Chapter 1023: Ten-Person Deliberation Group

In Zhong Yu, at Gui Zhe Sheng Shan.

That day, the headquarters of Sheng Shen Dian Tang was filled with surging holy power.

A servant sweeping the mountain saw the hall master, Dao Qiong Cang, personally pushing the wheelchair of one of the Three Emperors, Cang Sheng, while they walked and discussed matters.

No one could clearly hear what they were talking about.

But there was no doubt it was related to the recently concluded Sheng Di Jin Zhao.

After all, that was the power of the Sheng Emperor!

Undoubtedly, the sudden fluctuations of holy power on the sacred mountain were due to this.

Some servants speculated...

Perhaps this was the rare gathering of the "Sheng Dian Ten-Person Council," all assembled.

To the outside world, people didn't even know if the supreme forces of the Five Domains truly had any Ban Sheng experts.

Even for Sheng Shen Dian Tang's current hall master, Dao Qiong Cang, whether his cultivation was Tai Xu or Ban Sheng, remained a mystery.

But for those living on Gui Zhe Sheng Shan...

They were like frogs at the bottom of a well, unable to see the broader sky.

Ban Sheng?

Once the "Ten-Person Council" on Gui Zhe Sheng Shan appeared, with one hall, two masters, three emperors, four divine envoys, and their intricate connections, they could wipe out most of the Ban Sheng experts in the Five Domains!

At the headquarters, in the grand council hall.

A silver round table, ten zhang long, was placed in the center, surrounded by nine silver high-backed chairs.

These noble and elegant high-backed chairs varied in size: some were small, meant for one person; others were enormous, almost like they were designed for giant beasts to lounge in.

Dao Qiong Cang pushed Cang Sheng's wheelchair to one side of the main seat, then slowly walked to the main seat and sat down, smiling as he looked around. "So, what do you think?"

"I see it with my eyes," Cang Sheng replied.

"You're a member of the council; you should share your view," Dao Qiong Cang said helplessly.

"I've seen enough already; it's tiring... For the real discussions, I'll leave it to you all." Cang Sheng paused, glancing at the round table. "Besides, this council is just for show. With you, Dao Qiong Cang, around, is there anything in the world you can't calculate or foresee?"

Dao Qiong Cang sighed lightly. "Heaven's secrets can be wrong. Acting alone isn't wise; I need your opinions to influence them."

"That's true." Cang Sheng smiled at the corner of his mouth, looking at him oddly. "But every time, isn't it that you already have the final answer before calling the council? And when has your answer ever been wrong?"

"Better safe than sorry." As someone who divines heaven's secrets, Dao Qiong Cang always held reverence for the heavenly and holy paths.

"It's coming..."

At that moment, Cang Sheng stopped speaking and turned his gaze toward the hall's entrance.

No sooner had he spoken than the osmanthus on the sacred mountain rustled, and holy power surged.

A faint light appeared on the horizon, then transformed into golden radiance, speeding into the council hall and materializing as an elderly figure.

"Ha ha ha, Dao Qiong Cang, my boy, it's been ages since I've seen you!

"What's this all about, calling a full meeting?

"With that brain of yours, why not just handle it yourself? Why drag us here for nothing?"

The elder wore a luxurious golden robe, even his hair a pale gold. Accompanied by his hearty laughter, a flash of golden light passed through his eyes as he looked at Dao Qiong Cang. His aura was no less imposing—in fact, even stronger.

One of the Three Emperors of Sheng Shen Dian Tang, Yan Wu Se, with light attribute, a Ban Sheng!

"Yan Lao Qianbei."

Dao Qiong Cang didn't stand; he simply nodded with a smile in greeting.

This one was a senior from the previous generation, a member of the Ten-Person Council when the last hall master was in charge. He rarely acted these days, fading from public view, which was normal.

In terms of seniority, Yan Wu Se outranked Dao Qiong Cang.

But in terms of status, as the current hall master of Sheng Shen Dian Tang, he didn't need to bow to a Sheng Emperor, let alone a Ban Sheng.

"Um."

Cang Sheng also met the questioning gaze of the Ban Sheng Yan Wu Se with a slight nod.

He was usually a man of few words and didn't bother with small talk, especially with his disabled legs making it impossible to stand and greet.

"Tsk tsk."

Yan Wu Se shook his head helplessly at the perfunctory attitude of these two toward their senior, but since he had arrived early and no one else was there to welcome him, he sat down, feeling a bit awkward.

A gentle breeze blew outside the hall, accompanied by holy power fluctuations.

Then a sarcastic voice rang out:

"Yan Wu Se, are your eyes failing you? Didn't you see the Sheng Di Jin Zhao?

"I hate your official pleasantries the most. If you've got the guts, come out and fight me!"

The sound of footsteps echoed as a black-clad elder with a broad sword on his back entered. He was quite short, about the same height as Ye Xiao Tian.

But his strength, identity, and status...

One of the Three Emperors, Wei Feng, with no attribute, a blade master, a Ban Sheng!

"Wei Feng Qianbei."

Dao Qiong Cang smiled and nodded in greeting once more.

The god of slaughter, Wei Feng, was from the era of Yu Tu, another old-timer with a fiery temper, serving as the vanguard of the council.

In his youth, he had slain his way across the Five Domains. Now, he was somewhat tamer, only interested in challenging Sheng experts.

"Um."

Cang Sheng nodded again, neither warmly nor coldly.

The god of slaughter, Wei Feng, wasn't to his liking—too bloodthirsty.

Though this was also a senior, as one of the Three Emperors, he didn't need to give face to anyone.

In this world, seniority wasn't about age; it was about fists.

If your fists were strong, you could ignore anyone.

If you wanted, you could meddle in anything.

But with his eyes fixed on the greater dao and the masses, that was already exhausting enough. Cang Sheng had no extra energy for pointless courtesies.

"Um, why hasn't everyone else arrived?"

Not from the same era, Wei Feng glanced at Cang Sheng and quickly looked away. He had no interest in bullying kids!

After sitting down, he started bickering with Yan Wu Se aimlessly.

It was just an excuse to pick a fight, really—he was itching for one.

But as an official figure, without a valid reason, he'd be in trouble if the Judgment Division got involved. So for now, Wei Feng settled for verbal jabs.

The seniors sat together, and the younger ones did the same.

Soon, more holy power fluctuations came from outside the hall.

An emaciated old man carrying a fishing rod over ten zhang long, dressed in casual clothes and straw sandals, walked in. His shoes were caked with mud, and he muttered curses as he went:

"So many damn issues. These meetings are way too frequent. I think the last one was... four years ago?

"Dao Qiong Cang, what are you good for? Just make the decision yourself. If you need us, what's the point of that brain of yours?"

Dao Qiong Cang: "..."

"Yu Lao, calm down, calm down, please sit."

He quickly stood up, using his spiritual sense to pull out a chair by the round table, helped the elder sit, and then returned to his own seat.

Yu Lao, whose real name was Yu Lao, the Kun Peng Divine Envoy, a Ban Sheng!

"Where's my precious great-granddaughter?" Yu Lao asked after sitting, flinging his long fishing rod back. The hook traced an elegant arc in the air and accidentally hooked Wei Feng's eye.

"No harm done?" Yu Lao hurriedly pulled the hook back. Luckily, it didn't take out an eyeball, just a bit of blood.

"No harm, no harm..." Wei Feng said with a forced smile. "Yu Lao, your fishing hook's been upgraded again, huh? It can even make a Ban Sheng body... uh, bleed."

He covered his right eye and took out a pill from his ring to swallow.

Are you kidding? This was the great senior with the "Kun Peng Secret Method"—one who could stir the waters for three thousand li and soar nine thousand li on the wind. An ancient monster who'd lived who knows many years.

What was the "Kun Peng Secret Method"? It wasn't about turning into a Kun Peng; it was the supreme sealing technique to protect this world by transforming into human form and restraining his power.

Did he dare provoke him?

He was called "Killer God Wei Feng," not "Fool God Wei Feng"!

"All good." Yu Lao dismissively withdrew his gaze and turned to Dao Qiong Cang, his eyebrows raised:

"Hah?

"Why aren't you speaking?

"Where's my precious great-granddaughter? Why isn't she here to see her grandpa? Would it kill you to add a chair for her?"

Dao Qiong Cang just smiled bitterly.

This was the Ten-Person Council—don't joke about it.

"She's still on a mission..."

"Oh, well, don't let her die, or you'll be done for, and so will your sister."

Dao Qiong Cang: "..."

The noise had barely stopped when three more figures entered the hall with a thud.

Leading them was a woman in a elegant yellow palace dress, dignified and graceful, her hair pinned up with jade pendants, but her form was ethereal, like a spirit.

"Jiu Ji Daren."

At that moment, everyone except the Kun Peng Divine Envoy stood up, their faces solemn.

Even Cang Sheng placed his hands on his wheelchair armrests and straightened slightly to show respect.

Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti, one of the nine ancestral trees, the guardian spirit of Gui Zhe Sheng Shan, the Jiu Ji Divine Envoy!

"This humble one greets everyone," the woman in the yellow palace dress said with a slight bow, her spirit form drifting and filling the hall with the fragrance of osmanthus.

To her left was an old man with an explosive head of hair, his clothes ragged and unkempt, his eyes full of irritation and confusion. He muttered to himself as he headed to his seat, ignoring everyone.

"How could it explode? How is that possible?"

"Light, dark, water, fire—that's only four elements. How could they just explode?"

Everyone: "..."

Zhong Yuan Zi, with all attributes, the Element Divine Envoy, a Ban Sheng!

No need to guess; this senior was still lost in his own world. Showing up for the meeting was already generous of him.

His dream was to develop other elements to the same level as time and space, then promote it to spirit refiners in the Five Domains.

Of course, as an all-attribute possessor, he loved experimenting with element fusion.

That was also why he had an explosive head.

"Hel-lo, eve-ry-one."

A slow, buzzing voice echoed.

The last to enter was the one whose every step "thudded" into the hall floor, leaving deep pits.

It stood three zhang tall, yet still in human form, wearing loose hemp clothes for easy transformation.

Er Hao, the war machine of the Tian Ji Puppets, the Tian Ji Divine Envoy, the Ban Sheng terminator.

Very politely, Er Hao greeted everyone one by one before standing by the largest high-backed chair and looking at Dao Qiong Cang, a warmth flashing in his eyes.

"Ba-ba..."

Dao Qiong Cang smiled and nodded, gesturing with his hand. "Since everyone's here, please sit."

Thus, the hall, the three emperors, and the four divine envoys were all present.

Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti scanned the round table and spoke softly, her voice ethereal and pleasant. "What about the other two young ones?"

Dao Qiong Cang looked at the two empty high-backed chairs at the end and smiled. "Gou Wu Yue has been sentenced by the Judgment Division to the Dead Sea and is still serving his punishment. Rao Yao Yao is on a mission."

"The Dead Sea?"

Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti frowned slightly, her tone displeased. "Wu Yue is a member of the Ten-Person Council, after all. The Judgment Division has gone too far this time; they should give us some face. I will go and demand an explanation from them later."

"That would be perfect; with Jiu Ji Daren stepping in, the Judgment Division will likely show us some respect." Dao Qiong Cang smiled, set the matter aside, and returned to the main topic. "Everyone, this gathering of the Ten-Person Council with eight members present—I'm sure you all know why."

"The Sheng Di Jin Zhao?"

One of the Three Emperors, the Ban Sheng Yan Wu Se, had a hint of killing intent in his eyes. "Is it that Ba Zun An causing trouble again? If we need to act, this old man can join the operation."

"Are you sure it's not for personal revenge?" Wei Feng sneered.

He knew that Yan Wu Se had a light-attribute disciple who had died in Ba Zun An's hands during a mission.

"I've been idle too long; the younger generation has gotten arrogant. Time to loosen up these old bones." Yan Wu Se turned back.

"Whether you can beat him is another story." Wei Feng kept mocking.

He'd heard the name Ba Zun An countless times.

The leader of the younger generation, the revered one of Void Island's black and white lineages, the master of the nine great sword arts, almost on par with Yu Tu...

Someone like that, even if not yet a Ban Sheng, could break through at any moment if he wanted.

Seeing these two about to clash over a few words, Dao Qiong Cang quickly took control. "The Sheng Di Jin Zhao is one aspect, but it's not significant enough to bring everyone together. The bigger reason is actually Void Island."

"Void Island?" Yan Wu Se looked over.

"Hold on." Yu Lao spoke up, glancing at Zhong Yuan Zi, who was still scribbling explosion schemes on paper, and sighed. "We should handle things one at a time. I've heard of Ba Zun An; he's no ordinary person. First, let's discuss the solution for the Sheng Di Jin Zhao."

Everyone turned to Dao Qiong Cang.

Truth be told, before Dao Qiong Cang took office, things weren't like this; the council would offer various opinions, and the hall master would decide or use a veto.

But ever since this enigmatic young man assumed the role, they found that no matter how much they discussed, the result always matched his initial prediction.

Over time, everyone stopped thinking about it.

Now, if there was a problem, he'd propose a solution; they'd approve it if it wasn't excessive, and that was that—then adjourn and go their separate ways.

That was the current process of the Ten-Person Council.

Seeing so many pairs of eyes on him with no sign of independent thought, Dao Qiong Cang pondered for a moment and said helplessly:

"My idea is...

"From my clash with Ba Zun An over Yun Lun Mountain Range, where he drew initial attention to Void Island's sealing holy foundation... without a doubt, that's just the beginning.

"The Sky City is appearing more frequently, and the Sheng Di Jin Zhao acts as the final straw, fully pulling it from the spatial fragments... unquestionably, Ba Zun An is reinforcing the impression in people's minds that Sky City has a sealing holy foundation.

"No matter how twisted the process, how many misleading figures appear, or what conflicts arise...

"We step back and look at the big picture."

Dao Qiong Cang paused, confident and assured:

"It's clear this is all part of one person's game.

"From the initial Void Island rift to its current descent... if things go as expected, this person plans to play it out all the way to Void Island, maybe even beyond the outer island to the inner one.

"Everyone else is a facade; the one moving the pieces has always been just Ba Zun An.

"This point is evident, is it not?"