"The Sharp Gold Hall disagrees!"

An angry roar came from outside the hall.

His face deathly pale and drained of all color, Kan Feichen stumbled in, supported by Su Fei.

"Senior Brother Kan?"

"Junior Brother!"

"..."

The other three Hall Masters rose to their feet, their expressions a mixture of surprise, relief, and a hint of resignation.

"Good!"

Wang Huo, Hall Master of the Fire Separation Hall, was the first to react, clapping his hands together.

"Senior Brother, you’ve arrived just in time."

"Right now, the Talisman and Mountain Shattering Halls have agreed to submit to the Demon Exorcism Hall. The Fire Separation and Sharp Gold Halls disagree. According to the Sword Sect’s rules, the matter will be temporarily shelved to be discussed at a later date."

Jiang Qiu’s expression darkened.

’Shelved?’

’That’s the same as not agreeing at all.’

"Junior Brother Kan." He sighed softly and spoke slowly.

"How are things at the Sharp Gold Hall?"

"How?" Kan Feichen turned his head, his expression ferocious.

"Senior Brother Jiang, why ask what you already know? I bet you never expected I could still make it here today, did you?"

"As long as I have a single breath left in me..."

"I will never allow the Sword Sect to become someone else’s puppet!"

"Well said!" Wang Huo roared.

"’A sword has pride; it would rather break than bend.’ This is the ancestral tenet of our Sect! How can we, its descendants, forget it?"

"Hmph!" Jiang Qiu snorted coldly.

"Times have changed. How is the Sword Sect now any different from living under someone else’s roof?"

"By submitting to the Demon Exorcism Hall, not only will we have the protection of their name, but we can also produce a Treasure Artifact True Man."

"Right now..."

He scanned the room and spoke through gritted teeth.

"The Sword Sect’s business is declining by the day! Our materials, trade routes, and channels are all controlled by others. We have to beg for everything."

"When we’re out there begging and pleading for business, where is this so-called ’pride’ you speak of?"

"That’s right." Xiaoo Meng nodded.

"We all know the Sword Sect’s current situation. Submitting to the Demon Exorcism Hall isn’t the worst choice."

’At least, our legacy would survive.’

"Business may be difficult, but we can still manage." Kan Feichen clutched his chest and coughed lightly, taking his seat in the Sharp Gold Hall’s designated area.

"How is becoming someone else’s puppet any different from death?"

"In any case..."

"I disagree!"

Wang Huo nodded emphatically.

The Fire Separation Hall’s main business was forging weapons for others. Of the four halls, they put in the most effort and had the most complaints.

There was no way he would agree to submit to the Demon Exorcism Hall.

The four people, representing the four halls, each held their ground, resulting in a stalemate.

No wonder Su Fei had said it was difficult to get things done in the Sword Sect nowadays. With only four halls, if just two of them refused to yield, nothing could be accomplished.

Majority rule seems fair, but in a Sword Sect with only four halls, a tie was all too common.

Because of this, many matters were difficult to move forward.

"RUSTLE, RUSTLE..."

At some unknown time, the strange sound of rustling leaves came from outside the hall, followed by the chirping of a thousand birds, a sound as beautiful as heavenly music.

A melodious voice carried into the hall:

"Emperor Kou of the Demon Exorcism Hall has arrived!"

?

The expressions of everyone in the hall changed in unison.

"Brother Zhu."

Seeing Zhu Ju’s confused expression, Su Fei quickly sent a low-voiced mental transmission:

"The Demon Exorcism Hall is a major power among the Demon Catcher organizations, arguably the largest one."

"It has one Hall Master and two Vice Hall Masters. This Emperor Kou is one of the Vice Hall Masters."

"His Cultivation..."

"He’s a Second Decline True Man!"

The Celestial Human Three Declines have existed since ancient times.

For countless years, innumerable gifted Cultivators have stepped into the Realm of the True Man, yet not a single one has ever escaped it.

The Third Decline means certain death!

A Second Decline True Man is the pinnacle of this world!

The great Sword Sect didn’t even have a single True Man, let alone a Second Decline True Man. No wonder they all looked so grim.

"WHOOSH..."

A gust of wind blew in from outside, softening into a gentle breeze as it entered the hall. A dozen or so figures appeared in the center of the room.

The man in the center was tall and slender with handsome features. He wore a black cloak and swept his gaze across the room with his hands clasped behind his back.

’A True Man!’

’But different from the True Men Zhu Ju had seen before.’ Whether it was Yunhe True Man or the two from the "Meat Market," the few True Men he had encountered had all been impatient in speech and chaotic in aura, giving off an impression of lacking intelligence.

Yunhe True Man, in particular, had only agreed to a three-move exchange before immediately fleeing.

But this one before him was different.

His bearing was exceptional, his domineering presence restrained. His eyes glinted with a wise light.

As he slowly walked forward with his hands behind his back, Jiang Qiu hurriedly had someone clear the central seat in the hall for him.

It was as if the visitor was the master of this place, and they were the guests.

"I was passing by and heard that the Sword Sect was discussing joining the Demon Exorcism Hall. I am greatly pleased."

Emperor Kou’s voice was calm, with the magnetic quality of a middle-aged man. After sitting in the main seat, he scanned the room and spoke with a faint smile.

"The Sword Sect was once the number one sect in the world, the leader of all branches of the Daoist Sects. If you choose to join us now, it is a cause for celebration."

"Sen... Senior." Although the man’s attitude was amiable, Jiang Qiu was sweating as if facing a great enemy.

"This matter... we are still discussing it."

"Oh!" Emperor Kou’s eyebrows twitched, and he nodded in understanding.

"It is a matter of great importance, so caution is warranted. You don’t mind if an outsider like myself listens in, do you?"

"No, of course not." Jiang Qiu gave a dry laugh.

"If the Sword Sect joins the Demon Exorcism Hall, you will be one of our own, Senior. Even if we do not, you are still welcome."

"The Talisman Hall has long admired the Demon Exorcism Hall."

With that, he slowly sat down.

The other three Hall Masters’ expressions shifted, but for a moment, no one dared to speak their mind.

"CRACK!"

Wang Huo of the Fire Separation Hall took a deep breath and said in a muffled voice:

"My opinion hasn’t changed. I disagree."

He had a straightforward temperament and had been that way since childhood. The Cultivation Technique he practiced was one of relentless advance, with no room for retreat.

Even facing a Second Decline True Man, he gritted his teeth and held his ground.

Emperor Kou smiled but said nothing.

"Master."

A man stepped out from behind Emperor Kou, cupping his fist in his hand.

"I have long heard of the Sword Sect’s great name. It’s said that Sword Sect Cultivators are unmatched in Combat. This disciple wishes to witness it for himself."

"I hope you will grant my request!"

Since the group had entered the hall, everyone’s attention had been fixed on Emperor Kou, and they had forgotten the others.

Only now that someone else spoke did they notice something was off.

The Second Decline True Man’s majesty was too powerful, so much so that he was like the blazing sun in the sky, naturally dimming the light of everyone else.

But that didn’t mean his entourage was weak.

Quite the opposite.

The man who had spoken was built like a giant bear, his aura violent and immense. If he hadn’t been standing next to Emperor Kou, he never would have been overlooked.

And it wasn’t just him.

The others were all extraordinary as well. The powerful auras of their Divine Souls were in no way inferior to those of the Sword Sect’s four Hall Masters.

"To be young and eager is a good thing."

Emperor Kou nodded with a faint smile.

"The Sword Sect’s Magic does indeed have its mysteries. To be able to ask for some pointers would be beneficial for your future."

"Hall Master Jiang."

"Here." Jiang Qiu hurriedly stood up upon hearing his name.

"My disciple here wishes to witness the Sword Sect’s Swordsmanship. Why don’t you arrange something? It will liven up today’s discussion," Emperor Kou said.

"Don’t underestimate my disciple. The Cultivation Technique he practices is similar to the Sword Sect’s, and he particularly excels at tempering his Physical Body."

"He is also a Great Mage."

"Hall Master Jiang!" the burly man said, cupping his fist. His voice was deep and muffled.

"I am Mengg Shan. Please grant me your guidance!"

"This..." Jiang Qiu hesitated, forcing a dry laugh.

"Brother Mengg, your imposing aura is astonishing. Your imposing aura alone gives you a clear advantage. I am not your match."

"There’s no need for us to compete."

"Hmm?" Mengg Shan frowned.

"I’ve heard that when Sword Sect disciples begin their Cultivation, they first cultivate their Sword Heart to nurture an unyielding Sword Intent. Are you all such incompetent cowards?"

"Heh..."

He sneered.

"As the Hall Master of one of the Sword Sect’s four halls, you don’t even dare to fight me. No wonder you’ve fallen so far!"

Jiang Qiu’s expression flickered.

The disciples of the Talisman Hall all turned ashen-faced. A few of the younger ones glared angrily, wanting to step forward.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Jiang Qiu took a deep breath, stopping the disciples behind him. He said in a low voice:

"Brother Mengg, you jest. I am old and frail and admit my inferiority. There’s... no need for me to make a fool of myself."

Hearing this, Mengg Shan’s sneer deepened. The disciples of the Talisman Hall looked ashamed, gritting their teeth and lowering their heads.

"BANG!"

Wang Huo, Hall Master of the Fire Separation Hall, slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet, roaring:

"I’ll fight you!"

"Finally, someone with a bit of backbone." Mengg Shan turned around.

"What’s your name?"

"Wang Huo!" Wang Huo shouted.

"Hall Master of the Fire Separation Hall!"

"Hall Master of the Fire Separation Hall? Barely qualified." Mengg Shan nodded. Extending a large hand, two Golden Maces, each as thick as a grown man’s thigh, fell into his palm.

They were called Golden Maces, but they looked more like heavy clubs.

"Come!"

"BANG!"

Along with a great shout, the hard mountain stone beneath his feet shattered like soft tofu. In a flash, Mengg Shan appeared in front of Wang Huo.

The Golden Maces in his hands came smashing down fiercely.

Extreme speed and ferocious Giant Power kicked up a gale within the hall.

The gale didn’t rage wildly but was constrained by a special force field, swirling around Mengg Shan’s body.

’Hard Skill?’

Zhu Ju’s eyes twitched, and he shook his head slightly.

’No!’

He had once met someone similar, who tempered their Physical Body like a Magical Artifact or a Talisman.

Their body was covered in engraved runes, using the power of Magic to allow their flesh and blood to erupt with inhuman strength.

’It wasn’t like in the Main World, where one exerted power purely through the Physical Body.’

"SWISH!"

Flames swirled.

Wang Huo was also aware of how tough his opponent’s Physical Body was. He didn’t confront him head-on, instead using a Body Technique to circle behind him.

"CLANG!"

A sword hummed a long cry.

A flash of fiery light appeared, stabbing straight at Mengg Shan’s neck, which was now just inches away.

The Fire Separation Sword!

The heirloom Flying Sword of the Fire Separation Hall!

Zhu Ju’s expression shifted slightly, then a hint of regret appeared in his eyes.

’A pity!’

’The Fire Separation Sword should have originally been a High Grade Flying Sword.’

’But after being passed down for so many years and being used in countless Combats, its Spirituality has been damaged. Now, it can only be considered a Middle Grade Flying Sword.’

’The heirloom Flying Swords of the Sword Sect’s other halls were probably in a similar state, their grades having dropped significantly.’

’If it were a true High Grade Flying Sword, even if the Spirit Binder’s Cultivation was insufficient, it would still possess considerable killing power.’

"DANG..."

Mengg Shan suddenly turned, his Golden Mace crashing against the Fire Separation Sword, emitting the hum of colliding metal.

"Ngh!"

Wang Huo’s expression changed, and he retreated again.

His opponent’s strength was unbelievably great, and who knew what material the Golden Mace was made of to be unafraid of the Fire Separation Sword.

In that last collision, he was the one who had come out slightly worse.

"Again!"

With a low shout, Wang Huo’s eyes focused. He formed a sword seal with his hand and pointed forward.

"Take this!"

Furious Fire Dragon!

The flames in the hall suddenly flared. The Fire Separation Sword whipped up a Fire Dragon, which twisted gracefully and charged toward its opponent.

Under the control of the intricate Sword Formulas, the extreme heat capable of melting metal in an instant did not leak out at all as the Fire Dragon lunged forward, baring its fangs and claws.

"Haha..."

Seeing this, Mengg Shan laughed instead of getting angry, swinging his Double Maces to meet the attack.

"A fine attack!"

"BOOM!"

The Fire Dragon collided with the Double Maces. Fierce Flames exploded and Powerful Qi roared as the burly figure pressed forward against the Flying Sword.

"Now you take a blow from me!"

He swung the Double Maces violently.

Wang Huo’s face turned deathly white as he hastily controlled his Flying Sword to defend.

"DANG..."

The Fire Separation Sword was sent flying. The Double Maces, their momentum not yet spent, continued forward and slammed squarely into Wang Huo’s chest.

"PFFT!"

The immense force directly shattered several of his ribs. Wang Huo spat blood as he was sent flying backward, landing heavily on the ground.