85: Chapter 85 Universe Stone Forest 85: Chapter 85 Universe Stone Forest Boom!

As Yuen Chengzu’s bisected corpse hit the ground with a heavy thud, the shocked Inner and Outer Sect Disciples of Qiyun Sect finally came to their senses.

“He’s a fellow sect brother, Ye Zhen’s actions were too ruthless, weren’t they?” Many of the Inner and Outer Disciples who didn’t know the truth frowned.

The scene in which Ye Zhen traded injury for a life was clear to everyone; it was deliberately done by Ye Zhen.

However, there were also some Inner and Outer Sect Disciples who gave a thumbs up to Ye Zhen.

“The move he used to trade injury for life could have cost him his own life if there had been the slightest mistake.

That kind of tactic is not something ordinary people could execute.”

Surrounded by numerous Inner Sect Disciples, Changsun Ran, looking at the kneeling Ye Zhen, who, despite spitting blood continuously, appeared immensely satisfied, wore an expression of grave seriousness.

“This Ye Zhen is a tough character, and with his True Essence at the Third Realm at only seventeen years of age, and the combat power of the Fifth Realm, he must not be underestimated!”

In the distance, on a cliff overlooking the fight, Ren Xihua, with his gaze fixed on Ye Zhen, revealed an expectant look, “In the future, if I can have such a ruthless competitor, it would indeed be a great pleasure.”

Below the platform, Chu Jun was also quite surprised by Ye Zhen’s lethal attack on Yuen Chengzu, which was totally unexpected.

And as Chu Jun pondered, a report about the Meng Family that he had reviewed before suddenly surfaced in his mind.

“So that’s how it is, from this angle, Yuen Chengzu indeed deserved death, yet the one who executed him was Ye Zhen…”

Suddenly, Chu Jun smiled smugly as he seemed to grasp a side of Ye Zhen’s nature.

Above the Martial Combat Platform, the Elders of Qiyun Sect looked on with surprise, and a thought flashed through their minds in unison—Ye Zhen had completed the task assigned by Liao Feibai so swiftly.

Ye Zhen, an Outer Disciple, was actually able to kill a veteran Inner Sect Disciple, an unprecedented event in the history of Qiyun Sect.

“Ye Zhen!”

Witnessing the tragic death of his disciple, Fifth Elder Hong Banjiang roared with fury.

The explosive sound dispersed in the air, creating ripples of substantial sound waves that spread in all directions.

Hong Banjiang was truly enraged.

Not just because of the pain of losing a disciple.

But also because it was a slap in his face.

The words of Liao Feibai still echoed in his ears, but now his disciple Yuen Chengzu was dead.

“Elder Hong, you’ve lost your composure!”

Instantly, with a cold snort from Sect Leader Guo Qijing, a needle-sharp sound punctured the sound waves emitted by Fifth Elder Hong Banjiang in all directions, dissipating them in the air.

The furious Hong Banjiang was suddenly shocked awake, but his anger did not abate one bit, “Sect Leader, Ye Zhen, this scourge, before the martial duel, you personally ordered him to stop at the first touch, but he still publicly murdered a fellow sect member.”

“Sect Leader, with Ye Zhen showing such a blatant disregard for the sect’s rules, if we do not punish Ye Zhen, how can we uphold the sect’s discipline?” said Hong Banjiang, suddenly adopting a serious tone.

At this point, Hong Banjiang’s face tensed, “But…”

“Elder Hong, regarding the matter of Ye Zhen slaying Yuen Chengzu, I will give you an explanation.

Once the disciples return from their investigation in Yinshan County, I will explain everything to you!” Sect Leader Guo Qijing suddenly interrupted Hong Banjiang.

Seeing Ye Zhen injured and spitting blood, the rotund Golden Yuanbao hurried onto the Martial Arena, lifting him up and cramming several healing pills into his mouth.

“Old Ye, you almost lost your life for the status of an Inner Sect Disciple.

Was it worth it?

Tell me, is there something unknown behind this?

You have no idea, the disciples who once admired you have changed their opinion because of your ruthless killing of a fellow disciple.

If there’s anything, give me a hint so I can explain it for you,” said Golden Yuanbao.

“Explain!

Why should I explain my actions to anyone since I dared to do them?

Moreover, I am not so heartless to kill a fellow disciple over the status of an Inner Sect Disciple…” replied Ye Zhen.

As he spoke, Ye Zhen suddenly coughed violently, spewing out a mouthful of blood.

“Stop talking, I’ll help you back to heal your injuries…” Golden Yuanbao quickly said.

At the Martial Combat Platform Square, as Golden Yuanbao helped Ye Zhen walk along, disciples from both the inner and outer gates stepped aside, not knowing whether it was out of respect or fear…

Although Ye Zhen felt great exhilaration in the killings, it was now up to the sect to clean up the mess afterward.

Moreover, Ye Zhen’s actions of killing the top ten Outer Disciples of Qiyun Sect had completely enraged the

Departure Stone Elder from Lishui Sect, leading to their fierce stance on the Meng Family incident.

The most important purpose of Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan and Third Prince Zhu Kun’s visit was to thoroughly understand the Meng Family incident and to give an explanation to the world on behalf of the Meng Family.

However, with Old Madam Meng already dead, even when Meng Xiaoyue spoke unfavorably about Lishui Sect, they stubbornly denied any wrongdoing on their part, citing Meng Xiaoyue’s youth and ignorance.

Moreover, with the extensive influence of Lishui Sect throughout Yinshan County, they deliberately fabricated many pieces of evidence against Ye Zhen.

Qiyun Sect was not a force to be ignored either; as messages from their True Disciples were sent back, endless evidence began to surface as well.

In the end, the Meng Family incident became an endless quagmire of disputes.

Among them, Third Prince Zhu Kun made it clear that he supported the evidence provided by Lishui Sect, leading to a muddy compromise to resolve the situation.

Neither Ye Zhen, Qiyun Sect, nor Lishui Sect were responsible for the death of Old Madam Meng.

The final explanation given to the public was that Old Madam Meng was kidnapped by a gang of notorious bandits, and Ye Zhen, a Qiyun Sect disciple, happened to pass by and cleverly rescued Meng Chuan’s only daughter, Meng Xiaoyue, but was unfortunately discovered by the bandits and chased for thousands of miles.

The disciples of Lishui Sect who arrived upon hearing the news managed to eliminate the gang of bandits…

In the end, both Ye Zhen and the Lishui Sect disciples were commended by the Empire.

This is the best way to handle the matter officially.

Whichever side this matter favors will face the scorn of the world and endless turmoil.

And as Qiyun Sect and Lishui Sect are two of the main pillars of the Black Water Kingdom, any disturbance within a sect will lead to unrest in the Black Water Kingdom.

Therefore, such a manner of handling is also the most in line with the interests of the Empire.

“Isn’t this just muddling through?

How could they do this?”

When Ye Zhen, who was healing his wounds, heard this result, he immediately slammed the table in anger!

A moment later, Ye Zhen calmed down, his eyes flickering with a terrifying brilliance.

If the rules couldn’t deal with the misdeeds of Lishui Sect, then it would have to be through strength.

Through his own strength!

Five days later, when the Meng Family incident had come to a conclusion, a very serious meeting was convened in the Qiyun Sect’s grand council hall, with Sect Leader Guo Qijing gathering with the elders of the Eight Great Sects.

“Today, I have summoned all the elders here for only one matter.

Five days ago, Ye Zhen deliberately killed his Inner Sect brother Yuen Chengzu during a duel, breaking the sect rules.

Let us discuss how to deal with Ye Zhen,” said Sect Leader Guo Qijing.

Upon hearing this, Fifth Elder Hong Banjiang’s expression suddenly became filled with anticipation.

“Sect Leader, Ye Zhen did indeed do wrong by deliberately killing Yuen Chengzu.

However, Ye Zhen has just made a great contribution to the sect.

When you deal with him, Sect Leader, please consider the circumstances,” said Grand Elder Lut Changchuan.

“Elder Lut, your words are not proper.

Which disciple of our sect has no merit?

If a meritorious disciple relies on his achievements to kill fellow disciples at will, then our Qiyun Sect is not far from destruction!” Fifth Elder Hong Banjiang’s accusation was extremely serious.

Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Guo Qijing looked expressionlessly at Fifth Elder Hong Banjiang, “Elder Hong, what do you think about this matter?”

“Sect Leader, in my opinion, we absolutely cannot let this precedent set root.

This Ye Zhen must be dealt with severely according to the sect rules!” said Hong Banjiang.

“Sect rules?” A mocking look suddenly flashed across Sect Leader Guo Qijing’s face, “Elder Hong, do you still have the sect rules of Qiyun Sect in your eyes?”

In a roar, a stack of intelligence reports was slammed down by Sect Leader Guo Qijing, “Take a look at these reports, pass them around!”

Soon, the report was circulated among them, leaving each elder who finished reading it with a look of surprise, causing Hong Banjiang’s expression to become somewhat flustered.

When the report finally reached the hands of Hong Banjiang, Sect Leader Guo Qijing suddenly exploded.

“Hong Banjiang, what an excellent disciple you’ve taught!

What excellent false evidence you’ve concocted!”

“Yuen Chengzu’s hometown suffered a natural disaster last year, but instead of assisting his fellow villagers, Yuen Chengzu didn’t lift a finger.

On the contrary, the Yuen Family took advantage of the disaster to make a fortune, becoming the largest landlords in Dingbei County within half a year.”

“Look at this!

These are testimonies from common folk living in Yinshan County City, captains, even some disciples of Lishui Sect!”

“The life that the grandmother and granddaughter from the Meng Family were leading was far from merely ‘humble’!”

“Indeed, Yuen Chengzu did send silver on behalf of the sect every year, but it was only a hundred taels, a hundred taels!

This matter has become a laughing stock among the disciples of Lishui Sect.

Seeing this report, my old face is…”

“Six years, six years!”

“What infuriates me the most is that every time Yuen Chengzu delivered the silver, he did not even enter the Meng Family’s gate.

Had he entered once, the sect would not have been kept in the dark like this!”

“Hong Banjiang, is this the kind of good disciple you have taught?”

“You keep talking about integrity, providing false evidence for your disciple.

Is this your integrity?”

In the face of report after report, Fifth Elder Hong Banjiang’s forehead was covered in cold sweat, his old face turning pendulously red and black, wishing he could burrow into a hole.

“Sect Leader, I…

I was also deceived by that damn kid…”

“Hmph, it’s just as well Ye Zhen has already killed that bastard; otherwise, I would have to tear Yuen Chengzu to eighteen pieces myself!” said Sect Leader Guo Qijing, still swearing furiously.

After a long while, Sect Leader Guo Qijing’s expression finally softened a bit.

“In light of this incident, you’d better take some rest, focus on your disciples’ integrity.

You should also take some time to reflect.

As for the affairs of the Dragon Mountain Spirit Crystal Vein, you will step aside, and Seventh Elder will take over,” said the Sect Leader.

Fifth Elder Hong Banjiang’s face turned deathly pale.

Being scolded by the Sect Leader was one thing, but losing the authority to manage the Spirit Crystal Vein meant a devastating loss.

“Sect Leader….”

“That is final!” Before Hong Banjiang could say more, Sect Leader Guo Qijing, looking stern, made his final decision.

At his side, Fifth Elder Hong Banjiang’s lips twitched painfully.

“As everyone has seen, Ye Zhen has truly made great contributions to the sect, and not just one, so Ye Zhen must be rewarded, and rewarded handsomely!”

“Ye Zhen is a good boy.

Up until now, he’s kept Yuen Chengzu’s disgraceful actions under wraps, not publicizing them, covering up this scandal for our sect.

Moreover, we must forever conceal this matter involving Yuen Chengzu.

We cannot afford to lose face over this person.”

“However, Ye Zhen also killed Yuen Chengzu in front of almost all Inner and Outer Sect Disciples under the pretext of a duel.

We absolutely cannot encourage such a culture of brother killing brother.”

Having said this, Sect Leader Guo Qijing continued, “Therefore, in public, we must punish Ye Zhen, but in reality, we must reward him generously.

Hence, I, the Sect Leader, have decided to punish Ye Zhen by making him face the wall!”

“Face the wall?” Grand Elder Lut Changchuan was puzzled.

“Yes, punish him by making him face the wall in the Universe Stone Forest!” Sect Leader Guo Qijing said with a significant tone.

The next instant, many of the elders shouted in surprise, “What?

Sect Leader, you’re actually going to open the Universe Stone Forest for Ye Zhen?”

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PS: Over 6,000 words worth of two chapters have sadly been condensed into one by Pig Three.

We still avoid water inflation!

Owing you brothers one chapter today, I’ll make it up tomorrow!