Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

To know...

In the past, the Buddha and Master Nantian both broke through to the Sacred Venerate Realm during the Ancient Times.

I, Fang Ru, have only reached this level in a few decades.

How could he compare with those figures?

Of course.

At this moment, Xiao Yi didn't have much thought to ponder over Fang Ru's cultivation. His eyebrows furrowed deeply as he stared at Fang Ru, speaking solemnly: "Greetings, Sacred Master!"

"Hmm!"

Fang Ru nodded lightly, his expression calm as he looked at Xiao Yi.

On his extraordinary, handsome face, no joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness could be discerned, nor could anyone guess what secrets he kept hidden.

Fang Ru's gaze swept methodically across everyone present.

Looking at the experts on the Sacred Mountain.

Looking at the experts from the four main cities...

Fang Ru's face remained cold and stern as his indifferent voice echoed through the Sacred Mountain: "Since Baiyu was founded, it has stood for tens of thousands of years. In all these years, not once has anyone dared cause trouble in Baiyu's Sacred Land, much less trespass onto the mountain..."

*Hiss!*

Everyone's expressions shifted drastically: "What does Fang Ru mean by this? Is he reprimanding Xiao Yi?"

"Xiao Yi was saving his daughter, yet from his tone, it sounds like he's blaming Xiao Yi instead?"

"If even the Sacred Master has such an attitude, Xiao Yi is in for trouble..."

Every gaze turned towards Xiao Yi.

In the complex array of glances lay equally convoluted emotions.

Some showed schadenfreude.

Some revealed pity.

Others anticipated Fang Ru wiping out Xiao Yi...

Chen Longxiang was one such person, his face full of smug satisfaction and unbridled confidence. He sneered and chuckled maliciously: "Xiao Yi, now do you understand fear? Hahaha! I told you long ago, this is Baiyu, not your remote Southern State."

While reveling in his moment of triumph,

Chen Longxiang turned to Fang Ru, saying, "Fang Ru, why not strike now and eradicate this kid? I no longer wish to see his face..."

"You are the founder of Baiyu, and Fang Ru is but your descendant. Surely, anything you command will be carried out without issue!"

Fang Ru glanced at Chen Longxiang, a faint smile tugging at his lips—though no one saw the trace of icy malice flash within his eyes. His gaze turned back to Xiao Yi as he spoke in a solemn tone: "Xiao Yi, no matter who or what compelled you to act this way, trespassing onto Baiyu's mountain is an affront to our legacy of tens of thousands of years..."

"What does the Sacred Master intend?"

Xiao Yi asked.

He vaguely sensed that Fang Ru wasn't purely targeting him, so instead of resisting, he observed the situation carefully.

Fang Ru continued: "Daring to invade Baiyu's Sacred Land comes at a price. Considering your actions, the punishment shall be..."

Before the words landed.

Beside him, Chen Longxiang gritted his teeth and snarled: "Disembowel him, cook his flesh, burn his bones until they're ashes! Extract his Primordial Spirit and refine it within heaven's fire and earth's flames for millennia, until his vitality completely drains—!"

"Longxiang's suggestion is right. This brat must be executed!"

"Sacred Master, please mete out severe punishment!"

Wu Qian, Jin Malun, and several others spoke up.

Their voices rang loudly,

resonating with unyielding determination,

as if failing to follow their words would provoke divine wrath.

"Silence!"

Fang Ru gave a cold snort, silencing the scene instantly. Only then did he turn back to Xiao Yi, saying, "Since the two elders strongly believe you deserve the harshest penalty, I, as Baiyu's Sacred Master, cannot ignore this matter. However, given your reasons, I will also take it into account!"

"Sacred Master, punish Xiao Yi severely!"

"We beg the Sacred Master to avenge the fallen brothers..."

"Xiao Yi must die!"

One powerful figure after another roared fervently.

Within the crowd,

Dongfang Qinglong's gaze burned as he watched the spectacle unfold.

If Fang Ru killed Xiao Yi, he'd win the wager.

Little Lin and Jin Yi would be his mounts.

Yet...

Considering Xiao Yi's actions since arriving at Baiyu's Sacred Land, anyone with clear judgment could see that Xiao Yi and Fang Qingzhu truly loved one another and cared deeply for each other. However, Fang Ru seemed relentless in tearing them apart, even now as Xiao Yi was on the verge of eliminating Chen Longxiang.

And thus freeing Fang Qingzhu from the Seal Demon Stele.

Fang Ru abruptly intervened, stopping Xiao Yi from killing Chen Longxiang. Though he appeared impartial, it felt like he was subtly aiding Chen Longxiang's faction.

Peng Yu laughed mockingly at the tense Little Lin and Jin Yi: "Your leader's situation looks grim! Seems like the Sacred Master isn't willing to risk conflict with Baiyu's two elders for his sake. Looks like you've lost the bet!"

"Enough!"

Dongfang Qinglong scowled at Peng Yu with irritation, taking a deep breath and turning to Little Lin and Jin Yi: "You two…"

Before the sentence finished.

From the peak of the Sacred Mountain,

Came Fang Ru's cold voice: "You trespassed on Baiyu's Sacred Land—a crime of immense severity. In deference to Qingzhu, I can spare your life. Yet while death may be avoided, punishment shall not be evaded... I hereby declare: Xiao Yi shall be imprisoned and sealed within the Boundless Ice Prison, where he may regain his freedom only after ten thousand years!"

"Sacred Master is wise!"

"The Boundless Ice Prison? That's the most dreadful place in the Qingtian Realm! It's said that the Hall of Longevity once resided there, but after that Ancient Times battle, the Hall vanished, leaving the Ice Prison as the most perilous location..."

"Even Sacred Venerates who enter the Ice Prison face certain death!"

"Hahaha, we guessed correctly."

"The Sacred Master indeed fears the First Ancestor..."

Wu Qian and others revealed expressions of excitement and triumph.

Although Xiao Yi wasn't outright executed, leaving Chen Longxiang dissatisfied,

The thought of the terrifying Boundless Ice Prison,

A place even Sacred Venerates couldn't survive,

Brought a content smile to his face as he sneered: "Xiao Yi, enjoy your stay in the Boundless Ice Prison! As for your wife, I'll take good care of her, hahaha..."

"Fang Ru, are you mad?"

Xiao Yi glared furiously at Fang Ru, his eyes bloodshot and brimming with disbelief. He had been moments away from victory, only to have Fang Ru meddle.

Not only did Fang Ru prevent him from killing Chen Longxiang and rescuing Fang Qingzhu,

But also...

He assisted Chen Longxiang's party in imprisoning Xiao Yi in the Boundless Ice Prison for ten thousand years?

What was Fang Ru thinking?

"Insolent!"

Seeing Fang Ru aid him, Chen Longxiang immediately rose to his defense, glaring coldly at Xiao Yi: "Do you know whom you're addressing? This is Baiyu's Sacred Master and my father-in-law. How dare you speak to him so disrespectfully?"

"Sacred Master, this brat is irredeemable. Execute him now!"

"Yes, kill him now!"

Wu Qian and Jin Malun echoed the sentiment.

Though imprisoning Xiao Yi in the Boundless Ice Prison left him with nearly no chance of returning, they believed in cutting weeds and removing roots to ensure no future retribution.

Only then could they truly rest easy.

Fang Ru shook his head apathetically, his inscrutable expression revealing nothing as his cold voice fell like thundercracks in their ears: "I am a man of my word. Since I've declared he'll be imprisoned for ten thousand years, it shall not change. Do not waste more breath!"

At this, the group wisely refrained from speaking further.

After all.

Fang Ru had already given them significant leeway.

They knew better than to press him further.

Fang Ru looked at Xiao Yi, disregarding the fury and hatred burning in his eyes, and without moving his lips, sent a chilling voice reverberating in Xiao Yi's mind—a message that stunned Xiao Yi into disbelief as he stared at Fang Ru.

While Xiao Yi was still dazed...

Fang Ru swiftly waved his hand, and a spatial rift materialized behind Xiao Yi.

As the spatial storm engulfed him,

Xiao Yi's figure vanished into the pitch-black dimensional void, swallowed by the swirling turbulence.

Even as Xiao Yi was pulled into the spatial passage and transported to the Boundless Ice Prison—a place that terrified even Sacred Venerate Realm cultivators—his mind was still echoing with Fang Ru's cryptic words...