessed on the spot.

This demonstrates its unfathomable strength and prestige far more effectively than any form of military suppression.

Inside the Jade Purity Hall, after a deathly silence, a wave of uproar and anger erupted.

"It really was him!"

"The thousand-year-old reputation of Fenxiang Valley has been ruined by this scoundrel!"

"Colluding with the Beast God and wreaking havoc on the world, they deserve to die!"

"We beseech Dao Xuan Zhenren and Sect Leader Dugu to uphold justice for us and severely punish this monastery!"

The crowd was outraged, and the outcry almost lifted the dome of the Yuqing Hall.

Dao Xuan raised his hand and pressed down lightly, and the surging sound immediately subsided.

His gaze swept over the disciples of Fenxiang Valley below the stage, whose faces were filled with grief and indignation, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

He spoke again, his voice calm now, yet carrying an undeniable resolve:

"Yun Yilan colluded with the Beast God; the evidence is conclusive, and he has already confessed. This crime is unforgivable!"

He paused, then turned his gaze to Elder Shangguan Ce of Fenxiang Valley, whose face was ashen but whose eyes also held a deep sense of regret.

"However," Dao Xuan changed the subject, his voice echoing throughout the entire hall.

"The blame lies solely with Yun Yilan; the thousand-year-old tradition of Fenxiang Valley, and its countless loyal disciples, are innocent!"

They are also victims of Yun Yilan's ambition, and an indispensable force for our righteous path!

He looked at Shangguan Ce and said in a deep voice, "Elder Shangguan Ce is an upright and virtuous man with high prestige."

Over the years, he has repeatedly advised Yun Yilan against his ambitions.

Here, I propose that Elder Shangguan Ce temporarily assume the position of Master of Incense Burning Valley.

He was in charge of affairs within the valley, eliminating its pernicious influence and rectifying its discipline!

Elder Shangguan, don't worry.

I will send Qingyun disciples to assist you.

Shangguan Ce's body trembled, and he suddenly looked up at Dao Xuan, his eyes filled with surprise and a trace of gratitude.

He was indeed dissatisfied with Yun Yilan's actions in recent years, but he was powerless to change them.

Dao Xuan's move undoubtedly gave Fenxiang Valley a chance to catch its breath.

They preserved the last vestiges of dignity and hope.

"As for Yun Yilan," Dao Xuan's voice turned cold, "his cultivation will be crippled, and he will be imprisoned in the back mountain of Qingyun."

He shall be guarded by my Qingyun Sect and never be allowed to leave this world again!

His accomplices will be severely punished by Valley Master Shangguan in accordance with the valley rules!

His cultivation will be destroyed! He will be imprisoned until death!

This punishment is undeniably severe.

However, the heinous crimes committed by Yun Yilan seem reasonable and justifiable, and no one can refute them.

"Dao Xuan Zhenren's handling of the matter was fair!" Dugu Yuyun was the first to express his opinion, his voice resounding.

"Amitabha Buddha, this approach can both punish evil and promote good, preserving the vitality of the righteous path. Excellent, excellent!" Venerable Puhong nodded in agreement.

The other sect leaders also nodded in agreement.

Two Qingyun elders stepped forward from the crowd and walked expressionlessly toward Yun Yilan, who was slumped on the ground.

After dealing with Yun Yilan, Dao Xuan's gaze swept over all the righteous sects present once again.

His eyes were deep, as if he could see through the cycles of history and the vicissitudes of human nature.

Silence returned to the Jade Purity Hall, and everyone held their breath.

The final admonition awaited by Dao Xuan Zhenren, who was now the de facto number one person in China and the supreme Earth Immortal.

Dao Xuan spoke slowly, his voice no longer impassioned or sorrowful.

Instead, it carries a sense of tranquility, yet is clearly imprinted deep within everyone's soul:

"Today, Qingyun has not only killed Yun Yilan, the master of Fenxiang Valley."

He paused slightly, imbuing each word with immense power.

"What we are slaying is the 'demon of power' that breeds in the shadows, bewitches people, and makes them lose their true nature."

It is the 'demon of greed' that makes people forget their original intentions and betray their vows;

"It is that 'Demon of Power' that makes us cultivators forget why we wield swords and why we protect them!"