Accompanied by the eight-colored glow enveloping the scene, a horrifying and immensely powerful aura descended upon every corner present. That pressure, like a sovereign high above, rendered everyone unable to resist, instilling fear and dread from the deepest parts of their souls, directly suppressing their power.

The owner of the aura was ten times stronger than the average early-stage Asking realm powerhouse. Soon, a True Essence Giant Hand descended from the heavens, directly crushing Liu Huayuan and Ma Yunpeng. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Liu Huayuan’s eyes widened in immense dread, realizing he had no way to evade the True Essence Giant Hand.

However, the True Essence Giant Hand bore no hostility. As it arrived before Liu Huayuan and Ma Yunpeng, a wave of force erupted, gently pushing them apart with ease.

Subsequently, the giant hand slammed towards Ye Feng’s group, pressing down on Ye Feng. The immense pressure paralyzed Ye Feng’s body, followed by a powerful grasp from the True Essence Giant Hand.

With a "bang!" Ye Feng released Ma Jinlong, who was captured in the giant hand and rescued.

"All disciples of the Daoist School, why must things come to a life-or-death struggle?" At this moment, a profound voice echoed all around, as four Asking realm powerhouses emerged from the void, led by a middle-aged man in purple robes.

The middle-aged man in purple robes had a clear and handsome visage, with wisdom in his eyes, flowing long hair, and an aura of immortality and a domineering presence akin to a king. Everyone showed reverence upon seeing him.

"Daoist School disciples, greet the Headmaster!" Upon seeing the middle-aged man, the Daoist School disciples all knelt on one knee.

Indeed, the middle-aged man in purple robes was the leader of the Daoist School and its strongest practitioner, Daoist School Headmaster Nie Changfeng!

Beside Nie Changfeng were three elders: the Great Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder.

Ye Feng had already met the Second Elder at the Daoist School’s treasury entrance.

These individuals were currently the most powerful within the Daoist School, with Headmaster Nie Changfeng being an early Asking Daoist Lord-level powerhouse, whose real combat strength matched that of a late-stage Asking realm.

The Great Elder and Second Elder were both early Asking Daoist Sect-level powerhouses, with combat strength equivalent to a mid-stage Asking level.

As for the Third Elder, his strength was on par with Fourth Elder Ma Yunpeng...

Upon Nie Changfeng’s arrival, excitement gleamed in Ma Yunpeng and Ma Jinlong’s eyes.

Ma Yunpeng eagerly looked towards Nie Changfeng: "Honorable Headmaster, you arrived just in time. That brute Ye Feng, merely an Outer Court disciple, dared defy hierarchy, cruelly killing his fellow disciples, murdering my grandson Ma Hong, and now conspiring with Liu Huayuan to kill me and my son. Please, Headmaster, make the decision and eliminate this cancer Ye Feng!"

"Bullshit!" Upon hearing Ma Yunpeng’s words, Nie Changfeng’s brows furrowed immediately, shouting angrily, "Ma Yunpeng, do you take me for an idiot? Reversing right and wrong like this—I’m not as foolish as you think!"

As soon as the words fell, Nie Changfeng swung his arm, and a powerful True Essence descended.

The True Essence transformed into a giant hand, which directly struck Ma Yunpeng, pinning him to the ground as blood spurted wildly, severely injuring him, covering him in dirt and leaving him utterly embarrassed. Everyone was stunned by the scene’s awkwardness.

Nie Changfeng’s eyes showed fury: "I have always been the fairest! As long as one abides by the Daoist School’s rules, even an attempt to claim my position as Headmaster is beyond reproach! Without rules, there can be no order. I’ve long been aware of today’s incidents—Ma Hong, that disgrace, as an Inner Court disciple, shamelessly challenged an Outer Court disciple to a life-and-death duel.

Ultimately, unable to defeat his opponent, he was killed, and the Daoist School’s rules state: once a life-and-death battle begins, fate decides life and death. As a protector, Ma Jinlong knew but still intervened and attacked Ye Feng—Ma Hong deserved his fate!"

Upon hearing Nie Changfeng’s words, Ma Yunpeng’s face turned exceptionally grim, aware that Nie Changfeng wouldn’t side with them. They were indeed in the wrong, and had Nie Changfeng sided with Ma Yunpeng, it would chill people’s hearts. Therefore, Nie Changfeng wouldn’t show partiality towards the father and son.

Nie Changfeng then glanced at Ma Jinlong: "Ma Jinlong, as a protector, you violated the law despite knowing it. I hereby strip you of your protector position and demote you to an Outer Court disciple, barred from accessing resources for a thousand years. Do you submit?"

"This..." Ma Jinlong’s face turned extremely sour. Being a protector, losing resources was a minor issue.

As a Great Perfection Entering Dao powerhouse, he could acquire Daoist Crystals through training outside Daoist School.

However, being demoted to an Outer Court disciple was an immense humiliation and a laughingstock.

Yet, Ma Jinlong dared not utter any complaint, nodding in despair: "I submit..."

Nie Changfeng then turned to Ma Yunpeng: "Ma Yunpeng, as the Daoist School’s Fourth Elder, failing to set an example and instead aiding Ma Jinlong to bully the weak is utterly shameful. I now strip you of all elder privileges, deny resource entitlement for three hundred years, and bar entry to Outer and Inner Courts without my permission. Do you submit?"

"I submit..." Ma Yunpeng nodded helplessly, his hatred for Ye Feng reaching the extreme.

Yet Ye Feng remained relaxed and composed, his expression showing no emotion whatsoever.

Nie Changfeng’s gaze then fell upon Ye Feng: "Ye Feng, do you have any objections to my punishment?"

Ye Feng lightly nodded: "Since the Headmaster has already punished them, let it rest for today. But, if they dare trouble me in the future, I will certainly kill them both!"

"Good!" Nie Changfeng nodded in approval. Though Ye Feng was arrogant, Nie Changfeng felt he deserved to be.

Given Nie Changfeng’s attitude, Ye Feng was indeed pleased. While Ye Feng desired to kill Ma Jinlong and Ma Yunpeng, he found satisfaction in Nie Changfeng’s stance.