Chapter 3140: Face Completely Lost! Please Begin Your Performance...

"Wang Teng, do you hold a single shred of respect for this deity?!"

The boiling rage within True God Yaofeng could no longer be contained, finally erupting into a glacial, piercing roar directed at Wang Teng.

Under these circumstances, He felt His dignity utterly stripped away, the hatred toward Wang Teng rising within His chest like a surging tide.

"Huh?"

Wang Teng adopted a thoroughly bewildered expression, gazing back at Him as he said, "I already gave you a thumbs-up. Is that still not respectful enough?"

"I bloody well... %&#..."

True God Yaofeng was so infuriated He wanted to curse out loud.

What kind of divine logic was a thumbs-up!

Was this scoundrel utterly incapable of moving past the bloody thumb?

"Pfft!"

From within those ten True God-level silhouettes of light and shadow, someone finally failed to suppress a chuckle.

Wang Teng glanced upward and noticed it was precisely that cynical, unruly True God.

The gazes of the other several True Gods also carried a strange hue, shifting back and forth between Wang Teng and True God Yaofeng.

Yet, there was nothing inherently wrong with Wang Teng's words.

The boy had literally given a thumbs-up; what more respect could anyone demand?

At any rate, there wasn't a trace of disrespect to be found.

It seemed True God Yaofeng had severely miscalculated in His attempt to gain the upper hand through a verbal assault.

This Wang Teng could truly be described as possessing a sharp tongue and a silver wit!

A situation that should have been overwhelmingly disadvantageous to him had been forcefully breached by this casual, jesting manner of his.

Now, if True God Yaofeng wished to entrap Wang Teng further, His momentum had already weakened by a fraction.

This, in turn, granted the others a perfect opportunity to intervene.

An assault meant to shatter a formidable fortress often began from such a tiny, unremarkable fissure.

True God Yaofeng’s visage darkened significantly in an instant; He truly had never suffered such a humiliation before.

Previously on the battlefield, it had only been in the presence of two True Gods. As for the other Immortal-level beings, they amounted to nothing.

After all, none of them would ever dare to behave insolently before Him.

But now, there were a full twelve True Gods gathered here.

He felt as though His face had been utterly thrown to the winds.

In the future circles of the True Gods, what dignity would He have left to speak of?

"Senior, I truly appreciate your profound love and care from the bottom of my heart. Please do not misunderstand my intentions."

As if feeling the fire was not yet hot enough, Wang Teng continued to add more fuel.

Since the opponent wished to use the guise of "doing it for his own good" to silence him, he would simply follow the opponent's logic to return the favor.

Let us see who could outtalk whom.

When it came to the art of verbal warfare, he harbored not a single shred of cowardice.

True God Yaofeng felt a dull ache throbbing in His temples, the corner of His eye twitching subtly.

The youth seemed to be dripping with gratitude toward Him at every turn, yet it felt entirely discordant to His ears.

It gave Him the frustrating sensation of striking a fist directly into a bale of cotton.

Particularly when looking at that smiling, profoundly grateful countenance, He felt a suffocating breath trapped right in His chest.

So utterly stifling!

True God Yaofeng took a deep, centering breath, forcing Himself to regain composure. Fixing a dark, frigid gaze upon Wang Teng, He spoke:

"Since you can speak thus, it seems you possess at least some sense of propriety."

"It appears you find no issue with this deity's proposal. Then let the seal be enacted according to the one-hundred-year term."

The moment the words fell, before Wang Teng could even part his lips, a sharp cry resounded through the air.

"Hold!"

The assembly immediately tracked the sound, discovering that the one who had spoken out was none other than Old Man Ji.

This demigod-level powerhouse of the Starry Sky Academy could finally sit idle no longer.

He could not simply stand by and watch Wang Teng be sealed away for an entire century.

For a prodigy of Wang Teng's caliber, a hundred years was far too long; it would utterly derail his path of martial arts.

Those present turned their gazes toward Old Man Ji one after another, their eyes reflecting a myriad of thoughts.

Many were astonished, sighing inwardly at the realization that there were truly quite a few protectors standing up for this Wang Teng.

First, it was Venerable Candle Demon of the Candle Dragon Clan, and now it was Old Man Ji of the Starry Sky Academy.

From this, one could perceive the weight Wang Teng held within the hearts of these individuals.

One must remember that the two of them represented two colossal factions, and their influence was by no means light.

Wang Teng raised an eyebrow, a touch of surprise surfacing within his heart.

This Old Man Ji had possessed a detached demeanor just moments ago, yet now he intervened with such urgency on his behalf.

To say he was untouched would be utterly ungrateful.

As expected, he was one of their own!

From this day forward, the Starry Sky Academy would be his second home within the cosmos.

As for the first?

That was naturally Earth, his home base.

Virtual Universe Company: Then shall I leave?

Sub-Professional Alliance Headquarters: And which home exactly am I to you?

"What is the meaning of this?"

True God Yaofeng cast a sidelong glance at Old Man Ji.

Although this demigod of the Light element possessed formidable strength, it was still insufficient to make Him feel any true apprehension.

Therefore, seeing Old Man Ji speak up, He did not take it to heart, His mind remaining perfectly serene. He did not believe the opponent could stir up any great waves.

"I do not agree to this proposal, nor will my Starry Sky Academy agree to it!"

Old Man Ji stood up, the turbidity in his gaze fading slightly to reveal a sharp, piercing edge.

"Why disagree? This deity acts for his own good."

True God Yaofeng remarked indifferently.

"Wang Teng is merely a Cosmos-level martial artist. How much dark force and calamity force could possibly be contained within his body?"

"Even the Immortals only require fifty years, yet you demand he be sealed away for a century?"

Elder Ji's voice cut through the air, icy and sharp:

"This is not for his benefit; this is a deliberate sabotage of his martial path!"

These words carried immense weight, directly stripping away the True God Yaofeng's righteous facade to expose the malice hidden beneath, revealing that he harbored no genuine concern for Wang Teng at all.

Around the room, many gave silent nods of agreement.

They were well aware of True God Yaofeng's true intentions, but most simply lacked the courage to voice their thoughts openly.

After all, none dared offend a supreme being of the True God echelon.

Given this particular deity's notoriously petty and vengeful nature, it would be disastrous if he marked them for retribution.

True God Chihuang and True God Zhulong remained quiet, refusing to rush their words.

Now that Elder Ji had brought the crucial issue to light, the next move rested entirely on True God Yaofeng.

They were eager to see what sort of twisted rhetoric the deity would construct to justify himself.

"Do not be so quick to anger!"

True God Yaofeng spoke with unhurried composure, his tone perfectly measured: "This god proposes a century for reasons that are entirely sound."

"And what reasons might those be?" Elder Ji pressed forward sharply.

True God Yaofeng cast a brief glance at Wang Teng, a subtle curve touching the corner of his lips as he murmured, "There are several."

Hearing this, the hearts of the onlookers sank slightly.

True God Yaofeng appeared extraordinarily confident.

Wang Teng, however, maintained his serene demeanor, even making an inviting gesture with his hand toward True God Yaofeng, as if to say...

Please, begin your performance!

A few prominent veins pulsed visibly on True God Yaofeng's forehead, yet he maintained his calm facade as he spoke:

"The first reason: Wang Teng's current strength is meager. His inherent resistance against the dark power and the cataclysmic energy is undeniably weaker than that of an Immortal-level warrior, which naturally necessitates a longer period of purification and expulsion."

Many nodded along in agreement, finding no immediate flaw in this reasoning.

A faint smirk played upon True God Yaofeng's lips; since he had chosen to speak, he had naturally come fully prepared.

"The second reason concerns Wang Teng's unique talent. Let none of you forget that Wang Teng is a warrior of the Light element."

"While the rest of you cannot endure the Light Mystic Realm for an extended period, Wang Teng faces no such restriction."

"Furthermore, this may not even be a disadvantage for him."

"That very realm might even serve to elevate Wang Teng's profound strength..."

At this point, he redirected his gaze back toward the elder.

"You claim this god seeks to ruin Wang Teng's martial path. Pray tell, is there a ruination quite like this?"

The surrounding space fell into an immediate hush.

The onlookers widened their eyes slightly, the internal scales of their judgment suddenly tipping in a different direction.

When framed in such a manner... it seemed completely reasonable.

Initially, they had indeed harbored biases and suspicions regarding True God Yaofeng's motives, assuming he intended to trap Wang Teng.

Yet this second reason effortlessly shattered their preconceptions without leaving a trace.

A few individuals even began to reflect upon their own cynicism, wondering if they had truly measured the heart of a gentleman with the malice of a scoundrel.

Elder Ji's gaze narrowed slightly, not expecting True God Yaofeng to weaponize Wang Teng's own talent against them.

Previously, he and Wang Teng had indeed intended to reap a grand harvest within that Light Mystic Realm.

For warriors of the Light element, that realm was undeniably a paradise; there was no room for denial on that front.

Nor could it be refuted.

However, no matter how extraordinary a secret realm might be, spending a whole century inside remained a profound waste.

Especially for a warrior like Wang Teng, who possessed a rare affinity for multiple elements.

The Light Mystic Realm could only nurture a fraction of Wang Teng's potential, leaving the rest of his gifts entirely neglected.

Yet, the opponent had spoken one absolute truth.

The prolonged stay in the Light Mystic Realm would not actually harm Wang Teng.

Whether he remained within for a hundred years or a thousand, it would cause no detriment to his foundation.

It offered nothing but pure benefits without any hidden costs.

A warrior blessed with the Light talent was, after all, fundamentally different from those who lacked it.

Nonetheless, Elder Ji remained absolutely certain that True God Yaofeng harbored malicious intent, and he could not allow the deity to succeed.

"You are merely avoiding the core issue to focus on trivialities!"

Elder Ji shook his head without hesitation, countering firmly: "You remember only that Wang Teng possesses the Light talent, yet you choose to ignore his other gifts. Forcing Wang Teng to languish in the Light Mystic Realm for a century is nothing short of squandering his true potential."

"Do not be in such a hurry!"

True God Yaofeng seemed to have anticipated this counterargument long ago. He offered a faint smile, exuding complete confidence as he spoke:

"This god's third reason takes Wang Teng's other talents into full account."

Hearing this, Elder Ji's heart missed a beat.

The adversary had foreseen even this variable?

His preparations were alarmingly thorough.

He could only wonder what sort of narrative the deity would weave next.

An unfamiliar sense of uncertainty began to creep into his chest.

Wang Teng's gaze flickered with a sudden intensity as he cast a surprised look at True God Yaofeng. What other schemes did this deity still have hidden up his sleeve?

He had to admit, True God Yaofeng possessed a remarkable knack for making the absurd sound utterly plausible.

There was no need to rush.

He would let the bullet fly a little longer.

Sensing the collective focus of the crowd shifting entirely onto his figure, True God Yaofeng allowed a subtle smile to grace his features before speaking:

"Every one of you witnessed Wang Teng's performance upon the battlefield earlier."

"The talent and methods he displayed far surpassed those of his contemporaries, even eclipsing many who dwell within the Immortal realm."

"If such a peerless prodigy, due to an incomplete purification, falls under the corrupting influence of the dark power and cataclysmic energy, only to be consumed by them in the end..."

"Who among you will step forward to bear the consequences?"

"This would not merely be a loss; it would be a monumental catastrophe."

"The danger he would pose far exceeds that of any compromised Immortal!"

"Furthermore, if this god remembers correctly, Wang Teng previously appeared to possess an extraordinarily deep understanding of that Cataclysmic Demon Body."

"This situation is rather intriguing."

The dagger was drawn, the final cards laid bare!

The third reason voiced by True God Yaofeng was an outright revelation of hostile intent, pointing the spearhead directly at the most fundamental issue—Wang Teng's talent!

Yes, his talent!

Originally, in everyone's minds, the fact that Wang Teng possessed numerous and powerful talents was naturally a good thing, highly advantageous to him.

Yet now, coming from the mouth of True God Yaofeng, it was twisted into something sinister, turned into... the very root of calamity!

One could call it slander, but it could also be spun as a form of preventative caution, a manifestation of deep foresight.

The very act of confining these powerhouses within the Light Mystic Realm was already a preventative caution, a manifestation of deep foresight.

When applied to Wang Teng, could it suddenly not be allowed?

Therefore, True God Yaofeng's words were technically flawless.

Everyone could see his sinister intent; his purpose was absolutely not, as he claimed, truly for Wang Teng's own good.

But it was difficult to refute.

Because everything True God Yaofeng said contained no falsehoods; they were the exact concerns shared by all.

Wang Teng was a Universe Realm martial artist, true, but his talents and methods were indeed extraordinary, his performance on the battlefield putting even Immortal Realm powerhouses to shame. With such a genius, who would dare risk him actually being corrupted by darkness and disaster?

Even if there were only a one-in-a-tenth-thousand chance, they could not take that gamble!

However, this final accusation did leave people somewhat bewildered and uncertain.

As for Wang Teng, everyone naturally trusted him, for it was he who had helped the Universe of Light defeat those dark entities.

To claim Wang Teng was connected to the dark species was something likely no one would believe.

Yet, exactly how Wang Teng knew the secrets of that Calamity Demon Body was indeed a matter of supreme curiosity.

That Calamity Demon Body was utterly terrifying and mysterious!

The Universe of Light's understanding of it was extremely limited; the powerhouses present had never even laid eyes on that Calamity Demon Body before now.

Though they had clashed with it during this great war, they had similarly failed to uncover its true nature.

If they encountered it again in the future, they would likely remain at their wits' end, thoroughly suppressed by that Calamity Demon Body.

Thus, if they could learn some secrets regarding the Calamity Demon Body from Wang Teng, it would not be a bad thing at all.

Consequently, everyone's gazes subconsciously drifted toward Wang Teng.

Wang Teng really had not expected True God Yaofeng to drag the conversation in this direction.

What a bloody stretch!

Did he debut as a professional dough-stretcher?

Wang Teng felt entirely powerless to complain in his heart, his eyes sweeping over True God Yaofeng.

As a result, the other party believed Wang Teng was finally cornered; a hint of triumphant mockery surfaced in his eyes as he stared placidly at Wang Teng.

Thud!

Right at that moment, a heavy, dull sound suddenly rang out.

Everyone was startled, their gazes shifting toward the noise.

They saw True God Zhulong slam a palm onto the metal ring-table before him, causing the sturdy surface to shake violently.

Following his hand, everyone looked up at his face; this True God's expression had darkened so deeply it seemed ready to drip water. His cold gaze was fixed on True God Yaofeng, before sweeping around the entire room.

Everyone caught in his glare instinctively averted their eyes, simply not daring to meet his gaze.

"Yaofeng, what is the meaning of this?"

"Are you doubting Wang Teng?"

True God Zhulong's gaze returned to True God Yaofeng, asking in an exceptionally calm tone.

If anyone familiar with him were present, they would know that at this moment, he was enraged to the absolute limit.

Beneath that calm tone, a tempestuous fury seemed to simmer.

"This god implies nothing, I am merely somewhat curious. How is it that a secret unknown even to us happens to be known by Wang Teng?" True God Yaofeng said with a chuckle.