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Just now, it felt like she had entered some strange state—every element singing her praises by her ear, while at the same time spitting curses at the shameless traitors.
Then somehow, she issued that judgment earlier, even reciting that obscure, hard-to-understand verdict.
What was more, even though she could still recite that passage now, thinking about it carefully, it felt like there were a few characters she didn't even know how to write!
Could this also be something that came bundled together with the Dragon Emperor's source bloodline? Even the mindset of a ruler, gift-wrapped and delivered?
Well, no matter how you look at it, there's no downside. It even boosts my presence without me realizing it—nothing but benefits, right?!
Bailu clasped her hands behind her back, straightening her not-very-tall posture, quite consciously maintaining the bearing of a master.
She lifted her chin and looked toward Shaoying, the only Preceptor still conscious, smiling as she said, "I'll give you a chance too. Same as Gouchen—kowtow and admit your mistake, then bark like a dog, and I'll spare you from death. How about it?"
Shaoying looked at her childish, tender smile, a chill running through his body again and again.
Gouchen's fate was right there before his eyes. In what way was he any stronger than him?
That old dog had abandoned all shame and groveled, only to end up losing his power, unable to eat or sleep.
That could only be described as a fate worse than death!
He would rather do as he always had—respond with contempt. Even if he had to die, he would die with the pride of the Vidyadhara.
A warrior may be killed, but not humiliated!
Shaoying's face twitched continuously as he struggled, hesitated, made his choice. He clenched his teeth, veins bulging as he forced himself to muster courage, spurring himself on to show this little dragon the backbone of a Preceptor.
At last, he straightened his body, facing Bailu, opening his mouth to speak—
Only to meet Bailu's still-burning golden eyes head-on.
His expression froze instantly, a single thought occupying his mind.
The Empress cannot be defied!
At that moment, he finally remembered: he had never been some indomitable, iron-boned powerhouse. He was merely an ambitious schemer who lurked in the shadows, throwing stones at others during the Imbibitor Lunae incident, coveting the High Elder's power.
To openly defy a High Elder who truly held authority? He had never dared to do such a thing!
At this instant, only regret remained in his heart.
Back then, seeing her isolated and alone, he had sought power and position, suppressing her at will.
Now, retribution had arrived.
He was about to become a prisoner, to die in some unknown, utterly humiliating way.
All thoughts extinguished.
All of Shaoying's pride as a Preceptor vanished into ashes after just that single glance.
His once-upright body collapsed like a crumbling tower, his head dragged down by gravity, slamming straight into the ground.
"Waaah!" Shaoying wailed. "All past faults were due to this lowly one's arrogance, knowingly committing wrongs! I know my crimes are unforgivable—please, High Elder, pass judgment!"
"Hmph. Putting on an act." Bailu said coldly.
She had seen these Preceptors' hypocritical faces for many years now.
His words sounded sincere, as if ready to accept punishment—but who knew what he'd do the next moment?
Still, he was indeed less nauseating than Gouchen.
She cast a glance at Taoran nearby, already too lazy to waste time on them. "Convicts Shaoying and Taoran, hear your sentence! You scorned the sovereign above, schemed for supreme authority, bearing the name of Preceptor while committing acts of rebellion. Effective immediately, you are stripped of Vidyadhara bloodline and reduced forever to commoners."
Bailu stepped forward, grabbing both of them by the head. The blazing light of her golden eyes shone into theirs as she murmured incantations. "All Vidyadhara are blades and armor held in my hands. Naturally, their life and death are also mine to grant or take. Imperial decree—so ordered!"
The Empress' authority activated once more. Like Gouchen before them, a piercing pain erupted in their eyeballs, and both collapsed limply onto the ground.
The pain was so intense that they instinctively tried to bite down on something, but on the empty stone road there wasn't even a twig to be found. Blind and fumbling, they ended up clutching each other's arms and gnawing down hard.
However, their punishment was ultimately lighter than Gouchen's. After howling for a while, they suddenly realized that the pain in their arms had surpassed that in their eyes.
Shaoying and Taoran looked at each other, weeping.
In the past, holding absolute authority over the Vidyadhara had brought not the slightest sense of satisfaction. Now, crippled and broken, with all former status, wealth, and power lost in a single stroke, they instead felt happier than ever before.
How ironic. How tragic.
Hoo— Bailu let out a relieved breath, lifting her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
In the blink of an eye, her pupils had already returned to their lake-blue color.
The cost of using those abilities just now was really no joke. After punishing three Preceptors, her stomach was already close to gurgling.
She'd need to eat a really good meal at noon to make up for it.
The sound of high heels echoed by her ear. The little one turned her head and saw Lingsha half-crouched in front of her.
Recalling that furious roar from the morning that had nearly pierced her skull, Bailu snapped to attention reflexively.
She hadn't forgotten at all—the main reason she'd come here was to quell Lingsha's anger over her sneaking out.
Mm… I wonder if this plan will actually work.
But Lingsha had no idea Bailu was harboring such an unambitious thought. What worried her more was where the Vidyadhara of the Xianzhou Luofu should head from here on.
A smile rose on Lingsha's face as she said, "So? Aside from those three, are you planning to punish all the remaining Preceptors as well, and then personally take charge of the clan's affairs?"
"Uh… personally take charge of the clan's affairs?"
The little one looked troubled.
Being on duty at the Alchemy Commission every day was already busy enough. If she took on all the clan's matters too, when would she even have time to go out and play?
She hadn't even tasted the sweetness of power yet, and she was supposed to swallow its bitterness first?
"I mean… among the previous High Elders, was there anyone who didn't have to do any work at all? Just lie on a soft bed every day, clap their hands, and have delicious food brought over?"
"Ah…" Lingsha was completely speechless.
There was a hint of helplessness mixed into the smile at the corner of her mouth.
Yes—this was Bailu. Even though she had, in all likelihood, obtained unprecedented power from a Curio Trash Can, her disposition hadn't changed one bit.
Shaking her head, Lingsha said, "As far as I know, no."
Dan Heng also calmly chimed in, "Indeed, there wasn't."
"Oh. Th-then forget it." Thinking about the stacks upon stacks of documents piled on Lingsha's desk every day, Bailu felt her head swell instantly and retreated at once.
Then, trying to save face, she coughed lightly. "Ahem, but it's not that I want to be lazy! I just know my own limits. When I grow up into a true dragon and finish my studies, I'll definitely govern personally!"
As she spoke, Bailu waved her small fist proudly.
"But before that, let the Preceptors suffer headaches instead. Anyway, they can't beat me now—and if they dare stir trouble again, I'll just crush them to death!"
"That works." Lingsha nodded. At present, there really wasn't a better solution.
As for the best candidate to manage the Vidyadhara—there actually was one.
She turned her head and glanced at Dan Heng.
The cool-faced little azure dragon understood her meaning perfectly and immediately declined. "The Astral Express Crew does not interfere in the internal affairs of other factions."
"Sigh. Just as I expected." Lingsha let out a sigh.
If he really had agreed, leaving aside anyone else, Master Yunhua would certainly have been delighted.
Still, she had no intention of forcing the issue. After some thought, she said, "I'll report this matter to the Marshal and request that she reassign some clan members from other Xianzhou ships to supervise the Preceptors until Bailu comes of age."
"Mhm mhm mhm, that's the best!"
Hearing that she'd be spared from those tedious affairs, Bailu immediately nodded in agreement, personally entrusting her authority away.
"Big Sister Lingsha, from now on I'm the High Elder, and you'll be my strategist holding the clan in check! With you managing things, it'll definitely be a hundred, a thousand times better than me!"
After laying on the flattery and feeling that the groundwork was done, Bailu cautiously added, "And then… there's one thing. Big Sister Lingsha, you absolutely have to agree to it."
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