At this moment, a flash of spiritual light streaked and caught Song Zinan as he was falling.
"Zilin, I ask that you show mercy and not stoop to the level of these juniors." As the voice faded, a figure as elusive as a phantom landed not far from Zilin.
The person was tall and slender, exuding an immortal aura. His Daoist robe billowed in the wind, and spiritual energy swirled around him. Even the whisk he held in his hand shimmered with a spiritual glow.
His eyes, filled with the vicissitudes of time, brimmed with a sense of righteousness.
"It's actually..." the disciples outside the arena exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the newcomer.
Song Zinan, Jiang Hao, and the others, upon seeing him, their faces lit up with joy, and their expressions turned respectful.
The disciples who were free to move immediately cupped their fists and bowed to the newcomer in the manner of disciples.
The expressions of all the disciples in the arena changed due to the arrival of the man holding the whisk.
"Disciple greets Elder Yan Feng."
On the martial arts field, all disciples from Summer Sun and Autumn Sun peaks, with the exception of Zhang Ergou and his two companions, bowed deeply to the newcomer. Their voices were loud, soaring towards the heavens.
The behavior of those present left Zhang Ergou bewildered. He had no recollection of the person who had arrived.
However, seeing the joy on the faces of Jiang Hao and the others, it was clear this person was their summoned savior, and his status was not low.
In the outer sect of the Misty Sect, in addition to the four main peaks, there was one Hall, one Pavilion, two Gardens, and seven Chambers.
The newcomer was none other than Elder Yan Feng, the head of the Disciplinary Hall, and Song Zinan's master. His status was equivalent to that of the peak masters of the four main peaks.
Furthermore, he was in charge of the Disciplinary Hall, a place specifically responsible for punishing disciples for their transgressions. Therefore, for the outer sect disciples of the Misty Sect, Yan Feng's prestige far surpassed that of other elders.
"Old Yan, you can't just let them go, can you? What about their crimes?"
Zilin glanced at the newcomer and spoke without politeness, showing no regard for this prominent figure of the Misty Sect's outer sect.
"Ugh!"
The newcomer's expression stiffened. Yan Feng had always known Zilin was difficult to deal with, but he hadn't expected this little one to show him no respect at all. If he didn't provide an explanation today, Yan Feng felt his future days would surely be difficult.
Now he finally understood the plight of the peak masters of the four main peaks.
"What, Old Yan, are you going to show favoritism to them like your disciple?"
Zilin pointed at the disciples of Summer Sun and Autumn Sun peaks present, her eyes fixed on Yan Feng.
These words immediately made Yan Feng somewhat exasperated.
What did she take him for? To compare him with these useless disciples, Yan Feng felt his old face flush slightly.
"Little girl, how do you think they should be dealt with to satisfy you?"
Hearing Yan Feng compromise, Song Zinan, who was bound, and the disciples of Summer Sun and Autumn Sun peaks, who were prostrating themselves on the ground, trembled slightly, too scared to utter a sound.
Yan Feng was known for his strictness. However, unlike other elders who were protective of their own, Elder Yan Feng always upheld justice, not personal ties.
"Old Yan, first take a look at my junior brother Zhang Ergou, how badly they beat him up one after another!"
Saying this, Zilin pointed directly at Zhang Ergou.
"Junior brother?" Yan Feng narrowed his eyes. These juniors dared to bully this little devil's junior brother so ignorantly? This made things difficult for the old man!
Yan Feng followed Zilin's gesture and saw a young man covered in blood and wounds, standing tall. His posture was upright, and his stern face showed neither subservience nor arrogance.
This小子, he's rather interesting!
Yan Feng nodded slightly, then turned his head, his gaze sharp as he swept over the disciples prostrating on the ground.
With his keen eyesight, how could he not see that Zhang Ergou's injuries were not the work of a single person? The fact that Zhang Ergou could still stand was purely due to his willpower.
"Truly audacious! As the chief disciple of my Disciplinary Hall, you dare to break the law and collude with these disciples. I am ashamed!"
*Slap!*
Yan Feng directly slapped Song Zinan, who was bound, across the face.
Song Zinan spat blood from the blow, his face pale. As he was bound, he couldn't even get up.
He quickly prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed to Yan Feng. His posture was incredibly awkward, yet no one present could muster a smile.
"Master, I'm sorry. It was my fault. My disciple was temporarily misguided and misled by their words. I misjudged the situation. I beg Master to punish me!"
*Slap!*
Yan Feng slapped him again, sending Song Zinan heavily to the ground.
"Misled by words, you have the nerve to say that! How have I taught you normally? Does the law enforcement of our Disciplinary Hall operate based on personal preference?"
Yan Feng's voice was not loud, but it was extremely authoritative and penetrating. His voice could be heard throughout the entire martial arts field.
The disciples of Summer Sun and Autumn Sun peaks were now ashen-faced.
Seeing how harsh Yan Feng was even to his own disciple, everyone else's hearts were in their mouths, filled with unease.
"Old Yan, you've taught your disciple well!" Zilin said mockingly, watching Yan Feng's performance.
She didn't believe that this old man, known for his impartiality, was truly as his reputation suggested.
Hearing Zilin's sarcasm, Yan Feng's mouth twitched. He hadn't expected this little one to see through his intentions so quickly and be so undisguised in exposing him.
If he let Zilin continue speaking, he didn't know how he would resolve the situation today!
"Zilin, it is indeed my fault for not educating my disciples properly. However, for young people, making mistakes is inevitable. Look!" Yan Feng said in a low tone, seemingly trying to excuse Song Zinan and the others.
"What, your Disciplinary Hall disciples make mistakes, and it's just youthful impulsiveness that can be corrected!" Zilin's tone turned cold. "My junior brother Zhang Ergou was framed with a baseless charge and was supposed to be beaten to death and then taken to your Disciplinary Hall for punishment!"
"Does your Disciplinary Hall's law enforcement always operate with such double standards?"
After Zilin's blatant lecture, Yan Feng took a deep breath.
But he dared not retaliate. He knew how difficult this little devil was to deal with, and she never gave anyone face.
Yan Feng's gaze shifted, focusing on Zhang Ergou in the center of the field.
He looked Zhang Ergou up and down. A flash of light appeared in his eyes, and an idea struck him. After a moment of thought, he spoke.
"Since that is the case, Zilin, you take this disciple away. I will take my Disciplinary Hall disciples and these people to the Disciplinary Hall for punishment. What do you say?"
"Elder, ah! This..." The disciples of Summer Sun and Autumn Sun peaks were stunned. They had never expected such an outcome.
"What, you dare to have opinions?" Yan Feng's eyes glared, and the scene instantly fell silent.
The little devil Zilin hadn't even spoken yet, and these culprits dared to object. Didn't they see that I, myself, was speaking to this little devil in a subservient tone?
Yan Feng was filled with irritation and looked at Zilin.
"Master, Zhang Ergou invited a Golden Core stage cultivator to bully a Foundation Establishment stage disciple. This is a serious crime within the sect!"
Song Zinan, who was bound, suddenly spoke. Although he had received two slaps from Yan Feng, he did not want Zhang Ergou to leave so easily.