King of Creation Chapter 1722: 1707: Upholding Justice

Within the Barbarian Spirit Hall, Ye Zhen was merely holding back his true strength!

He was suppressing a torrent of ferocious energy!

All he waited for was for the Ba’erlong brothers to defy the command.

If the Ba’erlong brothers dared to disobey at this critical juncture, not only would the black-robed ritualists strike without hesitation to apprehend them, but any act of defiance from the brothers would meet with merciless retribution.

Ye Zhen, too, would have acted without reservation, delivering a fatal blow to the Ba’erlong brothers!

The contingent of black-robed ritualists, comprising a hundred Star Priests and guided by two Moon Priests, would undoubtedly have moved against the Ba’erlong brothers the instant the count concluded.

There was no question of that.

These Law Enforcement Priests were acutely aware of their duties.

However, taking action was one aspect; whether they would resort to lethal force was another matter entirely.

Within the Ancestor God Temple, the intricate web of relationships meant that two priests, seemingly opposed, might still share distant familial ties, or even blood connections!

Thus, Ye Zhen restrained himself, intending to seize the opportune moment amidst the ensuing chaos for the black-robed ritualists to act, and eliminate the Ba’erlong brothers directly.

Since the animosity was already palpable, why allow them to linger?

Furthermore, this would serve to clear obstacles for Princess Changle!

But!

What astonished Ye Zhen, along with the fifteen thousand priests within the Barbarian Spirit Hall, was that the typically rebellious First Deputy Hall Master Ba’erlong actually submitted!

In the final moments of the countdown, he let out a roar, scooped up his brother Ba’erhu, who was seated in meditation and recuperating, and with mere flashes of movement, he ascended to the edge of the War Spirit Sacrificial War Formation.

By the time the black-robed ritualists completed their count, his aura had successfully integrated into the War Spirit Sacrificial War Formation.

A flicker of disappointment was simultaneously visible in the eyes of Ye Zhen and Princess Changle!

They had, in fact, hoped the Ba’erlong brothers would resist until the very end, affording them the chance to dispose of these two individuals.

Some of the black-robed ritualists observed this turn of events with expressions of relief.

Unless it was absolutely unavoidable, they were disinclined to take action against a Deputy Hall Master who had once overseen the affairs of the Barbarian Spirit Hall.

The Second Grand Power Sacrifice Tongna also breathed a sigh of relief; had the Ba’erlong brothers been dispatched and killed by Ye Zhen and Princess Changle right before him, it would have constituted a profound humiliation for him, as the Grand Power Sacrifice.

Everyone within the Ancestor God Temple was aware that the Ba’erlong brothers were affiliated with him!

However, the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice Tumen Changyin appeared visibly displeased.

He understood with stark clarity that with the Ba’erlong brothers heeding the command of Ye Zhen, the Left Chief Priest, and merging into the War Spirit Sacrificial War Formation, it signaled the complete loss of influence for the Ba’erlong brothers, whose previous meticulous arrangements had crumbled within the Barbarian Spirit Hall.

From this point onward, ascendancy within the Barbarian Spirit Hall would belong to Princess Changle and Ye Zhen.

Moreover, those who firmly supported Princess Changle displayed countenances of jubilation, their gazes towards the Ba’erlong brothers laden with derision.

Ba’erlong could sense the mocking stares, which felt like piercing needles!

Yet, in that predicament, what other course of action was available to him?

Continue in defiance?

He could perceive and sense that even if the black-robed ritualists refrained from lethal force, Ye Zhen would assuredly seize the moment to strike them down covertly.

If they were indeed ensnared and killed by Ye Zhen for their defiance, their demise would be utterly meaningless!

After all, the two of them had initially disregarded the Hall Master’s directive, and their subsequent killing would be deemed entirely justified!

At most, the Ancestor God Temple might issue a reprimand to Princess Changle, the Hall Master, for excessive harshness.

Another possible outcome was that the brothers might, by sheer chance, manage to escape the Barbarian Spirit Hall, thereby preserving their lives.

However, under such circumstances, Princess Changle, the Hall Master, would immediately brand them as traitors to the Barbarian Spirit Hall and expel them forthright.

Having dedicated over a century within the Barbarian Spirit Hall, their expulsion would render all their preceding endeavors futile.

Given the nature of the War Spirit’s power they venerated, achieving breakthroughs in their cultivation would also become exceedingly arduous.

This would signify the complete loss of everything they possessed.

That particular consequence would be far graver than death itself!

As the adage goes, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be wood to burn.

Therefore, after meticulously weighing the potential outcomes, Ba’erlong made the decisive choice to submit!

Influence and unwavering support could be re-established, but once life and one’s future were extinguished, they were exceedingly difficult to reclaim!

Undeniably, Ba’erlong’s decision was both astute and pragmatic.

A flicker of shared disappointment passed between Ye Zhen and Princess Changle. Even though the threat posed by the Ba’erlong brothers wasn't entirely resolved, the unfolding events demanded their attention.

With a subtle shift of Ye Zhen’s Divine Sense, the Spirit Arrow atop the Giant Bow of the Divine Archer Yiz Lie gleamed menacingly. A piercing hum of arrow Qi resonated through the air, directed at the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice Tumen Changyin, causing his bone material to vibrate uncontrollably.

This was Ye Zhen, amplifying his pressure on Tumen Changyin through his link with the Divine Archer Yiz Lie.

“Great Priest Tumen, my patience wears thin!

This is your final opportunity. Apologize to the Ancient God and the numerous War Spirits of our Barbarian Spirit Hall, apologize to the Inherited Divine Messenger Ye Zhen of our Barbarian Spirit Hall, and apologize to me. Fail to do so, and you leave me no choice but to act!” Now that the matter with the Ba’erlong brothers was concluded, Princess Changle and Ye Zhen turned their full attention to Tumen Changyin.

Tumen Changyin’s countenance darkened; he could feel the Arrow Intent of the Divine Arrow Yiz steadily intensifying, bolstered by the War Spirit Sacrificial Battle Formation.

But then, Tumen Changyin's ears twitched, and a look of relief washed over his face.

Simultaneously, the Second Grand Power Sacrifice Tongna, whose expression had been visibly displeased, also registered a Divine Sense movement and relaxed.

“The Great Chief Priest has arrived!”

A booming voice echoed from the entrance of the Barbarian Spirit Hall.

Ordinarily, both Tongna and Tumen Changyin would resent such an announcement, as it typically signified unwelcome interference and a need for balance. Today, however, the voice brought a sense of relief.

They both understood that only the Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang possessed the authority to resolve this standoff.

Following a timely report from the six rotating daily priests, the Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang finally made his appearance.

“Shameful!”

“Look at yourselves, what a disgrace! One a Grand Power Sacrifice with esteemed authority in my Ancestor God Temple, the other the Hall Master of the Barbarian Spirit Hall! Confronting each other so aggressively with drawn arrows – what is the meaning of this?

Are you attempting rebellion? Or seeking to topple the entire Ancestor God Temple!

Furthermore, you’ve even deployed the War Spirit Sacrificial Formation! Those who understand might see it as a mere dispute, but outsiders would believe our Ancestor God Temple is engaged in internal strife!”

The stern voice assailed them even before the Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang himself was visible. His reprimand had already thoroughly chastised Princess Changle and the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice Tongna.

Ye Zhen, however, allowed a faint smile to grace his lips.

From those carefully chosen words, Ye Zhen discerned the Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang’s allegiance. Logically, the Barbarian Spirit Hall's actions, lacking full context, bordered on insubordination. Yet, the Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang dismissed it as a simple quarrel, revealing a clear bias.

Beside him, the Second Grand Power Sacrifice Tongna’s expression grew grim. If Ye Zhen could perceive the Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang's stance, surely Tongna could as well.

Despite the Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang’s severe admonishment, neither Princess Changle nor the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice Tumen Changyin showed any inclination to back down. In truth, Tumen Changyin felt a degree of injustice. He was willing to yield, but the Arrow Intent locked onto him by the Divine Archer Yiz Lie gave him pause.

“Still not ceasing!”

“What, do you two truly intend to rebel?”

“And you, aren’t you going to let the War Spirit return to the Spirit Peak? Do you think summoning a War Spirit’s manifestation requires no Qi?” The Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang also directed his ire towards Ye Zhen.

Ye Zhen touched his nose with a gesture of helplessness, glancing towards Princess Changle. He felt he was not in a position to negotiate personally at that moment.

However, a silent understanding passed between Ye Zhen and Princess Changle. After exchanging a look, Princess Changle’s calm, yet distinctly dissatisfied, voice broke the silence. “Great Chief Priest, Changle shall cease her actions. That is, if you agree to uphold justice for our Barbarian Spirit Hall according to the established rules of our Ancestor God Temple!”

“Uphold justice?” The Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang raised a long eyebrow. “Rest assured, I shall be impartial today. All matters will be resolved in strict accordanceance with the sacred regulations of our Ancestor God Temple!”