The Azure Lotus Sect Leader and the Po Jun Sect Leader were unaware that the attendees of the Hall of Deliberation were awaiting their arrival.
However, they did not delay for long. After returning to their respective sect's encampments with Elder Qingfeng, they instructed the elders to settle the disciples, while they themselves followed Elder Qingfeng to the Hall of Deliberation.
Before reaching the Hall of Deliberation, its doors were already open.
Elder Qingfeng bowed respectfully in the direction of the hall before stopping and extending his palm to guide the two sect leaders inside.
The Azure Lotus Sect Leader and the Po Jun Sect Leader felt a strange sense of pressure.
They paused, looking down at their attire, and after confirming there were no issues, they stepped forward.
"Azure Lotus Sect Leader, Po Jun Sect Leader."
"Qing, Lian, Po, Jun."
"..."
Several voices spoke almost simultaneously.
The Azure Lotus Sect Leader and the Po Jun Sect Leader looked at the assembled individuals within the hall and instinctively returned the greeting, their eyes filled with shock.
They had not expected to find nearly ten high-level cultivators gathered in this place.
The weakest among them was the young Patriarch, while the most profound were beings whose cultivation even they could not discern.
"Esteemed teachers, these two are the Po Jun Sect Leader of the Da Qi Sect and the Azure Lotus Sect Leader of the Xuan Qing Sect."
Ji Buwang stood up and introduced the seniors of the Kunlun Academy to the two sect leaders.
Except for Yu Chun Dao and Liu Yin Xiao, who rose to greet them, the other teachers remained seated, nodding in acknowledgement.
Their casual demeanor subtly indicated their extraordinary identities.
Following this, Ji Buwang introduced the teachers of the Kunlun Academy to the two sect leaders.
The Po Jun Sect Leader and the Azure Lotus Sect Leader quickly glanced at each person, committing their appearances to memory, their expressions becoming even more serious.
After everyone had reseated themselves, a moment of silence ensued, and the Hall of Deliberation became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
"Sect Leader Buwang, perhaps you should be the one to speak on this matter." Seeing that no one else was speaking, Xu Yi proactively shifted the topic to Ji Buwang.
As the Xuan Ji Sect was hosting the grand sect ceremony, they should naturally take the lead.
Ji Buwang waited for a moment, and seeing that no one objected, he stood up and began to speak eloquently, "We have invited all esteemed seniors and fellow cultivators to the sect ceremony for two reasons: firstly, to announce the identity of the Patriarch, and secondly, regarding the matter of the demon race that I mentioned in my previous letter."
When planning the ceremony, Xu Yi and Ji Buwang had decided to use this opportunity to discuss with the other four major sects the matter of forming an alliance to resist the demon race.
In the invitations sent to each sect, they had also subtly reminded them of this.
Therefore, when Ji Buwang spoke, no one was surprised; rather, there was a sense of inevitability, as if this was meant to be.
Ji Buwang briefly summarized his recent discoveries, concluding that the demon race was ambitious and intended to make a comeback.
After he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall became suddenly tense.
The first to raise a question was the Azure Lotus Sect Leader of the Xuan Qing Sect.
"Regarding what Sect Leader Buwang has said, I know some of it. However, the demon race signed a peace treaty with your sect's Immortal Jinghong and has been confined to Zhuzhou for a thousand years.
Logically, their strength should have weakened over time. Yet, their current actions are so brazen and unrestrained, as if they have some backing, which inevitably raises suspicion."
Upon hearing the name Immortal Jinghong, Ji Buwang frowned.
Although the Po Jun Sect Leader and the Azure Lotus Sect Leader were at odds, at such a crucial juncture, he was better able to distinguish between what was important and what was urgent.
He nodded, "What Sect Leader Azure Lotus said is also one of my questions. I have also found traces of the demon race's activities near the Da Qi Sect, but strangely, they seem to possess a unique escape method that has caused the disciples of the Da Qi Sect to return unsuccessful repeatedly, which also makes me suspicious."
The demon race's behavior was quite contradictory.
At times, they were like elusive loaches, slippery and difficult to catch.
Yet, at other times, they were like inflexible fools, revealing their intentions and whereabouts with impunity.
If all the demon race were as difficult to deal with as the former, then this war between righteousness and demonism would trigger a great catastrophe.
"May I ask Sect Leader Fa Neng for his esteemed opinion on this matter?"
Xu Yi's words drew the attention of everyone present to Sect Leader Fa Neng.
As neighbors of the demon race and having the most dealings with them, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Sect should have some unique discoveries, shouldn't they?
Sect Leader Fa Neng clasped his hands together and smiled, "Ancestor Xu's insight is sharp. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Sect does indeed have some astonishing discoveries."
"Oh?"
Xu Yi leaned forward, his eyes flashing with surprise.
If the Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Sect spoke of something astonishing, it must be a remarkable discovery.
"Sect Leader Fa Neng, please speak quickly," the Po Jun Sect Leader couldn't help but urge.
These eminent monks of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Sect were indeed good people, but they were too slow-paced. Every time he spoke with them, he had to go around in circles, which was quite frustrating.
"In fact, what I wish to discuss, the Xuan Qing Sect should also have some awareness of."
Sect Leader Fa Neng remained unhurried, and the Po Jun Sect Leader was destined to be disappointed.
The Azure Lotus Sect Leader was initially taken aback, but then a flash of shock crossed his eyes, clearly indicating that he understood what Sect Leader Fa Neng was about to say.
The next moment, a lightly uttered sentence by Sect Leader Fa Neng nearly caused many present to jump from their seats in surprise.
"The demon race is not weakened at present; instead, they are becoming increasingly valiant. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Sect suspects the involvement of a Demon King."
"What! A Demon King!"
"Are you referring to the Demon King who ascended to the Upper Realm a thousand years ago?"
"The Demon King has already ascended. How can he still interfere in matters of the Lower Realm?"
Aside from the sect leaders of the five major sects, even the teachers of the Kunlun Academy showed expressions of surprise.
After all, they had never imagined that this matter would involve a Demon King who had long since ascended to the Upper Realm and had no further connection to the Jiuzhou Continent.
Among them, only the Azure Lotus Sect Leader maintained the most composed demeanor, though his expression was not pleasant.
"Sect Leader Azure Lotus, could it be that you already knew of this matter?" the Po Jun Sect Leader asked.
The Azure Lotus Sect Leader remained silent for a moment, nodded, and then shook his head.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I only had suspicions before, but I dared not confirm them," the Azure Lotus Sect Leader sighed helplessly.
He looked at Xu Yi, "This matter, in a way, also relates to Ancestor Xu and Sect Leader Buwang."
Xu Yi blinked, a flash of inspiration crossing his mind, "Was it that secret realm in the Western Water Domain!"
"Precisely, the secret realm in the Western Water Domain. At that time, disciples from my sect were trapped in the secret realm, and I had no choice but to invite my master, Ancestor Wu Qian, to come out of seclusion.
It was during one of those times that my master fought with the Demon King in the void and sustained a hidden injury, which has yet to heal."
"Why did you not mention such an important matter to us?"
The Po Jun Sect Leader's aggressive questioning exhausted the Azure Lotus Sect Leader's patience.
"The injury to the Patriarch is a secret of the Xuan Qing Sect, how could it be easily disclosed to outsiders?
Moreover, at that time, the Patriarch fought against a seal on a beast's bone. It was impossible to determine whether it was a seal left by the Demon King or the Demon King himself.
If I had spoken incorrectly, it would have invited criticism from others.
If it were you, what would you have done?"
"I, I would naturally have spoken out and discussed it with everyone," the Po Jun Sect Leader stammered, his face flushing with embarrassment.