Chapter 2011: Ten Heavenly Thunderbolts
With the appearance of a Patrol Envoy, everyone immediately stopped fighting, not daring to continue the conflict.
"How could a Patrol Envoy show up?"
Xing Yuan's brow furrowed deeply.
To destroy Saint Bright City and Peacock Manor, they had naturally coordinated with their superiors in advance. Even if blood flowed like rivers, the Patrol Envoy should not have intervened.
Yet now, a Patrol Envoy had suddenly appeared, and precisely after Shang Zi was killed by Zhang Ruochen. It was far too coincidental.
The Kunlun Realm was vast beyond measure, and the Patrol Envoys responsible for patrolling it were naturally not just one or two. Their origins also differed. In any case, all four Dominator Worlds had Great Saints serving as Patrol Envoys of the Kunlun Realm.
The Patrol Envoy who had appeared now, barring any surprises, should be from one of the four Dominator Worlds—the Demon God Realm.
"Greetings, Patrol Envoy."
Many cultivators on the ground bowed to the silver-armored Patrol Envoy.
The silver-armored Patrol Envoy looked down from above, his grand voice carrying the rolling pressure of a Great Saint as it reached the ground: "Internal conflict is forbidden during the Merit War. You have ignored the Heavenly Palace's heavenly laws and fought here with all your might. What crime do you admit to?"
Zhang Ruochen stood straight, neither humble nor arrogant: "This conflict was instigated by the Heavenly Realm Faction. We acted in self-defense. I ask the Patrol Envoy to investigate clearly."
"Your Excellency Patrol Envoy, the matter is not as Zhang Ruochen claims. The real situation is..." Xing Yuan immediately tried to defend himself.
But before Xing Yuan could finish, the silver-armored Patrol Envoy forcefully interrupted: "No need to say more. Regardless of the reason, your internal conflict is a fact. Since you have violated the heavenly laws set by the Heavenly Palace, you must be punished."
Hearing this, Xing Yuan had no choice but to swallow the rest of his words. He did not have the courage to provoke a Patrol Envoy.
If he truly angered the Patrol Envoy and was mercilessly obliterated, there would be no place to seek justice.
"Punishment? There must be evidence. Actually... this Heavenly Maiden was never here at all." The Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden, disguised as a handsome man, laughed.
With that, the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden crushed a talisman, which turned into a streak of light and fled into the distance in an instant.
Her speed was so fast that even the Patrol Envoy could not intercept her in time.
Moreover, the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden had not revealed her true face, so naturally, she was not afraid of the Patrol Envoy tracing her identity.
"Oh? One escaped, and quite quickly at that." The silver-armored Patrol Envoy was slightly surprised.
Immediately, he unleashed an even more terrifying Great Saint pressure. Lightning and thunder filled the sky, and a dreadful aura locked onto everyone on the battlefield below.
If anyone else tried to flee, they would certainly face dire consequences.
The others also sensed that someone had escaped, but they had no idea who it was.
Zhang Ruochen, however, had a guess. A complete stranger had helped him, and at a critical moment, killed the illusion-specializing Huan Ji. Zhang Ruochen vaguely suspected that person's identity.
But Zhang Ruochen was puzzled. Why would that person take such a risk to help him? They did not seem to share such a bond.
"You have violated the heavenly laws and deserve severe punishment. Even if I directly descended divine punishment and annihilated you all, it would not be excessive."
"However, the war between the Heavenly Court Realm and the Hell Realm is now raging fiercely, and we are in need of personnel. I can spare your lives."
"But while the death penalty can be avoided, punishment cannot be waived. All who participated in the internal conflict must endure ten Heavenly Thunderbolts and are forbidden from leaving the Kunlun Realm Merit Battlefield for one year."
The silver-armored Patrol Envoy's authoritative voice rang out once more, allowing no refutation.
Hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Xing Yuan's eyes. By now, he could clearly tell that this Patrol Envoy was deliberately favoring Zhang Ruochen's side and targeting their Heavenly Realm Faction.
After all, in this battle outside Peacock Manor, although Zhang Ruochen's side was on the defensive, in terms of losses, it was the Heavenly Realm Faction that had suffered more.
Among them, Zhang Ruochen had killed five top-tier experts: Shang Zi, Feng Gu Dao, Zi Linglong, Chi, and Gu Tianyin, each with astonishing backgrounds.
Then there were Huan Ji and two other top-tier experts, who had died at the hands of the mysterious fleeing expert.
If one calculated carefully, according to the heavenly laws set by the Heavenly Palace, Zhang Ruochen would be doomed.
But now, he only had to endure ten Heavenly Thunderbolts and a one-year house arrest. What kind of punishment was that? It was clearly helping Zhang Ruochen escape responsibility.
Combined with the fact that this Patrol Envoy had only appeared after Shang Zi's death, Xing Yuan had reason to suspect that he had been observing from beyond the heavens all along, waiting for Zhang Ruochen to kill Shang Zi.
The relationships among the four Dominator Worlds had never been harmonious; they were always in a state of competition.
This time, their Heavenly Realm Faction had clearly been schemed against by the Demon God Realm Faction.
"It was clearly them..."
Bao Lie was somewhat unconvinced and wanted to argue with the Patrol Envoy.
In his view, this matter was entirely instigated by the Heavenly Realm Faction. They were the victims, so only the Heavenly Realm Faction should be punished.
Zhang Ruochen's figure flickered as he appeared beside Bao Lie, reaching out to press on Bao Lie's shoulder, stopping him from continuing.
Zhang Ruochen was not foolish. He could naturally see that this Patrol Envoy was at odds with the Heavenly Realm Faction and was deliberately suppressing their arrogance.
If they were to defy the Patrol Envoy at this moment, it would be far too tactless.
Zhang Ruochen was actually grateful that this Patrol Envoy had stepped in, because if the slaughter had continued, their side might not have gained any advantage.
Even though Xiao Hei had confidently claimed he could wipe out all the Heavenly Realm Faction's experts, Zhang Ruochen was still uneasy. If things went wrong, their side might be completely annihilated.
Now that casualties were not too severe, and he had successfully killed Shang Zi as he wished, ending this battle was the best possible outcome.
As for the remaining Heavenly Realm Faction experts, there would be plenty of opportunities to settle accounts with them later.
"Since there are no objections, prepare to receive your punishment."
The silver-armored Patrol Envoy said indifferently.
"Boom."
Hundreds of terrifying thunderbolts descended from the sky, like countless thunder dragons emerging.
Each thunderbolt locked onto a figure on the battlefield below, leaving no one out.
Since it was punishment, they naturally could not resist and had to endure it silently.
The power of the thunderbolts was immense, each seemingly capable of shattering stars.
Those who were uninjured could withstand the thunderbolts without much difficulty.
But for the wounded, it was a hard trial. Each thunderbolt struck, worsening their injuries.
After a series of ten thunderbolts descended, even Zhang Ruochen could not help but spit out a mouthful of blood.
The reason was simple: Zhang Ruochen was already severely injured. Enduring ten powerful thunderbolts on top of that, managing to stay standing without falling was already quite an achievement.
"This time is merely a light punishment. I hope you all learn your lesson and never violate the heavenly laws again."
Leaving these words behind, the majestic figure standing above the nine heavens vanished directly, and the terrifying Great Saint pressure quickly dissipated.
"Phew."
Inevitably, many cultivators on the ground let out a long sigh of relief.
Facing a Patrol Envoy was truly uncomfortable; everyone felt extremely oppressed.