C8 Celestial Punishment Hall

The Sect Master glanced at Qin Yu, a fleeting look of peculiarity in his eyes before shaking his head slightly. Turning to Elder Feng, he said, "By the rules of the Clear Essence Sect, his victory over Chu Yao makes him a Core Disciple. You can't simply execute him out of affection for your disciple. As an elder, such actions would undermine our sect's credibility. How would we command respect then?"

Elder Feng's face reddened as he absorbed the Sect Master's admonishment. Bowing his head, he replied, "You are correct, Brother Sect Master. I acted rashly."

The Sect Master offered no further comment. Elder Tian approached, scrutinizing Qin Yu before addressing the Sect Master, "However, there are rumors he's a great demon. Even as a Core Disciple, if he truly is such a creature, we must purge our ranks for the sake of the Clear Essence Sect."

"Indeed, Brother Sect Master," Elder Feng interjected. "I've examined his cultivation level. He's nothing but a weakling without even the strength of Level One Body Tempering. If he's not a great demon, how could he possibly have bested Chu Yao?"

The Sect Master cast another look at Qin Yu, then turned to survey the remnants of the battle. "The issue of a great demon is serious. We'll confine him to the Celestial Punishment Hall for now and deliberate upon our return."

With that, the Sect Master soared into the sky and vanished from sight. Elder Feng and Elder Tian exchanged nods. They seized Qin Yu and instructed the invigilator, "Bind him and take him to the Celestial Punishment Hall. Let no word of today's events escape, or you'll face crippling and expulsion from the Clear Essence Sect. Understood?"

"Absolutely, Elder Tian," the invigilator responded with a deferential bow.

Without another word, Elder Tian took to the skies, followed by Elder Feng, who escorted Chu Yao. Below the Fighting Platform, murmurs of debate rippled through the crowd. Unnoticed, Chu Feng had already slipped away quietly.

The Celestial Punishment Hall, perched atop a solitary mountain on the right flank of the Clear Essence Sect, was enveloped by an unfathomable, bottomless abyss. This location, inaccessible to disciples with lesser cultivation, had become the prime spot for confining and disciplining members of the sect.

Qin Yu found himself imprisoned in a secret chamber deep within the Celestial Punishment Hall. His body was ensnared by heavy chains, each tethered to an iron ball nearly half his size, rendering him virtually immobile.

"I must find a way out," Qin Yu thought, his jaw set with determination. "I defeated Chu Yao and rightfully earned my place as a Core Disciple. It's unjust to keep me here!" With that resolve, he strained against the iron ball, inching forward step by grueling step. But the weight was too much, and eventually, he collapsed, gasping for breath.

After a brief respite, Qin Yu rose with defiance, continuing his arduous journey. His feet were raw, his clothes drenched with sweat, yet he refused to yield, like a petulant child defying the world itself.

Half an hour passed, and Qin Yu had advanced only a handful of steps. Pushing forward, he discovered an impenetrable stone door sealing the cell. Escape seemed impossible, even if he were as small as a fly.

Despair gripped Qin Yu, his fists clenched in frustration. Memories of past humiliations and scorn flooded his mind, sharp as needles piercing his heart, causing it to spasm with pain.

"Why has fate dealt me such a hand? Why!" he cried out, collapsing to his knees, his body quivering with rage. As his trembling intensified, veins on his arms stood out starkly, and a subtle crimson aura began to emanate from his pores, converging towards his head. As the aura intensified, a blood-red pupil faintly emerged on his forehead.

With the appearance of this ominous eye, Qin Yu's gaze hardened. He rose to his feet, turned, and with bulging, vein-laden arms, seized the chains. Summoning every ounce of his strength, he yanked fiercely, and with a resounding "clang," the chains snapped apart.

After several forceful movements, Qin Yu shattered the iron chains that had been binding him, reclaiming his freedom. In that moment, he resembled a creature that was part human, part demon. His blood-red pupils intermittently appeared on his forehead, giving him a look that was both horrifying and bizarre.

Outside the Celestial Punishment Hall, dark clouds had begun to churn ominously, with the occasional rumble of thunder echoing from within, signaling an awe-inspiring celestial might.

Inside the hall, the guards' faces turned pale. They exchanged glances and hurried towards the cell block. But before they could get far, a thunderous boom erupted from within the cells, followed by a cloud of dust that blinded them. As the dust settled, a figure emerged from the depths of the cell block. It was none other than Qin Yu.

"Demon, a great demon!" exclaimed one particularly frightened guard, stumbling backward at the sight of Qin Yu. The other guards, however, stood their ground, swords at the ready, poised to defend against him.

"Go inform the Sect Master immediately; we'll hold him off," commanded one of the older guards to the young disciple who had recoiled in fear.

The young disciple, after a moment of hesitation, nodded firmly and dashed out of the Celestial Punishment Hall without a backward glance.

In the instant the young guard departed, Qin Yu thrust his hands skyward. A deafening peal of thunder resounded from outside the hall, sending a shiver through everyone's spine.

"Seize him!" ordered the senior guard, signaling the others to advance. They charged at Qin Yu, swords drawn, ready to engage.

Qin Yu's forehead now bore pupils of a deep, intense scarlet. Within them, a thick red mist swirled, and if one looked closely, they could even spot flashes of lightning dancing within the ominous hue.