Well killed.

Three simple words fell.

Ye Lan breathed a small sigh of relief, but the gravity in his eyes did not diminish.

As one of the three Great Generals of Southern Defense, Lord Yan naturally carried immense weight in his words and held great authority in the Great Nan Continent.

However, just as previously mentioned, he differed greatly in temperament from the other two colleagues and, when facing them head-on as one against two, he was usually the one being sidelined and sulking.

Shen Yi's blatant defiance against the orders from above, especially his use of the revelation of the Demon Slayer Bureau's existence as a threat to his colleagues, was not something that could simply be excused with a word from General Yan.

"..."

The Green-Haired Jade Lion, too, lifted its head to look at its master, somewhat puzzled.

This was its first encounter with this lad in dark robes, but from this event alone, it was clear that, despite his quiet and introverted appearance, he was definitely an indomitable and unruly character.

Even if his temperament was somewhat to the master's liking, he was not the right candidate for nurturing.

Yan Lanting ignored the gazes of the two, stepping forward leisurely until he was before Shen Yi: "While avenging a friend feels satisfying, did you consider the consequences before killing?"

"Not just for the sake of revenge."

Shen Yi glanced to the side, responding calmly.

He had joined the Demon Slayer Bureau initially to find a backer.

If the Ape Demon could brazenly act, bring catastrophe to the Three Prefectures, and kill countless civilians and Demon Slayers, yet return unscathed,

then this Divine Dynasty would not count as a reliable support.

While others joined the Demon Slayer Bureau for Human Emperor Qi, Shen Yi possessed a Demon Lifespan to substitute for it, so his need for the former was not that great.

Now he also carried the title of Peak Master of Shenxu Mountain.

Given these circumstances, there was actually no need to go back.

"Alas."

As if discerning the thoughts in Shen Yi's heart, Yan Lanting let out a long sigh.

Yang Mingli and Feng Xi were both intelligent people, both saw the instability of current affairs, but precisely because they saw so clearly, they were filled with trepidation.

These two were not unaware of the consequences.

Even the Demon Slayer Officers below had lost trust in the Imperial Court, let alone the myriad common people.

Once such a precedent is set, the harm to the Divine Dynasty was almost irreparable.

They were simply too afraid to act.

"Were you present when the Seven Treasures Bodhisattva was preaching?" Yan Lanting abruptly changed the subject.

"Yes." Shen Yi nodded in response.

"Actually, old ones like us probably have guessed something."

Yan Lanting lifted his gaze toward the distance, speaking indifferently: "Ever since the Imperial Court established the Immortal Department and started recruiting talents widely, it has hoped to take control over powers like Cloud Formation and Rainfall into its own hands."

"Don't forget, these are the deeds of the Immortals."

"Small squabbles might be manageable, but if the Immortal Department grows in influence, then where does that leave the Celestial Court?"

A Fifth Grade Cultivator, whether in the Mortal Realm or in the heavens, is a personage of significance.

But whether it was Ye Lan or the Green-Haired Jade Lion, they both instinctively lowered their gazes upon hearing these words.

Such a straightforward truth was something anyone could understand.

It's just that nobody dared to speak of it.

The Human Emperor established the Immortal Department, claiming it to be in support of the Immortal Court, but the intention was quite obvious.

In short, competing with the heavens and the earth for power.

But the Immortals had governed this world for countless eons; in their eyes, the Divine Dynasty's actions were as laughable as children playing house.

Finding a few Wild Dragons to transport water and employing some Loose Cultivators to conjure thunder, and that would replace the vast Immortal Court?

Absurd and laughable.

"The Bodhi Sect's scriptures being stolen, coupled with preaching by the Bodhisattva, aimed nothing more than to disseminate teachings to the Human World, indiscriminate of good and evil, magnifying greed within people's hearts."

"The mounts of the Three Immortals Sect causing trouble across the lands, then responding with a smile and apologies, making it hard for the Imperial Court to take a strong stance; like boiling frogs in warm water, causing the commoners to lose trust in the Divine Dynasty."

"The Immortal Court pretends to ignore, watching as chaos gradually emerges in the Human World."

Yan Lanting's expression became colder, turning his head to look at the youth beside him: "Do you know the reason?"

"..."

After a moment of silence, Shen Yi lifted his gaze and met the other's eyes: "The Divine Dynasty is succeeding."

Yan Lanting was taken aback for a moment, then let out a wry chuckle: "Right."

Although it remains to be seen what threat this nearly playful Immortal Department can pose to the Celestial Court, the reactions of these Immortals and the Celestial Court themselves all testify that the Human Emperor of the Imperial Court has indeed made all these lofty beings feel seriously pressured.

"That's the reason why those Southern Defense Generals are afraid."

Yan Lanting slowly turned his body: "After all, when we joined this place, the talk was of balancing the Three Religions, but it was never about turning against this expanse of the sky."

It is true that the Immortal Court is made up of the Three Religions.

But there's a vast difference between match wits with the loose Immortal families and directly contending against the whole world.

"Of course, all this is just an old man's speculation, not to be taken as truth."

Yan Lanting waved his hand and changed his tone: "The reason I tell you all this is just to say, if by some chance the old man has guessed correctly even in the slightest, then from now on, what the Demon Slayer Bureau requires will no longer be those well-behaved individuals responsible for maintaining stability, but real troublemakers."

Speaking of which, he suddenly laughed: "Yes, just like you, a troublemaker."

If one were obedient, how could they dare to draw swords against the heavens and the earth?

"How about following this old man?"

Yan Lanting extended his palm towards him.

Shen Yi watched as the token of a Demon Slayer Officer flew out from within his garment, but it didn't fly toward the other man, instead, it landed in his own palm.

Upon seeing this, Ye Lan and the Green-Haired Jade Lion's expressions both changed slightly.

Having just joined the Demon Slayer Bureau, to leapfrog from a Demon Slayer to receiving a title, such an occurrence was probably unprecedented in the entire Great Nan Continent.

"..."