In the depths of the night, a sudden and magnificent brilliance erupted in the sky. This beam of light, bursting forth from the earth, shot up into the heavens, illuminating the dark canvas above.
Accompanying this celestial spectacle was a tremor that reverberated through the consciousness field of everyone present.
This tremor was followed by a deep and thunderous roar that resonated in the consciousness field of nearly one hundred thousand people across the realm.
“Execute Jared, and in return for his head, I shall grant a hundred years of offerings from my Demon Seal Alliance…”
The voice was unmistakably that of Talcott, the revered leader of the Demon Seal Alliance. This announcement, echoing in the consciousness field of many, stirred a wave of disbelief and shock.
In the quarters of the Five Great Sects, numerous individuals were jolted awake by this unexpected message.
Heinrick, in particular, leaped from his bed, his eyes wide as he gazed at the light piercing the night. He murmured to himself in awe, “A century’s worth of offerings from the Demon Seal Alliance… What immense resources those would be.”
The Demon Seal Alliance, known for its widespread influence across the Ethereal Realm, commanded vast resources. A hundred years of devoted offerings represented an almost limitless well of resources that could significantly accelerate the cultivation process for any sect.
As Heinrick hastily dressed and made his way to the grand hall, he couldn’t help but wonder aloud, “What could Jared have possibly done to provoke such a drastic reaction from the Demon Seal Alliance? To use distant telepathy and even promise a century’s worth of offerings?”
In the grand hall, many leaders and members of the Five Great Sects had already gathered.
Lauden presided over the gathering, his ence commanding attention. presence
Heinrick, upon entering, voiced his curiosity, “I see we’ve all received the distant telepathy from the Demon Seal Alliance. What could Jared have done to draw such ire?”
“It’s hard to say, but for the Demon Seal Alliance to offer a hundred years of offerings as a bounty, it suggests Jared must have caused a significant upheaval,” Edward, the sect leader of Celestial Sun Sect, chimed in.
Stuart Wilcox, the sect leader of Celestial Moon Sect, speculated further, “Perhaps Jared is responsible for the death of Talcott’s son? What else could possibly incite such wrath from the leader of the Demon Seal Alliance?”
“With the Demon Seal Alliance’s century-long offerings now in play, our Five Great Sects stand to gain immensely. All we need to do is capture Jared and hand him over. This could secure our cultivation resources for years to come,” said Keelan Cervantes, the sect leader of Celestial Dawn Sect.
Heinrick agreed, “Indeed, we should move quickly to apprehend Jared before someone else takes advantage of this situation.”
However, Lauden remained contemplative and silent.
The temptation of the Demon Seal Alliance’s offerings was undeniable, but apprehending Jared, with whom they held no personal grudge, solely for the reward troubled him.
As the Five Great Sects had always been known for their integrity and righteousness, engaging in such opportunistic actions seemed contrary to their principles.
Moreover, Lauden, one of their own, had reservations about the Demon Seal Alliance and its methods.
Lauden, addressing the gathered sect leaders, spoke with conviction. “Ladies and gentlemen, now that we’ve established Jared’s innocence in the matter of the Five Elites, arresting him solely for the Demon Seal Alliance’s bounty would tarnish the reputation of our Five Great Sects. The hundred-year offerings are indeed tempting, but we must remember our ancestral teachings. We are a sect of repute and orthodoxy. Unlike many in the Ethereal Realm who would resort to unscrupulous means for cultivation, we must maintain our integrity.”
“I urge all of us to preserve the last vestiges of justice in our hearts. Jared’s dispute with the Demon Seal Alliance is their affair, not ours. We will allow Jared and his companions to depart from our territory tomorrow,” he added.
Heinrick, however, struggled with this decision, his confusion evident.
“Mr. Delacroix, if we fail to take action, it is highly likely that others will. Should we just passively observe and let this opportunity slip away?” His eyes fixed on Lauden, searching for comprehension in the midst of this ethical predicament.
