Chapter 199: Expelling Disciples, Enforcing the Law with Power

The incense stick burned to its end, a wisp of ash fell, and the ember was snuffed out.

Within the Punishment Hall, only Yu Xian, Wu Zong, and fifteen other enforcer disciples remained.

Each of the fifteen wore grave, even worried expressions.

None of them knew if following this new Punishment Elder had been the right decision…

Only Wu Zong had a faint smirk and a burning ambition in his eyes.

From today onward, he might very well be the sole Protector Disciple of the Punishment Hall!

“The time has come.”

Yu Xian’s voice was calm. “Bring me the disciple register of the Punishment Hall.”

“Yes, Elder!”

One of the enforcer disciples—Qi Yu—immediately turned and rushed toward the back of the hall. Moments later, he returned with the register.

Yu Xian accepted the register and flipped it open casually. “From this moment forth, anyone I call who does not respond shall be expelled from the Punishment Hall and demoted to a regular disciple.”

All fifteen immediately straightened up.

Wu Zong, on the other hand, was barely hiding his delight.

The first names listed in the register were those of the three Protector Disciples.

Yu Xian glanced over them and called each name one by one. No response came.

He then announced, “These three Protector Disciples have knowingly broken the law. Today, I, as the elder, declare them expelled from the Punishment Hall. Wu Zong shall henceforth assume the role of Protector Disciple.”

As he finished speaking, he waved his hand and erased their names from the register, leaving only Wu Zong’s.

“Disciple Wu Zong! Many thanks to Elder! I shall serve the Punishment Hall with all my strength and loyalty, with no second thoughts!”

Wu Zong was trembling with excitement, bowing deeply in gratitude.

Yu Xian gave him a slight nod and continued to flip through the pages.

But just then, a clamor of hurried footsteps echoed from outside.

Soon after, ten more disciples rushed in, all looking anxious, sweaty, and tense. They bowed deeply and cried out, “Please forgive us, Elder! We were delayed due to urgent matters but have now resolved everything! Please give us one more chance!”

“Yes, please!”

The others chimed in, nodding frantically.

Yu Xian stared at them for a few seconds, then said calmly, “Very well. No one is perfect. Since you’ve returned with resolve, I’ll grant you one chance. Stand to the side. I shall now resume the roll call.”

Relieved as if they had been spared from death, the ten quickly stood aside, breathing sighs of relief.

They had hesitated until the very end but finally chose to stay with the Punishment Hall.

After all, the benefits of being part of the Punishment Hall were real and consistent.

The so-called promises from other elders or Foundation Establishment seniors… Who knew if those would ever be fulfilled?

Demoted to regular disciples, could they really find better prospects?

They weren’t strong yet, but they weren’t stupid.

Besides, the new elder was clearly lacking manpower. If they pledged loyalty now, they might become his trusted subordinates. Wasn’t that more reliable than empty promises?

Yu Xian didn’t concern himself with their inner thoughts. He simply continued calling names.

Out of forty disciples, only twenty-five responded.

Every time someone didn’t answer, he calmly erased their name.

At last, Yu Xian closed the register. “Make a public announcement. The fifteen unresponsive enforcer disciples and the three Protector Disciples have been officially expelled from the Punishment Hall. They must return their identity tokens within half a day—or face consequences. Also, begin recruitment for fifteen new enforcer disciples. First come, first served.”

“Yes, Elder!”

Wu Zong’s eyes gleamed with joy as he shouted his response.

The elder wasn’t appointing any other Protector Disciples!

That meant Wu Zong was the only one!

The remaining twenty-five disciples inwardly rejoiced once more.

Yu Xian waved his hand indifferently. “Dismissed.”

With that, he turned and strode into the inner hall.

“Respectfully sending off the Elder!”

Twenty-six disciples bowed in unison, watching Yu Xian disappear into the inner chamber.

Wu Zong cleared his throat, sweeping his gaze across them. “Junior brothers, let’s go post the announcements. As for the recruitment, though the Elder said ‘first come, first served,’ some form of standards must be kept, yes? We can’t just let anyone join.”

“Understood, senior brother!”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Good. Let’s go. Only true talents may enter our Punishment Hall.”

Excited, the twenty-five followed Wu Zong out.

In the inner hall, Yu Xian sat cross-legged, quietly circulating his Qi.

Some matters were simpler than one might think.

Once in a position of power, you didn’t need to act too much—others would naturally take care of many things for you.

The hard part was reaching that position.

As for those who thought a mass exodus of disciples would leave him flustered? Utterly laughable.

They underestimated human desire—if some ran west, others would surely run east.

The empty seats in the Punishment Hall would soon be filled by those who were smarter.

Enforcement would resume, business as usual. He didn’t need to worry.

With Wu Zong as the sole Protector Disciple, that was more than enough. Yu Xian could simply manage things from the shadows.

As for whether Wu Zong would face backlash from the expelled elders and disciples later?

Of course he would.

Yu Xian had heard the guy grumbling lowly under his breath—he had excellent hearing, after all. That’s precisely why he’d brought him in.

Let him shoulder all the future troubles.

Soon, his cultivation advanced again, Qi condensing through the [Everlasting Mulberry Spring Technique], expanding his sea of energy and strengthening his internal tree.

But suddenly, an urgent voice called from outside.

“Elder! Elder, something terrible has happened!”

“We only obey the Grand Elder!”

“You? Just a mid-Foundation cultivator like us, and you dare try to cripple our cultivation!? If it weren’t for your connections, we’d cripple you! You think we don’t dare!?”

The three former Protector Disciples roared in fury, voices trembling with fear and anger—half out of dread, half out of envy.

Yu Xian’s gaze turned icy cold.

“Impudent!”

Before they could react, six vines whipped out—twisting into three thick tendrils, like azure serpents lashing toward the three men!

At the same time, Yu Xian’s figure vanished and reappeared in front of Peng Yan, the strongest of the three.

Take out the ringleader first—if the three combined their power, it’d be a mess.

Even with his spiritual energy denser than theirs, he was still a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

But if he had the initiative—he would crush them!

The vine whips hit hard.

Even as the trio summoned defensive artifacts and shields, they were still forced back.

But the vines didn’t vanish—they twisted again and lashed out!

Peng Yan retreated only a step before sneering and prepared to cast a spell.

He had confidence. So long as he didn’t kill Yu Xian, the Grand Elder would cover for him.

But before his technique was complete, Yu Xian was already in front of him!

His face calm and merciless, Yu Xian drew back his fist—and punched.

BOOM!

Peng Yan’s flame shield shattered. His defensive armor cracked and dimmed.

The next moment, he flew backward like a cannonball.

From outside the chamber, a frightened disciple’s voice called, “Elder! All the expelled disciples turned in their tokens… except those three Protector brothers! They resisted! I think Senior Brother Wu has already been subdued by them!”

Yu Xian’s eyes grew colder.

Power must be enforced early.

He rose and exited the hall, expression indifferent.

He reached the scene within moments.

There lay Wu Zong, beaten and restrained by magical forces, his artifacts suppressed.

Three men—Yang Zhang, Peng Yan, and Shi Gong—laughed and mocked him.

“A dog should kneel! Understand!?”

“You betrayed your elders just for that elder’s call? You think being a Protector makes you special?”

“You’re pathetic. When we reach late Foundation Establishment, you’ll be crawling at our feet!”

The crowd of low-level disciples watching all looked on mockingly.

But suddenly, a calm, chilling voice rang out:

“Oh? You want me to kneel too?”

The voice was neither angry nor amused—but it sent chills down everyone’s spine.

The three men instantly looked over, alarmed.

“E-Elder!”

Wu Zong’s voice rose in desperation and fury: “These three scoundrels resist justice! Please, Elder, punish them severely!!”

Yu Xian arrived, walking through the air, eyes icy cold as he faced them.

“Yang Zhang, Peng Yan, Shi Gong. You have broken sect law. Kneel now and accept punishment, and I may spare your cultivation. Otherwise—”

He stepped forward.

“—I will crush you myself.”