[TL: I donât know why I used court instead of stage, but itâs changed now. Sorry about the mistranslation]
The âHeavenly Punishment Stageâ was the Yuâhua Schoolâs stage for conflicts regarding life and death. These conflicts could even result in the deaths of true disciples. The elder in control of the âHeavenly Punishment Stageâ had extremely great power, and incomparable abilities. His mana was as deep as the water of the four oceans, immeasurable.
Jin Ri Lie brought his son, Jin s.h.i.+ Tai, and strut towards the âHeavenly Punishment Stageâ. They pa.s.sed through level after level of pavilions, the Huaâyu Edifice, and finally arrived outside, at the base, of the giant palace.
The palace towered above them. There were three thousand six hundred white jade steps which led up to it. Only by walking step by step up these steps could one truly arrive within the great palace. Lining both sides of the white jade steps were thousands of various weapons. There were countless machetes, axes, shuang gou, ropes, swords, spears, halberds, longspears, hammers, locks, flails, maces, shovels, etc. Each weapon was very large, a full ten times the size of an ordinary weapon. Glancing at them made one feel as if they had entered the land of giants. However, after further observation, it gave off a kind of feeling of solemn and dignified, yet b.l.o.o.d.y qi.
The grounds of the âHeavenly Punishment Great Palaceâ was where the âHeavenly Punishment Stageâ resided.
The entire âYuâhua Sky Palaceâ was an incomparably immense city within the sky which into the depths of the white clouds. No one knew how large it was inside, how serene, and how mysterious. No one could explain how such a large city was suspended in the air; just what kind of power was needed to suspend it in the sky?
Although the âYuâhua Sky Palaceâ was so vast and mysterious, there was no doubt that within it, the âHeavenly Punishment Stageâ was the place with the densest murderous qi. It was also the most solemn place.
Arriving at this place, even someone like Jin s.h.i.+ Ta with his personality, couldnât help but shudder for a moment. A chill seemed to be rising up from the depths of his heart. Ever since this âHeavenly Punishment Stageâ had been built by the Yuâhua School founder, who knows how many powerful people who had traversed various worlds had been executed here.
It was truly as if the school was slaughtering in place of the heavens, determining karmic justice without the slightest bit of remorse.
Even an old cultivator like Jin Ri Lie smoothed out his clothes, and began to ascend step by step up the thirty six hundred step long, white jade staircase. These white jade steps were speckled with what seemed to be drops of blood which had seeped into it. Perhaps it was blood which had spilled when an extremely powerful person was executed here.
With his cultivation, Jin Ri Lie was able to fly. However, at the âHeavenly Punishment Stageâ, he didnât dare fly. This was a rule pa.s.sed by the Yuâhua School, and even elders couldnât be exempted.
After ascending step by step, one would finally see the front of the âHeavenly Punishment Great Palaceâ, an extremely wide, majestic square. Atop the square, there was a gigantic square stage. It was nine zhang long, nine zhang wide, and nine zhang tall. It was clearly not made of jade, and its color made it seem as if it were made of some ordinary rock. Amidst its simplicity, it emanated an extremely ancient qi. No one knew just what rock this stage was made from.
This place was the executor of traitors and the beheader of devils. It was where true disciples fought on the precipice between life and death, the administrator of punishments, the âHeavenly Punishment Stageâ.
Bloodstained steps! Countless weapons!
A towering hall! A vast square!
An ancient stone stage!
All together, it created a powerful picture of the execution ground of Immortals.
Jin s.h.i.+ Tai froze, his eyes looking into the distance. However, what shocked him wasnât the âHeavenly Punishment Stageâ, but rather the person who stood atop it, none other than his target, Fang Qing Xue of the âPurple Lightning Peakâ! Furthermore, another cultivator in green clothes with curved eyebrows like the moon was on it with her.
âTian Dou senior brother !â
The cultivator in green clothes was none other than the person who rescued  Mo senior sister and Yuan Jian Kong and their group of people, the owner of the âSky Rooster Yang Ropeâ, Hua Tian Dou.
ââHeavenly Punishment Elderâ, within the group of disciples that I rescued, an outer court disciple called Liu Kang died while the remainder of them were able to expel the âSix Wishes Yin Mineâ poison qi from their bodies. However, all of their flying swords disappeared. Yuan Jian Kongâs âSilver Snake Swordâ is also gone. Even, even my âSky Rooster Yang Ropeâ has mysteriously disappeared without a trace and has seemingly been destroyed. This is no small matter. I have come to report to you, first off to determine the punishment that should be given to these disciples who have lost their flying swords and baoâqi, and secondly to request for a thorough investigation of the matter to find out whose hands these flying swords and baoâqi landed in.
Hua Tian Dou paid no regard to Jin s.h.i.+ Tai, and faced the âHeavenly Punishment Great Palaceâ, slowly recounting his findings. He rhythmically enunciated each word.
From within the depths of the âHeavenly Punishment Great Palaceâ emanated out a lazy voice, âThey lost their flying swords? Even the Yang Rope was lost? This group of disciples is so disappointing! The matter of investigating will be given to you, you must find the schoolâs magic treasures and flying swords. Although the school has quite a large base, it still cannot suffer such a loss! Let that group of disciples be punished by having them sent to the âImmortal Prisonâ for three months. At the same time, suspend their rations of pellets for eternity. Let them eat the low quality food of the âFive Qi Immortal Potâ. If they can even lose their own flying swords, then there is no hope of them reaching the âDivine Realmâ.â
âAs you say, this disciple understands. This disciple will thoroughly investigate this matter,â Hua Tian Dou nodded, âHowever, Yuan Jian Kong is ranked tenth on the Shanâhe Rankings, a distinguished disciple with one of the highest hopes of breaking through into the âDivine Realmâ. Isnât an unanimous decision across the twelve elders necessary to stop providing him with pellets.â
âHmph! If they break the rules, then they must be punished. Otherwise, why would there be school rules? Stop your pleading. Leave! Your work is always reliable, and you are the first true disciple of the Yuâhua School. Thus, I empower you with the power to thoroughly investigate this event. Naturally, the power of deciding who lives and dies also goes to you. This is the âHeavenly Punishment Sealâ! With this seal, you can request that any true disciple, as well as any elder, help you carry out an action. The Yang Rope was refined with a great deal of effort, and must definitely not fall into the wrong hands. We must also find it to prevent other Immortal schools from saying that we lost a baoâqi. Otherwise, we will have nothing to say.â
The lazy voice gradually became faster. While they spoke, something shout out from within the âHeavenly Punishment Great Palaceâ like an arrow, landing within Hua Tian Douâs hand.
âAlso, recently I heard that some outer court disciples are becoming more and more restless, you need to control their morale. I hope that the âHeavenly Punishment Stageâ doesnât become a daily killing ground in the near future.â
Hua Tian Dou caught the seal in one go, his face showing a sliver of happiness. Afterwards, he turned around and saw Jin Tai s.h.i.+ and Jin Ri Lie. He shook his head, not saying a single word, and instead faced Fang Qing Xue, âI believe that under Fang junior sisterâs command, there is a person called Fang Han. Rumor has it that upon his body, he holds an extremely precious Devil Sect treasure, one which was bestowed upon him by Fang junior sister. Furthermore, it is said that he had a conflict with an inner court disciple, and stole the other partyâs âSpirit Wind Swordâ. Moreover, he was very closely involved with those disciples who met with disaster. Since the âHeavenly Punishment Elderâ has given me the great responsibility of investigating and executing, I shall comb a little through Fang junior sisterâs people. I am clarifying this with Fang junior sister right now to avoid any conflict over this in the future.
While Hua Tian Dou spoke, he was already calculating deep within his mind.
He pondered over the problem, carefully considering every small detail. He looked at the big picture, and spoke with grace. He surprisingly emanated a sliver of the same aura as the school headmaster.
âHmph!â Fang Qing Xueâs eyes turned towards Jin s.h.i.+ Tai and Jin s.h.i.+ Ri, ignoring Hua Tian Douâs words. She coldly retorted, âThe rumor is correct. The Devil treasure upon Fang Hanâs body was indeed bestowed upon him by me, it is called the âSeven Evil Spirits Gourdâ. It is something I wrestled over from âSky Wolf Little Masterâ w.a.n.g Mo Lin. Since Fang Han is a person from my Fang Clan, I greatly appreciate him. Furthermore, who cares about one flying sword? The Devil General offered him seven flying swords and he refused to accept them. Hua senior brother, if you must investigate then investigate. However, if there is some unprecedented death, I will never let it go. Even if I have to go to the headmaster, I will seek justice.â
âThen itâs good! I am someone who does things fairly. Otherwise, the âHeavenly Punishment Elderâ wouldnât pa.s.s this âHeavenly Punishment Sealâ to me. Fang junior sister, please look after yourself.â The sound of Hua Tian Douâs voice became intrigued, and he turned around, descending step by step down the stairs, seeming floating away with great demeanor.
ââHeavenly Punishment Elderâ, you must make a decision for my case.â Seeing that Hua Tian Dou had left, Jin s.h.i.+ Tai suddenly dropped down, prostrating himself on the ground and staring at Fang Qing Xue with poisonous eyes.
âI already know of your incident and severed arm. Fang Qing Xue has already discussed it with me, that s.h.i.+ Long Zi insisted on fighting with Ying Tian Qing when his skill wasnât good enough. Since that puny Devil General severed your and s.h.i.+ Long Ziâs arms, sooner or later I will go sever his. Otherwise, people will begin to believe that my Yuâhua School is afraid of his Xianâtian Devil Sect. This matter has no relation with Fang Qing Xue. Moreover, while in the âUnderground Abyssâ, Fang Qing Xue fought the âDemon G.o.dâs manifestation at the âDemon G.o.dâs Altarâ and underwent a great amount of tempering, allowing her to breath through once again. This is a great contribution to my Yuâhua School. Furthermore, it brings great honor to the school. I have already transmitted this news to the headmaster, and have decided to let her enter the âSmall Immortal Worldâ to cultivate and breakthrough the âHeavenly Personâ level. Then, my Yuâhua School will have yet another fifth stage âDivine Realmâ pract.i.tioner. âHeavenly Personâ level cultivators are able to refine lingâqi level magic treasures.
The âHeavenly Punishment Elderâ paid no attention to Jin s.h.i.+ Taiâs cry.
âWhat! She is already about to breakthrough into the âHeavenly Personâ stage?â Jin s.h.i.+ Tai stared blankly ahead, his face showing a look of disbelief. Meanwhile, Jin Ri Lieâs eyebrows creased up.
The fifth stage of the âDivine Realmâ, the âHeavenly Personâ stage, was incomparably important. At this stage, one became able to create large arrays using their Divine Will; one would be able to communicate with the heavens. Infinite power, but more importantly the ability to begin refining various kinds of high level lingâqi, and perhaps even baoâqi. Furthermore, oneâs life span would greatly increase, up to eight hundred years old.
The âDivine Realmâ had ten stages, the first one being the âManaâ stage.
The second stage was the âPrimal Qiâ stage.
The third stage was the âBasic Universeâ stage, also known as the âUniversal Qiâ stage.
The fourth stage was the âYin Yangâ stage.
The fifth stage was the âHeavenly Personâ stage.
The sixth stage was the âBecome Oneâ stage. At this stage, one would become able to train in numerous Divines as one no longer needed to be afraid of the various types of mana conflicting with each other. Thus it was considered the stage where thousands of mana became one.
The seventh stage was the âDivine Seedâ stage. One would become able to condense various Divines to form golden pellet seeds.
The eighth stage was known as âFire and Wind Eighty Catastrophesâ.
The ninth stage was known as âHeaven and Earth Metamorphosisâ.
The tenth stage was known as âRebelling Against Heaven, Changing Fateâ.
The ten stages of the âDivine Realmâ. Each stage was harder to cultivate than the previous one. Every breakthrough required one to experience countless calamities, as well as have the luck, wisdom, and perseverance.
Even amongst the true disciples, the number that could cultivate to the fifth stage, âHeavenly Personâ, were very few. Upon arriving at the âHeavenly Personâ stage, one became able to make huge contributions to the school, strengthening the schoolâs power. Thus, they were extremely important to the school.
âHmph! âHeavenly Punishment Elderâ! Son, you need to consider everything when you do things. That girl and the son of the âDevil Emperorâ are consorts. If you let her enter my Yuâhua Schoolâs holy cultivation grounds, the âSmall Immortal Worldâ and something happens, how will you take responsibility?â suddenly shouted Jin Ri Lie.
âIt is unnecessary for you to try and find fault with certain matters, Jin Ri Lie. Your child is useless. You will have to suffer extreme hards.h.i.+ps in order to obtain a âYin Yang Longevity Pelletâ for him to consume. His cultivation is slow and doesnât progress. Did you think that I would let him obstruct the way of a true disciple with limitless potential?â
The sound of the âHeavenly Punishment Elderâs voice became lazy again, speaking extremely discourteously. The deepness of his cultivation was immeasurable. They were the most frightening elder amongst the âYuâhua Schoolâ elders.
âHmph! This matter, I will personally report it to the school head. I shall thoroughly express my pain and have the headmaster make a decision. I am too lazy to stay here and fight with you,'said Jin Ri Lie as he pulled up Jin s.h.i.+ Tai.
âGo ahead.â
The âHeavenly Punishment Elderâ let them leave, lazily retorting with those two words as they watched Jin Ri Lie leave.
âQing Xue, from today on, you can go to the âSmall Immortal Worldâ. You do not need to think about anything, just focus on breaking through to the next stage.â
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Amid the âCrouching Immortal Courtyardâ, three days pa.s.sed. This morning, Fang Han awoke from his dreams. He stretched a bit, his entire body cracking and letting off hideous sounds.
His fascia relaxed, his bones cracking, and his skin and muscles tearing. His entire body showed signs of great vitality and vigor.
As he stood up, his body was a full half a head taller than before!
Over the course of three days, he had grown so much.
Casually grabbing out with his hand towards his hard wooden bed, a piece of it broke off like tofu. Afterwards, he grabbed a porcelain tea cup. Gently pinching it, the cup immediately broke. Just from him slightly pinching it, it became powder and fell to the ground.
Such great strength! I feel like I have at least the power of eight or nine horses now! Letâs go to the âHeavenly Devil Arenaâ and see how powerful they are.