Chapter 107: The Righteous Tribunal

The Righteous Alliance headquarters sat atop Mount Zhengyi like a fortress of white marble and gold. Twelve massive towers surrounded a central hall where the Alliance Council met to decide the fate of the cultivation world. Each tower represented one of the major sects under their control.

Liu Yun and his companions approached on foot rather than using their cultivation techniques. This was meant to show respect, but the long climb up the mountain path felt more like a deliberate humiliation. Guards in pristine white robes watched them at every checkpoint.

"They want us to feel like prisoners before we even enter the hall," Lin Fei observed quietly.

The Earth Shattering Sword remained peaceful at Liu Yun's side, but he could sense its readiness. The blade had tasted victory against chaos itself. These mortal cultivators posed no real threat to their combined power.

That wasn't the point, though. If they came here to fight, they would only prove the Alliance's accusations correct. The Qilin Hui had to show they could work within established systems when necessary.

At the main gates, they were met by a stern-faced woman in elaborate ceremonial robes. Golden dragons coiled around her sleeves. Her cultivation aura radiated the solid presence of someone in the late stages of Core Formation.

"I am Elder Xu Minghua of the Golden Dragon Sect," she announced formally. "You will surrender all weapons and spiritual artifacts before entering the sacred hall."

Liu Yun shook his head politely. "The Earth Shattering Sword cannot be separated from its wielder. But I give my word it will remain sheathed unless we are attacked first."

Elder Xu's eyes narrowed. "You dare make conditions when summoned before the Alliance?"

"We came here voluntarily," Jiang Tao pointed out. "Your message was an invitation, not a legal summons. The Qilin Hui operates outside your jurisdiction."

"That attitude is exactly what concerns us," Elder Xu replied coldly. "You claim authority over matters that affect the entire cultivation world, yet answer to no established body of governance."

They were escorted into the central hall through corridors lined with statues of famous Alliance heroes. Each statue bore an inscription praising their service to order and righteousness. Liu Yun noticed that many of these heroes had died fighting other cultivators rather than external threats.

The Alliance Council sat in judgment from twelve high thrones arranged in a semicircle. At the center, Grand Master Wei Zhengdao occupied a throne of white jade carved with protective formations. His cultivation had reached the Nascent Soul stage, making him one of the most powerful mortals on the continent.

Grand Master Wei was younger than Liu Yun had expected, perhaps fifty years old with sharp features and calculating eyes. His presence filled the hall with an aura of absolute authority that made lesser cultivators want to kneel automatically.

"So," he said in a voice that carried to every corner of the vast hall. "The infamous Qilin Hui finally honors us with their presence."

Liu Yun stepped forward and bowed exactly as much as courtesy demanded—no more, no less. "Grand Master Wei. We come to discuss matters of mutual concern."

"Mutual concern?" Wei laughed without humor. "You violated dimensional protocols that have kept our world safe for centuries. You acted without consultation or approval. You created consequences that threaten the stability we have worked so hard to maintain."

"We stopped a chaos invasion that would have consumed half the continent," Lin Fei interjected.

"By methods that caused worse problems elsewhere," Elder Xu added from her position beside the throne. "Villages withering. Monks driven mad. Sacred places corrupted by the imbalance you created."

Jiang Tao stepped forward with his temporal instruments visible. "We've calculated solutions to restore the cosmic balance. But they require cooperation between different cultivation methods."

Grand Master Wei's expression grew even colder. "You speak of cooperation while refusing to submit to proper authority. How can we trust rogues who acknowledge no law but their own judgment?"

The accusation stung because it held a grain of truth. The Qilin Hui had formed specifically to operate outside traditional power structures. They believed harmony could accomplish what rigid hierarchy could not. But from the Alliance's perspective, they looked like dangerous revolutionaries.

"What do you want from us?" Liu Yun asked directly.

"Submit to Alliance oversight," Wei replied immediately. "Place your organization under our command. Accept appointed supervisors for all major operations. Prove that you can work within established systems instead of undermining them."

"In exchange for what?" Lin Fei demanded.

"We help you fix the damage you've caused," Elder Xu answered. "The Alliance has resources and knowledge you lack. Ancient techniques for restoring cosmic balance. Connections with sects across the continent who can assist in stabilization efforts."

Liu Yun considered the offer carefully. The Alliance clearly had capabilities the Qilin Hui needed. Their rigid methods might actually be perfect for the kind of precise balance restoration required. But submitting to their control would destroy everything the Seven Harmonies had worked to create.

"We propose an alternative," he said finally. "Temporary partnership. Joint operations to address the balance crisis. Equal participation in decision-making. No permanent oversight or command structure."

Grand Master Wei's laugh was sharp as breaking ice. "You think you can negotiate with us as equals? Your little group has seven members. The Alliance represents over ten thousand cultivators across fifty sects."

"Numbers don't determine righteousness," Mei Shengcao said quietly as she entered the hall. She had arrived using the plant network that connected all living things. Vines and flowers bloomed in her footsteps despite the sterile marble floor.

Behind her came Echo Prime Zhu, materializing from shadow. His twilight presence made several Alliance members reach instinctively for their weapons. The remaining members of the Seven Harmonies followed through their own methods of arrival.

Now the Qilin Hui stood united before the Alliance Council. Seven cultivators facing hundreds, but their combined presence filled the hall with harmonious energy that made the marble walls sing with resonance.

"Impressive display," Wei acknowledged. "But power without accountability is tyranny. That's exactly what we seek to prevent."

"And accountability without wisdom is stagnation," Liu Yun replied. "That's what we seek to overcome."

The standoff stretched taut between them. Two different philosophies of cultivation and governance, each convinced of their own righteousness. The Alliance valued order and stability above all else. The Qilin Hui prioritized harmony and growth.

Then a new voice spoke from the hall's entrance. "Perhaps both approaches have merit."

Everyone turned to see Chen Wuji, the Void Master, entering without ceremony. His presence immediately changed the atmosphere. Even Grand Master Wei rose from his throne in respectful greeting.

"Transcendent Ancestor," Wei said with a deep bow. "We are honored by your presence at our deliberations."

Chen Wuji nodded to both sides impartially. "I come because the cosmic balance continues to deteriorate. While you debate authority and jurisdiction, the problems grow worse."

He gestured, and images appeared in the air above the council chamber. They showed the spreading effects of the dimensional disruption. More villages withering. More corruption spreading to previously pure places. The wave of instability was accelerating.

"You have three days before the damage becomes irreversible," Chen Wuji announced. "After that, not even my power can restore what will be lost."

Grand Master Wei and Liu Yun looked at each other across the hall. Their philosophical differences suddenly seemed less important than the threat facing their world.

"What exactly do you propose?" Wei asked Liu Yun.

"Joint task forces," Liu Yun replied. "Alliance resources and Qilin Hui methods. Your stability techniques combined with our harmony approaches. Separate command structures working toward the same goal."

Wei considered this for a long moment. It wasn't the submission he had demanded, but it was cooperation. And with only three days remaining, cooperation might be their only hope.

"Acceptable," he said finally. "But if your methods cause further damage, the partnership ends immediately."

"Agreed," Liu Yun nodded. "But if your rigid approaches prove insufficient, you must be willing to try new solutions."

Chen Wuji smiled as the two leaders reached their compromise. "Then let us begin. The first target requires both your skills working in perfect coordination."

The unlikely alliance between order and harmony was about to be tested in the crucible of cosmic crisis.