Upon hearing Chi Li's threat, the expressions of the saints of Tianchi changed drastically.

Having just suffered a great calamity, they were terrified of the word "cause and effect," especially the cause and effect related to Chi Yuan.

Chi Li actually used this to threaten them, what should they do?

The saints of Tianchi panicked. Chi Tianhao had only slandered and wronged Chi Yuan, yet he had brought such terrible divine punishment upon them. If anything happened to Chi Yuan's parents and younger brother in the Tianchi Holy Land, how could the Tianchi Holy Land bear the consequences?

But if we let Chi Yang go, who will shoulder the responsibility for the future of Tianchi Holy Land?

“Chi Li, well… let’s talk this out. It’s true that Chi Tianhao wronged Chi Yuan. We have already severely condemned him and are preparing to abolish his position as Holy Lord in order to make amends in this matter. Please believe that the family and the Holy Land are on Chi Yuan’s side!”

The Third Elder changed his expression and spoke in a gentle tone to comfort her.

“Yes, Chi Li, this was Chi Tianhao’s own doing. We can’t blame the entire Holy Land for his mistake.”

“Chi Li, all the blame lies with Chi Tianhao. We opposed his actions before, but he acted arbitrarily and didn’t listen to our advice. Otherwise, we would have brought Chi Yuan back long ago. Don’t worry, we will not tolerate him this time. We will make him pay for his mistakes!”

"Chi Li, please don't be impulsive. As long as you don't leave, we'll agree to any conditions you set!"

The saints gathered around, humbling themselves and offering kind words of advice.

They were not only afraid of losing Chi Yang, but even more afraid of losing the chance to win back Chi Yuan.

Chi Yuan's family stayed in Tianchi Holy Land, and Chi Yuan might reconcile with Tianchi Holy Land in the future out of respect for his parents.

But with Chi Yuan's family gone, the Heavenly Pool Holy Land will probably never have another chance to win him back.

However.

Despite the kind words of the saints, Chi Li remained unmoved. What he saw was not sincerity, but utter hypocrisy. These people still wanted to play him like a child!

"What a joke! Do you think that just because my wife and I are under house arrest, we can't see your petty scheming?"

Chi Li sneered, his tone full of sarcasm, "If it weren't for your support, would my wife and I have been under house arrest until today? You're stopping us from going to find Yuan'er just because you think he's become a cripple and are afraid he'll affect Yang'er's cultivation, aren't you?"

"When have you ever cared about Yuan'er's life or death, or considered Yang'er's true feelings? You still have the nerve to pretend to be good people in front of me, you really have no shame!"

"I'll say it again: either let my family of three go today and we'll leave each other alone, or we'll end our lives here! You can try to control my family, but if you do, the Heavenly Pool Holy Land will have to face its second calamity!"

Seeing Chi Li's resolute attitude, the saints' faces stiffened, unable to express their anger or curse him.

However, they all had reservations about forcibly keeping the people, as no one could bear the consequences.

The Heavenly Pool Holy Land has already suffered heavy losses. If it invites a second divine punishment, its 200,000-year-old foundation may truly be destroyed in an instant.

"Let them go."

Chi Tianhao slumped onto the steps, his face ashen, and spoke weakly.

They dare not keep the people, but what else can they do if they don't release them?

If they release the person, there's still a chance to salvage the relationship later; if they don't, there's absolutely no room for maneuver for either side.

Not only will they suffer the consequences of karma, but Chi Yuan will also never give the Chi family and Tianchi Holy Land any more chances.

The saints also understood this, and their hearts were heavy.

They never imagined that a decision they hadn't even taken seriously would ultimately lead to such a devastating consequence.

If they had respected Chi Yang's true feelings and helped him find Chi Yuan, everything would have gone in a positive direction.

But it's too late to say anything now; Tianchi Holy Land has already taken another extreme.

They are all sinners in the Holy Land!

"Yang'er, is there really no room for discussion about this?"

The Third Elder held Chi Yang's hand with trembling hands, tears streaming down his face. "The Ancestor knows he was wrong. He'll apologize in any way he can. Please, don't leave."

Chi Yang's expression was complicated. To be fair, the Heavenly Pool Holy Land treated him very well, showering him with all sorts of resources without asking for them, and even making him the Imperial Prince, grooming him as the Holy Land's successor. Although it was somewhat cold-blooded of them not to help him find Chi Yuan, their starting point was still for his own good.

It can be said that Tianchi Holy Land does not owe him anything; on the contrary, he owes Tianchi Holy Land something.

However.

Chi Tianhao's attitude towards Chi Yuan crossed his bottom line, and Chi Tianhao is the embodiment of the will of the Heavenly Pool Holy Land. He could never forgive him in this matter.

There is no room for negotiation!

“Ancestor, my parents and I already owe my elder brother too much. If we continue to associate with the Heavenly Pool Holy Land, we will never be forgiven by him in this lifetime. We must leave!”

Chi Yang said without wavering, and then added, "But please rest assured, Ancestor, the Heavenly Pool Holy Land has shown me the kindness of discovering and nurturing me. I will remember this kindness in my heart. If the Heavenly Pool Holy Land is in trouble in the future, no matter what level of cultivation I am, I will definitely rush to its aid!"

"Sigh... Never mind, you can go now."

"Our ancestor doesn't have many years left to live. You must come back and visit him when you have time."

The Third Elder said with a dejected expression.

"Ancestor, take care."

With tears in his eyes, Chi Yang bowed deeply to the Third Elder before turning away with Chi Li and Lin Huixin.

The temple fell silent.

After a long while, the Grand Elder looked at Chi Tianhao indifferently and said, "Chi Tianhao, you should relinquish your position as Holy Lord."

"I second that."

"I second that."

"I second that."

...

It wasn't just Tianchi Holy Land that suffered the calamity of fate. Nangong Ming's Emperor Sword Sect, Qi Lin's Primordial Holy Land, Tuoba Hong's Yaoguang Holy Land, Lu Daoya's Mending Heaven Holy Land, and Li Wuwei's Cangming Holy Land all had their fates severed by the Heavenly Dao at the same time.

The least affected area had its fortune reduced by 10,000 years, while the worst affected area, Cangming Holy Land, had its fortune reduced by a full 20,000 years, just like Tianchi Holy Land!

This naturally led to a calamity of destiny, with all five holy lands suffering heavy casualties. Jiang Yi, Wu Ban, Ji Tianming, and Xiao Yu, four disciples, also suffered greatly in this calamity. Jiang Yi's harem was completely wiped out, struck by lightning and reduced to ashes. The other three also lost many important relatives, and were driven to the brink of madness by the pain.

不过最惨的还要数沧溟圣地，尤其是三大家族之一的叶家，遭到了劫雷的重点照顾，整个家族上上下下，被劫雷轰了个干干净净，便连家族中的几位圣阶老祖，都被劫雷轰得灰飞烟灭。

一夕之间，叶家团灭！