Harlan gazed at the elders who spoke up for Orson coldly. His expression indifferent, when he said, “Mr. Moreau’s punishment has been decided. There will be no changes to this. Furthermore, today is the inner court disciple assessment. Disciples who pass must spend a month training intensively at Repentance Hill. This is also one of the sect’s rules, so pass on the command to your disciples.”
Harlan’s tone didn’t allow for any argument. As the sect leader, even though he had been newly elected, he didn’t want the elders to oppose him. The elders exchanged glances, none of them uttering a word.
They all knew the one-month intensive training at Repentance Hill was a mere ruse. The true intention was to brainwash the disciples who had passed the assessments.
Even though they were all aware, there was nothing they could do. After all, Harlan was the sect leader.
Seeing no one spoke, Harlan smiled with satisfaction:
After glancing outside, he then asked, “It’s already this late. Hasn’t the assessment ended yet?”
At that moment, a disciple hurried in from. outside and reported, “The assessment has already concluded, Mr. Garrido, but it had led to the explosion of a fire source and damage to the array due to a cheating incident. Mr. Cunningham is fixing the array, so it’ll take a few days to complete the repair.”
“What? Someone cheated and caused a fire source explosion? How audacious! Who is it?” Harlan asked with a scowl.
Dario’s heart clenched immediately at the report.
If Jared is behind this, I’ll be doomed. Once an investigation begins, I’ll surely be exposed for accepting bribery to allow outsiders to enter the sect indiscriminately.
Anxiety filled Dario, when the disciple explained, “It was Adan, an outer court disciple. He tried to enhance the fire source’s power by using the one in the bronze breastplate, but he lost control, leading to an explosion.”
Dario breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing it was Adan.
Harlan frowned. Adan is from my faction. Even though he’s merely an outer court disciple, he’s already a Sixth Level Tribulator. His strength has surpassed even some of the inner court disciples. As for using the bronze breastplate to cheat, I’m sure it was Thiago’s idea. After all, that bronze breastplate belongs to Thiago.
“Mr. Garrido, cheating during the challenge has led to the destruction of the array. This is a serious offense, punishment must be meted out!” Dario said.
At that moment, his sole intention was to make things difficult for Harlan. Since Orson had been punished to thirty years of imprisonment, it was time to see how he’d punish disciples of his own faction when they erred.
“Yes, they must be punished!” Harlan nodded but was already scheming of ways to absolve Adan.
“Mr. Barclay, Mr. Garrido, Mr. Cunningham has already punished Adan,” the disciple revealed.
Harlan immediately breathed a sigh of relief. “Since Mr. Cunningham has already penalized Adan, let’s follow his decision. After all, Mr. Cunningham is known for his impartiality. Since some mishaps happened in this round of challenges, did anyone even pass the test?”
“Only one disciple managed to pass the challenge through a spar,” answered the disciple.
“Pass through a spar? Who’s the challenger, and who was challenged?”
“A disciple named Axel Chadwick challenged Thiago,” the disciple replied.
“What?” Harlan shot to his feet, disbelief written across his face. Thiago is my prided disciple. How can an outer court disciple possibly defeat him?
Dario was taken aback upon hearing Axel Chadwick, not expecting it to be someone he had brought in. He was even more surprised to discover that Jared possessed such abilities.
After calming down, Harlan slowly sat back down and ordered, “Inform Mr. Nielsen to bring me the documentation device of the spar!”
“Right away!” The disciple turned and left in search of Arnold.
The other elders were engaged in hushed discussions.
