The surrounding disciples were silent, their eyes wide with shock.
Most of them had expected Wan Lei to win, but none had anticipated such a swift and decisive victory. The fierce battle they had envisioned, the dazzling array of techniques, all vanished in an instant under the crushing power of a single punch.
Then, thunderous cheers erupted from outside the arena.
"Did I see that right? Five seconds! He knocked Yao An out in five seconds!"
"Not five seconds, he critically injured Yao An with one punch. Maybe he thought Yao An wasn't out yet and continued fighting, unaware that a severe injury meant victory."
"He didn't just injure Yao An, he shattered the Yao Guang Shield first, then continued to injure Yao An."
"What kind of divine being is he? How could that punch have such power? That Yao Guang Shield is a well-known defensive artifact, and Yao An's physical body is even tougher!"
"Invincible! This man has the aura of invincibility!"
"He's one of ours, from the Thunder Hall!"
If the formation hadn't been in place, these people would have swarmed forward, surrounded Wan Lei, and perhaps even tossed him into the sky in celebration. After all, the disciples of the Thunder Hall already considered Wan Lei their fellow disciple.
At this moment, an elder in the Golden Immortal realm flew out from the Five Elements Hall. With a wave of his hand, he dispelled the formation and approached Wan Lei. In his hand, he held a tablet displaying Wan Lei's information.
"Ascended cultivator Wan Lei. First trial: one minute and thirty seconds, perfect score. Second trial: twenty-nine minutes, perfect score. Third trial: five seconds, perfect score. With outstanding results, a perfect score across the board, and a record-breaking time, he has proven his excellence. I declare that from this moment on, Wan Lei is a member of our Five Elements Hall! Everyone should love and help each other, and collectively assist our newly admitted disciple..."
"Wan Lei is awesome!"
"When are you going to challenge the Creation Pagoda? Let us see your strength!"
"Fellow Daoist, are you a sword cultivator? Come to our Sword Hall!"
"He's from our Thunder Hall, the Thunder Hall!"
The elder was interrupted before he could finish by the thunderous roar of the disciples below. He wasn't angered, instead, he smiled at the crowd. It was precisely because of these vibrant young people, who continuously injected fresh blood into the Five Elements Hall, that the hall had remained so strong.
Suddenly, a group of figures flew into the sky. Amidst the cheers, their voices carried a discordant note.
"Elder, this disciple has something to say! We absolutely cannot allow this scoundrel to become a member of the Five Elements Hall. We are ashamed to be associated with him!"
Upon hearing this, the entire place fell silent. The disciples turned their heads to look at the group. Their interest piqued. So many revelations today! What were these disciples of the Fire Hall, clad in fiery red robes, up to? Regardless, this was big news!
"Nonsense, withdraw! The assessment is complete. On what grounds do you say he is unworthy of joining the Five Elements Hall?"
The elder glared, but the disciples of the Fire Hall ignored his authority and flew forward.
"Elder, this disciple's words are not unfounded. This person is the murderer of dozens of our Fire Hall disciples, a villain of the utmost evil. Such a scoundrel should be executed by all, how can the murderer of our fellow disciples be in the same sect as us! Our Five Elements Hall... harboring disciples who kill their own brethren!"
At these words, the elder looked puzzled and turned to Wan Lei. Wan Lei's mind raced, contemplating a response. After a moment's thought, he mused, "I haven't broken any laws, why should I think of a response?"
"If the elder does not believe us, this disciple can confront him directly."
The young disciple looked at Wan Lei.
"Wan Lei, I ask you, did you kill Fire Hall disciples such as Suo Shisan and Mad Dog in the Molten Death Domain? Four days ago, did you kill Chai Yan, Ling Yin, and forty-five other fellow disciples, and then summon over a thousand beasts, causing the deaths of thirty-eight disciples! Currently, out of the hundred disciples sent to the Molten Death Domain, only just over twenty are still alive. When has our Five Elements Hall ever suffered such heavy casualties during a mission? Wan Lei! Do you dare to deny it?!"
The assembled disciples looked at Wan Lei in surprise. They hadn't expected Wan Lei to have such a complex history with the Five Elements Hall. At the same time, their gazes shifted, becoming somewhat hostile towards Wan Lei.
Wan Lei lightly floated up, meeting the disciple's gaze. Then, he smiled faintly.
"I don't deny it. I did it."
"What?"
A wave of uproar swept through the disciples.
"Hmph, it's good that you admit it. Elder, I request that this scoundrel be imprisoned, tried, and executed as a warning to others!"
The elder showed a troubled expression. Wan Lei chuckled softly.
"Then I must ask this senior brother, on what crime am I, Wan Lei, to be imprisoned?"
"You murdered dozens of disciples of the Five Elements Hall!"
"Where did I kill them?"
"Don't you know yourself? You're asking the obvious, in the Molten Death Domain!"
"What is the Molten Death Domain?"
"Ah?"
The disciple was stunned, unsure what Wan Lei meant.
"Don't try to twist the facts..."
Wan Lei's voice suddenly became louder.
"When King Fire Phoenix led the team to the Molten Death Domain, he personally set the rules: the Molten Death Domain is an lawless land. Anything done within its borders is legal, and the Five Elements Hall will not pursue any wrongdoing! So, how has killing become a crime now? I had no intention of provoking the disciples of the Five Elements Hall, but Suo Shisan was too overbearing. He snatched my treasure on the street. I merely wanted to retrieve my own property, but he refused, so I had to act. He was inferior in skill, who is to blame for his death? King Fire Phoenix even declared the entire Molten Death Domain open for me to unlock Suo Shisan's technological treasures, and even encouraged rogue cultivators to battle the disciples of the Five Elements Hall. I had no intention of entanglement, but Chai Yan put a bounty on my head and clues in the Spirit Web. If I didn't act, would I just extend my neck and wait to die? Ninety-eight disciples of the Five Elements Hall surrounded and attacked seven of us, and we反杀(counter-killed) dozens of them. Yet, you are here to hold me accountable? Where is your shame?! If we're truly to speak of it, we were the weaker party. The ones bullying were your disciples of the Five Elements Hall! What, does the Five Elements Hall's rule that killing is not a crime only apply when disciples of the Five Elements Hall kill rogue cultivators, but it becomes a crime when rogue cultivators kill disciples of the Five Elements Hall? If we knew that killing people there would result in being arrested and punished by the Five Elements Hall later, then shouldn't we rogue cultivators have simply knelt down and offered our necks when the disciples of the Five Elements Hall were about to kill us? In any case, we would either die there or be killed after we came out. But! Are the lives of rogue cultivators not lives? Or are your Five Elements Hall disciples simply sore losers! I refuse to believe that the Five Elements Hall, as the supreme leader of the boundless universe, cultivates disciples like you all – those who rejoice in victory and quibble in defeat. If that is truly the case, then I am ashamed to be associated with you!"