As these words fell, the scene plunged into silence. Everyone felt a chill run down their spines—the Great Demon God was too ruthless, daring to utter such words with such domineering arrogance! If the Martial King no longer wished to sit upon his throne, then he would be deposed. This declaration was bound to stir a tempestuous storm. Even if no action was taken, the imperial capital would tremble in response. The Great Demon God was sending a signal—his dissatisfaction was palpable. Not only was he warning the members of the Martial King’s Manor, but he was also making a statement of resolve to the outside world. Was he planning to overturn and reshape everything as it stood? Perhaps the leadership of the Martial King’s Manor was about to change. If this news spread, not only would the various kings and marquises be shaken, even the Human Emperor would take notice!
“You—Old Fifteen, how dare you speak such words?!” an elder of the clan roared in rebuke.
To them, these words were earth-shattering—intending to upend everything within the Martial King’s Manor. The impact was too overwhelming. Many felt their bodies grow cold, unable to accept it.
“Our lineage may appear glorious on the surface, but internally, it is plagued by grave illness. And illness must be cured!” the Fifteenth Master said calmly, his gaze sweeping over them all.
“What are you saying, Old Fifteen? Do you understand the implications of your words? You must take responsibility—do not become the sinner who tears our manor apart!” another elder shouted.
“Of course I know what I’m doing. It is you who fail to grasp the reality! Do I even need to split the manor? Ever since that foolish act thirteen years ago, the seeds of decay were sown within the Martial King’s Manor. Sooner or later, disaster would strike!” The Fifteenth Master’s cold eyes swept across the crowd as he spoke in a measured tone. “Like a great tree that appears lush, but is infested with worms inside—it will rot in time. What I must do now is eradicate the root cause and exterminate these parasites!”
“You—” Some paled, while others trembled in terror, overwhelmed by a sense of dread.
“Grave illness must be cured!” The Fifteenth Master was decisive. After uttering these words, he seated himself upon the towering Flood Dragon-skin chair, his merciless gaze fixed upon them. “None who deserve the execution of clan law shall escape!”
Instantly, many were terrified. This was tantamount to sentencing them to death—who wouldn’t fear? No matter how mighty one was, facing death would still evoke terror.
“Are you… rebelling?” an elder demanded, his voice fierce but his heart quaking. He was truly afraid of being executed on the spot.
“It is not I who rebel, but you!” The Fifteenth Master rose to his feet, unleashing an overwhelming aura. “You have violated ancestral teachings, turned kin against kin, acted unjustly, and trampled upon clan laws—you have rebelled against morality itself!”
The crowd was stunned. The Great Demon God was labeling them as traitors? How had the roles reversed so completely? His words struck like the hammer of a thunder god, each blow resonating in their hearts, making their ears ring and heads throb. Some nearly coughed up blood.
“All shall be judged by the rules. Begin the execution of clan law!” The Great Demon God sat back down, his towering figure exuding intimidation. His voice was like a demonic chant in their ears.
“No!” someone screamed.
Even the Fifteenth Master’s old brothers hesitated, feeling that slaughtering them all would cause too great a disturbance, shaking even the Stone Nation. Yet, standing behind the Great Demon God, they ultimately remained silent, offering unconditional support.
“You are committing treason!” another voice cried out.
“Starting with you!” The Fifteenth Master extended a finger, which transformed into a massive golden digit that descended with a thunderous boom, instantly reducing the man to ashes.
Just like that—a powerful expert was obliterated in an instant, erased from existence.
“You cannot treat us like this!” The others were petrified. This was true ruthlessness—once clan law was invoked, there was no mercy.
“Why can’t I? You persecuted your own kin—by law, you deserve death!” The Fifteenth Master flicked his finger again, and another was reduced to dust.
This display of power terrified everyone. None could resist—the gap was too vast. These individuals, who once held immense authority and commanded respect wherever they went, now found themselves prisoners awaiting judgment and execution.
“We are the pillars of the clan, the foundation of the Martial King’s Manor! If you kill us, you destroy our lineage—you cannot do this!” an elder bellowed.
“Pillars of the clan? How shameless. What great achievements have you made? What earth-shattering feats have you accomplished? Have you ever shaken the world or pacified a region?” The Fifteenth Master asked calmly before raising his voice. “Our clan does not lack talent. Once the internal strife is quelled, those stationed in the harshest lands can be recalled—they will not be inferior to you. Even those exiled as ‘criminals’ include many capable individuals. It is time for them to return.”
“You—this is madness!” an elder protested, unable to accept it.
“You have grown corrupt in the imperial capital, hiding in comfort. You are inferior even to those stationed in the wastelands. Even as the main lineage, if this continues, your roots will rot.” With that, the Fifteenth Master struck again, executing another elder.
This was a trial. The Great Demon God did not massacre indiscriminately—he announced each person’s crimes before delivering judgment.
“Stop!”
At that moment, four ancient figures appeared, their auras oppressive. These were the four ancestors of the Martial King’s Manor—the very ones who had forced Shi Ziling into exile years ago.
“Old Fifteen… how could you do this?!” one of them thundered.
“Why shouldn’t I? Since you acted unjustly, I will restore order to the Martial King’s Manor,” the Fifteenth Master replied, unflinching even before them.
“Old Fifteen, we know you are aggrieved. The clan has wronged you greatly. But you must understand—the decisions made were for the greater good.”
“Indeed, all was for the prosperity of our lineage. We lost a born Supreme Being due to negligence, but must we also execute another prodigy? The loss would be too great—our clan cannot bear it.”
The four ancestors spoke solemnly, appealing to reason.
“What logic is this? The wicked stole my grandson’s blood and bones, yet they go unpunished because they grew stronger? Meanwhile, my son Ziling was forced into exile, and Hao’er’s fate remains unknown. Is this your so-called ‘greater good’? Very well—since I have returned, where is Shi Yi? I will personally pluck out his dual-pupils and reclaim the Supreme Bone, implanting it into another to forge a new Supreme Being. Then we can keep the new prodigy and exile Shi Yi’s worthless lineage. How does that sound? Exactly as you described!”
Silence fell. Many felt their bodies grow cold, unsure how to respond.
The four ancestors frowned. One sighed. “Old Fifteen, you are too extreme. What’s done is done—we can only make the best choice.”
“Yi’er has already become a young Supreme Being. His strength is rare in history. In the future, he may stand among the mightiest in the Barren Domain, leading our clan to glory.”
The Great Demon God sneered. “You are mistaken. True power is not forged this way. Had my grandson lived, I believe he could have defeated your so-called ‘perfectly nurtured’ Yi’er even without the Supreme Bone. What are dual-pupils? What is a single bone? Your obsession with them reveals your shortsightedness. In the end, it will all be for naught!”
His voice boomed like thunder, leaving everyone pale. Only he could speak such words.
“You don’t believe me?” The Great Demon God’s cold gaze swept over them. “I have a premonition—if Hao’er still lives, even without the Supreme Bone, he would rise to greatness on his own.”
Many shuddered. Listening to his words and beholding his demonic visage and unshakable confidence, they wondered—could that child truly return?
“Old Fifteen, some things cannot be undone. Do not speak in anger. Yi’er is exceptional—his invincible bearing is already evident.”
“Anger?” The Great Demon God laughed and shook his head. “Those who understand, understand. Those who don’t, never will. It seems you truly do not grasp it.”
The four ancestors’ expressions darkened. His dismissive attitude irked them.
“Yi’er’s fortune is vast. From childhood, he has obtained countless great opportunities—beyond your imagination. Now, he has entered the Ancient Sage’s Courtyard and may obtain the legendary Heaven-Mending Technique. No one can stop his rise. Old Fifteen, for the prosperity of our clan, we implore you to show magnanimity. For the sake of our lineage standing at the pinnacle of glory, cease this madness.”
The four ancestors spoke earnestly.
“Dual-pupils may be formidable, but to shield and indulge wrongdoing sets a precedent. If kin slaughter kin without consequence, what unity remains? The clan will fracture. You still fail to see your mistake—always emphasizing his ‘born prodigy’ status. This is not wisdom, but folly!”
Yet, in the end, the Fifteenth Master sighed in sorrow. “If only Hao’er had lived… If he were by my side, reality would have shown you what a true Supreme Being is. It was never about a bone or pupils!”
Then, he raised his head sharply. “Clan law cannot be broken. Those who must die, shall die!”
He resumed announcing the crimes of the condemned.
“No, this cannot be!” the four ancestors intervened.
“You did not participate in the original decision—you were only summoned at the last moment to stop Ziling, guiding him toward the ancestral lands. For that, I will not hold you accountable. But you are old now. Return to seclusion.”
The Fifteenth Master’s eyes blazed with intensity, locking onto the four ancestors.
At this moment, everyone’s hearts clenched in terror.
“You—” The four ancestors paled.
“Do not act recklessly!” they shouted, seeing the Fifteenth Master strike down another condemned elder.
“Boom!”
They attacked, but it was as if lightning struck them—blood spilled from their mouths as they staggered back.
The Great Demon God stood tall, radiant as a deity, surrounded by golden-winged rocs, prison-dragons, and lion-dragons—his aura overwhelming.
As he announced each crime, he executed the guilty.
“Pfft!” An elder was reduced to dust.
“Pfft!” Another followed.
Soon, another clan elder was declared guilty and obliterated.
Terror gripped them all. None could oppose the Fifteenth Master.
“Stop!” the four ancestors roared, lunging forward again.
“Go into retirement!” The Great Demon God’s golden-winged roc and prison-dragon phantoms surged, repelling them effortlessly.
“Fifteen, you have gone too far.”
A majestic voice resounded, as if descending from beyond the heavens, shaking souls to their core.
“Martial King… you’ve finally arrived.”
The Great Demon God gazed into the distance, where a figure approached from the horizon—returning to the manor.
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