Seeing Wu Hai's resolute attitude, Aji panicked and grabbed the knife from the waist of the guard beside him, holding it to his own neck.
"Master, if you do not agree, I will prove my innocence with my death today!"
“I, Aji, have followed the leader of the Ming Cult my whole life and devoted myself to the cause. Now that our great cause is about to be accomplished, how can we let it fall apart at the last moment? If the leader insists on this, I will have no choice but to threaten to kill myself!”
Wu Hai hated being threatened, and upon seeing this, his face instantly turned ashen.
A flash of anger crossed his eyes, and he suddenly reached out and knocked the knife that Aji had placed against his neck away.
With a crisp "crack," the blade fell to the ground, leaving a piercing sound as it sliced across the floor of the hall.
Wu Hai stood up, exuding an imposing aura, and shouted, "Insolence! Are you threatening this sect leader?"
His voice was deafening, shaking the entire hall.
Wu Hai's gaze was sharp as he stared directly at Aji: "How dare you, a mere confidant, sway my decision?"
Inside the main hall, everyone was stunned by Wu Hai's fury.
The guards lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.
Even the usually proud Su Xueqing couldn't help but take a half step back.
Aji stopped talking, gritted his teeth, and turned to leave.
Looking at Aji's appearance, Wu Hai sighed inwardly. It seemed that he had to gather all the disciples together and tell them that some things might have to change.
Half an hour later.
All the disciples of the Ming Cult gathered in the main hall.
Wu Hai stood tall and straight on the high place, slowly scanning the group of Ming Cult disciples below.
With a resolute expression, Wu Hai said, "From this day forward, our Ming Cult will no longer launch attacks on the Immortal Sects. The years of fighting have already caused countless deaths. In order to achieve peace, we must make changes."
His voice was steady and resonant, echoing throughout the hall.
These words immediately caused an uproar.
The disciples' expressions changed rapidly, like turning the pages of a book, from shock to confusion, and then to anger.
Some people stared wide-eyed, some frowned, and some clenched their fists.
A burly disciple suddenly stood up and shouted, "Master, our Ming Cult should unite all the immortal sects! How can we give up now? This has always been our goal!"
"We've sacrificed so much, are we just going to give up like this? Is the Ming Cult's dream of unifying the world going to be shattered like this?"
As soon as these words were spoken, many disciples echoed them.
Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, the high priest slowly stepped forward.
His expression was serious, and his sharp gaze swept over the dissenting disciples.
"Gentlemen, you only see the glory of unifying the immortal sects, but have you ever thought about how many casualties there will be along the way? Peace is the only way to last. Leader Wu Hai's actions are for the future of our Ming Cult, and also for the peace of this world."
"Think of those who lost loved ones in the war, think of those homes destroyed by the flames of war. Shouldn't what we strive for be a peaceful and prosperous life for all?"
After the high priest's persuasion, the dissenting disciples gradually quieted down.
Although their faces still showed resentment, the anger in their eyes had begun to subside.
Just as the internal disputes within the Ming Cult were temporarily resolved, a Ming Cult disciple suddenly burst into the main hall, his face deathly pale.
He knelt down, panting, and reported in a trembling voice, "Master, something terrible has happened! The Hua Yun Sect has arrived with their disciples and is currently shouting at the gate. The leader is none other than the Ninth Elder of the Hua Yun Sect!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Hai's expression instantly turned serious.
Hua Yun Sect?
The group rushed to the door, only to find Xiao Feng already standing in front of them, arms outstretched, trying his best to stop them.
"Ninth Elder, my godfather Wu Hai has recovered. His previous attack on the Immortal Sect was caused by the Taotie possessing him. Please reconsider and do not provoke further conflict!" Xiao Feng pleaded.
However, the Ninth Elder snorted coldly, his face so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.
He said coldly, "Times have changed. Whether he was possessed or not, he must bear the consequences of his actions. Now that the immortal sects have gathered, with the Huayun Sect at the forefront, we will surely wipe out the demonic sect today!"
Xiao Feng knew that regardless of whether his adoptive father made the decision to attack the Ming Cult, the Ming Cult was the culprit behind the destruction of so many immortal sects!
Between the Ming Cult and the Immortal Sect, Xiao Feng decisively chose the Immortal Sect!
He declared loudly, "As long as the Immortal Sect exists, I will live! I will never allow you to harm the Ming Cult."
Upon seeing this, the Ninth Elder revealed a cold smile and then waved his hand.
Several disciples of the immortal sect carried a stretcher up, on which lay a woman on the verge of death.
It was Zhao Yuwei.
Gan Feng, holding Zhao Yuwei in his arms, looked intently at Xiao Feng and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Feng, Zhao Yuwei's life is hanging by a thread. Only the Ninth Elder of the Huayun Sect can save her. If you insist on helping the Ming Cult, Zhao Yuwei will die."
The atmosphere on the scene immediately became tense, and Xiao Feng was caught in a dilemma.
His gaze darted back and forth between Zhao Yuwei and the Ming Cult members, his heart filled with immense anguish.
"What should I choose? Save Zhao Yuwei, or protect the Ming Cult?"
Xiao Feng clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain whatsoever.
Just as tensions were about to rise, Wu Hai slowly stepped forward.
His gaze swept over the members of the Immortal Sect, finally settling on the Ninth Elder.
"Ninth Elder, I understand your anger. But please hear me out. War will only bring more casualties and hatred. Why don't we put aside our prejudices and work together for peace on this continent?"
The Ninth Elder sneered and was about to speak when Wu Hai suddenly knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist, and bowed deeply to the people of the Immortal Sect.
"Today, I, Wu Hai, solemnly apologize to all the victims of the Immortal Sect and their families. I am willing to take full responsibility as the leader of the Ming Cult, and I only ask for peace between the two sects so that no more innocent people will be harmed."
This kneeling shocked everyone present.
The Ming Cult disciples gasped in surprise, and the members of the Immortal Sect also wore expressions of disbelief.
Xiao Feng was dumbfounded; he never expected his godfather to do such a thing.
Then, Wu Hai said something that was incredibly shocking.
"Would you mind sacrificing my life for the well-being of the Ming Cult members?"
These words were like a bombshell, instantly causing a huge uproar among the crowd.
The disciples of the immortal sect looked at each other, discussing amongst themselves.
The Ming Cult disciples' expressions changed drastically.
"Master, you mustn't!" A young disciple rushed to Wu Hai, knelt down and kowtowed: "You are the backbone of our Ming Cult, we cannot live without you!"
"Master, if you sacrifice yourself, what meaning will our Ming Cult have?" Another older disciple pleaded, his eyes red with tears.
In the blink of an eye, Wu Hai was surrounded by Ming Cult disciples.
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