As Su Mingyuan’s cultivation was crippled, the brief silence surrounding the area was finally broken by hushed discussions.
“Do you think Yun Heng will directly wipe out the Xuanxiao Sect and the Taihua Sword Sect?”
“Surely it won't come to that.”
“The one who had a deadly grudge with her was only Su Mingyuan herself. Although the Xuanxiao Sect and Taihua Sword Sect moved against her, aside from the two Sect Masters, the other elders and disciples were merely following orders.”
“I also think she won't go so far as to wipe them out completely.”
“However, after today, both major sects will likely suffer severe damage to their foundation.”
“More than half of their elite disciples are injured, and the elders who serve as their pillars have all suffered heavy injuries. Whether they can hold onto their positions among the Five Great Sects of the Eastern Region in the future is hard to say.”
“They might spare their lives, but now that neither sect has much strength left to resist, whatever price they must pay next will depend entirely on Yun Heng's wishes.”
While the crowd discussed among themselves, they waited for Yun Heng’s next decision.
Right at that moment, a powerful aura appeared in the distant sky once again.
The voices of the spectating cultivators instantly fell silent.
What kind of day was today? How were powerful experts arriving one after another?
A streak of red-gold light flashed across the sky, appearing above the crowd in the blink of an eye.
As the light faded, the figure of a female cultivator was revealed.
She wore a dark red imperial robe with fine golden mountain-and-river patterns embroidered along the collar and cuffs. Her long hair was bound in a golden crown. Her features were serene and striking, yet devoid of any weakness.
The outer corners of her eyes curved slightly upward, and her entire presence radiated an authority born of long holding a high position.
Unaccompanied by any attendants, she stood alone in midair, her late-stage Void Refinement aura not deliberately restrained.
The gathered crowd quickly recognized her identity.
The Emperor of the Eastern Region, Xiao Yin.
She was also currently the strongest expert on the surface of the Eastern Region.
Whispers broke out among the crowd once more.
“Why did Her Majesty come as well?”
“Do you even need to ask?”
“The Qingming Secret Realm suddenly collapsed, and now the Xuanxiao Sect and Taihua Sword Sect have made such a huge disturbance here. How could Her Majesty not be alerted?”
“Is she rushing here now for the sake of the two major sects?”
Xiao Yin descended from midair.
She first glanced at the injured disciples and elders of the two sects covering the ground, then turned her gaze toward Yun Zhao standing beside Yun Heng.
After sensing the aura emanating from Yun Zhao, a trace of solemnity flashed through Xiao Yin’s eyes.
Even though she had reached the late-stage Void Refinement Realm, she still could not see through the female cultivator's cultivation level.
This person's realm was definitely above hers.
Xiao Yin quickly withdrew her gaze and stepped forward in front of Yun Heng.
She did not put on the posture of the Eastern Region Emperor, instead taking the initiative to bow politely to Yun Heng.
“Little Friend Yun.”
“I am the Emperor of the Eastern Region, Xiao Yin.”
Yun Heng raised her eyebrows slightly.
The Emperor of the Eastern Region appearing at this moment and taking the initiative to greet her...
Could she be here to plead for leniency on behalf of the Xuanxiao Sect and the Taihua Sword Sect?
Sure enough, Xiao Yin immediately followed up by saying:
“I come today to plead for leniency for the Xuanxiao Sect and the Taihua Sword Sect.”
“I have already heard the general sequence of events of today's matter on my way here.”
“They listened to one-sided claims and moved against you, Little Friend Yun. It is indeed of their own making.”
“Even though they suffered heavy injuries, it is a price they ought to pay.”
Then, her tone paused slightly.
“However, as the Emperor of the Eastern Region, I have a responsibility to safeguard the peace and stability of the region.”
“Both the Xuanxiao Sect and the Taihua Sword Sect are among the Five Great Sects of the Eastern Region. They have numerous disciples and govern vast territories.”
“If Little Friend Yun wipes out all the powerhouses present from both sects today, the two major sects will inevitably fall into chaos.”
“When that happens, the various factions in the Eastern Region will fight incessantly to seize the territory and resources left behind by the two sects.”
“If the demon race catches wind of this, they will certainly not pass up the opportunity.”
“Once they take advantage of the void, the Eastern Region will be plunged into both internal strife and external threats.”
“In the end, those who suffer disaster will not only be the Xuanxiao Sect and the Taihua Sword Sect, but also the countless ordinary cultivators and common folk of the Eastern Region.”
Listening to these words, Yun Heng sneered inwardly.
She was trying to use the cultivators and common folk of the Eastern Region to pressure her.
If she refused to let the two sects go, did that equate to ignoring the stability of the Eastern Region and giving the demon race an opportunity to strike?
Trying to morally kidnap her?
Xiao Yin seemed to perceive Yun Heng’s thoughts and quickly added:
“I do not say all this to ask Little Friend Yun to forgive them.”
“Regarding today’s matter, the fault lies with the two sects, and they ought to bear the consequences.”
“I merely hope Little Friend Yun can grant them a way out and not wipe them out completely.”
“As for the grievances and harm Little Friend Yun has suffered, it will not simply be brushed aside either.”
As if worried that Yun Heng would refuse outright, Xiao Yin immediately continued:
“The Xuanxiao Sect and the Taihua Sword Sect will offer compensation to Little Friend Yun.”
“As long as it is within the capabilities of the two sects, whatever Little Friend Yun requires, they will do their utmost to satisfy.”
“Furthermore, on behalf of the Eastern Region Imperial Family, I will also present a gift of apology to Little Friend Yun.”
“One Realm-Space Crystal, as well as ten thousand supreme-grade spirit stones.”
Hearing the words “Realm-Space Crystal,” the expressions of many high-stage cultivators present shifted.
Even Lu Xuanwei and Wei Quechen raised their heads, looking at Xiao Yin in slight surprise.
Xiao Yin quickly added:
“A Realm-Space Crystal is a rare crystal containing a high concentration of spatial power.”
“Whether used for refining spatial magic treasures or stabilizing secret realms and spatial arrays, it is of immense utility.”
“The conditions for its formation are extremely harsh. Even with the accumulated wealth of the imperial family over many years, we currently possess only three.”
Yun Heng lowered her eyes and fell into serious thought.
The shattered realm was inherently an incomplete space. Many parts of it were still shrouded in gray mist, and overall, it was far from being restored.
She might not know how to use this Realm-Space Crystal right now, but perhaps it could be used on the shattered realm in the future.
Moreover, the Eastern Region Imperial Family only possessed three in total.
Xiao Yin’s willingness to produce one of them was indeed quite sincere.
While Yun Heng was still pondering, Wei Quechen dragged his injured body out from behind.
He had previously been injured by Yun Zhao's pressure, which affected both his meridians and dantian, leaving his face still somewhat pale.
However, hearing Xiao Yin offer such a precious item on behalf of the imperial family, Wei Quechen also understood that the Taihua Sword Sect could not simply brush things off by offering a few ordinary magic treasures.
If the compensation failed to satisfy Yun Heng, Xiao Yin’s plea for leniency earlier would be entirely meaningless.
Suppressing the reluctance in his heart, Wei Quechen spoke up:
“Regarding today’s matter, it was this old man who listened to one-sided claims and offended you first, Little Friend Yun.”
“My Taihua Sword Sect is willing to compensate you with three supreme-grade sword artifacts, one strand of Absolute Beginning Sword Marrow, one piece of Starfall Profound Gold, one Taibai Profound Gold mine vein, and thirty thousand supreme-grade spirit stones.”
Rate on N.U.
