Chapter 52: The Crimson Trials
The royal court of Dawnriver shimmered with an air of solemn judgment. Lin Xuan stood at the forefront, his crimson eyes sharp with focus, the steady power of his 8th Layer Qi Transformation grounding him amidst the legal tempest. He employed Illusion Diversion to gather evidence from the crowd's murmurs and hidden glances. A scrap of parchment, revealing a network of corruption tied to the Wudu Clan's poison trade, slipped from an elder's sleeve.
Liu Yue, now at 4th Layer Qi Transformation, stood guard near the throne. "Keep an eye on the exits, Senior Brother—trouble's brewing," she said, her moonlight eyes vigilant. Liu Yang, his 1st Layer Qi Gathering qi still growing, flanked her, his blood-forged glaive ready.
Ji Yunjing, at the mid-3rd Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, presided over the trials. "The evidence is clear—your crimes end here," he declared, sentencing a trembling elder to exile. Bai Ningxue, her 7th Layer Qi Transformation aura a serene presence, purified the lingering qi taint with her Thousand Lotus Seal Art. The trials exposed Wudu Clan corruption in excruciating detail. Lin Xuan presented the evidence, his voice cutting through the noise. "This ends the shadow they cast," he said. The court's marble echoed with the clink of chains as the guilty were escorted away.
The afternoon wore on, the trials a crucible that tested their unity. Liu Yue approached Lin Xuan, her eyes warm. "You've turned the tide, Senior Brother—we're stronger for it," she said in quiet support. The crimson trials marked a turning point, with the kingdom beginning to heal from within.