Inside the Ancestral Hall, the atmosphere, which had been relatively mild, suddenly turned cold.

The elders of the Xuan Tian Sect all looked at Gu Zao with anger in their eyes.

Even Duan Changsheng's face lost its smile and became solemn, his sharp eyes glancing at Gu Zao as he said, "May I ask, Senior Gu Zao, what do you mean by this?"

"Does the Luminous Saint Sect intend to break the agreement?" The Second Elder, Xiao Zhan, suddenly stood up, his face turning cold.

"Break the agreement?"

Facing the angry gazes of the crowd, Gu Zao remained unperturbed, rising to his feet with a laugh. "The promise made back then was by our Luminous Saint Sect to the Xuan Tian Sacred Ground, not to the Xuan Tian Sect. How can there be any talk of breaking the agreement?"

Facing Gu Zao's blatant contempt and mockery, the elders could no longer hold back.

The Grand Elder was the first to rise, slamming the table as he spoke with conviction, "Since the founding ancestor of our Xuan Tian Sect, passed down from the Xuan Tian Sacred Ground, who in the world does not know! It is the Luminous Saint Sect that, even now, lacks even a Saint-level figure. Yet, they still claim to be a sacred land. Tell me, why can't the Xuan Tian Sect establish a Saint Son?"

"Hmph..."

Gu Zao sneered in response, "Since the fall of the Xuan Tian Emperor, the aura of the Desolate Wilderness has dissipated, the heavenly path is obscured, spiritual energy is gradually depleting, and talents are withering. With a king-level powerhouse presiding over the sect, it can be considered a sacred land! Our Luminous Saint Master is naturally talented and has already begun to comprehend the heavenly path with the cultivation of the Golden Body, transcending into the realm of saints..."

Here, Gu Zao swept his disdainful gaze over the Xuan Tian Sect's people one by one, sneering, "On the other hand, none of you even have a king-level powerhouse at the Heavenly Human Realm in the sect. Your sect master is only at the Elemental Spirit Realm. How can you compare with our Luminous Saint Sect?"

The elders were furious.

"What a grandiose excuse! But let me tell you, our Xuan Tian Sect has been able to stand tall and proud since the founding of the Xuan Tian Emperor. Even in the face of adversity, we will eventually restore our former glory!" The Third Elder spoke with righteous indignation.

"Restore former glory?" Gu Zao sneered, "Just because of that so-called Saint Son who managed to activate the Xuan Tian Infinite Array and repel the Beast Taming Sect? Anyone can talk big, but what does it matter?"

"Outrageous!"

The Second Elder roared in anger, walking to the statues of the Heavenly Emperor and the Great Emperor Xuan Tian, kneeling down with a mournful expression. "Our founding ancestor imparted teachings and helped build up the Luminous Saint Sect, but they turn out to be ungrateful wolves! "

"Humph, for millions of years, our Luminous Saint Sect has always been the vanguard for the Xuan Tian Sect. We have provided assistance without complaint. When news of the fall of the Xuan Tian Emperor came, if it weren't for our Luminous Saint Sect's protection out of past friendship, the Xuan Tian Sect would have long ceased to exist!"

Gu Zao sneered.

"Nonsense! In recent years, our Xuan Tian Sect has been repeatedly suppressed. Has the Luminous Saint Sect ever offered any assistance?"

"The reason why our Xuan Tian Sect has been able to stand tall is because of the many legacies left by the Emperor and countless sacrifices made by our predecessors. The shameless boasting of the Luminous Saint Sect, don't you feel any shame?"

...

Both sides were adamant, and in the Ancestral Hall, before the statues of the Heavenly Emperor and the Great Emperor Xuan Tian, the argument escalated.

Duan Changsheng sat at the head of the table, watching the commotion with a cold eye.

Having experienced life and death trials and the treacherous hearts of men, he understood that in this world where strength was paramount, arguing was meaningless; might made right.

"Enough!"

As if making a significant decision, Duan Changsheng suddenly stood up, his stern voice cutting through the clamor.

"Senior Gu Zao, our sect is aware of the Luminous Saint Sect's intentions. Breaking the agreement is your prerogative, but establishing a Saint Son is also ours. From now on, our two sects will go our separate ways and have no further dealings!"

Impoverished in a bustling market, ignored by all; rich in the deep mountains, with distant relatives, Duan Changsheng had long seen through it and was too lazy to argue further.

Strength was everything!

If the Xuan Tian Sect still had its former strength, would the Luminous Saint Sect dare to adopt such an attitude?

"Sect Master, our Xuan Tian Sect has been passed down from the Xuan Tian Emperor himself. We have never bowed or groveled to anyone or any force. This act of breaking the agreement is unacceptable to us!" The elders exclaimed.

Seeing the resolute and eager expressions of the elders of the Xuan Tian Sect, Gu Zao's heart let out a smug laugh.

"Indeed, as the Saint Master predicted, these loyalists of the Xuan Tian Sect may not have much ability, but they have always clung to the glory of their ancestors and their pride, refusing to bend. This suits our purpose perfectly!"

As expected, Duan Changsheng directly refused.

"Senior Gu Zao, our sect will never agree to this!"

...

Seeing the elders of the Xuan Tian Sect, all full of anxiety and urgency, Gu Zao's heart let out a smug laugh.

"As expected, the Saint Master predicted correctly. These loyalists of the Xuan Tian Sect may not have much ability, but they have always clung to the glory of their ancestors and their pride, refusing to bend. This suits our purpose perfectly!"

As expected, Duan Changsheng directly refused.

"Senior Gu Zao, our sect will never agree to this!"

...

Seeing the elders of the Xuan Tian Sect, all full of anxiety and urgency, Gu Zao's heart let out a smug laugh.

"As expected, the Saint Master predicted correctly. These loyalists of the Xuan Tian Sect may not have much ability, but they have always cl

ung to the glory of their ancestors and their pride, refusing to bend. This suits our purpose perfectly!"

However, what he didn't know was that there had always been a sharp gaze staring at him, seemingly able to penetrate his heart.

"Beating with a stick, then offering a sweet date. The Luminous Saint Sect truly has a good strategy."

Suddenly, Duan Changsheng spoke, his voice calm but filled with a hint of anger.

The elders suddenly realized that the Luminous Saint Sect's actions were clearly aimed at intimidating the Xuan Tian Sect and becoming the masters, almost falling for it.

"Speak, since the Luminous Saint Sect is so kind as to marry off their Saintess, there must be conditions attached, right?" Duan Changsheng's eyes were sharp, his tone deep.

Having seen through his thoughts, Gu Zao was slightly surprised, but quickly regained his warm smile.

"Master Duan is truly insightful. However, our Luminous Saint Sect has no strict conditions. We just want to discuss the matter of the betrothal gifts with your sect."

"Betrothal gifts?"

The elders were once again puzzled, not understanding why Gu Zao suddenly brought up the matter of betrothal gifts.

But Duan Changsheng's gaze was sharp, his mind clear. He understood.

"All the talk before was nonsense, beating around the bush. The so-called betrothal gifts must be their ultimate goal..." Taking a deep breath, Duan Changsheng looked at the smiling Gu Zao, his expression becoming serious. "Indeed, they have their eyes on that thing!"

But the elders didn't understand and asked about the Luminous Saint Sect's requirements for the betrothal gifts.

At this moment, Gu Zao became straightforward, saying, "According to the usual specifications, the Xuan Tian Sect can decide for themselves. But since this is a reunion of our two sects after thousands of years, we must give it due importance. Our Saint Master requests an additional item as a betrothal gift, to show sincerity."

"Just one more item, and the Luminous Saint Sect is so generous?" The elders were quite surprised.

But Duan Changsheng's expression became grave. "What item?"

"The Xuan Tian Key!"

Gu Zao stared at Duan Changsheng, smiling faintly.

"The Xuan Tian Key? What is that?"

Although the elders present were high-ranking figures in the Xuan Tian Sect, they had never heard of such a thing existing within the sect.

"The Xuan Tian Key is passed down by the successive sect masters of the Xuan Tian Sect, so Master Duan should be well aware." Gu Zao smiled as he watched Duan Changsheng.

"Indeed, it's for that thing."

Duan Changsheng sighed inwardly, his expression becoming uncertain.

The Xuan Tian Key, preserved by the successive sect masters of the Xuan Tian Sect, had been targeted by that terrifying Saint long ago. Now, the Luminous Saint Sect also wanted it, and there was no more secrecy.