Chapter 100

Xu Bangwang and the elders looked at the faces of those kneeling on the square, some with a determined resolve to die, some with barely suppressed fear, struggling to maintain composure, and some with a brave and fearless demeanor, calm and composed...

Xu Tianfeng was also watching, his heart equally shocked!

This was simply an incredible sight...

Was Xu Shengtian so despicable?

Was Hengyi so worthy of these people's respect?

Xu Bangwang sighed deeply. "This is the will of the people..."

At this moment, Xu Tianfeng suddenly understood why Hu Baijie said that Hengyi had such an appeal, and why he was worth Chen Zizai's attention.

The specific reason no longer mattered, because Xu Tianfeng had already seen it, as had the many elders and Xu Bangwang.

The astonishing scene of so many people kneeling and requesting to share the blame was the answer.

Hengyi looked around, not expecting so many fellow disciples to react this way.

He knelt down, clasped his hands, and said with a fearless expression and a calm tone, "Deputy Sect Leader, the matter concerning the eldest son of the Xu family was my doing alone. If there is to be punishment, let me bear it alone. However, I do not believe that the Deputy Sect Leader would punish me. The Deputy Sect Leader would not hate me. But the Deputy Sect Leader knows that I did nothing wrong. I did not violate the sect rules or the training prohibitions. I killed the eldest son of the Xu family because I could not stop him from committing evil. If I had not killed him, more people on Seed Star would have died, and fellow disciples would have been harmed. He did not listen to any advice and committed great evil, deserving punishment. The Deputy Sect Leader just said that as disciples of the Divine Sect, our responsibility is to protect human civilization. Harming our own kind is an unforgivable sin. Therefore, I do not believe that the Deputy Sect Leader would punish me, nor do I think I should be punished."

Xu Tianfeng's gaze, which had been cold and stern when Hengyi received his reward, now showed no trace of that. Observing Hengyi's expression, he found no hint of arrogance or pride. His gaze was clear and simple, a typical example of consistency between words and actions, making it easy to trust him without doubting any hidden motives.

It seemed that Hengyi trusted his actions and the sect rules so much.

This was very naive, because rules are rigid, but people are flexible. No matter what the rules are, there will always be people who find ways to circumvent them, making many good rules become ineffective and disappointing.

But at this moment, Xu Tianfeng did not want to mock this naive emotion.

He suddenly understood why the elders of the Two Extremes Hall valued Hengyi so much.

Xu Tianfeng took a deep breath, looked around, and frowned. "When did I say I would punish him? Xu Shengtian indeed deserved death. The Sect Leader said that with Xu Shengtian's actions, he would die upon return. What I was about to say was—this time, the one who committed an unforgivable sin during the training was Xu Shengtian! Although he is already dead, it still needs to be mentioned. What is training? Training is an opportunity for Divine Sect disciples to contribute to the advancement of human civilization! Treating training as a game? Seeking achievements by avoiding battles? These are absolutely not allowed! The Sect Leader, I, and the elders did not expect such things to happen in the Peak Sect! The sect's reputation has deteriorated to this extent! Xu Shengtian is just the beginning. From today, the next Sect Leader—Xu Zizai—will rectify the sect's reputation and enforce strict laws! Those who commit errors during training will not be spared! Those whose achievements during this training are below average and do not match their strength and cultivation will be punished with a year's loss of merit and salary!"

"Next Sect Leader?"

Hai Yuntian and Hai Shan looked at Chen Zizai in shock. Who was Xu Zizai? Chen Zizai should have the surname Xu, right?

Not only did they immediately understand, but the gazes of all the trainees present also focused on her!

Many people's questions were answered.

Black Moon's teammates were shocked and admiring, finally understanding the reason for their guidance to rely on Chen Zizai. But how did Black Moon know?

No wonder Chen Zizai dared to ignore the eldest son of the Xu family during the training!

In front of the next Sect Leader, in the entire Peak Sect, who had a higher status than him, except for the Sect Leader?

No one! Even the Deputy Sect Leader, strictly speaking, was a step lower.

Amidst the shocked gazes of the crowd, Hengyi, who had stood up like the others when Xu Tianfeng spoke, turned his head curiously and asked Chen Zizai, "What does the next Sect Leader do?"

Hai Shan rolled her eyes but did not lose her temper, having gotten used to Hengyi's ignorance. "The successor to the Sect Leader! The future leader of the Peak Sect!"

"…Brother Chen is so amazing!" Hengyi was greatly impressed. Chen Zizai remained calm, having long been accustomed to her identity. "Not worthy?"

"Of course the captain is worthy!" Hai Shan felt it was only natural, then quickly corrected herself. "Yes, calling him the next Sect Leader is right."

Xu Tianfeng's expression suddenly softened, and he beckoned. Hu Baijie walked over and knelt down.

"I, Xu Tianfeng, may have lost an unworthy son, but I have recognized my daughter! She is my daughter who has been away, and tonight we will hold a ceremony to recognize her as part of the Xu family. From now on, she will be called Xu Baijie! I am very happy today, and I invite everyone to the recognition ceremony tonight! You have trained and fought together, experienced life and death, and shared hardships, so you should all attend."

"Thank you, Deputy Sect Leader, for your kindness! We congratulate you and Xu Baijie on recognizing each other as father and daughter!" The shocked trainees all clasped their hands in congratulations.

Hengyi stared at the emotionally moved Hu Baijie, now Xu Baijie...

'No wonder they say the Deputy Sect Leader has many illegitimate children. Even Baijie is his daughter...'

Hai Yuntian and Hai Shan stared in shock, unable to believe it!

How did Hu Baijie become Xu Tianfeng's illegitimate daughter?

That's impossible!

Her mother, though beautiful in her youth, when did she meet Xu Tianfeng?

Isn't this a fairy tale?

But Xu Tianfeng was so serious; how could such a person falsely recognize a child?

Hai Shan was stunned for a moment, then muttered, "This world is too amazing. I won't be surprised by anything in the future..."

Amidst the congratulations, Xu Tianfeng, with a guilty expression, helped Baijie up and held her hand. "I have failed you and your mother for these years. After the recognition ceremony, I will bring your mother to Peak City. I should go myself, but the affairs of the Peak Sect are too busy. When your mother arrives, I will make up for the years of neglect."

"Father, you are too kind. Mother will be very happy. She has always been looking forward to this day." Xu Baijie looked moved and tearful.

The deep father-daughter bond was actually a performance, but those who did not know were moved to tears. Hai Shan thought about how Hu Baijie's mother had endured humiliation for years without mentioning this, and could not help but admire her endurance, wondering how she could bear to be bullied by Hu San without seeking help from Xu Tianfeng.

Hai Yuntian remained skeptical about the deep performance, finding it hard to believe given his knowledge of Hu Baijie's family situation...

Many trainees were moved and happy for Hu Baijie.

But there were exceptions.

Xiao Xia and those who had followed the eldest son of the Xu family all looked pale.

The person they had bullied casually had suddenly become Xu Tianfeng's daughter, and their supporter, the eldest son of the Xu family, was already gone. How would they survive in the Peak Sect in the future?

As the emotional performance ended, the ceremony also concluded.

The trainees on the square either smiled and nodded or offered congratulations.

Xu Tianfeng did not pursue the responsibility for the eldest son of the Xu family's death, which surprised everyone, but they were all happy. Beyond that, everyone felt a strange sense of excitement. Everyone knew the eldest son of the Xu family deserved death, and now that even Xu Tianfeng believed he deserved death, it gave each trainee a different feeling.

"Hengyi, come to Northeast Elephant Mountain for a drink when you have time!" Wang Bupa patted his shoulder familiarly. The two teams had become very familiar during the training. Wang Bupa stared at Hai Shan and said, "Sister Shan, if you have any problems in the future, just come to Northeast Elephant Mountain. Our men will not let you be bullied!"

Hai Shan pointed at Chen Zizai, Xu Baijie, and Hengyi, then said to Wang Bupa, "I have three big supporters, why would I need you?"

Wang Bupa was not embarrassed, grinned, and waved. "There are only three! If there are many people, you'll still need our men from Northeast Elephant Mountain!"

Hai Shan laughed and said, "Alright, alright, I know you Northeast Elephant Mountain men are the best. I'll definitely call you for cannon fodder!"

"Cannon fodder, so be it! The men of Northeast Elephant Mountain fear nothing!"

Hengyi's gaze passed over many trainees, maintaining a respectful bow. After looking around, he said, "Thank you, fellow disciples. I regret not knowing all your names, but I will remember you, and I won't forget any of you! From now on, I believe we will all work together and trust each other, just like during the training and just now."

"Spoken well!" Wang Bupa led the applause, laughing. "Getting to know each other is easy. Come, we won't return until tonight. Let's all go to Northeast Elephant Mountain for a drink before then. There are too many faces to remember!"

"Good suggestion!" Chen Zizai agreed, and the many trainees, who were eager to return, had to wait until the evening to attend Xu Baijie's recognition ceremony. The scene today not only shocked the elders but also moved them deeply. Now, recalling it, they felt an indescribable sense of excitement and pride.

No one objected, and they all flew toward Northeast Elephant Mountain.

On the way, Xu Wenfeng spoke to Hengyi, winking and saying, "You have good fortune, the long-legged goddess seems to have a thing for you."

Hengyi was surprised and said, "Brother, why do you think that? It's just mutual help and friendship."

"Alright, I'm too dirty." Xu Wenfeng laughed and did not mention it again. "The rewards I got, except for the elixirs and treasures, are useless to me. Don't you have a master and younger siblings who need them? Take them all."

"Brother, you can sell them for money." This time, the training rewards for Chen Zizai's team included forty-two magical artifacts and 540 earth-grade elixirs. Chen Zizai did not take any, saying they were useless. Xu Baijie, Hai Yuntian, and Hai Shan each received eighteen treasures, and the remaining twenty-four magical artifacts were given to Hengyi. The three originally thought the record rewards were mainly due to Hengyi's efforts, and the earth-grade elixirs were also meant to be shared, but Hengyi insisted. Each of them took ninety elixirs, and the remaining 180 elixirs went to Hengyi. If the elixirs were evenly distributed, it would have been the same.