Sect Master Xuan Zi’s presence was like a magnet, forcing all present to be focused on his movements.

He walked through the crowd of disciples at the border of the dueling field, who hurriedly made way for him. He walked past the group of Elders inside the field, ignoring their stiff faces and unfriendly eyes.

He walked until he was at the center of the field. Then, raising his head for the first time, he slowly turned on his heels and surveyed the entire gallery around him. On his raised face hung a grandfatherly smile, friendly and thoughtful.

"Everyone looks so entertained! What a pity that an accident ruined it all!"

"An accident?" Elder Shen flared up. "His death-"

"Did I allow you to talk?" Xuan Zi cut him off.

"A talented disciple, however wayward he might be, should still be cherished until he crosses a line of no return. You, Elder Shen, have failed in your duty!"

"....What?"

Xuan Zi’s countenance grew overcast. "Still pretending to be innocent? Why the hell did you not take immediate measures to cleanse disciple Chen Yan’s body as soon as the duel ended? What were you busy doing?"

Elder Shen couldn’t believe his ears. He wasn’t an expert healer. What could he have possibly done?

Was this how Xuan Zi planned to counterattack, knowing what was to come?

Gritting his teeth, Elder Shen said, "Everyone here can testify on my behalf. I ran over to help him as soon as possible.

But you, on the other hand, what were you doing? If you were here at that time, why didn’t you come to assist us? Surely, a cultivator as powerful as you could have prevented this talented disciple’s death?!"

Xuan Zi shrugged and replied, "But I wasn’t here at that time. Didn’t you all see me enter the arena just now?"

Elder Shen was about to refute the argument, but then he heard Xuan Zi add, "What did you say about his death? Who’s dead?"

Stunned, arena official Yu blurted out, "Disciple Chen Yan is dead."

"Then who’s that?" Xuan Zi asked, pointing at a spot on the ground nearby where nothing but loose sand could be seen.

Elder Shen’s heart nearly leaped up to his throat as the illusion spells he had cast over Chen Yan’s invisible body were lifted by that simple gesture from Xuan Zi. A moment later, even his core spell was undone!

Chen Yan’s Shadow of Truth became visible to all in an instant!

"....?!"

A sense of incomprehension, accompanied by a deathly silence, enveloped the entire arena. Other than a handful of Elders close to Shen Haoran, nobody could make sense of what they were looking at.

Wasn’t Chen Yan’s corpse just taken to the infirmary?

Then how the hell did his body reappear here?

And why was it emitting such chaotic spiritual pressure?

Eyes bloodshot, Elder Shen stared at Xuan Zi’s face. If he had known that this man would really show up here today, he’d not have taken the risk to make his moves so openly. The methods that could fool his fellow Elders were like child’s tricks in front of him...

Xuan Zi’s attention had already switched to another invisible silhouette nearby—Elder Shen’s Shadow Of Falsehood. As if aware that this body was the biggest culprit behind the scenes, he addressed it directly.

"Disciple Chen Yan does not look dead to me. But he’s barely a step away from transforming into a full-fledged Abomination.

The corruption of the poison has directly affected his nascent spiritual body, and his mental state seems even more dreadful. At a moment like this, who cast an illusion spell on him and left him unchecked?"

Desperate to evade the accusation, Elder Shen growled, "And who was it that poisoned him? What law, what authority allowed a disciple of this sect to administer such deadly poison on their fellow disciple that they end up transforming into an Abomination?"

Xuan Zi sneered, turning to look at Qing Hua, the ’criminal’. Her head was lowered, teeth biting into her lower lip, displaying the universal posture of guilt.

"Naturally, Disciple Qing Hua must be punished severely for this offense. According to the rules of the Crimson Snow Sect, a disciple who contributes in any way to turn any of their fellow disciples into an Abomination must be expelled and exiled.

Disciple Qing Hua, everyone here has witnessed your crime. So a separate trial is not necessary. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"I did not intend to turn him into an Abomination... But I’m indeed guilty of this crime. Hence, I can only accept the punishment, sect master," Qing Hua said slowly, unwillingness written all over her lowered face.

"At least someone here can own up to their wrongdoings," Xuan Zi grumbled.

"Then, I, as the master of the Crimson Snow Sect, hereby expel your status as a disciple of the outer court, expel you from its territory, and sentence you to a permanent exile beyond the borders of this continent.

Any member of this sect who finds you violating your sentence in the future, shall treat you as the enemy of the sect and act accordingly."

Qing Hua gave Xuan Zi a bow before straightening her neck for the first time, shedding the guise of an obedient disciple. The gaze with which she looked at the sect master no longer held genuine respect, only caution towards a powerful cultivator.

Elder Shen casually glanced at her and winked, conveying to her a silent message that she’d surely understand. Qing Hua thoughtfully nodded at him before looking away.

Xuan Zi paid the little exchange between them no heed. Addressing the entire arena, his voice grew as loud as Arena Official Yu.

"I originally had no intention to come here today. But upon sensing the chaotic aura of an Abomination being born, I couldn’t sit still.

Who knew I’d have to witness such a tragic sight? The negligence of Miss Qing Hua and Elder Shen has truly left this poor disciple fated for a horrible death. After all, killing Abominations as soon as they’re born is mandatory for all orthodox sects."

Elder Shen’s gaze narrowed when he heard that. His first attempt to arrange for Chen Yan’s death had already been foiled by Xuan Zi. But if this new trap worked...

"Fortunately, not all hope is lost. Disciple Chen Yan is still fighting the spiritual corruption, and his body and soul seem to be showing an unusually powerful vitality!

So, for now, he’ll be placed under the care of our best Healers and given a chance to recover!"

Elder Shen sighed, watching the healers carefully carrying Chen Yan to the infirmary under Xuan Zi’s strict instructions.

This brat was as tough as a cockroach. Did he have some kind of rare, undying physique that he had kept a secret this whole time?

"Miss Hua has already been sentenced appropriately. As for Elder Shen, I will convene a meeting as soon as possible with all the Elders of the outer court to decide what punishment he’ll receive. Justice will certainly be served!

As for the contest itself, we have no choice but to conclude it at this point. Miss Qing Hua has technically won. So someone should hand her the victory prize and send her off for good."

Getting the cue, Arena Official Yu ran over and brought back a box, locked inside which was the voidboat ticket. None of the Elders on Chen Yan’s side even dared to raise the issue of the controversial results of all three rounds, fearing they’d earn Xuan Zi’s ire.

"Hmm? Is this really the prize?"

Xuan Zi raised an eyebrow and glared at Elder Shen, who coughed awkwardly and canceled the Myriad Deceptions Mystic Art spell he had cast on the box a while ago.

The real Voidboat Ticket returned inside the box, and then it was handed over to Qing Hua.

Clutching the box close to her chest, Qing Hua scampered off, and in the distance, Han Xuhan and his group chased after her tracks.

Xuan Zi gave Elder Shen one last look of displeasure.

"Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. If there’s a next time, I’ll not show the mercy I’ve shown today."

Watching him storm off, Elder Shen stroked his beard, deep in thought.