Stepping Stones

Yuwen Qianyue had only been meditating for a few breaths when the jade slip transmitted another message.

"All Venerables and Elders are to assemble immediately in the Celestial Hall for a council meeting. There must be no delay."

She withdrew her divine sense, her eyes filled with pleasant surprise.

"So quickly has the outcome been decided?"

"I suppose it's to be expected..."

"Guo Jiannan is long past his prime; I fear his combat power is not even one or two-tenths of his peak. With the entire upper echelon of Fengxue Island surrounding and attacking him, how could he possibly hold his ground?"

"The era of the Invincible Sword Venerable has indeed passed. That mortal star cultivator will have no more backing from now on!"

Slowly putting away the jade slip, Yuwen Qianyue couldn't help but let a slight smile curl her red lips. The great weight in her heart had finally lifted, making this Venerable somewhat beside herself with glee.

Remembering that she was about to attend the council in the main hall, she hurriedly composed herself a bit.

With a cool expression on her face, she rose and steadily stepped out of her palace doors.

Soon after.

She strode into the opulent main hall and, as usual, took her seat in a corner at the very end.

Settling in quietly, she glanced around and noticed many seats were empty. The many Pavilion Elders in the front rows also had gloomy expressions, and some even bore traces of blood!

Instantly, Yuwen Qianyue was shocked into a daze.

Something seemed off?

Quietly looking around, she saw that even many of her usual Venerable colleagues were absent. Those present sat with bowed heads, lost in thought. An unbearably oppressive atmosphere permeated the entire great hall.

This...

Yuwen Qianyue was greatly taken aback, momentarily unable to process the situation.

Until the great one in the host's seat spoke with a grave voice.

"Esteemed colleagues."

"This encirclement and suppression operation has resulted in heavy losses for our Fengxue Island. Over a dozen Elders and several dozen Venerables have perished or been wounded. The threat posed by the fiend Guo Jiannan has exceeded all expectations. However, as Fengxue Island takes maintaining the purity of the world as its duty, we absolutely cannot allow him to roam free!"

"Speak your minds freely on what strategies we should adopt."

His solemn words fell, startling the hall into a stunned silence.

Those who had only heard the truth of the matter without witnessing the battle were greatly alarmed, while the participants were even more fearful and suppressed. A low buzz of hushed discussion arose, and the sacred main hall gradually descended into disorder.

"Hiss..."

"Guo Jiannan could actually defeat our Fengxue Island? His cultivation is truly terrifying!"

"More than just terrifying! Trapped in the Demon-Suppressing Prison for tens of thousands of years, with his vitality in decline, he still possesses such combat power. The title of Invincible Sword Venerable is indeed not unfounded!"

"Everyone, why boost the enemy's morale and diminish our own prestige?"

"This is the reality! If Guo Jiannan is this fearsome just after escaping the Demon-Suppressing Prison, how are we to deal with him if he recovers his cultivation to its peak state?"

"This..."

The hushed discussions grew louder, and the people in the hall argued endlessly.

The great ones in the front rows had dark expressions, remaining silent for a long time. In their hearts, they understood that these were no ordinary individuals speaking; their words held great merit and precisely mirrored their own concerns.

Thinking back now, this battle was truly unbelievable.

That Guo Jiannan could still retain such terrifying strength and inflict heavy losses on Fengxue Island... this outcome was earth-shattering, completely beyond expectations, and had plunged the great ones into deep contemplation and dread.

Why?

Why does this old monster still possess such fearsome power?

It simply doesn't make sense!

Could it be that Heaven truly favors this man?

The hall grew increasingly somber and oppressive, on the verge of chaos.

Having listened for a while, Yuwen Qianyue's heart pounded even more fiercely with shock.

Is the Invincible Sword Venerable truly that terrifying?

If things continue like this, wouldn't Yi Feng get everything he wants?

And in the future...

If Guo Jiannan truly recovers his cultivation and comes to slaughter his way into the Celestial Hall, what would become of her!

Yuwen Qianyue suddenly felt her life hanging by a thread. Her desire for survival burned stronger than anyone else's, and various schemes flashed through her mind incessantly.

Just as the whole assembly was embroiled in endless dispute.

A light shone in her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she rose and bowed!

"Esteemed Seniors."

"I have a plan that might subdue that fiend Guo Jiannan!"

At her words.

The entire hall suddenly fell silent, numerous gazes converging upon her.

Several of the great ones exchanged quiet glances. The one at the lead gave a solemn nod.

"Speak."

By rights, Yuwen Qianyue was merely a Venerable, not weighty enough to propose strategies. But given the critical situation, there was no time for such niceties. They had to try anything, even if it seemed hopeless.

Under the full attention of the hall, Yuwen Qianyue gracefully bowed and responded.

"Reporting to the esteemed Seniors."

"When Guo Jiannan stepped out of the Demon-Suppressing Prison, there was a young man accompanying him. His name is Yi Feng, and he claims to hail from a mortal star. However, from what I know, he seems to have quite a connection with Guo Jiannan and is very likely his descendant..."

Before she could finish, a gleam flashed in the eyes of several old elders.

"You mean to say, capture this youth to make Guo Jiannan hesitate for fear of harming him?"

"Hmm, there indeed was such a young man by Guo Jiannan's side when he emerged from the prison."

"This plan seems feasible."

"Indeed. If we cannot match Guo Jiannan, can we not still handle his descendant? To kill a snake, strike its head; that Yi Feng is his weakness!"

These individuals were all ruthless characters, their cunning and stratagems profound. They didn't need Yuwen Qianyue to finish before grasping her implication.

The elder in the host's seat also stroked his beard in contemplation.

"Hmm..."

"This move may lack honor and openness, but to capture the fiend, it is not entirely unacceptable. In special times, special measures must be employed!"

Words of agreement sparked heated discussion throughout the hall, with voices of support rising continuously.

"The Island Lord is wise!"

"The Island Lord speaks truly. Even if Guo Jiannan disregards worldly sentiments, he absolutely cannot ignore the safety of his own blood kin. If we can capture this youth, it will surely disturb his state of mind!"

"Attacking the heart is paramount. This plan is excellent!"

The flattery was delivered with utmost naturalness, and the majority expressed approval of this clever scheme.

Yuwen Qianyue was no pushover either. Seizing the opportunity, she chimed in with flattery.

"The Island Lord is wise!"

"This subordinate merely had a fleeting thought, yet the Island Lord has already seen through everything. Such wisdom is beyond our reach!"

"That descendant named Yi Feng previously claimed to be a mortal star cultivator. He likely infiltrated our Fengxue Island to rescue Guo Jiannan. At this moment, he is in the Outer Sect's cave dwellings!"

Glancing at the expectant, bowing female Venerable.

The Island Lord narrowed his eyes slightly and responded calmly with a wave of his hand.

"In that case, you shall lead a team to capture this youth and bring him here!"

A great merit instantly fell upon her head, causing many to look on with envious fervor, hurriedly rising to step forward and volunteer. Yuwen Qianyue, her face radiant with honor, immediately bowed in acceptance!

"This subordinate obeys!"

With just a few words, she had not only resolved the crisis but also, through the clever scheme of using another to kill, earned the Island Lord's appreciation. This wisdom of killing three birds with one stone—who could match it?

Leading a group of experts as she withdrew from the great hall, Yuwen Qianyue was in high spirits, parting the void.

No matter what backing or bloodline one has, falling from grace can happen in an instant. She had seen so-called geniuses before, and this time would be no exception. Only those with both wisdom and courage could laugh last and ascend to the supreme Dao.

That Yi Feng, so what if he really is Guo Jiannan's descendant?

He's merely a stepping stone!