"Unbelievable! How arrogant he is! How dare he claim that he did not commit a crime? Everyone saw him kill Phil! Innocent, my ass!" the disciples from the Refinement Faction, the Casting Faction, and a few of Boris's men began to curse in outrage.
"Oh? Then, please tell me why you claim to be innocent!" Boris, the Dominant Top Elder of the Snow Sect, asked calmly, as he squinted his eyes. In this situation, he had to seem open to Ricky's defense. Otherwise, people would consider him to be narrow-minded and suspect his biases.
Just like Zenith, Boris was handsome and had a majestic demeanor, casting a striking impression on all the disciples present. He was more demanding an explanation than merely asking Ricky's side.
Moreover, he had now reached a higher level through cultivation. His aura was more overwhelming now.
"Dominant Top Elder Boris, Phil insulted my master. She is more than a master to me. She teaches me, helps me and cares for me. She is like my family! Phil said really disgusting words to me, in an obvious intent to degrade my master. He deserved to die!" Ricky said frankly.
"May I ask you this question, Dominant Top Elder Boris? If your dearest ones are insulted, what would you do? Would you stand and do nothing because of the so-called rule?" Ricky asked further.
"Shut your mouth! How dare you talk to the Dominant Top Elder like this!?" Elder Logan, the founder of the Casting Faction, berated Ricky. Glaring at Ricky, he pointed a finger at him as if he would kill him the next second.
"Elder Logan, compose yourself. You are not supposed to speak like that when I'm still here!" Zenith scolded Logan coldly. He gathered his power of innate spirit, intending to give Logan a slap on the wrist as a warning.
However, before his power could reach Logan, Boris stopped him. Then he turned to Zenith and said, "Chief Zenith, don't get angry, please. We are just discussing how to deal with the boy. Elder Logan was just trying to be fair and just."
'Being fair and just? Sure, that's what he was doing! From what I saw, he was sucking up to you!' Ricky thought silently, attempting to conceal his look of disdain.
However, no one would try to question and challenge Boris. He was now an innate spirit with extremely powerful strength. Anyone who tried to cross him would probably end up regretting it.
Even though he was being unreasonable, people would have to remain silent and accept his decree, unless Zenith directly admonished him.
"Ricky, right? What you just said did make some sense. I agree with you and I understand your emotion. But rules are rules. You are not allowed to break any rule no matter how valid your reason is. Anyone who violates the rules must bear the consequences of their actions!"
Boris said. "So, as the Dominant Top Elder, I hereby pronounce you guilty and sentence you to death. I hope you don't mind!"
'Hope I don't mind? Is he joking? Hell no! I do mind very much and what's more, I want to kill this pompous prick!' cursed Ricky in silent rage at Boris's condescending words. But cursing to himself was natural. In fact, he had already anticipated that Boris wanted him to die, and that he would grasp this perfect chance.
"Whoop!" The men from the Casting and Refinement loudly cheered, happy with Boris's decision.
"Master Grace, what should we do? They will kill him!" Heather asked anxiously. All over her face, worry was written.
"There's nothing we can do now. It all depends on Chief Zenith!" Grace said, clinging on to hope. She expected that Zenith would have a different opinion.
Besides, she could never go and fight against Boris. She was no match for him, and it would be grossly inappropriate in this strictly hierarchical sect.
"Chief Zenith, what's your opinion?" Boris asked, a vicious smile lurking under the pretense of his serious expression.
"Well, here is my opinion. Why did Ricky kill a disciple? I'm sure by now, you all know the reason. I have to admit that Phil deserved to die. He showed blatant disrespect for Ricky's master. From what I deduce, Ricky has a valid reason for his act. So I've decided to remit his death. However, I insist that he will still face punishment for his deed!" Zenith declared, after he had been deep in thought for several moments.
Hearing this statement, Ricky, Heather, Grace, and some other Ricky's friends sighed in relief to themselves. As long as Chief Zenith decided to save Ricky, he would survive this time. Anyway, as the chief of the Snow Sect, Zenith still had the overarching power and most of the time, he had the final say in many respects.
"Ahh. It seems that Chief Zenith thinks highly of Ricky!" Many disciples began to murmur.
Despite their heated discussion on Ricky's case, they actually did not care much about the outcome. To them, it was none of their business after all. They had just gathered here in pursuit of watching the trial as pleasure-seekers.
"Chief Zenith, with all due respect, I'm afraid this decision is not a proper one! He killed a fellow disciple of the Snow Sect! It's forbidden for the disciples to kill each other according to the rule of the Snow Sect, isn't it? But why would we grant him an exemption?" Boris protested. He was obviously unhappy to hear Zenith's decision. Deep inside his heart, he grew even more resentful of Zenith.
"Boris, are you questioning me, the chief of the Snow Sect?" Zenith replied suggestively. Clearly, he was not pleased with Boris' interjection.
"Oh, of course no! I would never do such a thing!
But, Chief Zenith, according to our Sect's tradition, this situation needs the approval from the nine elders, whether the exemption is granted or not!" Boris insisted, unwilling to yield to Zenith's final decision.
There was no way he would let the chance of killing Ricky go so easily.
He then turned to the nine elders and said, "So, Elders, it's your turn to make a decision. What do you think of Ricky's act and what measures do you think should be carried out?"
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