Chapter 265 - 263: Luo Tian, You’re Finished

"...The outcome is already set in stone!"

Hearing his Master’s words, Ying Feihang felt relieved.

Ordinarily, his Master wouldn’t have bothered with such a trivial matter.

Ying Feihang had noticed long ago that his Master seemed to be paying close attention to Luo Tian, but he never expected his Master to personally intervene.

The matter between him and Luo Tian would normally be investigated by a few captains from the Law Enforcement Team. At most, the final result would only be reviewed by the Law Enforcement Elder.

With the Third Elder’s power and influence, a single casual hint was enough to sway the words of a Law Enforcement Captain and determine the outcome.

"Master, that brat Luo Tian has befriended someone with an impressive background. That person seems to be an Artifact Refiner..."

Ying Feihang mentioned as the thought occurred to him.

"You are dismissed."

The Third Elder cut Ying Feihang off. "In my eyes, the word ’failure’ does not exist."

In thirty years, he had gone from a newly initiated disciple to his current station. That in itself was a testament to his success.

No one could stand in his way. Every opponent he faced had been crushed.

’What kind of person could Luo Tian possibly know? And could anyone he knows possibly stop me?’

"Yes!"

Ying Feihang lowered his head and withdrew.

Afterward, the Third Elder transformed into a streak of iridescent light, flying from his mansion to the Law Enforcement Hall.

Inside the Law Enforcement Hall.

The Law Enforcement Elder suddenly sensed something and slowly walked into the main hall.

WHOOSH!

The next moment, a figure landed in the center of the hall.

"Third Elder, what brings you here?"

The Law Enforcement Elder asked with a smile, looking slightly surprised.

"I had some free time and thought I’d pay Brother Yan a visit. Am I not welcome?"

the Third Elder replied with a smile of his own.

"Of course not. However, I have a matter to attend to right now, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to host you, Brother Zhou."

The Law Enforcement Elder looked apologetic.

"Oh? Has something major happened in the Sect recently?"

the Third Elder asked, feigning confusion.

"Yes. It’s about your disciple, Brother Zhou. Ying Feihang is accusing Luo Tian of cheating in his trial and even harming a fellow disciple!"

The Law Enforcement Elder gave the Third Elder a peculiar look.

"Oh? Is that so?"

The Third Elder feigned ignorance.

"I never expected my disciple to be involved in such a matter. Brother Yan, as the Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, just handle it impartially. If it’s true that Feihang made false accusations, then do what you must!"

the Third Elder declared righteously.

The Law Enforcement Elder’s brow furrowed slightly.

He knew, of course, that everything the Third Elder said was just empty words.

The Third Elder had come to visit personally, and his intentions were obvious. If he truly handled the case impartially, he would definitely offend him.

"Come, let’s go take a look at the visual recording from the Heart Demon Grotto Heaven together."

said the Law Enforcement Elder.

Just as they stepped out the main gate, they ran into an old man in a white robe.

If Luo Tian were present, he would have recognized him at a glance: it was Elder Fang Qi, who had presided over the entrance examination.

"Elder Fang, what can I do for you?"

the Law Enforcement Elder asked.

"Heh heh, I recently heard an interesting story. A new disciple who just joined the Upper Sect scored forty-three thousand Points in the Heart Demon Grotto Heaven but is now suspected of cheating..."

"A disciple this outstanding has piqued my interest. I’d like to see for myself whether or not he actually cheated."

Elder Fang Qi said with a smile.

He had long intended to take Luo Tian on as his disciple.

After this incident, Luo Tian had once again captured his attention.

If there was truly nothing wrong with Luo Tian, he planned to accept him as his disciple.

"Perfect. Let’s all go together."

The Law Enforcement Elder’s expression was peculiar.

’Both Elder Fang Qi and the Third Elder had come to visit him because of this.’

In fact, both Fang Qi and the Third Elder found the situation odd, and they exchanged a few glances.

’Oh no. Is the Third Elder trying to shield his disciple?’

Elder Fang Qi suddenly realized.

’He was just an Ordinary Elder. If the Third Elder was determined to intervene, he would be powerless to stop him.’

The moment the three Elders left, the news spread like wildfire.

"The Third Elder personally visited the Law Enforcement Elder. Looks like he’s going to back Ying Feihang!"

"Whether the Third Elder got involved or not, Luo Tian definitely cheated. The outcome of this was decided from the start."

"Luo Tian is such a fool for arguing with Ying Feihang. He really doesn’t know who he’s messing with!"

In the residential area for Upper Sect Disciples, many were keeping an eye on Luo Tian’s home.

In their eyes, it was only a matter of time before the Law Enforcement Team came to arrest Luo Tian.

When Ning Xin heard all of this, her expression grew even more worried.

’Oh, Luo Tian, if only you knew how to keep a low profile!’

If Luo Tian had been more low-key and ordinary, he wouldn’t have offended so many people or stirred up so much trouble.

The Upper Sect being safer than the Lower Sect was only a surface-level truth. The competition here was several times more intense, and countless geniuses had been a mere flash in the pan, their stars dimming and ultimately fading away.

...

Deep beneath the Four Grotto Heavens, there was a dim palace.

In the center of the grand hall, ancient Runes floated and shimmered. Complex Array patterns intertwined as layers of grayish-white halos of light pulsed in every direction.

This was the Celestial Level Array that anchored the Four Grotto Heavens!

"Replay the footage of Luo Tian participating in the Heart Demon Grotto Heaven’s trial!"

the Law Enforcement Elder commanded.

The Array began to operate. Inside it was an Array Spirit that could understand the Law Enforcement Elder’s words.

Three breaths later.

HUMMM!

A brightly glowing white screen of light unfurled, displaying a beautiful landscape and a young man walking across a grassy field.

"Play it at double speed."

the Law Enforcement Elder said.

The next instant, the images on the screen flashed by rapidly.

But the three Elders didn’t miss a single frame, not even the smallest details.

The three Elders’ expressions remained calm, but inside, ripples of shock were beginning to form, threatening to grow into crashing waves.

Luo Tian’s performance was simply too outstanding, too brilliant!

He effortlessly neutralized every test within the Spiritual Illusion Realm. The entire trial was like a stroll through his own backyard.

What a powerful and resilient Spiritual Will one must possess to achieve such a feat!

’This boy... he must be eliminated!’

the Third Elder thought grimly.

Soon, the recording finished.

"It seems Luo Tian’s testimony was correct. It was Li Zhiyun who interfered with him."

Fang Qi was the first to speak.

In the footage, Li Zhiyun had stealthily approached Luo Tian, hidden himself behind a large tree, and used some sort of Secret Technique.

As for Luo Tian, he had remained seated on the ground the entire time, seemingly in some kind of trouble, but with no indication that he had attacked Li Zhiyun.

"Be that as it may, there’s still something not right about this Luo Tian. He doesn’t seem to have been affected by Li Zhiyun’s interference at all, which is very strange..."

the Third Elder said calmly.

Fang Qi’s expression darkened. ’The Third Elder really is helping Ying Feihang.’

’He couldn’t stand against the Third Elder, so all he could do was wait and see what the Law Enforcement Elder’s position was.’

"This Luo Tian does indeed have a problem! His Spiritual Will is simply too resolute. Almost nothing can shake it..."

the Law Enforcement Elder stated.

Hearing the first half of the sentence, Fang Qi thought the Law Enforcement Elder was siding with the Third Elder. But when the second half was spoken, a surprised smile appeared on Fang Qi’s face.

"Hm?"

The Third Elder was taken aback.

’The Law Enforcement Elder is actually refusing to show me any respect? Is he really planning to "handle this impartially"?’

The Law Enforcement Elder sighed to himself. He didn’t want to oppose the Third Elder either, but he had his reasons for making this choice.

He still remembered the incident with the Blood Hand Poison Master. It was the Sect Leader who had sent him the message to execute all the culprits.

That was why he was leaning slightly in Luo Tian’s favor this time.

Besides, based on the footage, Luo Tian was clearly the one who had been wronged. He was the victim!

Suddenly.

The Law Enforcement Elder sensed something and took out his Identity Token.

He sent his Spiritual Sense into it and received a message.

The Law Enforcement Elder’s expression turned grave, a jolt of surprise in his heart.

’Just as I expected...’

He sighed internally, then looked at the Third Elder and declared solemnly, "According to the visual recording from the Heart Demon Grotto Heaven, Luo Tian did not cheat, nor did he harm a fellow disciple!"

The Law Enforcement Elder’s words were firm, like a final judgment!

The Third Elder’s face fell, and he forcibly suppressed his displeasure.

’The Law Enforcement Elder’s stance was crystal clear, and he wasn’t giving him any leeway whatsoever!’

The Third Elder’s eyes narrowed as he calmly mulled over the situation.

’It seems that message just now influenced the Law Enforcement Elder, making him reach such a decisive conclusion.’

’In the entire Yunxiao Sect, only a handful of people had a higher status and position than him.’

’But what reason would any of them have to help Luo Tian?’

"This..."

The look on Fang Qi’s face was priceless.

’The Law Enforcement Elder was being so impartial, concluding right in front of the Third Elder that Ying Feihang had falsely accused Luo Tian.’

’Logically, the Law Enforcement Elder shouldn’t have dared to offend the Third Elder.’

’Where did he get such courage?’

’No! The Law Enforcement Elder is helping Luo Tian. Or rather, what has Luo Tian possibly done to deserve the Law Enforcement Elder’s full-throated support?’

...

After returning to his residence, Luo Tian sat down quietly to rest.

The trial in the Heart Demon Grotto Heaven had been mentally taxing.

"Luo Tian, you’re finally done for!"

A mocking voice called out from outside.

"Wang Fu?"

Luo Tian stepped out of his room, finding it odd.

’For this guy to come all the way to my door just to provoke me... he’s got some nerve!’

"You cheated in the Heart Demon Grotto Heaven and caused Li Zhiyun to suffer a Qigong Deviation! You’re dead meat this time, and no one can save you!"

Wang Fu laughed with wild derision.

He was thrilled at the thought of Luo Tian’s impending doom, so he had run over to kick the man while he was down and enjoy the show.

"Those are all false accusations from Ying Feihang. I didn’t actually do any of it, so why would I be done for?"

Luo Tian retorted.

’The Law Enforcement Hall hasn’t even reached a verdict yet. Where is Wang Fu getting this confidence?’

"You’re facing disaster and you don’t even know it. You’re truly pathetic, Luo Tian!"

Wang Fu’s expression was one of mocking pity.

"Hm?"

Luo Tian saw how smug Wang Fu was, acting as if his doom was already sealed.

He subconsciously closed his eyes, circulating the Creation Technique to perform an Inference.

’There’s no premonition of danger, though?’

Within a few breaths, Luo Tian had his answer.

"It seems you really don’t know. The Third Elder personally paid a visit to the Law Enforcement Elder. Do you know what that means?"

Wang Fu’s smile was thick with malice, as if he were looking at a dead man walking.

"Ying Feihang falsely accused me. It’s only normal for the Third Elder to go and plead on his behalf."

Luo Tian said with a smile.

"You... You’re naive!"

Wang Fu’s mouth twitched, and veins bulged on his temples.

He couldn’t believe Luo Tian could still be so calm at a time like this.

’He really won’t give up until he’s staring death in the face!’

Just then.

A commotion erupted in the distance.

A team of Law Enforcement officers dressed in black was seen approaching rapidly!

"The Law Enforcement Team is finally here! Luo Tian is done for!"

"Cheating in the Four Grotto Heavens and interfering with a fellow disciple, causing him to suffer a Qigong Deviation... while it’s not a death sentence, it’s at least life in prison to repent!"

the nearby Upper Sect Disciples murmured.

"Luo Tian, are you still smiling now? Hahaha!"

Wang Fu roared with laughter.

But in the next moment, Wang Fu’s eyes widened in utter shock.

Because the Law Enforcement Team had stormed into Ying Feihang’s residence!

"What are you doing? Why are you arresting me?"

Ying Feihang was both surprised and panicked.

’How could this be? Didn’t Master personally intervene? Why is the Law Enforcement Team arresting me?’

"Did you arrest the wrong person? Luo Tian’s residence is over there!"

Ying Feihang shouted, glaring venomously at Luo Tian!

"Behave!"

the Law Enforcement Captain barked coldly.

Ying Feihang didn’t dare resist the Law Enforcement Team, nor could he. He was dragged away in full view of everyone.

The scene fell into a dead silence.

The surrounding onlookers were all dumbfounded, stunned into silence.