Three years later.
They returned to the mountain.
Inside the Hall of Reflection, Qingfu, Yue Xuan, and Chi Hao knelt trembling in the main hall as Yuan Chengsi unleashed a furious tirade upon them. Several punishment elders stood nearby, their eyes gleaming coldly.
Mist welled up in Qingfu's eyes, and she could barely hold back her tears. She knew she had been wrong—she truly knew...
What awaited them upon returning to the mountain was completely different from what she had imagined. This incident had left a deep impression on her; in an instant, it was as though she had grown up considerably.
Chi Hao was inwardly devastated. These past years, it seemed he had never enjoyed a single peaceful day. Why was he being dealt with again after returning to the mountain? He had been constantly nursing injuries.
"Heavenly Venerable Yuan."
"Elder Li, it is this venerable one's failure to discipline these three wretched disciples properly!"
Yuan Chengsi's stern voice echoed through the entire hall. "This matter has tarnished our sect's prestige. This venerable one will certainly make them suffer punishment, so there is no need for you all to dirty your hands."
"..."
The punishment elders exchanged silent glances. Even if they were asked to intervene, they would not dare interfere too deeply... The moment they acted, matters would become complicated.
Elder Li said in a deep voice, "Heavenly Venerable Yuan, though these three disciples were indeed at fault, the Primordial Academy's conduct was truly arrogant. To this day, they have yet to give our sect an explanation."
"Indeed. The faults of these three disciples are a minor matter; our sect's reputation is the major one." The other elders chimed in. "Since Ancient Immortal, that academy's prodigy, has formed karmic ties with our sect's disciples, this matter cannot simply