C15 Awakening Spirit Body!

Ye Hong paid no attention to Ye Feng's antics, his gaze fixed coldly on the entrance of the grand hall.

As the Hall Master of the Outer Sect's Law Enforcement Hall, Ye Hong was exceptionally well-informed. He was aware that Lin Tian, upon his return, had not only killed Zhang Zhong from the Zhang family but had also crippled Zhang Ye!

What magnitude of power did that imply? How had Lin Tian transformed from a nobody to a force to be reckoned with in just a matter of days?

Ye Hong was certain that Lin Tian was harboring a secret. He had even sent Ye Dao to investigate, but to no avail.

Realizing that no amount of searching was yielding results, Ye Hong knew that extreme measures were necessary. He had lacked a solid pretext until Ye Feng unwittingly provided him with the perfect opportunity.

"Lin Tian, oh Lin Tian, I'm eager to uncover what you've come into possession of, to have gained such formidable strength so suddenly," Ye Hong mused to himself as he waited in anticipation.

Moments later, the rustling of footsteps echoed, drawing all eyes to the threshold of the hall.

A group of Law Enforcement disciples, clad in black, entered, escorting a young man among them.

It was Lin Tian.

As Lin Tian appeared, a ripple of attention swept through the hall, with numerous eyes fixating on him.

"Brother!"

Lin Ling's face blanched at the sight of him within the hall. She cried out, but Lin Tian reassured her with a smile, "Don't worry, everything will be alright."

Lin Tian's words seemed to calm Lin Ling, and she nodded her small head in response.

Internally, Lin Tian breathed a sigh of relief. He could tell that although his sister was shackled in iron, she bore no injuries, clearly spared from any form of torture.

Yet, the fact that the Law Enforcement Hall had bound Lin Ling in chains only served to intensify the murderous intent simmering within him. His icy gaze swept over the assembly.

The attendees felt an inexplicable chill creep over them under Lin Tian's stare. It was then that a Law Enforcement Elder's voice boomed, "Lin Tian, kneel down!"

Lin Tian gave the elder a cool look and retorted, "I am innocent. Why should I kneel?"

The Law Enforcement Elder barked back, "Innocent? You think innocence is yours to declare? We've summoned you here because we have evidence of your wrongdoing!"

"Really? Then present the evidence before you speak," Lin Tian said with a cold laugh. "Or are you admitting that you have no evidence and are simply trying to set me up?"

"What! The audacity!"

"Lin Tian, are you asking for death?!"

The Law Enforcement Elders in the hall were furious, immediately lashing out at Lin Tian with their rebukes.

Ye Hong, seated at the center, flashed a look of anger. Clearly, he hadn't expected Lin Tian to be so bold.

Ye Dao, quick to react at his side, interjected, "Hall Master! There's no point in questioning this youngster any further. Let's just expel him from the Celestial Dragon Sect by the book! He has the nerve to accuse our Law Enforcement Hall of framing him, a blatant provocation of our authority!"

Ye Hong remained silent, offering only a cold response to Lin Tian, "Let me make two things clear. First, the Law Enforcement Hall does not engage in framing innocent people. As the judicial arm of the Celestial Dragon Sect, we are committed to upholding fairness and justice, the very principles that define us. We would never undermine our own foundation. Second, even if we were in the business of framing people, you would not be worth the effort. Understand? We summoned you here because we have evidence that you've broken the sect's laws. This evidence is my son, Ye Feng. Tell me, did you or did you not steal Ye Feng's Absolute Cold Grass from the Pill Tower in Celestial Dragon City?"

"Steal? Ha, Ye Feng, is that the story you fed your father? That I stole your Absolute Cold Grass?"

"If not stolen, perhaps Young Master Ye Feng gifted it to you!" Ye Dao interjected sharply, "Young Master Ye Feng, speak up. Was it him? Recount the incident exactly as it happened!"

Ye Feng's eyes darted about before he stepped forward and declared, "Lin Tian, drop the act! You're the thief. Three days ago, I visited the Pill Tower with Miss Liu Muer, the Prime Minister's daughter from Celestial Dragon Country. We were there to meet with Great Master Zhao Danhua. He agreed to take Miss Liu as his disciple and even promised to craft a Cold Heart Pill for me using the Absolute Cold Grass. But then you attacked, knocking both Miss Liu and me unconscious. By the time I came to, my Absolute Cold Grass had vanished..."

A stream of accusations poured from Ye Feng's lips, painting Lin Tian as nothing more than a contemptible and cowardly ambusher. Conveniently, he left out Zhao Danhua's statement about Lin Tian being his friend, focusing solely on the alleged sneak attack and completely ignoring any mention of the relationship between Zhao Danhua and Lin Tian.

"Miss Liu Muer is quite outraged by the incident as well," he continued. "However, considering her ongoing studies in alchemy under Great Master Zhao, she refrained from coming forward to testify. But rest assured, every word I speak is the truth!"

As Ye Feng delivered his fervent condemnation, Lin Tian met the icy stares surrounding him with a derisive smirk.

A Law Enforcement Elder asked with a frosty tone, "Lin Tian, do you have any defense to offer?"

Lin Tian was well aware that the elder was aligned with the Ye family, a minor patriarch from a branch struggling on the fringes of Celestial Dragon City. Their daily struggle for survival and eagerness to please Ye Hong explained their eagerness to confront him.

Disinclined to elaborate, Lin Tian replied coolly, "A defense? Why should I bother with you? Since Ye Feng brought up Zhao Danhua, surely he must be a witness? Have him come here. If he arrives and sticks to the same story, then I have nothing more to say. My life is in your hands."

"Lin Tian, you are out of line! Great Master Zhao Danhua is a person of high standing! He wouldn't bother to testify over such a trivial matter involving you!"

"Exactly, Lin Tian. You must be out of your mind! To address Great Master Zhao so casually! Hall Master, there's no point in further discussion. Let's carry out his punishment here and now!"

The elders erupted in indignant protest, genuinely shocked by Lin Tian's audacity to summon Zhao Danhua. The disparity between their statuses was clear – Zhao Danhua was a figure of renown, while Lin Tian was... well, Lin Tian.

A smug look flickered in Ye Feng's eyes; he was confident in his scheme. Despite Zhao Danhua's public acknowledgment of friendship with Lin Tian, his own family would never take such a claim at face value.

"Cough, cough... Perhaps everyone is being a bit too hasty," came a voice, attempting to temper the escalating tension.

Just then, a soft cough interrupted the silence. A middle-aged man seated not far from Ye Hong spoke up, "In the Law Enforcement Hall, we adhere to protocol. We can't make rash decisions."

The gathered individuals in the hall exchanged knowing glances. Lin Tian raised an eyebrow; he recognized the man. It was Yuan Rou's father, Yuan Hee, the Vice Master of the Law Enforcement Hall.

"Oh? And what would Vice Master Yuan suggest?" Ye Hong inquired, his tone icy.

"Given that this issue involves Great Master Zhao Danhua, why not invite him here? If Great Master Zhao is indisposed, a letter could be sent in his stead to provide verification," Yuan Hee proposed calmly. "Additionally, I've heard that Elder Hee Xiu from the Inner Sect holds Lin Tian in high regard. Therefore, I recommend that Elder Hee Xiu be summoned to address Lin Tian's situation personally. It would be a fair and dignified resolution, allowing us all to justify our actions."

"No way! Great Master Zhao is incredibly busy with his pill-making; he doesn't have time to come and testify. He couldn't possibly even reply to a letter! This is an internal matter for the Celestial Dragon Sect, specifically concerning an Outer Sect disciple. If we bother Great Master Zhao with such a trivial issue, what if it causes him to view us unfavorably?" Ye Feng protested vehemently.

"Exactly. Great Master Zhao is someone our Celestial Dragon Sect strives to maintain good relations with. We shouldn't trouble him over something so minor, as we cannot afford to upset him. As for Elder Hee Xiu, there's no need to involve him either. Elder Hee Xiu manages Inner Sect affairs; he doesn't have time for minor Outer Sect issues. As long as we proceed by the book, even if Elder Hee Xiu learns of this later, he won't hold it against us," Ye Dao chimed in, prompting nods of agreement from many elders in the hall.

Vice Master Yuan Hee's brow furrowed, seemingly ready to argue further, but Ye Hong raised his hand, silencing the room. Turning to Lin Tian, he said, "Let me be clear, Lin Tian. Disturbing Great Master Zhao is out of the question. Based on the evidence at hand, you are the prime suspect in the theft of your fellow disciples' possessions. Do you have anything to say for yourself? Without a compelling defense, we'll proceed with disciplinary action according to our sect's rules."

"Subject to the sect's discipline? I'm curious, what kind of punishment would that be?"

Lin Tian said with a cold laugh.

"Stealing from fellow disciples warrants expulsion from the sect, according to our laws," Ye Hong stated dispassionately. "But it needn't come to that. If you're willing to explain how you've managed such rapid advancement recently, I might consider going easy on you."

"Ah, so expulsion it is," Lin Tian said with an icy chuckle. "You really think I'm concerned about your petty schemes?"

"What!"

A collective gasp of astonishment rose from the assembly in the hall. They were all taken aback by Lin Tian's blatant disregard for the consequences!

Ye Hong's face turned serious as he gave Lin Tian a stern look.

Ye Dao, however, saw an opportunity and called out, "Hall Master, esteemed Elders, you've all witnessed it, haven't you? This is Lin Tian! He has no respect for our Celestial Dragon Sect! He lacks any sense of pride in being one of our disciples! How can we possibly retain someone like him?"

"Hehe, Ye Dao, spare me your sanctimonious act. Let's get one thing straight—I'm indifferent to your tactics, not to the Celestial Dragon Sect," Lin Tian retorted with a sneer. "Everyone knows the Outer Sect has become the Ye Family's playground. You dispose of whomever you please. My sister and I are just a pair of orphans; how could we possibly stand against your clan? With that in mind, leaving is clearly the best option."

"What did you say?"

"Lin Tian, you're asking for trouble!"

Many members of the Ye family erupted in fury within the hall, their anger ignited by Lin Tian's provocative words.