Chapter 182: 128 - Defeat Yang Shao, Pay Respect to the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch as a Teacher (6K Large Chapter) _4
He held the sword, bowed, and looked towards the interior of the Heavenly Gate Palace Hall.
Based on his intuition, the Divine Sense emanated mostly from the inner palace of Heavenly Gate Palace. The Sect Seniors who had watched him and Yang Shao break the array must be inside the Heavenly Gate Palace Hall.
The Heavenly Gate Palace Hall was quiet for a moment.
About three breaths later, a clear voice came from the inner palace.
"’The Giant Sword Daoist Monarch approves: Second-class Prospective True Disciple Xu Xing is to carry out the execution of his own enemy, ensuring his thoughts are clear and his will unimpeded.’"
"’Killing to avenge—this is the ultimate principle of heaven and earth!’"
With that said, a golden Token appeared before Xu Xing, hovering in the air.
The Token was embedded with a wind-riding Red-crowned Crane, and the two characters "Giant Sword" were inscribed in the middle.
Following that, a Purple Ribbon Gold Seal also appeared before Xu Xing.
First-class Genuine Transmission is accompanied by a Purple Ribbon Gold Seal.
Second-class True Lineage is accompanied by a Red Ribbon Jade Seal.
Third-class True Lineage is accompanied by a Red Tassel Coiling Dragon Jade Pendant.
Before joining the Sect, Immortal Geniuses born Innate would be evaluated by personnel from the Flying Feather Immortal Palace and graded into three classes of Prospective True Lineages. Of these three classes of Prospective True Lineages, third-class was most common, second-class was less so, and first-class was rare. However, anyone who entered a master-disciple lineage was guaranteed to become a First-class Genuine Transmission, accompanied by a Purple Ribbon Gold Seal.
This, however, was something disciples who entered the Family Line could not obtain.
For Commoner Disciples who entered the Family Line, their Sect-assigned grade of True Lineage would be their actual True Lineage status.
...
...
Seeing the Token of the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch and the Purple Ribbon Gold Seal, symbolic of a Sect First-class Genuine Transmission, appear before him, how could Xu Xing not realize that the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch intended to take him as a disciple?
However, he did not immediately address the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch as "Master."
Whether in the Mortal World or the Cultivation World, remaining composed and unruffled in the face of major events was a significant advantage. If one’s emotions were easily read after an incident, others would deem them unreliable.
"To be a general, one must first manage the heart. If Mount Tai collapses before one and their expression does not change, and a deer passes to their left without their eyes flickering, then they can control benefit and harm, and can await the enemy." —Su Xun, "Mind Techniques."
"Disciple Xu Xing thanks the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch for his gracious approval."
Xu Xing bowed deeply.
After completing the salute, he gripped his sword. His gaze swept over Yang Shao; without another word, he slashed directly at Yang Shao’s neck. With that strike, Yang Shao’s head rolled onto the Jade Slabs of Heavenly Gate Palace. Specks of fresh blood spattered the Golden Gate Pillar Stone, adorned with Carved Dragons and Painted Phoenixes, and soaked into Yang Shao’s plain white robe.
Fresh blood gushed from the severed neck.
As Yang Shao died, his Yin Soul escaped. Seeing Xu Xing, its eyes showed horror.
Even though he had been prepared for death, at the very moment of dying, fear still outweighed composure.
There is great terror between life and death!
However, Xu Xing showed no mercy. The Withered Wood Flying Sword shot out instantly, directly striking Yang Shao’s Yin Soul.
Unlike the Yin Soul of Xu Xing’s other self from the Instance World—which had transformed into the Underground Lord after resolving with soldiers—Yang Shao’s Yin Soul was as fragile as a mortal child’s. Mere exposure to harsh sunlight could prove fatal, let alone a strike from this Lifebound Flying Sword.
After taking Yang Shao’s Storage Bag, Xu Xing bowed once more towards the inner palace. "Disciple Xu Xing has committed the crime of treacherously harming a fellow disciple and is willing to accept punishment. I request the Sect Seniors’ approval."
He wouldn’t leave any openings for others to exploit.
Since the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch had already permitted him to kill Yang Shao and bestowed upon him the Purple Ribbon Gold Seal of a First-class Genuine Transmission, it was clear the Sect would not punish him severely for this minor transgression.
But Xu Xing was habitually cautious; he would not give anyone a pretext to criticize or attack him later.
"Allowed!"
The same clear voice as before came from the Heavenly Gate Palace Hall once more.
"’Second-class Prospective True Disciple Xu Xing is sentenced to serve ten years in Black Fire Prison. This term must be completed within three hundred years, without any delay or neglect...’"
As the words fell, Xu Xing was momentarily stunned.
Completing a ten-year sentence in Black Fire Prison within a three-hundred-year timeframe? What difference was there between that and no punishment at all?
It merely sounded better on paper.
He was "punished."
"Disciple accepts the punishment."
Xu Xing took a deep breath and, without hesitating, quickly responded.