First Display of Prowess, Whipping Ma Yuan

Xuan Chuan gripped the Purple Lightning Hammer and stepped out of Biyou Palace's bounds, one step at a time.

With every step, tearing pain ripped through his chest. How could a Saint's might be taken lightly?

If not for the protection of The One That Escaped and the Jade Disc Fragment, he would have long since suffered the destruction of both body and soul. But now, he could not fall, much less show even the slightest weakness.

Golden blood stained his tattered Daoist robe red, setting off his pale yet resolute face and the Purple Lightning Hammer in his hand, where arcs of destructive lightning danced. Together, they formed a profoundly striking sight.

More and more disciples gathered around him, their discussions buzzing like swarms of mosquitoes.

"Look! It's Eldest Senior Brother Xuan Chuan!"

"That's... the Purple Lightning Hammer? Master's treasure!"

"He's badly injured. What happened? Who would dare hurt him before Biyou Palace?"

"I heard he barged into the palace just now and spoke disrespectfully to Master..."

"Hiss—then doesn't that mean..."

All kinds of gazes fell upon him—curious, probing, gloating—but most of all, wary of the Purple Lightning Hammer in his hand.

Xuan Chuan ignored it all. His divine sense spread outward like spilled mercury, sensing the auras and Karmic Force of every disciple present.

Most disciples possessed varying degrees of Karmic Force, but it remained within manageable limits. Only one aura was bloody and foul, its Karmic Force so dense it nearly solidified, standing out like a beacon in the night.

His gaze shifted and locked onto a direction.

There stood an ugly Daoist with fleshy tumors growing from his head. He grinned, exposing a mouthful of sharp teeth as he stared openly at Xuan Chuan.

His eyes were full of mockery and greed, as though he were examining some interesting prey.

It was Ma Yuan, known as the One-Qi Immortal! In the course of the Investiture of the Gods, this bastard loved nothing more than eating human hearts. His crimes were innumerable, and he would ultimately betray Jiejiao and join the Western Teachings.

"Well, well? Isn't this our chief Eldest Senior Brother, whom we haven't seen in centuries?" Ma Yuan drawled in a grating, sarcastic voice.

"How did you end up in such a miserable state? You look like a bloody gourd. Could it be that your seclusion went wrong, you lost your mind, and offended Master?"

As he spoke, he licked his lips, his gaze roaming over Xuan Chuan as if deciding where would be best to take a bite.

"Tsk, tsk. What a pity for such fine immortal flesh and Daoist bones. If I dug out your heart and had it with wine, it would surely be..."

Before he could finish, Xuan Chuan moved.

He said nothing, nor did his face show any unnecessary expression.

"Buzz!"

The Purple Lightning Hammer abruptly erupted with blinding thunderlight. Purple lightning serpents danced wildly as an aura of destruction instantly blanketed the area!

"Xuan Chuan! How dare you?!"

Ma Yuan had not expected his opponent to attack outright despite his severe injuries. Startled and enraged, he unleashed demonic energy around himself and produced a filthy black banner wrapped in wailing souls. It swelled in the wind, attempting to block the attack.

"By Master's decree, I shall rectify the sect's affairs and purge its ranks!"

Xuan Chuan's voice was cold, like ice that had endured ten thousand years, carrying unquestionable authority.

"Ma Yuan, you have slaughtered living beings, feasted on human hearts, amassed monstrous Karmic Force, and corrupted Jiejiao's customs! Today, your crimes shall be used to uphold Jiejiao's laws!"

"Judgment: three hundred lashes. Your hundred years of cultivation shall be abolished as a warning to others!"

"Roar!"

The Purple Lightning Hammer flew from his hand. Rather than smashing down directly, it transformed into a violent purple thunder dragon. With an earth-shaking roar, it instantly tore apart the filthy black banner!

"No!! Master, save me!!"

Ma Yuan screamed in terror. He sensed the pure destructive power within that thunder dragon, as well as... the Saint's law aura belonging to Master Tongtian!

The Purple Lightning Hammer had truly been granted the authority to punish in Master's stead!

Yet Biyou Palace remained utterly silent.

"Crackle—!"

The purple thunder dragon coiled around him, becoming a massive lightning whip that lashed viciously across Ma Yuan's body!

"Aah—!"

A shrill scream tore through the sky!

With the first lash, Ma Yuan's protective demonic energy collapsed, and his Daoist robe turned to ash!

With the second lash, his flesh split open, and the stench of scorched flesh filled the air!

With the third lash, his muscles and bones groaned, and blood poured from his body!

Each lash was more vicious than the last. Thunderlight raged as lightning serpents burrowed into every limb and bone, madly destroying his meridians and Dao foundation!

Ma Yuan rolled wildly across the ground, howling in agony. Where had his previous arrogance gone? The miserable sight made every onlooking disciple's scalp go numb and sent chills down their spine!

Three hundred thunder lashes—not one fewer!

When the final streak of lightning faded, Ma Yuan lay sprawled on the ground like a dead dog, his entire body charred black.

His aura was feeble to the extreme. His cultivation had fallen directly from the peak of the True Immortal realm to the Heavenly Immortal realm, and a hundred years of bitter cultivation had gone to waste!

Xuan Chuan raised a hand, summoning the Purple Lightning Hammer back into his grasp. Its thunderlight subsided, but its majesty only grew stronger.

Without even glancing at the half-dead Ma Yuan on the ground, he swept his cold gaze across the crowd once more.

Every disciple touched by that gaze felt their heart tremble. They lowered their heads instinctively, not daring to meet his eyes.

Ruthless! Far too ruthless!

This chief Eldest Senior Brother, who had remained silent for centuries, had emerged from seclusion, endured a Saint's fury without dying, received a bestowed treasure, and then immediately used such brutal means to cripple a renowned elder!

This was no cultivation deviation. He had come prepared! Bearing the might of thunder, he intended to restore order to Jiejiao!

Within the crowd, a figure quietly drew his neck back, his eyes flickering uncertainly. It was Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal.

He glanced at the miserable Ma Yuan on the ground, then at Xuan Chuan, who held the Purple Lightning Hammer with a murderous aura around him.

A shadow crossed his face. Then, without a sound, he retreated into the depths of the crowd and transformed into a streak of light, vanishing without a trace.

Xuan Chuan's divine sense caught the scene, and he sneered inwardly.

He had chosen the right first target to establish his authority. Ma Yuan had the deepest Karmic Force and the foulest reputation. Striking at him would meet the least resistance and produce the strongest deterrent.

And sure enough, it had alarmed those with guilty consciences.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his surging blood and injuries. His voice spread in every direction, clear and cold:

"From this day forth, by Master's decree, Jiejiao shall be rectified!"

"All disciples must strictly observe the sect rules and reflect quietly upon your own faults!"

"Any who commit evil deeds, bear heavy Karmic Force, or refuse discipline... let Ma Yuan serve as your warning!"

As his words fell, the entire area went silent.

Only the occasional electric arc leaping from the Purple Lightning Hammer gave off a faint "sizzle," like Death's whisper.