As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar ensued.
One word stirred up a thousand waves!
The once silent plain was filled with representatives from various forces, all waiting for the An family’s decision.
However, everyone had always felt that the answer was actually predictable.
Thus, after hearing An Shanyuan’s words, they were somewhat taken aback.
No one could believe that at this moment, the An family dared to resolutely refuse to lift the restrictions on Cangwu Mountain.
This was undoubtedly a challenge to a large part of the cultivation world with the power of one clan!
Such courage was commendable!
But were they really not afraid of extermination?
After a brief uproar, silence returned, but at this moment, the gaze of the gathered crowd towards An Shanyuan had noticeably turned cold.
A wave of powerful auras erupted invisibly!
Since the An family had made their choice, they would have to bear the consequences of that choice.
“Please allow me to say one more thing!”
Before coming, An Shanyuan had made ample preparations and anticipated that such a situation would inevitably occur.
At this moment, he couldn’t help but tremble internally and wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
He quickly waved his hand and faced the crowd again, saying, “Fellow Daoists!”
“Which family doesn’t have a few secrets?”
“I want to ask everyone, for the secret realms of your sects, can the ancestral halls also be freely opened for the world to visit?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the venue fell silent once more.
Many people secretly shook their heads. Which family in the cultivation world didn’t have some secrets?
But to let those secrets be exposed?
That was impossible.
However, if those secrets belonged to someone else and were related to significant opportunities…
That was a different story.
An Shanyuan’s few words could garner some sympathy, but trying to dissuade everyone from entering Cangwu Mountain was akin to chasing a dream.
Moreover, at this moment, the more the An family tried to conceal things, the more it fueled the crowd’s suspicions.
“The An family has rapidly risen for thousands of years…”
“Could it be because they hold the secrets of Cangwu Mountain?”
“It’s quite possible!”
“The Immortal Emperor has stated that this concerns the entire cultivation world; how can it be monopolized by a single clan?”
“Regardless, the An family must relinquish Cangwu Mountain!”
For a time, the crowd buzzed with discussion, their eyes shining with increasing fervor.
Just then!
“Silence!”
A voice infused with spiritual power resounded across the plain.
Everyone turned to look, and a somewhat pale yet dignified young noble stepped forward.
“That’s Jiang Youlong from the Jiang family!”
“He’s also a rare young talent. At such a young age, he has already reached the Void Refinement stage—impressive!”
“It’s rumored that the Jiang family has always been on good terms with the An family. What does he intend to do by standing up now?”
The Jiang family is a long-established cultivation clan.
Many present were familiar with Jiang Youlong, and seeing him step forward, several people began to murmur among themselves.
Yuan Ruoyu’s eyes narrowed slightly as she assessed Jiang Youlong.
On the other side, Ye Qingge sat in the imperial sedan chair, lifting the beaded curtain to gaze at Jiang Youlong.
In an instant, all eyes were focused on him.
Jiang Youlong took a deep breath, stood tall, and stepped forward a few paces, cupping his hands toward An Shanyuan, then asked in a deep voice:
“Old man An, although our two families have been friends for generations…”
“I cannot agree with your viewpoint this time. The Immortal Emperor’s diary records that Cangwu Mountain holds great secrets concerning the cultivation world!”
Jiang Youlong paused for a moment before continuing:
“Therefore, Cangwu Mountain should be opened so that the cultivators of the world can see for themselves, rather than being monopolized by your family alone!”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was taken aback.
Many people nodded repeatedly.
They had thought Jiang Youlong would speak in support of the An family, but they hadn’t expected this outcome.
An Shanyuan gave him a faint glance, his expression growing colder.
“Ha ha…”
An Shanyuan wore a mocking smile and then addressed the crowd: “The Immortal Emperor’s diary states there are great secrets—does that mean there actually are?”
“Does that mean if the Emperor said there’s treasure in your ancestors’ graves, we should go dig it up?”
Jiang Youlong’s face froze, “This… what Old An said makes sense!”
Many people exchanged glances.
Yuan Ruoyu quietly observed this scene, deep in thought.
After a moment of hesitation, An Shanyuan suddenly swept his gaze across the crowd with a serious expression and asked in a deep voice, “Have you all considered a question?”
“What if the Immortal Emperor’s Diary was intentionally exposed by Lin Feng? What if he wanted to achieve some purpose through this?”
“Or perhaps, to eliminate former rivals and enemies?”
At this, the crowd was initially shocked, followed by changing expressions, and they fell into a long silence.
An Shanyuan’s words struck at the heart of the matter.
In fact, many people were introspecting, wondering what they would do if the family secrets exposed in the Emperor’s Diary were their own.
Seizing the moment, An Shanyuan continued, “Everything is merely the word of the Immortal Emperor. He can write the diary however he wishes!”
“Are we really willing to spill blood and fight over the contents of this diary?”
Many people began to feel uncertain.
They wavered.
At least they were no longer as resolute as at the beginning. Seeing this scene, An Shanyuan felt his tense heart relax somewhat.
It was impossible to dispel everyone’s doubts entirely.
But as long as some people could believe in the An family, along with support from a few other families in the shadows, they could at least put up a fight if it came to that.
However, at that moment…
Yuan Ruoyu’s voice rang out among the crowd: “An Family head, do you mean that your family once held a grudge against the Immortal Emperor?”
This remark raised the crowd’s vigilance.
Pairs of eyes fixed tightly on An Shanyuan.
An Shanyuan furrowed his brows, pondering for a moment before replying, “I don’t recall any grudges in my memory!”
“But who knows?”
“My An family has millions of members, and the Immortal Emperor is shrouded in mystery. It’s possible that some disciples of the family may have unknowingly formed enmity with him!”
This explanation was somewhat reasonable.
As the head of the family, An Shanyuan’s quick thinking in a moment of crisis was indeed persuasive.
Noticing that the crowd’s attitude had softened, he added, “Should we just accept whatever the Immortal Emperor says as truth?”
“Wouldn’t that throw the world into chaos?”
“If anyone can just spout nonsense and influence the world’s fate, wouldn’t that be ridiculous!”
An Shanyuan seized upon the crowd’s concerns and asked a series of questions.
This left them speechless.
In an instant, the air fell silent once more, quiet as a mouse.
Just when An Shanyuan thought his plan might succeed, Ye Qingge suddenly moved.
She stepped down from the imperial sedan, her expression indifferent yet exuding unmatched authority as she declared: “That’s right!”
“What he says is indeed the truth!”
“With his unparalleled power as an Emperor, if he wanted to annihilate your An family, why would he bother with all this? He could wipe you out with a mere gesture!”
An Shanyuan’s face turned pale, and he shouted, “You…”
“The An family’s words are merely clever deceptions!”
But Ye Qingge interrupted him directly, her tone growing colder and infused with killing intent: “I, Ye Qingge, state this: Cangwu Mountain must be opened!”
“Otherwise, we shall go to war!”
An Shanyuan opened his mouth again, intending to argue.
But he was interrupted once more!
Yuan Ruoyu’s voice, also laced with killing intent, rang out coldly: “Indeed, my Jade Pool Holy Land will also accompany this to the end!”
Among those present, many remembered the conflict that had erupted between both sides a few days ago.
For some inexplicable reason, they seemed to have come together now.
It was baffling.
Those who were unaware might even think that Ye Qingge and Yuan Ruoyu had conspired beforehand.
However, this didn’t stop others from making firm resolutions and stepping forward to voice their opinions.
With the Jade Pool Holy Land and the Liyue Immortal Dynasty backing them, what was there to fear?
“Indeed! If war breaks out, Qingfeng City will also join in!”
“We must open Cangwu Mountain!”
“It cannot be monopolized by one family; the world’s cultivators should share it!”
“Within three days, the seal on Cangwu Mountain must be lifted; otherwise, the An family will bear the consequences!”
“Don’t try to deceive us with clever words and cover up the truth!”
In an instant, everyone became excited, their fervor and ambition reaching a peak!
In just a few words, Ye Qingge had obliterated the doubts that An Shanyuan had painstakingly built up.
An Shanyuan looked at the aggressive demeanor of the crowd, his heart filled with hatred for Ye Qingge.
Grinding his teeth, he realized that at this point, he could only risk trying another approach.
An Shanyuan’s aura erupted, a surge of spiritual power sweeping out as he shouted sternly: “Since that’s the case, may I have one more word?”
“Otherwise, let’s go to war! My An family is not to be trifled with. Even if it comes down to the last person standing, we will protect the peace of our ancestors!”
Ye Qingge sneered, “Then there’s no need for further words. With so many of us here, do you really think your An family can fight to the death?”
“Very well! Then let your An family fight to the last person!”
The exchange between the two quieted the crowd somewhat.
An Shanyuan’s brows twitched, his anger boiling, nearly causing him to spit blood.
He looked at Ye Qingge, thinking, I haven’t offended you at all!
Jiang Youlong stepped forward and halted the crowd, saying, “Old An, I’ll give you one last chance. Speak your mind!”
“Don’t be perfunctory; otherwise…”
An Shanyuan felt grateful inside but maintained a composed facade as he quickly replied: “Alright, I agree with everyone…”
He paused, casting a sharp gaze over the assembly before declaring, “To avoid rivers of blood, we can hold a life-and-death duel!”
“All present forces may freely choose three representatives to face off against three ancestors of my An family!”
An Shanyuan continued, “A fair fight—no grudges for the defeated, best out of three!”
“If my An family loses, we will heed your commands!”
“However, if by some chance we win, you must not bring this matter up again, and you shall leave Ning Domain!”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned to look at An Shanyuan, showing a hint of respect.
Although their stances differed, An Shanyuan’s performance and decision were admirable.
Making such a choice required great courage!
If all the forces present chose their three strongest to battle against three ancestors of the An family, and they still lost, they would have no face left to compete for this opportunity.
Even Ye Qingge remained silent at that moment.
“Alright! Then it’s settled!”
“Three days from now, we will choose our representatives to engage in a life-and-death battle with your three ancestors of the An family!”
All the forces present agreed to this proposal.
This way, not only could they minimize the impact and avoid a scene of rivers of blood, but moreover!
With so many top-tier forces gathered here, could they not select three capable fighters?