Chapter 14: Time Reversal
The lush Seven Spirit Lucerne swayed gently in the breeze, much like the helpless fates of the people who couldn't resist the torrents of life. Amid the ruins, the villagers silently watched the solemn faced Xiao Yan, afraid to speak or even guess what was going through the young master's mind.
"Elder Wen, Elder Wu," Xiao Yan called softly. In an instant, two elderly figures emerged quietly from the void.
"Young Master!" Wen and Wu, two Saints, stood by Xiao Yan's side, their presence commanding even greater awe from the villagers.
Although the village's strongest member was only a Dou Huang, they understood enough about Dou Qi cultivation to sense the terrifying strength of these two. Yet, to their astonishment, these imposing figures seemed to be no more than guards for Xiao Yan.
"Elder Wen, if I wanted the culprit behind this tragedy punished, there must be many ways to achieve that, no?" Xiao Yan's voice was calm, but Wen could clearly hear the undercurrent of fury within it.
"Heh, a mere Dou Huang?" Wen chuckled. "Young Master, even if his grandfather were a mere Dou Zun, it wouldn't matter. And if it were one of the Elders, they still wouldn't escape your wrath. With just a word, the Punishment Hall could send a Saint to perform the Time Reversal Technique and reveal everything. Furthermore, they would hold the authority to apprehend and condemn the culprit directly."
"In that case, Elder Wen, I'll trouble you to make the arrangements," Xiao Yan said with a slight nod.
"Of course, Young Master. This is but a minor task for someone in my position. Please wait here briefly; I shall return shortly." With a flash, Elder Wen disappeared into the void.
After Elder Wen left, Xiao Yan strode forward to where the little girl with the severed arm sat. Squatting down, he observed her closely.
The girl's face was adorable and innocent, but her large dark eyes were filled with fear and unease.
"Don't be afraid," Xiao Yan said gently, patting her head before taking out a jade bottle.
Tilting it slightly, a blood red pill rolled into his hand. The fragrant aroma alone made even the injured villagers feel a faint sense of healing.
It was a Sixth Tier Healing Elixir: the Flesh Regeneration Pill!
This miracle pill was known for its ability to bring the dead back to life and restore even shattered bones. For anyone below the Dou Huang stage, as long as they had a breath left, this pill could pull them back from the brink of death.
"Here, eat this," Xiao Yan said, holding the pill near the girl's lips.
The girl hesitated, swallowing nervously as her wide eyes darted toward the old village chief. Seeing the chief nod with tears in his eyes, she finally opened her mouth and took the pill.
Moments later, her entire body flushed red, and the stump of her severed arm began to writhe and squirm unnervingly.
"It hurts, big brother!" The girl whimpered, tears filling her eyes.
"Don't worry. I'll help you," Xiao Yan replied with a warm smile, gently patting her head.
Releasing a surge of Dou Qi imbued with his Green Lion Flame, Xiao Yan carefully guided the potent energies of the Flesh Regeneration Pill through her body.
The pill's power was overwhelming enough to fully heal even a severely injured Dou Huang. For a mere child who wasn't yet a Dou Zhe, it was far too much to handle alone.
The red energy spread through her body, seeping out as thin threads that wove around her, encasing her in a crimson cocoon.
"Sleep peacefully," Xiao Yan whispered softly to the cocoon.
The immense power of the Flesh Regeneration Pill would not only heal her injuries but also strengthen her foundational cultivation, ensuring rapid progress in her training for years to come.
Straightening up, Xiao Yan turned to the other injured villagers. With a wave of his hand, he distributed jade bottles filled with Fifth Tier Healing Elixirs to them.
"Thank you, Young Master Xiao Yan," the injured villagers said gratefully, bowing deeply.
Xiao Yan, however, remained silent. These people were innocent victims, and yet, they were thanking him as if they owed him something. It left a bitter taste in his mouth.
A ripple of space heralded the return of Elder Wen, accompanied by a black robed man whose cold, stern face carried an air of authority and latent killing intent.
"Young Master, allow me to introduce one of the Punishment Hall's nine Saint Elders the Light Punishment Saint," Elder Wen said, gesturing toward the man.
"Elder Guang," Xiao Yan greeted with a slight bow.
"Please, Your Highness, there's no need to bow," the Light Punishment Saint said hurriedly, stepping forward to support Xiao Yan. "I am but a mere two star Dou Sheng. It would be inappropriate for someone of my station to accept such courtesy from the Emperor's Son. It is an honor to assist you in any way I can."
Xiao Yan couldn't help but marvel inwardly. Power. Authority. His newfound status as the clan's Emperor's Son commanded such reverence even from a Dou Sheng.
"Elder Guang, I trust Elder Wen has briefed you on the situation?" Xiao Yan asked, his tone steady.
"Indeed. Rest assured, Your Highness, the Punishment Hall is thorough in its investigations. We will bring justice to these villagers and uncover the truth," the Light Punishment Saint replied with a slight smile.
Extending his hand, the Saint summoned a peculiar distortion of light. Suddenly, the world around them seemed to rewind, the landscape warping and unraveling.
"Heavenly Skill: Time Reversal!"
This powerful technique, wielded by a Saint of light, could reverse time in a designated area, revealing past events like a recording.
Although it couldn't alter the past, it provided irrefutable evidence of what had transpired.
The villagers and even Xiao Yu stood awestruck as the mystical scene unfolded before them.
Time flowed backward, and soon the events of the previous night came into view.
Under the pale glow of the black moon, two shadowy figures appeared outside the village. Both were peak Dou Huangs, adept in dark Dou Qi, making them masters of stealth.
Moving swiftly and silently, the two figures scattered white powder throughout the village before vanishing.
Half an hour later, the ground began to rumble. Thousands of White Jade Rainbow Cloud Oxen charged toward the village like an unstoppable tide, their red eyes gleaming with madness.
Chaos erupted. Villagers fled in panic while the strongest fighters struggled to save lives. Despite their efforts, some were trampled in the stampede, their bodies reduced to lifeless heaps amidst the rubble.
The Light Punishment Saint waved his hand, ending the projection. Holding an ancient recording stone in his palm, he turned to Xiao Yan.
"Your Highness, the evidence is clear. Shall we proceed to apprehend the culprits?"
Xiao Yan's lips curled into a cold, merciless smile.
"Let's bring them to justice."
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/LightKira10