When that voice echoed before the gate of Swordsmith Peak, every disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect involuntarily shuddered.
Elder Chi Xiaozi of Blazing Fire Peak, who had been loudly threatening to storm Swordsmith Peak just moments before, now stood rigid in place, his aged face flickering with fear.
“Chi Xiaozi, you have defied the Sect Master’s orders. How shall you be punished?”
“Eld… I…”
Chi Xiaozi stared blankly at the figure emerging from within the gate. At this moment, nearly six hundred disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect all witnessed with their own eyes the Sect Master Pei Qingxuan, rumored to have been slain, appearing before them.
Chi Xiaozi, who had just been shouting, was now drenched in sweat, his old face twitching uncontrollably.
A cold gaze swept over everyone present, a faint sneer crossing the stunningly beautiful face.
“Where are the Elders of Disciplinary Peak?”
“The Left Hall Elder of Disciplinary Peak, Su Ming, is here. Greetings, Sect Master.”
“The Right Hall Elder of Disciplinary Peak, Wu Daozhi, is here. Greetings, Sect Master.”
Pei Qingxuan coldly scanned the crowd.
“To defy the Sect Master’s orders and forcibly intrude upon the Sect Master’s place of cultivation—what crime is this within the Flowing Cloud Sect?”
Left Hall Elder Su Ming of Disciplinary Peak answered without hesitation, “Replying to Sect Master: for defying the Sect Master’s orders, punishments vary depending on one’s status and the circumstances.”
“And what punishment does Chi Xiaozi deserve for today’s actions?”
“Replying to Sect Master: Chi Xiaozi has defied your orders and forcibly entered your place of cultivation. According to the sect’s laws, he should be stripped of his cultivation, expelled from the sect, and never accepted again.”
At these words, sweat beads popped up on Chi Xiaozi’s forehead.
Disciplinary Peak’s judgment was indeed impartial.
“Chi Xiaozi, as an Elder of Blazing Fire Peak, you have contributed to the sect and hold a special position. Considering the special circumstances, and your past merits, the punishment of cultivation nullification and expulsion will be waived.”
“But though the death sentence is spared, the living sentence cannot be forgiven. Chi Xiaozi, you have acted with the arrogance of an elder to defy the Sect Master. Your elder rank is hereby revoked, you shall be confined to the Thinking-Over Cave for thirty years to reflect on your faults, and one-third of your Spirit Stones will be confiscated, along with your Elder’s Spirit Treasure.”
Pei Qingxuan’s cold eyes flickered as she looked at Chi Xiaozi.
“Do you acknowledge this?”
“Chi Xiaozi… admits guilt.”
Even as an Elder of Blazing Fire Peak, facing Pei Qingxuan whose true strength was unknown, Chi Xiaozi dared not resist and lowered his head obediently.
“Very well. From this moment, you are stripped of your elder title, your Elder’s Spirit Treasure confiscated, three thousand Spirit Stones forfeited, and you shall spend ten years in the Thinking-Over Gorge as punishment. Do you have any objections?”
“Chi Xiaozi accepts the punishment.”
Chi Xiaozi raised his hand in a respectful salute, his face full of shame and fear.
“You have one day. At Mingmu Hour tomorrow, go to Disciplinary Peak and hand over your Elder Token and Elder’s Spirit Treasure. Elder Su Ming, I entrust this to you.”
Su Ming, dressed in white, cupped his fists respectfully.
“In obedience to the Sect Master’s command.”
With the matter settled, Pei Qingxuan’s cold gaze swept over all the sect disciples present.
“What? Haven’t seen enough of the show? Or do you, disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect, intend to stage a coup against your Sect Master today?”
“We dare not!!”
“We only worry for the Sect Master’s well-being and came risking our lives. Please forgive us, Sect Master!”
Seeing the disciples suddenly kneeling en masse, Pei Qingxuan slightly raised her brow but did not dwell on it.
After all, with nearly six hundred disciples, it was impossible to punish them all.
“In that case, leave quickly. Your cultivation is shallow, your resolve weak. Easily swayed by others—that is a disgrace to our sect. But since this is your first offense, I shall not pursue it. If there is a next time, you will be punished according to sect laws!”
“Thank you, Sect Master!”
The disciples knelt, thanking her, then retreated more than ten steps, as if wishing their parents could give them a few more legs to run away from Swordsmith Peak at lightning speed.
The disciples fled, but the elders did not dare to leave.
After causing such a commotion in the Flowing Cloud Sect today, they had neither stopped it nor stayed neutral, but actively participated.
It was obvious that anyone leaving now would be made an example of.
Pei Qingxuan knew what these elders were thinking and inwardly smirked, her face expressionless.
“Except for those elders involved in Elder Kang’s incident that day, the rest may leave. As for today’s matter, I believe you were misled and will not pursue it for now. But if it happens again, I will recognize you—but this sword will not!”
Several elders who had not been involved felt a surge of relief, cupped their fists, and retreated several steps.
Each used their lifetime’s skill to take the fastest path out.
In the blink of an eye, the once crowded gate of Swordsmith Peak was left with only half a dozen elders standing.
Among them was Elder Li Xuancheng of Coldwater Peak, who had led the recent incident, trembling like a leaf.
Who was Elder Kang?
Though his cultivation wasn’t high, he was the Sect Master’s first mentor. Without formal teacher-student status, their bond surpassed that of master and disciple.
Thinking of this, Li Xuancheng’s fear grew, yet he did not dare think of escaping.
He knew clearly that if he stood his ground, he had a sliver of hope to survive—but if he turned and ran, the Nine Phoenix Sword might descend from the heavens in the next instant and cleave him in two!
Though cultivators lived for thousands of years, the old saying “the longer you live, the more you fear death” applied even to them.
Many former righteous cultivators had fallen into the Demon Path and Evil Arts to prolong their lives by a mere hundred years or so.
Perhaps ordinary people could never imagine that these so-called immortals, so ethereal in their eyes, were far more afraid of death than they were.
Putting aside the fear in the hearts of the six elders outside, inside the gate—
As the massive gates slowly closed,
Xiao Yunyuan, the chief disciple of Swordsmith Peak, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He closed the gates and was about to pay respects to Master Pei Qingxuan when a muffled groan suddenly caught his attention.