Chapter 1317: Stepping Stone

Yu Wen Qian Yue had only been sitting quietly for a few moments when the jade slip in her hand lit up again with a message.

"All Venerables and Elders, assemble immediately at the Heavenly Hall for a council meeting. No delays."

She withdrew her divine sense, her eyes filled with surprise and delight.

"So quickly, the outcome has been decided?"

"It makes sense..."

"Guo Jiannan is no longer the man he once was. His combat power is likely less than a tenth or even a fifth of his peak. With the entire upper echelon of Fengxue Island surrounding him, how could he possibly withstand it?"

"The era of the Invincible Sword Venerable has truly passed. That mortal star cultivator, Yi Feng, will no longer have any support from now on!"

Slowly putting away the jade slip, Yu Wen Qian Yue couldn't help but let a faint smile curl her lips. The heavy stone in her heart had finally been lifted, and this Venerable couldn't help but feel a bit smug.

Remembering that she had to attend the council meeting at the main hall, she quickly composed herself.

With a cold expression, she rose to her feet and strode steadily out of the hall.

Not long after.

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

Quietly sitting down, she glanced around and noticed that many seats were empty. The elders in the front rows also had grim expressions, and some even bore bloodstains on their robes!

Instantly, Yu Wen Qian Yue was stunned.

Something seemed off?

She discreetly looked around and realized that even many of her fellow Venerables were missing. Those who were present sat with their heads bowed, and the entire hall was filled with an overwhelmingly oppressive atmosphere.

This...

Yu Wen Qian Yue was greatly surprised and momentarily at a loss.

Until the powerful figure at the head of the hall spoke in a deep voice.

"Esteemed colleagues."

"This encirclement operation has resulted in heavy losses for our Fengxue Island. Over a dozen elders and dozens of Venerables have perished. The threat posed by the demon Guo Jiannan has far exceeded our expectations. However, as Fengxue Island, it is our duty to uphold the purity of the world. We cannot allow him to roam free!"

"If any of you have strategies, speak freely!"

His deep voice echoed, shocking everyone in the hall.

Those who had only heard the reports but not witnessed the battle were visibly shaken, while those who had participated in the battle were filled with fear and unease. Whispers began to rise, and the once-sacred main hall gradually descended into chaos.

"Sss..."

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

"Terrifying? He's been trapped in the Demon Prison for tens of thousands of years, and his vitality has declined. Yet he still possesses such combat power. The title of Invincible Sword Venerable is indeed not without merit!"

"Esteemed colleagues, why are we boosting his morale and diminishing our own?"

"This is the reality! Guo Jiannan has just escaped from the Demon Prison, and he's already this fearsome. If he were to recover his full strength, how would we deal with him?"

"This..."

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

The powerful figures at the front had grim expressions and remained silent for a long time. They knew in their hearts that everyone present was no ordinary person, and their words held great weight. These were precisely the concerns that troubled them.

Looking back now, this battle was truly unbelievable.

Guo Jiannan had somehow retained his terrifying strength and dealt a heavy blow to Fengxue Island. The outcome was earth-shattering, completely beyond expectations, and it left the powerful figures deep in thought and fear.

Why.

Why does this old man still possess such terrifying strength?

This simply doesn't make sense!

Could it be that the heavens truly favor him?

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

Yu Wen Qian Yue, who had been listening quietly, felt her heart racing.

Was the Invincible Sword Venerable truly this terrifying?

If things continued like this, wouldn't Yi Feng have everything his way?

In the future...

If Guo Jiannan truly recovered his strength and stormed the Heavenly Hall, what would she do?

Suddenly, Yu Wen Qian Yue felt her life was in grave danger. Her desire to survive was stronger than anyone else's, and her mind raced with various schemes.

Just as the entire hall was embroiled in endless arguments.

Her eyes lit up, and she gritted her teeth, standing up to bow.

"Esteemed seniors."

"I have a plan that might help us subdue the demon Guo Jiannan!"

Hearing this.

The entire hall fell silent, and numerous gazes turned toward her.

Several of the powerful figures exchanged glances, and the leader nodded solemnly.

"Speak."

Normally, Yu Wen Qian Yue, being only a Venerable, wouldn't carry much weight in proposing strategies. But given the dire situation, they had no choice but to grasp at straws.

Under the gaze of the entire hall, Yu Wen Qian Yue gracefully bowed and spoke.

"Esteemed seniors."

"When Guo Jiannan escaped from the Demon Prison, there was a young man accompanying him. His name is Yi Feng, and he claims to be from a mortal star. However, from what I know, he seems to have a close relationship with Guo Jiannan. It's highly likely that he is Guo Jiannan's descendant..."

Before she could finish, several of the elders' eyes gleamed with understanding.

"Are you suggesting that we capture this young man to force Guo Jiannan's hand?"

"Hmm, when Guo Jiannan escaped the Demon Prison, there was indeed a young man with him."

"This plan seems feasible."

"Indeed, if we can't defeat Guo Jiannan, surely we can handle his descendant? Strike the snake at its head—Yi Feng is his weakness!"

These individuals were all shrewd and cunning, and they immediately grasped the implications of Yu Wen Qian Yue's words without her needing to elaborate.

The elder at the head of the hall stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Hmm..."

"Although this method lacks honor, in order to capture the demon, it may be necessary. In extraordinary times, we must use extraordinary means!"

His words of approval sparked a wave of agreement throughout the hall.

"The Island Lord is wise!"

"The Island Lord speaks the truth. Even if Guo Jiannan disregards worldly ties, he would never ignore the safety of his own bloodline. If we can capture this young man, we can surely disrupt his state of mind!"

"Attacking the heart is the best strategy. This plan is excellent!"

The flattery came naturally, and most people expressed their support for this brilliant plan.

Yu Wen Qian Yue, not one to miss an opportunity, quickly added her own praise.

"The Island Lord is wise!"

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

"That young man named Yi Feng, who claimed to be a mortal star cultivator, must have infiltrated our Fengxue Island to rescue Guo Jiannan. He is currently residing in the outer sect's cave dwellings!"

Glancing at the expectant female Venerable.

The Island Lord narrowed his eyes slightly and waved his hand dismissively.

"In that case, you shall lead a team to capture this young man!"

The great merit fell upon her in an instant, causing many to look at her with envy. They quickly stood up and volunteered, while Yu Wen Qian Yue, glowing with pride, immediately bowed in acknowledgment.

"This subordinate obeys!"

With just a few words, she had not only resolved the crisis but also gained the Island Lord's favor through this clever scheme of using others to achieve her goals. Such wisdom, killing three birds with one stone—how many could match it?

Leading a group of experts out of the hall, Yu Wen Qian Yue's spirits soared as she stepped into the void.

No matter what kind of backing or bloodline one had, falling from grace could 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 pinnacle of the great Dao.

That Yi Feng, even if he truly was Guo Jiannan's descendant, what of it?

He was nothing more than a stepping stone!