Chapter 343: 343. Chapter 338 Punishment

343. Chapter 338 Punishment

On the central square of Great Compassion Rock, figures flickered as all the captured cultivators gathered on the scene.

Li Shixiong and other disciples of the Slaughter Ghost Sect, after being tightly bound, knelt on the high platform of the central square.

After Wang Zhuo finished recounting everything that had happened to him on the spot, all the cultivators on the square were furious.

Some cultivators discussed, saying:

"The Slaughter Ghost Sect is a major power in Huanyu; I never expected that upon entering this place they would still throw their weight around."

"They treated Jin Pengwang's words as idle wind, outwardly obeying but secretly defying, oppressing their fellow teammates."

"Truly hateful."

When Jin Pengwang sensed the moment was ripe, he rose, set down his tea cup, scanned all the cultivators present, and said:

"I told you before that you must carefully choose your teammates."

"Do you know why?"

A young cultivator in the crowd replied:

"Being familiar with each other and united, we can carry out the work smoothly to the end."

Jin Pengwang's eyes icy, he asked again:

"Do you also think that way?",

Seeing most cultivators silent, he raised his voice sharply and said:

"Completely wrong."

"Your hearts have long been shackled, unable to fully open your mental realm."

"Thoughts trapped in a self-made cage, how can one achieve great accomplishments in a lifetime?"

Wang Zhuo, hearing Jin Pengwang's words, walked to the front of the platform and said indignantly:

"Everyone, life in this world requires facing many choices; once a choice is made, one must face its corresponding consequences."

"I, Wang Zhuo, was deceived by the Slaughter Ghost Sect disciples into choosing the wrong teammates, suffering bullying and reaping what I sowed."

"Had I not resisted Li Shixiong and the others at the critical moment, Jin Pengwang would not have come to my rescue."

"Jin Pengwang did this to tell us."

"In all things, one must pursue one's true heart and choose what is beneficial to oneself."

"Everything must be considered carefully; one must not be careless."

"Do not wait until the end to discover a mistaken choice, for then regret will be too late."

"As cultivators, we must dare to face whatever happens; we must never silently endure and meekly accept injustice."

After Wang Zhuo finished speaking, his aura suddenly erupted, a powerful energy exploding with a boom in the arena.

"Wang Zhuo actually broke through?"

"Earth Origin Realm Peak."

"I recall he was only at the Earth Origin Realm Mid-stage when he arrived here!"

A cultivator familiar with Wang Zhuo exclaimed in surprise among the crowd.

After hearing the crowd's discussion, Wang Zhuo added:

"Everyone, look; I have fully grasped the Peng King's painstaking efforts and completely liberated my inner self."

"My cultivation level broke through, smoothly entering the Earth Origin Realm Peak."

All the cultivators present were shaken by Wang Zhuo's words, as if bathed in heavenly nectar; all the grudges buried deep in their hearts vanished.

Wang Zhuo was not mistaken; cultivators must not only absorb spiritual power into their bodies but also cultivate mind and nature—what the Peng King did is exactly what everyone thought.

The cultivators present gazed at the Peng King, eyes red-rimmed, and roared:

"Thank you, Peng King, for your great kindness; we will keep it in our hearts and not disgrace your teachings."

The Peng King nodded satisfiedly and said:

"The Slaughter Ghost Sect disciples violated the rules of Great Compassion Fort, harmed their teammates, and hurt the cultivators' feelings."

"Everyone, say, how should we punish this malignant tumor?"

"Kill them, kill them, kill them."

Countless cultivators angrily said.

Wang Zhuo's eyes rolled about, and suddenly an idea struck him; he seized the moment to say:

"Everyone."

"Most of those who enter this place are loose cultivators, among whom are not a few strong experts from the major sects."

"Killing Li Shixiong and the other Slaughter Ghost Sect disciples would only temporarily intimidate those major sect disciples."

"Those major sect disciples are accustomed to throwing their weight around, constantly bullying us who have no support."

"Now."

"We now have a true authority that stands up for us."

"We must firmly defend our own interests and wage an endless struggle against those second- and third-generation cultivators."

The cultivators hearing Wang Zhuo's words felt it made perfect sense, especially those whose teams included disciples of the major powers, who felt it deeply.

"Fellow cultivator Wang Zhuo, what do you suggest?"

A young cultivator in the crowd said.

Wang Zhuo said:

"Everyone, after finishing daily labor, you must pass through the Coiling Dragon Gate to enter the lodgings for rest."

"Punish Li Shixiong and the other Slaughter Ghost Sect disciples by making them kneel at the entrance of the Coiling Dragon Gate; each day, as cultivators enter after labor, they will strike them once with a palm."

"Having them as an example, we need not fear that other cultivators will dare to harm us."

Li Shiwen heard Wang Zhuo's words, his body trembled instantly, and he shouted hysterically:

「Wang Zhuo, you dare! 」

We are direct disciples of the Shagui Sect, and there are even elders within the sect.

If you dare to treat us that way, humiliating the Shagui Sect's prestige, the Shagui Sect will absolutely not let you go.

「I will definitely kill you all once I go out, kill every one of you. 」

Li Shixiong has always looked down on Huanyu cultivators, arrogantly considering himself a disciple of the Shagui Sect.

If he were to be face-slapped by those lowly ants at sunrise and sunset, it would be utterly unbearable, worse than killing him.

Golden Peng King watched the reactions of the crowd, feeling delighted in his heart.

Wang Zhuo's suggestion was highly approved by the cultivators.

People resent the wealthy, cultivators resent the strong, but ordinary people cannot escape the seven emotions and six desires.

Huanyu cultivators have long been oppressed by the disciples of the major sects; they dare to be angry but fear retaliation.

If Li Shixiong and others are punished to kneel at the Panlong Gate, and the cultivators bind their palms while doing daily labor, it will not only win the cultivators' hearts but also serve as a warning, making the disciples of the major sects in each team dare not bully their teammates, and at the same time can arouse the cultivators' inner resolve to resist oppression.

This is an excellent strategy that achieves three goals with one action!

Golden Peng King looked at Wang Zhuo with admiration, never expecting Wang Zhuo to also be a talent.

He's full of wicked schemes.

Golden Peng King said, 'All who agree with Wang Zhuo's opinion, raise your hands.'

After Golden Peng King finished speaking, most of the cultivators present quickly raised their hands, and some even clenched their fists and shouted acclaim, having long been oppressed by the strong disciples of the major sects; seeing a chance to take revenge, they were overwhelmed with excitement.

「Wang Zhuo, you have such a ruthless heart! 」

The Shagui Sect will certainly not let you off; your family and relatives will all be slaughtered to the last.

「I will make your entire clan perish. 」

Li Shixiong's eyes were about to burst, his eyes red as he shouted.

Smack.

Wang Zhuo slapped Li Shixiong hard, then said sternly:

「Our backers are the senior elders, the Great Compassion Stronghold, and the Demon Master. 」

The era of you, these domineering major sect disciples, has long passed.

Reporting to the Peng King, to ensure the interests of all cultivators present, so that they do not suffer my ordeal.

My suggestion is that the various squads mutually supervise each other.

「Anyone who persecutes a teammate can be collectively attacked by everyone, and afterward they will receive the same punishment as Li Shixiong and the others. 」

Golden Peng King expressed his agreement, saying, 'Just as you said.'

Golden Peng King's face showed a gentle smile; he saw that there were also cultivators who had previously been bullied by teammates, and now they all stood tall with chests out.

Because those cultivators understand that from now on they are no longer individuals facing injustice alone, but all cultivators jointly facing oppression, thus completely liberating the power in their hands.

This is the power of unity.

Golden Peng King patted Wang Zhuo's shoulder and said:

「From now on you shall be my left envoy, overseeing the construction on my behalf. 」

「Anyone who persecutes or harms a companion will be severely punished. 」

Upon hearing the Peng King's words, Wang Zhuo's eyes lit up, and he gratefully exclaimed:

「Thank you, Peng King; Wang Zhuo will surely not disgrace the mission. 」

Immediately afterward.

Li Shixiong and the others were dragged by the cultivators to the Panlong Gate.

The cultivators formed a long line, each one fiercely slapping Li Shixiong's threatening face with their hands, and all the cultivators present were excitedly discussing:

「Haha, slapping those major sect disciples is so satisfying, but unfortunately we can only slap them twice a day. 」

After slapping, hurry up and leave; my big palm can't wait any longer.

「Slapping the faces of major sect disciples is just exhilarating, refreshing. 」

In just ten breaths, Li Shixiong and the others' faces swelled into pig heads.

Zuoci stood beside the Peng King and said:

「Peng King, Li Shixiong and the others won't be slapped to death, will they! 」

「Rest assured, Li Shixiong and the others are all Earth Origin Realm cultivators, possessing Spiritual Power. 」

The cultivators slapping them do not use any magical power.

「No lives will be lost. 」 the Peng King said.

Li Bai saw this, gulped down a large mouthful of liquor fiercely, his face flushed as he praised:

「By using the nine members of the Shagui Sect to arouse the ferocity of all cultivators, letting them mutually recognize and find a sense of honor. 」

「The Peng King's methods are truly formidable. 」

The Peng King asked, 'Zuoci, have you finished refining the Elixir we discussed?'

「Part of the plan to capture people for the Elixir has already been prepared; once the construction is complete, it can be issued, 」 Zuoci said.

The Peng King said:

「During this period we must certainly combine kindness and authority, and after the construction is completed we must thoroughly subdue the cultivators. 」

Releasing them, if they can bring back ten people, they will be rewarded with one Elixir.

Repeating this cycle, isn't it faster than personally capturing people for the Elixir?

「At that time, one only needs to wait by the stump for a rabbit. 」

As the events involving Li Shixiong and others unfolded, the construction of the Great Compassion Stronghold proceeded smoothly.

The construction site of the Enforcement Hall was led by Lu Tiexin, a disciple of Reed Flame Valley, together with six fellow sect members and three loose cultivators, who were responsible for the building.

As the construction work gradually proceeded, the three loose cultivators Bai Ming, Zhang Hong, and Sun Nuo discovered something abnormal about their bodies.

These past few days, upon rising each morning they felt utterly exhausted, as if their bodies were pressed by a thousand‑jin boulder, making them extremely heavy.

"Strange, could I be sick?" Bai Ming wondered.

He found that the other two loose cultivators were equally exhausted, as if someone had drained their Vital Essence.

Bai Ming sent a sound transmission to Zhang Hong and asked:

"Brother Zhang, we are Earth Origin Realm cultivators.

Our Spiritual Power has long completed the bodily transformation; we should not be invaded by external evil.

During this period, have you felt any abnormality in your body?

Zhang Hong, hearing this, said thoughtfully:

"I won't hide it from you, Fellow Daoist Bai.

I have been cultivating these past few nights; each time Spiritual Power enters my body, it fills my dantian's Spiritual Power to completion.

But each morning I discover that my dantian's Spiritual Power feels as if it has been drained, becoming extremely thin.

I even thought my cultivation had gone wrong.

Could you be experiencing the same thing?

Bai Ming, hearing Zhang Hong's words, shuddered and said:

"Brother Zhang, now that you mention it, I recall that this has indeed happened over the past two days.

I also thought my cultivation had gone wrong, so I dared not speak of it.

Bai Ming and Zhang Hong exchanged a glance; looking into the distance at the Reed Flame Valley disciples, they too appeared listless, and both felt their scalps go numb.

The two pretended to move building materials closer to Sun Nuo, then asked about his condition.

Upon this question, the three were suddenly struck with terror.

The three of them had actually undergone the same experience, and the three loose cultivators could no longer remain calm.

Each night, their Elixir Heaven Spiritual Power is drained by an unknown force, and even their Vital Essence is affected.

This is like ants sucking marrow—temporarily no threat to life, but if it continues long enough, they will surely die.

Lu Tiexin walked up to the three, handed each a small vial, and said:

"Brothers, let's head back together; today's work is finished.

This is a third‑grade healing elixir obtained yesterday in exchange for merit.

I see your complexions are poor; the elixir might help resolve your bodily problems.

"Thank you, Elder Brother Lu.

Bai Ming, Zhang Hong, and Sun Nuo received Lu Tiexin's elixir; after smelling it, they felt a refreshing clarity and gratefully thanked him.

"It's nothing; as teammates we must help each other.

Lu Tiexin chuckled, then summoned his fellow Reed Flame Valley disciples and together they walked toward Coiling Dragon Gate.

Night.

The sky full of twinkling stars shed their light upon the cultivators' lodgings, as if covered with a layer of silver.

Bai Ming, Zhang Hong, and Sun Nuo kept a special watch; when midnight arrived they called each other out of their rooms.

As Bai Ming and the others left, Lu Tiexin slowly opened his eyes and followed them out.

"I think we should inform Peng Wang of this.

"What is happening to us is too strange; at night we cannot cultivate in peace.

"It feels as if a demon is watching us, ready to devour us at any moment.

Bai Ming said.

Sun Nuo glanced askance at the lodging rooms and couldn't help speculating: "Could it be that the Reed Flame Valley disciples secretly placed a sinister hand upon us?

"Surely not; Elder Brother Lu Tiexin even gave us elixirs today—if they meant us harm, why would they treat us so well?

Liu Hong hesitated and said.

Bai Ming glanced at the lodging houses, felt the surroundings were relatively safe, and then revealed a secret:

"Have you ever heard that whenever cultivators of the Huanyu enter the Giant Spirit Realm, Reed Flame Valley personally goes to the entrance to take on disciples?

Those who enter Reed Flame Valley never reappear in the Primitive Realm.

Even relatives of those who entered Reed Flame Valley went to inquire, and they too vanished.

Liu Hong and Sun Nuo were frightened out of their wits, exclaiming, "What?

Bai Ming's eyes flashed with a chilling light, and he then spoke sternly:

"Have you noticed that among all the labor teams, only our squad has problems, while the cultivators of the other teams are fine?

"This squad must have been secretly sabotaged.

Sun Nuo felt the matter was too bizarre to believe, and spoke fearfully:

"We are all Earth Origin Realm cultivators, with keen spiritual perception.

"If the Reed Flame Valley disciples are behind this, how could they prevent us from noticing?

"Moreover, the Reed Flame Valley disciples themselves are suffering the same condition.

"This is truly strange.

After some thought, Liu Hong said to Bai Ming and Sun Nuo:

"I believe we should report this to Peng Wang, have him send people to investigate thoroughly, and seek justice for us.

However.

Just as they were about to act, a ghostly shadow suddenly flickered before the three of them.

Before they could react, Bai Ming, Liu Hong, and Sun Nuo collapsed to the ground.

Lu Tiexin appeared in the field, looking at the three with a look of disdain.

"I originally wanted to let you live a few more days to help me break through and leave the Primitive Spirit Realm.

Since you seek death, I will take your souls early and turn you completely into spirit slaves."

Lu Tiexin's eyes flashed with a bloodthirsty light as he muttered.

He then looked at the fellow sect cultivators training in the lodging house, as if staring at his own prey, his pupils flashing with a bloodthirsty glow.

"Hmph, the fox's tail has finally shown."

At that moment, a mocking voice sounded in the air, and the figures of Li Bai, Zuo Ci, and the Tiger King appeared before Lu Tiexin.

Seeing this, Lu Tiexin's expression suddenly changed and he exclaimed in shock:

"You, how did you end up here?"

Zuo Ci stared at Lu Tiexin and said solemnly:

"Your strength has grown too fast; I've been watching you for a long time.

Now I have finally discovered the doubt.

We seem to know what secret method you used to conceal our probing of your life-soul.

Zuo Ci's group directly blocked all of Lu Tiexin's escape routes; a cultivator's life-soul is tied to life, and mastering the life-soul means mastering every move of the cultivator.

But something unexpected happened to Lu Tiexin.

This is extremely dangerous; we must get to the bottom of it, otherwise it will be detrimental to the base. (End of chapter)