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He glanced at Lin Qi and Tan Yueqing before turning to say, "Little Qing is a disciple of my Lu Bingfeng. The matter of privately learning secret arts cannot be taken lightly. As for Little Qi, now that Qingyun is doing her best for the sect and yet remains missing, even if she made a mistake, she did so because her master was not there to guide her. I beg you, Sect Master, please show mercy to her on Qingyun's behalf and punish her lightly."

"No!" Fanglüe Zhenjun stood up, indignant as if he'd been poked in the trachea.

"Why should she be spared?! Back then, my master was only teaching his Dao partner a secret technique, and he was relentlessly pursued by Long Lei Feng. Not only did he lose the right to inherit the Taiji lineage, but he also had to share the Hei Shui Tun Lei Jue with Long Lei Feng!"

"That day, Shen Che Daojun opened his mouth to discuss the sect rules and closed it again. Could he have ever imagined that the one who disregarded them most today would be his own grandson?! How truly laughable!"

He flicked his robe sleeve and bowed to Guangmu True Monarch, "Master Sect Leader, today I declare this again. If you show leniency to the disciples of Longlei Peak, then regarding the past events, my Tiangan Peak shall re-examine the matter!"

The Divine and Profound Daoist Master is Lin Qi, the legendary master who lives among tales.

Lin Qi only realized the seriousness of the situation at this moment.

This may not just be about Lu Bingfeng and Zhon Lei Peak, it could involve generations-old grudges.

Just at this moment, Qingyun Zhenjun was also not present. Looking at Han Zhenjun's appearance, it seemed that he didn't understand the situation either.

Now, I'm at my wit's end. I can only beg the sect master to show mercy on account of our Zhurong Peak and lighten the punishment somewhat.

Master Guangmu sighed helplessly, "Baiyi, you have always been fair and righteous. Tell me, how should we punish these two children?"

She pitied talented individuals. Seeing that although the two children had privately passed on secret arts, they wished to take responsibility and plead for each other, and they hadn't caused any major trouble, she wanted to let them off lightly. However, when the strategist True Monarch brought up the past incident, it was difficult to forgive them without punishment.

It just so happened that both Shen Che and Qing Yun were not in the sect at this time.

These two are both fiercely protective and domineering. If they found out that Heaven-Splitting Peak was involved, they would surely make a scene. That would be quite the spectacle.

If things are not handled properly, the entire sect will be in turmoil.

The White-Robed True Monarch wore a pure white robe, his brow sharp, eyes deep and dark as night, exuding an air of solemnity and power. Every movement he made was filled with restrained righteousness.

"Zhong Lei Feng Lin Qi and Lu Bing Feng Tan Yue Qing, defied the sect rules, despised their fellow disciples, secretly taught forbidden techniques. Their crimes are grave and punishable by imprisonment in the Turbulent Wind Cliff for ten years of reflection."

Lin Qi heard these words, and her whole body felt dizzy.

Ten years?!

The most precious decade of a new disciple's life is going to be spent at Luanfeng Cliff?

Then her and Tan Yueqing's journey as immortals would probably end here.

Not to mention Lin Qi, even Guangmu Zhenjun beside him changed his face.

Although she wanted Baiyi to follow the rules, she didn't want him to be so ruthless!

"No!" hearing the True Lord Han directly retorted.

"How old are they? If they stay at Luanfeng Cliff for ten years, even the best talent will be stunted here, harming them for their entire lives!"

Plan nonchalantly scoffed, "If you dare to do it, you must also dare to take responsibility! At such a young age, you would dare to privately impart your sect's secret arts. If we don't punish you severely, are we waiting for them to later use the sect's secret arts to teach cultivators from other sects?!"

Lin Qi and Tan Yueqing both angrily looked at Fanglüe.

Fanglue let out a light scoff, "Unconvinced? Those were the words from your own master."

Lin Qi: "..."

The White-Robed True Monarch glanced lightly at the Strategy True Monarch, his aura of pressure was immense, "I haven't finished speaking, what's the rush."

He let out a loud gasp, startling everyone.

"A ten-year sentence is the most severe punishment. Considering that the two of you did not cause serious consequences and have sincerely repented, your sentence can be reduced to three years."

"Three years?" Fang Lue Zhenjun instantly felt indignant. "Reducing the sentence to three years just for a sincere apology? Back then, my master was so sincere, why wasn't she shown any leniency?!"

"Your punishment is too harsh, isn't it? Driven by personal feelings?"

"The White-robed Immortal raised an eyebrow and looked at him, "Then perhaps True Monarch Fanglüe could tell me, how should one be punished to appease the resentment in your heart?"

To impose the grievances and hatreds of the elders on the innocent children, how heavy is your selfishness?

He retracted his gaze calmly, "Was your master's punishment back then truly only for privately teaching secret arts?"

To protect the face of Tiangang Peak, I won't expose you.

It's just that the divine being never held a grudge against you because of your master. Now, you hold a grudge against a child because of your master? Who is truly the one with selfish intentions?

"Crime and punishment must be proportionate. Your master's private teaching of secret arts resulted in serious consequences, which is why he was severely punished. Now, the greatest sin of these two children is violating the sect rules, challenging the authority of the sect, and causing a negative influence... Can these two things be compared?"

Xue Yue Zhenjun nonchalantly said, "If we truly follow the plan proposed by Zhenjun, then sooner or later Shen Che Daojun will be banished to Tian Gang Feng. Tian Gang Feng and Zhong Lei Feng are both from the same lineage. Do you really want to fight to the death?"

"Five years!" Fanglue said resentfully.

The White-Clothed True Lord's eyebrows and eyes were as usual, his voice calm. "Three years."

"If you have grievances, you may summon all the peak elders to Ti Punishment Peak for a grand court session. We will reexamine what happened then and what is happening now."

The Fa Strategies True Monarch's chest ached, his eyes reddened.

The sect has always favored the Zonglei Peak lineage. He'd witnessed this countless times before, and now seeing it again, his anger burned like fire.

It's infuriating that he's outnumbered and his words hold no weight. He can only watch helplessly as they show favoritism and cover up for each other!

The Stratagem True Monarch knows he can't win against the thigh, but he just doesn't accept it.

This matter must also be made public, and a warning should be given to those new disciples who disregard the sect rules! If anyone dares to repeat this mistake, they will be dealt with severely!

The White-robed Immortal's face was serene, uttering only one word: "Yes."

The Grand Strategy True Monarch continued to bargain, “Also, if word gets out about the private teaching of secret arts, inevitably some people will feel that the sect competition is unfair. These two individuals' spots in the Xiao Cheng Heavenly Secret Realm should be canceled. Otherwise, if the disciples of the sect find out, won’t they all try to imitate them?!”

Listening to the words of Master Han Zhen, his face cold as ice, "Let's be clear! Their transgression was in privately teaching forbidden arts. How does that relate to the Sect Grand Competition?"

"Of course! If it weren't for the Black Water Swallowing Thunder Manual, your disciples wouldn't have been able to last this long and snatch the Fourth Sword Platform at the very end!"

Listening to the Cold True Monarch, he has never been a eloquent person, otherwise, he wouldn't have been oppressed by the Clear Brightness True Monarch for many years.

Suddenly speechless, unable to retort.

At this moment, two voices sounded simultaneously.

"She can!"

"I can!"

Lin Qi and Tan Yueqing simultaneously raised their eyes, their pupils burning with anger.

Tan Yueqing said, word by word: "True Monarch may question me about the private study of forbidden arts, but you have no right to question my abilities! Today, even without the Black Water Swallowing Thunder Art, I can still stand on the fourth Sword Platform!"

"I was able to ascend to the Hall of the Lord and receive this award because I climbed up step by step through my own strength. It has never been achieved through a single magical technique!"

Both sides fought cautiously, holding back and stopping just short of all-out effort.

By the time the competition ended, Lin Qi could react, but she couldn't.

Only Tan Yueqing was more conservative, unable to seize the sword stage as effortlessly as Lin Qi without any psychological barriers.

At that moment of hesitation, Lin Qi made the decision for her in advance.

(End of chapter)