390: Explanation

Boom!

Kneeling on the ground, Zhou Nangu, pale and lifeless, was plunged into an abyss by each accusation.

"How could this be? How could this be..."

"It's just an outsider, how could this be..."

It wasn't until the punishment of bone-shaving and marrow-extraction was spoken by Zhou Leyi that Zhou Nangu truly became afraid.

Before, Zhou Nangu always believed that even if the Clan knew about these matters, with his honesty, his Bloodline, and his talent, he would surely have a chance at survival.

"No, no, no..."

The fear in Zhou Nangu's eyes was uncontrollable.

That was the punishment of bone-shaving and marrow-extraction.

It meant having all his Cultivation scattered, turning him into a Mortal.

Enduring the pain of bones being drawn out, tendons severed, and marrow extracted, one cut at a time.

Until, finally, he would die of pain, and only then would the execution cease.

This was truly a fate worse than death.

"Great Ancestor!"

Zhou Nangu suddenly looked up, glancing towards where Zhou Xiuzhi sat to one side.

However, Zhou Xiuzhi's face was ashen, and he did not look at him.

"Little Ancestor!"

Seeing that Zhou Xiuzhi ignored him, Zhou Nangu hurriedly crawled a few steps forward and grabbed the corner of the purple-robed figure's dress.

"You made your bed, now lie in it."

Zhou Xiutong gently withdrew her dress, showing no pity.

If it were up to her, this Zhou Nangu would have died in the thunder long ago.

How could she have let him live until now?

Zhou Nangu slumped to the ground, as if trying to grasp at a last straw.

He kept looking at the figures on both sides of the main hall.

However, not a single Elder who had once greatly admired him spoke out.

"He's just an outsider, why, why!"

Zhou Nangu's heart was like dead ashes, and he suddenly became ruthless.

"Take him down. Gather all Clan Disciples to witness the execution."

Zhou Leyi waved his hand, looking somewhat weary.

"Why..."

Zhou Xiutong assented, and Disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall stepped forward, restrained Zhou Nangu, and led him out.

"Third Aunt, Eldest Brother, the Thousand Charms Fox Clan..."

Zhou Leyi rubbed his temples, speaking softly to Zhou Liyue and Zhou Leren.

Zhou Liyue looked at Zhou Leren.

"Leave it to me. I will personally go to Thousand Fox Ridge."

Zhou Leren understood, stood up, and made this decision.

For such an incident, Thousand Fox Ridge naturally had to give the Zhou Family an explanation.

Otherwise, although he had no great abilities and couldn't contend with so many powerful Fox Clan members, if it truly came to that, he would have no choice but to disturb the Old Ancestor.

Zhou Leren took a step, and with the dazed beautiful woman with a five-colored tail, disappeared from the main hall.

"Dong dong dong~"

After Zhou Leren left, within the Tianning Peaks, a deep, ancient bell rang out.

The bell's sound was heavy, penetrating through clouds and space, reaching the Zhou Family Disciples scattered throughout the Tianning Peaks and the cities outside the mountains.

The faces of the Zhou Family Cultivators changed.

Some emerged from seclusion, some put down their work, some changed direction, all heading towards Qingyang Peak...

Western part of the Azure Dragon Domain.

Among continuous immortal mountains, rays of colorful light shone.

Beneath the light, Spiritual Qi was abundant, making one yearn for it at first sight.

At this moment, outside the continuous immortal mountains, two figures appeared.

Zhou Leren's figure paused.

Looking at the enchanting scenery before him, Zhou Leren was not in the mood for appreciation.

"Heavenly Condensation Realm, Zhou Leren requests an audience!"

His voice, accompanied by the immense Aura of a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, swept towards the depths of the continuous immortal mountains.

"So it is True Monarch Qingyang visiting. We have been remiss in not greeting you. Please forgive us!"

At this moment, a soft female voice came from far to near.

By the time the voice reached them, an enchanting figure had already appeared before Zhou Leren.

"Fellow Daoist Rujun."

Zhou Leren cupped his hands.

The person who came was none other than Demon Empress Rujun of the Thousand Charms Fox Clan, who had previously brought the Juniors Hu Yi and Hu Yuanxiang to Qingyang Peak.

She was a Demon Empress at the Late Nascent Soul Stage who truly managed all affairs of Thousand Fox Ridge.

"True Monarch, please come inside for a talk."

Demon Empress Rujun's smile was evident as she stepped aside and gestured to Zhou Leren.

"No need."

Zhou Leren was not at all polite.

Then, he pointed to the middle-aged beautiful woman behind him.

"Fellow Daoist, do you recognize her?"

Demon Empress Rujun's smile froze.

She had already seen the Clan demoness following Zhou Leren, but she had not spoken to inquire.

Now it seemed something had definitely happened.

"Of course I do."

Demon Empress Rujun's smile faded, and she nodded seriously.

"Fellow Daoist, please observe."

Zhou Leren was not overly aggressive.

A palm-sized jade disc emerged from Zhou Leren's hand and landed in Demon Empress Rujun's hand.

Demon Empress Rujun's heart sank.

Her Divine Sense entered it, revealing the scene of Zhou Nangu explaining how he conspired with Hu Yi.

"A Cultivator from your Clan attacked a Junior from my Clan and was captured by my Clan's Elder. Today, I have come to return her to Fellow Daoist."

Zhou Leren gently pushed, and the middle-aged woman flew towards Demon Empress Rujun.

Demon Empress Rujun's face was grim, but in an instant, she recovered and spoke to Zhou Leren solemnly.

"Regarding this matter, I will certainly give Fellow Daoist an explanation."

Demon Empress Rujun's face showed no discernible emotion.

"Then I have disturbed you."

"Farewell."

Zhou Leren cupped his hands in a salute, took a step, and disappeared from Demon Empress Rujun's sight.

"Hehe, very well. Is this how you understand the Old Ancestor's intentions..."

Demon Empress Rujun looked at the middle-aged woman, who was under a Divine Soul-confusing spell, and a cold sneer appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Yinghan, come see me!"

Demon Empress Rujun's figure moved towards the depths of Thousand Fox Ridge...

Central part of the Azure Dragon Domain, Tianning Peaks.

On Qingyang Peak, several figures knelt upon a tall circular platform.

Behind them, more than ten figures stood with bowed heads.

Leading them were two people.

Zhou Nangu was like a mad dog, his fear evident.

Zhou Mingyang's lips moved, but he seemed to have lost all strength.

Below the high platform were the Zhou Family Cultivators who had gathered upon hearing the bell.

Their ages varied, their Cultivation varied, their appearances varied, and even their names were different.

The only common point was that they all shared the same belonging.

At this moment, nearly half of the Zhou Family Cultivators were gathered here, silently watching the figures on the high platform, their expressions varied.

"Execute!"

A voice shouted loudly.

"Ah!"

"..."

Screams continued to emanate, sharp and piercing, containing regret, unwillingness, despair, and confusion.

"Ugh!"

Some younger Junior Disciples found the scene unbearable.

However, at this moment, the Elders beside them did nothing.

The execution continued.

Zhou Nangu, Zhou Mingyang, and several other main conspirators all died under punishment.

As for the various participants, whether they were Zhou Family members by birth or Cultivators of other surnames, the severe cases had their Cultivation abolished and were expelled from the Zhou Family.

The lighter cases had their positions stripped, their stipends confiscated, and were sent to harsh places like the deep abyss mines.

Not a single person involved escaped punishment.

This incident had a significant impact.

Within the Zhou Family, the various overt and covert struggles suddenly ceased, and for a time, it became much calmer.

Several days later, Demon Empress Rujun of the Thousand Charms Fox Clan personally arrived, bringing over a dozen fox corpses.

Among them were the Thirteenth Young Master Hu Yi and several Golden Core Demon King corpses.

After that day, a powerful branch of the Thousand Charms Fox Clan lost its influence and was deposed.