Ye Guichen almost felt nauseated by Yuan Shao's words.

As for whether Yuan Shao would betray, Ye Guichen didn't really care.

However, the world was like that; some people, although prone to betrayal, might not have the courage to do so when faced with a true strongman.

Shang Hongye, however, didn't care to listen to Ye Guichen and An Shengtian bickering.

"Humph, Young Master An, I don't care about your relationship or whether you're a betrayer. Today, I've gathered you here to kill you, allowing Master to leave peacefully!" With that, Shang Hongye looked at the other elders: "Elders, what do you think?"

Shang Hongye's move was undeniably ruthless.

Even if those elders originally had treacherous intentions, Shang Hongye's action could serve as a stern warning to them.

Now they understood Shang Hongye's intention.

They exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

Previously, they hadn't taken Shang Hongye seriously. Now it seemed, despite her young age, Shang Hongye had impressive means.

"Holy Daughter, although true, there's one thing I'm uncertain whether to say!" The Great Elder, an old woman with skin as wrinkled as old tree bark, hunched over, holding a cane, looking like a witch from a fairy tale.

The Great Elder took two steps forward, eyes fixed on Shang Hongye.

Shang Hongye smiled, trying to be extremely polite: "Great Elder, you may speak."

"Good!" The Great Elder deeply gazed at the ailing old leader on the bed: "We all know that the Wuyin Array, also known as the Ten Thousand Poison Formation, is deadly once completed. Anyone trapped inside, no matter how strong, faces certain death. So, I ask the Holy Daughter, has the old leader completed the Wuyin Array?"

"Certainly, if completed, has he given it to you?" Before Shang Hongye could respond, the Great Elder continued: "Holy Daughter, you don't need to answer now. If the old leader hasn't given you the Wuyin Array, killing Young Master An means provoking the Azure Dragon Commerce. How will we withstand their wrath?"

"Right! Holy Daughter, unless you can prove the old leader has passed the Wuyin Array to you, we dare not move against this assassin!"

The other two elders nodded in agreement with the Great Elder.

The elders, all cunning, understood the Great Elder's implication.

Although the Holy Daughter's schemes were effective, and she had the Second Elder doing her bidding, killing An Shengtian was easy, but preventing the Azure Dragon Commerce's retaliation was paramount.

Although Sakura Falling was remote with merely a thousand people, if the Azure Dragon Commerce sought vengeance, resistance would be difficult.

Even if it resulted in mutual destruction with the Azure Dragon Commerce, was it worthwhile?

Moreover, the Great Elder's words subtly conveyed dissatisfaction.

It essentially questioned why, without the Wuyin Array, the Holy Daughter, though in her position, should command unchallenged loyalty?

"Great Elder, the old leader isn't dead yet! How dare you speak to the Holy Daughter like that!" The Second Elder's face darkened. Seeing Shang Hongye struggling for words, he angrily stepped before the Great Elder: "Do you intend to betray the old leader?"

"Haha, Second Elder, what are you saying?" The Great Elder sneered, pointing at An Shengtian: "Young Master An is indeed an outsider. Given his ambition for the leadership of Sakura Falling, I naturally oppose. But if the old leader passes, even if the Holy Daughter becomes the leader, will the people of Sakura Falling accept her? We need to discuss this seriously. When the old leader passes, everyone must be convinced, right?"

"You, you…" The Second Elder trembled with rage, uncertain about the old leader's progress with the Wuyin Array.

He then sought Shang Hongye's confirmation: "Holy Daughter, show them the Wuyin Array to silence them!"

Shang Hongye tried to remain calm, but inner panic was evident.

She understood Sakura Falling's current predicament well.

If forging the Wuyin Array was easy, Sakura Falling wouldn't have remained here for years.

However, with her current skills, she couldn't control the elders without the Wuyin Array to earn their respect.

"Indeed, the Great Elder is right! Since leadership at Sakura Falling requires capability, although not from Sakura Falling, I have the right to compete!" An Shengtian stepped forward, sheathing his sword, no longer hiding his intentions: "I've come here. My father knows. If I don't return within a month, he'll send men here. Then Sakura Falling will face devastation. And there are many of my people outside now, Holy Daughter, you wouldn't want Sakura Falling's blood to flow, right?"

"An Shengtian…" Shang Hongye bit her lip, glancing deeply at the old leader: "Master did teach me the Wuyin Array. If you want to see, I'll show you!"

With those words, Shang Hongye turned and slowly took an item from under the old leader's pillow.

It was a staff about twenty centimeters long.

The staff, fully carved from wood, was adorned with lifelike sakura blossoms and had a jade embedded in its center.

Ye Guichen instantly recognized it as Seven-colored Lotus Jade.

"Sakura Staff?"

"Is this the leader's Sakura Staff?"

"Has the leader given you the Sakura Staff?"

Upon seeing the Sakura Staff, everyone's expression changed.

Especially the elders, who were shocked and uncertain.

They had merely tested her, doubting Shang Hongye had the ability to wield the Wuyin Array.

But now, it seemed Shang Hongye intended to use the Wuyin Array.

If Shang Hongye truly could activate the Wuyin Array, they wouldn't stand a chance against her.

The elders looked grim.

The Second Elder, however, was overjoyed: "Holy Daughter, can you truly wield the Wuyin Array?"

"Wield, wield the hell!" An Shengtian was momentarily stunned but found himself trapped. If Shang Hongye could really use the Wuyin Array, he would be doomed. He had no choice but to hope Shang Hongye was bluffing.

Yes, Shang Hongye must be bluffing.

Seemingly to bolster himself, An Shengtian stiffened his neck and shouted: "If she dares, let her try!"

Ye Guichen squinted his eyes.

Ye Guichen had heard of the Wuyin Array.

The Wuyin Array was indeed infamous for its deadly comb, as all formations were made from bizarre and poisonous substances. Despite not being as exaggerated as the so-called Ten Thousand Poison Formation, a single poison within could result in death or destruction.

Only a handful in the world could break the Wuyin Array.

Ye Guichen had once studied under Ti'er Taoist, who had high expertise in the Wuyin Array. For Taoists, the Wuyin Array was considered a demonic formation to be mercilessly dealt with if encountered.

However, to control the Wuyin Array required not only mastery of formation techniques but also immunity to its poisonous elements.

Furthermore, it required an ability to control the entire formation intuitively.

From his observations, Ye Guichen doubted Shang Hongye could master such an array.

Even if the Wuyin Array was terrifying, Ye Guichen hadn't taken it seriously during his studies with Ti'er Taoist.

After all, Ye Guichen was immune to all poisons. Even if the Wuyin Array harbored countless poisons, it wouldn't harm him one bit.

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