"Get out of the Ancestral Martial Star Domain?"
The moment those words left his mouth, everyone was stunned.
The members of the
Being expelled from the Ancestral Martial Star Domain — that would be an unspeakable humiliation for their clan.
Where could they go? No matter where they ended up, they would be turned into laughingstocks.
Leaving of their own accord and being forcibly expelled were two entirely different things.
"A clan like yours does not deserve to remain in the Ancestral Martial Star Domain."
"You have one month to get out. If even a single member of the Linghu Heavenly Clan is still in the Ancestral Martial Star Domain after that deadline, I will kill every one I find," said
"City Lord Long, please show mercy, please show mercy!"
Suddenly, with a thud, someone dropped to their knees. It was
After Linghu Yuhua knelt, many other members of the Linghu Heavenly Clan followed suit, kneeling one after another.
Tears streamed down Linghu Yuhua's aged face.
"City Lord Long, the Linghu Heavenly Clan has lived in the Ancestral Martial Star Domain for countless generations."
"I know we have committed a grave sin, but I beg you to give us a chance to make amends."
"Punish us any way you see fit — just please don't exile us. The Ancestral Martial Star Domain is the root of our Linghu Heavenly Clan."
Linghu Yuhua led the others in desperate pleas.
"When mistakes are made, a price must be paid. The patriarch's sin is one the entire clan must answer for," said Long Daozhi.
"Stop crying! Our root isn't in the Ancestral Martial Star Domain — wherever the patriarch is, that is where our root lies!"
While Linghu Yuhua and the others continued to beg bitterly, other members of the Linghu Heavenly Clan rose and rebuked them.
Under those circumstances, quite a few people stood up, but the majority remained on their knees, still pleading in desperation.
"City Lord Long, we're begging you — please, let us stay. We're begging you!"
Linghu Yuhua and the others kept on with their desperate entreaties, weeping so sorrowfully and wretchedly that it did not appear to be an act.
Seeing this scene, even
He noticed that when the Linghu Heavenly Clan had faced mortal danger earlier, many had also dropped to their knees begging for mercy. But the ones begging back then and the ones begging now were not the same people.
Those who had begged earlier were trying to save their own lives.
But Linghu Yuhua and the others were begging because they did not want to leave their homeland — they did not want to leave the place where their ancestors had taken root.
"If you insist on staying, I suppose that can be arranged."
"But there are two conditions."
"First, if you remain, you will be confined to the upper realm where your Linghu Heavenly Clan resides. For ten thousand years, no one is allowed to leave."
"During those ten thousand years, I will have people watching over you. If I find anyone defying this rule, they will be executed immediately."
"Second,
As Long Daozhi spoke those last words, he turned his gaze toward Linghu Zhishi.
"What?"
Everyone's expressions shifted at the words.
They understood what Long Daozhi meant.
He was giving Linghu Yuhua and the others a choice — either leave together with Linghu Zhishi, or stay in the Ancestral Martial Star Domain, but live thereafter like prisoners under constant surveillance.
Faced with this ultimatum, Linghu Yuhua and those still kneeling fell silent.
And their silence made their choice painfully clear to Linghu Zhishi.
Linghu Yuhua and the others had chosen to stay in the Ancestral Martial Star Domain rather than follow him.
"Elder Yuhua, you have your choice, and I will not blame you."
"But without me, Linghu Zhishi, the Linghu Heavenly Clan will no longer be the true Linghu Heavenly Clan."
"So I hope you will not regret this."
With those words to Linghu Yuhua, Linghu Zhishi swept his sleeve and strode away.
As he departed, his voice echoed one final time across the sky.