Thousand Spirit Star Domain, Thousand Spirit Star.
Deep in the Qianling Mountain Range stood a sheer, precipitous cliff. At its summit stood a magnificent Black Palace.
Inside the palace, a black-robed man sat in the seat of honor, his expression indifferent.
He was the demonic cultivator Shi Lang. In just a hundred years, he had made a fearsome name for himself and led his subordinates to seize control of the Myriad Wood Star Domain.
Below him stood three men and two women, all of them looking somewhat nervous.
"How did the news leak? You must not have kept your subordinates in check. Who was in charge of the Ziwei Star Domain?" Shi Lang spoke calmly, as though discussing something trivial.
Anyone familiar with Shi Lang knew he was angry.
A short, stout Green-robed Old Man stepped forward twice, saying nervously, "This subordinate was in charge. I'll investigate thoroughly and make sure those who failed in their duties are severely punished."
"You know those who fail in their duties should be punished severely. What about me?" Shi Lang asked with a half-smile.
The stout old man's expression tightened. He held out his left hand and swung his right hand through the air toward it. A flash of green light passed, and two fingers fell to the ground. Green light shimmered over the severed ends, stopping the bleeding.
The smile on Shi Lang's face froze. He reprimanded him without the slightest courtesy. "Do you know that your incompetence ruined the plans I laid? Many of our hidden operatives have been rooted out."
The stout old man went deathly pale. His legs gave way, and he dropped to his knees, pleading, "This subordinate has failed you. I beg Sect Master to spare my life."
"Sect Master, Chen Zhu failed in his duties and