Chapter 83: Those Who Follow Me Prosper, Those Who Oppose Me Perish

Chapter 83: Those Who Follow Me Prosper, Those Who Oppose Me Perish

"Xiaoyun, let's go."

Su Mo, who had been silently observing all along, suddenly spoke.

He stood up and took Yang Xiaoyun's hand.

Yang Xiaoyun hesitated but looked at Su Mo: "But if we leave, what will they do?"

"This round, we lost terribly. Staying here won't change anything."

Su Mo slowly glanced at everyone present, finally settling his gaze on Zangming Zhenren: "Since Zangming Zhenren is genuine, then... those fellow practitioners who came with us from Jade Willow Villa..."

Yang Xiaoyun's pupils constricted, and she immediately nodded: "Let's go."

"Hold it!"

As the two turned to leave, Zangming Zhenren suddenly spoke.

"Zhenren has further advice?"

Su Mo turned back to look at Zangming Zhenren.

Zangming Zhenren sighed: "Why must you two youngsters be like this? Although I don't know where you heard these things, now that I am here, I cannot let you be deceived by villains."

He paused slightly and looked at everyone present.

"Fellow practitioners, I did not invite all of you from far and wide to my Profound Theory Valley to trouble two youngsters.

"The truth is, evil must be stopped.

"These two young friends came here under false pretenses, which may seem reckless, but isn't it precisely for the righteousness and integrity of the martial world?

"While their method was somewhat rash, I find it heartening. If all the younger generation in our righteous path could act like this, wouldn't chivalry flourish? It shows that our martial world has successors!"

Zangming Zhenren's words immediately won the approval of everyone present.

"Well said, Zhenren truly has a magnanimous heart."

"The old Taoist is usually pretentious, but today, I genuinely admire him."

"Young Heroes, it was all a misunderstanding."

"That's right."

Zangming Zhenren nodded and lifted his teacup: "It was all a misunderstanding. The tea may be cold, but let's use it as a toast to bury the hatchet, shall we?"

Su Mo's lips twitched; what a Zangming Zhenren.

These actions truly displayed the ability to turn things around with a mere flip of the hand.

Zang Ming Zhenren did not wait for them to speak: "Come, everyone, let's drink this cup to the brim."

With that, he downed his cup in one go.

Such drinking might be considered a waste of fine tea, but it was fitting for the moment.

As a result, everyone present raised their cups.

Su Mo's face darkened, and just as he was about to speak, he suddenly froze as if unable to move.

Not far behind him, a disciple dressed in the attire of Profound Theory Valley stood quietly, yet his aura had completely enveloped Su Mo.

This aura was intangible and stealthy, yet should Su Mo make the slightest movement, it would unleash devastation as if the heavens and the earth were falling apart.

Yang Xiaoyun could still speak, but at this point, words were useless.

She watched helplessly as everyone drank their tea, and could only sigh deeply, feeling helpless.

The heroes in the hall all turned their attention to them.

The instant these people focused on them, the invisible aura enveloping Su Mo vanished without a trace.

"You two young friends dared to speak up for justice; admirable. Come, sit down and have a cup of tea."

"Hahaha, Zang Ming Zhenren is indeed magnanimous, but you don't need to be so stubborn. Why not tell us where you heard these rumors? Perhaps we can find the source?"

"That's right. You must have been deceived. Now, tell us what's going on. Zang Ming Zhenren is real, so what you heard must be false. Who told you this? They clearly have issues."

Everyone chimed in, treating Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun as inexperienced youngsters who believed every rumor and acted recklessly.

Su Mo's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Zang Ming Zhenren. He sighed softly:

"Zhenren, your deceitful tactics are truly impressive."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent once again.

However, their patience with Su Mo was wearing thin.

One person suddenly stood up, the invincible God Fist Shangguan Xiong, slamming the table angrily:

"Enough! You two youngsters, where did you hear these rumors? Clearly, the head of Jade Willow Villa is right here, yet you claim it has been breached by the Youquan Cult.

"Even though Zang Ming Zhenren has proven his identity, you still refuse to believe it.

"Your behavior is truly unreasonable.

"Zang Ming Zhenren is magnanimous and won't hold it against you, but if you continue to harass us, I will not spare you. You'll learn what rules mean!"

Su Mo, however, did not look at him but stared coldly at Zhenren Cangming.

His gaze was sharp like lightning, yet Zhenren Cangming merely chuckled, his lips parting slightly:

"A few trivial tricks, Chief Su, you flatter me."

Though brief, Zhenren Cangming's words sounded like thunder to the crowd.

Everyone subconsciously turned to look at Zhenren Cangming.

They saw that the old Taoist was grinning widely, showing teeth but no eyes, his face almost contorted with a smile that was wanton and wild, even somewhat grotesque.

"…Zhenren, what do you mean by that?"

Someone murmured, asking.

"Nothing, nothing,"

Zhenren Cangming laughed heartily. "Speaking of which, today is a rare gathering, and I have something I'd like to discuss with everyone. What do you all think?"

Although he asked for their opinions, he did not wait for an answer and continued:

"This poor Taoist has come from the east and has been working hard in this southwestern region for over twenty years, establishing the small and insignificant foundation of Profound Theory Valley."

"Now, our sect leader wishes to benefit this land, binding East City between the two regions, creating a pincer movement."

"All of you are the elites of the southwestern martial world. If we unite and join the Youquan Cult together, we will undoubtedly become the fourth major force, alongside the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, the Hall of No Birth, and the Heavenly Blade Sect."

"Furthermore, with this as our base, it won't be difficult to bring the entire southwest under our control."

"From then on, the Netherworld will remain eternal, and the Yellow Springs will never wither. All of you can coexist with our cult!"

"What do you all think?"

By the end of his speech, his intentions were clear.

The entire Profound Theory Pavilion fell silent.

Some looked at each other, some were incredulous, and others rose from their chairs in shock and anger.

Unexpectedly, when they tried to channel their inner strength, they found their true qi sluggish and unresponsive, forcing them to sit back down. They glared at Zhenren Cangming and shouted angrily:

"You... Who are you? What do you want?"

"I am Zhenren Cangming, under the command of the Lord of Blood Sea in the Youquan Cult, the Master of the Blood Transformation Order! As for what I want?"

Zhenren Cangming glanced at him and chuckled lightly: "Naturally... those who follow me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish!"