The Arhat's Heaven-Turning Seal was completely unharmed; in fact, because it had crushed the demonic energy, the golden light on its surface appeared even more dazzling and sacred!
With undiminished momentum, carrying the supreme majesty of suppressing everything, it continued to fall towards Qiu Mobai, who had already lost all ability to resist!
This time, nothing can stop it!
Qiu Mobai collapsed in the center of the demon-slaying formation, his body covered in blood, his black robe tattered, revealing his dull skin covered in strange demonic patterns.
He raised his head, and on his blood-stained face, his once arrogant and haughty eyes were now filled with nothing but endless despair and hopelessness.
He watched the dark gold seal draw ever closer, almost filling his entire field of vision, and gazed at the wrathful Arhat at the base of the seal, his face contorted in a ferocious expression, as if mocking his overestimation of his abilities. A bitter, stern smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Heh... I never imagined that I, Qiu Mobai... who dominated my entire life... would ultimately... be defeated by... an old bald monk... How humiliating..."
The voice was weak, intermittent, and filled with resentment.
The golden light completely obscured his figure.
Boom—!
The golden light dissipated, leaving only a small clump of flying ashes, a faint smell of burnt residue, and... an indescribable aura of malevolence.
Qiu Mobai, the once renowned leader of the Immortal Cloud Sect, was annihilated in front of everyone, leaving not even a trace.
The air seemed to freeze, and a deathly silence enveloped the mountain gate square of the Immortal Cloud Sect.
Those Immortal Cloud Sect disciples who had initially felt a mix of hope and bewilderment were now deathly pale, as if they had seen a ghost. Many of them were trembling in their legs and instinctively backed away, trying to distance themselves from the place where Qiu Mobai had last disappeared, as if that place had been tainted by some ominous sign.
"snort!"
A cold, heavy groan shattered the silence, like a thunderclap in the ears of every Immortal Cloud Sect disciple.
The third elder of Huayun Sect, the old man with a solemn face and wearing a magnificent cloud-patterned robe, now had his face covered with frost and his eyes sharp as knives, sweeping over the group of dispirited disciples of Xianyun Sect without any attempt to conceal his presence.
His chin was slightly raised, with a condescending scrutiny, and a hint of undisguised sarcasm and disdain curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Excellent! What a magnificent Immortal Cloud Sect! It has truly broadened my horizons!"
The Third Elder's voice wasn't loud, but it was filled with oppressive power. Every word lashed at the hearts of the Immortal Cloud Sect disciples like a whip: "Your sect leader! The head of the sect! He's actually a demonic cultivator who has fallen into the demonic path! You disciples who have been with him day and night, how dare you say you knew nothing about it?!"
He took a sudden step forward, his imposing presence causing his robes to flutter even without wind.
Those cloudy yet piercing eyes stared intently ahead, as if trying to see through the very souls of these disciples.
"Protecting demons! Harboring filth and evil! Is this the integrity of your Immortal Cloud Sect? It's a disgrace to the cultivation world! Trash! A bunch of trash!"
The rebukes rained down like hailstones, throwing the disciples of the Immortal Cloud Sect into chaos.
"Elder, please see the truth! I've been wronged!"
"We...we really didn't know! The sect leader...he's not usually like this..."
"Third Elder, spare our lives! We are utterly loyal to the sect and had no intention of protecting anyone!"
Panicked explanations rose and fell.
The Third Elder looked at the scene before him with even greater contempt.
He let out a sneer, his voice filled with undisguised contempt.
"Unaware? Hmph! The demonic energy emanating from Qiu Mobai is so pungent that you can smell it from a hundred miles away! You've been by his side day and night, and you wouldn't have noticed anything? Are you trying to fool a three-year-old, or do you think I'm old and blind?!"
He flicked his sleeves sharply, his movement conveying an undeniable decisiveness.
"The Immortal Cloud Sect is rotten to the core! Keeping you around is nothing but a scourge on the cultivation world!"
These words sent shivers down the spines of the Immortal Cloud Sect disciples, with many bursting into tears and the scene nearly spiraling out of control.
Just then, a slightly thin figure pushed through the panicked crowd and stepped out.
He was a young man, about twenty years old, wearing a clean blue Immortal Cloud Sect Taoist robe, which made him stand out somewhat from the chaotic and disheveled crowd.
His face wasn't particularly striking, but his eyes were especially captivating—dark and deep, like a bottomless pool, making it impossible to discern his emotions.
At this moment, his face wore an almost numb calm, which contrasted sharply with the terror around him.
He walked to the front, a few steps away from the Third Elder, and straightened the hem of his robe with meticulous care. Then, to everyone's astonishment, his knees buckled.
With a "plop," he knelt down decisively.
This action silenced the noisy square for a moment.
All eyes were on the young man who had suddenly stepped forward.
"The Third Elder of Huayun Sect".
The young man raised his head, his voice not loud, but unusually clear, with a strange calmness: "Lin Feng, a disciple of the Immortal Cloud Sect, has something to say."
The Third Elder narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing the disciple who had suddenly appeared.
He was somewhat surprised that someone would dare to step forward under these circumstances.
He looked at Lin Feng with great interest, not speaking immediately, as if assessing the young man's worth.
Lin Feng ignored the Third Elder's scrutinizing gaze and the various complicated looks from his fellow disciples.
There was surprise, confusion, and even a hint of anticipation.
He simply straightened his back and continued, his voice as calm as if he were stating a fact that had nothing to do with him.
"Sect Leader Qiu Mobai has indeed fallen into the demonic path. This is absolutely true, and we have no way to deny it."
Upon hearing this, some people wanted to refute it, but Lin Feng's resolute admission silenced them.
"but."
Lin Feng changed the subject, his voice still calm: "Qiu Mobai is Qiu Mobai, and the Immortal Cloud Sect is the Immortal Cloud Sect. The sect leader's mistake should not extend to the entire sect. Apart from Qiu Mobai, the vast majority of disciples in the Immortal Cloud Sect are devoted to the Dao and have never been tainted by demonic energy, let alone harbor any intention to protect him."
His gaze met the Third Elder's directly, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Qiu Mobai has been executed, which was his own fault. However, the Immortal Cloud Sect has a thousand-year history and cannot be cut off because of one person's mistake. We disciples are willing to accept any form of investigation to prove our innocence."
He paused, then emphasized, "I implore the Third Elder to investigate thoroughly and leave a glimmer of hope for the Immortal Cloud Sect!"
After saying this, he bowed his head deeply, his forehead touching the ground, and performed a deep bow.
Silence fell over the square once again.
The Xianyun Sect disciples, who were originally in a panic, were now staring blankly at Lin Feng kneeling on the ground.
His words were like a boulder thrown into their chaotic heart lake, stirring up ripples.
Yes, the sect leader is a demon, but we are not!
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