Fang Chen nodded lightly. "Thanks."

The black and white paper figures exchanged a look and disappeared on the spot.

Although they were gone, the recent scene and Ancestor Xue’s current state still left those present feeling suffocated, their breathing becoming labored.

The mocking glances they once cast at Fang Chen had vanished, replaced only by fear and confusion. The atmosphere was thick with silence until Elder Xue’s injuries began to improve slightly, and he let out a painful groan, drawing everyone's attention back to him.

"Take Zhang Chunfeng into custody," managed Ancestor Xue, his voice hoarse as he struggled to rise from the ground and instructed Wu Cuocai.

The cultivators were taken aback, and Sect Leader Zhang instinctively looked at the young man. "Take Zhang Chunfeng into custody!?"

Wu Cuocai was momentarily stunned but reacted quickly, waving his hand to bind the young man with overwhelming spiritual energy.

The young man couldn’t believe that the ancestor who favored him so much would make such a decision. "Ancestor Xue!"

"What’s next?" Wu Cuocai asked cautiously.

Ancestor Xue looked at Fang Chen, forcing a pained smile on his already broken face. He clasped his hands together despite his broken arm. "What do you plan to do with this boy?"

If it weren’t for his extremely powerful spiritual energy, he wouldn’t have been able to even stand, let alone turn over.

The Golden Core Realm cultivators of the Parting Fiery Dao Sect felt a deep despair. "We’re finished….

Ancestor Xue’s attitude indicated that their sect was facing an insurmountable enemy today.

"Ancestor Xue, it's me, Chunfeng—your most beloved Chunfeng…."

Zhang Chunfeng couldn't believe it and tried to change his mind.

"Shut up," Elder Xue reprimanded coldly. "Your actions have endangered our sect, and you still don't realize your mistake? If you dare speak again, I'll slap you to death."

Zhang Chunfeng looked at Ancestor Xue with despair and did not dare to speak further; he was truly afraid the ancestor would slap him to death.

The young disciples who had been interrogating Li Daoye with Zhang Chunfeng earlier all stared at their toes as if they had found the Dao.

Sect Leader Zhang opened his mouth but ultimately chose not to speak up for his son.

"Truly deserving of being an Enlightenment Realm cultivator who has lived for over 800 years; your ability to adapt to the situation far surpasses that of a young talent like me," Li Daoye murmured.

His voice was low, but all the cultivators present heard it clearly. A few people had their faces turn a shade redder.

However, Ancestor Xue, the main figure, showed no change in expression. He respectfully looked at Fang Chen, waiting for his decision.

"Ancestor Xue, how you handle him is up to you," Fang Chen said with a smile.

"I dare not claim the title of 'Ancestor', so please don't be so polite," Elder Xue quickly waved his hand. "Since you wish for me to decide, I believe Zhang Chunfeng’s crimes should be repaid with death."

Sect Leader Zhang's heart trembled slightly.

The surrounding Golden Core Realm cultivators were appalled.

Zhang Chunfeng inhaled sharply, staring blankly at Elder Xue. His face suddenly twisted with rage, and he shouted, “Ancestor Xue, you repeatedly said that I would definitely become the Sect Laster of the Parting Fiery Dao Sect in the future, with the potential to advance to the Nascent Soul Realm and even the Enlightenment Realm. You were very optimistic about me, but now you’re the one condemning me to death!?”

“I have clearly misjudged you. Your current act of cursing at me is proof of that,” Ancestor Xue said coldly.

“You!”

Zhang Chunfeng’s anger left him tongue-tied.

“Wu Cuocai, what are you waiting for?” Ancestor asked indifferently.

Wu Cuocai didn’t hesitate and struck Zhang Chunfeng with his palm. As Zhang Chunfeng was only at the Foundation Building Realm, he was no match for Wu Cuocai. His physical body instantly disintegrated into light points.

The onlookers were horrified, and even the Golden Core Realm cultivators felt a chilling sense of dread, realizing the consequences of Zhang Chunfeng’s fate.

“Is there anything you find displeasing with our sect and want it addressed?” Ancestor Xue asked in a low voice.

Fang Chen sighed lightly. “The heart must also be cultivated alongside the body. I believe that the Parting Fiery Dao Sect’s cultivators have fallen short in this regard. As fellow disciples of the Dao, I cannot bear to see this.”

The crowd tensed, and Elder Xue looked slightly surprised. “Then what do you suggest we do?”

“It is said that tribulation is a test of the heart. Since my lightning technique is similar to the lightning tribulation, perhaps it can be used to temper the mindset of your sect’s cultivators. Who would like to come first?” Fang Chen suggested.

The crowd exchanged glances, not daring to speak.

Seeing that no one was going to step up out of their own accord, Fang Chen pointed to Wu Cuocai. “Little Wu, you go first.”

“Senior Fang, I’ve already undergone two tribulations, and I feel my mindset has been elevated. It would be better to give this opportunity to these Golden Core Realm cultivators,” Wu Cuocai replied, cupping his hands in respect.

He then looked at Sect Leader Zhang and the others. “They have lost their original intentions after so many years of cultivation. If they could be tempered by your lightning technique, it might benefit their future paths.”

Help? Nonsense!

Sect Leader Zhang and the others were furious and their eyes glared at Wu Cuocai as if they wanted to kill him.

“Little Wu, didn’t you and Little Xue want to cultivate my lightning technique? If you fear it now, how will you ever master it in the future?” Fang Chen said solemnly. “This opportunity is rare; you must seize it yourself.”

Wu Cuocai’s expression froze. “Seize... my opportunity?”

Ancestor Xue sighed lightly. “Wu Cuocai, this is indeed your opportunity. Go and face the tribulation. Once you’ve passed it, the path will be wide open.”

His last words carried a very obvious hint.

Wu Cuocai pondered for a few moments. Reflecting on how he had survived under the two lightning earlier, he made his decision.

“Alright, thank you, Senior Fang!” Wu Cuocai said slowly, cupping his hands.

Suddenly, a lightning bolt descended, crashing into him. This time, not only did the spiritual energy barrier surrounding him shatter like tofu, but it only managed to mitigate a fraction of the lightning’s power. The remaining six or seven parts struck his body directly.

His form vanished, leaving only a charred, block-like mass that seemed to be remnants of flesh, emitting faint green smoke.

Elder Xu and the others gasped in shock. “The Lightning Law is truly terrifying...”

A Golden Core Realm cultivator had been obliterated just like that!?

Sect Leader Zhang and the others felt a severe jolt. This was starkly different from what they had seen before. Wu Cuocai had apparently been able to resist the Thunder Law before, only suffering minor injuries. Yet now, he had been instantly killed by a single attack!

“Alas—” Fang Chen sighed lightly. “It seems Little Wu wasn’t fated for this opportunity. If he had managed to take it, he would have been worthy of my inheritance. What a pity.”

The Golden Core Realm cultivators remained silent, and Elder Xue glanced at the remnants of Wu Cocai’s flesh, unsure of what to say.

“And the rest of you? Who will come first to temper their mindset?” Fang Chen asked again, his gaze falling on Sect Leader Zhang and the others.

The Golden Core Realm cultivators were drenched in cold sweat, looking desperately towards Ancestor Xue for help.

Ancestor Xue, however, remained detached, observing without a word.