Chapter 1253: Public Execution

"Reporting to Hall Master He, I am Wu Rufeng, the Vice Hall Master of the Master Teacher Hall in Qingyuan City!"Master Teacher Wu hurried forward.

"I know you..." Hall Master He nodded.Although Qingyuan Empire was relatively weak among the eight empires under the Alliance, it was still an independent entity. Thus, Hall Master He knew some of the leaders of its branches.

"Hall Master He, the truth about Vice Hall Master Tian Qing, Hall Master Gou, and many other master teachers being killed has come to light. I specifically came to report it to you!" Master Teacher Wu stated.

"Oh, it's been investigated? Tell me about it!" Hall Master He's expression turned serious.The death of a Hall Master in one of his subordinate branches was a significant matter, and he had been following it closely. However, Master Teacher Song, whom he had dispatched, had not sent any news yet.Ordinary communication jade tokens could only transmit within a million kilometers. For longer distances, one had to rely on large communication arrays. Since Master Teacher Song hadn't activated the array after arriving in Qingyuan City, Hall Master He was still unclear about the specific situation.

"It turns out... Vice Hall Master Tian Qing was an expert from the Qing Tian lineage of the Aetheric Spirit Race, reborn from a fragment of consciousness..." Master Teacher Wu recited his prepared statement.It was largely consistent with the facts, only omitting details about the 'ruthless' individual.

"An Aetheric Spirit royal expert, lurking on the continent for over two thousand years, and setting up hundreds of moles within the Master Teacher Hall, yet remaining undetected?" Hall Master He clearly found it hard to believe.If this matter were to get out, it would be far more sensational than the deaths of ten Hall Master Gous.It represented a severe dereliction of duty on the part of the Master Teacher Hall!

"Yes... Fortunately, under the leadership of Master Teacher Zhang, we successfully eliminated him!" With a flick of his wrist, Master Teacher Wu produced two corpses, which landed on the ground. "These are his remains!"Hall Master He quickly inspected them, his expression growing solemn. "Indeed, it is the corpse of an Aetheric Spirit royal. Otherwise, it would be impossible to use such a splitting secret art..."As the Hall Master of the Empire Alliance's Master Teacher Hall, he possessed more detailed knowledge of the Aetheric Spirit Race, including this splitting secret art, which could only be performed by those with royal bloodlines.The ability to perform it confirmed the individual's identity.

"Not only that, Master Teacher Zhang also killed all ten kings of the Qing Tian lineage," Master Teacher Wu continued.

"Killing a royal and ten kings... he single-handedly annihilated a branch of the Aetheric Spirit Race... Even if it was the lowest-ranked royal bloodline, it's still incredibly formidable!" Hall Master He nodded, growing more surprised as he spoke. He couldn't help but say, "No wonder he succeeded in the Hall Exam. His talent and insight are truly exceptional, certainly no weaker than some Holy Sons! May I ask... where is this Master Teacher Zhang now?"

"Emperor Chu Tianxing of Qingyuan pledged allegiance to the Qing Tian royal, and captured Master Teacher Zhang's students. He is now rushing back to rescue them," Master Teacher Wu explained.

"What a pity..."Hall Master He sighed, regretting not being able to meet him. He continued, "He single-handedly eliminated an Aetheric Spirit royal and ten kings from the Qing Tian lineage, thwarted their plan to invade humanity, and saved countless master teachers from disaster... His achievements are unparalleled! I shall now directly bestow upon him the position of Distinguished Elder of the Empire Alliance Master Teacher Hall..."

"Yes!"Master Teacher Wu and the others clenched their fists.The title of Distinguished Elder of the Empire Alliance sounded simple, but it actually represented extremely high status and prestige.Under normal circumstances, only true 8-star master teachers were qualified for such a position.That Master Teacher Zhang was specially appointed meant that with this single identity, not only would Wu Rufeng, as acting Hall Master, be his junior, but even the Hall Master of the Qianchong Empire Master Teacher Hall would have to address him as a junior and wouldn't dare overstep their bounds.

"I will have the distinguished elder certificate prepared as soon as possible. Once you return to Qingyuan City and activate the communication wall, you should be able to receive it!" Hall Master He smiled.

"Thank you, Hall Master He!" Master Teacher Wu quickly bowed.

"You're welcome. To slay Aetheric Spirit individuals and disrupt their operations is a monumental achievement; a distinguished elder position is nothing in comparison! Wu Rufeng, your assistance to Master Teacher Zhang in completing this task is also immeasurable... From today onwards, you are officially appointed as the Hall Master of the Qingyuan Empire Master Teacher Hall, and you will receive an opportunity to train at the Empire Alliance!" Hall Master He continued.

"Yes..."Blushing, Master Teacher Wu trembled with excitement.Becoming a Hall Master was not the most significant thing for him; what truly mattered was the opportunity for advanced training.This training involved direct instruction from 8-star master teachers, which would greatly enhance his cultivation and knowledge—an opportunity countless individuals yearned for but rarely obtained.Hall Master Gou had intended to retire peacefully precisely because he hoped to gain such an opportunity after an uneventful retirement.Unfortunately, his severe dereliction of duty meant he was destined to miss out.

"To all the combat masters who cooperated with Master Teacher Zhang and ventured into dangerous territory, contributing to the slaying of the Qing Tian royal, I will also report this matter to the Combat Master Hall branch of the Empire Alliance and ensure you receive your rewards!" After instructing Master Teacher Wu, Hall Master He turned to Hall Master Xing and the others.

"Thank you..." Hall Master Xing quickly bowed.

"All right, arrange for the bodies to be sent here as soon as possible. Thorough research of an Aetheric Spirit royal's corpse will greatly assist us in defeating the Aetheric Spirit Race!" Hall Master He waved his hand.Aetheric Spirit royals rarely left the outer battlefield and possessed numerous life-saving techniques, making them incredibly difficult to kill. Even the headquarters didn't have many royal corpses available for study.

"Yes!"Nodding, Master Teacher Wu arranged for an elder to specifically transport the corpses, then respectfully bade farewell to Hall Master He.

"Now that we've reported everything, let's return to Qingyuan City as soon as possible!"After reporting the necessary information to the higher-ranking Master Teacher Hall, Master Teacher Wu gave the signal. The group borrowed a Saint Beast from Jibei City and swiftly flew towards Qingyuan City.

After flying continuously for six full days, Zhang Xuan finally saw the many buildings of Qingyuan City appear on the horizon.On the way back, he had received two messages from Sun Qiang.The first stated that they had gone to the imperial city to rescue Liu Yang, who, upon being freed, had killed Chu Tianxing in a fit of rage.The second stated that Liu Yang had run away from home and disappeared.

"According to the timeline, they killed Chu Tianxing late at night, precisely when the ruthless individual's consciousness was being extinguished... Chu Tianxing had sacrificed his soul to that ruthless individual, so if the latter died, he naturally wouldn't survive either..."Upon receiving the messages, Zhang Xuan understood what had happened.Emperor Chu Tianxing of the Qingyuan Empire had sacrificed his soul to the ruthless individual, willingly becoming his puppet. Once the ruthless individual died, Chu Tianxing naturally wouldn't live.Therefore, it was highly probable that he wasn't killed by Liu Yang, but rather... his physical body died due to his soul being obliterated.If that were the case, it wouldn't be a major issue, at most just a reckless rescue. With his influence from passing the Hall Exam, nothing significant should go wrong.

"But... why isn't Sun Qiang replying to my messages?"Zhang Xuan squinted, feeling a growing sense of urgency.Although his deductions based on Sun Qiang's messages suggested it wasn't a major crisis, he had been sending messages continuously—seven or eight of them—since receiving the initial ones, and Sun Qiang hadn't replied to any. What exactly had happened?And where had Liu Yang gone? Had he been found after all these days?

Filled with questions, as soon as he arrived above Qingyuan City, he immediately controlled the flying Saint Beast and flew straight towards the Combat Master Hall's residence.

"Dean, you're back..."He had just landed when Young Master Ruohuan rushed to greet him.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Xuan frowned, seeing the young man's anxious face and agitated demeanor.

"Something terrible has happened..." Young Master Ruohuan quickly said, "Liu Yang killed His Majesty Chu Tianxing, and the entire Qingyuan Empire is in an uproar... A Master Teacher surnamed Song has decreed an execution. Today at noon, in the plaza outside the imperial palace, Butler Sun Qiang and many poison masters who were involved in the rebellion will be publicly beheaded..."

"Beheading Sun Qiang and many poison masters?"Zhang Xuan's pupils constricted, and his face turned ashen.The sun was high in the sky, it was almost noon!This meant Sun Qiang and the others could be publicly executed at any moment!

"Yes, everyone from the Xuanxuan Society has gone there, planning to rescue them from the execution ground... I stayed here to wait for your return..." Young Master Ruohuan said hurriedly.

"Rescue them from the execution ground?" Zhang Xuan's eyebrow twitched.These guys had some nerve.Although their combat strength at the same cultivation level was astonishing, their actual power was too low; none of them were even Half-Saints. How could they stage a rescue?They would probably be captured by the soldiers as soon as they arrived and would be unable to escape.

"To the plaza!"Knowing that time was critical and that if these reckless individuals truly stirred up trouble, the situation would become irreversible, Zhang Xuan grabbed Young Master Ruohuan and swiftly flew directly towards the imperial palace.As he flew, he questioned, "Who is this Master Teacher Song you mentioned? Why does he want to execute Sun Qiang?"Almost every Master Teacher in the Qingyuan Empire's Master Teacher Hall was his student, and he had a quasi-master relationship with them. Why would they not investigate the true cause of the Emperor's death and instead execute Sun Qiang?

"It is said that Master Teacher Song is a quasi-8-star master teacher from the Qianchong Empire. His status is extremely high, and upon his arrival, he took charge of the Qingyuan City Master Teacher Hall. Everyone is obeying his orders..." Young Master Ruohuan explained.

"Someone from the Qianchong Empire?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"Yes, after Chu Tianxing's death, countless ministers, nobles, and even soldiers have been protesting outside the Master Teacher Hall for several days. Master Teacher Song must have been unable to withstand the pressure, which is why he issued such a verdict!" Young Master Ruohuan continued.Zhang Xuan frowned.He considered it. Indeed, if the Emperor of a grand empire was murdered and no clear explanation was given, wouldn't everyone in the entire empire feel insecure?

"What about Liu Yang?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Liu Yang has been missing since that day. The Master Teacher Hall dispatched all its master teachers, but they couldn't find him... We don't know where he went! Master Teacher Song's reason for publicly executing Butler Sun and the others is simple: he wants to use public pressure to force Liu Yang to appear, capture the true culprit, and provide an explanation to the Qingyuan Empire!" Young Master Ruohuan continued.

"Hmm."Zhang Xuan nodded.His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, was murdered, and so many guards were poisoned into unconsciousness...If this wasn't handled properly, it would undoubtedly lead to greater conflicts and further turmoil.

"However, no matter how this is handled, if they want to kill Sun Qiang and the others, they'll have to... step over my dead body!"With a raised eyebrow, Zhang Xuan's eyes narrowed.