Chapter 2834 Punishment

A perfect Nirvana Spirit Stage expert’s cultivation had been severed. This was naturally a serious matter!

Furthermore, Zhongli Zhe was no ordinary person. He was ranked first among the twelve deacons of the Origin Sky Pavilion, and his status was at minimum on the same level of the Nine Peak Masters. In fact, he could be considered a heavyweight bigwig in the Origin Sect.

Moreover, his surname was Zhongli, meaning behind him stood the Eighth Heaven Domain Immortal Giant Zhongli Clan. However, even with such status, cultivation, and background, his cultivation had been severed.

To someone like him, that was a fate more cruel than death! This was why Fu Wenli, Qi Xiaoyun, Chi Wen, Tang Qiu and the rest were so furious.

"It’s unavoidable for injuries to happen in a spar." Amidst the tense and stifling atmosphere, Dugu Yong calmly said, "For this examination, everyone present can testify that Lin Xun did not show any inclination to commit murder from start to end. According to the sect rules, no crime has been committed as long as no one died."

"Ridiculous!" Fu Wenli angrily said, ''How is this different from killing? I know that you and the others are bent on defending Lin Xun. However, I refuse to let this go until he is punished!"

Qi Xiaoyun also spoke up in a cold voice, "That’s right, his actions are far too vile. If everyone follows his example and cripples their opponent's cultivation in spars, wouldn't things become a mess?"

"Yes, he must be punished severely!" Chi Wen, Tang Qiu and a host of other big shots also voiced their stance: they would not relent until Lin Xun was punished.

This made everyone present inwardly tremble. None of them had anticipated this development, nor had they imagined that Lin Xun would be so vicious.

Despite facing criticism from all sides, Lin Xun appeared as calm as ever. He blandly said, "Dare I ask Deputy Pavilion Master Xuan, in accordance with the sect's rules, did I do something wrong?"

"No." Xuan Feiling flatly said, ''If you had broken the rules, I would have been the first to arrest you. All of you present should also be well versed in the sect's laws, so everyone should naturally understand that in such an examination, there’s no crime to speak of as long as no one dies."

The crowd nodded at his words. Such promotion examinations were often rather cruel affairs. Since neither side would willingly back down or be replaced, victory would at times leave either one or both parties on the brink of death.

There were plenty of examples where participants would end up with their dao bodies destroyed, and even sustain serious damage to their primordial spirits. In worse cases, some would be blasted until only a single drop of origin blood was left of them.

"Is suffering a serious injury the same as losing your cultivation?!" Fu Wenli's expression was a storm of chilling rage. "I have already said that I won't stop until Lin Xun is punished today!"

Qi Xiaoyun, Chi Wen and the others also showed their stance by expressing their staunch support for Fu Wenli.

The surroundings grew so oppressive that many people found it hard to breathe. That hostile atmosphere tightly gripped everyone’s hearts, making them afraid that relations between the bigwigs would finally break down completely.

If that happened, there would no longer be any peace in the Origin Sect!

Yuan Changtian sighed softly and transmitted, "Old Ancestor, do you think Lin Xun has gone too far today?"

Next to him, Yuan Xiliu's expression didn’t change in the slightest as he transmitted in reply, "Young Master, this old slave only knows that by doing this, Fu Wenli and the others are also helping you eliminate a potential threat."

"Eliminate? Impossible, he’ll at most be punished a little. Don't you see that quite a number of people support and protect him? If this matter gets any bigger, it will only cause more internal division in the Origin Sect, resulting in unrest and strife."

Yuan Changtian casually said, "Therefore, the biggest possibility is that Lin Xun will be punished to smooth over this matter."

Just as he said this, a golden streak of light suddenly appeared in the sky above. It transformed into a golden scroll, instantly drawing everyone’s gazes.

"It's Lord Yan Ji's decree!"

The crowd was shaken, realizing that today's matter had already disturbed the Origin Sky Pavilion Master who hadn't shown himself for a long time!

The golden scroll unfurled in the sky and a deep voice emerged, "For today's incident, Lin Xun will be confined to his cave dwelling for nine years and receive a ten-year salary deduction. If anything like this happens again, the offender will not be let off lightly regardless who it is."

Each word boomed like thunder across the area, permeated with supreme majesty. The crowd was initially shocked before their expressions soon turned strange. This punishment...was basically a ‘slap on the wrist.’

Xuan Feiling, Dugu Yong, and the others couldn't help but smile. Since Lin Xun had only severed his opponent’s cultivation and hadn’t actually broken any rules, this punishment was sufficient.

On the other hand, Fu Wenli, Qi Xiaoyun, Chi Wen and the other bigwigs were so angry that they almost vomited blood, feeling horrible inside.

You call that punishment?!

"Heh, looks like Pavilion Master Yan Ji is also very protective of Lin Xun." Yuan Changtian laughed.

This result was within his prediction, although he hadn’t expected Lin Xun to be let off this lightly.

Yuan Xiliu frostily transmitted, "This seems a little unjust, and it will only make Fu Wenli and the others hold an even bigger grudge. From what this old slave understands, a problem occurred with Yan Ji’s heart state while trying to attain eternity, leaving him with a wisp of primordial spirit that has survived until now. How can someone like him...still have the qualification to serve as the Origin Sky pavilion master?"

"Only a wisp of primordial spirit is it..." Yuan Changtian's eyes flickered in thought. "I hope that is true."

Chi Wen exclaimed indignantly, "That's unfair!"

Fu Wenli, Qi Xiaoyun, and the others also had extremely ugly expressions. The fact that they had lost one of their heavyweights in exchange for such a light punishment made them so angry that they nearly cursed out loud.

"Is Deputy Pavilion Master Chi Wen questioning the decision of Lord Pavilion Master?"

Xuan Feiling chillingly looked over.

"I......” Chi Wen's expressions changed indeterminately. "I just think that such a punishment isn’t enough to convince the public. It’s not that I am questioning the Origin Sky Pavilion Master again."

Xuan Feiling didn't pay any further attention to him. Instead, he turned to the gathered crowd and asked, "Does everyone present think this punishment is reasonable?"

"Naturally."

"That’s how it should have been from the start. It's not like Deacon Lin has ever violated the rules. Honestly, some of us feel aggrieved that he even received a punishment."

"We support Lord Pavilion Master Yan Ji’s decision!"

Many people spoke up, clearly stating their support for Yan Ji's decision. Chi Wen gnashed his teeth in anger. Just when he was about to say something, he was stopped by Fu Wenli.

Fu Wenli had calmed down by now. He indifferently looked at Lin Xun and said, "Since the pavilion master has made a decision, we naturally have no objections. I only hope that Deacon Lin will not harm his fellow disciples in this way again in the future. Otherwise, this honored one will have to go out on a limb to severely punish him!"

With these final words, he turned around and left.

Lin Xun smiled and cupped his hands together. "Many thanks to Deputy Pavilion Master Fu for his teachings."

Soon, Qi Xiaoyun, Chi Wen, Tang Qiu and the others also departed one after another.

"Congratulations Deacon Lin!"

"Congratulations Deacon Lin!"

Meanwhile, numerous people began to offer their congratulations. This time, however, they were clearly congratulating Lin Xun for getting off with a light punishment. This showed just how deeply beloved he was in the Origin Sect. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to receive so much support.

"Thanks everyone for speaking up for justice!" Lin Xun smiled and cupped his hands together.

"You brat, you’d better not do such things next time." Fang Daoping couldn’t help but glare at Lin Xun as he walked out of the arena. "I doubt you’ll be as lucky next time."

"Listen to Pavilion Master Yan Ji and obediently reflect in your cave dwelling. Don't cause any more trouble." Xuan Feiling also couldn't help but scold Lin Xun, "You saw how things went today, you would have been in for some hardships if it weren’t for Pavilion Master Yan Ji."

Lin Xun smiled and nodded.

Soon, Xuan Feiling, Dugu Yong and the others also left one after another. Although today's matter had been put to rest, these big shots knew full-well that Fu Wenli and the others would not leave things at this.

Or rather, after today, the relationship between them had become irreparable. This would most likely cause a divide in the Origin Sect, which would inevitably lead to many disagreements and further turmoil.

However, this was exactly what Xuan Feiling and the others wanted. From the moment Lin Xun joined, they had already decided to borrow his hand to completely clean out the stubborn tumors within the sect. Now, the curtains on this operation were finally being pulled apart.

"Lin Xun, Peak Master asked me to tell you that no matter what will happen in the future, the Ninth Peak will always stand by your side." Ninth Peak Elder Mo Lanshan smilingly revealed Qin Wuyu's stance.

Lin Xun's heart shook as he immediately bowed and said, "Thank you!"

Soon, the bigwigs of the three pavilions and nine peaks also arrived to congratulate him. There were the Origin Clarity Pavilion Elders, Xiao Wenyuan and Li Zhen, Eighth Peak Master Cang Chongxue, Seventh Peak Master Tian Wucuo, Sixth Peak Master Wen Dongmian, and Fifth Peak Master Yu Xiangting...

Lin Xun was now a deacon. Moreover, he had replaced the head of the Origin Sky Pavilion’s twelve deacons. As such, his status was now equal to the masters of the Nine Peaks, while his authority had already begun to surpass theirs!

It could be said that the changes to his cultivation and status over the years had led to him gaining the acknowledgement and approval of many big shots from the Origin Sect. Naturally, this would make things far easier for him in the sect.

At the very least, even while knowing he had so many enemies, the fact that he was still able to receive support from so many people today was in itself the greatest acknowledgement to him!

"Congratulations on your promotion, Brother Lin, and also congratulations to Brother Lin for resolving that disaster."

Just as Lin Xun was planning to leave, a clear peal of laughter rang out. Some distance away, he saw Yuan Changtian approaching while accompanied by Yuan Xiliu. Dressed in a snow-white robe, he was handsome and elegant as always. Hence, he immediately drew the attention of numerous gazes when he walked over.