Patriarch You Yi's words were not something the people in the hall had expected.
In fact, the most shocked were none other than Lin Mu and Jing Luo.
"You were there during that attack at the shrine?" Jing Luo questioned doubtfully.
"I was, aye… it is not a day I like to remember, but it is something that taught me a lot of things." You Yi replied, complex emotions visible in his eyes.
"I see…" Jing Luo muttered in response, not knowing what to say.
He still remembered what his grandfather had told him a long time ago.
'The companions that stood with me during the battle at the shrine will forever be my companions.' These were the words that echoed in Jing Luo's mind.
They weren't much, but they were impactful to him. This complicated things for him and he didn't know what to think of the Long Cloud sect anymore. Jing Wei himself had not said anything particular about the patriarch of the Long Cloud sect after the betrayal, and thus he didn't know how to respond.
If there was a concrete decision given to him, Jing Luo would have chosen to respond differently. But for now, he could only think to his grandfather's past words and follow them.
'Once grandfather is here, I'll let him be the judge of all. If he decrees them to be forgiven, so it shall be. And if not…' Jing Luo thought as a bloody gleam dressed his eyes for a second.
Some of the more perceptive elders and You Yi felt a murderous aura emanating from Jing Luo for a second that quickly faded away.
'Like begets like… the grandson is no less domineering than the Grandfather.' You Yi thought to himself.
With that done, Lin Mu looked on at You Yi thinking that they should start on the next step.
"I am happy that Patriarch You Yi has the foresight to see where the best future for our world lies." Lin Mu spoke. "And to ensure that stays true, I would like everyone here to take an oath." He continued.
"Oh? An oath?" You Yi asked.
"Yes… an oath to declare our alliance. This will also help to weed out all others that are under the influence of Gu Yao… if there are any." Lin Mu replied.
"An oath like this cannot be taken easily. Especially with so many people with high cultivation bases. It will take months to prepare the ceremony and the requirements." The High Elder named Bugi spoke.
"I understand that… and you do not need to worry about that part, Elder Bugi." Lin Mu stated.
"W-what do you—" But before the man can speak more, he was interrupted.
"I got that covered!" Lin Mu said as a character appeared on his forehead.
~SHUA~
An imposing presence exuded from the character and suppressed almost everyone that was in the hall. Only the Patriarch, Lin Mu, Jing Luo and little shrubby seemed to be free from its effects, but it was still rather shocking to most.
"What in the world?…" The elders were stunned.
Elder Boqin and others that had experienced this before were still a bit better at handling and did their best in keeping their composure. Even the few high elders that were in the Dao Shell realm found it difficult to hold it.
In total, the Long Cloud sect had five Dao Shell realm High Elders. This included High Elder Sunsen, Jingjing, Bugi, the supreme elder and one more elder that was not present here currently.
"Ordainment of the world's will… I never thought I would get to see it in my lifetime ever." Patriarch You Yi spoke.
"You got that right." Jing Luo said smugly.
"I reckon Patriarch You Yi has no doubts to me doing this?" Lin Mu questioned.
"None whatsoever. This just proves your claims." The man replied with a smirk.
"Very well… then I think no one will reject taking an oath here?" Lin Mu questioned as he looked around in an inquisitive tone.
He was not the only one who did that, and Jing Luo was the same. A few elders that were present in the hall did the same, wanting to know who was on what side. You Yi didn't do that though, he simply closed his eyes and waited for them to be done.
Thankfully, while some were a bit averse to it, they didn't reject it and eventually submitted.
"I shall start the oath then." Lin Mu spoke.
"Please do," Patriarch You Yi spoke.
"I… Lin Mu."
"I… You Yi…"
One by one, everyone repeated their names.
"Herby declares that I shall do my best to protect my world, the Xiaofan world and ensure its survival. I will purge the enemies that threaten its existence and eliminate all invaders that threaten its natural order.
If I go against it all, my body shall be burned off the face of this world and my soul be banished from the cycle of reincarnation!" Lin Mu declared.
There were a few suggestions that Senior Xukong had given to him for the latter parts of the oath, and Lin Mu had taken them without hesitation. They were good regardless and would reduce the chances of someone acting against us.
~HONG~
A visible wave of energy spread from the 'Ordained' character that floated in front of Lin Mu and spread all around the great building. It passed through everyone and put a signature on every being that had taken the oath.
Though it directly passed through Jing Luo and Little Shrubby, since they were already under the oath. Little Shrubby didn't even need to take the oath, since he was Lin Mu's tamed beast and was directly linked with him.
Everyone opened their eyes after the oath was completed and looked around, wondering if something had happened.
"Seems like everything is—" The High Elder Bugi was just about to say when he was interrupted.
~RUMBLE~
Crushing pressure descended upon the people in the building and the roaring of thunder could be heard.
"What's happing?" Someone questioned.
"The oath was broken…"
