Everyone in the dojo fell silent. Even though they had anticipated it, their hearts still felt heavy when Old Ancestor Wang said they would depart immediately.
There was no escaping it.
Otherwise, if accounts were settled later, even Qing Niu Daoke wouldn't be able to bear the consequences, let alone those with large family businesses. They couldn't escape the temple even if they escaped the monk; in fact, they couldn't even escape the monk.
The only option now was to go and act according to the circumstances, trying their best to preserve themselves.
Dragon Mountain Daoist bowed slightly to everyone and said apologetically,
"Everyone has come a long way. This joint expedition to suppress demons is also fate. When the time comes, try to act together and stay close to me and the other Heavenly Humans, so as not to be exploited by strong demonic cultivators."
Although this matter originated from Old Ancestor Wang, and Dragon Mountain Daoist was also caught in the scheme, everyone was ultimately caught in this calamity because they attended his Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony. He naturally felt some guilt in his heart.
However, some things couldn't be said openly.
Dragon Mountain Daoist's words were somewhat veiled, but all the Yuandan Realm experts understood.
Everyone looked gratefully at Dragon Mountain Daoist and said in unison,
"We thank you, True Master!"
Dragon Mountain Daoist cupped his fists at Qing Niu Daoke and the other two. Qing Niu Daoke had already adjusted his mindset. He waved his hand slightly and said,
"When the time comes, we will just assist each other. A demonic sect branch shouldn't be a big problem."
Xiaoyao Jun and True Master Baihe also nodded, signaling Dragon Mountain Daoist to rest assured.
The four had quietly formed an offensive and defensive alliance, tacitly excluding Old Ancestor Wang.
Old Ancestor Wang knew he wouldn't be popular, so he said,
"Since that's the case, let's depart now!"
With that,
he had already flown to the very front.
Dragon Mountain Daoist glanced at his disciples, exhaled slightly, and finally his gaze fell on Ning Qi. He transmitted his voice to him, instructing,
"Junior Brother, with so many people staying on Zhenwu Mountain this time, if any trouble arises in the shadows, pay more attention."
He knew his Junior Brother's strength. Now that the Heavenly Human Realm and Yuandan Realm cultivators had left, Ning Qi was the strongest. He was worried that if the demon suppression wasn't smooth, the remaining people might cause a commotion.
Ning Qi's mood was also somewhat complicated at this moment.
He was worried about his master, but without the strength to make a decisive impact, going along would be futile and might even bring unnecessary variables.
He silently nodded in response to Dragon Mountain Daoist.
He then took a deep look at Old Ancestor Wang's back.
Several Heavenly Humans stepped through the air.
One by one, Yuandan Realm experts were instructing their juniors, some even implying last words, which made some juniors' eyes redden. After all, except for a few rogue cultivators, most came from sects or families. They brought their juniors to the Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony to broaden their horizons, but they didn't expect such a turn of events.
After giving their instructions, one by one, Yuandan Realm experts also stirred their True Qi and ascended into the sky.
The reason Old Ancestor Wang only wanted Yuandan Realm and Heavenly Human Realm cultivators was naturally so they could provide support at the fastest possible speed.
"Depart!"
Old Ancestor Wang was in high spirits, while the others silently followed behind him.
The figures of dozens of strong cultivators quickly disappeared into the horizon. The originally lively atmosphere on Zhenwu Mountain suddenly became somewhat silent. The Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony, which should have been successfully completed, undoubtedly had a few flaws due to this unexpected turn of events.
Many disciples of the True Martial Sect cursed Old Ancestor Wang, who had suddenly appeared.
However, the many people who remained still needed to be arranged for.
Luo Wentian took a deep breath and said loudly,
"Since it is for demon suppression, I ask everyone to stay on Zhenwu Mountain for these few days and not descend the mountain for now. It's rare for fellow Daoists to gather, so this is a good opportunity to exchange martial arts. Additionally, I ask everyone to supervise each other to prevent any demonic sect spies from descending the mountain at night."
He understood what Old Ancestor Wang meant earlier by asking the others to temporarily stay on Zhenwu Mountain: he was afraid of information leaking out.
Although there were many people and it was chaotic, news getting out was only a matter of time.
But at least not so quickly.
This would allow this demon suppression operation to gain a time advantage, as the speed of Yuandan Realm and Heavenly Human Realm experts was extremely fast.
Luo Wentian had already thought of an excuse. Tomorrow, he would send people down the mountain to deliver a message, saying that the strong cultivators who came to attend the Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony would stay on the mountain to continue exchanging martial arts, so as not to arouse speculation among the cultivators in Zhenwu City. Every day they could delay was a day gained.
This was not helping Old Ancestor Wang, but helping Dragon Mountain Daoist.
The smoother the demon suppression operation went, the safer Dragon Mountain Daoist would be.
Luo Wentian would not be so arrogant as to think that his master was invincible after reaching the Heavenly Human Realm. The danger level of this operation was still an unknown.
Moreover, since Old Ancestor Wang had brought this matter up, to some extent, he had also placed the responsibility on the shoulders of the True Martial Sect. If anything went wrong, someone might hold them accountable later.
He had already begun to arrange for True Martial Sect disciples to secretly count the numbers and keep an eye on everyone.
Everyone was also quite cooperative:
"We will certainly not descend the mountain. If anyone does, we will attack them together!"
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At this critical juncture, anyone who dared to forcibly descend the mountain, regardless of the reason, would be treated as a demonic sect spy, even if they weren't.
Luo Wentian felt slightly relieved.
He then suppressed the worries in his heart and appeased everyone's emotions one by one, especially those forces whose Yuandan Realm experts had also departed. He needed to comfort them even more, lest they become anxious and cause trouble.
Ning Qi exhaled lightly.
Zhuang Chen, beside him, rarely showed a worried expression and asked,
"Ning Qi, my master... he should be fine, right?"
Ning Qi patted his shoulder and said,
"Don't worry, Shenjian Senior is very strong, and my master will definitely take good care of him. They will all return safely."
Zhuang Chen nodded vigorously.
He muttered fiercely under his breath, spitting,
"It's all Old Ancestor Wang's fault, that old geezer..."
Originally, he wouldn't have dared to say such a thing, no matter how quietly he spoke.
After all, there were still members of the Wang family present. But now, the remaining Wang family members were in trouble. Glances of disdain and hostile looks fell upon them, making them feel cold all over, especially those forces whose Yuandan Realm elders had been taken away. They were even more so, almost cursing on the spot.
The Wang family members dared not stay in the dojo any longer, fearing they would be ganged up on. After excusing themselves to Luo Wentian, they fled in a hurry, being led to the guest quarters.
It was late, and the guests went to the guest quarters one after another.
Ning Qi looked at the gradually rising bright moon and sighed inwardly.
This was the first time he had such a direct understanding of the Great Yan Dynasty's dominance, so when it was time to be low-key, he still had to be low-key.
"In the end, this world is still decided by the Great Yan Dynasty. A mere Martial Saint Decree is enough to make four Heavenly Humans bow their heads and obediently go to suppress demons."
Ning Qi was not worried about any trouble on Zhenwu Mountain. The strongest remaining cultivators were only in the Jade Liquid Realm, and with his strength, he could completely control the situation.
He only hoped that everything would go smoothly for his master.
"Junior Brother, don't worry. I see that Old Ancestor Wang is confident, and with five Heavenly Humans rushing to assist this time, there shouldn't be any problems. You don't need to worry; Master will definitely return safely." Ye Qinghe comforted softly.
Ning Qi just nodded slightly.
He always felt that this demon suppression operation was not that simple.