The bowl shattered; a life was lost.

In an instant, Lei Yaoxing fell backward, struggling futilely until he bled to death.

In the deadly silence, no one spoke.

Ji Jue, neck extended and head tilted back, eyes widened as if he wished he could take out a telescope to examine frame by frame—what the hell was going on? What had happened?

A Rebirth Rank, thrown into the Melting Furnace, could not be burned to death, his defense so strong that not even an anti-materiel rifle fired point-blank could penetrate his skin.

Yet now, his throat had been slit by a shard of coarse porcelain that sprang from the ground, and he had died from blood loss?

He didn't even have the energy to struggle...

What was the principle behind it? What was going on?

His hair nearly stood on end.

He couldn't understand, couldn't figure it out, couldn't make sense of it.

In that moment, he only had time to sense a strand of spiritual fluctuation that emerged as the porcelain bowl shattered, quietly circulating and then silently disappearing, fleeting from within the spiritual hall.

It pierced through flesh and soul, stole away life, and finally, returned to the darkness.

There was no drawing of swords, no life-and-death struggle, just an understated execution completed.

Everything seemed too inevitable, to the point where Ji Jue's perception of reality completely disconnected, even upended, bringing with it a terrifying chill.

It enveloped everything.

"Is this a White Deer Hunter?" he muttered in disbelief.

Tong Shan turned back, "Do you understand now?"

Ji Jue shook his head resolutely.

"That's the White Deer Hunter's ultimate execution, a technique even more profound than the Flying Light Blade."

Tong Shan said softly, "Among the followers of White Deer, only three families are granted the title of Hunter and endowed with the claws and fangs of the Superior. Their duty is to protect the wilderness, maintain the cycle, and eradicate dangers. Just like hunters of invasive species, maintaining ecological balance and the continuity of the wilderness.

Among them, the An family's duty is to eliminate internal risks; all their skills are based on hunting their own kind... That's why the ultimate punishment was born, incomprehensible and elusive to outsiders."

He paused, his gaze towards Ji Jue deepening slightly: "Before, I thought Supervisor Wen managing to control a stray White Deer was an anomaly, but I hadn't expected you to outdo him."

Ji Jue's face twitched several times; he repeatedly started to speak but stopped.

Just sitting expressionlessly, so serious and yet so adept at watching the drama unfold—what was it with the Tong family!

Ji Jue suddenly discovered in despair... Among the many noble houses, why did the Lou Family seem to be the most normal?

Oh no, could it be the Lou Family had some cruel practices too, but Mr. Lou, being thrown out to be a craftsman, never learned the real skills?

From shock and stupor, the blood on the ground gradually spread, the corpse grew cold, and all went silent.

Even the blessings and spiritual essence vanished, turning into mist of nothingness, carried away by the wind.

If the situation weren't so grim, Ji Jue would have seriously considered grabbing his toolbox to salvage something, watching the materials decay yet unsure whether to grieve.

Thus, An Ning silently oversaw, observing until the last gleam of light escaped from Lei Yaoxing's eyes.

In the hollow void, only dim darkness remained.

She withdrew her gaze, finally looked around once more, slightly nodding as if bidding farewell, then turned and left.

Only when that slender figure disappeared into the curtain of rain did the frozen atmosphere in the spiritual hall lighten slightly, yet remained heavy.

It was perhaps more tense and fearful than before.

Facing the White Deer Hunter's ultimate punishment, one only had to wait for death, but sometimes death was not the most frightening thing—what was terrifying was not knowing what one would face next.

Would one's life continue to reside in one's body?

As Lei Yaoxing lay surrounded, the spreading blood reached the feet of his closest associates, yet in the deathly silence, they dared not move.

Fearfully awaiting their own end.

Until the sound of coughing broke the silence, Chen Xingzhou's voice came through.

"People leave, lights go out, grievances vanish. Remembering past kindness, you should take care of him. After the mourning, bury them together—it would fulfill old Master Lei's and his filial ties."

The man in the wheelchair spoke, "Now that Lei Yaoxing is dead, there's no need to pursue matters further. After settling accounts, you're free to stay or leave Cliff City as you wish.

I hope you do not misjudge your situation."

From that distant and indifferent overlook, the expressions of those who received grace varied, some stony-faced, some with hateful eyes, but most bowed submissively.

The disposal of Lei Yaoxing was thus settled, and as everyone waited breathlessly, Chen Xingzhou finally turned back, smiling warmly at everyone.

"It's rare for us all to gather together. Cliff City has been chaotic for so long; it's time we chose a leader." He proposed, "I'll be the leader; who agrees, who opposes?"

"I agree."

Immediately behind him, a short man in a leopard-skin coat with gold teeth raised his hand first, without hesitating, his fierce eyes looking around as if daring anyone to oppose his leader, ready to smash their heads.

"I agree too!"

"And me!"

"And me!!"

Everyone there hastily voiced their agreement, fearing a delay would result in a graveless death. Meanwhile, some just stood behind Chen Xingzhou, observing everything silently, smiling without speaking.

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