Chapter 41: The Tribunal Reopens

The Hall of Judgment reopened.

For the Supreme Profound Dao Sect, this was an extraordinary event.

Word quickly spread throughout the sect.

Countless disciples discussed it endlessly.

"The Hall of Judgment is open again—who's being punished this time?"

"No idea, but I heard it's being reopened by the Grand Elder herself. If she's personally presiding over it, the one to be punished must be of high status—perhaps even a Golden Core Elder."

"More than that. Punishing a Golden Core Elder wouldn't alarm the Grand Elder."

"So you're saying the one to be punished is likely a Nascent Soul Grand Elder?"

"In all likelihood, yes."

A gasp swept through the crowd.

The already bustling Supreme Profound Dao Sect was thrown into utter chaos.

Disciples gathered outside the Hall of Judgment, eager to see what would transpire.

Within the hall.

Liu Rushe had prepared thoroughly to punish Chu Feng.

Of course, the main reason was that Fang Yun had pleased her so well.

Ventilating her little man's grievances, and earning his smile in the process—such a simple thing.

As one of the three great Grand Elders at the Soul Formation stage, and planning to punish a Nascent Soul Grand Elder, the commotion she caused was unimaginable.

The three Soul Formation Ancestors were all present.

So were the other four Nascent Soul Grand Elders, the Sect Master Xiang Yutian, and over a dozen Golden Core Elders.

Among them was Xiang Yutian, who had previously tried to curry favor with Chu Feng.

Everyone watched as Liu Rushe arrived late with Fang Yun on her arm, their brows furrowed, their gazes tinged with complex emotions.

Fang Yun, a mere late-stage Foundation Establishment ant, was attending such a high-level meeting for the first time. Clinging to Liu Rushe's hand, his face was alight with excitement as he muttered, "Sister Liu, these are the powerbrokers of our Supreme Profound Dao Sect."

"I never imagined I'd live to see the day I could attend such a gathering."

Liu Rushe replied with disdain, "As long as you keep me happy, I'll bring you along often."

Fang Yun beamed, "Thank you, Sister Liu, you're wonderful."

"Sister Liu, do you think I could become an Elder of the Supreme Profound Dao Sect?"

"I'm worried that even if Chu Feng is punished this time, he'll take revenge once he's out. I'm just a regular core disciple, and he's a Nascent Soul Grand Elder—it would be as easy for him to crush me as it is to crush an ant. But if I were an Elder, he wouldn't dare touch me."

Liu Rushe nodded. "There's sense in that. Normally, the position of Elder is reserved for Golden Core cultivators. But with me here, that Elder seat is yours."

"If anyone objects, let them come and reason with me."

"Thank you, Sister Liu." Fang Yun was elated. "I'll do my utmost to please you."

Liu Rushe laughed. "Tonight, then—let's try the steel wool."

Fang Yun's expression changed instantly.

But he quickly composed himself. Thinking of the rewards for his efforts, he gritted his teeth and said, "I'll do whatever you say, Sister Liu."

"Liu Rushe, this is the Hall of Judgment. Even if you wish to flaunt your affection, show some restraint."

The sight of this older woman and younger man shamelessly displaying their affection, their words grating, drew sidelong glances.

But she was the Grand Elder, a Soul Formation Ancestor. No one dared speak out, though anger simmered.

Finally, the outrage of the other two Nascent Soul Ancestors could not be contained.

Their eyes flashed with fury.

One of them was named Ye Zishan, like Liu Rushe, one of the three Soul Formation Grand Elders.

Liu Rushe, however, dismissed Ye Zishan's rebuke with utter disdain. "Ignore him. That's Ye Zishan, mid-Soul Formation—his cultivation is inferior to mine."

"And the man beside him is Zhao Ping, early Soul Formation, also no match for me. Pay them no mind."

"As for these others, they're Nascent Soul cultivators, like Chu Feng. The five Grand Elders: Lu Linglong, Cui Yong, Nangong Wentian, and Lin San."

"This one here, Xiang Yutian, is our Sect Master. If you need anything in the future, go to him."

Xiang Yutian nodded slightly to Fang Yun.

This time, as Liu Rushe moved against Chu Feng, he was in full support. In the past, as Sect Master, he and Chu Feng—then a Grand Elder—had kept to their own spheres, each giving the other some deference.

But as Chu Feng aged and his life waned, Xiang Yutian's ambitions began to stir.

He had meant to put Chu Feng in his place.

Yet, Chu Feng had somehow extended his lifespan and regained some of his strength, leaving Xiang Yutian helpless for the moment. Retribution, however, had come swiftly—Chu Feng, brought low by a mere core disciple.

Still, this Fang Yun—why did his name sound so familiar?

No matter. So long as it hurt Chu Feng, he didn't care who it was.

Xiang Yutian quickly put all else out of mind, nodding and smiling at Fang Yun. "Since the Grand Elder supports you becoming an Elder of the Supreme Profound Dao Sect, as Sect Master, I have no objection."

Ye Zishan, seeing his protest ignored, was infuriated.

But Liu Rushe was right.

He was no match for her.

He could only snort coldly. "Enough, Liu Rushe. Tell us—why have you gathered us all here? This is the Hall of Judgment, not a place for your flirtations."

Liu Rushe shot him a chilly glance. "Don't be impatient. We're still waiting for someone. Once they're here, all will become clear."

Ye Zishan replied, "Very well, we'll wait."

It was obvious to all.

They were waiting for Chu Feng.

And as the saying goes, speak of the devil and he appears.

At that moment.

Chu Feng entered the Hall of Judgment.

An icy aura radiated from him as he strode in.

His gaze, sharp as a blade, swept the assembly. He saluted with a wave. "Chu Feng greets the Grand Elders, the Elders, and the Sect Master."

"And my junior sister, too."

When his gaze finally settled on Lu Linglong, he smiled and approached her.

"Impudent!"

Liu Rushe's voice snapped with anger. "Chu Feng, do you admit your guilt?"

Chu Feng looked puzzled. "Guilt? Are you sure you heard that right?"

"Liu Rushe, is it? Go on, tell me—what crime have I committed to make you so angry?"

"What did you just call me?" Liu Rushe's expression changed instantly, fixing Chu Feng with a deadly stare.

The rest of the assembly was equally stunned.

A Nascent Soul Grand Elder addressing a Soul Formation Ancestor by her personal name—this was either courting death or, at best, a capital offense.

There were exceptions, of course.

Ye Zishan, for example, was watching with a face full of schadenfreude.

Chu Feng enunciated each word: "Liu Rushe, is that not your name? Or have I called you wrongly? Should I call you something else? Or perhaps—are you the lonely harlot who can't bear solitude and keeps a pretty boy on a leash?"

Chu Feng showed Liu Rushe no respect whatsoever.

Especially now, knowing she kept Fang Yun by her side and, just for a few words from him, had reopened the Hall of Judgment to punish Chu Feng.

Once, as a Nascent Soul Ancestor, Chu Feng might have swallowed his pride. But now, he stood at the peak of Soul Formation.