Immediate Execution
The Immortal Jade Creation Pill was not just a healing elixir—
It could completely suppress pain.
Even the agony of Ten Thousand Swords Piercing the Heart became so mild that it felt almost… insignificant.
Li Qingran gazed at the soft green glow surrounding her body, lightly pressing her wrist.
She had unknowingly received another favor from the senior.
But she had already lost count of how much she owed him.
“Senior, Qingran…” she murmured.
[It’s okay. It’s just a pill. Focus on the matter at hand.]
A voice so gentle, yet filled with unshakable authority, echoed only for her ears.
A Demand for More
Wu Duantian smiled, stroking his beard.
“Qingran, are you satisfied with this sect master’s handling of justice?“
Li Qingran lifted her gaze.
Nearby, Yun Zimo was being dragged away, two disciples carrying his half-conscious body toward the Law Enforcement Hall.
Without the senior’s intervention, Wu Duantian would have surely gone easy on him for Taoist Qingxuan’s sake.
But now…
Justice had been served.
She inclined her head slightly.
“Sect Master Wu is righteous and fair. I respect his judgment.“
For a moment, the square fell silent.
Then—
[Wait!]
A cold, ethereal voice cut through the air like a blade.
[Qingran may be satisfied… but I am not.]
Wu Duantian’s smile stiffened.
His fingers froze mid-stroke, tangled in his beard.
He hesitated before carefully asking, “…Then, how should we proceed?”
The Senior’s Verdict
Chen Huaian sat cross-legged on his sofa, lazily stroking Ba Ji the black cat with one hand and holding the sound transmission talisman in the other.
“Torture him immediately.“
His tone was calm—as if he were discussing the weather.
“How do I know if you’ll actually follow through in the Law Enforcement Hall?“
“Seeing is believing, Sect Master Wu.“
A moment of tense silence followed.
Then, the unseen senior’s voice rang out again—
[The punishment must be witnessed. Only then will it serve as a warning to others.]
[Execute it now.]
Yun Zimo’s Agonizing Fate
Li Qingran’s heart tightened.
She knew—
The senior did not enjoy such brutal scenes.
But he feared injustice.
He feared that what she suffered would be swept under the rug.
Wu Duantian sighed in relief.
He had feared that the mysterious monk would demand something far worse—perhaps exiling Yun Zimo or executing him outright.
He nodded.
“Proceed with the punishment immediately.“
Two disciples dragged Yun Zimo back to the center of the square.
One restrained his body.
The other pulled out an iron hook—a tool used for gouging eyes.
Squelch!
A horrifying scream tore through the air.
Disciples flinched, some turning away, unable to watch.
Blood splattered onto the stone floor.
Mu Baishuang’s Fear
Yun Zimo’s tongue was severed.
His bloodshot eyes rolled skyward as he let out a hoarse, gurgling howl.
Even with his tongue gone, his agony was unmistakable.
“The molten iron needs to be prepared. We will need a moment.“
Wu Duantian’s gaze shifted to Li Qingran.
But his words were meant for the senior.
In that instant—
All eyes fell on Li Qingran.
To them, she was the only link to the hidden powerhouse.
Even Zhang Hanxiao, who had been pretending to be unconscious, cracked open one eye.
Lu Changtian and Xiao Yifeng tensed, shielding Mu Baishuang behind them.
They didn’t want her to see Yun Zimo’s suffering.
Or perhaps…
They feared she would be next.
Li Qingran, feeling the weight of their gazes, lowered her head.
She gripped the Suxian Sword tightly—
Unsure of what to say.
[What do you think, Qingran?]
The senior’s voice was softer this time.
Li Qingran’s ears burned slightly.
She hesitated before whispering, “…I think it’s enough.”
Taoist Qingxuan snorted coldly.
Wu Duantian smiled, nodding.
“Then we shall proceed no further.“
But just as the matter seemed to settle…
A Bold Request
Wu Duantian’s expression shifted.
He looked toward the empty space behind Li Qingran.
Then, in a tone full of caution, he said:
“I have an unreasonable request.“
“Since you were able to restore Li Qingran’s Dantian…“
He gestured toward a young man.
Zhao Lingtian, his direct disciple.
“This child is immensely talented, kind-hearted, and diligent.“
“Yet his Dantian was destroyed by a demonic cultivator.“
Wu Duantian sighed deeply.
“I cannot bear to watch his future be cut short.“
“I humbly ask if you would grant him the same opportunity.“
The Weight of a Miracle
Li Qingran’s entire body went cold.
Hunyuan Bu Tian Dan.
That was what the senior used to restore her Dantian.
And now—
Wu Duantian dared to ask for another one?
Had he already forgotten how precious it was?
Had he assumed that the senior had them in endless supply?
Did he believe that she could be used as leverage—as if the senior would agree just because of her?
Her fingers tightened around the sword hilt.
At the same time—
A prompt appeared on Chen Huaian’s screen.
[Sect Master Wu Duantian has requested a Hunyuan Bu Tian Dan. Please choose your response carefully.]
<1> Reject outright: “You? Worthy? Get lost.”
<2> Stall for time: “Let’s discuss this later.”
<3> Agree: “A mere Hunyuan Bu Tian Dan is nothing to me.” (Will deduct 1 pill or force a 1,000,000¥ purchase.)
<4> Use Sound Transmission Talisman: Free Dialogue.
Chen Huaian’s finger hovered over the options.
At first, his instinct was clear.
But then—
He hesitated.
His eyes narrowed.
Something wasn’t right.
This wasn’t just about a request.
There was something deeper at play.
And whatever it was…
He had to be careful.
