Chapter 170: Convening the Council of Elders Once More

The Hall of Supreme Harmony was the most sacred place within the Heavenly Capital Sect, concealed within an alternate space, for it was the dwelling of the three most powerful figures of the sect.

Although they rarely interfered in the affairs of the Heavenly Capital Sect anymore, there was no doubt that even the Master of the Heavenly Capital Sect had to pay them the respects of a junior.

"Are you saying that the little fellow from back then has returned?"

In a quiet chamber within the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a white-haired elder opened his mouth in surprise. He looked extremely aged, yet his complexion was ruddy, clearly indicating an abundant reserve of vital energy.

He was one of the three Grand Elders of the Heavenly Capital Sect and also a supporter of Yun Xi. The elder's original name had long been forgotten, and people only knew to address him as Elder Wujiu.

Standing respectfully before Elder Wujiu at this moment was a woman whose expression was one of utmost reverence—none other than Yun Xi. After parting ways with Lin Fan, she had traveled without rest, coming straight to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to report this matter.

"Replying to the Elder, he has indeed returned."

Yun Xi nodded, making no attempt to conceal it.

"His return is a good thing. The shameless actions of those little fellows back then exceeded my expectations, ultimately forcing him to flee in disarray. To speak the truth, the one in the wrong in that matter was our Heavenly Capital Sect."

No expression could be discerned on Elder Wujiu's face, making him seem unfathomable.

"What is his current strength?"

Suddenly, Elder Wujiu shifted the topic and inquired.

Yun Xi was momentarily startled, but she still replied, "His realm is already at the early stage of the Dual Decay of Heaven and Man, but his combat prowess is definitely far beyond that."

This was a sincere evaluation, without the slightest bit of exaggeration.

"The Dual Decay of Heaven and Man already? Not bad at all. If the two of you were to fight, who would win?"

Elder Wujiu's words seemed somewhat unfocused, making it difficult for others to fathom his thoughts.

"The specific details are unclear, but if we were to fight with our full strength, we should be evenly matched," Yun Xi said solemnly after a moment of contemplation.

"It seems his fortuitous encounters have been quite good; otherwise, he wouldn't possess such cultivation. I know your strength well. When fighting at full strength, ordinary practitioners in the late stage of the Triple Decay of Heaven and Man would be no match for you. Since that is the case, it is quite sufficient."

Elder Wujiu wore a calm expression, then continued, "I recall that he seems to be the Divine Lord of that Divine Court of yours?"

Hearing this, a chill went through Yun Xi's heart. She was unsure what Elder Wujiu's true thoughts were.

"You need not overthink it; I was merely asking."

Elder Wujiu smiled, ultimately ending the topic before issuing an order for her to leave.

"You never visit the Hall of Supreme Harmony without a reason. I believe I already know the purpose of your coming. Very well, you may return first, and tell that young lad that I am already aware of his intentions."

Hearing these words, Yun Xi said no more, offering a respectful farewell and departing.

Three days passed in a flash. During this time, Lin Fan remained in deep seclusion, refraining from interfering in any affairs of the Divine Court. The entire Divine Court felt rather bizarre, as if the whole organization had plunged into a deathly stillness, save for a few members who occasionally vanished.

On this day, a voice transmission arrived, making it impossible for Lin Fan to continue his seclusion. It was sent personally by Yun Xi: the higher-ups of the Heavenly Capital Sect had finally convened an Elders' Council.

"To hold two Elders' Councils within three days is a rare occurrence even in the history of the Heavenly Capital Sect."

Lin Fan smiled knowingly. This Elders' Council was indeed related to him; otherwise, his attendance would not have been required.

"If someone supports it, there will naturally be someone who opposes it. This Elders' Council will not be as effortless as one might imagine."

Lin Fan sneered. Even without thinking, he could guess what would happen at the council—nothing more than sharp tongues and heated debate. However, the outcome would be the same, having been predetermined long ago.

His conflict with Duanmu Ci was, to put it bluntly, a trivial matter not fit for the grand stage. Besides, the Divine Son Alliance had been the first to make a move against him back then, so since the Divine Son Alliance had no desire to tear away that fig leaf, he would not point it out either. What the council would likely discuss should be the matter of his status as an elder.

Soon enough, the Elders' Council convened. Because of the personal involvement of a Grand Elder, the venue for this council was set in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Following the directions given by Yun Xi, Lin Fan soon arrived outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

When he arrived, he found someone already waiting. It was a very ordinary young man, devoid of any perceptible trace of cultivation.

Lin Fan had originally intended to ask a few questions, but realizing that the person was mute, he gave up the idea. Following the young man's pace, Lin Fan soon found himself outside a grand palace.

The palace was not large, yet it exuded a heavy, oppressive aura. Viewed from afar, it resembled a peerless ferocious beast crouching upon the earth, instilling fear in the hearts of beholders.

"This should be a semi-ancestral weapon!"

Lin Fan was startled, sensing that this palace was extraordinary, and ultimately arriving at this conclusion.

Lin Fan had seen a few ancestral weapons, but semi-ancestral weapons were rare. He had only ever laid eyes upon one back at Mount Wangwu.

Semi-ancestral weapons referred to those flawed ancestral weapons whose true capabilities were by no means inferior to complete ancestral weapons, falling short only in certain specific aspects. In fact, some semi-ancestral weapons could even unleash combat prowess surpassing that of true ancestral weapons.

The palace before him should be a defensive semi-ancestral weapon and one of the foundational treasures of the Heavenly Capital Sect. If driven at full power, it could seal off the entire Heavenly Capital Sect, and in terms of value, it was perhaps even superior to an ancestral weapon.

The young man was not qualified to enter the palace, so after leading Lin Fan to this spot, he took his leave. Knowing that someone inside the palace was waiting for him, Lin Fan ceased his observation, lifted his foot, and stepped into the hall.

Presented before Lin Fan were thirty-two chairs in total, upon which more than twenty people were seated in a scattered manner. Yun Xi and Duanmu Ci were prominently among them, alongside Gu Renfeng and several others.

Almost the instant Lin Fan stepped into the hall, gazes shot directly toward him. Some were filled with joy, like those of Gu Renfeng and his companions; some held confusion; and a portion carried ill intent.

The gazes of more than twenty overlords of the Realm of Heaven and Man would have frightened an ordinary person out of their wits, but Lin Fan merely smiled faintly, effortlessly casting off all the pressure before directing his gaze toward the elderly man seated in the primary seat.

He was none other than Elder Wujiu, whom Yun Xi had gone to see earlier.

"Disciple Lin Fan pays his respects to the Grand Elder."

Lin Fan bowed deeply. He could sense that the aura emanating from the elderly man before him was as deep and boundless as an ocean, against whom he was far from being a match. This pressure was far greater than that of the old ancestor of the Mo family or Yi Ming.

The ancestor of the Yi family might not have surpassed Elder Wujiu in sheer raw power, but in the sense of crisis he induced, he far exceeded the latter. Almost at the very instant they met, Lin Fan had confirmed that Elder Wujiu was slightly inferior in combat prowess to the ancestor of the Yi family.

"Mm, take your seat as well. Aside from a few individuals who are occupied with critical matters, all the elders of our Heavenly Capital Sect are present here. Today's Elders' Council has been called to discuss a few matters once more."

As Lin Fan took his seat, Elder Wujiu spoke. He glanced casually around at the assembly and spoke in a calm tone.

Clearly, Elder Wujiu's power and influence within the Heavenly Capital Sect were indescribable. Everyone present wore an expression of reverence, even Duanmu Ci and the others. For a moment, the voice of Elder Wujiu was the only sound echoing throughout the palace.