The celestials glanced at Yu Feng, the others, and Fu Ling, feeling some agreement with the suggestion. Given Fu Ling’s unique status and her intense enmity with the four Supreme Celestials of the Celestial Palace, if hostilities reignited, it would be an awkward situation for both clans.
“I was thinking the same,” Jin Yao replied, then turned to Feng Xian. “Elder Feng Xian, what do you think?”
“All arrangements for tomorrow’s festivities are already in place. Please, everyone, proceed to the Phoenix Hall,” Feng Xian said with a wave of his hand.
With all three leaders on the island in agreement, and the Lord of Hao Yue Hall uninterested in external affairs, the remaining celestials and demons naturally had no objections and began to follow Feng Xian. Just then, a voice called out.
“Wait!” Everyone turned to see Sect Master Xi Yun of Yun Xiao step forward from among the celestials, bowing toward Jin Yao. “Celestial Lord Jin Yao, I have a matter to report.”
Jin Yao replied, “The grand banquet is about to begin. Why don’t we discuss this after our clans finalize the division of domains in the blessed lands and I bestow the Wutong Heart Flame upon Chong Zhao in Phoenix Hall?”
“No, this matter concerns the very foundation of our celestial clan. Before this Miao disciple is granted entry into the Celestial Palace, I must report it to you, Celestial Lord.”
Chong Zhao froze, and the celestials around him turned their gaze toward him.
“Oh?” Jin Yao glanced at Chong Zhao. “Sect Master Xi Yun, is this matter related to Chong Zhao?”
Behind Tian Yu, Fu Ling’s expression faltered as she looked at Chong Zhao’s pale face. Even the typically steely Fu Ling had a hint of regret in her eyes. She was about to speak when Tian Yu cast her a brief, cold glance.
Fu Ling bit her lip and lowered her gaze. Things had reached a point beyond her control.
“Indeed.” Xi Yun looked at Chong Zhao and declared loudly, “Celestial Lord, though our clans have been at peace for a thousand years, there remains a fundamental difference between celestials and demons. The Nine Heavens Celestial Palace is the sacred heart of our celestial clan, and this youth’s involvement with the demon clan makes him unfit to enter the Celestial Palace and receive the bestowal of spiritual power!”
Xi Yun’s statement sent shockwaves through the crowd. Not only the celestials but even the demons began to murmur, casting glances toward the Miao Sect group.
In the distance, Mu Jiu’s jaw dropped as he nudged Hua Hong. “Did I hear that right? That old man said Chong Zhao was colluding with the demons? Did he collude with you?”
Hua Hong rolled her eyes, and Mu Jiu quickly raised a hand. “I swear, it wasn’t me!”
The Miao Sect disciples found themselves the center of attention. Chong Zhao looked stunned, and Er Yun was furious. “You lie! My junior brother would never…”
Chong Zhao grabbed Er Yun’s arm, calming him, and was about to speak when Jin Yao raised a hand, his gaze stern as he addressed Xi Yun. “Sect Master Xi Yun, you must be aware that your accusations bear on Miao Sect’s reputation of a thousand years. Be careful not to speak recklessly.”
Xi Yun bristled at Jin Yao’s caution. “Celestial Lord, Yun Xiao Sect has stood for a thousand years, among the three great mountains of the celestial clan. I would not slander a mere disciple of Miao Sect without proof.”
Jin Yao’s frown deepened. “Where is your proof?”
"Nan Wan," Xi Yun addressed his disciple standing beside him. "Report to the Celestial Lord what you know."
"Yes, Master." Nan Wan stepped forward from the crowd, giving Chong Zhao a disdainful look. "Celestial Lord, Chong Zhao’s success in defeating the evil dragon and protecting the celestials in the Wu Yan Tournament at the foreign city was not entirely his own doing." Nan Wan glanced at Shou An from Wu Liang Mountain nearby. "My junior disciple, Shou An, personally witnessed a demon power protecting him."
This statement caused an uproar among the celestials, who turned to look at Shou An. Chong Zhao’s body tensed, and Er Yun, sensing his discomfort, looked at him with worry.
"Junior Brother?"
Chong Zhao avoided her anxious gaze, lowering his eyes.
"I… I…" Shou An, always timid, wasn’t used to being the center of attention, especially under the gaze of Jin Yao and the Supreme Celestials. He cowered behind Nan Wan, visibly shaken. Growing impatient, Nan Wan grabbed his arm and pulled him forward, sternly warning him.
"Junior Disciple Shou An! You told me this yourself, and if you’re lying, you’ll implicate the entire Wu Liang Sect."
"No, I’m not lying!" Shou An’s face paled in fear as he knelt before Jin Yao. "Celestial Lord, I saw it myself in the stone hall of the foreign city. When Chong Zhao fought the evil dragon, there was demon power shielding him! That day, Kunlun’s Supreme Celestial Bei Chen and the fox demon Mu Jiu were also there; they can vouch for it!"
Called out suddenly, Mu Jiu, who had been enjoying the spectacle, looked at Shou An with folded arms and an unimpressed expression.
"Why look at me? I have nothing to do with your celestial affairs. And besides," he smirked, "what’s your name? Shou An, was it? Are you an idiot? If a Miao Sect disciple really is colluding with the demons, and he’s about to enter the Celestial Palace to receive spiritual power, we demons would only celebrate! Why would I testify against him?"
Mu Jiu’s remark was undeniably scathing, eliciting laughter from the demons and sour expressions from the celestial leaders, even making Jin Yao’s face darken.
Shou An blushed with embarrassment and frustration. "But… but Supreme Celestial Bei Chen was also there! He must have seen it!"
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