166: Protagonist panel?

Elder Wu gritted his teeth, not understanding why Xu Sanyan was pressing him so hard. They could have coexisted peacefully, and he had even promised to give Xu Sanyan a share of Spirit Stones every year. Wouldn't it be better to just stay at home and collect Spirit Stones without doing anything?

Why bother making an enemy of him?

However, he didn't know that Xu Sanyan actually had no great need for Spirit Stones. He wasn't particularly concerned about them; as long as there were enough Spirit Stones, that was fine. Too many wouldn't serve much purpose.

But what he wanted was power!

He didn't want anyone else to be on equal footing with him, besides the Hall Master. He wanted to hold all power in his hands!

Once he had power, what were mere Spirit Stones?

Strength and power were the true Dao, while Spirit Stones were just their accessories.

Once he firmly held the Chixin Lineage in his grasp, what could he not obtain?

Their gazes met, and Elder Wu tightly clutched the golden gall in his hand.

Song Wuqiu spoke at this moment, "The Hall Master can send someone to investigate Elder Wu's Immortal Cave. This year's share was just submitted not long ago; I believe Elder Wu has not yet had time to process it."

Elder Wu sighed softly upon hearing this, remaining silent.

There were many items each year, and he indeed hadn't had time to sort and process them. Moreover, there were many people and eyes in his residence, so this matter would be easy to verify. It would be impossible to hide.

Years of peaceful coexistence had made him relax his guard. He had long treated such matters as routine, acting more and more recklessly. Now, he was finally facing the backlash.

Mad Daoist turned to look at Elder Wu, seemingly waiting for him to admit his guilt voluntarily.

Xu Sanyan smiled, also looking at him.

Elder Wu's expression was dejected. He slowly rose, "Your subordinate pleads guilty. I hope the Hall Master, considering my many years of hard work, will allow your subordinate to resign from the Hall Master position and go down the mountain to atone for my sins."

Mad Daoist took a gulp of wine and looked at Xu Sanyan, "From now on, all matters, big and small, on Red Dragon Mountain will be decided by the Saint. Don't bother me anymore."

With that, he rose and walked out.

"Farewell, Hall Master."

Everyone bowed in salute.

Only Xu Sanyan pursed his lips, his expression slightly fluctuating. He heard a voice transmission in his ear, "I hope there won't be a next time."

Xu Sanyan knew what this meant. This time, he had borrowed the Hall Master's influence to resolve the matter so swiftly. If the Hall Master hadn't come, even if he had presented evidence, he wouldn't have been able to definitively condemn Elder Wu immediately.

Because strength was the foundation of everything.

Elder Wu was a Cultivator at Soul Refinement Perfection, and he was not afraid to confront Xu Sanyan head-on.

Xu Sanyan looked at Elder Wu beside him, smiled slightly, and said loudly, "Elder Xuan, according to the Sect's Discipline, how should he be dealt with?"

Elder Xuan was the Hall Master of the Discipline Hall of Red Dragon Mountain. Although he belonged to Red Dragon Mountain, he was actually from Tongxin Mountain.

The Discipline Hall was not under the Saint's jurisdiction; it only obeyed the Sect Master and the three Hall Masters. Therefore, Xu Sanyan could not command him.

A person walked out from the crowd. His figure was round, and his Face was also very round. From a distance, he looked like a small ball stacked on a large ball, which left a deep impression.

Elder Xuan said solemnly, "His Elder authority shall be revoked, all his assets confiscated, and he shall be sent to the Spirit Mine for a hundred years to atone for his sins."

Elder Wu was shocked and was about to speak when he heard Xu Sanyan say, "That's a bit too harsh. Elder Wu has worked hard for many years; even if he has no merit, he has suffered. In my opinion, how about having him guard White Sheep City to atone for his sins?"

Elder Xuan nodded, "As the Saint wishes."

He was also happy to give Xu Sanyan some Face.

Elder Wu secretly resented this. Was this feigned kindness meant to make him express gratitude?

"Hmph!"

Elder Wu snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and left without uttering any harsh words.

There would be plenty of time in the future. No matter what, his cultivation at Soul Refinement Realm Perfection was still there. Once he broke through to Dao Integration, even if he couldn't sit in the Hall Master position, his status would be greatly different. Then, he would come back to reclaim everything he had lost!

Elder Wu took one last look at Crimson Heart Hall and left without looking back.

Xu Sanyan was not pleading for Elder Wu. It was impossible to send a dignified Soul Refinement Realm Cultivator to mine, and even if he agreed, the Hall Master would not.

It would be more reliable to arrange a leisurely position for him to retire to.

Xu Sanyan looked at the Elders of the various halls, "Will you confess yourselves, or wait for me to investigate? If you confess yourselves, you can be dealt with leniently. If you wait for me to find out..."

Xu Sanyan's cold gaze swept over them, and the Elders remained silent.

After a while, people gradually came forward to confess. Xu Sanyan did not pursue them relentlessly; he merely demoted them. They would serve as Deputy Hall Masters, still managing the internal affairs of the hall, while his own people would be promoted to Hall Masters to oversee them.

Although these people had made mistakes, they were very familiar with the hall's procedures. Abruptly replacing them could lead to errors. It was better to let them atone for their sins.

However, the embezzled gains would certainly be confiscated: half given to the Sect and half kept for the Internal Affairs Hall's own use.

The Internal Affairs Hall was also equivalent to Xu Sanyan's wallet.

...

Ten days later.

The various halls had initially stabilized and were operating normally without any errors. Elder Wu had already gone down the mountain. Now, the Hall Master of the Affairs Hall was Liu Tang.

It had been promised to Song Wuqiu earlier, but he knew his own status and declined, so it was given to Liu Tang, while Song Wuqiu continued as the Hall Master of the Corpse Blood Hall, his position unchanged.

Outside Crimson Heart Hall, in a spacious square, there were eight arenas, with two people sparring on each platform.

The Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition had already reached its final stage, with only sixteen people remaining. Today, the top eight would be decided.

Xu Sanyan sat at the head, gazing at the platform, and took a sip from his teacup.

These sixteen individuals were all quite capable, selected from over two thousand Outer Sect Disciples. They could be considered outstanding talents, one in a hundred.

One person, in particular, caught Xu Sanyan's attention. This person was a young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with an ordinary appearance and a very common build, wearing a black robe. There was nothing about him that stood out.

He was the kind of person you could throw onto the street, and no one would give him a second look.

But Xu Sanyan was very optimistic about him. He guessed that this young man would be the champion of this Grand Competition.

The young man held a pitch-black long sword in his hand and, in just three moves, had the blade resting on his opponent's neck.

In his opinion, the young man had held back; otherwise, he could have defeated his opponent in one move.

Invincible in the same realm?

"Lin Fan, wins!"

The victory and defeat on the platform were decided. As expected, the young man defeated his opponent and successfully advanced.

Xu Sanyan propped his head, secretly rolling his eyes. Look at that name, Lin Fan?

Based on his many years of experience reading novels in his previous life, anyone with the surname Ye, Lin, Xiao, Wang, Chu,

and whose name contained characters like Fan, Yan, Feng, Yi, etc., was most likely the protagonist.

If you added circumstances like deceased parents, a sister but no house, a family heirloom, or being rejected from a marriage, then he was definitely the protagonist.

Xiang Tan stood by his side. Seeing Xu Sanyan staring at the young man, she whispered, "What's wrong, Senior Brother? Is there a problem with him?"

Xu Sanyan slowly shook his head and instructed, "Bring him to my room later."

Xiang Tan was startled, then slowly nodded, "Okay..."

Xu Sanyan felt she was a little strange and glanced at her, "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing, I just don't know why Senior Brother wants to see him alone."

Xu Sanyan was silent for a moment and did not answer, "Send someone to investigate his background. Don't do anything extra, and don't let him find out. Just investigate his background."

"Yes."

Xu Sanyan pondered to himself, hoping he was overthinking things. How could there be something as absurd as a protagonist's panel?

Thinking this, his mind moved, and the panel appeared in his eyes.