Started out getting scumbags, but then invested in the invincible Empress.

Chapter 53 Public Execution, On-the-Spot Death

"Little Jiang, I'm here!"

Li Wudao waved his hand, smiling broadly.

Seeing that he was safe and sound, Jiang Churan breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief.

She then stood quietly beside Murong Yan.

Murong Yan had dragon-like eyebrows and phoenix-like eyes, and an extraordinary bearing. He stood in the center of the field with his hands behind his back, and his aura was as awe-inspiring as a deep pool and a towering mountain.

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

The crowd's expressions changed slightly, and they quickly bowed in respect.

Murong Yan nodded slightly, then his gaze swept across the room and landed on Cheng Yuanliang, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

"What are you doing here, Peak Master Cheng?"

He frowned slightly, as if he had just seen it, somewhat surprised.

"I happened to be passing by and chatted with an acquaintance for a bit..."

Cheng Yuanliang felt a little guilty and slightly bowed.

"That's it-"

Murong Yan seemed to understand something, then said meaningfully, "This is the Hall of Law Enforcement, not a place for Peak Master Cheng to issue orders. Be careful next time."

"Yes."

Cheng Yuanliang's expression was somewhat unnatural.

He knew that Murong Yan was giving him a warning, a reminder of his overstepping his bounds earlier.

at the same time,

Li Wudao crept up to Jiang Churan and complained, "Little Jiang, why did you take so long to get here? I almost got tortured just now."

Jiang Churan rolled her eyes at him and said irritably, "Master is busy with countless affairs every day. Do you think you have a lot of free time?"

When Li Wudao exposed Ruan Fei's shameful deeds to her, she quickly found Murong Yan.

After verifying the facts, the latter had a legitimate reason to come and rushed over without stopping.

Of course, she was too lazy to explain the reasons, it was just her personality.

"hey-hey--"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Li Wudao didn't argue, but just chuckled.

Immediately, he quietly took out a storage ring and placed it in the girl's hand.

"???"

The girl's eyes were full of suspicion.

After probing with her divine sense, her delicate face froze in shock.

There were actually ten thousand low-grade spirit stones inside this storage ring!

"Where did you get so many spirit stones?"

Jiang Churan's mouth opened slightly, her face showing surprise, and she asked in a low voice.

"Don't ask, the answer is your travel fee. Helping me will bring you great benefits."

Li Wudao grinned smugly, looking every bit the wealthy and powerful man.

Jiang Churan gave him a deep look but didn't press him for details.

She became even more convinced that the young man had had some extraordinary encounter before joining the sect, and guessed that he had obtained the inheritance of some powerful figure.

After all, if even physical constitution and talent can be improved, what about some spirit stones?

However, this was irrelevant to her and she didn't care about it.

She possesses the imperial lineage, all the memories of her past life, and knows about various divine treasures and places of opportunity, so she wouldn't have any ulterior motives towards Li Wudao.

The hall suddenly fell silent.

Li Wudao was still bickering with Jiang Churan, unaware that their little actions had been seen by everyone.

What are you two whispering about?

Murong Yan coughed lightly, unable to bear it any longer.

In an instant, everyone cast strange glances at them.

"Hey, the weather's nice today, hehe..."

Li Wudao scratched his head awkwardly.

Jiang Churan glared at him fiercely, her snow-white neck flushed crimson, clearly showing her shame.

Yang Lin and his disciples winked and grinned mischievously.

“This kid…”

Murong Yan's lips twitched slightly, and he shook his head.

Then, he glanced at Ruan Liangcai and said in a slightly somber tone, "Elder Ruan, is there anything you want to say to this sect master?"

Hearing this,

Ruan Liangcai paused for a moment, not understanding what he meant, and then said with a forced smile, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, I do have a matter that requires the Sect Leader's decision."

"What's the matter?"

Murong Yan looked at him calmly, waiting for him to continue.

Ruan Liangcai took a deep breath and pointed at Li Wudao, angrily rebuking him:

"This lad disregarded the sect rules, instigated Yang Lin and others to seriously injure my son Ruan Fei, and vehemently denied it. His behavior was heinous. I beg the sect leader to do justice for me!"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes flickering uncertainly.

Li Wudao's judgment rested entirely on Murong Yan's whim.

Is that all you wanted to say?

Surprisingly, Murong Yan reacted coldly, as if he already knew.

"what........"

Ruan Liangcai was at a loss, frozen in place, his mind blank.

That shouldn't be the case; the sect leader's reaction is far too indifferent.

Logically speaking, given the egregious behavior of the sect, Murong Yan should at least have expressed his anger, if not be furious.

Cheng Yuanliang sensed something, and his expression shifted unpredictably.

at this time,

Murong Yan's expression darkened, and he coldly demanded, "Ruan Liangcai, do you know your crime?!"

"I do not know... Please enlighten me, Sect Master."

Ruan Liangcai was startled by the sudden sound, and his old face turned pale.

"You're still pretending to be confused even now! Yesterday you said Song Cheng was your newly accepted disciple, but it was actually three years ago. How dare you lie to this sect master! You have quite the nerve!"

Murong Yan stared at him, his expression unfriendly, and said:

"And Ruan Fei, who maliciously instigated Song Cheng and others to target Li Wudao and interfere with the Newcomer Competition. Does he really think I, the sect leader, am unaware of these shady dealings?"

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

Everyone stared at Ruan Liangcai with solemn expressions, unable to believe their eyes.

Manipulating the competition in secret is a major taboo under the sect's rules and is absolutely forbidden.

Ruan Liangcai's pupils shrank sharply, and his face turned deathly pale. "I am guilty, please punish me, Sect Master."

He felt a surge of panic, not expecting the matter to be exposed so quickly.

"Hmph, admitting guilt now?"

Murong Yan looked at him coldly.

"Ruan Fei has committed such a heinous crime, and you, as his father, not only protect him but also try to turn the tables and accuse him. Don't you think that's going too far?!"

The entrance examinations and various competitions are all for the purpose of selecting the most outstanding disciples. The sect has always attached great importance to them and resolutely prevents any underhanded dealings.

Ruan Fei's behavior was nothing short of a scandal for the Xuantian Sect, a slap in the face to the sect leader.

"Effective immediately, you are no longer the Third Elder of the Inner Sect. Your salary will be suspended for five years. Report to the Outer Sect tomorrow and start as a steward!"

Murong Yan coldly announced the punishment results.

Everyone gasped in astonishment. To be demoted from the Third Elder of the Inner Sect to a mere Deacon of the Outer Sect was no light punishment.

Cheng Yuanliang opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he chose to remain silent.

Ruan Liangcai and his son were incredibly stupid, leaving too many weaknesses that he couldn't help them with.

"Please, Sect Master, consider the years of hard work and dedication I have put into the sect, and punish only me."

Ruan Liangcai's expression changed slightly, and he bowed deeply.

"This is the first time, and... the last time. You'd better watch yourself."

Murong Yan sighed and reluctantly nodded.

"Thank you, Sect Master. I will take my leave now."

Ruan Liangcai thanked him with sorrow, and in a daze, he looked much older.

His cloudy eyes lingered on Li Wudao for a moment before he left the main hall with a complicated expression.

Ruan Liangcai had just left when

Sun Qian stepped forward immediately and knelt straight in front of Murong Yan.

"This disciple accuses Li Wudao of crippling my cultivation..."

Her eyes were bloodshot, her voice was plaintive and full of resentment.

Sun Qian understood that this was her last chance to fight back; if she missed it, her future would be bleak.

He only hoped to drag Li Wudao down with him, then he would have no regrets.

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan frowned.

With his strength, he could tell with a slight sense that the other party's cultivation was indeed gone.

This put him in a difficult position.

Although the boy is indeed a prodigy, he cannot openly protect him.

Li Wudao's eyes grew cold. This Sun Qian was really persistent; she would report anyone she could find.

This further convinced him that his previous approach was correct.

In any case, we cannot allow this kind of person to live under our noses; they might stab us in the back at any time.

Seeing that the boy did not intend to refute,

Jiang Churan frowned and couldn't help but say, "Although Li Wudao's methods were a bit harsh, I believe that Sun Qian deserved what she got herself and is not worthy of any sympathy."

"Oh?" Murong Yan looked curious.

Jiang Churan didn't keep them in suspense and briefly recounted the past between Sun Qian and Li Wudao.

Such as how Sun Qian deceived the young man, toyed with his feelings, stole cultivation resources and family techniques, and brought Ruan Fei to break off the engagement, etc.

"No...that's not how it is..."

Sun Qian shook her head in denial, her face ashen, her eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.

She had planned everything meticulously, but she hadn't taken Jiang Churan into account.

However, no matter how much she denied it, no one believed her.

Firstly, given Jiang Churan's identity, there's no need for her to fabricate these lies to deceive them.

Secondly, the details of the events are so vivid that it's hard not to feel as if you were there.

Soon,

Everyone was filled with righteous indignation and glared angrily at Sun Qian.

This girl looks pitiful, but she's actually incredibly ruthless and shameless!

It's hard to imagine that she was the one who did all these outrageous things.

At the same time, their gazes toward Li Wudao contained pity and sympathy.

These past few years have truly been tough on the children.

Li Wudao's expression was somewhat unnatural. He definitely didn't want to talk about being cheated on, but Jiang Churan had revealed everything, making him feel like he wanted to die.

Damn it, Sun Qian was the one who got scolded, but he's the one who's embarrassed!