Immortal of the Nine Realms

Seeing that their Nascent Soul Realm ancestor had already yielded, Sect Master Zhang and the others immediately adopted a different demeanor. The hostility in their eyes vanished, replaced by a humble smile. Only Deacon Miao and the burly man with a scarred face were trembling with fear, keeping their heads low to avoid eye contact with Fang Chen.

"Oh? You are turning over a new leaf, Daoist Wu?" Fang Chen asked in surprise.

Wu Cuocai nodded repeatedly. "Yes, I am indeed."

He had no other choice. Not only was he no match for this intruder, but just the display of that lightning technique was enough to prove that this individual had a mysterious and formidable background. He wasn’t exaggerating when he said that even the Qin Family would approach someone with such mastery of thunder techniques cautiously.

"In that case, Little Wu, you should handle the matter at hand." Fang Chen nodded slightly and then turned to Elder Xu. "You've been here for a while. Say what you have in mind, no need to hold anything back. With Little Wu taking charge, I believe this matter can be resolved properly."

Elder Xu immediately began listing the wrongdoings, frequently naming Deacon Miao as one of the culprits. Deacon Miao's face would turn a shade paler whenever his name was mentioned.

This place wasn't just home to the disciples of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect and Yunchuan Sect; many other cultivators had long harbored grievances against the place. Seeing Elder Xu repeatedly pointing out the crimes, some of these cultivators couldn't hold back any longer. After the first one gathered the courage to speak up, a second and third quickly followed suit.

As Sect Leader Zhang and the other Golden Core Realm cultivators listened, their expressions grew increasingly grim. They weren’t shocked by the corruption within their ranks. They were calculating the potential consequences of what was happening and what harm could befall them.

After all, how could the lower-ranked disciples dare to act so boldly without the implicit approval of their superiors? However, they couldn’t admit this now. If they didn’t make a decisive sacrifice, it would be difficult to satisfy the other party.

After a moment, Wu Cuocai slowly nodded and sternly rebuked Sect Leader Zhang, "Look at the people you've been overseeing! As a sect leader, how could you allow the sect to fall into such disorder?"

Sect Leader Zhang immediately knelt and bowed his head. "I seek your forgiveness!"

"Round up everyone involved and bring them here within half an hour," Wu Cuocai ordered coldly.

"Yes!" Sect Leader Zhang quickly stood up and pointed at Steward Miao, shouting, "Seize him first!"

Over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators rushed forward like wolves, swiftly capturing Steward Miao. Sect Leader Zhang personally led a group to apprehend those who had been named. In less than half an hour, over a hundred cultivators of the Parting Fiery Dao Sect had been apprehended. They ranged from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment and were kneeling before Fang Chen. Not a single Golden Core cultivator was among them.

Steward Miao and his nephew were kneeling at the front, their heads lowered in silence.

"Daoist Fang, these are the culprits. You may deal with them as you see fit, and I will not object," Wu Cuocai said.

Sect Leader Zhang and the other Golden Core Realm cultivators exchanged looks, thinking he would likely just vent his anger and leave it at that. After all, Wu Cuocai had already humbled himself greatly, giving Fang Chen ample face. Surely, he wouldn’t truly sever ties with the Parting Fiery Dao Sect.

"Leave it to me to handle? Very well." Fang Chen nodded slightly. He casually condensed a long blade out of thin air and handed it to Elder Xu. "Kill them all."

Elder Xu was momentarily stunned. "K-Kill them all?!"

He was shocked not only by Fang Chen's words but also by the sheer power of the blade in his hand. The concentrated metal energy was so dense that the blade felt incredibly solid. It was likely more durable than his own mid-grade, yellow-rank treasure.

The Qi Refining Realm cultivators of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect exchanged glances, their initial shock turning into satisfaction. Deacon Miao and the others had expected, like Sect Leader Zhang, that they would at most suffer some physical punishment and verbal humiliation. But they hadn't anticipated that Fang Chen would order their execution outright. One by one, they lifted their heads in disbelief, turning their eyes toward Wu Cuocai.

"A-Ancestor... These disciples are the fruits of our hard work and nurturing. Although they have made mistakes, a reprimand and a beating should suffice to make them realize their errors. Killing them outright... it would dishearten everyone in the sect..." said Sect Leader Zhang, carefully choosing his words as he bowed toward Wu Cuocai.

He nervously glanced at Fang Chen.

Wu Cuocai slowly nodded, forcing a smile as he looked at Fang Chen. "Daoist Fang, what do you think? Perhaps we could discipline them harshly but spare their lives?"

Fang Chen sighed softly, his tone filled with a sort of earnest wisdom. "Little Wu, you've reached the Nascent Soul Realm and lived for several centuries. How can you still not see the bigger picture? If these people bring about the destruction of your entire Parting Fiery Dao Sect, wouldn't that be sacrificing the greater for the lesser?"

Everyone fell into silence. After a moment, Wu Cuocai forced a smile. "Daoist Fang, you are absolutely right. I’ll leave their fate in your hands."

"Ancestor!"

Deacon Miao and the others cried out in shock. Some of the people kneeling instinctively tried to stand up, while others prepared to flee. They weren't willing to go down without a fight. However, before they could act, golden chains materialized out of thin air, binding all of them tightly. They couldn’t move a muscle.

Wu Cuocai maintained a neutral expression, but his eyes revealed a trace of fear. The level of refinement in these chains far exceeded that of an ordinary Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. This indicated that Fang Chen had profound mastery over elemental techniques.

Seeing that even the ancestor of the Parting Fiery Dao Sect had no objections, Elder Xu no longer hesitated. He began executing them one by one, as easily as slicing through watermelons.

Thud, thud, thud….

In less than fifteen minutes, over a hundred heads rolled to the ground, much to the silent approval of the surrounding cultivators. They had suffered under these disciples for far too long.

The Parting Fiery Dao Sect had exploited its position, embezzled their pills, and drained their spirit stones. They had endangered their lives. There were many who had resisted, but those were sent to the most dangerous battlefield. Very few of them returned alive.

Sect Leader Zhang and the other Gold Core cultivators remained expressionless, though the flicker in their eyes betrayed their true feelings.

Wu Cuocai took a deep breath and, looking at Fang Chen, asked with a smile, "Daoist Fang, does this satisfy you?"

"This part is settled." Fang Chen nodded slightly. "Now, where is the cultivator named Li Daoye, who I sent? I heard he’s imprisoned by your sect’s young master. Where is he?"

"Young master?"

The crowd instinctively looked towards Sect Leader Zhang, their faces showing a touch of awkwardness.

The Sect Leader was momentarily stunned, looking slightly flustered.

"Never mind, just take me to your young sect master. I need to ask him something related to Nephew Pei Qingfeng," Fang Chen said with a smile.

"Pei Qingfeng?"

Wu Cuocai frowned and looked at Sect Leader Zhang.

Sect Leader Zhang’s face turned embarrassed, and he whispered, "Recently, during a major battle, Daoist Pei was left behind by the Langya Clan’s cultivators and didn't make it back."

"Daoist Fang, this battle was beyond our control; it was decided by the higher-ups... If Daoist Pei died in this battle, it has nothing to do with my sect," Wu Cuocai said, studying Fang Chen’s expression.

Seeing that Fang Chen remained calm, he felt a bit relieved.

"We’ll inquire further. If Pei Qingfeng truly met his end, I won’t blame the innocent," Fang Chen said.

Wu Cuocai nodded in agreement.

Sect Leader Zhang had no way to stop it and prepared to lead them to his son.

Before they left, Elder Xu suddenly noticed the burly cultivator from the Yunchuan Sect in the crowd. At the sight, the cultivator’s face turned pale, and he immediately lowered his head.

"Ancestor, this person has been making things difficult for us recently. He has even attacked us despite our injuries," Elder Xu pointed at the burly cultivator and said to Fang Chen, "I've heard that he has some connection with Deacon Miao."