Su Han's tone did not betray anger, but all the sect masters present knew that the Xuanmen sect leader was definitely displeased.
The sect masters, both big and small, could only turn their gaze to the sect master of Chiyun Hall. The Chiyun Hall sect master had handled the situation admirably earlier, so they all believed that his eloquence might be able to salvage the current predicament.
The Chiyun Hall sect master obliged, "Xuanmen sect leader, this proposal is excellent, but I believe the relevant details still require some careful revision."
Su Han replied, "Revision? I think this is already very good, with nothing needing to be changed. Once the cultivator prison is established, the entire cultivation world will experience fewer disputes. Cultivators will be equal."
Upon hearing this, the Chiyun Hall sect master immediately found a counter-argument, "Xuanmen sect leader, this will not do. The cultivation world inherently respects strength, so how can everyone be equal!"
Su Han hadn't anticipated being caught on this point by Chiyun Hall.
Su Han said, "Hmm, the cultivation world respects strength, I agree with that wholeheartedly. True equality among all cannot exist in the cultivation world. Since that is the case, true equality for all is indeed not conducive to the healthy development of the cultivation world."
The Chiyun Hall sect master seized this moment, "Since that is the case, then Xuanmen sect leader, this cultivator prison shall not be established."
Su Han shook his head, "It still needs to be established. This equality is not equality among cultivators, but equality between cultivators and ordinary people. After the cultivator prison is established, cultivators will no longer be able to harm ordinary people. The cultivator prison is to protect the entire mortal world."
Su Han continued, "Next, who among you agrees to this cultivator prison? If you agree, please raise your hands!"
The sect masters present fell silent. Not a single hand was raised.
Seeing this, the Chiyun Hall sect master worried that the Xuanmen sect leader beside him might suddenly erupt in violence.
Su Han surveyed everyone present and said, "Hmm, no one has raised their hand. It seems you all disagree with the establishment of this cultivator prison."
The Chiyun Hall sect master replied, "Xuanmen sect leader, everyone is simply not well-informed about this cultivator prison. This matter should be discussed at the next Southern Domain Cultivation Dao Assembly."
The Chiyun Hall sect master's simple intention was to delay the matter, hoping Su Han would eventually forget about it and cease his insistence.
Su Han scanned the assembly and then stood up.
The sect masters, big and small, became immediately nervous at this sight, as one could not predict what the Xuanmen sect leader might do in such a situation.
Seeing their apprehension, Su Han understood their fear. Lower-level cultivators naturally feared those of higher cultivation, for the cultivation world inherently respected strength.
Su Han declared, "Since you disagree, then this cultivator prison will be established by our Xuanmen alone!"
With a wave of his hand, Su Han flung out a magical artifact. As the artifact was thrown, it began to grow in size, then ascended, shattering the roof of the grand hall. Su Han and his companions then flew onto the artifact.
The artifact had now grown larger than the grand hall itself.
Standing on the artifact, Su Han commanded, "Read it!"
Ye Fan walked to the edge of the artifact and, looking down upon the sect masters below, began to read out a document.
"By imperial decree of Xuanmen, in this era, numerous cultivators of the cultivation world have harmed the populace. To protect the people, a cultivator prison is hereby established..."
The essence of this decree was the establishment of a cultivator prison, warning that cultivators would need to be more careful in their actions from now on, lest this prison apprehend them.
After the reading, Su Han piloted the artifact away. The artifact's impact had sent the roof debris to the side, so no one below was injured by falling fragments.
The sect masters below could only watch as Su Han's artifact disappeared from view. No one dared to make a move.
Once the artifact was no longer visible, the sect masters of Baihe Gate and Chiyun Hall wore expressions of extreme displeasure.
At this moment, a junior sect master from the host sect whispered, "Esteemed guests, the banquet is ready. You may be seated for dinner."
The junior sect master's hushed tone was because the meal was still part of the proceedings. He had already lost all hope.
The Baihe Gate sect master, with a grim expression, said, "Thank you for the preparations. However, I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."
The Baihe Gate sect master then took to the sky and departed.
Seeing their leader depart, the other sect masters from Baihe Alliance also followed suit and left.
Only the dozens of sect masters, big and small, from Chiyun Alliance remained. All eyes turned to the Chiyun Hall sect master.
The Chiyun Hall sect master stated, "Given the circumstances, our anger is futile. Since the banquet is prepared, let us enjoy a good meal. Afterward, we can further our camaraderie."
The Chiyun Hall sect master walked out of the grand hall.
Outside the hall, the shattered roof lay nearby, having caused no harm to any ordinary person.
The Chiyun Hall sect master called out, "Come, let us dine!"
Chefs and assistants who had been hiding at a distance quickly emerged, setting up tables and presenting the dishes.
The Chiyun Hall sect master was the first to take a seat, followed by the other sect masters.
As they began to eat and drink, the sect masters of Chiyun Alliance relaxed and indulged freely.
...
Meanwhile, on the artifact, Su Han reviewed his mission progress. The second stage of the main quest for World 4: Cultivation World remained incomplete.
Su Han remarked, "The second stage of the main quest is still not completed. It seems that even ruling the entire Southern Domain doesn't qualify us as a first-rate cultivation sect on Xiuqi Star. We need to expand Xuanmen's influence further."
Ye Fan inquired, "Our Xuanmen's strength should be considered top-tier on this planet. Yet, the main quest is still incomplete!"
Su Han replied, "Indeed, it is not yet completed. Chu Shi, tell us the reason for the unfinished quest."
Chu Shi explained, "Sect Leader, one possibility is that there are still cultivators at or above the Nascent Soul stage hidden away. Another possibility is that besides possessing first-rate strength, we also require first-rate influence, and this influence must extend throughout Xiuqi Star."
Su Han stated, "The continent we are on is the largest on this Xiuqi Star. The most powerful cultivation sects are undoubtedly located here. It seems we must elevate Xuanmen's influence to a first-rate level. Let us accelerate our efforts, and once our influence permeates the entire Southern Domain, we will immediately begin extending our reach to other continents of Xiuqi Star."