Transform into ancestral tablets and create a supreme immortal clan.

The head of Kaiyang Peak, Xuan Dan Zhenren, a relative by marriage to the Gu family, also spoke up: "I agree with Junior Brother Liu's words. When young disciples make mistakes, the focus should be on guidance rather than severe punishment."

To strip them of their cultivation is tantamount to severing their path to enlightenment; the punishment is indeed too severe.

In a short time, nearly 30% of the Golden Core cultivators expressed their support for a lenient sentence.

Shen Mingzi's face turned ashen, and he was about to retort when Ni Xingzhou, who had been silent all along, suddenly stepped forward.

"Disciple Nixingzhou has something to say."

All eyes were focused on the young head of the Punishment Hall.

Ni Xingzhou bowed to the sect leader and the other chief disciples, then turned to face them, his voice clear and resonant: "I understand what you elders and chief disciples have said."

Gu Zongyi certainly made contributions, and the Gu family also made great contributions to the sect.

But I would like to ask you all a question—”

He paused, then said, word by word, "If today, because of the Gu family's influence, the matter of harming fellow disciples and getting involved in the demonic path can be dealt with leniently."

If any of my disciples commit similar crimes in the future, will they be able to rely on the family's power to escape severe punishment?

The main hall was completely silent.

Ni Xingzhou continued, "The first rule of the sect is: those who harm fellow disciples will have their cultivation abolished and be expelled from the sect."

Article 17: Anyone who cultivates demonic arts or is associated with demonic practices shall, depending on the severity of the offense, have their cultivation abolished or be subject to the most severe punishment.

These two principles have never been changed since the sect's founding.

"The evidence in the case of Gu Zongyi is conclusive."

The evidence includes testimonies from Nan Shanyu, Shen Muyi, and several other officials from the Punishment Hall, as well as physical evidence such as the Demonic Bone Banner.

Further investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department revealed that it was linked to several mysterious deaths of its disciples over the past decade.

If such a serious crime can still be mitigated, where is the authority of the law? And what about the rules and regulations of the sect?

Gu Yunsong said in a deep voice: "Master Ni, there is human compassion even outside of the law."

The continuation of a sect relies not only on strict laws and punishments, but also on inclusive education and guidance.

"How can tolerant education be applied to the demonic path?" Ni Xingzhou said firmly.

"Demonic cultivation techniques harm others for personal gain, using the essence, blood, and souls of living beings as sacrifices."

If we tolerate one Gu Zongyi today, ten or even a hundred disciples may follow suit tomorrow.

"Will Seven Star Mountain still be a righteous immortal sect at that time?"

He turned to Sect Master Lingyun Zhenren and knelt on one knee: "Disciple Ni Xingzhou, in the name of the Hall of Punishments, humbly requests Sect Master to severely punish Gu Zongyi according to the law, to uphold the sect rules and serve as a warning to others!"

Shen Mingzi also stood up: "Tianquan Peak seconds this!"

Following this, Qingxu Zhenren, the head of Tianxuan Peak, Xiao Zhongmiao, the head of Yaoguang Peak, and others successively expressed their support.

The hall was immediately divided into two factions, who argued endlessly.

Just then, Sect Master Lingyun Zhenren, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.

With just a glance, all sound in the hall vanished instantly.

"The case of Gu Zongyi..." Lingyun Zhenren's voice was ethereal, yet clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Now that the court has thoroughly investigated and verified the matter, it will proceed in accordance with the law."

Gu Yunsong's expression changed drastically: "Sect Master!"

"However..." Master Lingyun changed the subject.

"Considering his many years of contributions to the Gu family and Gu Zongyi's past merits, he can be spared the death penalty."

His cultivation was stripped, he was expelled from the sect, but spared all other punishments.

This is already a compromise.

This both upheld the authority of the law and saved face for the Gu family.

Gu Yunsong's lips moved, but in the end he could only bow and say, "Thank you for your mercy, Sect Master."

Master Lingyun swept his gaze over everyone: "This matter ends here."

No further disputes should arise within the sect over this matter.

Anyone who engages in private retaliation or colludes to exert pressure will be severely punished.

"We will obey the sect leader's decree!" everyone replied in unison.

……

The council meeting ended, and the results quickly spread throughout Qixing Mountain.

The news that Gu Zongyi's cultivation had been stripped and he had been expelled from the sect made many disciples applaud, but also sent chills down the spines of some.

Even a Golden Core clan like the Gu family couldn't fully protect its members, which shows just how strict the sect's laws are.

However, beneath the calm surface, the undercurrents are even more turbulent.

When Gu Zongyi was led out of the dungeon, his face was ashen.

When he learned that his cultivation had been destroyed and he would be expelled from his sect, the last glimmer of light in his eyes was completely extinguished.

Gu Mingxuan, one of the escorting disciples, took advantage of the handover to whisper, "Brother Zongyi, the patriarch asked me to tell you: endure this humiliation for now."

Although one's cultivation has been destroyed, there will be a day when it can be restored.

The family has its own plans and will surely avenge this wrong.

Gu Zongyi's numb eyes flickered slightly, but he remained silent.

Meanwhile, behind Tianquan Peak lies the ancient Hanjiang Cave.

"Bang!"

A tea table made of millennia-old cold jade was smashed to pieces with a single slap.

Gu Hanjiang's beard and hair stood on end, his eyes blazing with fury: "A boat going against the current! What a boat going against the current! How dare they do this!"

Below, Gu Hanshan, Gu Lingfeng, and the others stood with their heads bowed, not daring to speak.

"Father, please calm down," a gentle voice rang out.

The one who spoke was Gu Zongming, the eldest son of Gu Hanjiang and a true disciple of Tianxuan Peak.

He was about forty years old, with a handsome face, and had already reached the early stage of Foundation Establishment cultivation. He was quite famous within the sect.

"The matter concerning Brother Zongyi is a done deal. The urgent task now is to deal with the subsequent impact."

Gu Hanjiang took a few deep breaths, barely suppressing his anger: "Speak."

Gu Zongming slowly said, "First, we must be wary of Nan Shanyu. He has risen too quickly and has also forged a deadly feud with my Gu family. If we allow him to grow, he may become a major threat."

"Secondly, the authority of the Punishment Hall has greatly increased after this incident. The position of the Reverse Boat is now more secure. If we want to shake it, we need to plan carefully."

"Third, the family's reputation within the sect has been damaged, and we need to find a way to restore it."

"I suggest that we increase resources to cultivate more members of the clan, and at the same time be more proactive in sect missions and contributions to rebuild our image."

Gu Hanjiang was silent for a moment, then nodded: "That makes sense. Zongming, you'll be in charge of arranging these matters."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes: "As for Nanshan Yu... find an opportunity to test his background."

If he's truly an ordinary genius, that's fine, but if he has a different background...

Before he could finish speaking, the murderous intent in his words caused the temperature in the cave to plummet.

As the de facto head of the Gu family within Seven Star Mountain, and with Gu Yunsong, the Golden Core Ancestor, focused on cultivation year after year, decisions were always made solely by his word.

In the stillness of the night, Nanshan Yu sat cross-legged in his cave, an ancient jade slip floating in front of him.

The jade slip shimmered with light, revealing lines of text: "The Gu family will not let this go easily. Even though you are in a sect, with the Gu family's resources, they may still be able to pull some tricks. Be careful."

The jade slip arrived suddenly; it's unknown who secretly sent the message.

Nanshan tapped her jade finger lightly and replied, "Thank you for the reminder. I will be careful and not give the Gu family a chance to make a move."

A moment later, the jade slip lit up again: "You seem to be paying special attention to the Gu family?"

A deep light flashed in Nanshan Yu's eyes as he slowly wrote: "I just wonder why a direct descendant of a Golden Core family would get involved in the demonic path."

Was it his doing alone, or... is the entire Gu family corrupt?

This time, the reply came a little slower: "Don't worry about things that aren't your concern."

Nanshan Yu's eyes flickered slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

Clearly, there are insightful people within Seven Star Mountain.

The Gu family's future is not going to be easy!

After ending the message, Nanshan Yu put away the jade slip and walked to the window.

The night sky was filled with twinkling stars, and the seven peaks of Seven Star Mountain, under the moonlight, resembled seven sharp swords pointing straight to the sky.

"The Gu family..." he murmured to himself, a cold glint in his eyes.