Chapter 2345 - Living Requires More Courage Than Dying

There were a total of thirty-seven names on the list.

That wasn’t all that many, but all of them were peak combatants who’d fought on the front lines.

When the middle-aged scholar announced the list, a deathly silence fell over the area. It was so oppressive that the crowd could barely breathe.

But against all expectations, in the end, only one person stepped forth: Wen Ruoxue!

She stood alone before the sect gates, her bright, clear eyes fixed on the sect leader.

“Sect Leader, is offering us to our enemies just part of the price the sect must pay for its surrender?”

Ling Qingfeng had a complicated look on his face. He sighed, “Why... was this necessary!?”

Several days ago, he’d warned Wen Ruoxue to flee as soon as possible. He would never have guessed that she’d stubbornly insist on remaining behind.

“We fought for three years, bathed in blood, and our only reward was to become the sect’s bargaining chips. I finally understand how ridiculous this world can be.” A self-deprecating smile tugged at Wen Ruoxue’s lips.

No one said anything.

There were over seventeen thousand members of the Opening Origins Daoist Sect gathered here, but all of them were silent.

The atmosphere was incomparably stifled.

Mu Bai stood amidst the crowd, silently clenching his fists. He felt indescribable grief and indignation.

“Ruoxue, you cannot blame the sect leader for this. We warned you to flee days ago,” said Tu Youfang, hanging his head. He was Wen Ruoxue’s master, but he couldn’t bear to look her in the eye!

“Master, I understand that,” Wen Ruoxue said calmly. “I just want to see just how great a price the Opening Origins Daoist Sect will pay for its surrender!”

“You’ve got guts! Very well. I can give you what you want.” Qian Zhong said calmly from his seat. “And what of the other thirty-six?”

The crowd exchanged glances.

Sect Leader Ling Qingfeng lowered his head. “All of them fled the sect days ago.”

Qian Zhong looked at Ling Qingfeng. “We anticipated this. Luo Song, bring them forth.”

“Yes, sir!” Grand Elder Lu Song of the Opening Origins Daoist Sect stepped forth.

Ling Qingfeng and the other sect higher-ups’ expressions shifted.

Has the Grand Elder... long since started colluding with the Opening Origins Daoist Sect?

Luo Song clapped, and his subordinates escorted a group of thirty-six people forward. All of them were thoroughly bound in divine chains.

These were the remaining thirty-six people on the list of names!

“Grand Elder, you——!” Sect Leader Ling Qingfeng’s eyes bulged with fury.

“Sect Leader, since we decided to surrender, we have to work loyally on the church’s behalf, don’t you think?” Luo Song said calmly, “Besides, this wasn’t just my idea.”

Ling Qingfeng’s heart sank. He looked at the other higher-ups standing nearby. Some of them looked uncomfortable. Their eyes flashed, and they dared not meet his gaze.

There was no doubt about it. They’d long since known about this!

It was only the sect leader and some of the other higher-ups who’d been kept in the dark!

“Luo Song is right. From now on, the Opening Origins Daoist Sect and the Church of the Black Cloud are practically family,” said Qian Zhong, his gaze cold. “Any further attempts to pay lip service to our cause while secretly acting against us will not be tolerated.”

Ling Qingfeng’s expression was unsightly. His shoulders slumped despondently.

The situation had been out of this control this entire time!

Because traitors had long since appeared within their ranks!

“Since everyone’s here, let’s begin the executions,” said Qian Zhong. “Ling Qingfeng, choose someone to kill. The rest of you had best be prepared too. I’ll have you each step forth and slay one of those blind, ignorant fools!”

Everyone was horrified. Who could have imagined that the Church of the Black Cloud would demand that the sect leader and the rest of the higher-ups would kill Wen Ruoxue and the others personally?

This punishment... was simply ruthless!

Ling Qingfeng, Tu Youfang, and the others all looked shocked and furious. Their faces were ashen with rage.

“I will do no such thing!” Ling Qingfeng roared. “Also, when we discussed the terms of our surrender, you didn’t mention anything of the sort! Ancestor Qian Zhong, don’t push us too far, or else, don’t blame us if this leads to mutual destruction!”

“Mutual destruction?” A hint of mockery appeared on Qian Zhong’s face. “Ling Qingfeng, your title of sect master is already empty. Go ahead and ask: how many of your sectmates do you think will be willing to fight to the death alongside you?”

“We’re willing!” said Tu Youfang. He and several other higher-ups stepped forth and glared furiously at Qian Zhong.

However, even more of the higher-ups chose to remain silent, practically feigning deafness.

Ling Qingfeng’s hopes turned to ash.

“See that? You no longer have any right to speak of aiming for mutual destruction!” said Qian Zhong. He gestured to the seventeen thousand members of the Opening Origins Daoist Sect standing not far away. “If you don’t believe me, ask them!”

Luo Song promptly stepped forth and bellowed, “Listen up, the lot of you! The Opening Origins Daoist Sect now works for the Church of the Black Cloud. We’re all one big happy family now. Anyone who steps forth and objects must die!”

His voice boomed throughout the ritual grounds like thunder.

Many of those gathered there looked stricken. They fell as silent as cicadas in winter. They lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

There were also those who looked furious, aggrieved, and ready to fight.

But they were the minority.

Most people just stood there in silence. Who could have failed to realize that stepping forth now would cost them their lives?

“See that? This is called the overall trend! Those who adapt flourish, while those who don’t perish!”

Zhong Qian laughed coldly, then glanced at Ling Qingfeng. “Go on. So long as you kill one of them, you’ll have proven your loyalty, and you’ll be able to retain your position as the leader of the Opening Origins Daoist Sect.”

“Sect Leader, a wise man adapts to his circumstances. Don’t do anything to anger Ancestor Qian Zhong,” warned Grand Elder Luo Song. “This is the general trend. It’s not something you can change!”

Ling Qingfeng’s expression was ashen. He was overcome with fury.

He glared intently at Qian Zhong, then hissed, “We’ve already surrendered, and we’ve already paid the price. Why must you keep pushing us!?”

Qian Zhong’s brow furrowed, and terrifying pressure instantly swept the entire area. It wasn’t cold, but the crowd nonetheless shuddered.

He raised his hand and pointed.

Bang!!

Ling Qingsong was sent flying backward, too injured to get back up.

“As of this moment, you are no longer the leader of the Opening Origins Daoist Sect. When we leave, we’ll take you with us and imprison you in the Black Cloud Purgatory in penance.”

Qian Zhong’s tone was cold and indifferent. In just one sentence, he’d stripped Ling Qingfeng of his position!

“The Church of the Black Cloud reneges on its agreements. Sooner or later, you’ll pay!” roared Tu Youfang.

Bang!

Qian Zhong stretched out and flicked his finger. Tu Youfang fell to the ground, unable to get back up.

Wen Ruoxue’s face was bleak. She rushed to Tu Youfang’s side and said, “Master, are you alright?”

Tu Youfang said bitterly, “Ruoxue, you were right. Surrender... never ends well!”

Wen Ruoxue’s eyes were dim.

Does saying that now do anyone any good?

“The heavens are benevolent to all living creatures, and we of the Church of the Black Cloud always keep our words. We agreed not to kill you if we surrendered, so won’t.”

He paused, then said already, “But although you can escape death, you cannot escape punishment. All of you will become prisoners in penance for the crimes you recklessly committed here today.”

The crowd sank even deeper into silence.

Mu Bai’s eyes were bloodshot. He gnashed his teeth and clasped his fists, on the verge of losing control of his pent-up fury.

He knew that if he stepped forward now, he would die beyond a doubt.

He wasn’t afraid to die.

However... this time, he had to live on! Only then would he have a chance to get revenge and kill the invaders from the Church of the Black Cloud.

No one else knew how much his heart had ached in the days since he’d made this decision.

To someone unafraid to die, this choice was far more painful than rushing to his death, and it required far greater courage!

After all, it required him to just stand back and watch as his enemies did as they pleased with his sect. This was unquestionably a form of sheer torment!

“You did well.”

Suddenly, a large white hand clapped him on the shoulder.

Mu Bai looked up, and when he saw who it was, he was unwittingly stunned.

What’s this guy doing here?

This was none other than the tall, extraordinary figure in white he’d met a few days prior in that run-down Daoist temple!

“You...” Mu Bai opened his mouth to speak.

But then, Su Yi said softly, “Just stand back and watch quietly as this farce comes to an end.”

With that, Su Yi continued ahead.

Strangely, although there were seventeen thousand people here, not one noticed Su Yi passing through their midst!

“What do you mean, a farce?” Mu Bai furrowed his brow.

Meanwhile, in front of the grand hall.

Qian Zhong swept his gaze across the remaining Opening Origins Daoist Sect experts. “Would any of you care to try me?”

All of them averted their gazes and chose to remain silent.

Qian Zhong pointed to the distant Wen Ruoxue and said, “I promise whoever kills that woman the position of Dharma protector in the Church of the Black Cloud!”

The higher-ups’ expressions instantly shifted

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

A lavishly dressed man was the first to step forth, and he charged at Wen Ruoxue without a word.

The crowd stirred. All of them recognized the lavishly dressed man. This was their fifth elder, Qi Tai.

He was also one of Sect Leader Ling Qingfeng’s most capable supporters!

Yet now, here he was, attacking without a word!

This was completely outside of the crowd’s expectations.

“Quick, dodge!!”

Tu Youfang reacted first, pushing Wen Ruoxue on the way. Despite his injuries, he shielded her with his body.

Wen Ruoxue’s heart clenched. She cried out, “Master—!”

Bang!!

A rain of blood splattered as a body exploded.

But much to their astonishment, the crowd quickly discovered that it wasn’t Tu Youfang who’d died, but rather, Fifth Elder Qi Tai!

It was as if a cannonball had blasted him to bits. He exploded in midair, splattering blood all over the ground.

“This...” Tu Youfang was stunned.

Wen Ruoxue’s eyes widened.

This sudden, bloody development left everyone present completely gobsmacked.

Who had attacked?

It was Qian Zhong, the high elder of the Church of the Black Cloud, who reacted first. His eyes flashed like lightning as he gazed into the distance.

There, he saw a young man in robes whiter than snow headed their way.

His features were ordinary, but he had a transcendent, extraordinary divine majesty about him.

“Did the Opening Origins Daoist Sect ask you for help?” Qian Zhong said gravely.

Only then did everyone else notice Su Yi. All of them were unwittingly stunned.

Who is that?

The sect had already decided to surrender. When did they call for reinforcements?

Even Sect Leader Ling Qingdeng, Tu Youfang, and the other higher-ups were completely baffled.