"Help! Someone help her!"
"This game didn't say there's a plot - killing for the female lead!" Outside the 'game,' Chen Ping An was stunned to see Fang Qingzhi turn into a bloodied mess in an instant.
For a moment, he wondered if it was because he hadn't spent enough!
He furiously tapped the screen, the already cracked phone screen spreading more fissures.
Sweat rolled down his face. At this moment, Chen Ping An desperately hoped the system would pop up a recharge button.
All the disciples of Qingyun Sect were dumbfounded. Among the crowd, a disciple turned pale with shock.
He had never imagined that Fang Qingzhi would use her Great Dao Oath as a means to prove herself.
That was the torment of ten thousand swords piercing the heart!
A moment's inattention might cast a lifelong shadow on a cultivator's path, blocking further advancement in realms!
On Chen Ping An's end, the pay-to-win system finally kicked in, and a prompt box leisurely popped up before he could poke the screen to death.
[Recharge 18.8¥ to purchase an Immortal - grade Jade Transformation Pill for Fang Qingzhi's healing? (Limited - time special~♥)]
"Buy!" Without a second thought, Chen Ping An closed his eyes and recharged, not noticing that the system's pricing was surprisingly reasonable this time.
In the Cangyun Realm, at the main square of Qingyun Sect.
Fang Qingzhi, on the verge of fainting from pain, was abruptly upheld by an invisible force.
Then, everyone witnessed a brocade box floating out from the void behind Fang Qingzhi.
The box opened to reveal a jade - green pill. Instantly, the fragrance of medicine filled the air. Disciples nearby felt their spiritual energy circulation quicken, and their healing wounds tingled. Even those farther away felt refreshed and invigorated.
Before the crowd could savor the intoxicating medicinal scent,
the pill flew to Fang Qingzhi's lips, transformed into a beam of green light, and entered her body with a breath, rapidly spreading throughout her entire being.
"Jade Transformation Pill! It must be a Jade Transformation Pill!"
Sect Leader Wu Duan Tian was the first to react.
Recently, in his efforts to restore Zhao Lingtian's Dantian, he had tried every precious pill imaginable, including the renowned Life - snatching Jade Transformation Pill. However, the one he had given Zhao Lingtian lacked the pill's overwhelming fragrance and was not as crystal - clear and jade - like, devoid of impurities. The truth was clear.
"It's an Immortal - grade Jade Transformation Pill!" Wu Duan Tian was utterly shocked.
"Master, this pill is amazing, right?"
Wu Duan Tian glanced at Zhao Lingtian and said irritably, "Jade Transformation Pills are at least fifth - grade. This one's quality has reached the Immortal grade. What grade do you think it is?"
Zhao Lingtian's eyes widened. If a regular Jade Transformation Pill was fifth - grade, then this Immortal - grade one must be fourth or even third - grade...
Using such a precious pill to alleviate Fang Qingzhi's pain?
She was merely in agony, not on the brink of death!
At this moment, Zhao Lingtian felt his heart bleed.
The elders from various peaks watched Fang Qingzhi's body enveloped in jade - like green light, their hearts filled with complex emotions.
If this pill had been given to them in a life - or - death crisis, they would have understood, but this seemed extravagantly wasteful.
In the crowd, outer sect elder Wang Chuan was now drenched in sweat.
He sensed impending disaster. It was a foregone conclusion that he would be exposed.
Who would have thought Fang Qingzhi was so daring? She had broken her Great Dao Oath of ten thousand swords piercing the heart without hesitation?
Given Wu Duan Tian's temper, Wang Chuan's position as an elder was definitely gone, and he would suffer the brutal punishments of eye - gouging and tongue - extraction. Most crucially, would the mysterious cultivator behind Fang Qingzhi spare him? Would Wu Duan Tian, in his efforts to appease that cultivator, use him as a sacrificial pawn?
The more he thought, the more terrified he became.
Wang Chuan's gaze upon Fang Qingzhi turned vicious.
"Now that everyone's attention is on that disciple, and the mysterious cultivator is surely concerned for her safety, this is the moment of vulnerability. In that case..."
With nothing left to lose,
Wang Chuan pulled out his flying sword and hurled it forward.
Then he leaped into the air, landing on the sword with both feet.
The green hills remain, the clear waters flow forever.
Take off!
However, before he had flown two steps,
a dozen golden talismans chased after him at an even greater speed.
Boom——!
Under a cloudless sky, thunder rained down from the heavens.
Wang Chuan, unable to dodge in time, was struck full - on, smoking and crashing to the ground.
In front of his phone, Chen Ping An grimly stuffed the unused Thunderfire talismans back into his bag, blew on his numb fingers from tapping, and remained humble and unnoticed.
As an outer sect elder, Wang Chuan was merely at the Golden Core stage of cultivation.
While the Thunderfire talismans weren't enough to kill him outright, after such a dozen consecutive strikes, he was left charred and barely able to stand.
Seeing this, Wu Duan Tian was taken aback and quickly ordered Wang Chuan to be restrained.
His respect for the mysterious cultivator deepened.
The Thunderfire talismans were used so casually, including several supreme - grade ones, indicating the cultivator had substantial resources. Could this be a reclusive elder from another sect? Such a figure, backed by a sect, was the most difficult to deal with. If it were a wandering cultivator, they might be easier to handle.
"Master, Sect Leader, this disciple is guilty."
Yun Zimo, seeing Wang Chuan restrained, knew the truth could no longer be hidden. He proactively knelt before Wu Duan Tian and Qingxuan Taoist, kowtowing in apology: "Disciple acted out of anger at Fang Qingzhi harming my junior sister, leading me to act impulsively and resort to underhanded means... Regardless, I have violated the sect rules and am willing to accept punishment!"
"Rascal!" Qingxuan Taoist trembled with rage, his face flushed with anger.
This was utterly humiliating! Chixiao Peak would become the laughingstock of Qingyun Sect!
Worse still, the patriarch might take a dim view of these scandals upon emerging from seclusion.
The more he thought, the angrier he became. Yet, under the watchful gaze of unseen eyes, he dared not act rashly.
Qingxuan Taoist vowed he had never felt such frustration in his life.
"Hmm, without Wang Chuan's involvement, you couldn't have pulled this off. He's at the core of the issue," Wu Duan Tian stroked his beard, narrowing his eyes.
Yun Zimo's heart soared at this.
If the Sect Leader had spoken, the main punishment would fall on Wang Chuan, lightening his own!
Then Wu Duan Tian announced in a loud voice: "Outer sect elder Wang Chuan, guilty of framing and slandering fellow disciples, with extremely malicious intent!
As an elder, he lacks virtue and righteousness; as a manager, he fails to follow rules and discipline. His elder status is hereby revoked. He will undergo eye - gouging, tongue - extraction, and have iron - water poured into his ears, and be sent to Reflection Cliff for six months of penance. Similarly, Yun Zimo, a direct disciple of Chixiao Peak, will undergo the same punishments and serve three months of penance at Reflection Cliff. Considering his willingness to admit fault, his daily meals will include two additional vegetable leaves.
As for the other disciples implicated in this affair, they shall all be sent to Reflection Cliff for wall - facing meditation!"
Yun Zimo's face drained of color.
In the end, it was the same punishment.
Moreover, the penance time at Reflection Cliff had been extended!
"Sect Leader, please no! I'll be ruined... Master? Master! Plea for me!" Yun Zimo crawled to Qingxuan Taoist's feet but was kicked away by his master, rolling all the way to the edge of the square, unconscious upon stopping.
"Master, Third Brother has realized his mistake..." Lu Changtian tried to intercede.
Qingxuan Taoist coldly snapped, "Silence!"
His icy glare fell upon Lu Changtian and the others. "One more word, and you'll join them at Reflection Cliff!"
Lu Changtian's face turned pale, and he sealed his lips.
Xiao Yicfeng, who was about to plea, froze and swallowed his words.
A shadow of gloom crossed Mu Bai Shuang's eyes.
Events and people were beginning to slip beyond her control.
...
Wu Duan Tian glanced at the Chixiao Peak group, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Turning his attention to Fang Qingzhi, who had regained consciousness, he spoke in a gentle tone:
"Qingzhi, are you satisfied with the Sect Leader's handling of this matter?"