Real Person Yao Jin's beard and hair bristled, and the Dan fire around his body exploded three zhang wide: "A Dao Protector who betrays his Master shall be punished with Heavenly Thunder."
Zhu Jian's face was ashen, and he trembled uncontrollably.
"How can a Golden Core Realm demonic beast be easily resisted? Even if one fights to the death to protect, it would be difficult to ensure everyone's safety. He should be dealt with leniently. How about punishing him to face the wall on Han Ming Peak for a hundred years?" At the critical moment, the Zhang Lao of Mingyang Peak stepped forward to protect his own.
Real Person Yao Jin sneered, "Abandoning a Dan Cultivator to flee when in danger—is this the way of Dao Protection for your Mingyang Peak? It just so happens that Dan Refining Peak is short on manpower, so next year's medicinal pill quota for Mingyang Peak will be reduced by thirty percent."
"You are abusing your power for personal gain," the Mingyang Peak Zhang Lao angrily retorted.
"Back then, the Ancestor personally set an iron rule: those who wish to harm a Dan Cultivator must step over the corpses of Sword Cultivators. Now that your Dao Protection has been derelict, we Dan Refiners have lost our spirit." A green light emanated from the jade slip in Real Person Yao Jin's hand. "If Sword Cultivators are no longer trustworthy, Dan Refining Peak will naturally adjust its supply."
Mu Zhengting lightly waved his whisk. "After Zhu Jian faces the wall for a hundred years, he will enter the vanguard camp of the Northern Barren Battlefield to serve for a hundred years."
Zhu Jian slumped to the ground. A hundred-year sentence was enough to cut off his path to cultivation, not to mention having to face the demonic battlefield directly.
"Where did the Golden Core Realm demonic beasts in Thousand Lake World come from? Where is Mo Tong?" Mu Zhengting turned to Li Chonglong.
"Mo Tong was a spy for the Demon Sect." Li Chonglong's eyes were bloodshot. "Your Disciple has already slain this fiend."
"You killed Mo Tong?" Mu Zhengting's gaze narrowed slightly.
Li Wei, who was beside him, even lost his voice: "How could you have killed him?"
Li Chonglong suddenly raised his head, a faint golden light appearing around him: "Your Disciple is a reincarnated Immortal God! In times of peril, my Yuanshen (Primordial Spirit) manifested, and I extinguished that demon with a flick of my hand." His face flushed, as if he had grown twenty years younger. "Once I awaken my past life memories, I will surely ascend to the peak of the immortal path."
The hall suddenly fell silent. There were indeed precedents for cultivators reincarnating; the Yuanshen (Primordial Spirit) of a Mahayana cultivator was immortal and could undergo reincarnation to cultivate anew. But at this moment, everyone's gaze towards Li Chonglong became subtle. This Disciple had always been mediocre, so how could he suddenly...
Mu Zhengting lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, and thunderclouds suddenly gathered in the sky.
Cultivator cultivation begins with tempering the physical body. Only after the essence and qi of the five organs are abundant can the Yuanshen (Primordial Spirit) and soul be nourished.
If it truly were a reincarnation of a great power, there should be signs of a heavenly phenomenon at this moment.
How noble is the reincarnation of a Mahayana stage cultivator? Which one isn't a heaven-blessed genius? But Li Chonglong's cultivation and comprehension, how could they be worthy of the title of reincarnated Immortal God?
"Did you all see it with your own eyes?" Mu Zhengting's gaze swept over the Disciples behind Li Chonglong.
He did not believe that this Martial Brother was the reincarnation of a great power, and he even suspected that there was something fishy going on.
"Reporting to Sect Leader, on that day, Li Zhang Lao summoned the phantom of the divine beast Kun, slaying the demon Mo Tong with a single move." The Disciples vied to testify, causing Li Chonglong's face to glow red, as if he were in a celestial realm.
Mu Zhengting still had doubts: "Is the Kirin Blood Vine, such a heaven-and-earth spiritual root, truly in your hands?"
"Perhaps it was a past life's fortuitous encounter. I will know once I awaken my memories," Li Chonglong said, feigning profoundness.
Mu Zhengting immediately made a decision: "Follow me to the Sword Tomb in the back mountain."
That was where the Mahayana Ancestor cultivated in seclusion, and ordinary Disciples were forbidden from entering for life.
Li Chonglong's eyes lit up with excitement, but he didn't notice Qing Feng in the corner quietly letting out a sigh of relief.
If he were truly taken to the forbidden area, his trump cards might be exposed.
"Where has Martial Nephew Qing Feng been lately?" The Sect Leader suddenly asked.
Qing Feng's heart pounded like a drum, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Your Disciple is dull-witted. When I saw Senior Sister Yan in danger, I exhausted all my Golden Core jade talismans. To save my life, I could only hide in a cave." He deliberately displayed just the right amount of panic, even controlling his breathing rhythm perfectly.
Mu Zhengting looked down at the cave below the cliff: "Why did the Thousand Lake Token leave your body?"
"Your Disciple witnessed Martial Uncle Li battling the demon and thought Martial Uncle had been defeated, so I abandoned the token to protect myself." Qing Feng knelt and confessed his 'crime,' portraying cowardice to perfection.
This strategy of feigned retreat indeed worked. Not only did the Sect Leader not punish him, but he even praised him for knowing when to advance and retreat.
When asked how he subdued the Zouwu, Qing Feng changed the subject: "Apothecary Jin Shishu taught this Disciple that opportunities are always found in secluded places. While searching for Blood Ginseng, I stumbled upon a beast egg. I thought that if I could hatch a spiritual beast to show filial respect to my Master, it would also be a way to repay the Sect's nurturing grace."
This watertight explanation made Li Chonglong nod repeatedly, but it secretly startled Mu Zhengting. This Disciple seemed ordinary, yet his actions were interconnected, as if he was playing a grand game of chess.
Mu Zhengting nodded in approval: "As expected of a descendant of heroes, with outstanding character."
Qin Balance's eyes and brows relaxed upon hearing this. After all, his own Disciple was thoughtful, always remembering his Master in everything.
"Later, I encountered Senior Sister Yan Yi and, sensing the danger of the Mystic Realm, returned to the encampment, thinking of preserving myself and awaiting rescue." Qing Feng recounted his experience in a few words, omitting certain details that were not suitable for plain speaking.
"So, while others came for trials, you specifically came to seek treasure?" Mu Zhengting's eyebrows slightly arched.
"Your Disciple has always been timid and not good at fighting. I only seek to survive. Upon entering, I first familiarized myself with routes for hiding and escaping," Qing Feng replied, lowering his head.
"No wonder your Master always praises you for being as meticulous as silk," Mu Zhengting laughed aloud.
Qing Feng stealthily glanced at his Master in surprise. Did you really say that? Several Peak Lords whose Disciples had survived couldn't help but chuckle. How is he meticulous as silk?
In the past, during Sect meetings, Qin Balance would beam with pride when mentioning his eldest Disciple, but always sighed when speaking of Qing Feng. The Sect Leader was simply saving face for the Master and Disciple; to put it bluntly, he was a coward who feared death.
Qin Balance glared fiercely at his chuckling fellow Sect members. Who said I never praised my Disciple for being alert? What if he's timid? Isn't he alive and well?
If not for the heavy losses this time, he would have loved to grab them by their collars and show off: Look at your Disciples with missing limbs, and then look at what I've taught.
"Martial Brother Ji Zhou, thoroughly investigate Mo Tong's background. His recommenders, connections, and relationships must all be clarified. As the Sect has grown stronger over the years, it's hard to guarantee that no demons have infiltrated," Mu Zhengting said decisively.
"As Sect Leader commands." Ji Zhou accepted the order with a solemn expression. The faces of the Law Enforcement Hall members were ashen; a Demon Sect Zhang Lao having infiltrated and caused such a disaster meant they were undeniably responsible.
"Thousand Lake World is no longer of great use. From now on, it will serve as a Disciple training ground. Li Wei, tally the number and strength of the demonic beasts within the realm. After you're done, go and receive your punishment." Mu Zhengting turned to the purple-robed Zhang Lao.
"Thank you for your leniency, Sect Leader." Li Wei accepted the order with a wry smile. Facing the wall in contemplation was bearable, but tallying demonic beasts, such a trivial task, was truly maddening.
After the matters were dealt with, Mu Zhengting's gaze swept over the surviving Disciples: "The Demon Sect is cunning. This time, seventy-three Disciples were lost, which is my failing."
He abruptly changed his tone, "But the children of Beast Taming Sect should know that we are humanity's sharpest sword. Life and death may be an accident for others, but for us, it is commonplace."
"If you fear the dangers of tomorrow, you may be removed from the Sect and leave now."
"We swear to live and die with the Beast Taming Sect!" Qing Feng shouted in unison with the crowd, while Zhu Jian, slumped on the ground, appeared particularly conspicuous.
"Good." Mu Zhengting's voice shook the heavens. "Heaven's will is unpredictable. Only with a sword in hand can one overcome. Today's calamity is but a whetstone for our swords. In the future, you all shall be the backbone of our Sect."
"Thank you, Sect Leader, for your teachings." A mere handful of people shouted with the might of a thousand armies, their voices soaring to the sky.
"Very good. This doesn't make your arduous cultivation in vain. Go to Apothecary Jin Zhang Lao to have your injuries checked, then return to your respective cave dwellings with your Master." Mu Zhengting stood with his hands behind his back.