In the basin, the Seven-Spirit Alfalfa swayed with the wind, as if embodying the helpless fate of all beings resisting the overwhelming current. On the ruins, everyone stared silently at the grim-faced Xiao Yan, unsure of what was on the young master's mind.
"Elder Wen, Elder Wu," Xiao Yan called softly. Two aged figures quietly appeared from the spatial void.
"Young Master!" The two elders, known as the Wen-Wu Saints, stood beside Xiao Yan, causing the gathered villagers to bow in even greater reverence.
Although the strongest in the village were only Dou Huang level, those familiar with Dou Qi cultivation understood clearly that these two were incredibly powerful—and yet they appeared merely as Xiao Yan's bodyguards.
"Elder Wen, if I want the mastermind behind this to be punished, there must be many ways, right?" Xiao Yan's voice was calm and steady, but Elder Wen immediately grasped the deeper meaning.
"Heh, just a mere Dou Huang. Not to mention his grandfather is just a minor Dou Zun, even a Grand Elder, if the Young Master wishes to crush him, there's nothing stopping you," Elder Wen smiled faintly. "The Young Master only needs to order the Punishment Hall to send a saint-level expert to perform a Time Reversal Technique—then everything will be revealed."
"Also, if you want to show up and take them for questioning, the Punishment Hall holds the most authority there."
"In that case, Elder Wen, I'll trouble you to make the trip for me," Xiao Yan nodded slightly.
"Heh, as the Young Master's bodyguard, it's my duty. Please wait a moment, Young Master, I'll be back shortly." With that, Elder Wen vanished from sight.
After Elder Wen left, Xiao Yan strode forward to gently crouch beside a little girl with a severed arm.
Her face was innocent and lovely, but her large black eyes were filled with fear and uncertainty.
"Don't be afraid!" Xiao Yan gently stroked her head, then produced a jade bottle in his hand.
He carefully poured out a blood-red pill. Just the scent alone was enough to let some injured villagers feel the faint signs of healing.
A sixth-grade healing miracle medicine — Flesh-and-Bone Restoration Pill!
This pill was said to have miraculous power to revive the dead and restore flesh and bones. It was said that as long as one breath remained beneath the Dou Huang level, it could bring them back from death.
"Child, take this," Xiao Yan placed the blood-red pill at the girl's lips.
The girl swallowed hesitantly, then glanced toward the old village chief. After the chief nodded tearfully, she finally swallowed the pill.
Moments later, her whole body flushed red; the scabbed-over stump of her severed arm slowly began to twitch and move.
"Brother, it hurts so much..." she whimpered pitifully, looking at Xiao Yan.
"Don't be afraid. Brother will protect you," Xiao Yan smiled warmly, softly stroking her head. His mighty Dou Qi mingled with the Blue Lion Demon Flame entered the girl's body, gently refining the pill's energy.
The power was enormous—even a Dou Huang gravely wounded could heal swiftly with it, let alone a child who wasn't even a Dou Zhe yet.
The blood-red energy overflowed continuously from her body, eventually weaving into fine threads that wrapped her into a crimson cocoon.
"Good girl, sleep it off. Everything will get better," Xiao Yan's gentle voice echoed inside the blood cocoon.
Thanks to the terrifying medicinal power of the Flesh-and-Bone Restoration Pill, not only would her injury be fully healed, but her foundation would be greatly strengthened. The abundant energy would accelerate her cultivation progress for years to come.
Standing up, Xiao Yan looked at the injured villagers, waving his hand to distribute many jade bottles among them.
These were all fifth-grade healing pills.
"Thank you, Young Master Xiao Yan!" The injured villagers bowed gratefully, but Xiao Yan said nothing. They were the innocent victims, yet here they were thanking someone else.
"Buzz!" An invisible spatial ripple spread, and Elder Wen appeared again accompanied by a figure in black robes.
The black-robed elder's face was stern, with an aura of killing intent and the dignified presence of a high-ranking official.
"Young Master, this is the Light Punishment Saint, one of the nine saint elders of the Punishment Hall," Elder Wen introduced him.
"Elder Guang," Xiao Yan bowed slightly. The cold-faced black-robed elder hurriedly steadied Xiao Yan.
"Heh, Your Imperial Highness, please don't flatter me. I'm just a humble two-star Dou Sheng—not worthy of your salute."
"To have the honor to assist Your Imperial Highness is my privilege," the elder said.
The so-called pressure and ruthlessness of the upper echelon were relative concepts.
Though Xiao Yan was just a young Dou Huang, being named Imperial Heir by the clan ancestor suggested he was exceptionally outstanding or highly valued.
As a centuries-old elder, Light Punishment Saint's experienced gaze was naturally more astute and showed no arrogance before Xiao Yan.
"Elder Guang, I've already told Elder Wen what I want to do, right?" Looking at the elder's demeanor, Xiao Yan once again marveled at the power of status and influence.
"Of course, Your Imperial Highness. Rest assured, the Punishment Hall is strict and efficient. Once we find evidence, we'll deliver justice for these villagers," Elder Guang smiled faintly.
He slowly extended his right hand. In the next moment, the surrounding light twisted unnaturally and began to flow backward.
"Heaven-grade Dou Technique: Time Reversal!"
As a saint who attained enlightenment with Light attribute Dou Qi, Light Punishment Saint already had the power to rewind images in a spatial area.
Of course, this only rewound the events to watch them again—no changes could be made to the past.
Time's power remained above space; even a Dou Di could not affect the past, which would eventually fade after countless years.
The villagers of Seven-Spirit Village were dumbfounded—this exceeded their understanding.
Even Xiao Yu could not grasp what was happening.
The time image rapidly rewound, returning to last night.
The black moon cast cold light on the simple buildings of Seven-Spirit Village, making them faintly bright. Occasionally, insect sounds echoed quietly.
Suddenly, two men silently appeared outside the village.
Both were peak Dou Huang, using dark attribute Dou Qi, highly skilled in stealth. No one in the village noticed them.
Their shadows moved like ghosts, scattering white powder into every corner of the village.
After finishing, the two quickly left.
About half an hour later, the calm earth stirred, and then tens of thousands of White Brocade Rainbow Cloud Cattle surged like a high-speed black cloud, eyes blood-red, rushing forward wildly.
Then tragedy struck.
Many villagers sleeping were caught off-guard, unable to react.
Fortunately, a few experts above Dou Wang sensed the disturbance early and evacuated most of the villagers with their swift help.
Still, a few remained inside; despite several Dou Wang struggling to rescue, several were seriously injured, and two were trampled to death.
Though just third-stage magical beasts, thousands of them surged like a flood—no Dou Huang dared to resist outright.
Afterwards, the entire village was trampled into ruins, the scene as it was now.
"Your Imperial Highness, I have collected all the evidence. Now, we move to arrest them," said Light Punishment Saint, holding an ancient recording stone as the time reversal ended.
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(End of Chapter)