Look at what they're saying...

Li Tuo listened from the side, his head buzzing. He never expected that the Venerable One would be so cold and ruthless as to reject the heart of a girl who sought refuge out of love.

He looked at Niu Niu, hoping to find validation from her, but to his surprise, he saw Niu Niu nodding in strong agreement.

That's right.

Everyone here is here to fight.

If you're scared, go back home. Why come here needing someone to protect you? I hate people like this who are so hesitant, whiny, and always holding others back!

Li Tuo silently withdrew his gaze, reflecting on his actions. What had he been thinking? He had actually dared to try and gain approval from Niu Chuanchuan.

That's terrifying!

Mo Yun'er's deep love was destined to go unrequited, and she could only return to her original team.

"Your Majesty, these people have returned with a lot of complaints about us."

Li Tuo looked at Shang Yanting, a hint of worry in his heart, "What if they become unruly and harbor ill intentions?"

At times like these, the worst thing is for people to be divided. If they were to cause trouble in places like the Heavenly Palace, that would be enough to give them a headache.

Shang Yanting didn't answer, his fingertips twirling the Hun Tian Bracelet on the unconscious raccoon's paw. After a moment, he looked in the direction they had left, "Arrange the best rooms in the Heavenly Palace for them, and prepare their food, clothing, and lodging to the highest standards."

"Are you treating them so well?"

Li Tuo was taken aback upon hearing this; it seemed they were going to treat all of these people as sacred objects.

"Um."

Shang Yanting's voice remained flat, and his expression was unchanged, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking. "Everything else remains the same."

"Everything as usual" means that cracking down on Omniscience remains the top priority.

Li Tuo had a vague feeling that this group of incompetent fools were not a good thing.

Sure enough, in the days that followed, they probably ate, drank, and slept well in the Heavenly Palace, and with nothing to do, they tried to interfere with the arrangements made by the Commander.

It's not just about interfering with command; it's also about forming cliques behind the scenes.

Nonsense! The Heavenly Palace was originally established to deal with demonic cultivators. How could Yan Qing dare to waste his energy looking for someone insignificant?

What?! The Demon Prince was released by Yan Qing without any conditions?

Absurd! The most important figure in the Heavenly Palace dared to disappear for eight days without being present. He even led martial cultivators to aid demonic cultivators—had he betrayed us?!

...

As influential figures in their respective academies, this group had already resisted Shang Yanting's discipline. After hearing about Shang Yanting's actions, their resolve only strengthened—

It's time for the Heavenly Palace to have a new master. Yan Qing simply doesn't have the ability to lead the martial cultivators to destroy the demonic cultivators!

They began to act stealthily.

They secretly fueled the discontent among the martial artists and quietly established a small group led by Liu Yu. In just ten days, their organization grew larger and larger, and almost 80% of the martial artists were persuaded by Liu Yu and his group. The power grab happened overnight.

That day, Liu Yu led his group straight to Shang Yanting's bedchamber, his eyes filled with smugness. "Yan Qing of Dingtian Academy, we suspect that you are controlling the heavens, colluding with demonic cultivators, and doing nothing. Now we demand that you hand over control of the Heavenly Palace. From now on, the Heavenly Palace will be managed by us other martial cultivators through consultation."

When Li Tuo arrived after hearing the news, his eyes widened in disbelief.

These people are completely letting wolves into the house and repaying kindness with enmity!

A bunch of good-for-nothings who were arrested the moment they landed, and they've taken advantage of His Excellency's kindness. He'd said it before: these people shouldn't be treated well; now they're already trying to take over His Excellency's position!

Li Tuo was so angry that his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and he wanted to go up and punch someone.

Niu Niu, being the most hot-tempered person, was so angry that he was breathing heavily through his nose. If Shang Yanting hadn't been holding him back, he would have rushed up and smashed Liu Yu to death.

Why stop Niu Niu?

Because Shang Yanting wanted to do it himself.

The group of martial arts practitioners in the standoff had no idea how Shang Yanting was acting; Liu Yu had already been knocked out of the bedchamber and was lying on the ground.

"To claim you can control everything and collude with demonic cultivators? Do you think you can slander me like this?"

One force can overcome ten techniques.

Once Shang Yanting made his move, everyone fell silent.

However, soon enough, some dared to do it.

A middle-aged female cultivator stepped forward and said, "Yan Qing, isn't what you're doing now just using your cultivation level to arbitrarily suppress those who have different opinions from you?"

As she spoke, she stepped forward, glanced at Shang Yanting, and then turned to look at the martial arts cultivators who had come to force her to abdicate. "Furthermore, how do you explain spending so much energy on that nobody named Wan Zhi? Why did you let the Demon Prince go in the first place?"

With her words, the people who had been hesitant to force the emperor to abdicate suddenly regained their confidence.

"Fellow Daoist Li speaks well! Yan Qing, can you explain this?"

"Yes, can you explain?"

“Your leniency towards the demonic cultivators is putting us martial cultivators in danger, it is killing people without them even realizing it!”

"To kill without leaving a trace!"

Every time the cultivator surnamed Li spoke, this man's group echoed his words. The atmosphere had built up to this point, it felt like they were just waiting for Shang Yanting to step down.

"The reason we must kill Wan Zhi first is because he is more dangerous than any demonic cultivator. If he is not eliminated, the martial arts will never have peace."

Shang Yanting slowly said, "If you want to eliminate the demonic cultivators first and then kill Wan Zhi, or let Wan Zhi go unchecked, the martial cultivators will only suffer even greater casualties."

"As for you, do you really think you can lead these martial arts practitioners?"

Even under pressure from a group of people, Shang Yanting remained calm. Especially when he said those words and his eyes swept over the crowd, no one dared to meet his gaze.

“However, if the martial artists of the Heavenly Palace really want these people to command them, since you have all forced me here, I can hand over the Heavenly Palace to you.”

Liu Yu had just gotten up from the ground and squeezed into the crowd when he heard Shang Yanting say these words. He was stunned at first, then overjoyed, "You said it yourself."

"Of course, but you'll have to bear the consequences yourselves."

"good!"

Fearing Shang Yanting would return, Liu Yu readily agreed. His eagerness was palpable, especially considering the demonic cultivators supporting him behind him.

The power that is seized symbolizes ability; what does the power that is given symbolize?

Li Tuo and Niu Chuanchuan watched as Liu Yu and his group left the hall with their heads held high, and they were filled with resentment.

"What abilities could a group of prisoners possibly have?"

Even the usually gentle and refined Li Tuo couldn't help but swear. He really didn't understand why His Majesty would hand over the Heavenly Palace to someone else.

"Your Majesty, why did you do this?"

Li Tuo could hold back before, but now he couldn't hold back anymore. He really didn't know what Yan Qing was thinking.

"Some bad things always have to be faced by someone..."

Shang Yanting said something incomprehensible, then ordered them to close the doors of his bedchamber. "From today onwards, I will be cultivating to heal my injuries. I will not see anyone."

---Aside---

Shang Yanting: Give it to him

Goodnight everyone

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