Chapter 1023: Ten-Person Council

Central Domain, Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain.

On this day, sacred energy surged within the headquarters of the Sacred Palace.

Attendants sweeping the mountain saw Palace Master Dao personally pushing the wheelchair of Lord Cangsheng, one of the Three Emperors, as they walked and discussed matters.

What they were discussing, no one could clearly hear.

But undoubtedly, it concerned the Sacred Emperor's Golden Edict, which had just concluded recently.

This was the power of a Sacred Emperor!

Without a doubt, the sudden surge of sacred energy fluctuations on the Sacred Mountain was a direct result of this.

Some attendants speculated...

Perhaps, the "Sacred Hall's Ten-Member Council," unseen for several years, had gathered together.

In the outside world, people didn't even know if the highest combat power in the Five Domains truly included Half-Saints.

Even the cultivation level of Dao Qiongcang, the current Palace Master of the Sacred Palace, whether he was a Grand Void or a Half-Saint, remained a mystery.

But for those living on Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain...

Frogs at the bottom of a well, after all, cannot see the wider sky.

Half-Saints?

Once the "Ten-Member Council" of Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain convened, with one Palace, two Lords, three Emperors, four Divine Envoys, and the intricate background relationships of these ten individuals combined, they could annihilate more than half of the Half-Saints in the Five Domains!

Headquarters, Council Hall.

A ten-zhang long silver round table was placed in the center, surrounded by nine silver high-backed chairs.

Some of the noble and elegant silver high-backed chairs were very small, suitable for only one person; others were so large they didn't seem meant for humans at all, but rather for giant beasts to recline upon.

Dao Qiongcang pushed Ai Cangsheng's wheelchair to one side of the main seat. After the ten members were accounted for around the round table, he slowly walked to the main seat and sat down, looking at him with a smile. "So, what do you think?"

"I'm looking with my eyes," Ai Cangsheng replied.

"You're a member of the council; you must offer your opinion," Dao Qiongcang said helplessly.

"I've seen enough; I'm tired... For actual deliberation, it's up to you few," Ai Cangsheng paused, looking at the round table. "Besides, this council is merely a formality. With you, Dao Qiongcang, in charge, are there still things in the world that can't be calculated? Or outcomes that can't be foreseen?"

Dao Qiongcang sighed softly, "Heaven's secrets can be flawed; acting unilaterally is inadvisable. I still need your perspectives to influence the heavenly mechanisms."

"That's true," Ai Cangsheng said, a smile playing on his lips, looking at him oddly. "But isn't it always that you convene these meetings only after you already have the final answer? And when has your answer ever been wrong?"

"Better safe than sorry." As one who divines heavenly secrets, Dao Qiongcang always held a sense of awe towards the Heavenly Dao and the Sacred Dao.

"They're here..."

At this moment, Ai Cangsheng stopped speaking and turned his gaze towards the hall entrance.

No sooner had he spoken.

On the Sacred Mountain, osmanthus flowers stirred, and sacred energy surged.

A faint glimmer appeared on the horizon, then transformed into a golden light, merging into the Council Hall at the speed of light, solidifying into an aged figure.

"Hahaha, little Dao Qiongcang, it's been a long time since this old man saw you!

"What's it about this time that warrants a full meeting?

"Speaking of which, with your intellect, couldn't you handle anything yourself? Why do you need us to come all this way for nothing?"

The old man wore a luxurious golden robe, and even his hair was light gold.

Accompanied by his hearty laughter, golden light flashed in his eyes. He looked at Dao Qiongcang, his aura not only undiminished but even surpassing the Palace Master's.

One of the Sacred Palace's Three Emperors, Yan Wuse, light attribute, Half-Saint!

"Senior Yan."

Dao Qiongcang did not rise, merely nodding with a smile, offering a slight acknowledgment.

This was a truly senior figure; he had been a member of the Ten-Member Council even during the previous Palace Master's time. It was normal for him to rarely take action now and fade from public view.

In terms of seniority, Yan Wuse was naturally a notch above Dao Qiongcang.

But in terms of status, the current Palace Master of the Sacred Palace did not need to bow to a Sacred Emperor, let alone a Half-Saint.

"Mm-hmm."

Ai Cangsheng also met Half-Saint Yan Wuse's greeting gaze with a slight nod.

He usually spoke little and was too lazy to say much. With his disabled legs, it was even more impossible for him to stand up to greet anyone.

"Tsk-tsk."

Yan Wuse shook his head helplessly, expressing his exasperation at the perfunctory manner with which these two treated him, a senior.

But having arrived early, he didn't receive greetings from anyone else. Feeling slighted, he took his seat alone.

"Whoosh..."

Outside the hall, a gentle breeze stirred, and sacred energy fluctuations were seen again.

Then a sarcastic voice rang out:

"Yan Wuse, are your old eyes dim? Didn't you see the Sacred Emperor's Golden Edict?

"I hate your formal greetings! If you're so capable, come out and fight!"

Footsteps tapped, and this time, a short old man in black, carrying a broadsword on his back, walked in. He was roughly the same height as Ye Xiaotian.

But his strength, identity, and status...

One of the Three Emperors, Wei Feng, no attribute, Swordsman, Half-Saint!

"Senior Wei Feng."

Dao Qiongcang again offered a smiling acknowledgment.

Wei Feng, the God of Slaughter, was a figure from You Tu's era, also an old geezer with a volatile temper, serving as the council's vanguard.

In his youth, he slaughtered across the Five Domains. Now, he was much calmer, only interested in slaying Saints.

"Mm-hmm."

Ai Cangsheng again nodded indifferently.

Wei Feng, the God of Slaughter, wasn't to his liking; his bloodlust was too strong.

Although he was also a senior, as one of the Three Emperors himself, he didn't need to give face to anyone.

In this world, seniority isn't based on age, but on might.

If your power is sufficient, you can disregard anyone.

If you really wanted to, you could even dabble in petty affairs.

But clearly, staring at all living beings with the Eye of the Grand Dao was already an exhausting task, and Ai Cangsheng had no extra energy for pointless pleasantries.

"Hmm, why haven't the others arrived yet?"

Not being from the same era, Wei Feng, the God of Slaughter, merely glanced at Ai Cangsheng before retracting his gaze; he couldn't be bothered to bully a youngster!

After taking his seat, he started idly bickering with Yan Wuse.

He was essentially creating an argument out of nothing, frankly, because he was itching for a fight.

However, his official status remained, and if he instigated a fight without reason, being targeted by the Tribunal would be disastrous. So, Wei Feng could only resort to verbal sparring for now.

The seniors sat together, and the youngsters sat together.

Before long, sacred energy fluctuations were again felt outside the hall.

A scrawny old man carrying a fishing rod over ten zhang long, dressed in casual clothes and straw sandals, walked into the hall. There was still mud on his shoes, and he grumbled as he walked:

"So much troublesome nonsense! This meeting is being held far too frequently, isn't it? I remember the last meeting was... four years ago, I think?

"Dao Qiongcang, what are you even good for? Can't you just make decisions yourself when there's something to be done? If you need us to come, what use is your brain?"

Dao Qiongcang: "..."

"Old Man Yu, calm down, calm down, please sit."

He quickly rose, used his spiritual sense to pull out a chair beside the round table, and only after helping the elder to sit down did he return to his own seat.

Old Man Yu, whose real name was Old Man Yu, the Kunpeng Divine Envoy, a Half-Saint!

"Where's my precious great-granddaughter?" Old Man Yu sat down and flung his long fishing rod backward. The hook described an elegant arc in the air, accidentally snagging Wei Feng, the God of Slaughter's eye.

"Are you alright?" Old Man Yu quickly pulled the hook out. Thankfully, it hadn't taken out an eyeball, only a tiny bit of blood.

"It's fine, it's fine..." Wei Feng, the God of Slaughter, said with a forced smile. "Old Man Yu, your fishing hook has upgraded again. It can even... uh, cause bleeding to a Half-Saint's body."

He covered his right eye and took a medicinal pill from his ring.

Are you kidding?!

This was a grand senior who possessed the "Kunpeng Secret Art," whose true form, once manifested, could strike water for three thousand li and ascend ninety thousand li on a whirlwind. He was an old monster who had lived for countless years.

The so-called "Kunpeng Secret Art"...

It wasn't about transforming people into Kunpengs; rather, it was an unparalleled sealing method to better protect this world by allowing this Kunpeng to assume a human form and contain its power.

How could he dare to provoke him?

His name was "Wei Feng, the God of Slaughter," not "Wei Feng, the Foolish God"!

"Good that you're alright."

Old Man Yu indifferently withdrew his gaze, then looked back at Dao Qiongcang, his eyebrows furrowed in irritation:

"Huh?

"Why aren't you speaking yet?

"Where's my precious great-granddaughter? Why isn't she coming to see her grandfather? Would it kill you to put another chair here for her to sit in?!"

Dao Qiongcang could only offer a bitter smile.

This was the Ten-Member Council; this was no time for jokes, was it?

"She's still on a mission..."

"Oh, well, she'd better not die, or you'll die, and your sister too."

Dao Qiongcang: "..."

No sooner had the clamor ceased than three figures walked into the hall with heavy steps.

Leading them was a woman in a palace-style yellow dress, dignified and elegant, her hair pinned up with jade tassels. Her body, however, was illusory, like a spirit.

"Lord Jiuji."

At this moment, everyone except the Kunpeng Divine Envoy stood up, their expressions solemn.

Even Ai Cangsheng supported himself on his wheelchair's armrests, straightening slightly to show respect.

Jiuji, the Gui Spirit, one of the Nine Ancestral Trees, guardian deity of Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain, and the Jiuji Divine Envoy!

"This humble one greets you all," the woman in the palace-style yellow dress said, bowing slightly. As her spirit body drifted, a fragrant osmanthus scent wafted through the hall.

To her left was an old man with an explosive hairstyle, his clothes ragged and worn. His eyes were filled with irritation and perplexity. He simply muttered to himself as he walked to his seat, ignoring everyone.

"Why would it explode? How is that possible?"

"Light, darkness, water, fire—these are only four elements. How could they possibly just explode?"

Everyone: "..."

Zhong Yuanzi, all attributes, Elemental Divine Envoy, Half-Saint!

It was clear that this senior was still immersed in his own world; simply showing up for the meeting was already a huge gesture of respect.

His dream was to develop other elements, time, and space to the same level, then promote them to the Spirit Refiners of the Five Domains.

Naturally, those with all attributes most enjoyed experimenting with elemental fusion.

And that was the origin of his explosive hairstyle.

"Hel-lo, ev-ery-one."

A buzzing, distinct voice echoed.

The last one to arrive was a being whose every "thud-thud-thud" step left deep imprints on the hall floor.

It stood three zhang tall, yet still had a human appearance, dressed in a spacious linen robe for easy transformation and movement.

Number Two, War Machine of Heavenly Mechanism Puppets, Heavenly Mechanism Divine Envoy, Half-Saint Terminator.

The very polite Number Two greeted everyone one by one, then stood before the largest high-backed chair, looking at Dao Qiongcang with a flicker of warmth in its eyes.

"Fa-ther..."

Dao Qiongcang smiled and nodded, extending a hand. "Since everyone is here, please sit."

At this point,

One Palace, three Emperors, and four Divine Envoys—all were now present.

Jiuji, the Gui Spirit, swept her gaze around the round table, then spoke softly, her voice ethereal and pleasant. "And where are the other two young ones?" she asked.

Dao Qiongcang looked at the two high-backed chairs at the far end and smiled. "Gou Wuyue was sentenced to the Dead Sea by the Tribunal and is still serving his punishment. Rao Yaoyao is currently on a mission."

"The Dead Sea?"

Jiuji, the Gui Spirit, frowned slightly, her tone displeased. "Young Wuyue is, after all, a member of the Ten-Member Council. The Tribunal has gone too far this time; they should show us some respect. This humble one will seek an explanation from them later."

"That would be excellent. With Lord Jiuji taking action, the Tribunal might finally show us some respect," Dao Qiongcang said with a smile, dismissing the matter and returning to the main topic. "Everyone, with eight of the Ten-Member Council assembled, I presume you all know why we are here."

"The Sacred Emperor's Golden Edict?"

Yan Wuse, one of the Three Emperors and a Half-Saint, had a hint of killing intent in his eyes. "It's that Bazun An playing tricks again. If action is needed this time, this old man can cooperate."

"Are you sure it's not for personal revenge?" Wei Feng, the God of Slaughter, scoffed.

He knew that Yan Wuse had a light-attribute disciple who, it seemed, had died at Bazun An's hands during a mission.

"I've been idle for too long, and these youngsters have become quite arrogant. I need to stretch my bones," Yan Wuse retorted.

"Whether you can even beat him is still up for debate," Wei Feng, the God of Slaughter, continued to taunt.

He had heard the name Bazun An endlessly over the years.

The leader of the younger generation, the revered master of the Void Island's black and white lineages, the grand unifier of the nine great sword arts, almost on par with You Tu...

For such a person, even if their cultivation hadn't reached Half-Saint level, it wouldn't be difficult for them to break through before death, would it?

Seeing these two about to escalate into an argument over a few words, Dao Qiongcang quickly interceded to control the situation. "The Sacred Emperor's Golden Edict is certainly one aspect, but such a minor matter wouldn't be enough to gather all of you. The larger reason, in fact, is due to Void Island."

"Void Island?" Yan Wuse looked over.

"Wait a moment," Old Man Yu interjected. He glanced at Zhong Yuanzi, who was still tirelessly studying demolition plans on paper, and sighed. "Matters should be resolved one by one. Even I have heard of this Bazun An; he is no ordinary person. First, tell us the solution for the Sacred Emperor's Golden Edict."

Everyone then turned their heads to look at Dao Qiongcang.

To be honest, before Dao Qiongcang took office, people weren't so lackadaisical.

The Ten-Member Council would all offer their opinions, with the Palace Master making the final decision or exercising a veto.

However, ever since this unfathomable young man took office, everyone noticed that no matter how much they discussed, the final outcome always aligned with what he had already foreseen.

Over time, everyone simply stopped "thinking."

If there's a problem, you propose the solution, we approve it, and if it's not unreasonable, the matter is settled. Then, the meeting adjourns, and everyone goes home.

This was the current deliberation process of the Ten-Member Council.

Seeing so many pairs of eyes looking at him with no sign of independent thought, Dao Qiongcang pondered for a moment, then said helplessly:

"My idea is...

"Since my distant confrontation with Bazun An in the Yunlun Mountains, he has drawn initial public attention to the Void Island's Sacred Sealing Dao Foundation... Undoubtedly, this is just the beginning.

"Sky City is appearing more and more frequently, and the Sacred Emperor's Golden Edict, acting as the final straw, has fully pulled it from the spatial currents... Without a doubt, this is Bazun An further solidifying the impression in people's minds that Sky City indeed contains a Sacred Sealing Dao Foundation.

"And no matter how convoluted the process has been, how many deceptive figures have appeared, or what conflicts have arisen...

"We need to step back and look at the bigger picture."

Dao Qiongcang paused, his expression showing complete confidence and foresight, as if holding all the answers in his grasp:

"It's not hard to see that this entire game is being played by one person.

"From the emergence of the Void Island rift to its current descent... barring any surprises, this person intends to play the game on Void Island itself, perhaps not just the outer island, but also the inner island.

"Everyone else is merely an illusion; the true player has always been Bazun An, from beginning to end.

"This much is obvious, isn't it?"