Having been forcefully restrained, a cold look flashed within Xi Shen's eyes, but it quickly disappeared and was replaced with a frightened expression, after which he started screaming hysterically, “Wait!! Head Elder, it wasn’t me I swear, you have the wrong person!!”
Donghuan frowned upon hearing Xi Shen’s wails. He formed a hand seal and then pointed at Xi Shen, causing his mouth to clamp shut. After that Donghuan used his Divine Will to lift Xi Shen off the ground.
He then said, “No form of pleading will allow you to escape the Academy’s punishment. Even if you’re the second prince, trash like you won’t escape the enforcement of the Academy’s rules.”
When Xi Shen heard that, he suddenly had the urge to slap this old man in front of him. However, said old man was a powerful expert in the Soul Transformation Realm, while Xi Shen hadn’t even started cultivating yet. Even though he had the cultivation of the days of old, it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap in power between him and this Head Elder.
Xi Shen could only take note of Donghuan’s insults and decided that in the future he’ll make him regret saying those words.
Dongguan's voice suddenly sounded out again, “However, second prince, if you tell me how you caused that Heavenly Tribulation I might lessen your sentence.”
When Donghuan said that, he gave Xi Shen a sideways glance.
Meanwhile, Xi Shen almost rolled his eyes upon hearing that.
With a frightened expression on his face, he widen his eyes and looked as if he wanted to say something. Seeing this Donghuan released the seal on his mouth to allow Xi Shen to speak.
With a quivering voice, Xi Shen said, “Bu-But Head Elder it wasn’t me. I have no knowledge about any Heavenly Tribulation you’re talking about!!”
Donghuan suddenly sported an angry expression on his face as he yelled, “You stinking brat you dare to still deny it?! Do you think my eyes are only for decorations?! The Heavenly Tribulation had obviously gathered above this courtyard and targeted something within this stone hut. Do you expect me to believe you had nothing to do with it appearing?!”
Donghuan was furious at the moment. He wanted to know what had caused the Heavenly Tribulation to appear. At first, he had suspected it to be a cultivator's Heavenly Tribulation but after closer examination, he realized it was a tribulation for Celestial treasures that were being formed!
These Celestial treasures would provoke Heavenly Tribulation because their very existence goes against heaven's will and the natural order of the world. In order to correct this mistake the heavens release heavenly lightning to destroy its presence from this physical plane of existence and return everything to order.
However, there were times said Celestial treasures overcome the tribulation and become ultimate treasures of power that could make gods and demons weep.
Donghuan knew he wasn’t the only one in the sect that had recognized the nature of this Heavenly Tribulation, so he wanted to find out what type of Celestial treasure was in this brat's possession.
‘If it turns out to be a powerful weapon, I could return it to my clan in exchange for some benefits. I wouldn’t be able to keep it for myself anyway since word could spread, and that might put me in an unfavorable position. However, none of that will happen if this brat doesn’t spit out what caused that Heavenly Tribulation. So what if he's the second prince? The Emperor would find it hard to interfere with the matters of Celestial Academy with the Academy Leader here. Sending his useless son here was beyond stupid unless he no longer cares for him.’
“If you don’t want to admit your crimes then you can rot inside the Ten Thousand Myriad Ghost Formation until you confess to them.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
After Donghuan said that, he transformed into a streak of colorful light and carried Xi Shen away from the second Outer Sect mountain towards the Outer Sect’s Discipline Division.
The Outer Sects Discipline Division was where all the outer disciples served their punishment after breaking the Academy's rules. It was located on a barren mountain further away from the Head Elder’s Mountain and the four Outer Sect mountains.
Even with Donghuan's Speed, it took him several minutes to reach said mountain. Over the horizon, Xi Shen could see a blood-red mountain that gave him a creepy sensation as he stared at it.
As Donghuan swiftly approached the blood-red mountain, a towering aura that was even stronger than his own suddenly appeared over the horizon in another direction.
Seeing this Donghuan cursed in his heart.
Within the blink of an eye, a streak of white light that gave of a sharp and fearsome sensation catch up to Donghuan and stopped in front of him.
The white light faded away to reveal a young handsome man in white robes, that looked like he was in his early twenties.
Feeling the strong Sword Qi emanating from this man Xi Shen couldn’t help but narrow his eyes. With his sensitivity towards the various laws, he could tell that this man’s comprehension of the sword was extremely profound.
‘It looks like I have underestimated the level of the Celestial Academy a little bit.’
With an ugly expression on his face, Donghuan looked at this young man and said in a slightly annoyed tone, “Vice Head Master Ye Fei, what is the meaning of this? Why are you blocking my path, isn’t the Sword Pavilion supposed to be busy recruiting disciples?”
Hearing Donghuan’s tone of voice, the young man in white called Ye Fei only smiled and said, “Head Elder Donghuan you don’t have to worry about my Sword Pavilion. And as for me blocking your path, I need to speak with the second prince for a moment so if you could hand him over I’ll be in your favor.”
This Ye Fei’s words might seem friendly on the surface, but in the ears of Xi Shen, they sounded extremely overbearing and demanding.
Donghuan frowned and seemed to drop all formalities as he said in a firm tone, “Ye Fei, don’t think your Sword Pavilion has any jurisdiction within the Outer Academy. The second prince has broken the Academy's rules and since he is an outer disciple, I am the one responsible for his punishment. Now, if you would excuse me, I have no time to waste by talking to you.”
After saying that, Donghuan moved around Ye Fei and hurried towards the blood-red mountain. However, before he could get far, a terrifying Sword Qi suddenly appeared out of nowhere and headed for his neck with precise precision.
Donghuan was caught off guard by Ye Fei’s sudden attack, but as a powerful expert, he still managed to conjure a swirling tornado of sharp winds that intercept Ye Fei’s sword streak. However, Donghuan’s eyes widen in shock as the horrifying Sword Qi sliced through his wind barrier before beheading him.
Whoosh!!
The sound of the wind blowing could be heard as Ye Fei floated motionlessly in the air while smiling at Donghuan who was staring at him with a deathly pale face.
Clutching his neck in a hurry, Donghuan found that his head was still attached to his body.
Xi Shen who had somehow appeared in Ye Fei's hand stared up at him with a solemn expression.
‘Sword Illusion Arts.’ Xi Shen thought to himself.
‘Again I underestimated the Academy’s power. The techniques in their possession could be said to be nonexistent in the outside world. Maybe it was a good idea I had come here, even though I could probably create a few techniques of my own using the laws I comprehended, it would still be better if I learned some of their techniques to use them on the surface and keep the ones I created a secret and use them discreetly. I would draw too much-unwanted attention to myself if I suddenly use Martial Arts and Doaist Magic techniques involving time manipulation in front of everyone. Ah, should I tell Yang Su to hide his Six Elemental Qi for now as well? Maybe it's better if he uses one until the future.’
As Xi Shen was doing a monologue in his mind, Ye Fei said to Donghuan, “Ming Donghuan, we both know that you only got your position because your Ming Clan pulled some strings. Compared to the average early Soul Transformation cultivators in our Academy, you're probably at the bottom of the barrel.”
After saying that, Ye Fei shot off in a streak of white Sword Qi, away from the blood-red mountain, and towards the Inner Sect.
Looking at Ye Fei leaving with Xi Shen Donghuan was enraged, but despite that, he didn’t follow him.
Thinking back to the extremely real illusion Ye Fei had just cast on him, his heart couldn't help but let out a loud thud. Despite Ye Fei being in the early Soul Formation Realm the same as him, his power was nothing he could compare to. His Illusion Sword Arts was well known within the Academy, and there was even talk of him becoming the next Head Master of the Sword Pavilion.
Donghuan could only bottle up his rage, and head back to his mountain.
‘Even if I didn’t find out what kind of Celestial treasure was the cause of that Heavenly Tribulation, I know it has to do with that talented trash.’
Cursing Xi Shen for a moment Donghuan then said, “I have to report this back to the clan. I was tasked to keep an eye on him in the Inner Academy, so I guess they haven’t completely written him off.”
Saying that Donghuan eyes flashed with thought as he sped up towards his mountain