Chapter 333 (1/2)
Chapter 333: Punishment Hall
Translator: Thyaeria Editor: Thyaeria
The Punishment Hall sat within the inner region of the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. Within the entire academy, it held an extremely high status, as well as power, as the absolutely large question of the safety and guarding of the entire Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy was under its control.
The majority of the Punishment Hall members were students of the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy that had already graduated, but chose to stay behind. With each successive batch, they provided a unceasing supply of fresh blood into the Punishment Hall.
Naturally, once one entered the Punishment Hall, one could no longer be called a student, and could no longer participate in the various competitions between students. Therefore, most students would generally find it extremely difficult to see the members of the Punishment Hall on most occasions within the academy.
Similarly, once one became a member of the Punishment Hall, the tasks one was sent out on would have a higher increase of danger. This place wasn’t some ivory tower, as the various rules and regulations implemented here were obviously even more strict and severe. After all, the Punishment Hall was constructed for the sake of the protection of the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. The enemies they faced were no longer the students and seniors that were comparing notes, but the various evil powers that were clearly presented or hidden in obscurity within the Northern Heavens Continent.
Compared the the gentle academy, the interior of the Punishment Hall clearly had an extra iron-blooded taste with a cold and strict feeling.
…
There wasn’t any of the luscious and vibrant atmosphere of vitality of the outside present within the inner region of the academy. Even the sky appeared to be darker and more overcast. A giant hall that looked different from the rest of the surroundings stood erect on top of a mountain peak. Within the air, there would be groups of people in armor darting in and out, from time to time. As they moved along, fluctuations of killing intent could be felt within the air.
This kind of imposing aura was absolutely not something that the students within the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy could compare with.
Upon seeing this with their eyes, both Mu Chen and Luo Li felt somewhat shocked and startled. This was the strength that truly protected the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. Although the academy was considered to be a leviathan in the Northern Heavens Continent, it did not mean that there wasn’t any power or influence that had the qualifications to challenge it within the Northern Heavens Continent. Within the great continent, where experts were akin to the numerous clouds in the sky, there were still some strong powers that were observing and eyeing it from the darkness.
And this Punishment Hall was here to scare and keep all those eyeing powers at bay.
Upon arrival to this inner region, Mu Chen and Luo Li did not encounter any obstructions. Clearly, the Punishment Hall had already received the news about their impending arrival. The two of them went through some detailed screening before descending on the giant peak that shot through the distant sky.
An incomparably giant hall sat quietly on the top of the giant peak, akin to a ferocious and cold-blooded beast that was quietly stalking its prey, while a heart-palpitating, ferocious aura radiated from it.
Before the giant hall stood a black stone square with the jet-black colour of it sparkling with traces of cold light.
As Mu Chen and Luo Li descended onto the black stone square, they noticed Shen Cangsheng and Li Xuantong, who had arrived earlier than them, standing in the centre. The ones in front of them were Lin Zheng, Zhou Qingshan and Gu Tianyan.
As Mu Chen’s gaze swept past them, it rested on a space in front of them. There stood a black-clothed middle-aged man with his hands behind his back. This person’s face was cold and fierce. As Mu Chen’s gaze crossed paths with him, an ice-cold air permeated from him, causing the air to freeze up.
While he was standing there, not a single word came from him. Instead, an invisible pressure enveloped over them. Under this pressure, even wild and arrogant people like Shen Cangsheng became docile and meek.
Feeling this pressure, Mu Chen shot a startled look at the black-clothed middle-aged man. From the looks of it, this man’s strength was rather terrifying.
“We’re sorry for arriving late.” Leading Luo Li and walking forward, Mu Chen cupped his hands and said to the group.
“Don’t fret about it. It hasn’t started yet.” With a smile, Lin Zheng gestured with his hand. Turning and pointing towards the black-clothed middle-aged man in front of him, he said, “This is the Hall Master of our Punishment Hall, Hall Master Mo You. At the same time, he’s also one of the Elders on the Heavenly Seats within our Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy.”
Hearing Lin Zheng’s introduction, Mu Chen felt slightly shocked. As of now, he had somewhat of an understanding towards the higher levels within the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. Within the entire academy, there were five seats within the Heavenly Seated Elders. Before, during the Great Freshman Banquet, there was an Elder by the name of Zhu Tian that seemed to be a Heavenly Seated Elder. The person in front of him… was, unexpectedly, another one of the five Heavenly Seated Elders. So he was considered one of the peak combat forces of the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy.
“Mu Chen pays respects to Hall Master Mo You.” Bowing, Mu Chen cupped his hands and greeted Mo You.
“So, you’re the Freshman Mu Chen that defeated Gu Tianyan?” A dark light filled the eyes of Hall Master Mo You as he stared at Mu Chen. The gaze coming from him was exceedingly sharp and piercing, as if he was trying to see right through Mu Chen.
“It was only due to Senior Brother Gu Tianyan giving way to me. If we continued fighting, I wouldn’t have had any strength left to fight.” Mu Chen replied while shaking his head. Those words by him were the truth. If he were to continue fighting with Gu Tianyan, Mu Chen would only be able to achieve a draw, at the very most. Wanting to obtain a victory was, more than likely, an impossibility. Regardless of how numerous his hidden cards were, there was still a huge disparity from Heavenly Transformation Stage to Heavenly Completion Stage.
“So, this brat knows modesty, huh?” Mo You muttered. Smirking, he shot a look at Gu Tianyan, who had a somewhat unnatural look on his face and said, “This brat’s usually very arrogant. Being able to obstruct his haughty spirit shows that you have some ability.”
Hearing those words, Mu Chen could only give an awkward laugh.
“Regardless of that, you truly are quite good, since you’re able to reach this step with the status of a Freshman. After the past few years, you can be considered as the first one to do so. Even Shen Cangsheng wasn’t able to do so during his Freshman years.” Looking at Mu Chen, not the slightest hint of restraint was left with regards to his praise for the latter.
Hearing that praise, Shen Cangsheng started to smile. During his Freshman year, he had only buried his head and bitterly trained. He had also not participated in the Hunting War during that year, let alone achieving such results in a fight.
“So, you’re Luo Li, right?” Mo You’s gaze suddenly turned towards Luo Li, who had been standing beside Mu Chen the whole time. In the next instant, his gaze turned from the former to the Luo Shen Sword that was tightly gripped in her jade-like hand.
“Yes.” Luo Li replied while slightly nodding her head. Upon noticing that, Mo You’s gaze was focused on the Luo Shen Sword in her hand, and Luo Li’s eyebrows started to faintly knit together.
“Haha, I’ve seen before that sword in your father’s hands…” Mo You replied as a slightly complicated look appeared on his face.