Chapter 407-
His departure was followed shortly afterward by the captain. By the time Grey returned to his office and was about to begin cultivating, he heard the final verdict regarding Kaien’s fate echo throughout the sect.
«"The accused has been judged according to the severity of his crimes. The final verdict is the complete obliteration of his cultivation base!"»
The declaration struck like a clap of heavenly thunder, reverberating across Sky Mist Mountain and echoing through every corner of Sky Mist City. Every cultivator who heard those words instinctively turned their gaze toward the towering mountain in the distance, their expressions filled with disbelief and awe.
This was no ordinary disciple.
Kaien was a heaven’s chosen, a direct disciple of the Bizarre Broken Sect. Yet Sky Mist Sect had judged him no differently from a common criminal. Even more astonishing was the fact that the verdict made it abundantly clear that Sky Mist Sect had no intention of yielding to the authority or reputation of the Sects Alliance, much less to the Bizarre Broken Sect itself.
Among the visiting disciples of the Bizarre Broken Sect, the shock was even greater. Their faces instantly turned pale as countless thoughts flashed through their minds.
If Kaien’s cultivation base was truly destroyed, then there would be no room left for reconciliation.
Even Grey, who listened from within the quiet confines of his office, couldn’t help but reveal a trace of surprise. His brows furrowed slightly as he digested the announcement.
He hadn’t expected the sect to make such a ruthless decision.
If they truly shattered Kaien’s cultivation base, then an all-out conflict between the two sects would become almost inevitable. The Sects Alliance would never stand idly by while one of its member sects suffered such humiliation. Whether out of solidarity or political necessity, they would almost certainly stand behind the Bizarre Broken Sect.
From a practical standpoint, if Sky Mist Sect wished to avoid provoking the Sects Alliance, then this was undoubtedly the worst possible course of action.
Yet from another perspective, it was also the strongest declaration they could make.
It was a warning to every cultivator, whether they came from a great sect or a minor clan.
Within Sky Mist Sect, its laws stood above your background.
Your sect will not protect you from the laws of Sky Mist.
That was the message they intended to send to the entire cultivation world.
Naturally, such a declaration would not go unanswered. The retaliation from the Bizarre Broken Sect would undoubtedly be swift and violent.
Almost the instant the verdict was announced, a furious roar exploded from somewhere within Sky Mist City, shaking the heavens and startling countless cultivators.
"You dare destroy my disciple’s cultivation base?!"
The enraged voice boomed across the city like rolling thunder.
An elderly man with long gray hair shot into the sky without the slightest hesitation, flying directly toward the towering Sky Mist Mountain in the distance.
His eyes had turned bloodshot, overflowing with boundless fury and murderous hatred. His robes billowed violently in the wind as terrifying spiritual power erupted from his body in massive waves. The aura surrounding him fluctuated wildly, causing the surrounding air to distort as he pushed his cultivation to its absolute limit in order to increase his speed.
The sky trembled in his wake.
Sharp explosions rang out one after another as he pierced through the air, each sonic boom announcing his furious approach. Clouds scattered before him, unable to withstand the overwhelming pressure radiating from his body.
The old man was none other than the current Sect Master of the Bizarre Broken Sect.
And at this moment, he was charging toward Sky Mist Mountain with only one thought in mind—
No matter the cost, he would stop them from destroying Kaien’s cultivation base.
His cultivation base was fully revealed at this moment and all could instantly tell that he was a strong expert in the Nascent Soul Transformation realm.
The instant the old man’s furious roar echoed across the heavens, a loud harrumph reverberated through the surrounding air.
The space before him rippled violently.
Moments later, a figure slowly stepped out of the void as though emerging from an invisible doorway. His arrival was completely silent, yet the pressure he carried caused the turbulent spiritual energy in the surroundings to settle almost instantly.
He was a middle-aged man with refined features and a gentle smile that usually gave others the impression of an approachable scholar rather than the ruler of one of the greatest sects in the region.
However, at this moment, not the slightest trace of warmth could be found on his face.
His expression was calm, almost indifferent, but his eyes were as cold as an endless winter.
He glanced at the elderly man hurtling toward Sky Mist Mountain before letting out a quiet snort inwardly.
"Daoist from the Bizarre Broken Sect," he said in a calm yet authoritative voice, "flying is prohibited within Sky Mist City."
Although he did not raise his voice, every cultivator throughout the city heard his words as clearly as if he were speaking directly beside them.
This middle-aged man was none other than Shin Riku, the Sect Master of the Sky Mist Sect.
Like the old man before him, he had stepped into the Nascent Soul Transformation Realm. However, because he deliberately concealed his cultivation, no one present could determine whether his strength surpassed, matched, or fell short of that of the enraged Sect Master from the Bizarre Broken Sect.
Seeing Shin Riku block his path, the old man’s expression twisted with rage. His bloodshot eyes burned with undisguised killing intent as veins bulged across his forehead.
His fists clenched tightly, causing the surrounding space to tremble faintly beneath the immense pressure radiating from his body.
"Move."
His voice was frighteningly low.
Then, after a brief pause, he spoke once more.
"Leave my sight, boy... before I tear you into pieces."
The words were not shouted.
Instead, they were transmitted through spiritual sense.
Yet every cultivator present—especially those in the Foundation Establishment Realm and above—heard them with perfect clarity. The murderous intent contained within those few words caused countless experts to feel chills run down their spines.
The atmosphere instantly became suffocating.
Neither Sect Master made another move.
They simply stared at one another across the sky, and the invisible pressure released by the two Nascent Soul Transformation experts collided repeatedly, causing waves of spiritual energy to ripple through the heavens.
Just then, several brilliant streaks of light shot across the horizon from different directions.
Each streak traveled with astonishing speed, crossing hundreds of meters in the blink of an eye before stopping between the two opposing Sect Masters.
As the lights faded, numerous figures revealed themselves.
They were the Sect Masters of the various sects belonging to the Sects Alliance.
Each one possessed an extraordinary aura, and their mere presence caused the surrounding cultivators to instinctively lower their heads.
Among them, one man slowly stepped forward.
"Daoist Shin Riku of the Sky Mist Sect..."
His calm voice echoed through the sky.
"Explain yourself."
The speaker was a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious purple robes embroidered with countless silver stars.
However, unlike ordinary depictions of the night sky, the stars embroidered upon his robes were not shining proudly above.
Instead, they were falling from the heavens as though they had been cast down by divine judgment.
The image carried an indescribable sense of majesty and melancholy.
This man was the Sect Master of the Heavenly Star Sect.
His expression remained calm from beginning to end, and not the slightest fluctuation leaked from his body. It was impossible for others to gauge the depth of his cultivation.
Yet despite his composed appearance, everyone present could feel the invisible tension growing heavier with every passing second.
The air itself seemed ready to explode.
Shin Riku slowly turned toward the Sect Master of the Heavenly Star Sect.
With an expression as tranquil as still water, he cupped his fists and gave a slight bow.
"Fellow Daoist from the Heavenly Star Sect," he said politely, "this Daoist from the Bizarre Broken Sect was discovered flying within Sky Mist City."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Ordinarily, such an act would be considered a violation of our city’s laws."
"However..."
"Considering that Fellow Daoist is the Sect Master of one of the Alliance’s great sects—and therefore my equal—I have chosen to overlook this offense."
His tone remained perfectly calm throughout, revealing neither anger nor mockery.
After finishing his sentence, Shin Riku slowly shifted his gaze back toward the old Sect Master of the Bizarre Broken Sect.
His expression was completely blank.
Neither fear nor hostility could be seen on his face.
Yet everyone watching understood one thing.
The real confrontation had only just begun.
"You bastard..."
The old man spoke through tightly clenched teeth, his voice trembling with barely restrained fury. Every word seemed to be forced out through overwhelming rage.
The surrounding air distorted as waves of spiritual power leaked from his body. Had he not been desperately suppressing himself, the pressure alone would have been enough to flatten the cultivators below.
His blood-red eyes locked onto Shin Riku with naked killing intent.
"My disciple..."
He took another step forward, his aura surging once more.
"Do not even think about destroying my disciple’s cultivation base!"
His voice shook the heavens, causing countless clouds overhead to scatter. Although he was trying his best to remain rational, everyone present could see that he was standing on the edge of completely losing control.
Hearing those furious words, Shin Riku merely let out another quiet sigh.
His expression remained calm, neither intimidated by the old man’s cultivation nor provoked by his threats.
Instead of responding immediately, he slowly shifted his gaze away from the enraged Sect Master of the Bizarre Broken Sect and looked toward the other figures who had arrived.
The streaks of light had long since faded, revealing the Sect Masters of the various sects that belonged to the Sects Alliance.
None of them spoke.
Their expressions remained unreadable, while the gazes they directed toward Shin Riku carried obvious traces of displeasure.
Regardless of the circumstances, the fact remained that a disciple of the Sects Alliance was about to have his cultivation destroyed.
That alone was enough to make them unhappy.
Finally, one of them stepped forward.