At that moment, a female cultivator with phoenix eyes burst into a cold laugh and said, "I've long said that Yuan Ming is a calamity. Since he killed Cha Yancai, we should have used thunderous methods to capture him back. As for whether his disappearance has anything to do with him, if he refuses to speak, just use some unconventional methods, aren't we afraid he won't confess? If anyone else speaks up to stop us, or tries to make excuses for him, when Ancestor Ming Quan looks into this afterward, these people should also bear some responsibility."

Upon hearing these words, the faces of the four elders from the Imperial Family's line by the long table darkened considerably, evidently, although the female cultivator with phoenix eyes did not specify in her words, her insinuations were directed at the Imperial Family's line.

One of the cultivators among them, tall and thin like a bamboo pole, glared at the female cultivator with phoenix eyes and rebuked angrily, "If we are really to talk about this matter, I would like to ask Elder Hua a question. Why would Yuan Ming be dissatisfied with our Chang Chun Temple Sect? Isn't it the good deeds of your very own disciple? If it were not for his scheme and assassination attempt, perhaps Yuan Ming might now be another one of our Core Formation Elders!"

"Heh, so according to what you're implying, are you saying that Elder Cui, who was in charge of recruiting disciples back then, was also at fault?" Elder Hua responded with a cold laugh.

No sooner had the words fallen, a Daoist with long hair and beard immediately retorted, "You can't say that. I personally verified back then that Yuan Ming had only the Four Spirit Roots talent, which clearly did not meet the minimum standard for our recruitment. Now that he has advanced to Core Formation, he must have encountered some special opportunity in the Southern Border or elsewhere—an extremely low-probability event. Our Chang Chun Temple Sect, as a prestigious and established sect, cannot simply break the rules when recruiting disciples."

"Heh, by that rationale, the fault would still lie with Elder Hua's beloved disciple, right? I remember his Daoist name was Yu Hu, wasn't it? Not only did he cultivate a Core Formation Cultivator who harbors enmity against us, but he has also smeared our reputation with his life, his careful scheme ended up in vain, quite impressive indeed." The tall and thin cultivator said with a sarcastic smile.

These words were met with varying expressions from the other three elders of the Imperial Family's lineage—some shook their heads, some sighed, and some wore an enigmatic smile on their faces.

Being closely related to the Da Jin Imperial Family, they were well aware of the true purpose of those State Preceptors sent by the Chang Chun Temple Sect. Each one of them had been marginalized in those days, so they naturally harbored schadenfreude toward Yu Hu's death.

Elder Hua's brows slightly raised, "Hmph, could it be that Elder Liu has forgotten? During the abdication ceremony years ago, didn't your Imperial Family's lineage give out two copies of the 'Nine Elements Technique' secret manual? One copy was given to the newly ascended Emperor Jin, and as for the other, we are all well aware of its whereabouts. Yuan Ming's achievements today are largely thanks to your Imperial Family's lineage. I suspect that maybe all that Southern Border opportunity was fake, and that Yuan Ming is actually a sword you're cultivating for those dirty deeds unseen by others, and this time he has just killed the wrong person and can no longer be protected, right?"

"Don't slander us with wild accusations! Every year during the inventory check of the 'Nine Elements Technique,' there are extras given out. Have you actually investigated where those secret manuals have gone?" Elder Liu's face turned ashen.

"I don't care about the whereabouts of other secret manuals, but those two from your Imperial Family's lineage... Hehe, if I remember correctly, the traitor from back then also came from your lineage. Now another Yuan Ming has emerged. Whether your hearts truly stand with the Chang Chun Temple Sect, I dare not say." The female cultivator with phoenix eyes said with a mocking smile.

"What nonsense are you talking about! Our lineage has contributed so much to the Chang Chun Temple Sect—do you see it as worthless? On the other hand, you spend your days within the sect, not venturing beyond your doorsteps, agitating this and that, claiming to plot for the development of the sect while wishing we would wage war against all the sects in the world at once. If we continue like this, the Chang Chun Temple Sect will sooner or later be dragged down into the mire by you all!" The tall and thin cultivator suddenly stood up, reproaching angrily.

Elder Hua also stood up undaunted, ready to retort, but just at that moment, the elder in a black robe seated at the head of the long table suddenly spoke up, "Enough."

His voice was not loud, but as soon as he spoke, everyone immediately became quiet and dared not make any further sound.

The elder appeared very old, with a head full of gray hair, a face full of wrinkles, a hunched body, and thin limbs. He seemed to be on the brink of death.

Yet, none of the Core Formation Elders present dared to resist his words, simply because he was the direct disciple of the Supreme Grand Elder.

It was rumored that he was only one step away from achieving Nascent Soul, and if he appeared weak and elderly, it was due to his cultivation technique; in actual age, he might be younger than any of those present.

"All of you present are devoted to the public good, and no one wishes to drag our Chang Chun Temple Sect down. Such words should not be said in the future." The elder raised his eyelids slightly and spoke in a flat tone.

"Yes." Elder Hua and Elder Liu both bowed and admitted their faults to the elder, then they sat down and exchanged unconvinced glances before turning their heads away.

After settling the matter, the elder closed his eyes again, no longer speaking, as if he had fallen asleep.

Seeing this, Qu Liang cleared his throat and continued, "Since most of us here agree to take action and surround Yuan Ming for assassination, then who should be assigned to this task? Do any of you have recommendations?"

Immediately after this statement, the entire gathering fell silent, nearly all the elders present kept their eyes down and remained noncommittal.

Taking a stand on the Yuan Ming issue was one thing; actually sending someone to deal with it personally was another matter altogether.

None of those who had attained such positions to be present were fools.

Cha Yancai was no weakling, just half a step away from late-stage Core Formation, the favorite disciple of Ancestor Ming Quan, and possessed a few trump cards. However, according to the reports, she had initiated the attack, yet couldn't complete even a single move before being slain by Yuan Ming.

Even if Cha Yancai underestimated his opponent, the swiftness of his defeat also serves to illustrate Yuan Ming's strength.

Let alone whether Yuan Ming will flee afterward, even if he stays put, without mobilizing several late-stage Core Formation Elders, he might still not be an easy opponent to defeat.

This matter is so thorny, and the best outcome would only be to earn Ancestor Ming Quan's appreciation. Who among those present doesn't have a Nascent Soul Ancestor backing them up? It's not worth damaging the combat power of their own factions for this.

Moreover, as a newly ascended Nascent Soul, Ancestor Ming Quan himself is uninterested in the power struggles within the temple. With only Cha Yancai as his disciple, his lineage is even more short-staffed.

"Ahem, in my opinion, for a mere Loose Cultivator, it's not good for us to make such a big fuss. Besides, his whereabouts are uncertain, and after killing Cha Yancai, he will surely flee the Capital with his family. I think it's better to first issue a bounty, letting those small sects and Core Formation Loose Cultivators get involved. If they can kill him, great; if not, they can at least provide us with intelligence. Once we confirm Yuan Ming's location, then it's not too late to send people to besiege and kill him." Seeing no one speaking up, the bearded member of the assembly who first suggested the siege gave everyone a way out.

His words won the support of many elders, and seeing that no one objected, Qu Liang also nodded in agreement.

"All right, then let's arrange it as such. Moving on, the next topic is about the Western Region and Qin Country. With the fall of a Nascent Soul Ancestor, Guiyuan Sect has been in continuous retreat on the battlefield against Qin Country and the Western Region. In order to reverse the decline, they have sought aid from all sects in the Central Plains. This has already received the approval of the Supreme Grand Elder, and we must also offer our support. At least ten Core Formation Elders must go, and we need to finalize this list today." Qu Liang surveyed the crowd as he started discussing the next topic.

…

Capital, Yuan Mansion.

"Dad, Mom, please take this Fasting Pill first." In the study, Yuan Ming took out two elixirs and handed them to his parents.

According to Liu Tianming, there are special means of communication between the Capital and Chang Chun Temple. The fact that he killed Cha Yancai is now known at Chang Chun Temple, and they will likely send people to hunt him down soon.

Currently, he was not aware that the higher-ups in Chang Chun Temple had already quarreled fiercely over this matter, and they were indeed close to dispatching a large number of people to besiege him.

In any case, he knew he did not currently have the strength to face an entire pursuit from Chang Chun Temple and needed to hasten his departure without sitting idly by.

For the moment, Yuan Ming had no suitable Flying Artifact to facilitate a swift escape with his parents. After thinking it over, he finally came up with a plan.

Yuan Zuochong took the elixir, swallowed it, and then dissolved it with mana. He then helped his wife do the same.

"Okay, next, I will put you both to sleep first, and then put you in a space that can hold living people, so we can leave as soon as possible." Yuan Ming said, and his Soul Power slowly drifted out from his Sea of Consciousness, wrapping gently around his parents.

Soon, Yuan Ming's parents were fast asleep, and Yuan Ming promptly summoned the Stealing Heaven Tripod and put them inside.

He then carefully stored the Stealing Heaven Tripod within his body and pushed open the door of the study to step outside.

Outside the room, Liu Tianming and Fu Qing were already waiting.

Liu Tianming was surprised to see only Yuan Ming coming out alone, with no sign of Yuan Zuochong and his wife in the study.

However, he did not ask questions and simply stepped forward, saying, "Brother Ming, I've already made the arrangements. Take this Jade Pendant, show it to the people in Thousand Dragon Island's territory, and they will know you are someone I have sent."

"Thank you." Yuan Ming accepted the Jade Pendant, nodding in gratitude.

"It's a small matter. It's just a pity that although we brothers have just reunited, we have to part again so soon," Liu Tianming said with a touch of regret.

"Circumstances compel it. Once I have settled my parents and dealt with what needs to be done, I will come to have a drink with you," Yuan Ming said, quite nonchalant about it.

"Agreed, a promise is a promise," Liu Tianming said, then suddenly stretched out his right fist slightly.

Yuan Ming understood and also extended his right fist, ready to bump it against Liu Tianming's when he suddenly sped up.

Coincidentally, Liu Tianming also accelerated at the same moment. The two fists smashed together hard, causing a slight pain that made them both frown instinctively and cast a blaming glance at each other. But as their eyes met, they both paused and then burst out laughing.

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