Chapter 664: Punishment

The conclusion of the Xuan Yuan Heavenly Grotto trials, and their final outcome, quickly spread across the entire Shengzhou Continent within just a few days, becoming a popular topic of discussion. News even reached other continents, considering that nearly all the top young cultivators from Cangxuan Heaven had participated in these trials.

For someone to distinguish themselves in a competition of this caliber was a testament to their exceptional talent, suggesting that, given time, they could very well become a renowned top-tier expert in Cangxuan Heaven.

However, the circulated results took everyone by surprise.

After all, the Saint Palace was currently at its zenith in Cangxuan Heaven. For years, its sect's power and the quality of its young generation had been unrivaled among Cangxuan Heaven's many factions. In previous Xuan Yuan Heavenly Grotto trials, the Saint Palace had consistently taken the lead, always being the most prominent.

But this time, the outcome was different. The Cangxuan Sect, which had been suppressed by the Saint Palace for many years, remarkably turned the tables, defeating the Saint Palace and once again seizing the greatest opportunity within the Xuan Yuan Heavenly Grotto. Such a result naturally elicited countless exclamations of surprise.

As the detailed accounts of what transpired within the Xuan Yuan Heavenly Grotto gradually spread, various factions learned that the decisive factor behind the Cangxuan Sect's resurgence was surprisingly not one of their Saint Sons, but merely a chief disciple from the Cangxuan Sect named Zhou Yuan! Furthermore, three Saint Sons of the Saint Palace, including Jin Chanzi, were powerfully slain by this chief disciple. This impressive feat was dazzling, leaving countless individuals utterly speechless.

Evidently, no one had anticipated that the person who would distinguish himself in the Xuan Yuan Heavenly Grotto this time would be neither Jiang Taishen, ranked first on the Saint Son list, nor Chu Qing, who was second, but rather this obscure, minor chief disciple from the Cangxuan Sect... However, everyone also knew that after achieving such a remarkable feat, Zhou Yuan, upon his return to the Cangxuan Sect, would certainly no longer be a mere chief disciple; the position of Saint Son was practically guaranteed. This prompted various factions to sigh in admiration, realizing that the Cangxuan Sect truly lived up to its past as the foremost sect in Cangxuan Heaven. Although it had declined somewhat, its foundation and heritage remained beyond imagination and should not be underestimated.

Saint Palace. The atmosphere in the main hall was cold and oppressive.

Clad in white robes, Saint Yuan Palace Lord sat at the head of the hall, his silver eyes fixed calmly on the disciples kneeling silently below. At the forefront were Jiang Taishen and Zhan Taiqing. It was clear that they were among the disciples who had participated in the Xuan Yuan Heavenly Grotto trials.

"You have disappointed me greatly," Saint Yuan Palace Lord finally said slowly after a long silence.

The many disciples trembled, and Jiang Taishen and Zhan Taiqing, at the front, lowered their heads.

"My Saint Palace rose from humble beginnings, eventually dethroning the Cangxuan Sect as the foremost sect in Cangxuan Heaven and taking its place. Even Cangxuan Ancestor, a peerless expert, ultimately met his demise beneath my Saint Palace." Saint Yuan Palace Lord's indifferent voice, devoid of any fluctuation, echoed through the spacious and grand hall. "In those days, my Saint Palace barely conceded any ground to the Cangxuan Sect, and now, my Saint Palace has suppressed them for years. Yet, you managed to lose to them in the Xuan Yuan Heavenly Grotto..."

Saint Yuan Palace Lord said faintly, "Is it because the Saint Palace has made you too comfortable?"

No one dared to reply.

Saint Yuan Palace Lord waved a hand and declared, "All disciples who participated in the Xuan Yuan Heavenly Grotto trials shall each receive one hundred lashes of the Saint Whip."

Inside the hall, the Saint Palace disciples' faces instantly paled. The Saint Whip was a form of punishment within the Saint Palace that lashed the soul; each strike inflicted excruciating pain. One hundred lashes would likely shatter the soul of anyone with a slightly weaker spirit; the punishment was undeniably severe.

"Jiang Taishen, Zhan Taiqing, as the leading disciples, you bear the greatest responsibility. You shall each receive five hundred lashes," Saint Yuan Palace Lord said indifferently, his silver eyes fixed on the two figures at the very front. "Do you have any objections?"

Jiang Taishen and Zhan Taiqing took a deep breath, offering no rebuttal, and nodded in acceptance. They knew that after this failure, punishment was inevitable. Any sign of resistance would likely result in devastating retribution. Though Saint Yuan Palace Lord appeared calm, they presumed he was already seething with rage deep down.

Saint Yuan Palace Lord watched them expressionlessly, then paused before speaking again, "Jiang Taishen, after your punishment, you will recuperate for one month. After that month, someone will challenge you. If you lose, you will relinquish your position as the top Saint Son."

Jiang Taishen was slightly taken aback by this. Challenge him? Among the current generation of Saint Palace disciples, even Zhan Taiqing should be incapable of defeating him. Was Saint Yuan Palace Lord planning to have a guardian or elder challenge him? That seemed pointless.

As confusion swirled in Jiang Taishen's mind, he suddenly saw a figure enter from outside the hall. The figure was tall and slender, draped in a black robe, and as they walked, a faint bloody aura seemed to ripple around them. Before they even drew near, everyone seemed to catch a whiff of a scent like mountains of corpses and seas of blood, an unsettling sensation.

Jiang Taishen's pupils contracted slightly as he gazed at the figure, sensing a dangerous fluctuation emanating from them. The other Saint Palace disciples also watched the black-robed youth with surprise and doubt, clearly finding him unfamiliar.

"That is Wu Huang, a disciple I have taken," Saint Yuan Palace Lord said lightly, noticing their confusion.

Upon hearing this, the disciples' hearts trembled. The Palace Lord had personally taken a disciple? This hadn't happened in many years; even Jiang Taishen hadn't received such an honor.

"Wu Huang greets all senior brothers and sisters," the black-robed youth said, clasping his fists in greeting under the many gazes, appearing humble and polite.

Saint Yuan Palace Lord looked at Jiang Taishen and said, "One month from now, Wu Huang will issue a challenge to you. Will you accept it?"

Jiang Taishen withdrew his gaze from Wu Huang and replied, "With the Palace Lord's command, how could I refuse? One month from now, I will await Junior Brother Wu Huang's challenge." As the top-ranked Saint Son on the Shengzhou Continent's list, he naturally possessed his own pride. Among Cangxuan Heaven's young generation, even Chu Qing could only manage a mutually destructive struggle to contend with him; others were simply beneath his notice. This included Zhou Yuan, who had caused their crushing defeat this time. If he were to face Zhou Yuan alone, Jiang Taishen was confident he could slay him.

Saint Yuan Palace Lord acknowledged his words with a nod and said, "All of you, withdraw and receive your punishments."

With pale faces, fear in their eyes, and an air of dejection, the many disciples retreated one by one. Soon, the grand hall became empty.

"Jiang Taishen's failure this time indicates a deficiency in his strength. At this juncture, if a stronger Saint Palace disciple can defeat him, it will naturally suppress those external rumors about the Cangxuan Sect's immense heritage..." Saint Yuan Palace Lord murmured to himself. He then turned his silver eyes to Wu Huang below and said, "One month from now, if you can defeat Jiang Taishen, then your Great Wu Dynasty may attack the Zhou Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, a sharp gleam instantly shot forth from Wu Huang's eyes. He then took a deep breath, clasped his fists, and declared, "This disciple understands!" He had waited too long for this day!

"Work hard. I hope you don't disappoint me," Saint Yuan Palace Lord said before his figure gradually faded and vanished into thin air.

Wu Huang bowed towards where Saint Yuan Palace Lord had vanished, then raised his head, looking into the distant horizon, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

Zhou Yuan, do you think gaining a little prominence in the Xuan Yuan Heavenly Grotto makes you impressive? That's only because you merely picked off the weakest Jin Chanzi. If you had faced Jiang Taishen, you would probably be dead by now...

No matter. I have remained in the Saint Palace in obscurity for too long. Now is the time for me to emerge and let the world know the name of Wu Huang. And this shall begin with Jiang Taishen, that formidable opponent you dared not face...

I imagine by the time you hear the news, the top spot on the Shengzhou Continent's Saint Son list will already bear my name, Wu Huang. At that moment, I wonder how fascinating your expression will be?

I truly look forward to it.