Chapter 20: Eleanor’s Fury

"Not much is left to add. And the disciples didn’t talk about it, and didn’t hear, as you can understand. They feared the Ignis clan would come after them..."

"Alright," Eleanor said.

Then she continued, "I free you from all the charges made against you, as you did what you did only in defense."

As Eleanor said that, Aveline’s smile widened. Veyron smiled as well. He realized she was really not a bad person. She was truly righteous, and suited to be the leader of the disciplinary hall.

"I thank the grand elder for a fair decision," Veyron said with a bow.

[Eleanor’s bonding has increased by 5%.]

[Eleanor’s current bonding is 7%.]

Veyron was surprised. It looked like her perception of him was changing, and she was becoming interested in him, though only a little. It was still good enough, if one saw that he was aiming for a woman like Eleanor.

Eleanor turned toward Aveline and appeared in front of her. Both had similar height. Only Eleanor was half an inch taller than Aveline. Elder Beric was still trembling in fear, wondering what would happen to him.

Eleanor bowed slightly and said, "I would like to apologize to you, Aveline. Your nephew had to suffer so much due to my incompetence."

Aveline did not let her bow. She spoke with a smile. "It’s alright. I understand... I hope this doesn’t happen again."

"No. I will make sure of it." She then turned toward Veyron again and spoke. Her expression was a little calmer now. "I thank you... that you showed such fearlessness, and because of that this matter was able to come to me."

"And congratulations on getting your spirit veins repaired."

Veyron smiled, and it was very charming. He said, "It was an honor to meet a beautiful and righteous grand elder such as yourself... I will be at peace now that you have taken the reins completely, not wanting to depend on pathetic dogs."

[Eleanor’s bonding increased by 3%.]

[Eleanor’s current bonding: 10%.]

Veyron was proud of his skills. It was working. Although Eleanor’s expression did not change much, a slight curve appeared on her rosy lips.

She turned toward Aveline. "No wonder you dote on him so much... though he is quite cheeky."

"Hehehe..." Aveline laughed. She was proud of her baby. She felt a little jealous that he was complimenting Eleanor so much, though she did not show anything on her face.

On the other hand, hearing such an insult from a mere outer disciple, Elder Beric wanted nothing more than to kill Veyron. But for now he was scared shitless. What would Grand Elder Eleanor do to him?

Then Eleanor turned toward Elder Beric. Suddenly, the whole hall’s temperature dropped by a few degrees. Heavy pressure dropped on him. The ground beneath his body cracked, and it became difficult for him to even breathe.

He could not speak anything. He was not able to. His hands and legs started to freeze, and his nose started bleeding.

The pressure was so strong. Even though it was only directed at him, the disciples standing in the hall trembled on feeling it.

They witnessed how their once-haughty vice leader was on the floor, getting crushed down like an insect under Grand Elder Eleanor’s spiritual pressure.

Even Veyron was surprised to see the scene. Eleanor’s spiritual pressure was so strong.

[She is not even using it at one percent.]

The System said that, which made Veyron’s eyes widen even more. He checked her cultivation. It was the King realm, like his aunt’s. But she was at Rank 8, three ranks higher than his aunt.

Which explained her strength. He knew that even one rank could make a huge difference once cultivation rose into the higher realms, and he could not begin to imagine what that level truly looked like.

But it was a long journey for Veyron. He needed to work hard and find a way to raise his cultivation quickly. He still had to break through to the Spirit Adept realm if he wanted to take part in the selection of inner sect disciples.

For now, though, his attention stayed on what Eleanor was going to do with that piece of shit, Beric.

"How dare you sully the name of the disciplinary hall like this.... Do you think I won’t kill you for this!!"

Eleanor’s words were icy cold and thick with anger. They echoed through the large hall and made everyone shiver.

Aveline watched with a soft smile. She was glad the dog who had made her Vey suffer was finally getting what he deserved.

Beric could not answer. He was already in too much pain. This was the outcome of his greed. He could have been a great elder if he had chosen righteousness. Instead he had chosen to become a dog of the Ignis clan.

Eleanor could not touch the Ignis clan itself. She could, however, punish her own subordinate for doing something like this.

"Today, I strip you of your position as vice leader of the disciplinary hall, and sentence you to remain in the dark prison until I decide when you may come out."

Eyes widened across the hall at the words black prison. It was the underground prison reserved for disciples and elders who committed heinous crimes.

No spirit energy was allowed inside it. Cultivation was impossible. Food came once a day. There was no bed, only hard, uneven surfaces crawling with insects.

A position like vice leader of disciplinary hall came with an oath to protect the dignity of the post. Elder Beric had done the opposite. He had sold that dignity, and that was a heinous crime.

The Azure Sky Sect would not tolerate such behavior, not even from an elder. Eleanor had been given her position to make sure of that. Today, Elder Beric was receiving what he deserved.

"Elder Ren," Eleanor called.

A middle-aged man appeared. Everyone recognized him. He was one of the senior elders of the disciplinary hall. Eleanor withdrew her spiritual pressure. Elder Beric could no longer stand. He was already unconscious.

The floor beneath him had turned red from the blood coming from his nose, ears, eyes, and mouth. Half his body was frozen.

She looked at Elder Ren. "Throw him in the black prison. Announce to the whole sect that I have stripped him of his position. You already know the reason. Now go."

"As you wish, Leader." Elder Ren bowed. He lifted Elder Beric’s body like a potato sack and disappeared from the hall.

The hall stayed silent. Eleanor turned to the remaining disciples, including William.

"All of you, go out and inform every disciple of the disciplinary hall about this matter. Tell them what happens to anyone who follows in Elder Beric’s footsteps."

Her eyes settled on William. He gulped visibly and began to sweat.

"I will give them a little time to change their minds. If they do not, they will join Elder Beric soon."

"NOW DISMISS."

The disciples left quickly. When the doors closed, only three figures remained in the big hall. Veyron, Aveline, and Eleanor.

"Thanks again, Eleanor, for making a fair judgment. You haven’t changed," Aveline said. She knew her friend would not do anything that would disappoint the trust she placed in her.

Eleanor and Aveline had been friends for many years. They knew each other well. After both became grand elders, though, their responsibilities had kept them busy, and they rarely met.

"Are you saying you doubted my sense of judgment, Aveline?" Eleanor asked, one eyebrow rising.

Aveline chuckled. "Hehehe, it’s not like that. You know what I mean."

"Sigh... you always are the same. Do you not realize you are a grand elder? You should act like one, even in front of this brat!" Eleanor’s gaze shifted to Veyron. He was still admiring the ice beauty.

Aveline laughed and looked at him. "Vey, apart from all this, Eleanor was also a great friend of your mother’s. Both were ice users, even though Eleanor is not part of your mother’s clan."

Veyron was surprised. His mother had had a beautiful goddess like this as a friend. Eleanor shook her head.

"I am nothing compared to her. She gave up everything for her love and for you. Her sacrifice is the greatest. You should be proud to be her son... Disciple Veyron."

**

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