232: Chapter 232 Lady Qingli: I am the future sect leader's wife, and you dare not accept this?

Madam Qingli pushed back Huo Lianzi with a single strike. Even Granny Jingxu, who had been meditating with her eyes closed, had her eyelids twitch violently.

Grand Elder Venerable Kumu's fingers, which were twirling prayer beads, paused slightly.

A hint of surprise flashed in Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan's beautiful eyes.

Madam Qingli slowly withdrew her finger and looked down at the pale-faced Elders again, her voice indifferent:

"I'm an outsider? Hehe, then let me tell you all, for today's matter, I, Madam Qingli, am getting involved as Xu Ruyu's woman."

"To say something you might not like to hear, I am your future Sect Master's wife. Can I interfere in this matter or not?"

As soon as Madam Qingli said this, not only was Xu Ruyu stunned, but even Xiao Nianyin, who had remained indifferent, looked at Madam Qingli in shock—she... she actually said such shameless words in front of everyone?

What did she mean by saying she was the future Sect Master's wife?

The others were also astonished. They hadn't expected this old monster, who had lived for countless years, to actually admit to being Xu Ruyu's woman in front of everyone.

No wonder, no wonder she had been standing by Xu Ruyu's side all along.

So it was...

Madam Qingli ignored the surprise and confusion in their hearts and continued to ask the crowd, "Now, who else objects? You can step forward. I... just happen to have itchy hands."

Her understated words carried an unparalleled deterrent force!

Since even Huo Lianzi, at the Mid-Nascent Soul Stage, couldn't block a casual point of her finger, who else would dare to be the first to speak up?

Cold sweat poured from Wang Tiexin's forehead, the fat on Li Wancai's face trembled incessantly, Elder Leng Mian's eyes flickered uncertainly, and Dan Xiazi and Zhen Xuanzi even took a half-step back subconsciously.

Seeing this, Granny Liu snorted and once again slammed her cane heavily. "Do you see? This is the consequence of disobeying the Ancestral Master's decree and harboring ulterior motives!"

"Madam Qingli was originally a Guest Elder of our Hehuan Sect. In our Hehuan Sect's time of crisis, she can still be so sensible and uphold the legal tradition."

"For her to punish you people with ill intentions, I say it's only right and proper!"

Her eyes blazed as she stared down Wang Tiexin and the others. "Do you intend to remain stubborn and follow in Huo Lianzi's footsteps? Or will you mend your ways, obey the Ancestral Master's decree, and beg Sect Leader Xu for forgiveness?!"

The pressure, like a physical mountain, weighed heavily on the hearts of Wang Tiexin and the others.

In front of them, Granny Liu questioned them with the righteousness of the Sect's legal tradition.

Behind them, Madam Qingli displayed terrifying strength as a deterrent.

On the high platform, there was Xu Ruyu, who, though 'weak,' represented the Ancestral Master's tradition, and the cold gaze of the former Sect Master Xiao Nianyin, whose prestige remained despite her cultivation being sealed.

More importantly, they noticed that the Elders who were originally silent and neutral, such as Grand Elder Kumu and Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan, had their eyes gradually become sharp and firm after Madam Qingli's strike and Granny Liu's questioning, showing a trend of siding with tradition and righteousness.

The tide... had turned.

If they continued to resist, they would likely be labeled as 'Sect traitors,' suppressed on the spot, or even executed to purge the Sect!

Wang Tiexin's heart struggled violently, his expression changing several times. Finally, all his resentment, ambition, and anger turned into a deep sense of helplessness and a hint of fear.

He gritted his teeth and knelt on one knee toward the high platform, lowering the head he had never easily bowed. His voice was dry and hoarse, filled with humiliation and resentment, yet he had no choice:

"Disciple... Wang Tiexin, was momentarily confused. I offended the Sect Master and questioned the Ancestral Master's decree... I deserve ten thousand deaths!"

"I beg... the Sect Master for forgiveness!"

"Disciple... is willing to obey the Ancestral Master's decree and honor Xu Ruyu... as the Sect Master! From now on... I shall have no divided loyalty!"

With a leader, the others no longer harbored any illusions of luck.

Li Wancai, Leng Mian, Dan Xiazi, Zhen Xuanzi... and the other Elders who had been so vocal just moments ago but were now pale-faced, all knelt on the ground. Their voices rose in a messy but clear chorus:

"This Disciple admits his guilt! We beg the Sect Master for forgiveness!"

"We are willing to obey the Ancestral Master's decree and honor Sect Leader Xu!"

"We shall have no divided loyalty!"

For a moment, a dense crowd knelt in the center of the Council Hall.

Only a few Elders who hadn't participated or had withdrawn in time, along with Granny Liu, Granny Jingxu (who was being supported), Grand Elder Kumu, and Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan, remained standing.

Granny Liu looked at the kneeling crowd and snorted. Then she turned, bowed to Xu Ruyu on the platform, and spoke in a respectful and firm tone:

"The Liu family of the Hall of Power Transmission respectfully obeys the Founding Ancestor's decree. Greetings, Sect Master!"

"The Sect's legal tradition shall not be usurped! This old woman is willing to be the Sect Master's vanguard, to purge the disloyal and restore discipline!"

With Granny Liu's bow, Grand Elder Venerable Kumu slowly opened his eyes, put away his prayer beads, and also nodded slightly toward Xu Ruyu, signaling his formal recognition. Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan followed suit and bowed.

The overall situation seemed to have settled at this moment.

Only now did Xu Ruyu slowly stand up from his white jade throne.

The 'panic' and 'confusion' from before had long since vanished from his face, replaced by a calmness and depth that belied his age.

He first made a gesture of lifting her up and said warmly to Granny Liu, "Elder Liu, please rise. I am aware of your heart in upholding the tradition."

Then, his gaze fell upon the Elders kneeling below, trembling with fear.

His gaze was calm, yet it sent an inexplicable chill through Wang Tiexin and the others.

Xu Ruyu remained silent for a moment. Just as everyone thought he was about to say something about forgiveness or reprimand, he suddenly spoke, asking a seemingly irrelevant question:

"Just now, Elder Huo Lianzi seemed to be quite badly injured?"

"Sister Qingli, were you careful? Do not take the life of a fellow Sect member."

Madam Qingli smiled beautifully. "Rest assured, Sect Master. It was just a small punishment. I only crippled thirty percent of his cultivation. He'll recover after lying down for a few months; his life is in no danger."

"Oh, that's good." Xu Ruyu nodded, as if relieved.

However, his next words made the hearts of everyone kneeling tighten suddenly!

"Then,"

Xu Ruyu's voice remained steady, but it carried a cold, unquestionable decisiveness.

"Next, it's time to talk about business."

"Regarding how to deal with... you people, who were 'momentarily confused,' 'questioned the Ancestral Master,' 'pressured the Sect Master,' and 'intended to rebel'..."

He paused and said clearly, word by word:

"Crim-i-nals."