Chapter 786: Su Bai's Support

"You, Fourth Elder, don't you dare slander me! Wasn't it you who gifted me that fox demon back then?" Sun Zimei's face turned red with anger as he shouted.

"Bullshit! That fox was clearly captured to be a contract beast for my youngest female disciple at the time. It was you, relying on the authority of the Grand Elder, who forcibly took the fox away," the Fourth Elder retorted righteously. "All these years, I've kept silent about this, but now, even if you make life difficult for me later, I’m done holding back."

As more elders joined in, the number of people condemning Sun Zimei grew. Even others began to recount the various misdeeds the Grand Elder had committed over the years. After all, who could withstand such scrutiny? Sun Zimei's usual flaws, which had gone unnoticed, were now magnified infinitely.

"I propose," someone declared, "that Sun Zimei be temporarily stripped of his position as Grand Elder and imprisoned in the celestial prison, awaiting the Sect Master's judgment upon his return."

"I agree."

"I second the motion…"

"Strip the Grand Elder of his position and imprison him…"

"Strip the Grand Elder of his position and imprison him…"

The hall echoed with unified chants.

"You… you… all of you…" Sun Zimei, no matter how eloquent, couldn't possibly stand against so many voices. Overwhelmed with rage, he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed into his chair.

"Tell me," he gasped, "what did Shi Qingwu offer you? How could you… how could you…"

Sun Zimei's face was filled with resentment. He couldn't understand why these elders, who had always been on his side, had suddenly betrayed him.

"Hmph!" the Second Elder sneered. "We have always been loyal to the Sect Master. What could the Sect Master possibly offer us?"

With that, the Second Elder and others sealed Sun Zimei's acupoints and dragged him away.

"Everyone, aside from the matter concerning the Grand Elder, there's one more thing I need to announce," the Second Elder said, raising his hand to silence the crowd.

The noisy hall immediately quieted down as everyone turned their attention to the Second Elder.

"The rumors about Young Master Yi Feng are false!" the Second Elder declared loudly. "When he broke the two-day record at the Heavenly Tyrant Sect and emerged first, it wasn't because he gave up after two days. Instead, he successfully cleared the trial in two days, breaking the Heavenly Tyrant Sect's Saint Mountain Dungeon's all-time record!"

Since discovering Yi Feng's true identity outside his courtyard, the elders hadn't been idle. With a little investigation, they had uncovered the truth of the matter. For those who already knew Yi Feng's strength, this news came as no surprise—it was only natural. However, for those who hadn't known, the revelation caused an uproar.

"My heavens!"

"So he was actually first?"

"Incredible!"

"We completely misunderstood Young Master Yi Feng before!"

Voices of astonishment filled the hall, filled with disbelief.

"Therefore, I propose that during the Sect Master's seclusion, Young Master Yi Feng should temporarily take charge of our Hundred Refinements Sect," the Second Elder announced.

"Agreed."

"I agree…"

In an instant, the entire assembly voiced their approval. Although many hadn't attended the Heavenly Tyrant Sect's competition, they understood what clearing the trial in two days meant. Moreover, with the Grand Elder now deposed and the elders united, the decision was unanimous.

"Young Master, please take the seat of honor," the Second Elder gestured.

"Uh…" Yi Feng scratched his nose.

When the Grand Elder had made his move, Yi Feng had been prepared to show off a bit of his strength in front of these weaklings. But now, it seemed unnecessary—they already knew how powerful he was. Well, since they were offering, he might as well accept. Besides, this was just a small, insignificant sect anyway. Sitting in the main seat didn't bother him at all.

"Greetings, Young Master!" As soon as Yi Feng took his seat, the crowd bowed in unison.

"No need for formalities. Rise… stand up," Yi Feng said, trying to suppress a smug smile. Even though they were just a bunch of weaklings, sitting in this position did give him a bit of a thrill.

In the Hundred Refinements Sect's celestial prison, the flickering candlelight cast an eerie glow. The air was thick with the stench of decay and other indescribable odors, making it nauseating to breathe. The prison was constructed from special materials and reinforced with various formations and restrictions, ensuring that anyone imprisoned there would be unable to use their powers.

Sun Zimei sat in his cell, his face filled with resentment. But even now, he held onto one last hope—the young man standing before him, his most prized disciple: Sun Zhonghuang.

"So that's why those traitorous elders turned on me," Sun Zimei muttered after hearing Sun Zhonghuang's report. "I never expected Yi Feng to have such talent. No wonder Shi Qingwu kept him hidden so well."

"Master, what should we do now?" Sun Zhonghuang asked anxiously.

"Hmph, I underestimated Yi Feng. He must be quite powerful. But things aren't over yet," Sun Zimei said with a cold smile. "If this had happened earlier, we might have been doomed. But now, there's still a chance."

"What do you mean, Master?" Sun Zhonghuang's eyes narrowed in curiosity.

"Did you know that our sect has a hidden powerhouse?" Sun Zimei lowered his voice, glancing around cautiously.

"What? Really?" Sun Zhonghuang's pupils contracted in surprise.

"Yes, it's not widely known, but the sect has suppressed the information. This powerhouse is named Su Bai, and for some reason, he's been working as a laborer in our sect," Sun Zimei explained. "From what I've heard, he accidentally revealed his strength at the Heavenly Tyrant Sect, which led to countless subordinate sects sending gifts to our sect, including even the upper sects. You remember the influx of elders from other sects a while back, don't you?"

"That's what that was about?" Sun Zhonghuang exclaimed.

"Exactly. It was all because of him," Sun Zimei said solemnly. "The outside world speculates that Su Bai is at the True Immortal Tenth Level, but I believe he's at least at the Thirteenth Level or higher."

"Why do you say that?" Sun Zhonghuang asked.

"Because everyone overlooked one thing: the gifts from the Heavenly Tyrant Sect. As we all know, the Heavenly Tyrant Sect has two Ancestors, both at the True Immortal Thirteenth Level. If Su Bai were only at the Tenth Level, the Ancestors might have sent gifts to win him over, but they wouldn't have sent such extravagant ones. Yet, they sent 70% of the Heavenly Tyrant Sect's harvest from the past decade!"

"70%? What does that signify?"

"Tribute!" Sun Zimei declared. "It means that Su Bai is recognized by the Heavenly Tyrant Sect's Ancestors as a powerhouse stronger than themselves!"

Sun Zhonghuang's eyes widened in realization.

"However, there's one catch," Sun Zimei frowned. "Su Bai is currently working as a laborer under Yi Feng."

"But I don't believe there's any real connection between Yi Feng and Su Bai. Su Bai has been in our sect for years, long before Yi Feng arrived. He's served as a laborer for others before, so his current position under Yi Feng is likely just a coincidence."

Sun Zhonghuang nodded, agreeing with his master's reasoning.

"So, Master, what do you suggest we do?" Sun Zhonghuang asked.

"What I need you to do is get close to Su Bai and try to win his support!" Sun Zimei said firmly.