The wind blew fallen leaves, scattering them into the pool.

The moon shines as the clouds disperse.

Zhang Rongfang gently stretched his body, raised his head, facing all the gazes cast upon him.

"Actually... I’ve wanted to say this for a long time. Unfortunately... there’s never been a suitable moment."

He worried about his sister, about his mentor, about his subordinates, about the troubles that might follow.

And so on, and so forth.

Too many concerns.

But many things, the more you retreat from them, the more they approach you, gather around you.

Until you have nowhere to retreat, nowhere to hide.

Rather than this, it’s better to turn passive into active from the start.

In the past half month atop Linghua Mountain, Zhang Rongfang learned a lot from Emperor Jiang.

But all these things are not as impactful as one realization.

That is, oneself.

With my heart, respond to his heart; with my intention, influence his intention.

If there are variables, then act according to the heart.

This is how Emperor Jiang did it, so everyone around adapted to him, rather than him adapting to the others around him.

The weak conform to the larger trend.

The strong are the larger trend themselves.

Zhang Rongfang suddenly realized, his mentality had always been lingering on the position of the weak.

He conformed to others’ games, to others’ trends.

Yet never thought of leading everything, leading the trend.

Yue Shi, Righteous Alliance, Spirit Court, they all have their own trends.

Since they can have it, why can’t he?

"You..." Shangguan Feihua’s mind buzzed, at this moment, countless thoughts spun in his head.

Among them, there was even the thought of knocking this guy unconscious and dragging him away to prevent him from continuing to talk nonsense.

He hurried back, considering many developments, many possibilities.

Yet never thought Zhang Ying would actually admit it in front of everyone!?

Admit it!!?

He actually admitted, that he alone killed all the opposing Grandmasters before!?

Him, a Super Grade Martial Artist? What supported his admission? Insider help?

Who cooperated with him to kill? Why kill? Just because of a little contradiction, is it necessary to harm someone’s life??!

These questions rooted deeply, continuously spinning in Shangguan Feihua’s mind.

The whole courtyard was silent at this moment.

Zhou Yan’s shock slowly turned into a smile, because he knew, regardless of whether Zhang Ying suddenly went mad, his objective was achieved.

Next, just confirm Zhang Ying’s crime, then cooperate with the person in secret to feign death and retreat...

"It seems... our Daoist Zhang suddenly lost his senses and started babbling nonsense." Western Sect’s Yuan Chang laughed as he spoke.

"Can’t you recognize if a person is clear-headed or not when speaking, as a Grandmaster? This doesn’t seem to be nonsense..." Daoist Congshan of Zhenyi Sect laughed heartily.

Their purpose of coming here was overly accomplished.

Originally, they were considering how to trap Zhang Ying into a scheme on his own.

But now, none of that was needed anymore.

They never expected Zhang Ying to be so foolish, to actually admit face-to-face?

Although this rendered all their subsequent preparations useless.

In reality, the task became much more straightforward!

"Regardless of the Daoist’s grievances with our Western Sect Grandmaster, there should not be any deadly actions. If there is a dispute, shouldn’t it be settled by the Jixian Institute?"

Yuan Chang sighed, "My poor junior apprentice nephew of the Kong generation, who mysteriously disappeared in Citong. Now it seems, it may have something to do with the Daoist?"

He’s trying to lump all troublesome matters onto Zhang Rongfang.

Shangguan Feihua felt a chill, ready to reprimand.

He vaguely suspected Zhang Ying might have been provoked by something, suddenly changed in nature, babbling nonsense.

This way, at this critical moment, no matter what Zhang Ying says, it lacks credibility.

Now, he must control the situation immediately!

Just as he prepared to speak, Zhang Rongfang raised his hand.

"Which one are you talking about?" His face calm, tone indifferent, "Sorry, I’ve killed quite a few from the Kong generation, can’t remember who."

"..." Yuan Chang’s smile froze, he opened his mouth, ready to defend with prepared excuses, but couldn’t utter a word.

Admitted!?

So readily admitted!?

He looked slightly jaw-dropped at Zhang Rongfang.

This is the kind of huge scandal that could cause today’s Western Sect to fall out with the Great Dao Teaching.

He just admitted it so easily!?

Does he... no longer care about his sect!?

Not just him, Zhou Yan and Congshan next to him also sensed Zhang Rongfang’s unusual tone.

That feeling...

"It seems there’s no need to say more." Congshan laughed, "Today everything is settled. Our investigation can return to Great Capital to finalize."

He looked at Zhang Rongfang, his gaze gradually becoming cold.

"Shangguan Mansion Leader, do you have anything else to say? Daoist Zhang Ying himself admitted. The Luoyu disk also indicates he indeed has issues. Witnesses and evidence are present. So... will you arrest him, or will we do it ourselves?"

Seeing the future star of the Great Dao Teaching suddenly fall, end completely, this kind of thrill almost suffocated his breath.

The Great Dao Teaching’s two Daoists, from this moment, can be said to be entirely wiped out.

Future hopes, completely extinguished.

How delightful!

In his heart, he almost wanted to laugh and have a drunken feast.

"Do you think, why would I reveal everything here?"

Zhang Rongfang suddenly spoke.

He stepped forward, his upper body skin slowly turning red, blood vessels protruding, resembling wriggling bloodworms covering his entire body.

"Are you thinking you want to laugh now?"

"Do you still want to fight me?? Overestimating yourself!" Daoist Congshan laughed out loud.

Boom!!! The sound of the wind exploded.

Suddenly, he became alert, combining First Move and Absolute Defense together in front, instinctively raising his hand to assume an Extreme Profound Yin Finger defensive stance.

At the same time, Extreme State layers: Breaking through Concealment and Returning to Yang and Divine True Calm were overlaid.

"You..."

Boom!!!

A massive explosion sounded, accompanied by a burst of air ripples.

Zhang Rongfang instantly appeared in front of Congshan, his right arm like a dragon’s head, drilling into the wide-open mouth of Congshan.

First Move against First Move, Congshan was caught off guard, one step slower.

A step slow, step by step slow.

Then....

Boom!!

Centered on Congshan’s face, a mass of white air exploded, a massive impact force blasted him backward, crashing heavily against the stone wall.

The wall collapsed and shattered, and the man flew out again, rolling dozens of meters on the ground, motionless.

In the dark night, Congshan’s entire head was smashed into a silver-red mixed pulp.

"Now you can continue to laugh." Zhang Rongfang withdrew his hand, turned to look at Zhou Yan, Yuan Chang, and the others around.

Zhou Yan clenched his fist, his face turning extremely unpleasant.

But inside, he was unusually thrilled. Yes, thrilled!

Although he vaguely felt the situation was slipping out of control.

But it didn’t matter... Zhang Ying’s strength was indeed beyond his expectations, but no matter how strong, he couldn’t be stronger than himself.

Now, striking so fiercely, on the contrary, it matches more with Moon Fiend’s promise, it fits his intention even more.

It’d be best if Yuan Chang on the side was also seriously injured! This way, the so-called Sect alliance of the Great Dao Teaching would collapse on its own, and internal cracks would definitely appear!

Yuan Chang stared blankly at Congshan, whose head was blown off, then quickly and silently retreated a step. His mouth, which was ready to speak, clamped shut...

If he thought before that Zhang Ying was just bluffing or having a fit, but now....

He felt something was not right...

A bad premonition filled his heart.

Just a moment ago, he was ready to take action, but he thought Zhou Yan would make a move, so he didn’t; yet Zhou Yan made no move either.

Moreover, he thought Congshan should be able to suppress Zhang Ying, but now....

In an instant!

Congshan didn’t even manage to initiate the final form!

"Shangguan Feihua! He absolutely cannot be Zhang Ying! Let’s seize him together first!"

Thinking of this, Yuan Chang shouted abruptly.

"...." Shangguan Feihua clenched his hands tightly, but his heart was still filled with indecision.

No matter what, he could still see from the previous moment’s attack that Zhang Rongfang was using, to his surprise, the martial arts of the Great Dao Teaching!

That kind of trace doesn’t deceive! It’s a powerful mark that can only be integrated into instinct after years of practice.

It absolutely cannot be fake!

"Forget it. He won’t make a move."

Suddenly, a calm voice came from the gate of the courtyard.

An old man with disheveled hair, holding a jar of liquor in one hand and a silver short dagger in the other hand, leaning half against the door frame.

Gulp, gulp.

He tilted his head back, pouring a bunch of liquor into his mouth, then put it down with bleary eyes and belched.

"Long time no see, Shangguan."

".....It’s you!!?" Shangguan Feihua’s pupils shrank sharply.

Memories from long ago surged and clashed in his mind, scenes from back then flashing rapidly in his mind.

"Yes, it’s me." The old man smiled lightly, "So, from now on, I won’t move, and you don’t move."

Shangguan Feihua didn’t respond. His gaze again fell on Zhang Rongfang beside him.

"It looks like you’ve planned everything."

"....." Zhang Rongfang was equally surprised.

He never invited Emperor Jiang senior.

But.... he actually descended the mountain and came here... Thinking of the note sent by the Celestial Maiden before.

He suddenly somewhat understood....

Some people think it’s fake, but someone can turn it real.

"Let’s go." Emperor Jiang looked kindly at Zhang Rongfang, slightly turning his body, making way at the courtyard door.

Zhang Rongfang was silent for a moment, then slowly moved forward, passing by Zhou Yan and Yuan Chang.

Zhou Yan’s eyes were sinister, his right hand about to gather energy.

Suddenly, a sharp chill came abruptly from outside the courtyard gate.

He looked up, and behind Emperor Jiang stood a tall, handsome figure with golden hair. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The sharp chill came from this person.

"Donglin Sect Sect Leader? Ostend...."

How could this guy get involved with people from the Reverse Time Society!? He was just helping the Sect Alliance take action before!?

Zhou Yan’s mind went blank, unable to react for a moment.

If other non-God-worshiping experts betrayed, he could understand.

But the Donglin Sect Sect Leader, Ostend, how could he!!?

Crisp footsteps echoed continuously in the courtyard.

Zhang Rongfang walked past Zhou Yan and Yuan Chang step by step, his back facing Shangguan Feihua, walking towards Emperor Jiang.

His pace was slow, but equally steady.

"Zhang Ying!" Shangguan Feihua suddenly shouted.

"Have you thought it through!?"