As soon as Yu Lie finished speaking, the entire discussion hall fell silent. Grand Elder Situ Lei and Second Elder's gazes were fixed unblinkingly on Yu Lie.

"Let's follow the proposal that Sect Leader made that day and decide by raising hands!"

Grand Elder Situ Lei looked at Yu Lie, who was hesitating to respond, and instantly grew anxious.

Second Elder remained silent, only staring at Situ Lei with a faint hint of mockery in his eyes.

Yu Lie's face was expressionless. He then sighed lightly and said regretfully, "On that day, the fourth and fifth elders were alive, so voting by raising hands was unquestionably fair. But today is not the same. The fourth and fifth elders are dead, leaving only three elders. Voting by raising hands now would be unfair!"

Upon hearing this, Grand Elder Situ Lei's complexion trembled as if struck by lightning. Although he quickly concealed his anger, it was evident in his eyes. How could he not see that Vice Sect Leader Yu Lie was intentionally helping the Second Elder? Paired with the Second Elder's gleeful expression, he could almost fully piece together the situation's ins and outs.

"Vice Sect Leader Yu, this isn't proper!"

Grand Elder Situ Lei emphasized the word "Vice," subtly reminding Yu Lie of his position.

"What's improper? How could I not know?"

Yu Lie's expression turned icy, with his internal power faintly about to burst forth like a volcano, its majestic aura instantly pressuring Situ Lei.

"You!!"

Yu Lie's aura was overwhelmingly strong, causing Situ Lei's face to redden. He wanted to argue, but upon seeing Yu Lie's cold gaze, he swallowed his words.

"Then according to Vice Sect Leader Yu, what should we do?"

Grand Elder Situ Lei pressed on bitterly. The Sect Leader was mysterious. Generally speaking, the two vice sect leaders were practically equivalent to the Sect Leader. With Lin Tong dead, the entire Wood Profound Sect was essentially under Yu Lie's control, and given the current strong-weak power dynamic, he had no choice.

"Select ten combat stewards, and with the three of you, there will be thirteen people to vote together. That should be fair enough."

After a slight consideration, Yu Lie said indifferently.

"But choosing combat stewards now would undoubtedly waste a lot of time."

Grand Elder Situ Lei's face turned dark. Among the combat stewards, half supported him, so he wasn't afraid of Second Elder's trickery.

"No wasted time, how could it waste time? I've already selected the ten combat stewards."

Second Elder said coldly at this moment, lightly clapping his hands. Immediately, ten figures walked in from outside the discussion hall. All were Realm of Transcendence experts, not weak.

Grand Elder Situ Lei's gaze lightly swept over them, his face instantly sinking. These ten combat stewards were all under the Second Elder's faction. If voting by raising hands, he had no chance of winning.

"Sect Leader, this is unfair!"

Grand Elder Situ Lie said sternly. The Second Elder and Yu Lie were clearly colluding; otherwise, how could Second Elder immediately find ten combat stewards after Yu Lie proposed the method of decision?

"If I say it's fair, it's fair. Do you have any objections?"

Yu Lie slightly raised his eyes, speaking in an extremely cold tone.

Situ Lie's face blushed. Not knowing what to say, he eventually sighed softly, as if aged a hundred years, quietly sitting aside without speaking.

He was utterly defeated!

Second Elder's face showed pride, staring at Grand Elder, full of mockery. Although he paid a great price, as long as he could become the Vice Sect Leader of Wood Profound Sect, it was all worth it.

"I object!"

A hoarse voice rang out, extremely loud in the silent discussion hall. Second Elder was shocked, not knowing who was so bold to dare raise objections at this moment. Didn't they see that even Grand Elder had conceded?

Following the direction of the voice, a familiar figure instantly entered Second Elder's sight.

"It's that old guy Ku Teng!"

Second Elder secretly sneered. Ku Teng truly didn't know his place; merely an elder who had just broken through to the Realm of Transcendence Eighth Heaven, he dared to question Yu Lie, not knowing how he would die.

Situ Lei was also shocked, then cursed Ku Teng internally for not knowing better. Didn't he see that even he had made concessions?

"What? You disagree?"

Yu Lie's eyes were filled with flames, and his body radiated a threatening aura. Anyone could see that he was on the verge of erupting. The strong wind blew, and Yu Lie's clothes fluttered without wind.

"I want to be the Vice Sect Leader!"

Chu Ming said indifferently. Yu Lie's hasty decision regarding the vice sect leader position made Chu Ming realize that the Wood Profound Sect leader might be relinquishing control.

Chu Ming's words shocked everyone in the hall. Nobody expected Elder Ku Teng to be so bold as to outright demand to be the vice sect leader. Even Grand Elder Situ Lei was stunned, realizing his previous understanding of Elder Ku Teng was superficial.

"Ku Teng defies the vice sect leader and tarnishes Wood Profound Sect's reputation. I propose we execute him on the spot. Do you two have any objections?"

Yu Lie's face darkened, speaking every word with precision. His lips slightly moved as he listed the crimes towards Chu Ming and then turned his gaze towards Grand Elder and Second Elder, proposing immediate execution.

"I have no objections!"

Second Elder's eyes showed a hint of joy. Ku Teng had always followed the Grand Elder, becoming a deep-seated enemy. Now with Ku Teng facing death, he was naturally very pleased.

"Grand Elder, how about you?"

Yu Lie nodded lightly, then turned his gaze towards Grand Elder Situ Lei, eyes filled with danger, showing signs of readiness to fight if disagreed.

Grand Elder Situ Lei's face paled. He cursed Elder Ku Teng internally, also silently cursing Yu Lie and the Second Elder. But he had no choice as he wasn't Yu Lie's match, ultimately hesitating slightly before saying:

"I have no objections either!"

Yu Lie nodded in satisfaction. Ever since he became the vice sect leader of Wood Profound Sect on the first day, he started enjoying the feeling of being above others, deciding life and death.

Listening to the three discussing his life and death so freely, Chu Ming's face remained unchanged, but a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes when Grand Elder Situ Lei's voice fell.

"Grand Elder is really righteous!"

Chu Ming said indifferently with a hint of sarcasm.

"A dying man has no right to critique me!"

Since the face-off with Chu Ming was torn completely, Grand Elder Situ Lei naturally wouldn't show Chu Ming any respect, speaking coldly.

"Ku Teng, why don't you hurry and accept your execution? Maybe we'll leave your body intact!"

Second Elder mocked, eyes flashing coldly, his energy locking tightly on Chu Ming, ready to attack at any moment.

"Are all of you planning to attack together?"

Chu Ming's body, though hunched, had an aura that was not weak. The fierce wind crazily surged around him. He stared at the three without any fear.