Chapter 181 - 175: Punishment
Wang Luyi understood perfectly. With Huang Suyu fallen, the Wanxiang Sect would not—could not—insist on executing Yu Changsheng. Not after he had revealed his potential. For a genius who could match or even surpass Huang Suyu, they would never make him pay with his life.
A large part of the reason Lu Ruikai had been so furious and had intervened in the fight was because of the Sword Intent and the Four Swords of Annihilation Huang Suyu had displayed. He had been moved and wanted to save him.
But now, this unexpected accident had happened. For a time, the matter of Yu Changsheng’s punishment had become a thorny issue.
Thus, Wang Luyi had become the perfect outlet—a way to preserve the sect’s honor while also giving everyone an answer...
’So, this is what happens to me...’ At this thought, terror seized Wang Luyi. He didn’t dare to dwell on it. A wave of regret began to brew within his heart.
And just as expected, Lu Ruikai’s anger turned into a cold laugh. This time, he was truly enraged.
"Excellent. Are you trying to start a rebellion? As a member of this sect, you should be uniting your fellow disciples. Instead, you abuse your authority to conspire with others, set traps to kill, and interfere in trials. It seems you’ve forgotten who gave you everything you have!"
"This disciple knows his error!"
Wang Luyi’s body trembled as he bowed his head even lower, kowtowing again and again.
"Enough. If this is how it is, then there is no longer any need for you to exist. Some mistakes are unforgivable."
Lu Ruikai’s gaze was ice-cold. As he spoke, he waved his right hand toward Wang Luyi. In the next instant, Wang Luyi’s expression twisted in terror. He looked up, his mouth opening to utter a single word—"No—" But his body was simply wiped from existence, as if erased from a sheet of paper.
This was Lu Ruikai’s true self, and with his terrifying level of Cultivation, annihilating such a disciple was no different than crushing an ant.
This very act deepened the awe and fear in the eyes of the crowd. They all lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
Yu Changsheng, on the other hand, let out an inward sigh of relief. He cupped his fists toward Lu Ruikai and said, "Sect Leader, your judgment is clear and wise. This disciple is endlessly grateful and will willingly accept any punishment."
’At this point, I should be in the clear,’ Yu Changsheng thought. ’I’m basically safe. After all, reason and justice are on my side, so Lu Ruikai has no further cause to move against me.’
’The previous hostility was just Lu Ruikai looking for an honorable way out, and Wang Luyi was that way out. Huang Suyu is dead. It’s a pity, but he’s gone. Meanwhile, I’ve proven that he has no choice but to take me seriously.’
In short, the more astounding his performance, the less likely Yu Changsheng was to be punished—especially in a sect like Wanxiang, which raised its disciples through a brutal "Raising Gu" system.
Lu Ruikai retracted his oppressive aura. His expression was now calm as he nodded at Yu Changsheng.
"There were extenuating circumstances. You were the victim, so I can’t criticize you. The cancer has been removed. Do you have any objections?"
"This disciple has none," Yu Changsheng replied respectfully, his head lowered.
"However..." Lu Ruikai paused, his tone shifting. "You did, after all, break the sect’s rules by killing a fellow disciple during the trial. Regardless of the grievances between you, the fact is that he died by your hand."
Yun Hejing immediately grew tense, her heart once again leaping into her throat. She started to step forward to speak but was held back by Elder Hai, who slowly shook his head.
"This disciple pleads guilty," Yu Changsheng said, lowering his head without a hint of resentment.
"Very well. I shall assign you a punishment. There is a little less than an hour remaining in the Celestial Ladder trial. In my own time, I left my mark on it, reaching the 7,999th step. If you can climb higher than I did, we will let this entire matter drop. What do you think?"
A peculiar glint appeared in Lu Ruikai’s eyes as he spoke slowly.
As soon as he said this, everyone present was stunned, their faces a mixture of expressions.
’What kind of punishment is that?’
Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that Lu Ruikai was merely using this as a pretense to test Yu Changsheng. Even if he didn’t make it, nothing would likely come of it.
"Well..." Yu Changsheng faltered, a hesitant look on his face.
"What? You don’t dare?" Lu Ruikai asked lightly.
"It isn’t that. It’s just that in my current physical state, I’m afraid I am unable to comply."
Yu Changsheng gave a bitter smile. He was completely spent, a spent force running on fumes. He was holding on by a sheer thread of will.
His physical body, Divine Soul, and Qi Refining Cultivation were all thoroughly depleted. The wounds on his body and the backlash to his Divine Soul left him exceptionally weak. Continuing to climb the Celestial Ladder? That was nothing short of a delusion.
Lu Ruikai said nothing. He glanced at Yu Changsheng’s injuries, then produced an elixir and sent it floating toward him.
"Since you have no objections, take this elixir. You will be given time to recover before continuing the trial."
Yu Changsheng was visibly moved. He took the elixir, and his spirits immediately lifted.
The elixir was extraordinary. A Pill Mist swirled around it as it floated. It was a vibrant cyan, with a single drop of deep red at its center, and a single Pill Pattern was etched upon its surface. Just a whiff of its fragrance felt like a refreshing spring breeze, soothing the heart and mind.
"A Third-Grade Elixir... the Life-Returning Pill..."
Yu Changsheng gently inhaled the medicinal aroma, somewhat astonished at Lu Ruikai’s generosity.
The Life-Returning Pill was one of the absolute best among Third-Grade Elixirs. As its name suggested, it was for healing. It was a rare and precious elixir even for a Golden Core Cultivator. For any cultivator below the Golden Core realm, no matter how grave their injuries, a single pill could save their life as long as they still drew breath.
Moreover, the elixir could nourish the physical body, Divine Sense, soul, and Magical Power, allowing for rapid recovery. Even if it couldn’t restore one to their peak condition instantly, it could bring them back to at least half their strength.
The difficulty of concocting this elixir was on par with some Fourth-Grade Elixirs, and its value was equally unimaginable. Yu Changsheng had never expected Lu Ruikai to produce such a sacred healing medicine.
The fact that it even had One Pill Pattern made it all the more rare and valuable.
After all, for his current state, using such a valuable elixir was completely unnecessary. It felt like a tremendous waste.
"Take it. Don’t waste time," Lu Ruikai said indifferently, his face betraying no hint of regret over parting with the elixir. "It’s more than enough to heal your injuries."
The crowd was stirred, their eyes fixed with envy as Yu Changsheng swallowed the elixir.
Yu Changsheng didn’t hesitate. The elixir dissolved the instant it touched his tongue, and a potent Medicinal Force surged through his entire body. A powerful sense of Vitality erupted from within him.
Yu Changsheng felt like a withered tree blooming in spring, like a parched land receiving sweet rain. A comfortable warmth spread through him. The pale pallor of his face was quickly replaced by a healthy flush, and his feeble aura stabilized.
Every cell in his body greedily absorbed the Medicinal Force. Astonishing Spiritual Power surged and swirled within him. His pores opened, and all his fatigue was swept away. Nourished by this potent force, Yu Changsheng’s wounds began to heal at a staggering speed.