The surrounding companions were all stunned.
Even Wan Lei.
He had merely gone out to help catch a criminal, a task most normal and simple for a disciple of the Five Elements Hall, something everyone had done before.
Why was it different for him?
In such a short time, two Sages appeared?
Perhaps there would even be a battle of Sages?
It shouldn't be the case; Wan Jianyi and Wan Qingyi were quite amicable.
In the end, it would likely just be a matter of smoothing things over, a show of respect, everyone being cordial, and perhaps Bai Qi wouldn't even be taken away.
But he was a bit unwilling.
Whoosh!
In the sky, the figure of the Void Sword Sage, Wan Jianyi, appeared.
"What's going on? Who bullied my brother?"
Upon arriving, Wan Jianyi roared like a leading大哥 first.
The surrounding Bai family disciples immediately became invigorated.
As expected, a Sage from Southern Xinjiang.
"It's him, Wan Qingyi. He said he would sever one of my arms."
Seeing someone had his back, Bai Hanjie's confidence surged.
"Oh, Wan San."
Seeing it was Wan Qingyi, Wan Jianyi immediately smiled.
"What's going on? You, a dignified Three Yang Sage, bullying a mere Golden Immortal? This person is my brother. Give me some face, and let this matter drop."
"Hmph, I bullied him? Why don't you ask him what he did? He, relying on his status, bullied a junior in the Tai Xu realm. Why aren't you speaking up for him?"
Wan Qingyi snorted coldly.
Wan Jianyi was taken aback, then saw Wan Lei.
"Oh, it's Wan Lei. What's going on? Who is that you're holding?"
"Reporting to Sword Sage, this person is named Bai Qi, a member of the Bai family. He滅 (wiped out) a family of over a thousand people without reason. I, junior, was ordered by the Public Security Division to apprehend him and bring him to justice.
Patriarch Bai not only refused to cooperate but also obstructed me in every way, even threatening to kill me. He also said that in Southern Xinjiang, he is God, his words are the law, and his rulings are the rule, and that we Five Elements Hall cannot control them."
The more Wan Jianyi listened, the darker his expression became. Finally, he couldn't hold back and slapped Bai Hanjie on the back of the head.
"You're the one bullying my Wan family, you brat?"
Bai Hanjie was utterly bewildered. Big brother, what's wrong with you? I called you to help me, so why are you hitting me?
Slap!
Another slap.
"You're the one who wanted to kill my descendant?"
Slap!
"You're the one obstructing the enforcement of law by my Five Elements Hall?"
Slap!
"You're the one calling yourself the heavens of Southern Xinjiang?"
Slap!
"Why don't you ascend to heaven yourself?"
Slap!
"We Five Elements Hall can't manage Southern Xinjiang, is that it?"
Slap!
"Your law is the law, then what are we, the Five Elements Hall?"
Slap!
"Stop hitting!!!"
Bai Hanjie, filled with shame and fury, roared in indignation.
"Wan Jianyi, I've known you for over fifty thousand years, and you're hitting me in front of so many people for a junior?"
"What's wrong with hitting you? If you don't want to be hit, don't do those things. You made a mistake and still want to avoid punishment? Look at what you're saying. If I don't teach you a lesson today, who in Southern Xinjiang will respect the Five Elements Hall? Won't Southern Xinjiang become your Bai Hanjie's private territory?"
"I..."
Bai Hanjie was so enraged that he spat out a mouthful of blood, pointing at Wan Jianyi, and said with a tremor,
"Fine, fine, Wan Jianyi, I haven't treated the Wan Sword Sect poorly all these years, yet you treat me like this. Then don't blame me for disregarding our brotherhood.
I will inform Da Yu about this matter. Let's see what he says?"
"Alright, go ahead and tell him. Do you really think he doesn't know what you've been doing? He's just been too lazy to bother with you out of consideration. If you cause more trouble, do you think he'll still protect you?"
"Good, good, I'll report to Immortal Venerable now..."
"You're looking for me?"
A voice sounded from behind Bai Hanjie. He turned his head and saw, "My god, it's the Golden Immortal Venerable!"
"Da Yu, you must uphold justice for me. Wan Qingyi bullying me is one thing, but even Wan Jianyi, disregarding our years of friendship, publicly beat me. This is too humiliating."
Bai Hanjie clung to Xia Dayu and began to wail and cry. Xia Dayu pushed him aside with great disdain.
The onlookers were already numb with shock. What a trivial matter it was, yet the characters appearing were bigger and bigger.
Bai Qi was on the verge of tears. What was his status to warrant two Sages appearing? Did it even require disturbing the Immortal Venerable?
This was simply the pinnacle of his life.
"I saw what happened just now."
Xia Dayu looked at Bai Hanjie with a complex expression, a look that seemed to convey disappointment at his lack of progress, mixed with disgust and pity.
"Xiao Bai, look at yourself now."
Bai Hanjie was stunned, not quite understanding Xia Dayu's words.
"When we first met, you were also a young prodigy with a pure heart and good intentions. At that time, when Zi Yan and I were being hunted, it was you who saved us.
From then on, I felt that you were a good person, someone worth befriending. You didn't disappoint me. Whether it was the civil war in Southern Xinjiang or the war between immortals and gods, you steadfastly stood by my side.
Because I recognized your character, when the Bai family went to destroy the Han family, I followed you without hesitation. Although this matter led to a great mistake and created the Demon Lord Han Fengxue, it was a matter of time and fate; we cannot be blamed.
I remember when Bai Yanlang made a mistake, you, as his cousin, reprimanded him without mercy, showing no regard for familial ties.
Back then, how upright you were. How did you become this way now?
During the Southern Xinjiang defense war, although I was not present, Wan Jianyi witnessed it firsthand. At that time, you roared, vowing to protect Southern Xinjiang and defend the Immortal Realm, to perish with thousands of divine races.
Back then, how passionate and fearless you were. But now, are you still worthy of the Southern Xinjiang you protected?
Harboring fugitives, perverting justice, shifting blame, and disregarding laws and regulations.
What allowed the Immortal Realm to have the current peaceful era? Was it your protection, Bai Hanjie? It was the strict adherence to orders by the Five Elements Hall and the laws and regulations of equality for all beings!
Look at yourself now? What kind of life are you living? Your cultivation has stagnated for fifty thousand years; you haven't even touched the threshold of a Half-Sage. Of our companions who ventured out from Southern Xinjiang together, even Zi Yan has become a Sage, but what about you?
I don't know, when you are alone in the quiet of the night, have you ever looked in the mirror and asked yourself why you have become this way?
Has power corrupted you? Has comfort led to your downfall? What has transformed the once passionate and driven youth into a corrupt and degenerate official?"
At this moment, Bai Hanjie was already overwhelmed with shame, tears streaming down his face.
"I... I'm sorry..."
Bai Hanjie wanted to kneel down and apologize, but Xia Dayu supported him.
"You indeed owe an apology. You've wronged the Southern Xinjiang you were meant to protect, you've wronged the expectations we had of you, you've wronged your own aptitude, and most importantly, you've wronged the supreme Dao comprehension you've gained!"