Chapter 25: The Sima Family's Censure-Eu só aceitei discípulos por acaso, como eles se tornaram Grandes Imperadores?(Espalhadas como estrelas sobre o rio inteiro.)

Having said this, the Patriarch of the Sima family stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and continued, "Pass the order: summon all elite disciples of the clan. We are going to the Sacred Land."

The news spread like a gale, reaching every corner of the Sacred Land and, naturally, returning to Tongtian Peak in no time. For a moment, dark currents surged throughout the Sacred Land, and the hearts of the people were filled with trepidation.

Hearing that the Sima family was coming to demand an explanation, the various Peak Masters gathered in the Great Council Hall. The once solemn and majestic hall was now in total disarray.

"This Ye Xinghe has truly brought a great disaster upon us! If the Sima family really attacks the Sacred Land, we will all suffer the consequences!" one Peak Master shouted, his face flushed with rage as he slammed his hand against the table.

"Exactly! His actions were so reckless, showing no regard for the safety of the Sacred Land. He is the root cause of this calamity!" another chimed in, his eyes filled with resentment.

The crowd spoke one after another, pointing their fingers at Ye Xinghe. If Ye Xinghe had not killed Luo Sanfeng, how could the Sacred Land possibly be facing such a situation?

When Ye Xinghe entered the Great Council Hall with Zhao Changsheng and Ximen Feixue, they were greeted by this chorus of accusations and grievances. He frowned slightly, swept his cold gaze across the crowd, and let out a cold snort. "Gentlemen, the life-and-death contract was signed voluntarily by Luo Sanfeng and me. He was simply outmatched in a fair duel—are you blaming me for that, too?"

"If the Sima family uses this as a pretext to invade the Sacred Land, it is they who are attempting to stir up trouble. Instead of considering how to defend against a common enemy, you choose to point fingers at me here. What kind of logic is that?"

A Peak Master curled his lip in disdain. "If you hadn't killed Luo Sanfeng, the Sima family would have no excuse. Do not try to quibble; this matter started because of you, and you must bear the consequences!"

Ye Xinghe laughed out of sheer anger. "Bear the consequences? Very well. Then I would like to ask: where were all of you when Luo Sanfeng was wantonly insulting my disciple and provoking my Tongtian Peak?"

"Did a single one of you stand up and speak a word of justice? Now that you are expected to face the wrath of the Sima family, you want me to stand alone? Your calculation is truly exquisite!"

The crowd was rendered speechless by Ye Xinghe’s words, and the hall fell into a brief silence. But soon, another Peak Master jumped up and clamored, "Regardless, you cannot implicate the Sacred Land. If you have any shred of conscience left, you will step forward and beg the Sima family for forgiveness. Perhaps that will quell this storm."

Hearing this, Ximen Feixue’s face turned red with anger. He stepped forward and shouted, "You cowards! It was clearly Luo Sanfeng who provoked us first; my Master acted only in legitimate self-defense! Why should my Master be the one to beg for mercy? If that is the case, my Tongtian Peak will be the first to refuse!"

He had never expected that these Peak Masters would only know how to bully their own, failing to stand together when a critical moment arrived.

Zhao Changsheng also clenched his fists tightly and said, "The Sima family’s ambition to annex the Sacred Land is clear for all to see. Even without today’s events, they would have eventually found an excuse to act. If you Peak Masters continue to retreat blindly, you will only make the Sima family more arrogant, and the Sacred Land will cease to exist."

However, blinded by fear, the Peak Masters could not take Zhao Changsheng’s sincere words to heart.

Just as the impasse continued, a majestic and mellow voice resonated through the hall: "Enough, all of you."

Hearing this, everyone turned to see the Holy Lord, dressed in a magnificent golden robe and wearing a resplendent crown, walking slowly from the back hall. His eyes were deep, and his presence carried an immense, restrained power that made others feel involuntary awe.

The Peak Masters hurried forward, kneeling in unison to beg for the Holy Lord’s judgment: "Holy Lord, this matter concerns the survival of the Sacred Land. Please decide!"

The Holy Lord raised his hand slightly to signal them to rise, then slowly swept his gaze across the crowd before finally resting it on Ye Xinghe. He spoke slowly: "I have heard your arguments. What Ye Xinghe says is indeed reasonable. How could I be unaware of the Sima family’s wolfish ambitions? The affair of Luo Sanfeng is merely a pretext they are using to ignite conflict."

One Peak Master ventured cautiously, "Holy Lord, the Sima family is powerful. If they truly attack, the Sacred Land may find it difficult to resist. Do you have a sound strategy?"

The Holy Lord pondered for a moment before saying, "Although the Sima family comes with aggressive intent, our Sacred Land is not without the strength to strike back. For these next few days, we must prepare well."

"Each peak must strengthen the training of its disciples and guard their positions strictly; there must be no negligence."

"When the Sima family arrives, I will personally come forward to receive them with courtesy. By appealing to their sense of reason, perhaps we can avert this danger and avoid a bloody battle."

Ye Xinghe frowned slightly and stepped forward. "Holy Lord, the Sima family has come prepared; I fear they will not be easily swayed. I am afraid words alone will not resolve this crisis."

The Holy Lord shook his head gently. "Ye Xinghe, in the way of diplomacy, it is best to resolve things peacefully if possible. Of course, I will not be caught unprepared. If the Sima family insists on war, the Sacred Land will surely rise to defend itself."

Seeing that the Holy Lord had made his decision, the crowd, though still harboring doubts, dared not say more and departed to carry out his orders.

Zhao Changsheng and Ximen Feixue breathed a sigh of relief; fortunately, the Holy Lord was a reasonable man.

A few days later, scouts reported that the Sima family’s army was advancing toward the Sacred Land in a grand procession, kicking up dust and exuding an imposing momentum everywhere they passed.

The entire Sacred Land immediately rang with alarm bells. The Peak Masters led their disciples to the entrance of the Sacred Land, standing in battle readiness. The Sima family’s army pressed in like a black cloud, the sound of their horses’ hooves like thunder, causing the very ground of the Sacred Land to tremble.

Magnificent carriages were positioned in the center of the formation. When the procession halted at the entrance of the Sacred Land, everyone’s gaze focused on the leading carriage.

A moment later, the door slowly opened, but the Patriarch of the Sima family did not emerge. Only his arrogant voice drifted out: "Holy Lord, it has been a long time. I trust you have been well? Now that I have graced you with my presence, why do you not come forward at once to assist me from my carriage?"

At these words, everyone in the Sacred Land turned livid. The Sima family Patriarch was being utterly overbearing, flagrantly insulting the dignity of the Sacred Land.

The Holy Lord’s expression darkened. "Patriarch Sima, what is the meaning of this? While the Sacred Land upholds the way of hospitality, is your conduct not going a bit too far?"

The Patriarch of the Sima family let out a wild laugh from inside the carriage: "Holy Lord, do not forget that the matter of Luo Sanfeng is not yet resolved. My Sima family has come to demand an explanation; you should be treating us with respect. If you perform well, I might consider dealing with the Sacred Land leniently."

Ye Xinghe felt that the Sima family truly considered them easy prey.

"Patriarch Sima, do not spout nonsense here. Luo Sanfeng died after being defeated in a fair duel, with a life-and-death contract as proof. Your sophistry is nothing more than an excuse to annex the Sacred Land."

Hearing the voice, the Patriarch looked out and recognized Ye Xinghe. He roared, "You murderer, how dare you speak here? If you are not handed over today, my Sima family will certainly not let this go!"

The Holy Lord raised his hand to stop Ye Xinghe, took a deep breath, and said slowly, "Patriarch Sima, let us step out of the carriage and discuss this in detail inside. Remaining at a stalemate here is of no benefit to either side."