This time, it was someone else who broke first. Two Heavenly Seat cultivators from a second-rate faction. Both held senior positions within their organization.
Much like the others before them, they held nothing back, revealing every detail. The person who had made contact with them had even promised that once Myriad Abyss Island was unified under Lord Guangdu's dominion, they would be granted Divine Dao opportunities, allowing them to ascend even further.
It had to be said, the temptation was enormous.
All they had to do was maintain contact with the outside world during the Pingsha Island Genius Tournament, keeping the lines of communication open so that Guangdu and his forces could monitor the movements of the Ten Great Sacred Lands at all times.
After the Ten Great Sacred Lands were destroyed, they would need to step forward and openly declare their support for Guangdu, helping him win over the hearts of the people.
It had to be said, Guangdu's maneuvers had all been part of a meticulously crafted plan.
How to deal with the Ten Great Sacred Lands, how to consolidate support afterward, how to bring all of Myriad Abyss Island under his control — every step had been carefully arranged.
Unfortunately, man proposes and heaven disposes.
Guangdu had miscalculated. The battle at Pingsha Island ended in failure, and from there he was suppressed step by step until, in the end, Myriad Abyss Island turned the tide entirely.
Once Guangdu fell, his entire camp collapsed completely. The doomsday of these traitors naturally arrived with him.
The two men were remarkably composed. After finishing their confessions, they ended their own lives on the spot without a shred of hesitation. Their deaths could even be called dignified.
Jiang Chen actually felt a twinge of sympathy in his heart, but he did not object. When you committed wrongs, you had to pay the price.
Whether or not they had known Guangdu was part of the demon race, their voluntary betrayal of Myriad Abyss Island was an undeniable fact.
Since ancient times, no traitor had ever been treated leniently.
"The three of them, though they were blinded by obsession, at least had the courage to own up to what they did. The mistakes they committed have been repaid with blood and life. The quarter-hour is almost up. Surely there are no other traitors left among us on Myriad Abyss Island?"
The Eternal Sacred Ancestor's tone was indifferent, his gaze sweeping across every face.
Under that piercing stare, the cultivators from the second- and third-rate factions shifted uneasily. Even those who had nothing to hide felt a chill in their hearts.
Who could say for certain whether their own sect harbored any scoundrels — anyone blinded by greed yet still clinging to the hope that they might escape consequences?
If such people existed but refused to confess, wouldn't they drag the innocent down with them in the end?
The quarter-hour ultimately passed. No one else stepped forward.
The Eternal Sacred Ancestor had already communicated privately with Jiang Chen and knew with certainty that more traitors remained silent. His expression darkened. "The three who just confessed — if no one else from their respective sects was involved, then this was purely their personal choice. The innocent will not be implicated. However, some people seem determined to resist to the very end. Very well. I'm afraid we'll have to inconvenience everyone."
"Now, all of you — march on Guangdu's stronghold together and annihilate whatever remnants remain. No one is permitted to leave on their own. Anyone who departs will be considered to have a guilty conscience and will be treated as a traitor!"
This was not a directive from the Eternal Sacred Ancestor alone. It had been jointly agreed upon by all ten grand ancestors.
A handful of traitors had been rooted out, but the mood among the assembled cultivators was far from relieved.
Under the supervision of the Ten Great Sacred Lands, every cultivator from the second- and third-rate factions was kept under strict watch.
Guangdu's stronghold was rather well concealed. But with someone leading the way, reaching it would not take too long.