The Prodigies War-Chapter 2719 Edict

The public was in an uproar, and the situation grew increasingly turbulent. Zhuang Shiliu felt as though he were sitting on pins and needles. From a distance, Lin Xun observed calmly. He could already see that old Zhuang Shiliu was doomed this time.

Sure enough, a stern voice suddenly resounded, “Deacon Zhuang Shiliu, do you acknowledge your guilt?”

The words boomed like a giant bell, resounding across the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena. Then, Deputy Pavilion Master Fang Daoping’s figure materialized out of thin air. Usually mild and detached from worldly strife, he now radiated a sea-like majesty and a terrifying aura. The entire arena fell into instant silence.

With that one question, he had basically pronounced Zhuang Shiliu guilty!

“I...” Zhuang Shiliu’s face changed drastically. He had just opened his mouth to defend himself when a deep, indifferent voice cut him off, “Keep quibbling, and your punishment will only grow heavier. I advise you to abandon any hope of getting away with it and admit your wrongs at once. I believe the sect will see justice!”

As the voice faded, a gaunt old man appeared. It was Tang Qiu, another deputy pavilion master of the Origin Clarity Pavilion.

At Tang Qiu’s reminder, Zhuang Shiliu’s face turned ashen. With a defeated look, he admitted, “This time, it was indeed out of resentment that I deliberately made things difficult for Lin Xun during the assessment.”

The fury of the crowd gradually subsided as Zhuang Shiliu admitted guilt, though several high-ranking figures frowned, their eyes flickering with suspicion.

It was obvious that Zhuang Shiliu confessed only because of Tang Qiu’s appearance, not Fang Daoping’s! He had clearly intended to argue, yet the moment Tang Qiu appeared, he confessed without hesitation. The sudden change was rather peculiar.

Tang Qiu gave a slight nod. “If one is wrong, one must be punished. Only then can the public be convinced. However, given your years of service to the Origin Clarity Pavilion, though you’ve archived little, you’ve at least worked hard...I will dock you five years of allowance. Do you accept this punishment?”

Zhuang Shiliu nodded without a moment’s thought. “I accept!”

“Only five years of allowance?” Fang Daoping’s brows furrowed. “Deputy Pavilion Master Tang, what he did today was truly despicable. As a deacon, he exploited the assessment to suppress a true disciple. His actions have stirred public outrage, yet you punish him with only this? How could the public possibly accept it?”

“Deputy Pavilion Master Fang is absolutely right. Zhuang Shiliu’s despicable conduct gravely violated the rules of assessment.” Lin Xun’s voice rang out from the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena. “If he is not punished severely, I will not be satisfied.”

“Yes! He must be punished severely!”

“Such vile methods cannot be tolerated!”

Voices rose one after another in furious agreement.

Zhuang Shiliu’s expression shifted between gloom and uncertainty. He wished he could silence them all. As a deacon, it was his first time tasting the feeling of being judged, and it left him feeling humiliated and flustered.

His gaze turned to Tang Qiu. Among everyone present, only Tang Qiu could throw him a lifeline.

Tang Qiu spoke after a moment’s thought, “Let’s do this. As for Zhuang Shiliu’s punishment, we will announce it to the sect three days from now. Although today’s assessment encountered some twists and turns, it has still concluded smoothly. In my view, it would be best to confer the status of core successor upon Lin Xun first.”

Fang Daoping’s tone was sharp with displeasure. “Why wait three days?”

Who here couldn’t see that Tang Qiu was just stalling for time?

Tang Qiu replied solemnly, “In my view, this matter should first be discussed by the three pavilions, with us deputy pavilion masters reaching a decision together. After all, the incident itself might be minor, but its repercussions are significant, so we must proceed with caution.”

“Deputy Pavilion Master Tang is right.”

In the distance, Second Peak Master, Yun Tianming spoke in a deep voice, “Convicting Zhuang Shiliu rashly would be inappropriate. His fate should be decided only after discussion.”

“That’s right. I believe that after discussion, the sect will give everyone a satisfactory answer.”

The Third Peak Master, Nan Bohong, and the Fourth Peak Master, Mu Yunzhen, also spoke in support of Tang Qiu’s proposal.

Many successors looked on in confusion and doubt. The shifting situation made them realize that what was unfolding was most likely a struggle among the high-ranking figures of the sect, something far beyond what they could interfere in.

Lin Xun frowned faintly. He firmly engraved the name of Tang Qiu, deputy pavilion master of Origin Clarity Pavilion, in his mind. There was no doubt that among the enemies harboring hatred toward him, this old fox was one of them!

“Qin Wuyu, what do you think?” Tang Qiu turned his gaze toward Qin Wuyu, the master of the Ninth Peak, in the distance.

After a brief silence, Qin Wuyu replied, his voice steady, “I only hope that the sect will give justice to Lin Xun, a true disciple of my Ninth Peak. If not, I will never let this matter rest.”

Tang Qiu’s brows knit almost imperceptibly. He then nodded with a solemn expression. “That is naturally my intention as well. What do you think, Deputy Pavilion Master Fang?”

Fang Daoping replied evenly, “Very well. But when the time comes I want a clear answer as to how Zhuang Shiliu decided those three duels. Even Feng Qixi of the Second Peak and Liu Yunfeng of the Third Peak found them unfair and chose to withdraw. Who instructed them to take part in the duels in the first place? I do not believe Zhuang Shiliu’s influence alone was enough to make this happen.”

Those words made the expressions of many shift. Among them were Yun Tianming, Nan Bohong, Mu Yunzhen, and other peak masters.

Even Tang Qiu’s eyelids twitched. He realized that Fang Daoping intended to escalate the matter! If that happened, it would likely plunge the entire Origin Sect into turmoil. Lin Xun could already tell that the faction standing behind Tang Qiu wanted to protect Zhuang Shiliu, but it was equally clear that Fang Daoping would not allow it!

“Gentlemen, enough. No need to argue further.”

Suddenly, a figure as rotund as a small hill appeared. His enormous physique exuded an immense oppressive pressure. It was Yu Xing, one of the three deputy pavilion masters of the Origin Clarity Pavilion.

His sudden arrival made both Fang Daoping and Tang Qiu stiffen in surprise.

Yu Xing’s expression turned solemn as he announced, “The Pavilion Master has issued an edict: Zhuang Shiliu is stripped of his deacon’s post and sentenced to a hundred years in the Prison of Repentance!”

The announcement sent shockwaves through the entire audience. The master of the Origin Clarity Pavilion, You Beihai, had long been in closed-door cultivation, yet at this moment he issued an edict, making clear his stance of severely punishing Zhuang Shiliu.

To abolish Zhuan Shiliu’s post as deacon was to strip him of all authority within the sect. In addition, being confined in the Prison of Repentance for a hundred years meant that for the next century, he would have no chance of ever rising again!

The punishment struck Zhuang Shiliu like a thunderbolt. His face went deathly pale as if his soul had fled his body. Tang Qiu’s expression grew increasingly grim. He cared little about Zhuang Shiliu’s punishment. What worried him was that once imprisoned, Zhuang Shiliu might let slip things that should never be spoken...

With that thought, Tang Qiu secretly sent a voice transmission, “Keep your mouth shut. I will use every means to help you. But if you dare to speak what must not be spoken, it won’t be only you who suffers. The Zhuang Clan behind you will meet with calamity as well.”

Zhuang Shiliu shuddered, then forced a difficult nod.

......

That day, what happened at the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena of the Origin Clarity Pavilion swept through the sect at an astonishing speed, shaking the entire Origin Sect from top to bottom.

Deacon Zhuang Shiliu was stripped of his position and thrown into the Prison of Repentance. Meanwhile, Lin Xun, a newcomer who had just joined the sect less than ten days ago, was promoted to core successor status before the eyes of countless witnesses!

“Lin Xun has set a new record for the fastest rise from true disciple to core disciple. But it’s no accident. His strength is simply overwhelming.”

Many sighed in amazement. The duel at the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena was witnessed by countless eyes. Even Shen Zaidao was defeated by Lin Xun’s single sword strike, so his strength was nothing short of heaven-defying.

Figures like Donghuang Shaowen, Qi Qingshi, and Mu Zunwu, supreme Emperor Ancestors who joined the sect alongside Lin Xun, could not help but feel a swirl of complex emotions. They could only watch helplessly as Lin Xun left them far behind and claimed his place as a core disciple!

“The most unfortunate one is Senior Brother Shen Zaidao. A crack has appeared in his dao heart, and he is following the same tragic path of Li Zhongyuan. His chances of ever stepping into immortality are slim now. It’s truly pitiful.”

Many could not help but sigh for Shen Zaidao.

“The most admirable one is undoubtedly Senior Sister Feng Qixi. Her grace and bearing compels admiration from all.”

“Senior Brother Liu Yunfeng was equally decisive, unafraid to confront contemptible scum like Zhuang Shiliu who trampled on the sect’s rules.”

“But behind these duels surge hidden undercurrents. Zhuang Shiliu once wielded immense power and he possessed an immortal cultivation, but now he has been reduced to a prisoner, stripped of all authority. His situation is utterly tragic.”

“Ultimately, the clashes between those mighty figures are far too treacherous for us to meddle in.”

Across the three pavilions and nine peaks of the Origin Sect, heated discussions broke out. Everyone was shaken by what happened that day at the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena.

“Come to think of it, Junior Brother Lin Xun is truly remarkable. Before even joining the sect, he seriously injured Li Zhongyuan. Then after entering, he caused Chao Zonglin to be punished. And now, he even toppled Zhuang Shiliu. His destructive power is beyond what ordinary people could ever compare with.”

“Better not provoke him in the future. No, it’s best to keep as far from him as possible to avoid bringing disaster upon ourselves.”

Whenever Lin Xun was mentioned, it always stirred complicated feelings in people’s hearts. Ever since joining the sect, this newcomer had set off storm after storm, in ways no one could have anticipated.

In Wild Cloud Abode of the Origin Sky Pavilion.

“What do you make of this matter?”

A light screen gradually dissipated. The projection it displayed was precisely what happened at the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena.

Xuan Jiuyin, who had witnessed everything, angrily exclaimed, “Even a fool could see Tang Qiu was protecting Zhuang Shiliu. He might be the true mastermind behind it all. So why wasn’t he punished? And that old dog Zhuang should have been hacked into a thousand pieces. But he got off so lightly.”

PA!

A sharp slap landed on the back of Xuan Jiuyin’s head, leaving him grimacing in pain.

“That’s what you think?” Xuan Feiling’s voice carried suppressed fury.

“What else am I supposed to think? Lin Xun is my brother, so of course I’ll stand on his side.” Xuan Jiuyin said righteously.

Xuan Feiling let out an exasperated laugh. “So for the sake of brotherhood, you would just ignore the sect’s rules?”

“I’m not a disciple of the Origin Sect, so why should I follow its rules?” Xuan Jiuyin retorted.

Xuan Feiling fell silent, rubbing his temples as though struck with a headache. After a long pause, he finally said, “In today’s Origin Sect, some must obey the rules, some are able to bend them, and some can stand above them.

After a pause, his tone deepened. “You can choose to ignore the rules, but only if you have the strength to stand above them. Otherwise, if you trample them at will, you will only bring disaster upon yourself!

“Take Zhuang Shiliu for example. He thought he could twist the rules to bully and suppress Lin Xun, but in the end he became just a sacrificial pawn.

“Or take Tang Qiu. He believed himself to be above the rules, but the moment You Beihai spoke, he could only lower his head and obey.”

Then Xuan Feiling asked, “Little Nine, do you think You Beihai has already reached the point where he stands above the rules?”