Chapter 923 - 743: Punishment

The four martial artists who were beheaded are respectively:

Vice Vein Master of the Lion Seal Lineage Meng Yuan, White Tiger Seal Vein Master, Ape King Seal Vein Master Cao Xuegang, Human King Seal Vein Master.

Each of them is a powerhouse at the True Martial Realm Perfection Level, belonging to the most pinnacle of individuals in this world.

However, under Lou Yi’s hands, they could not last even for a breath of time and were slaughtered mercilessly like pigs and dogs.

The reason Lou Yi struck so ruthlessly, naturally, is because these four lineages have pushed him too far.

First, disciples from the sect deliberately plotted to ambush him and after being counter-killed, the high-level leaders of the sect still refused to let it go.

Not only did they want Lou Yi dead, but they also wanted to vent their anger on the Treasure Vase Lineage, banning it from participating in the Martial Arts Tournament for ten sessions, which is tantamount to erasing the lineage from the world.

Therefore, Lou Yi made a decisive decision to execute the chief culprits without mercy.

However, just this might not be enough to exert sufficient deterrence.

Lou Yi’s gaze now fell upon the other disciples of the four major sects.

Having just rightly killed a True Profound Realm master, the pressure exerted by his gaze was as strong as a mountain pressing down.

’Thud!’

’Thud!’

’Thud!’

Being stared at by Lou Yi, several disciples from the four major sects were scared stiff and couldn’t help but kneel down.

Some weep bitter tears; some howl desperately; some truly repent; some were even scared into urinating.

Facing potential mortal peril, no one could remain calm, and from ancient times, it is deemed that death is the hardest to face.

"Spare our lives! Begging Vein Master Lou to spare us!"

"Lord, I am innocent! I did not participate in anything and know nothing, please do not kill me!"

"Begging the lord for pardon, I have never killed, I refrain from even stepping on ants by the roadside..."

However, the loudest pleading voice belonged to the old Immortal Crane Seal Vein Master, which resembled the screaming of a pig being slaughtered.

"Lord Lou, a thousand wrongs are all my fault; I shouldn’t have recklessly acted against you for selfish desires!"

’Thump, thump, thump!’

The old Vein Master kowtowed until the stone slab cracked, with clear blood spots on his forehead, his hair disheveled, looking quite pathetic.

"The mistakes I’ve made, I will bear on my own; please kill me but spare my later generations, they know nothing..."

Upon hearing this, Lou Yi was slightly moved, it seemed that the old fellow wasn’t entirely worthless.

The Immortal Crane Seal Vein Master continued to plead, "Lord, I am willing to offer our sect’s Martial Soul Book, please spare my descendants!"

Upon hearing this, Lou Yi’s eyelids twitched slightly.

Although the movement was small, many martial artists present were keen observers; they felt like drowning people grasping at straws floating on the water surface, and one by one, changed tactics, starting to shout earnestly.

"Lord, our Lion Seal Lineage is willing to offer the Martial Soul Book, please have mercy!"

"Lord, our Ape King Seal Lineage is willing to offer the Martial Soul Book and the Martial Seal Heart Method, begging the lord for pardon!"

"...Our White Tiger Seal Lineage is willing to offer the Martial Soul Book, Martial Seal Heart Method, and open the sect’s treasure vault, any treasures you desire, take as much as you want..."

’It’s started to get competitive, even the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are mentioned?’ Lou Yi thought to himself.

Originally he hadn’t cared, but then he thought, after all, these are treasures collected by the world’s peak forces, they might contain key items needed for talent advancement.

Before his eyes, groups of kneeling petitioners were dense and packed, pleas for mercy and cries rising and falling, as if he had become a wicked demon king about to bring destruction to the world.

But Lou Yi knew in his heart, this was just because his power was strong enough.

If his strength was even slightly lacking, unable to defeat the True Profound Martial Artists, then his fate and that of the Treasure Vase Lineage wouldn’t fare better.

"I have a word to say, as the saying goes, good and evil will be ultimately repaid; Patron Lou, executing those who murder, is indeed gratifying.

However, many are innocent and unaware, merely caught up in the turmoil.

Please, Patron Lou, have the magnanimity to give them a chance to live."

At a crucial moment, Immovable Bright King Seal Master, Master Wukong, stood out, hands clasped in prayer, advising Lou Yi.

Although his face was pale, his posture was straight, with a hint of determination to face death in his eyes, clearly aware of the great risk in what he was doing.

"I ask you, if I had lost to Wen Ye, would you still plead for the Treasure Vase Lineage?" Lou Yi asked.

"...Yes." Master Wukong thought for a moment and replied.

In the presence of someone capable of killing a True Profound expert, he chose not to lie and dared not.

"The master’s realm is indeed high, I’ll give you some face," Lou Yi said, "However, no one can truly separate from causality; the necessary consequences still must be borne."

"For the Lion Seal, Ape King Seal... these lineages involved in persecuting my sect, the death penalty may be waived, but living punishment is unavoidable.

Starting from this term, they cannot participate in the Martial Arts Tournament for three terms..."

Upon hearing this disposition, many disciples from the Lion Seal, White Tiger Seal, and other lineages shivered, but their faces revealed a trace of relief.

Not being able to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament for three terms represents a significant loss, but it wasn’t worth considering when it comes to preserving their lives.

Lou Yi surveyed the group below, collecting the expressions of everyone.

He had specific considerations for such a punishment.

Firstly, because most of the members of these lineages were indeed innocent, and willing to offer the Martial Soul Book, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to atone.

Secondly, because he inevitably needed to return to the Vast Sea Realm.

The martial descendants currently in sight might be taken back to Vast Sea, to revitalize the martial orthodoxy, contending with cultivators and demon clan.

A foreshadowing can be planted now; if punished too harshly, it might affect future plans.

"How good, how good, Patron Lou’s great kindness and righteousness, all from the True Profound Continent will surely remember it," Master Wukong said joyfully.

He hesitated for a bit and then asked, "As for tomorrow’s Martial Arts Tournament..."

"Proceed as usual," Lou Yi waved his hand and replied.

Of course, the lineages of Lion Seal, White Tiger Seal, Ape King Seal, Human King Seal, and Immortal Crane Seal that were expelled have already lost the right to participate.

Also, everyone knows that the Treasure Vase Seal will surely reclaim the position of the world’s number one.

"Great!" Zhou Xinghai, Yun Jin, Xu Feng, and others exchanged glances, seeing the jubilance in each other’s eyes.

Especially Zhou Xinghai felt investing in Lou Yi was the best decision made in his lifetime.

"Thank you, Lord Lou!"

"Vein Master Lou’s kindness!"

Those who had just knelt down began to prostrate, bowing like pounding garlic, fearing that Lou Yi would change his mind midway.

But unexpectedly, Lou Yi had already disappeared into the air, reaching a secluded area outside the city in a wild forest.

He was eager to verify the effect of Favorable Power.

Lou Yi looked at the Attribute Panel, focusing on the faintly visible plus sign following Thousand Hands Divine Skill, imagining a force pressing upon it.

In the next moment.

Thousand Hands (Beginner/1 Favorable Power or ??)→ Thousand Hands (Proficient/3 Favorable Powers or ??)

Strange memories quickly appeared in his mind.

...