Saintly Forest Peak.
At this moment, the sky seemed to be gilded with a faint golden glow, all teleportation arrays instantly failed, and space was completely locked down.
Countless Disciples looked up in a panic, unsure of what was happening.
Inside the Peak Master's Dao field, Saintly Forest Immortal Lord, who was in seclusion, suddenly opened his eyes, a mix of shock, anger, and confusion flashing within them:
"Who dares to seal my Saintly Forest Peak?!"
However, before he could react, two figures silently appeared before him—two Golden Immortal Elders with stern expressions.
"Senior Brothers from the Enforcement Meridian?"
Saintly Forest Immortal Lord looked at the two, puzzled.
"Junior Brother Saintly Forest,"
Elder Tianquan said in a solemn voice,
"By the Immortal Venerable's decree, we invite Junior Brother to make a trip to Lingxu Palace."
Saintly Forest Immortal Lord's face changed drastically:
"Lingxu Palace? Why?"
"Junior Brother will know once he goes."
Another Elder, holding a string of prayer beads, said indifferently, his tone leaving no room for doubt, and he leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing.
At the same time, a figure appeared above Saintly Forest Peak, and a clear, cold voice echoed throughout the entire peak:
"All Saintly Forest Peak Disciples and Elders, immediately gather at the Saintly Forest Dao field! No delays!
"Violators will be treated as traitors to the Sect…"
...
Zhao Yuan, dazed and distraught, rode his escape light back to Saintly Forest Peak from the restaurant. The jade token at his waist flickered, but he didn't even look at it, thinking it was just words of comfort from his Senior Brothers.
The clamor of the grand competition still seemed vivid, and Su Ming's words constantly echoed in his mind.
"If it weren't for you, Senior Brother Han wouldn't have guided me for so long…"
When had he, Zhao Yuan, ever suffered such humiliation?
At that time, those gazes—some sympathetic, some mocking, some gloating—felt like thorns in his back.
Now, he only wanted to return to his Immortal Cave and cultivate in seclusion.
Even if his Master might reprimand him for his failure.
The escape light passed through the familiar Immortal Qi mist, and the lush green mountains of Saintly Forest Peak were almost in sight.
However, just as he was about to land within the peak, he keenly sensed an unusual, oppressive stillness.
It was too quiet.
Normally, Saintly Forest Peak would have Disciples coming and going, and Spirit Beasts softly chirping.
But at this moment, the entire mountain was terrifyingly silent, as if even the sound of wind rustling through the leaves was muffled by some invisible hand.
A cold, murderous intent permeated the air.
"What's going on?"
Zhao Yuan's heart inexplicably tightened, and his escape speed involuntarily slowed.
He vaguely saw that at the mountain gate, there seemed to be figures in dark Xuan robes, radiating a chilling aura. The robes were embroidered with the Xiezhi pattern, indicating they were elites of the Enforcement Meridian.
As Zhao Yuan slowly landed, two Cultivators with stern faces and sharp eyes suddenly appeared before him, blocking his path.
They were wearing the highest-grade attire of the Enforcement Meridian, emanating powerful auras; both were Profound Immortal Rank experts.
"Halt! The Enforcement Meridian's Adjudication Guard is on official business. Saintly Forest Peak is now restricted—entry permitted, exit forbidden! All Disciples must undergo inspection!"
The leader's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.
"The Enforcement Meridian's Adjudication Guard?"
Zhao Yuan's heart sank abruptly, and a chill shot from his feet to his head.
Even ordinary Disciples of the Enforcement Meridian commanded awe, let alone the Adjudication Guard, who rarely moved.
They could only be dispatched by figures of the Seven Meridians' Peak Master Rank, and their cases were always major ones.
"I… I am Zhao Yuan, a True Disciple of Saintly Forest Peak, just returned from the Dan Meridian's grand competition…"
Zhao Yuan forced himself to calm down, stating his identity, trying to understand the situation,
"May I ask, Senior Brothers, what exactly has happened to our peak? Why…"
The Adjudication Guard didn't allow him to finish. He directly took out an ancient mirror covered in profound runes and shone it on Zhao Yuan.
As the mirror light swept over him, Zhao Yuan felt a slight chill in his Divine Soul, as if he had been seen through completely.
"Saintly Forest Peak True Disciple, Zhao Yuan, identity confirmed."
The Adjudication Guard put away the ancient mirror, still expressionless,
"Zhao Yuan, proceed immediately to the Dao field for assembly! No delays, no resistance! Violators will be treated as traitors to the Sect!"
The last five words, like ice picks, pierced Zhao Yuan's heart, making him tremble all over.
Traitor to the Sect?
What on earth was happening?
He dared not ask another question and, under the cold gaze of the two Adjudication Guards, walked towards the Dao field.
The further he went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.
Along the way, almost every ten steps had a post, every five steps a sentry, all strong-willed Enforcement Cultivators with stern faces.
His familiar Senior Brothers had their heads bowed, their faces terrified, rushing about, not even daring to exchange glances with each other, like startled birds.
In the Dao field, almost all the Disciples of the peak were gathered in a dense mass, yet it was absolutely silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
A suffocating sense of dread hung over everyone.
Several Golden Immortal Elders of the Enforcement Meridian floated in the air, their gazes like lightning, sweeping over those below.
Furthermore, Disciples held ancient mirrors, checking identities one by one and conducting inspections, the surrounding atmosphere heavy.
Zhao Yuan stood blankly in the crowd, feeling a chill throughout his body.
He subconsciously looked towards the Peak Master's main hall, where his Master cultivated in seclusion. In the past, it was the core of the entire Saintly Forest Peak, the place with the most concentrated Spiritual Qi.
However, at this moment, the main hall doors were wide open, and it appeared to be empty.
Master!
Zhao Yuan's heart suddenly tightened, and a terrifying thought uncontrollably popped into his mind: Such a grand display, sealing the entire peak… Could it be that the problem lies with… his Master?
As this thought emerged, it instantly drained all strength from his body.
The sense of defeat from losing the Dan Dao grand competition seemed so insignificant at this moment, replaced by boundless fear.
If even Master… then what would happen to Saintly Forest Peak?
What would happen to them, these Disciples?
If something really happened to his Master, would they, the Disciples, be implicated? This thought made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave, cold sweat pouring down.
He stood frozen in the crowd, watching his usually spirited fellow Disciples now pale-faced and trembling.
The once ethereal Saintly Forest Peak now resembled a massive, cold prison.
...
Purple Firmament Peak, Myriad Phenomena Garden.
Su Ming sat to the side, his expression still carrying a hint of lingering fear and emotion: "Senior Brother Han, it's truly unimaginable that Saintly Forest Immortal Lord was influenced by demonic thoughts and committed such a grave error."
Although he knew the general situation, the details were still beyond his full comprehension.
"Now Saintly Forest Peak is also suffering by association. All Disciples must undergo the Sect's inspection. Tsk tsk… In any case, Saintly Forest Peak is essentially finished. It's said that after the Jiang Family learned of this, they demanded an explanation."
Saintly Forest Peak was originally one of the top-ranked Dao peaks in the Dan Meridian, but now it was completely in decline.
"What will be Saintly Forest Immortal Lord's fate?"
Han Xuanji poured him a cup of clear tea, steam curling upwards.
Su Ming took the teacup and said:
"I don't know. It's said he has to atone for his sins. Even if he doesn't die, he'll pay a painful price. This is the punishment he deserves."
Su Ming felt no sympathy.
Because of him, many secrets of Lingxu Heavenly Palace were even leaked, and the Sect's Prodigies were all in a state of unease.
"The Karma of the world is mysterious and difficult to articulate."
Han Xuanji said with some emotion.
Saintly Forest Immortal Lord's current predicament could only be described as self-inflicted.
His timely revelation of the matter might have saved his life.
Otherwise, if he had committed a greater error later, he wouldn't have even been able to keep his life.
Han Xuanji's gaze pierced through the hazy tea mist, seemingly seeing deeper things.
Karma cycles, like an endless ring.