The people in the Buddhist Hall turned pale after hearing the news, anxiously asking, "What do you mean it's over? What happened again?"

The monk, with a mournful expression, reported the trending topics online one by one.

[Shocking Reversal, the Daoist never seeked pleasures; he went to subdue demons and exorcise evils!]

[Unbelievable, the beauties in the red-light district turned out to be fox demons in disguise, advising all men to maintain their integrity!]

[Astonishing, the reputation of the Daoist collapsed, only to be slandered by those within the Buddhist Sect?]

[Latest News, the Daoist who dedicated himself to the people has announced his retreat in despair; this time, we all owe Daoism an apology!]

In the Buddhist Hall, the higher-ups watched these new trending topics, their expressions changing constantly, from bewilderment, to disbelief, and finally to utter rage.

The comments online had already shown a complete reversal.

The entire internet was denouncing the despicable acts of the Buddhist Sect.

At the same time, they were filled with guilt and remorse for the one who announced his retreat.

The entire Buddhist Sect suddenly became the target of criticism, underfire from all sides!

This was something none of them had anticipated at all.

Initially, they thought that this public opinion battle could bury Daoism in disgrace.

But now, the situation had turned into such a mess.

The higher-ups were both anxious and furious.

"Those fools from Zen Spirit Temple, fools, fools, fools!!!"

The always dignified and composed Shi Shen couldn't help but jump up and curse, his face darkened as if he had eaten a dead rat.

With a throbbing headache, Shi Shen now just wanted to cut Fa Ling and others into pieces.

"How did those fools imagine letting Daoists slander us could be a good idea?"

"Now look, the situation reversed, and the mastermind was revealed, our Buddhist Sect plunged back into a whirlpool of public opinion."

"What should we do now..."

All the chief seats were wailing with despair painted on their faces.

Wang Yuan and Wang Sheng's honest confession in public was undoubtedly the final stab into the already faltering reputation of the Buddhist Sect!

Now the entire internet berated the Buddhist Sect's vicious means!

And many began to realize that the numerous scandals about Daoism over the years might not have been true.

It was highly likely that they were all slanders secretly orchestrated by the Buddhist Sect!

This change in reputation made everyone in the upper circle of the Great Brightness Temple realize the severity of the situation.

They knew that the Daoist's decline from prosperity to downfall was due to the sudden collapse of their reputation!

And now, what the Buddhist Sect was experiencing was precisely the path that Daoism had gone through!

"The impact of this matter is not just about the reputation of our Buddhist Sect."

"It also led many to have a renewed understanding of Daoism."

"This means that even if we fight another public opinion battle in the future, or if Daoism does have real scandals, the world might not believe us anymore."

"Abbot, what should we do now?"

"If the Saint Sect finds out, we... our position as the Upper Sect will be lost..."

The chief seats were worried.

The Great Brightness Temple, though ostensibly the Upper Sect of the world's Buddhist Sect.

But in reality, there were three true Buddhist giants above the Great Brightness Temple.

One was Jinshan Temple, which once produced Fa Hai!

Another was Lingyin Temple, known for the reincarnation of Subduing Dragon!

And the most mysterious and unknown one, Little Sumeru Mountain!

These three temples were not well-known in the Mortal World, but in the Cultivation Realm, they were recognized as the Buddhist Saint Sect, paralleling the five great holy lands of Daoism!

Under normal circumstances, the three Saint Sects would not interfere with the management of secular Buddhist Sects.

But if something went wrong within the Buddhist Sect, the three Saint Sects would directly hold the Great Brightness Temple accountable!

The mere thought of the iron-fist means of the Saint Sect sent shivers down the spines of the Great Brightness Temple's upper echelon.

"There's no other way!"

"It's that Daoist forcing us!"

Shi Shen's eyes were cold as he understood that there was no retreat left for the Great Brightness Temple except to kill that Daoist!

"Send the Four Vajra to Chang City immediately, and they must slay that Daoist!"

Shi Shen commanded harshly, filled with murderous intent.

The high monks present were in an uproar, some frowned with worry:

"Abbot, sending people to kill that Daoist right now may not be good for the reputation of our Buddhist Sect..."

Someone argued back: "We are already in the midst of a public opinion storm, regardless of whether we act or not, the reputation of the Buddhist Sect is already greatly affected, and now to make amends, that Daoist must be killed."

"Even if it means being condemned by everyone, he cannot be allowed to live, or else the reputation of Daoism could be turned around by him alone!"

"That's right."

Shi Shen decisively stated, "After this matter, everyone from elders and above will collectively resign, as an explanation to the world!"

"The world is soft-hearted and naïve. Once that Daoist is dead and today's events gradually fade away, we can still improve the Buddhist Sect's reputation."

After hearing these words, everyone contemplated and finally nodded in agreement with this decision.

"By the way, won't the Empire intervene?" someone worriedly asked at this time.

Upon these words, everyone's expressions changed slightly.

This time's public opinion reversal had a lot to do with that woman who suddenly appeared in the video.

And the monk responsible for monitoring the internet had already found out her background.

The woman's name was Yan Tong, a member of the Chang City Spirit Suppression Bureau!

The Spirit Suppression Bureau is under the Empire, and usually doesn't interfere with Buddhist matters, but this time she personally went to White Cliff Mountain to reveal the truth.

This was clearly not a good signal!

"I will handle negotiations with the Empire on this matter, just arrange for the Four Vajra to go," Shi Shen said sternly.

Over the years, the Buddhist Sect's power has rapidly expanded and became deeply entrenched; there are members of them everywhere.

The Empire is unlikely to act rashly!

As for the actions of the Chang City Spirit Suppression Bureau today, it could be seen as a warning from the Empire, but it would inevitably be just a small warning!

Tearing the face is impossible; no one can bear the consequences!

"Oh, yes."

Shi Shen then remembered another matter.

"Prepare to apologize to the whole internet, and expel Zen Spirit Temple from the Buddhist registry, permanently sealing it!"

"We must make it clear that those two people acted under the Zen Spirit Temple's abbot's instructions, and we had no knowledge of it!"

One of the chief seats heard this and nodded, then asked:

"What about the monks of Zen Spirit Temple, how should they be dealt with?"

Shi Shen's eyes were icy: "Send the Law Enforcement Hall to handle it secretly; all elders and above of Zen Spirit Temple must be executed!"

The high-ups one by one nodded in agreement, gritting their teeth: "It must be so!"

...

On the other side.

Zen Spirit Temple had already descended into chaos.

They were already aware of the Qingfeng Temple incident.

At this moment, Fa Ling and Kong Wen were both in a rage.

The monk who submitted the video had just inherited the elder position from Kong Xing, only to be slapped to death by Fa Ling in the Buddhist Hall.

"And those two brats from Lingxi Temple, why haven't they returned yet?"

Fa Ling roared, his anger burning.

"I guess they don't dare to come back; I'll go and slay them!"

Kong Wen said harshly.

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