On the long table, six Supremes sat in their respective positions.
Below them, the five Pavilion Masters were seated, and together with Li Xuan, everyone waited patiently.
Ever since the sound of a bell in the early morning, Li Xuan and the higher-ups of the Tianyi Pavilion had arrived at the main pavilion. Although Grand Venerable Lin Yi had not yet arrived, his wife, Mo Ningxiang, was already seated at the head of the table, waiting. Naturally, Li Xuan and the others were preoccupied.
"My apologies for keeping you all waiting."
As a voice sounded, Li Xuan and the others rose to their feet. The arrival was, of course, Grand Venerable Lin Yi, whom Li Xuan and the others had been waiting for a long time.
"Greetings, Grand Venerable," they all called out in unison, and then, at Grand Venerable Lin Yi's signal, they all took their seats.
"The purpose of convening this high-level meeting is twofold. Firstly, I have been away for too long, and I wish to understand some matters within the pavilion. Secondly, it is regarding the invasion of our Tianyi Domain by the Myriad Ancient Domain. Thirdly, regarding the matter of the Ruin God Palace, I have pondered it for a while and decided to inform you all."
Grand Venerable Lin Yi spoke after taking his seat. After a brief pause, he continued, "However, before that, there is still one matter that needs to be handled. To be honest, I was very conflicted after learning about this matter. The carefree spirit of the past has now all turned into ephemeral smoke."
Li Xuan frowned slightly upon hearing this. Grand Venerable Lin Yi's expression clearly showed some disappointment. However, Li Xuan quickly guessed the reason: could it be that Grand Venerable Lin Yi had discovered who the traitor among the higher-ups of the Tianyi Pavilion was?
"Chen Peng, if I recall correctly, you were once pursued by enemies. Even when surrounded by formidable foes, you showed no fear. I admired your courage, which is why I saved you and brought you back to the Tianyi Domain."
"Compared to others, I invested more effort in you. Yet, you did not disappoint me in your cultivation. In just twenty years, you reached the peak of the Era Realm. For this, I felt greatly gratified."
"After you became one of the six Supremes of our Tianyi Domain, I never asked for anything in return. But were your actions after my departure truly guilt-free?"
Grand Venerable Lin Yi spoke slowly, and everyone at the table turned their gazes towards Supreme Chen Peng. On each of their faces, there was a look of profound shock and confusion.
Grand Venerable Lin Yi's words had undoubtedly directly identified Supreme Chen Peng as the traitor among the higher-ups of the Tianyi Domain. Moreover, Grand Venerable Lin Yi must have had evidence, otherwise, why would he publicly question him in such a setting?
Even Li Xuan was somewhat surprised at this moment, clearly not expecting the traitor hidden among the higher-ups to be Supreme Chen Peng.
Regarding Supreme Chen Peng, Li Xuan's first impression was that he was gentle and taciturn. Having been in the Tianyi Pavilion for so long, he had never suspected Supreme Chen Peng. Among the higher-ups, Li Xuan's suspicions were only directed towards Supreme Jin Guangshuo. But the current situation undoubtedly made Li Xuan's heart feel a sense of imbalance.
"I have wronged Grand Venerable, and I have wronged the Tianyi Domain. However I am dealt with, this subordinate will have no complaints!"
Under everyone's gaze, Supreme Chen Peng slowly stood up and spoke. His words implied that he had already admitted to being the traitor of the Tianyi Pavilion.
Grand Venerable Lin Yi sighed slightly upon hearing this, then looked at Supreme Chen Peng and said, "Tell me, why?"
"I implore Grand Venerable to act," Supreme Chen Peng also sighed upon hearing this, then looked at Grand Venerable Lin Yi and spoke. It seemed he had no intention of offering any explanation.
Grand Venerable Lin Yi fell silent, and the rest of the crowd was also silent. After all, with Grand Venerable Lin Yi present, they were merely his equals. At this moment, they naturally had no say.
After a long time, Grand Venerable Lin Yi let out a long breath and said, "You may go. From this day forward, there will be no Supreme Chen Peng in the Tianyi Domain."
"Grand Venerable..." Supreme Jin Guangshuo and the others immediately stood up and called out, but before they could finish their words, Grand Venerable Lin Yi waved his hand to stop them.
"Subordinate, I pay my respects to Grand Venerable!" Supreme Chen Peng looked at Grand Venerable Lin Yi with a complex expression, then knelt down directly and kowtowed heavily three times. After the third time, Supreme Chen Peng stood up, turned, and walked towards the hall exit.
Within a few breaths, he had completely disappeared from Li Xuan and the others' sight.
"Grand Venerable, Supreme Chen Peng was involved in many matters within the pavilion over the years. Furthermore, he was privy to some confidential information. If he is allowed to leave like this, and this information is leaked, it would be..." Supreme Jin Guangshuo said.
Grand Venerable Lin Yi shook his head and said, "I believe he knows what to say and what not to say. Although he has not told me why he acted this way, I believe he must have his own difficulties. Alright, I have made my decision on this matter. Let it end here."
"Yes!" Supreme Jin Guangshuo and the others immediately bowed in response.
"Very well, let us now officially begin the proceedings of the high-level meeting," Grand Venerable Lin Yi said as he sat down.
"Reporting to Grand Venerable, in the Jin Pavilion, all disciples have been verified. Currently, in the Jin Pavilion..." As soon as Grand Venerable Lin Yi finished speaking, Supreme Jin Guangshuo stood up and began to report.
"Reporting to Grand Venerable, in the Mu Pavilion..."
...
As time passed, after the four Supremes, Jin Guangshuo and the others, had reported one by one, Zhu Bing, the Pavilion Master of the Shui Pavilion, also stood up to report. After all, with Supreme Chen Peng's departure, Zhu Bing was the only one managing the Shui Pavilion.
"Seas change and mulberry fields transform; all things change. The Tianyi Pavilion's ability to stand for over ten thousand years is inseparable from your management. For this, I thank you all."
Grand Venerable Lin Yi nodded to everyone after speaking, and then continued, "Although the Tianyi Pavilion has grown, there are still some discrepancies in the strength of the disciples within the pavilion. Furthermore, I have discovered that many of the cultivation sacred sites within the pavilion have not been opened. Now that I have returned, let us open them all. Anyone who is qualified and talented may enter and cultivate."
"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison.
"The first matter is almost concluded. Let us now discuss the second matter," Grand Venerable Lin Yi nodded, and then said, "Regarding the Myriad Ancient Domain's current advance into our Tianyi Domain, what are everyone's thoughts?"
"Grand Venerable, our Tianyi Domain's strength is indeed somewhat weaker than the Myriad Ancient Domain. If we initiate war, it might be difficult to achieve victory. Although you have returned and are here to oversee, due to the Grand Venerable Covenant, it may be difficult to restrain them. Therefore, I believe we should recuperate for now and make plans for the future," Supreme Zhang Chao said.
"I have a different opinion."
As soon as Supreme Zhang Chao finished speaking, Supreme Jin Guangshuo shook his head and said, "Although our Tianyi Domain's overall strength is weaker by a small margin, if we appease them so easily, won't the other domains laugh at us?"
"Furthermore, with Grand Venerable Lin Yi present, the Myriad Ancient Grand Venerable will also find it difficult to openly deal with us. Even if a fight is avoided in the end, we should at least show our stance."
"..."
The several Supremes held their own views, and the vast palace echoed with their booming voices.
"Li Xuan, what are your thoughts?"
As the several Supremes finally paused, Grand Venerable Lin Yi suddenly turned to Li Xuan and asked.
Everyone present was taken aback, clearly confused.
Li Xuan was momentarily stunned. Although he did not understand why Grand Venerable Lin Yi would ask him, Li Xuan still pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "I think, we should fight."