Chapter 65: The Netherworld Palace

Liao Yan's words, though not loud, were like a bolt from the blue. The moment he spoke, the surroundings instantly fell into a deathly silence!

And it was a silence that was somewhat terrifying!

Subsequently, everyone present, including the five elders, all exchanged glances, somewhat disbelieving their ears.

The expected grand rhetoric that would have pushed this grand event to its climax did not come from Liao Yan's mouth. Instead, what followed was... such a sudden order to leave!

How could this be?!

For a moment, everyone was at a loss, their gazes all turning to Liao Yan, who stood at the center of the VIP seats.

"Master, this..." Old Master Situ Chuan was the first to step forward, hesitating. However, before he could finish his words, he was ruthlessly interrupted by Master Liao Yan.

"The decision has been made, no more words are needed!" Master Liao Yan's expression finally turned grim, his every move abnormal. Then, he looked around at the guests and repeated his previous words: "Please return, everyone!"

This time, those who had come from all directions finally lost their composure, especially the important figures within a hundred miles, who were now embarrassed, as if they had been slapped in the face.

However, due to the authority of the Flowing Cloud Sect and Liao Yan, these old monsters, though full of resentment, did not dare to argue. After a few moments of contemplation, someone finally stepped forward reluctantly to bid farewell to the high-ranking members of the Flowing Cloud Sect.

"Since your sect has many inconveniences, I will take my leave first!" The bearded leader of the Horse Taming Gang was the first to approach Liao Yan, bowing, and then led his subordinates away from the square, heading down the mountain path.

"Master Liao, until we meet again!" The head of the Zhao family also led his people away, looking somewhat disheveled as he left.

"Master Liao, until we meet again!" The old woman of the Feng family, perhaps because she was a woman, showed some resentment on her face as she left.

"Green mountains remain, and clear waters flow. Master Liao, take care!"

"Today has been a disturbance. I will prepare a grand gift to visit your sect another day. Master Liao, until we meet again!"

"Alright, let's go..."

...

In a short span of time, the VIP seats were largely empty, and in a moment, almost everyone except the members of the Flowing Cloud Sect had left.

It could be said that everyone left in this manner with their faces tarnished. However, under the authority of the Flowing Cloud Sect and past relationships, these people, though disheveled, did not cause trouble. At most, some people expressed their dissatisfaction in their words.

But without a doubt, after today, the influence of the Flowing Cloud Sect within a hundred miles would suffer a significant blow. After all, many of the important figures within a hundred miles who were "driven away" by Liao Yan had lost face. Even the most magnanimous person would harbor resentment in the future.

"Attendant Fei, take your people to disperse the civilians outside the square and have them leave the Cloudy Mist Mountains immediately..." In front of the collapsed arena, Liao Yan sighed helplessly and instructed Attendant Fei. At this point, some things could not be undone.

Fortunately, the five elders and some high-ranking members of the sect were all reasonable and thoughtful people and did not cause trouble. They all stood quietly in place.

As time passed, they gradually realized that something significant had happened in the sect. Otherwise, Liao Yan, who usually maintained order in the sect, would not have acted so unreasonably, doing something that could damage the sect's prestige...

"Little Junior Brother, it seems our Flowing Cloud Sect is in trouble." In a corner of the VIP seats, Qi Zheng frowned slightly, even the usually gentle and refined him showing worry on his face.

But this was not surprising. Qi Zheng had grown up in the Flowing Cloud Sect and already considered it his home, with deep feelings for it.

"Perhaps it is so..." Next to Qi Zheng, Shen Chen sighed. Although his face did not show much change, his heart was already in turmoil. Since the attendant had run in panic, Shen Chen had a bad feeling, as if something was about to happen.

Soon, the villagers from within a hundred miles who had come to observe the grand event of the Flowing Cloud Sect were also dispersed by Attendant Fei and his people. Due to the large number of people, Shen Chen and the others, standing in front of the Purple Mist Hall, could see long lines of people on the mountain paths. Shen Chen even saw the figures of Wang Hao and Wang Zixin, the old and the young, who were being forced to leave while constantly looking back. They had come from far away but had not even met Shen Chen and Wang Yue, feeling somewhat reluctant.

Watching this from a distance, Wang Yue, standing at the bottom of the stone steps, was very anxious but could do nothing. There were too many people going down the mountain, and even if he chased after them, he could not get close to the old and the young.

"Alright, now all sect members listen to my command, enter the Purple Mist Hall, I have an important matter to announce!"

After the outsiders left, Liao Yan spoke again, his voice loud and deep, reaching everyone's ears.

His words immediately reignited some hope in many people's hearts. The master said he had an important matter to announce. Could it be that matter... Many disciples thought this, but they did not understand why such good news had to be announced behind closed doors...

However, the five elders and other senior members of the sect were not as optimistic. It was clear to everyone that when Liao Yan spoke those words, his tone was very heavy, which did not seem like he was about to announce good news.

"Master, is it because of me..." At this moment, Shen Chen also walked to Liao Yan's back and asked softly.

For some reason, he felt increasingly uneasy, sensing that a great disaster was about to befall them...

"Ah, brat, quickly enter the Purple Mist Hall, don't ask too many questions, I will handle it!" Liao Yan sighed, his gaze on Shen Chen somewhat complex.

Shen Chen, hearing this, did not know what to say and turned to follow a group of sect members and disciples into the Purple Mist Hall.

"Attendant Fei, take your people to patrol the places where the disciples and sect members live and frequently gather, try to avoid any mistakes. I need all sect members, regardless of who they are, to be in