Wu Bingyi was indeed a formidable master of the Legalist school!

His heart was truly as unyielding as iron!

Jiang Wang, observing from the side, felt a secret alarm.

Before a person like Wu Bingyi, relationships, connections, background, and even emotions were utterly useless.

He followed his law, seemingly devoid of any consideration of “pros and cons,” and utterly lacking in the sentiment of “sympathy.”

Today, the Blood River Sect’s Sect Master was dead, and their strongest True Person, Peng Chongjian, was severely injured, all due to their efforts in suppressing the Calamity Water. Anyone would naturally feel a touch of pity for such a Blood River Sect.

A Blood River Sect that could still stand was also beneficial for suppressing the Calamity Water.

Yet, he took down Xu Mingsong, and even refused Xu Mingsong’s plea to die within the Calamity Water. More so, his decision to take Xu Mingsong to the Heaven Punishment Cliff rather than executing him on the spot clearly indicated further investigation.

If any other issues were indeed unearthed, with Wu Bingyi’s conduct, it was entirely possible that more than one person would be executed.

At this moment, although Kou Xuejiao harbored deep hatred in her heart, what could she do? The three thousand Red Dust Swords in her hand could not even withstand a single move from Wu Bingyi. Not to mention her, even if Huo Shi were to resurrect, what then? When disciples of the Jing Kingdom’s royal family were involved in a demonic case that year, the Three Punishment Palace went directly to Heaven Capital City to apprehend them, led by none other than this very Master Wu! Fortunately, Commander Dou E Yu Que executed that Jing Kingdom royal clan on the spot, demonstrating that Jing’s law was self-governing.

While the Three Punishment Palace was unable to take the Jing Kingdom’s royal disciples to the Heaven Punishment Cliff, they still fully supervised the trial on Jing Kingdom’s Mirror World Platform. And how could the Blood River Sect of today compare to the Jing Kingdom?

Not all of the Blood River Sect disciples present felt anger and humiliation. More than that, there was a deeper sense of powerlessness.

Within this somber atmosphere, a hoarse voice rang out – “I can!”

The crowd turned their heads to look, and it was Peng Chongjian, lying in the blood boat, who had somehow awakened. He supported himself on the edge of the blood boat, swaying as he stood up.

His disciple, Yu Xiaochen, hurried over, about to support him, but was pushed away by a hand.

Beside the tall and sturdy Yu Xiaochen, he appeared very thin.

Originally refined in appearance, he looked even more frail at this moment of severe injury.

But as he stood there, an invisible power suddenly supported the spines of the Blood River Sect disciples.

He gazed intently at Wu Bingyi and spoke: “Master Wu upholds justice and enforces the law. The Blood River Sect has no objections!”

Though Mount Tai Yi was shattered, Jiang Wang felt a kind of majesty emanating from this person.

Even from the Qi Kingdom’s True Lord Ruan Qu, there was a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

And facing such a Moving Mountain True Person as Peng Chongjian, Wu Bingyi still only said:

“The Blood River Sect is free to have objections. The case of Xu Mingsong will be publicly tried by the Square Pavilion. If the Blood River Sect has any points they do not understand or approve of, they are welcome to discuss them at the Heaven Punishment Cliff. Anyone under heaven who has an opinion on this case is welcome at the Heaven Punishment Cliff. The law can be debated, but it cannot be altered.”

His expression remained serious, his emotions calm to the point of cruelty.

He faced Kou Xuejiao and Peng Chongjian with the same demeanor.

He upheld his law and walked his path.

Whether you were clinging to life out of fear of death, or regarding death as a homecoming, or cunning, or treacherous, or heroic, or benevolent… none of it would influence him.

After speaking to Peng Chongjian, he pulled the chain, lifting Xu Mingsong in his hand. His gaze swept across the crowd, counting it as a final inquiry. If no one had any objections, he would take the prisoner and leave.

Jiang Wang couldn’t help but speak up:

“True Lord Wu, please wait!”

The crowd all cast sidelong glances, wondering what he intended to do by stopping this severe great master.

Si Yu’an even raised an eyebrow. Did this boy think his identity as the Great Qi Wu’an Marquis would allow him to speak freely before Wu Bingyi?

Wu Bingyi turned his head and looked at Jiang Wang. Jiang Wang sincerely bowed in salutation:

“Thank you, True Lord, for your protection in the Evil Sea earlier.”

Wu Bingyi did not speak, his serious eyes seemingly warning Jiang Wang – stop speaking nonsense.

Jiang Wang paused for a moment, then continued:

“This junior has a doubt I have wanted to ask for a long time, but seeing you busy with official duties, I dared not interrupt… Xu Ximing, the brother you brought to the Evil Sea this time, why is he not here? Did you not bring him out? Or did you already send him back to the Heaven Punishment Cliff?”

Wu Bingyi was silent for a moment:

“You saw him?”

Jiang Wang instantly felt his entire body stiffen. He managed to say:

“Inside the Evil Sea, we were always fighting the Evil Views together, and we talked for a long time.”

Wu Bingyi looked at him deeply: “Xu Ximing died a long time ago.”

But only that sentence. He said nothing else.

There was no trace of emotion beyond his usual serious expression on his face.

He only tightened his grip on the pure white chain named Law No Two Gate, lifted his foot, turned, and had already disappeared from here with Xu Mingsong.

Jiang Wang stood rooted to the spot, an instant chill running down his spine!

If Xu Ximing had died a long time ago, then who was the Xu Ximing who fought and communicated with him?

If it was due to insufficient cultivation, being disturbed by the Evil View, why did none of the accompanying True Lords detect it?!

One had to know that in the last moment of leaving the Evil Sea, Xu Ximing even stood within the range of the Red Dust Gate, speaking a sentence to him, and Si Yu’an was right beside them at that moment!

Although Jiang Wang and Wu Bingyi’s conversation was short, it undoubtedly left people in deep thought, filled with fear, and trembling in their hearts.

Chen Pu couldn’t help but glance at the Red Dust Gate hanging in the air.

Si Yu’an’s sword-like eyebrows slightly rose, as if lost in thought. Ruan Qu, on the other hand, said with interest:

“This Xu Ximing… what is the situation?”

Kou Xuejiao, on the side, said with hatred in her voice:

“I know this person. Thirteen years ago, there was also a turmoil in the Evil Sea, though not as severe as this time. Wu Bingyi also came then, and he brought his disciple Xu Ximing, presumably for trial. As a result, Xu Ximing developed doubts about himself when facing the Evil View and thus left the Evil Sea. Wu Bingyi believed this was deserting the human race’s battlefield, stopped him at the Red Dust Gate, personally punished him, and threw him back into the Evil Sea to redeem his sins. Xu Ximing was extremely ashamed, found an opportunity, and committed suicide… Wu Bingyi is fundamentally a blade of the law, completely devoid of human emotion!”

Thinking of the conversations with “Xu Ximing,” thinking of Xu Ximing’s admiration for Wu Bingyi, Xu Ximing’s pride when speaking of the Cast Plow Sword, Jiang Wang was stunned for a moment.

He could also probably understand why Xu Mingsong would say that Wu Bingyi was the most just person under heaven. Because this Legalist master was so severe with his own direct disciple.

Even before Blood River True Lord Huo Shi died, why did he specifically make a plea, hoping this matter would stop with him and not blame the Blood River disciples? One could imagine Wu Bingyi’s style of conduct.

But even saying that, he could not change Wu Bingyi’s decision.

Kou Xuejiao was lamenting Wu Bingyi’s cruelty.

Jiang Wang suddenly thought of the first time Wu Bingyi appeared in his sight, reaching out to push him away and saying that sentence – “Young man, this is not your battlefield, retreat!”

Such a severe and cruel person, finally, thirteen years later, admitted that the Evil Sea was not a young man’s battlefield.

However, compared to what Jiang Wang felt, the more terrifying aspect for the True Lords present was –

Why was Xu Ximing, who had died thirteen years ago, seen by Jiang Wang in the Evil Sea?

And what exactly was the existence that could actually deceive the insights of so many accompanying True Lord powerhouses?

Looking through the entire Evil Sea, there were not many existences that could satisfy this condition…

“Little friend Jiang.” Chen Pu looked over:

“What did that Xu Ximing you mentioned talk to you about?”

This was originally a question that should have been asked by Wu Bingyi, Xu Ximing’s master, but Wu Bingyi had left without asking anything, taking Xu Mingsong with him.

Jiang Wang vaguely felt as if some power had locked onto him. His gaze fell, and it was a shackle. Chen Pu’s vigilance at this moment was very obvious.

Even Si Yu’an’s hand was placed on that single straw.

And Ruan Qu, at this moment, took a step forward, standing beside Jiang Wang, dispelling all pressure, and said in a calm tone:

“Young man has responsibility, daring to enter the Evil Sea to shoulder it. No matter what problem arises, it should all be the problem of you accompanying True Lords. Gentlemen, do you think so? If you were all unable to detect something, yet require a young man in his twenties to have such insight, it’s truly a bit forced.”

“Supervisor Ruan misunderstands.” Chen Pu said slowly: “I have no demands on little friend Jiang, just asking a few questions.”

Ruan Qu looked at Chen Pu, then at Si Yu’an, and then slowly said:

“If you question him like this, the young man is thin-skinned and will inevitably be nervous. It’s better to stand back a little.”

Chen Pu took two steps back: “If Supervisor Ruan believes this is safe, I naturally have no problem.”

Si Yu’an shrugged, indicating it was fine.

Jiang Wang stood there quietly, but unusually, his heart was not nervous – within this suspicion, he should have felt fear.

Ruan Qu smiled and looked at Jiang Wang:

“Given some unavoidable guesses, would the Wu’an Marquis mind if I conducted a slight check? Using some special methods will not involve your cultivation secrets, only searching for clues related to the Evil Sea. Of course, if you are unwilling, no one can force you. I will just take you back to Linzi.”

“It’s naturally better if you can help check.” Jiang Wang said with a wry smile:

“It will also put me at ease.”

Ruan Qu stood beside Jiang Wang, looking even younger than the twenty-one-year-old Jiang Wang.

He raised his hand, a layer of starlight covering it, and placed it lightly on Jiang Wang’s shoulder, like two friends of similar age. He said with a smile:

“You can chat with Dean Chen and the others now. They are all very respectable seniors and won’t make things difficult for you.”

Jiang Wang then looked at Chen Pu and said calmly: “To answer Dean Chen’s question. The first time I saw Xu Ximing was after Master Wu came to the Calamity Water.”

From Xu Ximing’s doubts, he chatted all the way to Xu Ximing’s Cast Plow Sword, and even included Xu Ximing’s evaluation of Peng Chongjian, namely Xu Ximing’s final question to him, asking if he thought the scene of Huo Shi’s death was magnificent.

Jiang Wang held nothing back, saying everything at once.

Because he understood that “Xu Ximing,” or rather the entity that borrowed Xu Ximing’s identity to communicate with him, was absolutely a terrifying existence. If it had any intentions towards him, at least he would have no resistance on his own. Any slight omission of detail could potentially lead several True Lords to a false understanding.

After listening to Jiang Wang’s account, Chen Pu and Si Yu’an exchanged glances, both feeling a little hard to understand.

From “Xu Ximing’s” communication with Jiang Wang, everything seemed very normal. Even the way Jiang Wang described Xu Ximing’s fighting style was completely normal. It really made people feel that the one communicating with Jiang Wang was just Xu Ximing himself.

But Xu Ximing had died early thirteen years ago.

The facts and feelings were clearly out of alignment. Ruan Qu moved his hand away at this moment, dispelling the starlight on his hand.

He shook his head:

“No problems found.” “Strange,” Chen Pu said, frowning:

“Then why did he contact little friend Jiang?”

“Who knows?” Si Yu’an’s eyes slightly narrowed:

“Perhaps it was the Bodhi Evil Ancestor wanting to take the opportunity to learn about the young people of today.”

Whether it was Chen Pu or Si Yu’an, they obviously accepted Ruan Qu’s investigation results.

Instead, Jiang Wang himself didn’t feel too at ease and said to Ruan Qu:

“Otherwise, would you check again?” Ruan Qu smiled slightly:

“Within the Evil Sea, there are no more than three existences capable of contacting you and deceiving several True Lords. No matter which one of those three it is, it is impossible to leave no trace for me after crossing the Red Dust Gate.”

The confidence in the words of this Great Qi Qintianjian Supervisor gave Jiang Wang a great sense of security.

Also, the Bodhi Evil Ancestor had already been pushed back by Huo Shi, the Blood River was still acting as the boundary river, the time of the Evil Tribulation had not yet arrived, and they had already walked out of the Red Dust Gate. Reason dictated that there was nothing to worry about.

Chen Pu then asked again:

“Just looking at it yourself, why do you think the existence that borrowed Xu Ximing’s identity contacted you? You don’t need any evidence, and you don’t need to be correct. Just say what you truly feel is okay.”

Jiang Wang said:

“I feel he was very lonely.” He thought for a moment, then added: “When I say ‘he,’ I mean Xu Ximing.” “You feel Xu Ximing is not yet dead?” Chen Pu asked.

Jiang Wang carefully chose his words:

“His life and death have been confirmed by the Three Punishment Palace. I just feel that what spoke with me was indeed Xu Ximing’s will.”

“It’s not strange for ten thousand withered wills to be gathered in one body. Even upon what was originally the Bodhi Evil Ancestor’s ability.” Chen Pu said:

“As for why the Bodhi Evil Ancestor put this will out… Perhaps it was related to Master Wu.”

Jiang Wang thought to himself, perhaps that was exactly why Master Wu left without asking anything.

But Chen Pu no longer said anything on this matter.

Perhaps, several True Lords were already conducting other communications.

“Gentlemen.” As their discussion about Xu Ximing concluded, Peng Chongjian walked over:

“Since several True Lords are all here today, would you be willing to serve as witnesses for my Blood River Sect?”

At this time, he was still not recovered from his injuries, his breath weak, but as soon as he spoke, representing the Blood River Sect, he possessed a kind of weight that could not be ignored.

“We are not sure what you need us to witness?” Chen Pu’s tone was gentle, possessing a power to soothe the heart.

Peng Chongjian said:

“The Sect Master has perished, and the Blood River is without a master. The most important matter at hand is, of course, to establish a candidate for the new Sect Master. We humbly request the gentlemen to witness, to ensure proper nomenclature and legal basis.”

His words were also reasonable.

He said he was requesting witnesses, but in reality, he was requesting protection.

With several Powerhouses of the Derivation Path witnessing the inheritance of the Blood River Sect, even powerful individuals from outside who wished to take advantage of the chaos to infiltrate and plot against the Blood River Sect’s foundation would have to think twice.

Chen Pu naturally understood, but showed no intention of evading, only saying: “We don’t know if Sect Master Huo had established a candidate for succession before his passing?”

Peng Chongjian shook his head, saying with a bitter voice: “The Sect Master was in the prime of his life, his cultivation at its peak. Who could have expected such a sudden disaster?”

“Master.” Yu Xiaochen, standing beside him, said urgently:

“The Blood River Sect is now like a headless dragon. Besides you, who else can shoulder this great responsibility?”

He was just short of directly pushing his master onto the throne, conveniently adding a few words to put down others (He finished speaking). How could people move the strike psychology harm attach wood let square temple next time strike book sign—time record stand piece letter decide

The former Sect Master’s will counts as 1.

Nonsense.

Of course, this urgency was also an expression of loyalty.

Peng Chongjian frowned:

“When is it your turn to speak? Shut your mouth!”

After Yu Xiaochen reluctantly closed his mouth, he looked at Kou Xuejiao:

“The Sect Master has unfortunately passed away, but the spirit of the Blood River Sect must still be inherited…

…Junior Sister, what do you think?”

Chen Pu intended to provide protection, hence witnessing. But Ruan Qu and Si Yu’an, as outsiders, remained silent.

Jiang Wang, being merely in the Divine Canopy realm, remained even more silent. 4

Yu Xiaochen’s words were not without reason. In the entire Blood River Sect, there was indeed no one who could compete with Peng Chongjian for the position of Sect Master at this moment. Even the Right Protector Kou Xuejiao had a clear gap compared to Peng Chongjian.

Among the two great elders of the Blood River Sect, Xu Mingsong originally had some hope. After all, he was an existence who had long intended to dominate the Pure Dao realm, but now he had become a prisoner of the Heaven Punishment Cliff and had no chance.

Kou Xuejiao, wearing armor and pressing her sword, said coldly: “Personally, I am naturally happy to see Senior Brother Peng take the position of Sect Master. I believe Elders You and Zhang will also have no objections. But…”

The most feared thing in all matters is “but.”

Yu Xiaochen suddenly felt a little nervous.

Instead, the still very weak Peng Chongjian said calmly and gently: “Since several True Lords are here to witness, we must not allow my Blood River Sect to fall into disarray. Junior Sister, if you have something to say, please speak frankly.”

Kou Xuejiao nodded slightly in apology: “But Sect Master Huo had already made expectations for the candidate of the next Sect Master before his passing!”