Chapter 1545 Elder Council (III)
Chapter 1545 Elder Council (III)
"What do you think?" Qiyuan asked, looking directly at Wang Wei, who did not immediately answer. Instead, he took the time to access the Information Hall and reviewed all the news gathered by the sect during his absence about the temple.
"Things will not proceed as smoothly as most people think,"
Wang Wei finally said. "The Primarchs are not stupid. They should have realized that their compatriot is setting them up, but they have remained calm and composed until now.
They must have something to rely on to survive this ordeal."
Based on the information, Wang Wei realized these
Primarchs remained seated in their position without doing anything. They didn't fight with the Emperor Path Demon Gods, they barely tried to clear their names, and they haven't secretly tried to move some of their people away.
The only explanation for their behavior is that they have accepted their fate, or they have something up their sleeve to survive the ordeal.
Wang Wei believes it's the latter, especially after his deduction during his retreat. However, he did not bring it during this meeting because he was not too sure, and he hoped he was right. So, he decided to keep this news to himself and let things develop accordingly.
"It's indeed odd. At first, I thought they wanted to argue their case fairly during the assembly, but these old beasts should not be this naive," Yan Shirong added. These Innate Demon Gods should understand that people want to
eliminate them to weaken the temple, and finally settle the battle between innate and acquired life forms.
Well, it's not much of a debate anymore since the acquired have won. However, many people still find them an eyesore, and they will be more than happy to eliminate them entirely.
"But what could their way of surviving be? Don't tell me they've sold themselves to foreign worlds," Yan Hai said.
"It's not impossible. They are not desperate and will probably do anything to survive," Qiyuan frowned.
"Who would they join?" an elder asked.
"It could be any Transcendent Faction, or maybe the Heaven Law World," someone suggested. Transcendent Faction can provide them with better protection, and the Heaven Law World was ruled by Primarchs, so it made sense to join their fellow compatriots.
"Does it matter who? We should focus on how to respond if it's true."
"It does matter. These traitors must have sold our news to other Chaos Worlds."
"You don't think these foreigners already know the state of our world? These hyenas have already prepared to benefit from the chaos. They haven't shown themselves because they are waiting to see the scale of the disaster. They want us to bear the brunt of the first wave of attacks."
Wang Wei frowned after hearing these words: "Why wasn't the Hong Protection System activated?" According to his fiancée, the system was not designed to protect the world from invaders, but it could also intercept communications.
In other words, it was the wise move to activate it to keep news from leaking.
"The system is now completely under Heavenly Dao's
control," Yan Hai explained.
"So, it wants the news to leak?" Wang Wei uttered. He did not hide his sneer. "It makes sense. If we fail the disaster, it would want foreign factions to take our place and continue the prosperity of the Central Destiny Chaos World."
Although Wang Wei's words were harsh, it contained some truth. Heavenly Dao has planned the rise of the Eternal Ascension World for too long, meaning it's prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure success, even if it means replacing the current inhabitants with foreign forces.
"We have never trusted Heavenly Dao, so our sect has long been prepared to compete with foreign forces to preserve our spot at the top of the hierarchy," Yan Shirong sneered.
Wang Wei nodded. The disaster has many implications. On the lowest level, it is a reshuffling of the power board, removing the 13 Overlord system and setting up a new system with Transcendent Factions at the top.
However, at the highest level, the disaster's purpose is to launch the Transcendent Age, pushing the Chaos Universe into a new era. A few historians have argued that the Transcendent Age began with the revelation of the
Quintessence Realm, and some extreme scholars have even suggested that the end of the Ultimate Taboo marked the start of the age.
However, Wang Wei believes the age will officially begin when the first true and complete Primordial Chaos Saint from the Eternal Ascension World is born. This idea is why he encourages and tries to ensure Wu Hong is the first to do it.
"Let's get back on topic," Qiyuan said. "What should our stand be about the fate of the Primarchs?"
"I say we vote with everybody else and wait to see how they plan to save themselves. If they are indeed traitors, maybe we can put some of the blame on the temple and use this opportunity to weaken them."
"That's not a bad idea. I'm not too fond of how they are using us to clean up their house."
The general consensus has been determined, and since the ancestors did not object, it was decided. The following discussion was still about the Grand Assembly, but it was more of a speculation of what other people might propose.
The council also talked about the possible steps the assembly will take to prepare for war mobilization.
This discussion lasted for several days before it came to a close. Then, Qiyuan and the other two had a serious look.
"For this next conversation, only the Grand Elders can participate." The others looked at each other before slowly and methodically leaving the meeting room, leaving the first row of individuals.
Once everybody was out, Qiyuan, Yan Hai, and Yan Shirong moved. They acted together to activate an array that covered the meeting room. Their cautions increased the tension in the room, but everyone waited with bated breath.
"Grand Elder Xie Yuehan, Grand Elder Yin Shixing, Grand Elder Wang Liping, Grand Elder Two-Fingers, and Grand Elder Zhou Shihong — please stand up."
Everyone was now confused, so they looked at these five with suspicion. However, even these five elders were perplexed as to why they were called out. However, they followed orders and slowly stood up. All eyes were on them as people wondered whether it was a good or bad thing to be called out.
Qiyuan did not waste time giving them an answer. He waved his hand to manifest black chains that instantly captured these five.
"Ancestor, what's the meaning of this?" Wang Liping yelled.
"Yes, we did nothing wrong."
"Cooperate and you'll be released and compensated if you're discovered to be innocent," Qiyuan said calmly. He did a hand sign to activate the array, materializing a large mirror that shone on these five elders.
"Well?" Yan Hai asked after a few minutes.
"Most of them are only unknown pawns. They probably didn't know their [Existence] was tempered," Qiyuan replied calmly.
"That means there is a traitor. Who is it?"
"Wang Liping." All eyes immediately shifted to a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance, wearing all black. The man looked so bland that it was hard to believe he shared the Wang Clan blood, or that he was a Paragon in the first place.
"Ancestor, this must be a mistake," Wang Liping tried to argue.
"Who's behind him?" Yan Hai asked, looking at him intently.
Her sword will make many people in the room suffocate.
"I don't know," Qiyuan shook his head. "What I know is he has been replaced long ago, with the original Wang Liping long dead."
"Such a perfect copy?" Yan Shirong uttered.
"That's the scary part," Qiyuan nodded.
"What do we do with him? Do we try to get more
information, or just eliminate him?" Yan Shirong asked.
"The power that can make such a perfect copy is not something we can meddle with currently, so he must be eliminated," Qiyuan said firmly.
"No, you can't do this, I am…"
A sword strike with unparalleled speed strikes out, instantly eliminating his body and soul. Yan Hai then closed her eyes to sense something. Less than 20 minutes later, she entered the River of Time and returned a few minutes later.
Everybody then sensed a slight change in the sect's luck.
They understood what had happened: Grand Elder Liping was dead. They looked at Yan Hai with deep fear. They knew Primals were scary, but this was on another level.
The person most shocked by this event was Yan Shirong. He was on cloud nine after becoming a Primal, but after seeing how fast and easily Yan Hai found Wang Liping's Time Mark and killed him, he realized there were levels to Primals.
"What should we do with the rest?" Yan Hai asked.
"Wang Wei, can you help them?" Qiyuan asked.
"I'll try."
Wang Wei approached the captured elders and observed for a few minutes. Then, he started putting acupuncture needles all over their bodies.