But Chen Pu’s actions still made him feel admiration.

Ruan Qin seemed not to mind, merely saying to Chen Pu and Wu Bingyi, "The Great Qi Empire’s determination to guard the human race boundary has never wavered. I rushed here upon receiving the news, but unfortunately arrived a step too late. I hope Dean Chen and Palace Master Wu won’t hold it against me."

Chen Pu sighed, "Whether you came early or late, it would be the same. This uprising of the Evil Sea was beyond our expectations. As for the Blood River Sect..."

The words were interrupted by a voice—

"I wonder what you all have to say about the Blood River Sect?"

A cold and stern woman in blood-colored battle armor strode into the square. At her waist hung a sword in a bright red sheath, its edge not yet revealed. Her features showed her to be around thirty years old, but the sense of history in her eyes indicated she was not young.

The Blood River Sect disciples gave way reverently as she walked past.

She stood unperturbed before a group of True Monarchs, coming straight to the front: "I have learned roughly about the events in the Evil Sea. The Sect Master sacrificed his life for the path, becoming a model for our Blood River Sect. Though his body may perish, his spirit endures forever! Ruan Jianzheng seeks someone to lead the Blood River Sect, I wonder what directives there might be? If there is anything important, you may speak directly. Naturally, I, Kou Xuejiao, can represent the Blood River Sect."

It turned out she was the Right Protector of the Blood River Sect, Kou Xuejiao, the owner of the three thousand Red Dust Swords mentioned by Xu Ximing.

Her words were not particularly polite, driven by a strong desire to support the Blood River Sect.

Chen Pu pressed his lips together, not arguing with her.

Ruan Qin was about to discuss establishing direct communication channels between the Nanxia Governor’s Mansion and the Blood River Sect when his words were drowned in a wave of wailing.

Kou Xuejiao’s appearance confirmed the news of True Monarch Huo Shi’s death in battle.

For the Blood River Sect, it was undoubtedly a catastrophic event. How could the sect disciples not be mournful?

There were many beating their chests, stamping their feet, and crying hysterically.

"Why cry!" Kou Xuejiao’s eyes also held grief, but she merely rebuked coldly, silencing the scene with true words: "The Sect Master died managing Saint Water, fully embodying the duties and spirit of our Blood River Sect, achieving great merit. It is a death worthy and glorious! What is the motto of Blood River Sect? For fifty-four thousand years, in managing the waves of Saint Water, we have never feared to die! Sect Master Huo is neither the first nor will he be the last. In front of so many guests, do you wish to shame someone with your sobbing?!"

Rapid sobbing ceased abruptly.

All the Blood River Sect disciples restrained their grief, forcing themselves to hold their heads high.

Across the square, only sporadic quiet sobs could be heard.

True Monarch forever gone, grief uncontainable.

This situation and sentiment, who could remain unmoved?

Perhaps only...

Wu Bingyi.

This stern-faced Grandmaster of the Legalists, who had kept silent in the Evil Sea, continued to show no emotion in this somber atmosphere. At this moment, he stepped forward, looking at Kou Xuejiao: "Can Protector Kou represent the Blood River Sect?"

"Grandmaster Wu." Kou Xuejiao slightly bowed her head in greeting: "Forgive me for wearing battle armor, which prevents full courtesy. Now that Sect Master Huo has heroically fallen, Protector Peng has fainted, and I, as the Right Protector of the Blood River Sect, can naturally represent the sect... I wonder what advice you might have?"

"Very good," Wu Bingyi said calmly: "Before his death, True Monarch Huo mentioned that this tumult in Saint Water was caused because someone from Blood River Sect peered into Yandao’s path... Now, reveal the person."

The scene fell silent!

Even the faint sobbing halted abruptly.

Jiang Wang, who directly experienced the Evil Sea event and came out from the Door of Mortal World, was also stunned.

Huo Shi shattered his Dao Body, sacrificing himself to fill the sea, repelling the terrifying existence at the summit, restoring order to the three-hundred-and-thirty-three-year Evil Tribulation cycle.

It can be said, the disastrous outcome caused by the unnamed True Man of the Blood River Sect was compensated by Huo Shi’s life.

The mistake committed by the Blood River Sect had already cost the greatest imaginable price—the loss of their Sect Master and a Yandao True Monarch!

And even before his demise, Huo Shi pleaded for leniency, hoping the present True Monarchs wouldn’t blame the Blood River Sect anymore, as he cleansed the matter with his life’s cultivation.

Yet now that Sect Master Huo Shi had died in battle, and Left Protector Peng Chongjian was gravely injured, Wu Bingyi still insisted on holding the Blood River Sect accountable!

It must be said, this Grandmaster Wu truly seemed too heartless...

Kou Xuejiao’s face looked extremely grim as she held her sword: "The storm of Evil Sea has just ended, our Sect Master’s body is not yet cold, Grandmaster Wu, does the Triple Punishment Palace truly want to bully us like this?"

"What do you mean by bully?" Wu Bingyi calmly said: "The death of Sect Master Huo is Sect Master Huo’s death, the crime of Blood River Sect is Blood River Sect’s crime. Do not confuse the two, Protector Kou, I advise you."

The Blood River Sect disciples gathered in the square were glaring angrily at Wu Bingyi, almost bleeding eyes. They did not understand why, when their Sect Master had died fighting for humanity against the Evil Sea, this troublesome Grandmaster of the Legalists from the Triple Punishment Palace was still holding Blood River Sect accountable?

But whose gaze could shake such a Yandao True Monarch?

Only a True Monarch can resist a True Monarch.

Kou Xuejiao was never qualified to stand before Wu Bingyi!

But now, there was no one else to stand up for the Blood River Sect.

She was the unwilling choice, the one who had to stand here.