"As Your Highness commands." The Punishment Saint smiled faintly.
In the next moment, three massive pillars of battle qi shot out from his fingertips, then transformed into three unbreakable chains that bound three figures.
"Snatch!" The three figures were pulled directly over, without even a trace of resistance.
Among them, Xiao Jiande was shockingly the first in line.
The other two were naturally the two Battle Emperors who attacked Seven Spirits Village that night.
Although they hid extremely well, it was useless to conceal anything in front of a Battle Saint.
"X-Xiao Yan! Spare my life, I beg you, have mercy!" Xiao Jiande's face showed utter collapse.
He had counted every possibility except that Xiao Yan was actually the third imperial son of the Xiao Clan, and even the Battle Saint of the Punishment Hall bowed to him.
"Heh, if I spare you, who will spare those innocent clan descendants?" Xiao Yan wore a playful smile.
"When you relied on your so-called power and background to ruin others' lives recklessly, did you ever think this day would come?"
After saying that, his expression returned to calm, carrying a hint of authority: "Xiao Jiande, abusing your background to commit countless evils, harming our clan's descendants, destroying the foundation of the Xiao Clan. From today, you are stripped of your battle qi, demoted to clan descendant status, and forever barred from returning to the clan register."
After finishing, a burst of battle qi shot from his hand and struck hard on Xiao Jiande's dantian. Pfft!Xiao Jiande's face turned pale, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and his breath gradually weakened.
Seeing his grandson disabled, Xiao Jiande's grandfather couldn't help but roar angrily: "Xiao Yan!!"
"How dare you! Who gave you the guts to yell at the imperial son?"
The Punishment Saint snorted coldly, and the old man in the purple robe spat out another mouthful of blood.
"Old bastard, do you think you can escape?" Xiao Yan sneered coldly.
"You ambushed the imperial son of the Xiao Clan, were rude to me, and tried to protect the criminals. I sentence you to be reformed in the Demon Suppression Tower for a hundred years."
"You!" The old man in the purple robe first showed anger, then fear on his face.
The Demon Suppression Tower was the Xiao Clan's prison, a place without light or sky, filled with chilling murderous energy. Even a Battle Sovereign would lose a layer of skin after a hundred years inside.
"Imperial Son, Xiao Jiande has made mistakes, punish him as you see fit, but isn't his grandfather going too far?" Xiao Lu slowly spoke.
A useless Battle Emperor descendant dying was no big deal, but the old man in the purple robe was a seven-star Battle Sovereign, one of the true top powers in their branch.
"If you keep talking," Xiao Yan turned coldly, "I'll take you down with him!"
Xiao Lu was stunned for a moment, then his face turned pale and blue, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Xiao Lu, are you planning to rebel?" The Punishment Saint coldly glanced at him.
His voice was like ice thrown into blazing fire, instantly clearing Xiao Lu's gaze.
Luckily, none of the younger generation heard this exchange. He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and calmed his expression.
Seeing Xiao Lu's expression, Xiao Yan sneered.
His outburst just now wasn't simply bad temper — it was to let the two Saints behind him and the Punishment Saint know what kind of temper he had.
A person with temper earns respect and has the right to command. Otherwise, no matter how noble his status, he will be looked down upon over time.
In ancient Blue Star, capable emperors always had ruthless tempers, decisive killings, and absolute authority.
As for offending Xiao Lu, it wasn't a big deal.
An old man who took 500 years to become a saint—if he's offended, so be it. As long as he himself can become a saint soon, these people will only have awe, not hatred.
"Although you two are not the masterminds, you are the executors. I sentence you to the same punishment as Xiao Jiande. If you blame anyone, blame yourselves for choosing the wrong master."
Two more blasts of battle qi shot out from Xiao Yan. The two Battle Emperors behind Xiao Jiande immediately spat blood, their breath deflating like punctured balloons.
"These three crimes are personally judged by me. After demoting them to clan descendants, if anyone dares secretly assist them, they will be my enemy!"
Xiao Yan coldly scanned the young disciples of the Xiao Lu branch.
Under Xiao Yan's icy gaze, these people shuddered internally and looked at Xiao Jiande with more pity.
Losing power and background was one thing, but having all battle qi stripped—one could imagine how miserable Xiao Jiande's future would be.
"Brother Guang, the follow-up matters are up to your Punishment Hall. I won't interfere. Just make sure the clan laws are strictly enforced." Xiao Yan smiled slightly.
"Heh, Your Highness, rest assured. Leave it to me, I will definitely follow the rules."
The Punishment Saint nodded with a smile.
"Then, Brother Guang, I leave it to you." After saying that, Xiao Yan turned into a streak of light and flew away.
After Xiao Yan flew far off, the smiling face of the Punishment Saint returned to its usual cold and calm expression.
"Brother Guang," Xiao Lu opened his mouth.
There weren't many Battle Saints in the Xiao Clan—if there were one or two hundred, that would be good—and the Battle Saints naturally knew each other.
"What is it? You want to plead for this Battle Sovereign?" The Punishment Saint had already turned to look.
"Even if he can't leave the Demon Suppression Tower, it would be better if it's at least more comfortable inside." Xiao Lu glanced at the old man in the purple robe.
"Heh." The Punishment Saint sneered coldly, "Brother Xiao Lu, I really don't know where your cultivation has gone in these hundreds of years. Since we know each other, I advise you, don't throw yourself away for a few worthless juniors."
"If the other two imperial sons had come here today, would you still dare say these things?"
After that, he grabbed with his right hand, and the four—including the old man in purple—were caught without resistance and disappeared from this space with the Punishment Saint's wave of his hand.
Xiao Lu stood still, his face changing, clearly lost in thought.
Finally, he looked coldly at the descendants flying in the sky and said, "Tonight, all clan elders with battle qi above Battle Sovereign level will meet to strictly rectify clan rules!"
On the ruins of Seven Spirits Village, Xiao Yan returned once again, looking at the white-haired old village chief:
"Old sir, the matter has been completely resolved. Xiao Jiande and the two attackers have been stripped of their battle qi and demoted to clan descendants.
I did not execute them directly but wanted them to personally feel the pain of those they oppressed. Without battle qi and background, their end will be even more miserable."
"Thank you, sir!" The old village chief stood up and clasped his fists toward Xiao Yan. His way of addressing Xiao Yan had unintentionally shifted from "young master" to "sir."
Behind him, a group of clan descendants also clasped their fists in salute.
"I was the one who caused the trouble for you all, yet you thank me." Xiao Yan smiled as he helped the villagers up, unable to tell if he was laughing at himself or the world.
"Consider this as assistance for rebuilding the village. Next, I will purchase this basin and register it under my name. Generally, no one will dare mess with it." With a wave, a jade bottle fell into each villager's hands.
The bottles contained nothing but fourth-grade pills, which were already a huge fortune for many ordinary villagers.
"Thank you, sir!" The villagers clasped fists again.
Xiao Yan only smiled faintly and then activated his battle qi wings to leave.
"Xiao Yan, when did you become an imperial son? Why didn't I know?" Xiao Yu asked curiously.
"Guess."
"I guess you're full of hot air!" Xiao Yu rolled her eyes.
Xiao Yan said nothing more, flying while looking at the sky.
The sky gradually darkened. Unfortunately, the Pure Lotus Demon Flame of the boss wasn't going to create a romantic sunset.
Maybe, busy standing guard, he had no time to think about these things.
It was time to leave the Xiao Realm and see the sunset of the Battle Qi Continent.
With this chapter, the first major story arc is basically done. This is my imagination of the Xiao Clan's prosperity after Xiao Xuan became emperor.
This is my attempt to depict a powerful Battle Emperor family. Honestly, sometimes I feel my writing isn't strong enough to fully express my imagination.
Thanks to all readers who have followed along despite my humble writing skills.
Starting tomorrow, the protagonist will truly arrive on the Battle Qi Continent. The story will get more exciting. Please support!
(End of Chapter)