"Jun Mo Xie! Heh, on the very day the Evil Monarch establishes his domain, to stoop to such petty actions—it truly broadens Mo's horizons! A fine Evil Monarch indeed, truly wicked!"

Mo Wudao laughed out loud, his tone measured and refined.

"May I ask what Sect Master Mo means by these words?"

Xi Ruochen, catching the drift of the music before the strings were fully plucked, knew that Mo Wudao required someone to play the foil; naturally, he stepped forward without hesitation.

It seemed that apart from those affiliated with the Three Great Holy Lands, few others dared to intervene in the conflict between these two super-powers.

"Haha, this wine is certainly fine wine! Many people might never taste such a celestial grade vintage in their lifetime, which speaks volumes of the sincerity of the Evil Monarch's hospitality."

Mo Wudao smiled, though the manner of his speech carried a subtle edge of irony: "And the flowers are even finer. Anyone who consumes a single Orchid Bloom can be immune to all poisons for a year—it is tantamount to gifting all guests another life, perhaps even several lives! Truly a grand gesture!"

"Since the Evil Monarch's hospitality is so generous and sincere, why then must Brother Mo call his actions base? Wouldn't that be contradictory, flying in the face of his own words?"

Xi Ruochen smiled subtly. The two were clearly moving the conversation forward in tandem!

"In this world, all myriad things have their inherent relationship, their mutual generation and mutual restraint. The fine wine and beautiful flowers are certainly treasures, but once the two are mixed, the wine loses its flavor, and the flower loses its medicinal efficacy! The two neutralize each other, resulting in us gaining nothing—a fleeting joy that ends only in frustration. Even if we wished to preserve the grandeur of today's gathering by only drinking the wine and ignoring the flowers, this flower’s blooming period is extremely brief, lasting at most three days. Once this moment passes, the flower's potency vanishes, needlessly incurring Heavenly Shackles..."

Mo Wudao raised his voice: "Jun Mo Xie, what is your intent in using such base methods to trifle with the heroes of the world?"

As he spoke, his gaze, sharp as a drawn sword, slashed towards the upper diagonal.

"To be able to drink but not eat the flower, or to eat the flower but forego the wine! Forcing a man to choose between two unbearable options, like sitting on a bed of needles! Jun Mo Xie! Is this the way the Evil Monarch's Mansion treats its guests?" Hu Yan Aobo's roar followed immediately, thoroughly igniting the resentment brewing in the hearts of these martial arts experts!

Two supreme treasures lay before them, yet they could not be simultaneously enjoyed—was this not deliberately mocking them?

A gentleman may be killed, but he cannot be humiliated!

Even if your Evil Monarch's Mansion commands the world, you cannot treat all the world's heroes as mere playthings!

"Exactly! What is the meaning of this from the Evil Monarch's Mansion? Do you gain satisfaction from making fools of us like this?"

"If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have come! We showed you respect, yet you treat us with such ridicule—this is simply intolerable..."

"The Evil Monarch's Mansion has gone too far this time!"

"This truly infuriates me..."

Under the deliberate instigation of those with ulterior motives, the atmosphere in the grand hall grew increasingly agitated.

The tension was gradually building, reaching the brink of explosion. Once unleashed, this collective force was enough to turn the Evil Monarch's inauguration day into an eternal joke!

Although Mo Wudao possessed a steady temperament and deep cunning, witnessing this scene, sensing the momentum had tipped, and knowing his opponent’s maneuvers might be futile to counter, he couldn't suppress a flicker of triumph in his eyes.

"Hahahaha!" A long, resounding laugh shook the heavens. Then, Jun Mo Xie's clear voice rang out: "What a joke! Mo Wudao, I truly cannot comprehend why you, the Sect Master of the Hidden Immortal Palace, constantly project your petty suspicions onto noble intentions. Don't you find your own actions utterly ludicrous? I genuinely wonder how the predecessors of the Hidden Immortal Palace could have chosen you to lead it!"

This burst of laughter instantly echoed throughout the expanse, forcefully quelling the clamor of the entire courtyard.

"Today is the grand day of the Evil Monarch's inauguration. I have been meticulous, treading as if on thin ice, yet how could such an obvious oversight occur? To suggest I would employ such means to toy with the world's heroes—Mo Wudao, do you truly take me, Jun Mo Xie, for someone with the intellect of a weakling and a complete simpleton?"

"Oh? In that case, we are eager to hear the Evil Monarch's explanation!"

"Hmph! Do I need to explain anything to you? Any discerning eye can see that the Plain Heart Orchid is the return gift from my Mansion to the heroes of the world! Every single person who has arrived here receives one flower; I trust you all have noticed this much."

"As for the wine, that is simply the hospitality offered by the Evil Monarch's Mansion to the world's heroes!"

Jun Mo Xie sneered: "Who doesn't know these two items conflict? If I can produce so many Plain Heart Orchids, could I possibly be ignorant of this fundamental truth?"

The crowd collectively gasped: If you knew, then why did you proceed this way?

"Everyone, please observe. Beneath the flower pots in front of each of you, there are eight small handkerchiefs. Each one reveals a corner, and together, they perfectly form the shape of a flower. You should all have seen them by now?"

Jun Mo Xie stated calmly.

"These eight small handkerchiefs are one for each person. These are woven from the silk spun by the Snow Silkworms found on the highest peaks of the Snow Mountains, making them impervious to the fiercest cold or heat, and incredibly durable. Furthermore, if any spiritual medicine is wrapped within these handkerchiefs, even if the herb is crushed, its efficacy will remain perfectly preserved! This small piece of weaving is also a token of gratitude from the Evil Monarch's Mansion to the world's heroes—a small gesture of respect!"

"As for the Plain Heart Orchid, one for each person, accompanied by the Silkworm Silk Handkerchief—must you consume it immediately? You can wrap it within the silk handkerchief and take it with you, consuming it whenever you wish! If today's gathering ends without anyone drinking, wouldn't that be a failure? Let everyone enjoy themselves to the fullest and leave only when drunk! Do you all understand my meaning now?"

As his voice faded, the crowd looked down and suddenly understood. Their gazes became fervent as they looked at the Plain Heart Orchids and the Silkworm Silk Handkerchiefs on their tables. They had initially assumed the handkerchiefs were merely decorative elements arranged to look pleasing, but they turned out to be even rarer treasures. A deep sense of shame instantly washed over them: The Evil Monarch had been so generous, gifting them two treasures in succession! Add the celestial grade wine, and that made three treasures, yet they had still been ungrateful and clamored, nearly misunderstanding the situation? ... Truly uncalled for! ...

If they were to blame the host for not explaining clearly... that would be even more egregious! Since he placed them there, it meant they were gifts. He was the host, and he could announce it whenever he pleased; the fault lay entirely with their own impatience...

Why else would they be displayed? Was he truly preparing to wage war against the heroes of the world? That made no sense...

"Mo Wudao, Sect Master Mo, tell me... isn't it you who is laughable?"

Jun Mo Xie's voice continued, now laced with clear anger: "My entire Evil Monarch's Mansion has poured out sincere effort and painstakingly planned for the safety and well-being of the world's heroes, even sparing no expense to show the utmost respect. Yet you three Holy Lands resort to blatant slander against my Mansion? Mo Wudao! What is your true motive? Are you attempting to frame my Mansion as unjust, or are you attempting to put the heroes of the world in an unjust position? I demand a direct answer from Sect Master Mo now, do not dodge and weave!"

What was his true motive?

Faced with such a damning, soul-piercing question, even the deeply calculating and highly self-possessed Mo Wudao found his footing completely lost by this sudden turn.

What had been a confrontation poised for victory in his estimation had flipped entirely in a blink of an eye—it felt like the earth itself had been overturned!

Sensing the hostile gazes directed at him from all sides, Mo Wudao was suddenly struck by a long-forgotten sense of panic! It felt as though everything had slipped beyond his control...

This was a sensation he had long forgotten in his long life; the last time he encountered it felt like an age ago, certainly the first time since he became the Sect Master of the Hidden Immortal Palace.

As a commanding Sect Master, to have his words used to defame others...

And to be exposed so thoroughly by his opponent in front of all the world's heroes, leaving him no room to counterattack...

This taste of humiliating defeat was incredibly bitter!

"Heh, Lord Jun is indeed far-sighted and plans with great depth."

Mo Wudao proved himself worthy of being a top-tier figure who knew when to yield. He let out a self-deprecating laugh: "Presumably, Lord Jun's arrangements were made with profound intent. I was momentarily careless and committed such an error. I offer my deepest apologies. I hope Lord Jun, considering my initial intentions were also rooted in the position of the world's heroes, will not press the matter further. Heh heh... The Evil Monarch truly lives up to his title! Such bearing is indeed rarely seen in this world."

His statement subtly implied that the current situation was a trap deliberately laid by Jun Mo Xie for him. He then openly admitted his mistake, acknowledged that he had fallen for Jun Mo Xie's scheme, and used the moral high ground of 'caring for the heroes' to escape the immediate predicament, while throwing in a slight counter-jab: Was it worth incurring such a massive expense just to entrap me once?

Mo Wudao’s posture instantly lowered. While this displayed a semblance of forthrightness, in the contest of wits, he had decisively lost ground!

Counting the encounter at the entrance, Mo Wudao had now lost two exchanges! Though seemingly mere verbal sparring, the repercussions were immense! At the very least, it would significantly influence how the attendees in the hall positioned themselves going forward!

Because this time, the three Sect Masters of the Three Great Holy Lands had attacked simultaneously, and they had been defeated! Not only defeated, but publicly forced to apologize by their opponent... This was simply unbelievable in the eyes of the world's heroes!

Therefore, everyone needed to reconsider their future paths and alignments!

"Sect Master Mo, as the leader of the Hidden Immortal Palace, one of the Three Great Holy Lands, I believe any high-level treatment afforded to you is entirely fitting. If I have any concerns, it would only be that the treatment provided is not high enough!"

Jun Mo Xie’s voice held genuine arrogance as he stated coldly: "For Sect Master Mo, and for the eternal glory of the Holy Lands, I believe any sacrifice made is worthwhile."

Jun Mo Xie's words, while ostensibly elevating Mo Wudao and the Three Great Holy Lands to a supreme status, actually carried the exact opposite implication. Anyone qualified to attend this assembly was no fool; they understood the true meaning instantly.

My actions were not for you; they were for the Three Great Holy Lands! As long as I can strike against you, I will spare no effort! Even if the financial cost is enormous, so what if some real sacrifices are made? A little financial loss is affordable for an old man like me!

As long as a problem can be solved with money, it is not a problem. Financial losses, no matter how staggering the figures, are not true losses. If nothing else, the substantial profits from Fatty Tang alone would be enough to fully compensate for any loss and then some!