Debate on Zonggui

As if telepathically synchronized, Yang Kai and Su Yan simultaneously uttered the same words, their expressions and tones mirroring each other perfectly.

Jie Hongchen was taken aback by the shout! With profound anguish, he gazed at Su Yan and lamented, "How can he not be considered a worthless fool? In terms of status, he is merely a trial disciple; in terms of cultivation, he is only at the third layer of the Opening Origin Realm. Such a person is indeed worthless. How could you, Junior Sister, find him worthy?"

"Our matters are none of your concern!" Su Yan, clearly absorbed in her role, seized the opportunity to rid herself of Jie Hongchen's entanglement over the years, even using affectionate terms.

"Senior Brother, are you familiar with the term 'love at first sight'?" Yang Kai mockingly addressed Jie Hongchen.

"Be silent!" Jie Hongchen roared with a twisted expression of fury, "I am speaking to Junior Sister. What right do you, a worthless fool, have to interject?"

Yang Kai narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly.

"A fool remains a fool!" Jie Hongchen's usual composure was long gone, replaced by envy and rage that distorted his once handsome face. "When I was your age, I was already at the Energy Motion Realm. You are merely at the third layer of the Opening Origin Realm, and now I stand at the peak of the Li and He Realms. The gap spans two major realms and six minor layers. How can you compare to me?"

"Senior Brother, please observe carefully!" Yang Kai responded without further elaboration. Some matters are best demonstrated rather than discussed.

"Jie Hongchen, I have no wish to entangle with you here. Step aside. Thanks to your Law Enforcement Hall's assistance, he is severely injured, and I need to tend to his wounds!" Su Yan's voice was cold and commanding.

"No one leaves here today!" Jie Hongchen roared angrily, looking at Su Yan with pained eyes and trembling slightly. He issued an order, "Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall, heed my command. Anyone attempting to break out, kill without hesitation! Even if it is your Senior Sister Su, no leniency will be shown."

With deep affection comes deep hatred, and at this moment, Jie Hongchen perfectly exemplified the meaning of this phrase.

The over a hundred disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall, after a moment's hesitation, immediately surrounded Su Yan and her group once more.

"Are you insistent on this?" Su Yan's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.

Jie Hongchen forced a smile, "Junior Sister, I know I am not your match, but if you wish to pass today, you must step over my corpse!"

He was prepared to sacrifice himself, hoping his bravery and selflessness would move Su Yan.

Su Yan's chest heaved with rage!

She was not afraid of the Law Enforcement Hall; her strength reached the third layer of the True Yuan Realm, three minor layers above Jie Hongchen. With the Ice Heart Technique, no one here could stop her.

However… Yang Kai and Li Yuntian would inevitably suffer.

She was only one person and could not shield everyone under her wings.

The situation became stalemated. Su Yan dared not lead her group to break out, and the Law Enforcement Hall's people did not attack but merely blocked their way.

While the younger generation created chaos, the elders of the Lingxiao Pavilion were embroiled in a heated discussion elsewhere.

In the Elders' Hall, the Grand Elder Wei Xitong, Second Elder Su Xuanwu, Third Elder He Beishui, Fourth Elder Zhou Fei, and Fifth Elder You Zizai were all present.

The five elders sat in two rows, with Grand Elder Wei Xitong at the head, accompanied by Fourth Elder Zhou Fei and Fifth Elder You Zizai on the lower seats.

On the other side were Second Elder Su Xuanwu and Third Elder He Beishui.

This was the current division of factions among the elders of the Lingxiao Pavilion.

Wei Zhuang and Su Mu, who had previously clashed, knelt side by side on the floor, reporting the day's events in detail.

Su Mu spoke first, recounting every detail truthfully—how he was blocked by Wei Zhuang, how he was provoked, the subsequent duel, and the humiliation endured, presenting everything without any personal bias.

The five elders listened in silence, awaiting Wei Zhuang's version.

However, once Wei Zhuang began his account, the story took a different turn. Initially similar to Su Mu's account, his version became increasingly derogatory once Yang Kai appeared. Wei Zhuang exaggerated the events, depicting Yang Kai as exceedingly excessive, claiming he wielded a powerful weapon to breach his embroidered cloud armor and attempted to kill him.

The bitterness in Wei Zhuang's tone and the dramatic gestures magnified the incident manifold.

"You're speaking nonsense!" Su Mu, enraged, could not contain his fury.

"Facts are facts!" Wei Zhuang, having knocked Su Mu unconscious, had not witnessed the events, but he remained adamant.

"Facts, my foot! You're just a troublemaker and a liar! You don't even bother to draft your lies!"

"Silence!" The Grand Elder slammed his chair in anger. As Su Mu had insulted his daughter-in-law in his presence, how could the Grand Elder remain calm? Despite his anger, he was reluctant to intervene in the squabbles of the younger generation.

"Hmph!" The Second Elder snorted coldly.

The Grand Elder said, "The matter has been investigated. What are your views?"

Though he asked the question, his gaze was fixed on the Second Elder, seeking his opinion.

Su Xuanwu replied, "What is there to view? It is clear that this matter involves a challenge between juniors. They should resolve it themselves without disturbing the Elders' Council."

The Grand Elder smiled slightly, while the Fourth Elder Zhou Fei, always loyal to the Grand Elder, remarked, "Second Brother's words are misguided. The issue began as a simple challenge between juniors, but once Yang Kai stirred up trouble, the nature of the matter changed."

"Changed? In front of everyone, he openly challenged Wei Zhuang and did not violate any sect rules. Wei Zhuang's own lack of skill led to his defeat. What's the problem?" Su Xuanwu, angered by the insult to his grandson, spoke with a lack of courtesy.

The Fourth Elder interjected, "If it were merely a challenge, defeating Wei Zhuang would be acceptable. However, during the battle, Yang Kai used a weapon to breach Wei Zhuang's embroidered cloud armor. Sect rules stipulate that during disciples' challenges, weapons cannot be used! Yang Kai clearly violated this rule and should be punished!"

Su Xuanwu sneered, "Fourth Brother, is that how the sect rules are written? Has someone taken the liberty to alter the rules in the absence of the Sect Leader?"

His words were pointed, causing the Grand Elder's faction to react. Wei Xitong inquired, "Oh? Second Brother, how are the sect rules stated?"

Su Xuanwu replied coldly, "The rules specify that during challenges between disciples, neither weapons nor any enhancing pills or treasures may be used. Only martial skills and physical prowess are allowed! Elder Brother, am I mistaken?"

The Grand Elder's expression turned stern as he nodded, "You are correct!"