Liu Yunge's account and the chilling images from that image-recording stone were like ice water poured over their heads, instantly extinguishing all voices of doubt and侥幸 in the hall.
The Elders' faces were grave as they exchanged glances.
The air was filled with a heavy sense of wariness and dread toward this unknown power.
Xiao Chen took in everyone's reactions and knew the moment had come.
He slowly rose to his feet.
His voice was steady and powerful, breaking the silence in the hall.
"Fellow Elders, surely you now understand that what we face is absolutely not ordinary sect strife or the unpredictability of human hearts."
"What we face is a bizarre 'tribulation force' originating from the great catastrophe of the upper realm—a force that can twist minds and amplify extreme emotions. This force is formless and substanceless, yet sufficient to erode the Dao heart, dismantle sects, and bring chaos to the common people."
His gaze swept across the assembly.
His tone carried unprecedented gravity.
"This tribulation force is something that even Immortal Venerables and mighty experts in the upper realm find deeply troublesome and difficult to eradicate. With our power, attempting to confront it head-on would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—overestimating our capabilities."
These words made the atmosphere in the hall even more oppressive.
A power that even Immortal Venerables were helpless against?
Then what could they possibly do?
"However, sitting and waiting for death is absolutely not the Heavenly Alliance's way!"
Xiao Chen's tone shifted.
His voice carried firm determination.
"Though we lack the power to confront the source of the tribulation force, we are not helpless! The only thing we can do, and must do, is—save people!"
"Save people?" an Elder repeated in a low voice, confusion in his eyes.
"Exactly, save people!" Xiao Chen declared decisively.
"Save those who have not yet been completely eroded by the tribulation force, who still retain a shred of clarity! Save those innocent fellow cultivators and common people who have been caught up in this and are now in dire straits!"
He continued to elaborate on the strategy he had already discussed with his master, Chen Chang'an.
"After my master's calculations, we have an initial response strategy for this tribulation force."
"First, for those who have been lightly eroded by the tribulation force and whose minds may still be salvaged—"
Xiao Chen raised his hand, and a jade slip projection radiating soft clear light appeared in his palm.
"My master has created a secret technique called the 'Heart-Clearing Demon-Suppressing Incantation.' We can attempt to use this technique to extract part of the tribulation force from their bodies and temporarily seal the extracted force in specially made artifacts, preventing its spread and buying time for eventual purification or elimination."
"Second—"
His voice dropped, carrying a hint of undeniable coldness.
"For those who have been completely eroded by the tribulation force, whose minds are twisted, whose behavior is mad, and who pose a serious threat to their surroundings with no hope of salvation... to prevent the tribulation force from spreading further and harming more living beings, we... have no choice but to make the painful decision to eliminate them! And use special methods to completely seal the tribulation force core condensed within their bodies!"
These words drew gasps throughout the hall.
Eliminate them?
This was undoubtedly an extremely cruel decision.
But recalling Liu Yunge's account and the images from the image-recording stone, everyone fell silent, their hearts filled with dread.
Sometimes, compassion indeed required thunderous measures.
"Third—"
Xiao Chen's tone softened slightly.
"My master has also developed a massive formation called the 'Nine-Turn Sealing Spirit Nirvana Great Array.' It requires the combined strength of the entire Heavenly Alliance to be deployed around the periphery of Mount Buzhou."
"Though this formation cannot eradicate the source of the tribulation force, it can greatly slow—or even temporarily block—the speed at which the tribulation force spreads outward, buying precious time for our population evacuation and internal cleanup."
Hearing that all these countermeasures came from that Immortal Venerable, the last trace of doubt in the Elders' eyes vanished completely.
In its place was nothing but reverence and conviction.
With an Immortal Venerable personally making calculations and arrangements, what reason did they have to hesitate?
"Alliance Master is wise! The Immortal Venerable's plans are far-reaching!"
The Elders responded in unison, with no further objections.
Xiao Chen nodded slightly.
With a wave of his sleeve, countless artifacts shaped like ancient bronze bells, their surfaces covered with mysterious runes, flew out as if guided.
They precisely landed before each seated Elder, hovering in place.
"This is the 'Tribulation-Suppressing Bell,'" Xiao Chen explained.
"It can sense tribulation force fluctuations within a certain range and initially block low-concentration tribulation force erosion. Elders, immediately distribute these bells. Order your elite disciples to wear them and fully cooperate with this 'Clear Tribulation Save People' operation!"
His gaze swept across the hall.
His voice carried undeniable authority.
"The operation plan is as follows: With maximum speed, screen, rescue, and clear the areas affected by the tribulation force around Mount Buzhou. Once all salvageable people in the area have been evacuated and all threat sources have been eliminated or sealed, immediately begin the relocation procedure."
"All normal population and cultivators will be moved out. Ultimately, the plan is to designate nearly one-fifth of Central State as a permanent 'sealed zone,' completely isolated by the 'Nine-Turn Sealing Spirit Nirvana Great Array'!"
One-fifth of Central State!
Everyone's hearts shook violently, yet no one objected.
They all understood—this was necessary pain.
After the arrangements were complete, Xiao Chen's gaze turned to Liu Yunge, who remained kneeling in the hall, his expression sorrowful yet carrying a trace of hope.
"Liu Yunge."
"This disciple is here!" Liu Yunge quickly raised his head.
"The matter of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect began with you, and so it shall end with you." Xiao Chen's voice was steady. "This matter, my Immortal Spirit Holy Land will take the lead in handling personally."
His gaze turned to one side. "Elder Li Hanzhou."
A figure clad in black, his aura cold and sharp, stepped forward and cupped his hands.
"Alliance Master."
"You will personally lead a team. Depart immediately with Liu Yunge for the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect to handle this matter." Xiao Chen issued his orders. "Proceed according to the strategy just determined. You must thoroughly investigate the situation, rescue whoever can be saved, eliminate uncontrollable threats, and seal the tribulation force sources."
"Understood!" Li Hanzhou accepted the order, his eyes sharp as blades.
Liu Yunge heard this, and his eyes instantly blazed with excitement and gratitude.
He kowtowed heavily to Xiao Chen and Li Hanzhou.
"Thank you, Alliance Master! Thank you, Elder Li!"
He raised his head, tears in his eyes.
His voice was choked but carried incomparable sincerity and pleading.
"Elder Li... if... if possible, I beg you... please try to save them... my master, Junior Sister Lin, they weren't always like this..."
He paused.
An expression of extreme pain yet resolve flashed across his face.
He gritted his teeth.
"If... if there is truly no way to save them... I beg you to let me personally... send them on their final journey..."
This was undoubtedly an extremely difficult, even cruel, request.
Li Hanzhou looked at him.
In his ice-cold eyes, a barely perceptible fluctuation appeared.
After a moment of silence, he slowly nodded.
"Granted."
A single word, heavy as a thousand pounds.
Liu Yunge bowed deeply once more, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Li Hanzhou said nothing more.
He gave Xiao Chen a slight nod, then turned and walked toward the hall exit.
Liu Yunge took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart.
He quickly followed.
[
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