In the blink of an eye, the figures of Zhou Dongfei and the Divine Court High Priest appeared simultaneously from the void.

Wang Junze's gaze instinctively fell on the High Priest.

The High Priest was clad in a black robe, holding a silver staff, with silver hair, resembling an ordinary old man. Yet his eyes carried a clarity and wisdom born from witnessing the vicissitudes of life.

What's more peculiar was that despite no aura emanating from him, one would involuntarily feel a divine presence worthy of immediate worship.

"Sect Leader Zhou, it's been twenty years since we last met. I did not expect to see you again in my lifetime."

The High Priest spoke softly, looking up.

"Haha, twenty years ago, you were saying you wouldn't live much longer, yet here you are, as charismatic as ever!"

Zhou Dongfei laughed casually and answered, "So, are we to have a fight?"

"There is no need for a fight!"

The High Priest shook his head gently and said warmly, "This old body of mine cannot withstand your Profound Moon Divine Sword."

No one truly believed that the High Priest couldn't contend with Zhou Dongfei, yet the attitude within these words was clear.

He did not wish to engage Zhou Dongfei in battle, which meant this confrontation could end here.

Realizing this, the Profound Moon Sword Sect, the Four Symbols Sect, and even the Deserters on site all breathed a sigh of relief.

The fight had been brutal, and if it continued, no one could guarantee their survival.

"In that case, I'll take my disciples and the Four Symbols Sect people back with me."

Zhou Dongfei spoke again.

"You can take the Profound Moon Sword Sect members, but not the Four Symbols Sect people." The High Priest shook his head and calmly replied.

"What does the High Priest mean by this?"

Zhou Dongfei raised his eyebrows, half-smiling as he asked, "They're all from the Human Race. Does the High Priest intend to kill all the Four Symbols Sect members?"

"If you take them, they are doomed for certain."

Looking at Zhou Dongfei, the High Priest said softly, "If Sect Leader Zhou truly cares for their safety, I assure you the Four Symbols Sect members will leave the Extreme North Wilderness unharmed. How about it?"

"What if I refuse?"

Zhou Dongfei spoke coolly.

"Then I will have no choice but to experience the Profound Moon Divine Sword myself." The High Priest responded calmly and unhurriedly.

"..."

In an instant, a dead silence enveloped the scene.

Everyone could sense the tension between the two, poised on a knife's edge.

Such powerhouses clashing was not just about their victory or defeat, but concerned the lives of everyone present, and even the fate of the Northern Domain, perhaps the world itself!

Especially for the disciples of the Four Symbols Sect, as they found their hearts in turmoil.

Who could have imagined that their lives would depend on a High Priest of the Deserters?

With a glint of murderous intent in his eyes, Zhou Dongfei remained silent, but the atmosphere around him seemed to grow ever colder.

"Sect Leader Zhou!"

Suddenly, Jing Yuan slightly bowed and spoke softly to Zhou Dongfei, "This junior dares to ask you a question."

"Hmm?"

In an instant, all eyes turned towards Jing Yuan.

The mere fact that he dared to speak up in such a situation was courage few possessed.

Even powerhouses like Liu Wangchuan or Luo Bingyun, of the Path-Entering caliber, could be casually slain by the High Priest or Zhou Dongfei, let alone someone with a mere Refining Spirit cultivation.

One wrong word, and if the other party wished to kill him, even if the High Priest wanted to protect him, it might not be in time.

"What do you wish to ask?"

Zhou Dongfei asked, his gaze cold, his emotions unreadable.

"If you kill all these Four Symbols Sect members, can you really frame it on the Deserters?" Jing Yuan bowed slightly, but his tone remained neither humble nor overbearing.

"Hmm?"

With a single utterance, Jing Yuan revealed Zhou Dongfei's intent to blame the Deserters for the potential massacre, further intensifying the murderous aura surrounding Zhou Dongfei.

Yet Jing Yuan appeared unfazed as he calmly continued, "Let's not mention the Deserters not keeping your secret, nor whether the Four Symbols Sect would believe our words. Even your disciples, are you sure the Four Symbols Sect won't be able to extract the truth from any of them?"

"Moreover, some matters... don't need evidence."

Looking up at Zhou Dongfei, Jing Yuan spoke earnestly, "Today, you dare strike down Four Symbols Sect disciples, tomorrow, won't the Four Symbols Sect's Saints dare retaliate against the Profound Moon Sword Sect's disciples?"

"Once the rules are broken, the result... is mutual destruction!"

"..."

The remark took everyone by surprise.

Not just within the Human Race, but even between the Deserters and Humans, except in times of war, generally these rules are adhered to; high-realm experts don't easily strike down younger talents.

Otherwise, send a master to kill my talents today, tomorrow I'll send someone to kill your disciples; it would be chaos.

This venture into the Extreme North Wilderness—the skirmishes between the Four Symbols Sect, the Profound Moon Sword Sect disciples, and the involvement of the Deserters—though it broke some rules, was ultimately a matter among peers. But if Zhou Dongfei himself attacked the Four Symbols Sect disciples, it would be a completely different matter.

Even though the Four Symbols Sect colluded with the Deserters first, there was still no direct evidence, certainly not enough to silence the Four Symbols Sect.

If all the Four Symbols Sect disciples were killed, their reaction would be hard to predict.

If they retaliated recklessly, and the Deserters seized the opportunity to attack, the Northern Domain's situation would collapse, a price the Profound Moon Sword Sect could not afford.

Dark conflict and outright hostility, after all, are not the same.

"Master!"

Hearing this, Wang Junze finally stepped forward and spoke solemnly, "Jing Yuan is right. Let's leave the grievances among peers for us to resolve."

Gazing at the Four Symbols Sect disciples, Wang Junze spoke again, "Fellow Four Symbols Sect brothers, this contest... should be considered a victory for our Profound Moon Sword Sect. You have no objections, right?"

They cannot afford to tear apart completely!

Wang Junze understood Jing Yuan's intention well, but he couldn't avoid concluding this battle according to Jing Yuan's suggestion.

The conflict between the Profound Moon Sword Sect and the Four Symbols Sect had caused significant casualties, but nonetheless, this enmity was already set. As long as the Four Symbols Sect disciples returned to the Northern Domain alive, they would inevitably conspire with the Deserters, openly or covertly, disrupting the Northern Domain's state.

However, this outcome was an established fact.

From the moment the High Priest and Zhou Dongfei surfaced, the result was irretrievable.

If that was the case, it was better to force the Four Symbols Sect to pay more of a price now and find ways to deal with the Four Symbols Sect upon returning.

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