"..."
Tang San's expression finally changed slightly.
He had never expected Ning Lin to retain such a clear head and such an unyielding will after three days of torture and deadly poisoning.
The man's bones were far harder than he had imagined.
But so what?
A sinister smile slowly curled Tang San's lips.
A sharp tongue?
Before absolute strength and power, it was nothing but a futile struggle.
"Ning Lin."
Tang San's voice rang out, filled with lofty indifference.
"You're right."
He actually began by acknowledging Ning Lin's argument.
Everyone froze in surprise.
"Under Heaven Dou law, your crimes indeed do not warrant death."
Yet in the next instant, Tang San abruptly changed his tune!
"But!"
"As the lord of Heaven Dou City and an imperial earl, you should have been an example to all the people. Instead, you knowingly broke the law, making your guilt all the greater!"
"If we do not kill a parasite of society, a disgrace to the empire like you today, how can we make an example of you? How can we quell the people's anger? How can we uphold the law of the land?"
He simply cast aside the provisions of the law and planted himself on the moral high ground.
His words rang with righteous conviction and overwhelming force!
The citizens who had just begun to waver were instantly whipped into a frenzy again.
That was right!
Nobles who broke the law deserved even harsher punishment!
Why should they enjoy special privileges?
"Well said!"
"Sect Master Tang San is wise!"
"Kill him! Kill that disgrace!"
"..."
Cheers and cries for blood once again shook the skies.
Tang San watched the reaction below with satisfaction, then returned his gaze to Ning Lin, looking at him as though he were already a corpse.
"Ning Lin, do you have any last words?"
He could no longer be bothered to waste his breath.
This man's tongue was far too clever.
Leaving him alive would only invite disaster.
Today, I must kill him here with my own hands and cut off all future trouble!
Before his words had faded, a tremendous surge of soul power erupted from Tang San's body!
A massive, pitch-black hammer covered in vicious patterns silently materialized in his right hand.
The Clear Sky Hammer!
"Die!"
Tang San gave Ning Lin no further chance to speak. As that single word left his mouth, he shot forward like a cannonball!
He raised the Clear Sky Hammer high and brought it crashing down toward Ning Lin's head!
He put every ounce of his strength into that blow!
He intended to pulverize Ning Lin along with the judgment platform beneath his feet!
As Tang San brazenly attacked, the representatives of the various factions watched.
A strange glint flashed through their eyes.
What a domineering Tang San!
Unable to win with words, he simply resorted to silencing his opponent by force.
Such decisiveness and ruthlessness deepened their wariness of the Tang Sect.
As for Ning Lin...
In their minds, he was already dead.
What a pity.
Perhaps he really had been wronged.
But why had he crossed Tang San and the Shrek Seven Devils, whose influence blazed like the midday sun?
That was simply how the world worked.
The strong made the rules.
The weak could only obey, or... die.
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's seats, Ning Fengzhi lifted his teacup and gently blew on the rising steam, seemingly blind to the bloody scene before him.
Those who achieved great things did not fuss over trifles.
Tang San's actions suited him perfectly.
Over among the Shrek group, the mood was different.
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others all wore delighted smiles.
That eyesore was finally going to die!
Xiao Wu's body trembled slightly.
She watched her Brother San, his face twisted with ferocity as he raised the butcher's blade, and felt that he was utterly unfamiliar.
This was not the kind, upright Brother San she knew.
Her heart twisted into a knot of unbearable pain.
At last, unable to bear watching any longer, she slowly closed her eyes.
A trail of clear tears slipped from the corner of her eye.
The howling wind of the hammer had already reached the top of Ning Lin's head.
Its destructive force sent his hair and clothes whipping wildly.
Ning Lin raised his head and watched the Clear Sky Hammer grow larger in his pupils, his gaze calm.
In the end, he had still underestimated Tang San's shamelessness.
So be it.
If you want to kill me, you'll have to pay the price!
The origin of fire within him began surging madly as he prepared for one final, desperate struggle!
Yet just as his life hung by a thread!
Hum—!
A curtain of purple-gold light appeared before Ning Lin without warning.
The barrier seemed solid, its surface flowing with mysterious, magnificent divine patterns.
Boom!!!
Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer, powerful enough to split mountains and shatter stone, smashed savagely into the barrier!
A deafening crash reverberated throughout Heaven Dou City!
The terrifying blast of energy spread outward in all directions as ripples visible to the naked eye!
Buildings along the edge of the square collapsed beneath the impact!
Countless citizens were hurled through the air, screams rising one after another!
Yet the purple-gold barrier merely trembled slightly. Not even a single crack appeared.
Tang San, meanwhile, seemed to have struck an imperishable divine mountain. An irresistible force sent him hurtling backward!
"Urgh!"
Still airborne, he spewed a mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning deathly pale!
Dead silence fell over the entire square.
Everyone stood rooted to the spot, stunned by the sudden turn of events.
What had happened?
Who was it?
Who had blocked a Titled Douluo's full-force attack?!
Just then, a majestic, regal figure slowly descended from the heavens amid golden motes of light dancing across the sky.
She wore an exquisite purple-gold gown and the Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown, and held a scepter studded with countless gemstones.
Her face possessed a beauty beyond that of mortals, yet also a sacred majesty that looked down upon all living beings.
An indescribably vast aura spread from her, enveloping the entire square.
Beneath that aura, everyone felt their souls trembling. Even breathing became difficult.
It was as though they faced not a person, but a true deity!
"Th-the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall! Bibi Dong!"
Someone cried out her identity in a trembling voice.
Boom!
The crowd erupted!
Bibi Dong?
Why had the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall suddenly appeared at the trial in Heaven Dou City?!
Why had she saved Ning Lin?
Why had she stopped Tang San?!
Countless questions swirled through everyone's minds.
With Dai Mubai and the others supporting him, Tang San barely managed to steady himself.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked up at the slowly descending figure, his face so dark it seemed water might drip from it.
His expression was uglier than if he had swallowed a fly alive.
Bibi Dong!
She had actually appeared at this critical moment!
Not far away, someone else watched.
Yu Xiaogang's reaction was even more intense than Tang San's.
His entire body stiffened as he stared fixedly at that familiar yet unfamiliar figure. His face was as pale as paper, and he began trembling uncontrollably.
It was her!
It really was her!
The woman he had once loved so deeply, but now hated to the marrow of his bones!
Why had she come?
Why?!
Before you continue