txolops Chapter 156 Tensions Rise, Uprising Imminent
Chapter 156 Tensions Rise, Uprising Imminent
There's always a story waiting for you to uncover.
Although there were many cultivators present, a few remained standing still, their faces expressionless.
Most of these cultivators have firm Daoist beliefs and usually only engage in seclusion to cultivate and seek the Great Dao. They never concern themselves with the disputes and trivial matters of the outside world. Although they were attracted by the commotion, they only watched from the sidelines and had no intention of getting involved.
Seeing that the crowd was not only not intimidated, but instead took a step closer, Jinling Shengmu felt a surge of anger. The Qingping Sword in her hand shone brightly and rang incessantly.
She swung her sword downwards again, the sharp sword energy slicing through the air with a piercing sound, clearly intended as a show of force.
"What do you all want? Do you even dare to openly defy the teacher's decrees?!"
However, the surrounding disciples, having been incited earlier and confident in their numbers, couldn't help but harbor a sense of wishful thinking.
They thought to themselves that although the Holy Mother Jinling held a high position, she might not really have the same boldness as Li Bai, who would act on a whim.
Therefore, even when facing the Holy Mother of the Golden Spirit, these people not only did not retreat, but also took several steps forward together, encouraged by each other's glances, to show their stance with practical actions.
Duobao saw all of this. Although he intended to take advantage of the situation to suppress Jinling, he also knew that things had gotten too out of hand and would be difficult to handle. This would damage the reputation of the Jie Sect and make it even harder to explain to his teacher.
He also harbored a selfish motive: the position of leader of the Jie Sect, which would allow him to rule over all immortals and control the destiny of the most powerful sect in the prehistoric world, would greatly benefit his future cultivation.
If they could win over a fellow disciple like the Golden Spirit Mother, who possesses both strength and status, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous help.
Thinking of this, his voice softened, and he offered this advice:
"Junior Sister Jinling, are you still going to remain stubbornly deluded?"
This scene before us embodies the righteousness in the hearts of all fellow disciples, and it is the unity and virtue upon which our Jie Sect depends for its survival.
If you continue to act willfully and disregard the bonds between fellow disciples, how will you establish yourself within the sect in the future?
"Take my advice, senior brother. If you retreat now, you can still save face."
"Stubborn to the end? Hmph, I still stand by what I said: if the malignant tumor of the Jie Sect is not expelled, our sect will eventually face the danger of collapse!"
If we condone one person today, ten or a hundred will follow suit tomorrow. Then the teachings will be corrupted, the spirit will wither, and it will be too late to regret!
"A malignant tumor? Our Jie Sect has ten thousand immortals paying homage, and we are all friendly and fraternal. How can you talk about a malignant tumor?"
Junior sister's words are far too extreme and deeply hurtful to our fellow disciples!
The two exchanged words, their arguments sharp and confrontational, drawing in the surrounding disciples, who began to whisper amongst themselves, their discontent growing stronger.
Jin'ao Island is vast. Even with the perfect cultivation of a Taibai Daluo Golden Immortal, it would be difficult for one's divine sense to instantly cover the entire island and perceive every subtle movement on ordinary days.
But the situation is special now. He has already obtained Tongtian's approval and is temporarily in charge of Biyou Palace. The island's protective array and the island's spiritual core are both within his perception.
Therefore, from the moment when the Golden Spirit Mother and Duobao first confronted each other, the turmoil on the island was reflected in Taibai's mind.
His delay in intervening was not without its own considerations.
Firstly, they wanted to see if Jinling Shengmu and Zhao Gongming could use their prestige and methods to quell the situation and resolve this internal conflict.
Secondly, he wanted to take this opportunity to observe from the sidelines and carefully discern how many disciples in this vast Jie Sect were truly concerned with the overall situation.
However, the answer he received was that the disciples of the Jie Sect were of mixed quality, and quite a few of them only cared about loyalty to their fellow disciples.
After a moment, Taibai had made up his mind.
Given the current situation, if we want to successfully implement the restraint measures and thoroughly rectify the atmosphere of the Jie Sect, gentle persuasion will have little effect. It seems that only by relying on absolute strength and authority and taking drastic measures can we deter the villains and ensure that orders are obeyed.
Moreover, he silently calculated the secrets of heaven and knew that the great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods was about to begin. Most of these disciples who were making a ruckus in front of him would either be listed on the list of gods or perish directly in the great calamity.
Therefore, even if we take strong measures today and offend these people, it will not be a problem in the long run.
For the sake of a truly peaceful future for the Jie Sect, and for the sake of less trouble and more peace for myself in the future, it seems that taking action to suppress and clear away obstacles at this moment is the most direct and effective way.
Without further hesitation, Taibai disappeared into Biyou Palace.
Before long, Taibai's figure had silently descended into the central sky between the two opposing sides.
When the cultivators suddenly saw their senior brother arrive, regardless of their inner thoughts, they all stiffened.
After a brief silence, although somewhat reluctant and their movements were uneven, everyone eventually bowed in unison and greeted each other:
"Greetings, Senior Brother."
Taibai's divine sense was sharp. As his gaze swept across the room, he noticed the resistance that flashed in the eyes of many disciples as they lowered their heads, and even some of their gazes were filled with hostility and resentment.
Among them, the one with the wavy head was the quickest to react and the most astute.
Seeing Taibai descend, he knew the crucial moment had arrived. Before Taibai could speak, he suddenly pounced from Duobao's side.
He staggered to the foot of Mount Taibai, then knelt down heavily with a thud, banging his head on the ground repeatedly.
"Elder brother, you are wise! I have served you diligently for many years. Even if I have not made any great contributions, I have certainly worked hard!"
I know I have made a mistake, and I beg my senior brother to have mercy and forgive me this time!
This disciple is willing to accept any punishment, only asking that I not be expelled from the sect!
"Please, Senior Brother, have mercy and spare Senior Brother Qiu Shou Xian!"
The disciples surrounding Duobao, moved by the scene, all knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly to Taibai, their voices of supplication rising and falling, creating a rather tragic scene.
However, Taibai remained unmoved, looking down from his high position. He was completely unmoved by the scene of the sorrowful plea before him.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw Zhao Gongming move and fly to his side.
Zhao Gongming frowned, glanced at the disciples kneeling below, hesitated for a moment, then brought his mouth close to Taibai's ear, lowered his voice, and spoke very quickly:
"Senior Brother, the situation here is complicated and may not end well."
Why don't you leave for now and avoid their attack? Leave this matter to me and Junior Sister Jinling to handle.
I assure you, I will find an opportunity to capture this bald-headed immortal.
Taibai knew that Zhao Gongming wanted to take on this karma for him in order to repay the kindness he had shown to the Three Immortal Maidens of Sanxiao in the past.
However, this responsibility is extremely heavy.
If Zhao Gongming were to take the blame, he would surely incur the resentment of the Jie Sect members, and thereafter, open and covert attacks would be difficult to quell.
Taibai is different; he is protected by spiritual treasures all over his body and is favored by the Three Pure Ones.
It is most appropriate for him to handle this matter.
"No need, junior brother. You can't shoulder this burden."
Then Taibai turned to Qiushou Xian and said in a stern voice:
"What you have done has not yet reached the point of incurring the wrath of Heaven and the resentment of the people."
He should receive three hundred lashes and apologize to the injured creatures; then the matter can be dropped.
Don't remain stubborn and escalate the situation beyond repair.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Shou Xian felt a little relieved, as this was the lightest punishment he could receive at the moment.
But just as he was about to agree, Duobao suddenly stepped forward and blocked his way.
"Senior Brother, this is going too far! We are disciples of a sage, how can we bow down and apologize to ants?"
This is not merely punishing one person, but an insult to the honor of our Jie Sect!
"Bullying the weak and abusing your power—that's the lesson you learned from your teacher."
Shameless! Accept punishment, or be expelled from the sect. Qiu Shou Xian, the choice is yours.
Qiu Shou Xian was intimidated by the murderous intent in Tai Bai's eyes. He wanted to agree immediately, but Duo Bao's hand was firmly pressed on his right arm, and his magical power surged, making him unable to move.
"Senior Brother, your actions today have been unfair."
"As your personally instructed disciple, I cannot stand idly by and watch you humiliate your fellow disciples and damage the prestige of my Jie Sect."
"Please return to Biyou Palace immediately for quiet reflection, senior brother. I will respectfully welcome our teacher back to the mountain to uphold justice!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples behind him simultaneously channeled their magical power, forming hand seals and filling the sky with spiritual pressure, clearly ready to support Duobao and fight against Taibai together.
Seeing this, the Golden Spirit Mother and the others felt a chill in their hearts.
They realized that they were probably in deep trouble this time.
Without using the talisman bestowed by the Tongtian Sect Leader, Taibai would likely find it difficult to suppress the combined resistance of his fellow disciples.