"Unbelievable! How arrogant he is! How dare he claim that he did not commit a crime? Everyone saw
him kill Phil! Innocent, my ass!" the disciples from the Refinement Faction, the Casting Faction, and a
few of Boris's men began to curse in outrage.
"Oh? Then, please tell me why you claim to be innocent!" Boris, the Dominant Top Elder of the Snow
Sect, asked calmly, as he squinted his eyes. In this situation, he had to seem open to Ricky's defense.
Otherwise, people would consider him to be narrow-minded and suspect his biases.
Just like Zenith, Boris was handsome and had a majestic demeanor, casting a striking impression on all
the disciples present. He was more demanding an explanation than merely asking Ricky's side.
Moreover, he had now reached a higher level through cultivation. His aura was more overwhelming
now.
"Dominant Top Elder Boris, Phil insulted my master. She is more than a master to me. She teaches me,
helps me and cares for me. She is like my family! Phil said really disgusting words to me, in an obvious
intent to degrade my master. He deserved to die!" Ricky said frankly.
"May I ask you this question, Dominant Top Elder Boris? If your dearest ones are insulted, what would
you do? Would you stand and do nothing because of the so-called rule?" Ricky asked further.
"Shut your mouth! How dare you talk to the Dominant Top Elder like this!?" Elder Logan, the founder of
the Casting Faction, berated Ricky. Glaring at Ricky, he pointed a finger at him as if he would kill him
the next second.
"Elder Logan, compose yourself. You are not supposed to speak like that when I'm still here!" Zenith
scolded Logan coldly. He gathered his power of innate spirit, intending to give Logan a slap on the wrist
as a warning.
However, before his power could reach Logan, Boris stopped him. Then he turned to Zenith and said,
"Chief Zenith, don't get angry, please. We are just discussing how to deal with the boy. Elder Logan
was just trying to be fair and just."
'Being fair and just? Sure, that's what he was doing! From what I saw, he was sucking up to you!' Ricky
thought silently, attempting to conceal his look of disdain.
However, no one would try to question and challenge Boris. He was now an innate spirit with extremely
powerful strength. Anyone who tried to cross him would probably end up regretting it.
Even though he was being unreasonable, people would have to remain silent and accept his decree,
unless Zenith directly admonished him.
"Ricky, right? What you just said did make some sense. I agree with you and I understand your
emotion. But rules are rules. You are not allowed to break any rule no matter how valid your reason is.
Anyone who violates the rules must bear the consequences of their actions!"
Boris said. "So, as the Dominant Top Elder, I hereby pronounce you guilty and sentence you to death. I
hope you don't mind!"
'Hope I don't mind? Is he joking? Hell no! I do mind very much and what's more, I want to kill this
pompous prick!' cursed Ricky in silent rage at Boris's condescending words. But cursing to himself was
natural. In fact, he had already anticipated that Boris wanted him to die, and that he would grasp this
perfect chance.
"Whoop!" The men from the Casting and Refinement loudly cheered, happy with Boris's decision.
"Master Grace, what should we do? They will kill him!" Heather asked anxiously. All over her face,
worry was written.
"There's nothing we can do now. It all depends on Chief Zenith!" Grace said, clinging on to hope. She
expected that Zenith would have a different opinion.
Besides, she could never go and fight against Boris. She was no match for him, and it would be grossly
inappropriate in this strictly hierarchical sect.
"Chief Zenith, what's your opinion?" Boris asked, a vicious smile lurking under the pretense of his
serious expression.
"Well, here is my opinion. Why did Ricky kill a disciple? I'm sure by now, you all know the reason. I
have to admit that Phil deserved to die. He showed blatant disrespect for Ricky's master. From what I
deduce, Ricky has a valid reason for his act. So I've decided to remit his death. However, I insist that
he will still face punishment for his deed!" Zenith declared, after he had been deep in thought for
several moments.
Hearing this statement, Ricky, Heather, Grace, and some other Ricky's friends sighed in relief to
themselves. As long as Chief Zenith decided to save Ricky, he would survive this time. Anyway, as the
chief of the Snow Sect, Zenith still had the overarching power and most of the time, he had the final say
in many respects.
"Ahh. It seems that Chief Zenith thinks highly of Ricky!" Many disciples began to murmur.
Despite their heated discussion on Ricky's case, they actually did not care much about the outcome. To
them, it was none of their business after all. They had just gathered here in pursuit of watching the trial
as pleasure-seekers.
"Chief Zenith, with all due respect, I'm afraid this decision is not a proper one! He killed a fellow disciple
of the Snow Sect! It's forbidden for the disciples to kill each other according to the rule of the Snow
Sect, isn't it? But why would we grant him an exemption?" Boris protested. He was obviously unhappy
to hear Zenith's decision. Deep inside his heart, he grew even more resentful of Zenith.
"Boris, are you questioning me, the chief of the Snow Sect?" Zenith replied suggestively. Clearly, he
was not pleased with Boris' interjection.
"Oh, of course no! I would never do such a thing!
But, Chief Zenith, according to our Sect's tradition, this situation needs the approval from the nine
elders, whether the exemption is granted or not!" Boris insisted, unwilling to yield to Zenith's final
decision.
There was no way he would let the chance of killing Ricky go so easily.
He then turned to the nine elders and said, "So, Elders, it's your turn to make a decision. What do you
think of Ricky's act and what measures do you think should be carried out?"
He locked his eyes on Elder Evan first. "Elder Evan, let's begin with you!"
Boris took a meaningful glance at the rest of the eight elders. He was obviously indicating that it was
time for them to choose between supporting him or Zenith.
Zenith also turned to and nodded at them, signaling them to proclaim their opinions. He knew Boris
was up to something.
"I agree with Chief Zenith! Ricky keeps his life, and will face punishment!" Elder Evan said as he stood
up.
Then the elders cast their votes one by one. Ricky stood in the square, also trying to appeal to them
with his eyes.
Elder Logan, as expected, took Boris's side and insisted on Ricky's death. Elder Ronald and Elder
Harris also sided with Boris' opinion, but all the other six elders voted according to Zenith's
discernment.
That was three versus six. Zenith won. Boris's face turned dark, quite displeased with the result. It was
highly likely that Ricky would escape death this time.
"It looks like that Chief Zenith enjoys immense popular support among the Sect for now," some
disciples muttered to themselves.
"Good! It seems that I'm going to live to see another day," Ricky sighed in relief. Seeing that most of the
elders chose to support Zenith, he was certain that he would be safe.
Everyone in the square was excitedly whispering about this result.
"Elder Boris, you've already seen the result of the vote. Are you still insisting on your proposal?" Zenith
turned to Boris and asked.
"Chief Zenith, with such result, of course I'm not going to insist on Ricky's death penalty! As per your
suggestion, I already have some ideas about how to punish him. As for whether he will get through it, it
all depends on him!" Boris said with a condescending smirk. Insisting on Ricky's death would only
worsen the already tense situation. He had a new plan now.
Everyone would tell from Boris's eyes that he was very displeased. This result not only indicated that
Ricky would live, but in the grander scheme of things, it also meant that Boris was still not as influential
as Zenith in the Snow Sect. Zenith remained the most powerful man.
"Oh? Depends on him? What do you mean by that, Boris?" asked Zenith.
"Oh, don't worry, Chief Zenith. I just want to test how strong he is. I'm just curious why you and most of
the other elders want to keep him alive! Is he really that capable that you all value him so much?" Boris
said, the glint of a sneer hidden in his eyes.
"So, Boris, how are you going to test him? He is..." Zenith had no idea about what was going through
Boris' head. So he tried to dig for more information. At least this way, Ricky would stand a chance. He
even prepared an excuse to postpone it. That way, Ricky would have more time to prepare.
However, before Zenith could finish his words, Ricky interrupted, "Dominant Top Elder Boris, I'd like to
take the test you suggested. I will prove that I am stronger than Phil, much stronger!"
Zenith and other elders had helped him a lot so far. Ricky was grateful very much. Yet he was also
concerned that if Chief Zenith continued to defend him, many disciples would be unhappy and think to
themselves that Chief Zenith was biased. That was the last thing he wanted to happen. It would harm
Chief Zenith's reputation.
That was why he interrupted and abruptly accepted the challenge.
He was confident that he would be able to handle no matter what they threw at him. He was given
another chance, after all!
"Ricky! What are you doing? Stop talking nonsense!" Immediately, Ricky heard Zenith's angry voice in
his head. The sect chief had sent his message in secret with his internal strength. Ricky did not reply.
He just gazed confidently at the chief, hoping to reassure him.
"Good! That's perfect! Much stronger than Phil? That's quite confident of you! Show me how capable
you are and what you can do!" Boris said immediately, leaving no chance for Zenith to protest. Ricky's
prompt confidence irritated Boris. He had never seen such an arrogant disciple before! How dared he
make those big claims!
"Elder Logan!" Boris shouted, summoning his ally. He whispered some words to him.
Afterwards, Elder Logan left and headed for the snowy mountains.
All the disciples were confused at Boris's act and wondered just how he meant to test Ricky's strength.
...
About half an hour later, Elder Logan returned, three ferocious beasts in tow.
He had brought a Black-scaled Bull, a Demonic Ape, and a Yellow-winged Eagle. The bull mooed
loudly as its scales gleamed sharply. The ape showed its sharp, yellow teeth while waving his long
arms in the air. The eagle flapped its wings as it screeched in a high pitch. All of them looked quite
fierce, and intimidated most of the disciples present.
"Oh, my god! All of those beasts are as at least powerful as a warrior at the sixth grade of Blood
Purification! Goodness! Is Dominant Top Elder Boris going to test Ricky with them?" The throng once
again broke out in chaotic chatter, both excited and a little scared.
"Ricky can't defeat them! Dominant Top Elder Boris is clearly trying to kill him!"
"And look! There are three beasts! Three! How could he beat all of them? That's impossible!"
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