Wang Ming Captured

"Elder Wu, please feel free to speak your mind regarding any compensation you desire," Feng Xinghai said.

"Anything is fine?" Song Wen asked, his tone uncertain.

Feng Xinghai said, "This matter was Leng Tianlu's fault, so naturally he should make amends. Anything he can provide is acceptable."

Song Wen pointed at Leng Tianlu and said.

"I want the Soul-Splitting Blade in his hand."

As Song Wen's cultivation level improved, the Cold Moon Blade began to hinder Song Wen, making it insufficient to unleash Song Wen's full strength.

He had long wanted to replace the Cold Moon Blade, but had not yet found a suitable Spirit Artifact.

The Soul-Splitting Blade greatly appealed to Song Wen. It was imbued with a wisp of Spirit-Devouring True Flame, capable of harming one's soul, making it an extremely precious artifact among Spirit Artifact.

Upon hearing Feng Xinghai frowned and did not reply immediately.

Leng Tianlu, standing to the side, grew somewhat anxious and said...

"Lord of the Hall, the Soul-Splitting Blade is an instrument of torture belonging to the Law Enforcement Hall, not my personal property. You must not use the Soul-Splitting Blade as compensation."

"Bang!"

Fang Pengyi slammed his hand on the armrest of the seat, producing a loud thud.

He glared at Leng Tianlu and said angrily.

"This is no place for you to speak! We haven't pursued your crime of falsely accusing a fellow disciple; we've already shown you leniency out of consideration for our camaraderie."

Leng Tianlu immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.

Feng Xinghai looked at Song Wen and said.

"Since Elder Wu wants the Soul-Splitting Blade, you may have it. But this matter ends here. No one may mention it again, especially not in front of the First Elder."

Song Wen bowed, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Thank you, Palace Master Feng."

Feng Xinghai then addressed Leng Tianlu.

"Elder Leng, this whole affair started because of you. The Soul-Splitting Blade is public property of the Law Enforcement Hall, and you are responsible for compensating for the Law Enforcement Hall's losses."

Upon hearing this, Leng Tianlu froze, his face contorted with grief.

He opened his lips several times, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

The value of even the most ordinary top-grade Spirit Artifact is generally around 60,000 to 70,000 Spirit Stone.

The Soul-Splitting Blade, a top-grade Spirit Artifact capable of injuring the soul, is extremely rare and worth at least tens of thousands of Spirit Stones.

These Spirit Stone would cost Leng Tianlu almost everything he had.

"Bring me the Soul-Splitting Blade now!" Feng Xinghai said in a deep voice.

"Yes."

Leng Tianlu took out the Soul-Splitting Blade and handed it to Song Wen.

Song Wen took the Soul-Splitting Blade and put it into his storage ring with satisfaction.

He wanted to ask who had reported him for privately Alchemy and selling elixirs.

However, with Feng Xinghai present, and considering that this matter was an internal affair of Pill Peak and not exactly honorable, Song Wen refrained from asking any questions for fear of displeasing Fang Pengyi.

In fact, Song Wen already had a guess about who the whistleblower was.

At this moment, Fang Pengyi's expression suddenly brightened.

"They've arrived."

A moment later, four figures appeared outside the Law Enforcement Hall.

Three Foundation Establishment cultivators escorted the heavily injured Wang Ming in.

Wang Ming was bound by a chain that pierced through his abdomen and shoulders, leaving him covered in blood and weak, almost being dragged along.

Behind the four people, floating in mid-air, was a square object wrapped in a huge animal hide.

These were the two Corpse-Nurturing Coffin containing Man-Snake hybrids.

"Reporting to the Palace Master, I have successfully apprehended Wang Ming and recovered the stolen goods, as I have fulfilled my mission."

A middle-aged male cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Peak Stage bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

Feng Xinghai looked at the middle-aged male cultivator approvingly and nodded.

"Well done."

Fang Pengyi floated up and landed beside the Corpse-Nurturing Coffin, peeled off the animal skin, and exposed the two Corpse-Nurturing Coffin.

He opened the Corpse-Nurturing Coffin above.

A second-tier Man-Snake shrouded in corpse energy appeared before them.

The Man-Snake was placed under a spell, curled up in the Corpse Coffin, unable to move.

What delighted him even more was that the Man-Snake body already showed signs of the fusion of corpse energy and life energy.

"Bang."

He Corpse-Nurturing Coffin, looked at the middle-aged male cultivator, and spoke.

"Palace Master Feng, is this young master? It's been quite a few years since we last met. I didn't expect him to have already advanced to the Foundation Establishment Peak Stage. Core Formation is just around the corner. Perhaps one day, his cultivation will surpass that of us old folks."

When talking about his son, Feng Xinghai was quite proud, and he nodded.

"Indeed, he is my son. His talent for cultivation is average, but his character is excellent. At the age of one hundred, he has advanced to the Foundation Establishment Peak Stage. But it is still too early to talk about Core Formation."

"Both of us are Golden Core cultivators, and we are well aware of the hardships and risks involved in forming our Golden Core."

The middle-aged male cultivator clasped his hands in greeting to Fang Pengyi, saying, "Junior Feng Qi greets Peak Master."

Fang Pengyi nodded slightly and asked.

"Where did you capture Wang Ming, my dear nephew?"

Feng Qi said, "After committing the crime, Wang Ming, fearing exposure, headed towards East Birch Market, where he was intercepted by me on the way. I used a little trick and captured him alive."

It turned out that Wang Ming saw Leng Tianlu leading his men to Song Wen's cave abode.

He was afraid that things would be exposed, and he felt uneasy.

Therefore, instead of returning immediately to his cave abode on Law Enforcement Peak, he headed towards East Birch Market, intending to get rid of the Man-Snake and secure his money.

Unexpectedly, they were overtaken by Feng Qi halfway there.

Feng Qi did not directly reveal his purpose, but instead lied.

They need to capture a late-stage second-tier water-type Demon Beast. The Demon Beast is lurking in a large lake, and they happen to need someone to set up the formation. They need Wang Ming's help.

Feng Qi's cultivation and status are both higher than Wang Ming's, and he is the son of the deputy Peak Master, so Wang Ming has long wanted to curry favor with him.

However, he was dragging two Corpse-Nurturing Coffin, which was inconvenient for him, so he could only politely decline Feng Qi's offer.

Rejected, Feng Qi feigned anger and insulted Wang Ming, accusing him of being ungrateful and disturbing Wang Ming's peace of mind.

Wang Ming was momentarily at a loss for words and repeatedly apologized.

Feng Qi then waited for an opportunity to approach and suddenly launched a sneak attack.

Wang Ming was already weaker than Feng Qi, and with his mind in turmoil, he was caught off guard and successfully ambushed by Feng Qi, becoming Feng Qi's prisoner.

Fang Pengyi addressed Feng Xinghai.

"Palace Master Feng, what are your plans for dealing with this scoundrel, Wang Ming?"

Feng Xinghai said, "Wang Ming, as an elder in charge of the Law Enforcement Hall, committed the crime of robbing fellow disciples. He knowingly broke the law and should naturally be punished with the death penalty to serve as a warning to others. Moreover, he almost ruined the First Elder's important plans. If he is not killed, it will be difficult to explain to the First Elder."

Fang Pengyi glanced at Feng Xinghai with a surprised expression.

Fang Pengyi was somewhat surprised that Feng Xinghai executed Wang Ming so decisively.

If Wang Ming had robbed an ordinary Foundation Establishment elder, his crime certainly wouldn't warrant death.

After all, he was a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator, and even within a major sect like the Beast Taming Sect, Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator were still a rare and valuable fighting force.

Under normal circumstances, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator would not be executed easily.

Feng Xinghai asked, "I wonder if Peak Master is satisfied with my handling of this matter?"

Fang Pengyi said, "Palace Master Feng's actions are fair and just; I have no objections."

Since it wasn't an elder from Pill Peak who died, how could Fang Pengyi possibly disagree?

Wang Ming's abduction of the Man-Snake nearly ruined his plans; it would be best if he died.

Fang Pengyi was still looking forward to the day when Song Wen cultivated 'Profound Qi'.

He will naturally share in the credit then.