Lu Yichen's calm voice cut through the tension.
"According to the clan's rules, fighting within the clan grounds is strictly forbidden."
Before Lu Yichen could continue shen xuan said in cold and angery voice
"Then perhaps, Elder, you should remind your own clan disciples of those rules… not me. He was the one who provoked and attacked first!"
His tone was sharp, laced with suppressed fury.
The disciples were stunned into silence. Shen Xuan, who had been so composed until now, was angry—and his anger carried a terrifying weight.
Then, with a flick of his sleeve, Shen Xuan drew out a jet-black token. A single ancient character—Zhen —was carved upon it.
WOOOM!
The token's aura exploded like thunder. Every disciple nearby trembled as if a mountain had collapsed upon their shoulders. Even the three elders' expressions drastically changed, their bodies stiffening from the oppressive pressure.
"That… that is—!" one disciple gasped, his voice shaking.
The three elders exchanged glances, their composure finally cracking.
Lu Wenxuan, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. His voice trembled despite his status.
"E-Emperor Token…? Why is that in your possession?"
Whispers broke out instantly. Emperor Token? The Emperor Token of the Lu Clan's Head?
To the world, Lu Zhen was known by one title only—Emperor Lu Zhen, the supreme head of the Lu Clan. That token represented absolute authority.
But Shen Xuan only frowned, confusion in his eyes.
"My master gave me this token," he said coldly, "and told me to wait for him at Thousand Flower Peak. He said something urgent came up."
BOOM.
His words struck harder than thunder.
The entire crowd was shaken to their core. For centuries, Emperor Lu Zhen had never once taken a disciple. Yet now… before their eyes, this mysterious outsider had declared that he was personally chosen by the Clan Head himself.
Lu Haoran's blazing aura instantly dissipated, his fury evaporating as though it never existed. His fiery eyes widened in disbelief. Just moments ago, he had been ready to crush Shen Xuan… but now, he felt a chill in his bones.
Lu Wenxuan exhaled deeply, a wary smile tugging at his lips.
"Even if you are the disciple of the Clan Head, rules are rules. A fight did happen within clan grounds. This matter must still be reported to the Punishment Hall… only there will the final decision be made."
But his tone was far softer now, almost cautious.
The other elders also quickly adjusted their stances.
Lu Haoran, whose thunderous temper was feared by all, suddenly spoke in a booming voice—but this time it was almost protective.
"Little one, there is no need to worry. In the Punishment Hall, if you are not guilty, no punishment will fall upon you. And if a fine is issued…" He clenched his fist firmly. "I will pay it for you myself."
The disciples' jaws nearly hit the ground.
Was this really happening? Just moments ago, Elder Haoran wanted to crush this brat… and now he's offering to pay his fines?!
Shen Xuan himself stood there, momentarily speechless.
The three elders led Shen Xuan away.
"Disperse! Return to your duties," Lu Wenxuan's voice echoed like thunder, leaving no room for disobedience.
The gathered disciples quickly scattered, though their eyes still lingered on Shen Xuan with awe and disbelief. As for Lu Zhenyu, two disciples hurriedly lifted his broken, bloodied body under orders, carrying him toward Dan Peak for treatment.
Shen Xuan followed the elders, their imposing auras no longer suffocating but oddly warm. To his surprise, the elders… laughed and chatted with him along the way. Each of them, it seemed, wanted to pull him toward their own peak.
"Haha! Lets go to Lingxiao Peak for rest then we will go to punishment hall," Lu Wenxuan said with pride.
"Lingxiao? Nonsense! Lets go to Canglong Peak," Lu Haoran retorted, slapping Shen Xuan's back with a booming laugh.
But in the end, it was Lu Yichen who quietly smiled and said,
"Enough, both of you. For now, let him come to Yanxia Peak."
Neither of the others objected.
Soon, Shen Xuan was seated inside a grand hall at Yanxia Peak. The table before them was lined with exquisite dishes, fragrant wines, and steaming platters. The three elders laughed and joked, their terrifying auras now replaced with warmth and camaraderie.
But the mood shifted when Lu Wenxuan suddenly set down his cup, his expression turning serious.
"Shen Xuan, everything else is fine. But when you face the Punishment Hall, you must tread carefully. The Punishment Elder is not one who tolerates even the slightest breach of rules."
The other two elders instantly nodded, grim looks crossing their faces.
Lu Haoran even clicked his tongue. "Hmph. That stubborn woman… no, I should say—that powerful woman. She listens to no one once she decides something. Not even us."
Shen Xuan's brows lifted slightly. "Punishment Elder…?"
Lu Yichen leaned closer, his tone quieter but laced with respect.
"She is not just the Punishment Elder. She is also the Peak Master of Dan Peak… and our clan's chief alchemist. That dual status makes her one of the most untouchable figures in the clan. Her temper is fierce, and her rules are iron. If you cross her even a little…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
Instead, Lu Wenxuan and Lu Haoran both shook their heads at the same time, as though remembering past experiences.
Shen Xuan watched the three elders' reactions, his curiosity rising. A woman who holds two such positions… a Punishment Elder feared even by peak masters themselves…
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the sky painted itself in shades of crimson and gold. The three elders stood, their robes rustling with the evening breeze.
"Come, Shen Xuan," Lu Wenxuan spoke gravely. "It is time. We must head to the Punishment Hall."
But before they could move, Lu Haoran suddenly chuckled.
"Wait a moment, brat. That mask of yours—take it off. You're already famous throughout the clan after today's ruckus. Hiding your face now is pointless."
He grinned broadly. "Besides, it makes you look suspicious."
For a heartbeat, Shen Xuan hesitated. Then, without a word, he lifted his hand and slowly removed the mask.
The elders froze.
Underneath was a face sharp as carved jade, with features so refined they seemed almost unreal—sword-like brows, clear eyes that glimmered with calm indifference, and a natural presence that radiated quiet dominance.
Even the seasoned elders were momentarily stunned.
"…Heavens," Lu Yichen murmured, his gentle smile widening. "No wonder you hid your face. You would draw too much attention without the mask."
Lu Haoran let out a booming laugh, raising a massive thumb.
"Boy, now I understand! You didn't wear a mask to look mysterious—you wore it because the heavens blessed you too much! Hahaha!"
Shen Xuan simply shook his head , saying nothing. Heavens blessed him, shen xuan thought it was a huge joke.
The elders laughed as they began their descent toward the Punishment Hall, the golden glow of dusk trailing behind them.
Outside the Punishment Hall, a sea of disciples had gathered. Whispers ran through the crowd like wildfire.
"Is that the boy who beaten badly the lu zhenyu?"
"They say even Elders rushed here because of him!"
"Outsider or not, stepping into the Punishment Hall means his fate is sealed…"
Every gaze burned with curiosity, awe, and disbelief.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was suffocating. Rows of Elders filled their seats, each radiating a restrained but overwhelming aura. In the center sat two Senior Elders, their expressions calm, but their mere presence was enough to silence the room. No disciple dared even to breathe too loudly.
Among the peak masters already present was Lu Shiming, the master of Tianxing Peak, a middle-aged man whose neutral expression betrayed neither anger nor favor. He was Lu Zhenyu's peak master, and many secretly wondered how he would respond to his disciple's humiliation.
Then—
A streak of light flashed across the sky outside, so fast that most disciples only caught a blur before it vanished. In the next instant, within the hall, a majestic figure appeared upon one of the highest chairs.
A woman.
The moment she arrived, the hall shifted. Even though her aura was tightly restrained, everyone present—disciples, elders, and peak masters alike—felt an invisible weight pressing on their bodies. Only the two Senior Elders remained unaffected.
"Punishment Elder…" voices whispered in awe.
One by one, all the elders rose from their seats and bowed.
She gave only the faintest nod in acknowledgment, her presence dominating the chamber.
She wore flowing robes of white and green, her jade-like body outlined in perfection beneath the fabric. A translucent veil covered her face, but her sharp, coldly seductive eyes shone through, holding a beauty so devastating that few dared to look directly at her. Her aura was not just powerful—it carried a noble, untouchable grace.
This was Lu Qingmei, the Punishment Elder of the Lu Clan, and one of its most terrifying figures.
"Where are the three peak masters?" she asked in a voice as cold and crisp as winter steel.
"Punishment Elder," one elder hurriedly replied with a bow, sweat glistening on his brow. "They are bringing the new boy now."
Lu Qingmei's brows faintly furrowed. "Hmph."
That single sound was enough to chill the entire hall.
Moments later, the heavy doors creaked open.
The three peak masters entered side by side, followed by a young man whose presence drew every gaze in the hall.
Shen Xuan.
The peak masters quickly offered respectful apologies to Lu Qingmei for their lateness before taking their seats.
But no one was looking at them anymore.
All eyes were fixed on the young man who stood proudly at the center of the hall.
Handsome beyond reason, his features seemed carved by the heavens themselves, his bearing calm yet unyielding. Even the most composed elders couldn't help but be taken aback.
Lu Qingmei's gaze finally landed on him. For the first time in many years, her heart skipped a beat. A faint tremor ran through her chest, quickly suppressed under layers of icy control.
And then—
Shen Xuan's eyes lifted, meeting hers directly across the hall.
For a long, breathless moment, the Punishment Hall was silent.
Two gazes locked, cold and unflinching, as though the rest of the world had ceased to exist.
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