Within the chaotic vortex, Shu Han darted around, making a full circle and encountering almost all disciples from the other sects.
These individuals were struggling to progress within the vortex, with their magic power depleting at a rapid pace. With Shu Han's incessant provocations added to the mix, their energy loss was even more pronounced.
Originally, about one-third of the disciples would have had to leave the vortex due to exhaustion, but with Shu Han's disruptions, nearly half of them had to exit prematurely due to their drained magic power.
Shu Han was quite satisfied with the outcome. The fewer the number of disciples gathering at the mountain peak, the higher his chances of seizing the Heavenly Creation Fluid in the ensuing chaos. After waiting for two hours, groups of disciples started emerging from the vortex, landing atop the mountain by the Heavenly Pond.
The disciples of the Green Thunder Sect were the first to arrive. With fourteen of them, all appeared to be in stable condition. In stark contrast, the other sects had far fewer members - only about twenty-four in total. They were all panting heavily and quickly took out spiritual stones to replenish their depleted magic power.
From the Purple Sun Sect, whom Shu Han had left undisturbed, five out of the six members, led by Fan Zheyan, reached the mountaintop pond. Seeing that Shu Han and Qiu Pengxing had already arrived ahead of him, Fan Zheyan approached with surprise, "Junior Brother Cheng, how did you manage to get here before us?"
Shu Han chuckled, "All thanks to Brother Qiu's magic treasure. It reduced the pressure for me, and I was luckily able to pass through the vortex."
Fan Zheyan exclaimed in astonishment, "No wonder they say the Golden Silkworm Association has many unique treasures. It seems the rumors are true if it can counteract that chaotic vortex!"
Qiu Pengxing humbly replied, "You flatter me."
At this moment, Fan Zheyan observed the other groups on the mountain peak, furrowing his brows in confusion, "Why are there so few who managed to pass through the vortex this time? Moreover, besides the Green Thunder Sect, everyone seems to have suffered significant magic power depletion. Very odd."
Someone commented, "Senior Brother, isn't this an advantage for us? They need time to recover their magic power. When the Heavenly Creation Fluid appears, our Purple Sun Sect will have a better chance to secure it!"
Fan Zheyan shook his head, "That's a naive way to think. I've been to the Immaculate Realm three times. Every time we tried to get a few Heavenly Creation Fluids, it was like snatching food from a tiger's mouth, always facing the Green Thunder Sect. Now, with other sects heavily depleted, we're isolated. I fear that the Heavenly Creation Fluid will end up in the hands of the Green Thunder Sect!"
Shu Han suggested, "Since Green Thunder Sect is dominant now, why not ally with the other sects to challenge them together? This way, we might have a chance to secure some of the Fluid."
Fan Zheyan glanced at Shu Han, thinking, "Why is he prompting me to unite with other sects against Green Thunder Sect? Although the rules state that the disputes within Immaculate Realm don't affect the unity of the sects, whoever takes the lead against Green Thunder Sect will surely face troubles in the future."
He replied, "Absolutely not! We can only join such an alliance if it's a spontaneous decision made by all the sects present. We cannot openly organize against Green Thunder Sect."
Shu Han sighed internally, realizing that swaying Fan Zheyan to lead a rebellion against the Green Thunder Sect was impossible.
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Scanning the surroundings, noticing everyone had emerged from the vortex, he asked Qiu Pengxing, "Is it strange that you're the only one from the Golden Silkworm Association here?"
Qiu Pengxing, equally puzzled, replied, "The Golden Silkworm Association's slots were bought. We secured six spots divided into two teams. From the Burial Furnace Slope team, I'm the only one left, but there were two from the Earth Goddess's Garden. Where could they have gone after planning to come to the peak?"
Shu Han paused, thinking about the two he had mentioned, who might have died because of him. Trying to console, he patted Qiu Pengxing's shoulder, "Don't worry too much; perhaps they're dead somewhere."
Qiu Pengxing's face twitched, thinking sarcastically, "What a comforting thought."
Shu Han gazed at the wary groups of cultivators, thinking that if they wanted excitement, he'd provide it. At that moment, his main body, which had been hiding within the vortex, emerged, taking the form of Luo Haoguang. Flamboyantly, Shu Han as Luo Haoguang flew out from the vortex, parading above the heads of the other sects.
The atmosphere instantly became tense. Those from Purple Sun Sect, who had their dragon loach snatched by Luo Haoguang, immediately stepped forward, pointing and yelling, "Green Thunder Sect! Luo Haoguang! Where's your righteous demeanor now? Robbing our dragon loach! Not only do you murder and steal treasures, but you also collude with demonic cultivators! Is this the way of Green Thunder Sect?"
Fan Zheyan frowned at the confrontation but didn't intervene, implicitly agreeing with their accusations. He figured he could step in to apologize if things got out of hand.
Shu Han signaled Qiu Pengxing with his eyes. Catching the cue, Qiu Pengxing also jumped forward, shouting, "Humph! I thought only we, the Golden Silkworm Association, were sneakily attacked by you. But it seems our friends from Purple Sun Sect suffered the same fate! Green Thunder Sect, return the lives of our two comrades from the Golden Silkworm Association! And give back our Black Abyss Fire!"
Hearing the accusations from the Purple Sun Sect and the Golden Silkworm Association, accusing the Green Thunder Sect cultivators of murder, theft, and collusion with demonic cultivators, all the sects present were deeply unsettled. Their anger was amplified when recalling Luo Haoguang's interference in the vortex.
Yet they hesitated to act. After all, if the Green Thunder Sect denied the accusations, they had no evidence to back their claims. Moreover, many relied on the protection of the Green Thunder Sect.
Shu Han's illusion of Luo Haoguang laughed heartily, holding the enormous dragon loach in one hand and the seed of the Black Abyss Fire in the other, disdainfully declaring, "Hah! Whatever treasures the cultivators of Green Thunder Sect lay their eyes upon belong to Green Thunder Sect! Who do you think you are to challenge us? If not for our Sect Leader's protection, you would have been obliterated by the Devil Music Sect long ago. Killing a few of you and seizing some treasures is our way of taking care of you. You should be grateful and weeping in thanks!"
The gathering was stunned into silence. They had long been tired of the Green Thunder Sect's arrogance, but Luo Haoguang's words shocked their very core beliefs.
By his logic, should they willingly offer their heads for the Green Thunder Sect to chop off and then thank them afterward?
Even the Green Thunder Sect cultivators were taken aback. Though they were often prideful and domineering, they'd never openly admit to theft and murder. And how did the news of their collusion with demonic cultivators spread? What on earth had gotten into Luo Haoguang?
"Damn it! This is outrageous! Why is Green Thunder Sect acting so haughty?"
The Fiery Cloud Instant Sect was the first to erupt. Their sect leader was known to be the strongest Core Formation cultivator below the Nascent Soul stage in the northern part of the Great Cloud, nearly reaching the Nascent Soul phase. With such immense power, they confidently took the lead in confronting the Green Thunder Sect.
Seeing this, other sects, driven by both anger and reason, also stepped forward in opposition to the Green Thunder Sect.
Under the dumbfounded gaze of the Green Thunder Sect's cultivators, Shu Han flew back. At this point, the Green Thunder Sect had become the target of all sects on the mountain peak.
Seizing the opportunity, Fan Zheyan stood up and declared, "Since it's clear and proven that the Green Thunder Sect has collaborated with demonic cultivators and murdered their peers, perhaps everyone else should refrain from touching the Heavenly Creation Fluid today! Virtue is strengthened by support, while evil diminishes with opposition! Fellow cultivators from other sects, the Green Thunder Sect is numerous and powerful. Should we join forces and drive them away from the summit and the Heavenly Pond?"
"Fiery Cloud Instant Sect agrees!"
"Rainbow Light Sword Valley agrees!"
"Cloud Mist Sect agrees!"