"Sixth brother, seventh brother, the Palace Master has been sealed away, and the Grand Elder is also seriously injured. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Second Elder, you mean..." The Sixth Elder made a throat-slitting gesture, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in the Second Elder's eyes: "This is a golden opportunity, a chance that will never come again. This is the best opportunity to take control of the Illusionary Heaven Palace."

"However, the Palace Master was seriously injured while protecting the sect. If we kill the Palace Master, it will be difficult to win people's hearts."

"The Palace Master was severely injured by a mysterious person. The Holy Light Pavilion was powerless to reverse the situation, and the Palace Master unfortunately perished. Is there a problem?"

"Did you manage to persuade the Holy Light?" the Seventh Elder asked with some concern.

"Although Holy Light is in charge of the Holy Light Pavilion and has saved countless lives, he is still cold-blooded and ruthless at heart. As long as we do not touch the Holy Light Pavilion, he probably will not object. And as long as we pay a sufficient price, I believe he will know what to say to the outside world."

"So the Second Elder is fully prepared."

"Let's go, we need to get to the Holy Light Pavilion right now and kill the Palace Master and the Palace Lord before the other elders arrive."

However, the Second Elder never expected that Lian Jing's so-called discussion was just an excuse. After he left, Lian Jing and the First Elder went directly to the main palace of the Illusionary Heaven Palace—the Water Cloud Palace. At the same time, they summoned all the disciples.

The Grand Elder had consumed a King-level pill, and his injuries had healed somewhat. Now, suppressing his injuries, he donned a pure white elder's robe. Lian Jing's face was pale, her long, snow-white hair neatly tied back, and her magnificent ice-blue robe shimmered with a faint spiritual aura. The white jade scepter in her hand also emitted a soft light.

At the foot of the nine-tiered white jade steps stood a group of elders and disciples who had rushed over. They looked at the palace master on the throne with fanatical expressions in their eyes.

"Greetings, Palace Master; greetings, Grand Elder."

"No need for formalities."

"Today, my Illusionary Heaven Palace was attacked. It was my dereliction of duty that caused you all worry. I have gathered you all here today to announce two things. The first is that I was seriously injured in today's battle and will need to go into seclusion to recuperate for several years. During this period, the position of Palace Master of Illusionary Heaven Palace will be temporarily held by Yi Ruowu."

Instantly, all eyes were fixed on Yi Ruowu. She was undoubtedly the youngest Palace Master on the continent. Was the Palace Master's injury really that serious? Was she really forced to pass the position down? Everyone on the continent knew about Yi Ruowu and Xiu Qiyu's relationship; didn't the Palace Master mind at all?

The divine child is dead. Is this a choice the palace master made out of desperation?

In any case, it's a done deal that Yi Ruowu will become the Palace Master of Huantian Palace; she's truly lucky.

Lian Jing continued, "The Second Elder, the Sixth Elder, and the Seventh Elder attacked the First Elder with the intention of rebellion, and even planned to assassinate me. I hereby announce that the Second Elder, the Sixth Elder, and the Seventh Elder will have their cultivation methods abolished and be expelled from the sect."

As expected, this statement caused an uproar. The Second Elder, Sixth Elder, and Seventh Elder were accused of plotting a rebellion and assassinating the First Elder and the Palace Master.

Is this true?

"It is indeed true. I, the Palace Master, can confirm that the First Elder was ambushed by the Second Elder and suffered a heart injury. Therefore, the Palace Master had no choice but to fight the mysterious expert alone and was unfortunately seriously injured. If the Palace Master had not stopped the mysterious person, all of us here would have been doomed."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood. No wonder the First Elder had only watched from the sidelines without intervening; he was already severely injured and unable to fight. This Second Elder was truly wicked. For his own benefit, he disregarded the safety of the sect. He deserved to die!

Do you have any further objections to these two matters?

Everyone shook their heads. Both of these matters were extremely important to the sect. No wonder the Palace Master and the Grand Elder had summoned everyone here despite their serious injuries. Sigh, it was all for the sake of the sect.

"Since there isn't one, I will now hand the scepter over to the Holy Maiden."

"I have."

Outside Shuiyun Palace, the Second Elder, Sixth Elder, and Seventh Elder glared angrily at Lian Jing: "Palace Master, is it really okay for you to be so quick to betray us? Wasn't the First Elder your wish? I helped you achieve your wish, shouldn't you thank me?" The Second Elder, Xuan Ying, walked in step by step, looking at Lian Jing and Bai Wu with a half-smile.

Lian Jing's expression remained unchanged: "Where are the members of the Punishment Hall? Why haven't you apprehended these three traitors yet?"

"Palace Master, do you really think you can fool everyone by putting on this act? You're a cripple now, what right do you have to lead the Illusionary Heaven Palace? And Grand Elder, how are your injuries? Are you all so eager to get rid of me because you're afraid? Afraid that I might accidentally kill you?"

"presumptuous."

"I've gone too far, what can you do about it? If it weren't for the mysterious expert's attack today, the Grand Elder would already be a corpse, not standing here."

The elders of the Punishment Hall wore robes stained with blood, their pale, cold faces expressionless, their pupils filled only with indifference and ruthlessness.

"Everyone, scatter quickly." Xuan Ying certainly wouldn't surrender easily, so a major battle was inevitable, and he didn't want any of his disciples to be injured.

"The other elders joined forces and captured the Second Elder, the Sixth Elder, and the Seventh Elder."

The Sixth and Seventh Elders were filled with regret. They should not have listened to the Second Elder. They had done nothing wrong, but now they were going to be labeled as traitors, have their cultivation techniques abolished, and be expelled from the sect.

The two men had no will to resist whatsoever. They fought back a few tokenly before surrendering.

"Palace Master, Grand Elder, we were only misled by the Second Elder and were confused for a moment, which is why we joined forces with him. We beg you, Palace Master and Grand Elder, to spare our lives. We will be eternally grateful and will do our utmost to repay the sect in the future."

Upon hearing this, the Second Elder nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. What a terrible teammate! They had already sided with the Palace Master and the First Elder so quickly.

Now only the Second Elder is left to fight alone, and one can imagine the grief and anger in his heart. These two fools are not to be relied upon at all.

"Elder, what do you think?"

"The sect has suffered a calamity this time, and both the Palace Master and I were seriously injured. The sect always needs someone to protect it. Since the sixth and seventh brothers are sincere in admitting their mistakes, let's give them a chance to redeem themselves."

"This kind of thing will happen again if it happens once, Elder. Don't forget that."

"You two swear by your Dao heart that you will not do anything detrimental to the Illusionary Heaven Palace from now on."

Upon seeing that they had a chance to live, the Sixth and Seventh Elders immediately swore an oath of loyalty to the sect, promising that if they broke this oath, they would be condemned by the Heavenly Dao.

Although the Second Elder was quite powerful, he was surrounded by so many people and quickly fell into a disadvantageous position, and it looked like he was about to be captured.