The cultivators from various sects watched Li Yundong erupt into loud, scornful laughter that sounded brazen and dismissive. They were instantly enraged. "Insolent wretch, what are you laughing at! Do you hold us in contempt!"

Li Yundong cut off his laughter and boomed, "Then tell me, all of you, what evidence do you have that Ao Wushuang stole the Human Yuan Golden Elixir! And where is the principal party from the Gezao Sect!"

At this, the cultivators from the major sects fell silent, exchanging uneasy glances. Damn it, ever since Ao Wushuang allegedly stole the Human Yuan Golden Elixir, Sect Master Wan Zhenyuan vanished, and no one else can track them down. How are we supposed to find the main accuser?

Seeing their inability to speak, Li Yundong pressed on loudly, "Since the principal party from Gezao Sect hasn't stepped forward, on what grounds do you gather here shouting threats of violence? Is the cultivation world no better than the underworld? Even the underworld adheres to rules and reason. Are you all worse than common ruffians?"

The cultivators were furious. Some retorted angrily, "You insolent fool, daring to compare us to thugs! Are you tired of living?"

"Scoundrel, which sect do you belong to? Do you not wish to continue in the cultivation world anymore!"

Zhang Tianhe frowned at Li Yundong’s sharp rhetoric. He cupped his hands in salute and said, "Immortal Li, I strongly disagree with your previous assertions. Our cultivation world operates by established rules and precedents. The siege of Fox Zen Gate by the Six Great Sects this time is a righteous action supported by clear evidence and justification, and it is not for you to slander so openly."

Li Yundong immediately pressed him, "You claim you have evidence and justification, so where is the proof, and where is the reason!"

Zhang Tianhe said sternly, "It is common knowledge throughout the world that Ao Wushuang infiltrated Gezao Sect and stole the Human Yuan Golden Elixir. This is not something known only to a few of us. Are all these people lying? Are all cultivators under heaven fabricating this story?"

As Zhang Tianhe finished speaking, the cultivators from various sects stirred up a clamor. "What True Master Zhang says is right!"

"Well said!"

"Exactly, so many people know this—how could it be false!"

A surge of emotion swept through the crowd. Ziyuan and Ruan Hongling exchanged worried glances, fearing Li Yundong couldn't handle the agitated masses.

Li Yundong felt a sudden chill, unsure how to respond, when he heard a woman’s voice transmit to him: “My junior sister was expelled from the sect by the Gate Master ten years ago, so whatever she did has no bearing on Fox Zen Gate. True Master Li can state this fact openly.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yundong gained confidence. He suddenly threw his head back and laughed heartily, "Ridiculous, truly ridiculous!" His voice was so loud it instantly drowned out the noise of the crowd.

Zhang Tianhe, visibly irritated, asked, "What is so laughable?"

Li Yundong sneered, "Even if Ao Wushuang stole the Human Yuan Golden Elixir, she was expelled from Fox Zen Gate ten years ago! To hold Fox Zen Gate accountable for her actions and come here threatening violence—isn't that laughable? As the saying goes, every wrong has its author, every debt its debtor. You claim to seek justice for Gezao Sect while preparing to slaughter here. I suspect your true goal isn't finding the Human Yuan Golden Elixir, but seizing the opportunity to loot! Is this the robber's face of the great sects?"

Zhang Tianhe bristled with anger, "Immortal Li, I showed you respect because of your orthodox Xuanmen cultivation. If you continue to smear us with such slander, do not blame me for showing you no mercy!"

Li Yundong stood his ground, "True Master Zhang, the Zhengyi Sect is the foremost authority among the Daoists of this world. I showed you respect because you are the youngest son of Celestial Master Zhang. If your words continue to be so baseless, founded only on assumption and the fabrication of popular opinion, do not blame me for showing you no mercy!"

Zhang Tianhe had cultivated in the mountains since childhood, essentially born with a silver spoon, accustomed to receiving respect at every turn. He had never engaged in verbal brawls, much less debate before so many people!

He was so incensed that his Dao heart was thrown into chaos, and he shouted, "How am I being baseless? How am I relying on assumption? How am I resorting to popular fabrication?"

Li Yundong gave a short laugh, opened his palm, and said, "You claim Ao Wushuang stole the Human Yuan Golden Elixir. Then tell me, where is the Human Yuan Golden Elixir now!"

As soon as he posed the question, Ruan Hongling, who had been watching the proceedings intently, couldn't help but let out a soft snicker, drawing displeased glares from the cultivators nearby.

Ziyuan quickly gripped Ruan Hongling's arm and shot her a look, transmitting mentally, “Are you mad? What are you laughing at! Aren't you afraid of being discovered?”

Ruan Hongling kept her head bowed, suppressing her laughter, and sent back, “Sister Ziyuan, I’m laughing at how shamelessly thick-skinned Li Yundong is! He clearly swallowed the Human Yuan Golden Elixir, yet he turns the tables and demands we produce it! And he does it with such conviction and solemnity! Truly shameless!”

Ziyuan looked at the scene unfolding, and a faint smile involuntarily touched her lips. She transmitted, “His skin is the thickest among everyone!”

While the two were conversing privately, the surrounding cultivators had already erupted into noise.

"What? Asking us where the Human Yuan Golden Elixir is? Insolent fool! If we had the elixir, why would we be here!"

"Why waste time arguing with this brat? Let's just attack and eliminate him!"

Zhang Tianhe was enraged by Li Yundong’s outrageous question. He sputtered, "Your logic is truly unreasonable! How could we possibly produce the Human Yuan Golden Elixir!"

Li Yundong roared, "Exactly, you cannot produce the Human Yuan Golden Elixir! You claim Ao Wushuang took it, but where is Ao Wushuang? Ao Wushuang has already been captured by Yan Fang. You must at least find Yan Fang, have her release Ao Wushuang, and confront us face-to-face for authentication. Otherwise, just relying on empty talk to condemn someone—isn't that a farce!"

The cultivators of the major sects were already on the verge of exploding with anger. They had never encountered such a master of sophistry, demanding they find Yan Fang!

Damn it, who knows where that crazy woman has run off to! The world is huge, how could they possibly find her? Even if they searched, when would they ever succeed? By then, Fox Zen Gate would have long since vanished!

Li Yundong’s disruptions had already thrown Zhang Tianhe's thoughts into disarray. Before he could speak, a tall man stepped out from the Quanzhen Longmen Sect and loudly requested, "True Master Zhang, may I speak a few words?"

Zhang Tianhe turned and saw that it was the leading senior disciple of the Quanzhen Longmen Sect for this expedition, known as the Jade-Faced Golden Monkey, Du Fei. He cupped his hands respectfully, "It is True Master Du. Please proceed."

Du Fei stepped to the front of the crowd, pointed at Li Yundong, and commanded, "My junior brother informed me that when you ascended the mountain, you associated with Lin Youfa of the Divine Fist Sect and killed several outer disciples of our Quanzhen Longmen Sect. Is this true?"

Li Yundong snorted and said gravely, "I didn't make a move. Lin Youfa killed them all; it has nothing to do with me."

Du Fei snapped, "And where is Lin Youfa now!"

Li Yundong thought: He’s already returned to the West! But he answered verbally, "How would I know!"

Du Fei pointed at Li Yundong and roared, "You are lying! My junior brother saw you leave with him, clearly colluding! And now you claim ignorance! Do you think I would believe that?"

Li Yundong burst into laughter, "I have had long-standing grudges with Lin Youfa and fought him several times. How could I possibly collude with him? More than one person knows this; if you doubt me, you can ask True Master Ruan Hongling of the Linggong Faction within the Zhengyi Sect!"

As he finished speaking, all eyes in the vicinity snapped toward Ruan Hongling.

Ruan Hongling had been enjoying the spectacle, never expecting Li Yundong to drag her into it. She cursed him inwardly but felt compelled to speak, saying, "That is correct, I can testify to this matter!"

Though she was young, her lineage within the Zhengyi Sect was significant, and no one doubted her word. Still, some more suspicious individuals muttered amongst themselves: Why would she know about that?

Seeing Ruan Hongling confirm the matter, Du Fei frowned slightly but decisively dropped the issue. He announced loudly, "Fine, even if this matter doesn't involve you, I will set it aside for now. However, I must tell you this: with so many of us from the major sects gathered here, it is utterly impossible for you, an unknown nobody, to step forward with a few words and expect us to turn tail and leave!"

His words immediately prompted shouts of agreement from the cultivators of the major sects. "Exactly right!"

"Indeed, if we turned back just because an insignificant nobody said so, wouldn't we become a laughingstock!"

"Precisely! Losing face for ourselves is a small matter, but losing face for our sect is huge! What would the cultivators of the world think of us?"

Du Fei’s statement had cornered Li Yundong. Li Yundong frowned and asked, "Then what must be done?"

Du Fei sneered, "Unless you can make all of us genuinely accept it!"

Li Yundong immediately pressed, "How can we be convinced!"

A cultivator shouted without hesitation, "Nonsense! By fighting, of course! If you can defeat us, then we will naturally be convinced!"

This was exactly what Li Yundong wanted. He cupped his hands and declared loudly, "Excellent! As the saying goes, talk is cheap! Since everyone wishes for a friendly exchange, I shall not refuse. I invite everyone to state your terms! Today, I, Li Yundong, shamelessly place myself as a mediator to clarify this matter for everyone! Fox Zen Gate and I share a deep bond, and I am willing to step forward to take on this grievance for them. Any friend who is unconvinced is welcome to come fight me. If I lose, I will cover my face and leave without interfering further. But if I am fortunate enough to win, I ask that everyone return to where they came from!"

As Li Yundong finished speaking, the cultivators of the major sects began whispering amongst themselves. The prospect of actual combat made many hesitant, especially after witnessing Li Yundong's previous display of ruthless skill. A fight was one thing, but losing one's life afterward was quite another.

Seeing this shift in mood, Ziyuan spoke up, "May I say a few words?"

The moment she spoke, the crowd felt as if a hundred birds were singing in harmony; her voice was exquisite and pleasing to the ear. Every eye in the venue instantly focused on her.

Though Ziyuan's background was not as esteemed as Zhang Tianhe's, she had been famous since childhood and commanded immense prestige. As she walked forward, the crowd parted like waves around her.

One cultivator bowed respectfully and said, "It is rare for the Immortal Ziyuan to speak; we shall certainly listen with respect!"

Ziyuan approached the gathering and smiled sweetly at Zhang Tianhe, "True Master Zhang, may I say a few words?"

Zhang Tianhe looked at Ziyuan, who seemed ethereal and immortal. Her mere faint smile was so beautiful that all the male cultivators present momentarily held their breath, afraid to disturb such transcendent beauty.