Chong Xuezhi stood up: "To be honest, my father once wrote two secret manuals for the Nine Forms of the Lotus God, saying that if one mastered them, one would surely be able to defeat the 'Lotus Wings'."
If this weren't said by Chong Xuezhi, it would be a very funny joke.
However, the one who wrote the secret manual was Chong Lian.
Chonglian is the person who knows the "Nine Forms of the Lotus Goddess" best.
Everyone was surprised, yet everyone believed it, and no one could remain unmoved upon hearing it.
Master Ciren asked, "Then... where are these two manuals now?"
"I only have one copy of 'Samadhi Flame Phoenix Blade' here; the other copy, 'Azure Sea Snow Lotus Sword,' has been lost."
Why was it lost?
"This..." Xuezhi glanced at Lin Yuhuang, who was bowing repeatedly below. Xuezhi cleared her throat: "That's not important. What's important is finding this manual."
"In such a vast world, how easy is it to find a secret manual that has somehow been lost?"
Feng Cheng said, "Master, please don't be anxious. What we need to do now is to find the culprit. The Nine Forms of the Lotus God are indeed terrifying, but with the strength of many, destroying them will be as easy as turning one's hand."
Master Xingyi asked, "But what should we do with the secret manual after we've caught the culprit?"
"Please return it to Chonghuo Palace."
“‘Lotus Wings’ is an extremely evil object in the martial arts world. How could it possibly be returned to Chonghuo Palace?”
"If it is not returned, Chonghuo Palace will withdraw from this grand gathering and will do everything in its power to prevent it."
Master Ciren said, "Palace Master Xue, if these words came from your father, they would probably carry some weight."
"I was no match for the nun when I was seventeen, but that may not be the case now."
"Justice resides in the hearts of the people. Palace Mistress Xue may be able to defeat this humble nun, but can anyone present defeat her?"
Before Chong Xuezhi could speak, Shangguan Tou said, "Master is right. However, the 'Lotus Wings' originally belonged to Chonghuo Palace. If we forcibly take it and destroy it, it would be neither reasonable nor ethical. In my opinion, it would be better to return it to Chonghuo Palace, but from now on, no one is allowed to cultivate it, lest it harm the martial arts world."
"It might not be good for Valley Master Shangguan to continue protecting Palace Master Xue at this time."
"Everything I have said comes from the bottom of my heart."
“Master, you are mistaken.” Feng Cheng waved his hand. “My little cousin is always dashing and debonair, but he is never careless when it comes to important matters.”
Master Ciren asked, "May I ask the esteemed names of the two masters of Moonrise Valley?"
Chong Jieyu replied, "This humble servant understands language."
“You are not the Second Valley Master,” Abbess Ciren pointed at Lin Yuhuang. “He is.”
"I'm not."
"Who are you."
"I am not."
"Who are you!"
“Master, why do you keep saying that I am? I wish I were, but I am not. If you insist that I am, then so be it.”
Master Ciren pointed at him, but didn't utter a single word for a long time.
Shi Yan said, "In my opinion, if Chonghuo Palace can truly recognize the greater good, the martial arts world will definitely look at them differently. Whether or not to return it depends on Chonghuo Palace's fate."
Xuezhi disliked Shiyan's way of speaking, but seeing that he was helping Chonghuo Palace, she kept quiet.
Master Ciren was somewhat unwilling, but after whispering with the person next to her for a moment, she still said, "Since Master Shiyan says so, the Emei Sect has no objection."
Next, the various sects discussed the matter and expressed their agreement.
Feng Cheng said, "Since the grand market is being held in Moonlit Valley, then let's choose this place as the gathering location as well. What do you all think?"
Abbot Shiyan and Abbess Ciren nodded first, and afterwards other sects also expressed that they had no objections.
Feng Cheng said in a low voice, "To be so trustworthy at such a young age, Brother Shangguan, you are the first one."
Shangguan Tou smiled and said, "You flatter me."
As everyone unanimously agreed and prepared for the next step of the plan, a woman's voice rang out:
"I object."
The noise gradually subsided.
All eyes gradually turned to a female disciple of the Emei Sect—she was the most beautiful among the group, but her face was somewhat fierce.
The gate was wide open, and the strong wind nearly snapped the tree trunks.
Yan Zihua stepped forward: "Shangguan Tou is a despicable and shameless person, unfit to be a leader at this market. Aren't you all curious about why Master Lin avoided coming to this market?"
Feng Cheng hesitated and asked, "What are you talking about?"
Shangguan Tou's face gradually turned pale.
The wind stopped, and the hall was completely silent.
Yanzihua said, word by word:
"The real reason Shangguan Tou was expelled from Lingjian Manor was that he raped Lin Fengzi."