The Spiritual Mountain Conference was held once again. It was still the same stone chamber, the same four heavenly courts, but everything had changed.
The originally sparse Hidden Sword Court now had more than a hundred people again. They no longer looked like they were alone. The arrogant Hidden Brocade Court now had a sharp decrease in their numbers. The originally arrogant Hidden Brocade Court was now like a frosted eggplant. Standing on the high platform, they even had fewer people than Hidden Sword Court.
More than half of Hidden Modesty Court's disciples were injured during the Heavenly Court War. Many of them were still recuperating, the once crowded stage now seemed sparse.
Only Hidden Beauty Court was unscathed, almost all of them present.
Ouyang Xiu watched coldly from the sidelines. She realised that Hidden Sword Court and Hidden Brocade Court's aura had been completely reversed. Hidden Sword Court's aura was shocking while Hidden Brocade Court's people were dispirited, not even having the courage to look them in the eye.
After losing Shanxue and Huangfu Song, Hidden Brocade Court did not even have a leader. The only person who seemed to have some power was the new disciple, Zhan Qisheng!
Li Chengfeng was now kneeling on the ground, his back straight as he accepted everyone's gaze.
The younger disciples no longer felt jealous or envious, all that was left was respect and admiration.
If the gap between them was not huge, they would be envious and jealous. However, when they realised that the gap between them and Li Chengfeng was too huge, all that was left was respect and fear.
Ma Qianli was also studying Li Chengfeng, feeling a headache coming on but he ignored him. "This war is a catastrophe for Spiritual Mountain. Thousand Pine Forest was destroyed, Solitary Heaven Peak, Long Crane Ridge, Full Moon Peak and other places were all burnt to the ground. Countless disciples were injured and sacrificed …"
Many of the disciples here had never seen this elusive Sect Leader up close, so they were extremely nervous as they listened anxiously.
"However, in this Heavenly Court War, Hidden Sword Court and Hidden Brocade Court …"
The disciples of Hidden Sword Court and the remaining disciples of Hidden Brocade Court knelt down one after another. The entire stone chamber was filled with kneeling sounds.
Ma Qianli continued, "... Both sides have a personal grudge against each other, disregarding their fellow sect members, abruptly abusing their position during the Heavenly Court War. They disregarded the sect rules and disregarded the precepts!
Li Chengfeng! "
Li Chengfeng's heart skipped a beat. He knew he could not bluff his way through this so he lowered his head and said, "Yes, Master!"
Ma Qianli's expression was cold. There was no trace of the warmth and gentleness he displayed when he spoke to Li Chengfeng in private. He yelled, "Do you know your crimes?!"
Li Chengfeng prostrated himself on the ground. "I was wrong!"
Li Chengfeng cunningly played with a word concept. Knowing one's sin and knowing one's mistake were two completely different meanings.
To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue.
If you know your sins and are willing to repent, your sins cannot be forgiven.
Ma Qianli was well aware of this. His eyes were sharp as he said, "You disobeyed the precepts and started a fight. You caused Qian Shanxue's death and Spirited Mountain to suffer great damage!
How can you just say you know you're wrong?! "
The Hidden Sword Court disciples were indignant, eager to try but Li Chengfeng turned slightly to glare at them. Xiaobao, Han Tianxing and the rest immediately swallowed their words.
Ouyang Nan's death had caused a serious problem. There was no one to look after these disciples for Li Chengfeng. Xiaobao and Han Tianxing were too inexperienced and did not have the authority.
In terms of prestige, Sun Yongcai had enough experience, but … he had yet to truly submit to Li Chengfeng. He would not put himself in Li Chengfeng's shoes for everything.
Li Chengfeng did not argue and kowtowed. "I am willing to go through fire and water to atone for my mistakes!"
The Hidden Brocade Court disciples were in an uproar. It was their turn to be indignant.
Li Chengfeng's' crimes' were enough to cripple his cultivation and expel him from the sect. If they were more severe, they could even sentence him to 'death'.
After all, Qian Shanxue died because of him!
And at such a critical time when Spiritual Mountain was attacked by Qiong Qi, they did not want to help but fight each other instead. They even killed Qian Shanxue, one of Spiritual Mountain Sect's pillars!
The death of a golden body master with a bright future was an immeasurable loss to Spiritual Mountain!
A loss like this could actually 'atone for his mistakes' and 'atone for his mistakes'?
Grand Senior Sister stared at him with admiration in her eyes. She knew that although Ma Qianli looked gentle and humble, he was actually a man of steel on the inside. He would not tolerate any provocation or disobedience from his subordinates when it came to important matters.
As expected, Ma Qianli's gaze softened when he saw that Li Chengfeng was willing to accept the consequences after pleading guilty.
To him, things were already done. If he punished Li Chengfeng harshly, the consequences would be unimaginable. What he needed to do now was to cut his losses.
But Li Chengfeng had to admit defeat!
Otherwise, if Li Chengfeng thought he had killed Qian Shanxue and became arrogant and disobedient, Ma Qianli might even kill him to get rid of him.
Ma Qianli said coldly, "You have committed many crimes in this chaos but you are not the main culprit!"
Li Chengfeng lay on the ground, his body twitching slightly as he glanced at Zhao Feiyue.
This was what Zhao Feiyue had told him to do. As a member of the royal family, she understood the mentality of a leader too well.
They were not afraid of their subordinates being strong or killing each other but they were most afraid of disobedience!
Hence, after Li Chengfeng played a trick, he immediately laid on the ground and got hammered, much to Ma Qianli's satisfaction.
Li Chengfeng continued to listen as Ma Qianli continued, "You can avoid death but you cannot escape punishment. Otherwise, how will Spiritual Mountain survive?"
Li Chengfeng immediately answered loudly, "I am willing to accept the punishment!"
Ma Qianli said, "In two months, the Divine Capital's World's Greatest Tournament will be held. You will represent Spiritual Mountain and lead the disciples to battle!
If you do not win first place, hmph!
You will be punished severely for both crimes! "
Li Chengfeng was stunned. The Divine Capital's World's Greatest Tournament?
Win first place?
Grand Senior Sister was stunned, her expression changing slightly. Zhao Feiyue's expression changed drastically as she lowered her head and coughed, then tried to signal Li Chengfeng with her eyes. But how could Li Chengfeng see that lying on the ground?
Plus, when he heard Zhao Feiyue's dry cough, he actually understood. But how could he say no in this situation?
Plus, to Li Chengfeng, he had won first place in the individual assessment and the Heavenly Court Battle under impossible circumstances. Why couldn't he win first place in the Divine Capital's World's Greatest Tournament?
Li Chengfeng yelled, "Yes, Master!"
There was an uproar in the hall as the Hidden Modesty Court and Hidden Beauty Court disciples shouted, "Why should he be the leader?!"
"Exactly!
Why?! "
"Our Grand Senior Sister should be the one leading!"
"Our Hidden Modesty Court can't accept this, our Senior Brother Li Xuanming should be the one leading!"
"Does Li Xuanming have a golden body?
How dare you lead a team without one? "
"Li Chengfeng doesn't have one either!
Why should he be the leader? "
Kong Yunzhen stepped forward and roared, "Shut up!"
This voice shook the stone room, causing the floor to tremble. Everyone immediately fell silent. The Profound Wasteland Great Formation during the battle with Qiong Qi had greatly shocked these disciples, and made them respect this acting Sect Leader again.
After Kong Yunzhen shocked them, he immediately took half a step back.
Ma Qianli huffed coldly. "Any objections?" As he spoke, he looked at Grand Senior Sister and Li Xuanming.
Grand Senior Sister and Li Xuanming immediately bowed and said in unison, "We have no objections!"
Ma Qianli nodded slightly. "Then it's settled!
Prepare yourselves, we'll depart in a week! "
Everyone's eyes fell on Li Chengfeng.
This disciple who had only joined the sect for two months had shouldered the heavy responsibility of leading Spiritual Mountain's most elite and outstanding disciples to participate in the World's Greatest Tournament!
What did this mean?
Everyone's gazes varied as they discussed amongst themselves.
Li Chengfeng took a deep breath. Although he felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him, his back was as straight as ever.
Along the way, he had faced countless dangers and perilous situations, but he had bravely fought his way through!
There would definitely be more dangers in the future but … Li Chengfeng clenched his fists and looked back. He saw Xiaobao, Han Tianxing and the rest's determined and joyful gazes. His heart was filled with determination and his desire to fight was unparalleled.
Because he knew he would no longer be fighting alone!
This time around, Li Chengfeng's name would completely walk out of the Spiritual Mountain and head toward the center of this land — the Divine Capital!