Ning Fa's chilling words echoed through the heavens and earth, causing the surrounding cultivators to feel a sense of awe, and the many cultivators of the Tianyang Sect felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.
The Third Elder of the Tianyang Sect, True Lord Chiyang, with his red hair and beard, could no longer stand it. He roared at Tianyang and Bai Dan with a face full of fury:
"I've advised you many times before to leave some room for yourselves and not go too far, but you were blinded by greed and refused to listen. Now, this is the result. Our Tianyang Sect's orthodox lineage of tens of thousands of years might be destroyed by the two of you!"
Tianyang's face was pale and ashen. He opened his mouth, then finally sighed and said, "It's a done deal. What's the use of saying this now?"
True Lord Baidan seemed not to hear him, staring intently at the distant sky, his eyes filled with anxious anticipation.
Just then, his eyes suddenly lit up, and like a drowning person finding a piece of driftwood, he cried out in ecstatic joy, "Our reinforcements are here!"
At that moment, a voice sounded from afar, approaching rapidly.
"Fellow Daoist Ning, let's talk things through. Resorting to force is not the way to solve problems."
The voice was clear and light, as if it could soothe the anger in one's heart upon hearing it. Even the surging momentum of the Huayu Sect and the Ning Family cultivators seemed to have subsided a little.
Then, a beam of light arrived in the blink of an eye. Although there were only a dozen or so people, all the cultivators on the scene showed expressions of shock upon seeing them, and low murmurs spread.
"First Elder of Taiqing Sect, Xuan Weizi; Enforcement Elder of Taiqing Sect, True Lord Xuanqiong; Second Elder of Yuxu Gate, Qiu Zidong; First Elder of Jingming Sect, Chu Yanzhou; Second Elder of Jingming Sect, Immortal Zhaoming; First Elder of Haoyuan Sect, Lu Chunyuan; First Elder of Xuancang Sect, Xue Hongwen; First Elder of Gongyang Family, Gongyang E..."
These dozen or so people were all members of the Elder Council, and without exception, they were all sect leaders or important figures from Cangyuan's top forces. At the very least, they were at the Mid Nascent Soul stage, and all were ranked on the Profound Ranking.
The leader was Xuan Weizi of the Taiqing Sect, who was ranked second on the Profound Ranking. The words just spoken also came from him.
Such a display naturally shocked the onlookers, and many even gloated.
It was clear that so many high-level cultivators from the Elder Council had come to stop Ning Fa, and they were eager to see how the arrogant Ning Fa would react to such a situation.
On the main peak of the Tianyang Sect, Bai Dan shouted with immense joy, "We're saved! We're saved!"
Tianyang's previously ashen face instantly regained some color, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He even glanced at Chiyang and said, "Junior Brother, you might have spoken too soon."
The other high-level cultivators of the Tianyang Sect also showed expressions of joy, clearly believing that with so many people from the Elder Council present, Ning Fa would not dare to make a move.
Even if he were to disregard them, he would still not be a match for Xuan Weizi, who was ranked above him.
The members of the Elder Council looked at Ning Fa with varying expressions. Xuan Weizi, at the forefront, wore a Bagua robe and held a horsetail whisk. Although his hair and beard were white, his face looked no older than thirty or forty. His handsome face bore a gentle smile, giving him an ethereal and transcendent appearance.
He smiled at Ning Fa and said, "Fellow Daoist Ning, it's our first meeting. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Xuan Weizi of the Taiqing Sect. I have long heard of your great name, Fellow Daoist Ning. It is truly a pleasure to finally meet you."
Xuan Weizi's attitude seemed very friendly. Ning Fa glanced at him indifferently, then looked at the Elder Council members behind him, remaining silent.
Xuan Weizi was not bothered. He continued to smile and introduce the cultivators behind him to Ning Fa.
"Fellow Daoist Ning, I imagine you don't know most of us. Allow me to introduce them to you."
As Xuan Weizi introduced each person, these important figures from the Elder Council also smiled and nodded at Ning Fa in a friendly manner.
Although they had come to stop Ning Fa from taking action, they did not wish to escalate the situation. A peaceful resolution would be best.
During Xuan Weizi's introductions, Ning Fa remained silent, watching with a calm expression.
After Xuan Weizi finished his introductions, he said expressionlessly, "Now that you're done introducing yourselves, you can all leave."
The Elder Council members, who had been smiling, suddenly stiffened. Some of the more hot-tempered individuals showed anger in their eyes, but upon remembering Ning Fa's formidable ranking, they quickly suppressed their anger.
At the same time, everyone was inwardly startled. Ning Fa's words clearly showed his attitude – he was unfazed by the presence of so many members of the Elder Council.
Xuan Weizi frowned slightly, then sighed softly, "Fellow Daoist Ning, with the Tianli army pressing down on us, it is truly not advisable to fight amongst ourselves.
Especially Fellow Daoist Bai Dan, who is one of the few remaining Fourth-grade Pill Refining Masters in our Cangyuan. Many pills that are crucial to us can only be refined by Fellow Daoist Bai Dan.
Fellow Daoist Tianyang is also a top expert ranked on the Profound Ranking and has achieved great merits in the war against Tianli.
Therefore, I truly cannot bear to see you two engage in a battle to the death.
In my opinion, there are no conflicts that cannot be resolved.
Fellow Daoists Tianyang and Bai Dan were indeed a bit excessive before, but I believe they are willing to offer compensation that will satisfy you, Fellow Daoist Ning. Fellow Daoists Tianyang and Bai Dan, what do you say?"
Upon hearing this, Tianyang's eyes darted, and he immediately declared loudly, "Fellow Daoist Ning, as long as you spare my life, I am willing to offer my entire fortune and even kowtow and apologize publicly!"
Everyone was startled by this declaration. Many showed surprised expressions, clearly not expecting the renowned True Lord Tianyang to be so adaptable.
The Third Elder of the Tianyang Sect, Chiyang, frowned and glanced at Tianyang before snorting coldly, clearly displeased with Tianyang's subservient posture, which he felt disgraced the sect.
Bai Dan also struggled with his expression before gritting his teeth and shouting, "I am also willing to kowtow and apologize, and I will offer compensation of ten million spirit stones."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Weizi nodded immediately and said with a smile to Ning Fa, "Fellow Daoist Ning, I believe the sincerity of Fellow Daoists Tianyang and Bai Dan is quite good. What are your thoughts, Fellow Daoist Ning?"
Instantly, the sky, filled with tens of thousands of cultivators, fell silent. Everyone looked at Ning Fa, waiting to see how he would respond.
Many felt that this sincerity was quite commendable. The Elder Council had also given Ning Fa ample face and had not resorted to forceful pressure.
Although True Lord Cang Lei and others frowned deeply, they secretly transmitted their voices to Ning Fa, urging him to stop. They clearly did not want Ning Fa to make enemies of so many top experts from the Elder Council.
Ning Fa stood with his hands behind his back, still not replying, but the mocking expression on his face grew heavier, causing Xuan Weizi to frown slightly.
At this moment, Ning Fa's mocking smile vanished, and he said expressionlessly:
"Can a simple apology and compensation erase all the evil deeds they have committed against the Huayu Sect and the Ning Family over the years?
Can an apology and compensation truly make up for all the grievances the Huayu Sect and the Ning Family have suffered over the years?"
"Can an apology and compensation bring back the disciples of the Huayu Sect and the Ning Family who, due to resource shortages caused by their targeting, suffered from lingering injuries or even died on the battlefield?"
Ning Fa's three sentences gradually increased in volume, finally booming like thunder.
At this moment, silver lightning crackled around him, and a terrifying pressure erupted from his body. He even roared at Xuan Weizi with a ferocious expression.
The onlookers in the air widened their eyes, never expecting Ning Fa to react so intensely! He was even being so disrespectful to Xuan Weizi, a figure who had commanded respect in Cangyuan for hundreds of years!
The disciples of the Huayu Sect and the Ning Family had tears welling up in their eyes, recalling the grievances they had suffered and the many fellow disciples and family members who had been crippled or even died on the battlefield due to a lack of resources.
The members of the Elder Council also changed their expressions, not expecting Ning Fa's attitude to be so fierce.
Xuan Weizi's expression shifted multiple times, anger welling up in his eyes. He had been in the late Nascent Soul stage for five hundred years. Wherever he went, even Nascent Soul cultivators treated him with utmost respect. When had he ever been publicly reprimanded like this?
However, considering Ning Fa's current strength and terrifying potential, he suppressed his anger and forced a smile. "Fellow Daoist Ning, what's done is done. The past cannot be undone.
But I promise you here and now, both the Tianyang Sect and our Elder Council will provide compensation to your sect and your family that will satisfy you.
However, at this critical juncture where we need all hands on deck, I hope you can spare their lives and allow them to continue contributing to Cangyuan. As long as..."
But before he could finish, Ning Fa waved his hand dismissively, interrupting him.
Ning Fa's expression turned icy as he said, "Don't waste my time with your nonsense! I am determined to destroy the Tianyang Sect today, and I will kill Tianyang and Bai Dan! Anyone who dares to stop me will be my sworn enemy, Ning Fa!"
Ning Fa paused, his icy eyes slowly sweeping across Xuan Weizi and the other members of the Elder Council. He spoke word by word:
"I, Ning Fa, hereby make a Heart Demon Oath: anyone who dares to interfere with me today will be my mortal enemy, and if I break this oath, may my meridians become chaotic and I die!"
Every word Ning Fa spoke was like thunder, causing the sky to tremble.
After he finished speaking, an inexplicable pressure descended. A gray-white energy rained down from the sky, circled Ning Fa for a moment, and then disappeared. A faint aura of the Great Dao's laws emanated, a clear sign that the Heart Demon Oath had taken effect.
After Ning Fa made his Heart Demon Oath, the air within a radius of dozens of miles fell into a profound silence.
All the cultivators stared with wide eyes, their faces filled with disbelief. They couldn't comprehend that Ning Fa's attitude could be so extreme, completely disregarding the numerous members of the Elder Council and Xuan Weizi, one of the top three figures in Cangyuan.
He had even gone so far as to make a Heart Demon Oath, displaying an attitude of being willing to defy the entire world if necessary.
Among the crowd, there were familiar figures to Ning Fa. Duanmu Hong stood tall and elegant, Duanmu Pojun was imposing and brave in his heavy armor, and there were other disciples from the Duanmu Family who had split from the Duanmu Family to join the Flying Star Sect.
Duanmu Hong's lips trembled as he looked at Ning Fa with a terrified expression. He never imagined that this sect disciple, whom he had once refused to take as his personal disciple, had grown to such a level.
What filled him with even greater dread was whether Ning Fa would seek trouble with them later.