Chapter 44: Immediate Execution

The Jade Creation Pill was precious not only because it healed injuries but also because it alleviated pain.

For cultivators in life-and-death situations, sometimes the injuries weren't the most fatal—it was the pain that brought about various negative states.

The Celestial Grade Jade Creation Pill almost completely isolated all pain. Even the agony of ten thousand swords piercing the heart was so mild that it could be entirely ignored.

Li Qingran looked at the faint cyan light enveloping her body, gently pinching her wrist with her left hand, her eyes lowered. She knew she had once again unknowingly received Senior's favor. But the debts of gratitude she owed were already too many, and she no longer knew how to repay them.

"Senior, Qingran…"

**[It's fine. Just a pill. Focus on the matter at hand.]**​

The ethereal voice rang in her ears, audible only to her.

"Qingran, are you satisfied with this Sect Leader's decision?"

Li Qingran looked up at Wu Duantian. In the corner of her vision, Yun Zimo was already being held up by two disciples, about to be taken to the Enforcement Hall for punishment.

Admittedly, even the pain of having one's eyes gouged out, tongue cut off, and molten iron poured into the ears paled in comparison to the suffering she had endured.

Without Senior, Wu Duantian, out of respect for Daoist Qingxuan, would likely have given Yun Zimo a slap on the wrist.

She should have been relentless, but the thought of the Senior standing behind her made her let go of her grievances.

"Sect Leader Wu is wise and fair. This junior naturally respects your decision." Li Qingran bowed deeply, indicating her satisfaction.

**[Wait!]**​

A cold proclamation echoed through the void.

**[Qingran is satisfied, but I am not!]**​

The smile that had just formed on Wu Duantian's face froze. His hand, which had been stroking his beard, was now caught in an awkward position—neither raised nor lowered. He could only cautiously address the void, "Uh… what does the esteemed one suggest?"

"Of course, it should be carried out on the spot!" Chen Huaian sat cross-legged on the sofa, forcefully petting the cat's head with his left hand while pressing the communication talisman with his right, chattering away. "Who knows if they'll actually punish him in the Enforcement Hall or just pretend? I can't see it. Seeing is believing, hearing is doubting."

After a moment of silence in the void, an ethereal voice emerged:

**[Punishment should not be hidden from kin, and the law should not spare loved ones. If the punishment is not witnessed, it cannot serve as a warning to others.]**​

**[Therefore, it must be carried out immediately!]**​

Li Qingran was momentarily stunned, feeling a warmth in her heart. Senior, being so noble, likely didn't want to witness the gruesome scene of eyes being gouged and tongues cut off.

He was afraid that all the effort she had put in would be deceived, afraid that those who had wronged her wouldn't receive the punishment they deserved.

Wu Duantian breathed a sigh of relief.

He had thought the mysterious cultivator would demand Yun Zimo be expelled from the Qingyun Sect or even executed with a single sword strike.

That wasn't something he could decide on his own. Although he was the Sect Leader, expelling a personal disciple required discussion with the elders, especially since this elder was Daoist Qingxuan.

"No problem, let's carry out the punishment on the spot." Wu Duantian gave a look to the two Enforcement Hall disciples holding Yun Zimo.

In truth, every month after punishments, he would take all the disciples to the Reflection Cliff to 'visit' those being punished, serving as a warning to others. But since the mysterious cultivator had made this request, he wouldn't say more. At most, Daoist Qingxuan would lose some face.

He didn't care about that.

The Enforcement Hall disciples dragged Yun Zimo back to the center of the square. One of them held Yun Zimo's body in place, while the other took out a hook they carried with them. Cultivators had strong recovery abilities, so there was no need to heat the hook with fire.

With a piercing scream, many Qingyun Sect disciples turned their faces away.

In the center of the square, Yun Zimo, now tongueless, stared at the sky with blood-filled eye sockets, his voice distorted.

"The molten iron needs to be prepared on the spot. It will take some time."

Wu Duantian looked at Li Qingran. It was clear to everyone that these words were directed at the mysterious cultivator behind her.

All eyes were on Li Qingran, as if she had become the spokesperson for the mysterious cultivator.

Zhang Hanxiao was still pretending to be unconscious. Lu Changtian and Xiao Yifeng looked pale, not daring to plead for Yun Zimo.

They stood on either side of Mu Baishuang, shielding her from Yun Zimo's miserable state.

Being stared at by so many people, Li Qingran felt at a loss. Since Senior hadn't spoken, she couldn't speak on his behalf. She could only hold the Su Xian sword and lower her head, counting the ants on the ground.

**[What does Qingran think?]**​

The gentle voice suddenly rang out, causing Li Qingran's face to flush red. She paused for a moment before forcing herself to appear calm and saying, "This junior thinks it's enough."

Daoist Qingxuan snorted with a dark face.

Wu Duantian, on the other hand, stroked his beard and smiled like a peacemaker.

He narrowed his eyes, feeling the timing was about right, and looked behind Li Qingran, cupping his hands in respect. "This old man has the audacity to make an unreasonable request. Since the esteemed one has the means to restore Li Qingran's dantian, could you also help my personal disciple?"

He stepped aside to reveal Zhao Lingtian behind him, his face bitter. "This child is talented, kind, and a rare gem. Unfortunately, his dantian was crippled by a demonic cultivator. This old man can't bear to see him depressed and stuck here…"

Li Qingran raised her head, the blush on her face fading, replaced by icy coldness in her eyes.

The Hunyuan Heaven Restoration Pill.

She finally realized the precious opportunity Senior had given her.

Such a divine pill must have been extremely difficult for Senior to obtain, right?

And now Wu Duantian was shamelessly asking for it? Why? Did he plan to use her to threaten Senior?

At the same time, Chen Huaian, in front of his phone, received a notification.

**[Qingyun Sect Leader Wu Duantian is requesting a favor from you—the Hunyuan Heaven Restoration Pill. Please make a choice. (Different choices may lead to different consequences. Please choose carefully.)]**​

＜Directly refuse: You're not worthy! Get lost—!＞

＜Temporary compromise: Let's not discuss this for now. We'll talk about it after this matter is settled.＞

＜Grant the favor: Fine, a mere Hunyuan Heaven Restoration Pill is nothing to me. Here, take one. (Lose one Hunyuan Heaven Restoration Pill. If there is no Hunyuan Heaven Restoration Pill in your inventory, 1,000,000¥ or 100 spirit crystals will be deducted to forcibly purchase one.)＞

＜Use a communication talisman for free dialogue＞

···

Chen Huaian was about to choose one of the options almost instantly.

But his finger suddenly paused, and he narrowed his eyes, realizing that this matter wasn't as simple as it seemed.