Elder Jingyuan commanded great respect.
He held a lofty reputation on Old Monarch Peak.
Even Elder Dai Heng, one of the "Three Elders of Old Monarch Peak," was immensely convinced by him.
When Elder Jingyuan spoke, a sliver of reason returned to Elder Dai Heng's bloodshot eyes.
He panted heavily and stood behind Elder Jingyuan.
After stopping Elder Dai Heng, Elder Jingyuan turned, his gaze piercing to the extreme, like two sharp swords, fiercely shooting towards Zhang Xin across from them.
"You surnamed Zhang, you'd better give me a reasonable explanation as to why you attacked our Iron Palm Sect!"
Facing Elder Jingyuan's interrogation, Zhang Xin maintained his arrogant, bureaucratic demeanor.
He stood with his hands behind his back, looking down from above, disdainfully at Elder Jingyuan, and said faintly.
"At the Holy Land Assembly, our Great New Dynasty announced the establishment of the Imperial Observatory, with the five great Holy Lands leading the support, and countless Sect Masters and Grand Elders pledging their allegiance! Your Iron Mountain Crest Sect Master, initially unaware of the times, after some education from us, has recognized his mistake. He has now abandoned the darkness and turned to the light, willing to cooperate with the work of the Imperial Observatory!"
"Furthermore, to atone for his past deeds, Iron Mountain Crest voluntarily requested to come and persuade you, to have all the cultivators of Old Monarch Peak submit to the court and cooperate with the Imperial Observatory's registration!"
This speech carried an immense amount of information.
Elder Jingyuan and the others were completely stunned.
What? Their beloved Sect Master Iron Mountain Crest had actually surrendered to the court and was willing to be the court's "running dog"?
"No, I don't believe it!"
Elder Dai Heng, with his hot temper and violent disposition, went berserk again.
Zhang Xin snorted with disdain.
"Such a stupid and stubborn fool!"
Why would he lie about something like this?
If he had intended to lie, he wouldn't have brought Iron Mountain Crest along.
With Iron Mountain Crest himself present, how could any "lie" be successful?
In fact, Iron Mountain Crest had indeed pledged allegiance to the "Court's Imperial Observatory," and he had even volunteered, stating his willingness to persuade the Old Monarch Peak cultivators to surrender.
Zhang Xin himself was quite surprised by this.
Weren't the cultivators of Old Monarch Peak said to be like "stones in a latrine," both stinking and hard?
How did Iron Mountain Crest suddenly change his tune?
Regardless, it was a good thing.
Zhang Xin had brought Iron Mountain Crest.
With the Sect Master of Old Monarch Peak himself "persuading" them to surrender, even if the "persuasion" was unsuccessful, it would deal a "fatal blow" to the morale of the Old Monarch Peak cultivators.
He sneered inwardly.
Hmph!
You stubborn resistance fighters, your Sect Master himself has "surrendered," what standing do you have to oppose the court?
As expected, the Old Monarch Peak cultivators who had been clamoring and vowing to resist to the death immediately fell silent.
They hung their heads, their morale plummeting to the absolute bottom.
Heh heh...
A cold glint flashed in Zhang Xin's eyes.
He ordered Iron Mountain Crest, "Old Tie, 666!"
Huh?
The assembled cultivators looked bewildered.
What gibberish was Lord Zhang speaking?
Zhang Xin was speechless.
It was said that Iron Mountain Crest's surname, "Tie," was too addictive.
Calling him "Old Tie" naturally led to saying "666" afterward!
Old Tie, 666!
No problem!
Cough...
Zhang Xin cleared his throat inwardly, managing to stabilize his emotions.
He said again, "Iron Mountain Crest, order the Old Monarch Peak cultivators to surrender immediately and accept the rule of the Imperial Observatory!"
The Sect Master of Old Monarch Peak, Iron Mountain Crest, was severely injured at this moment, appearing utterly disheveled.
He could not even fly and had to be supported by two "court cultivators" by his side.
He heard Zhang Xin's order, and with great effort, he lifted his head.
Iron Mountain Crest was extremely weak, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brilliance.
Seeing Iron Mountain Crest's gaze, Zhang Xin's heart began to pound inexplicably, and a sense of foreboding surged like a tide.
"Bad, quickly make him shut up!"
At this moment, Zhang Xin no longer cared about his "official prestige," his expression changed drastically, and he shouted loudly!
However, it was already too late.
Iron Mountain Crest smiled faintly, his voice hoarse, and said.
"Old Monarch Peak will never surrender. Everyone, remember, never surrender!"
The "court cultivators" present were almost furious.
You scoundrel!
They had been tricked!
This Iron Mountain Crest wasn't here to "persuade" them to surrender at all.
It was all his "bitter flesh strategy"!
The reason he had volunteered to "persuade" them was to say these words in front of the Old Monarch Peak cultivators, encouraging them to continue resisting the court.
As expected, when the Old Monarch Peak cultivators heard Iron Mountain Crest's words, they immediately shook off their dejection, their morale soaring once more.
"Sect Master, we will not fail your expectations!"
"Resist to the end!"
"Old Monarch Peak will never surrender!"
...
The cries of resistance rose one after another, growing louder and louder.
Zhang Xin's nose was almost twitching with anger.
He had always believed that he had "victory in hand" and had effortlessly controlled the situation.
He never expected to be so thoroughly outmaneuvered by Iron Mountain Crest.
If one can tolerate it, what cannot be tolerated!
Zhang Xin's gaze suddenly became incredibly sharp, his killing intent surging.
He glared ferociously at Iron Mountain Crest and roared.
"Kill him! Extract his Nascent Soul and refine it with yin fire day and night, letting him suffer the greatest pain in both life and death!"
What a vicious punishment!
The two "court cultivators" responsible for guarding Iron Mountain Crest couldn't help but shiver.
However, they quickly recovered and prepared to destroy Iron Mountain Crest's physical body.
At this moment, Iron Mountain Crest was too severely injured to resist, and it was as easy as pie for the two "court cultivators" to destroy his body.
"Stop!"
"Quick, stop!"
"Do not harm our Sect Master!"
...
Elder Jingyuan, Elder Dai Heng, and Elder Chang Hai roared with anger and anxiety.
At this moment, they no longer cared about the "bigger picture" and rushed forward with bloodshot eyes, trying to save Iron Mountain Crest.
Iron Mountain Crest, however, smiled faintly, his voice hoarse but his tone incredibly firm.
"Hurry and leave, don't worry about me. I can buy you some time. Take everyone to the East Barren Mountain Range to find a senior. That senior will protect you!"
As his words fell, a dazzling light began to emanate from Iron Mountain Crest's lower abdomen.
This power was terrifying, as if it contained the might of "world destruction."
The two "court cultivators" guarding Iron Mountain Crest almost wet themselves in fear.
They quickly retreated, simultaneously letting out high-pitched screams.
"Self-detonating Nascent Soul!"