Family expulsion?
Three years of penance?
This punishment, not too severe, but not too light either.
After all, being expelled from the family would mean losing face and being looked down upon by others.
Furthermore, those expelled would no longer receive the family's protection and would have to fend for themselves for all their needs.
This would be an impossible task for Zi Wenchang, who had lived a life of luxury since childhood.
Moreover, with Zi Wenchang's foolishness, he had offended no small number of people, so his future days would not be easy.
Zi Lingling was not a gentle soul. The reason she did not directly kill Zi Wenchang was because she still needed to prove some things.
For example, the Ghost Flower poison on her body, and the disappearance of her mother and father...
Zi Jitian nodded and said, "Ling... Patriarch, this punishment is rather lenient. I agree!"
Zi Yangshang also nodded, "I agree too!"
No one among Zi Yangchun, Zi Yangshang, and Zi Yangbei objected.
Zi Wenchang instantly wilted more than a leaf under a scorching sun.
"Good! Since you all agree, I, the current Patriarch, now declare: Zi Wenchang has betrayed the family and committed a heinous crime. He, along with his wife, Madam Wang, and his daughters Zi Yuling, Zi Jinling, and Zi Huiling, are hereby expelled from the family register!"
Zi Lingling spoke without any emotion.
Compared to the suffering of the original host, what was the fate of Zi Wenchang's family?
The debts, she would collect them one by one.
The enemies, she would make them break down bit by bit.
Like a cat playing with a mouse, once she had her fill of playing and tormenting, she would grant them release.
"Zi Wenchang, you must now apologize to the Seven Great Noble Clans for your previous arrogance!"
Zi Lingling's voice was not loud, but it carried an unyielding authority.
Of course, she could have disregarded the grievances with the Seven Great Noble Clans. After all, the interests between great families would not be completely severed by one or two incidents.
Unless, the relationship between the two families was already as cold as ice, and a certain incident served as the last straw.
It was precisely because of this that although the Seven Great Noble Clans engaged in schemes and secret struggles, their relationship had not yet reached a breaking point.
And Zi Lingling forcing Zi Wenchang to apologize undoubtedly placed herself on a moral high ground.
In this way, if any other family were to use this matter as a pretext to stir up trouble in the future, she would be justified in asserting her advantage.
Zi Wenchang was slightly stunned, then he looked at Zi Jitian and the four elders.
When he found that none of them intended to intercede for him, his eyes immediately dimmed a little.
Zi Wenchang glared fiercely at Zi Lingling, then turned his gaze towards the direction of the Seven Great Noble Clans' patriarchs and said with extreme reluctance, "I have spoken recklessly before. I apologize to all of you here, and I beg you not to take my reckless words to heart."
After speaking, he lowered his head, his eyes filled with venom.
Today, Zi Wenchang had truly fallen, not retaining a shred of dignity.
And the cause of all this was actually the trash he had always wanted to scheme against.
His unwillingness grew wildly, instantly engulfing his mind.
"He who does not avenge himself is no gentleman! Zi Lingling, I will grind you to dust!"
As if sensing Zi Wenchang's hostility, Zi Lingling glanced at him indifferently and then smiled.
Yes, she smiled.
If Zi Wenchang had obediently accepted his fate, he might have lived a little longer. But if he insisted on courting death, then he was simply tired of living.
Zi Lingling withdrew her hand, which had been held by Ye Lingyuan, and stepped onto the martial arts stage.
On the arena, the pitted surface, created by countless battles, became smooth again the moment she stepped onto it.
Of course, this was done intentionally by Zi Lingling, not to show off, but to deter.
What she used was, naturally, earth spiritual power.
Today, she had already used water, wood, and fire spiritual power consecutively. Now, by using earth spiritual power again, she wanted to tell everyone that her strength was not just what they had seen.
If anyone wanted to be her enemy, they would have to weigh their own strength carefully and see if they could withstand her wrath.
Arrogance was not always wrong. With sufficient strength, arrogance could also be a form of self-protection. Su Dan Novel Network
Zi Lingling stood there with a smile, letting the hem of her robes flutter in the wind.
Her vast divine consciousness was released without reservation, quickly sweeping across the entire martial arts field.
The aura of a powerful being, accompanied by the overwhelming divine consciousness, fell upon everyone, making them feel a pressure that made their souls tremble.
Of course, there were four exceptions. These four were Ye Lingyuan, Situ Yunfeng, Qing Yu, and Xue Ying.
This was because Zi Lingling had deliberately avoided them, as these four were people she considered her own.
Since they were her own, she would not insult them in any way.
It was also for this reason that the four of them were watching the show from different locations...
Within the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn, everyone was already sweating profusely.
But strangely, those with strong cultivation and those with weak cultivation showed no difference in their condition.
This showed that Zi Lingling's control over her divine consciousness had reached an exquisite level.
Zi Lingling smiled with satisfaction, withdrew her divine consciousness, and then said condescendingly, "The Zi family has no intention of being enemies with anyone, but we are not afraid of being enemies. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
If forcing Zi Wenchang to apologize earlier was like giving the Seven Great Noble Clans a sweet, then the powerful pressure exerted during this stick of incense was a blatant slap in their faces.
"Understood, understood!"
A cacophony of fawning voices erupted from the martial arts stage.
This was not just from the Seven Great Noble Clans, but also from other factions.
From this moment on, many factions would categorize the Zi family as a force that absolutely could not be provoked.
One person, deterring a crowd, a crowd of forces. What magnificent prowess!
"That's good!"
Zi Lingling smiled charmingly and continued, "Since everyone is here to witness the Zi family Patriarch's succession ceremony, I, as the Patriarch, cannot let you return disappointed."
After speaking, she turned to Zi Yangchun and said calmly, "Second Elder, can we begin?"
Zi Yangchun was stunned for a moment before he realized that Zi Lingling was asking about the Patriarch's succession ceremony.
He quickly bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, Patriarch!"
Not to mention that Zi Lingling was jointly nominated by them, but even if she hadn't been, her previous display of skill left no room for anything but respect.
Zi Lingling nodded faintly and said, "Then let's begin!"
After speaking, she flickered and returned to her original seat.
Zi Yangchun tidied his thoughts slightly and stood proudly in the center of the martial arts stage, declaring, "The Ninth Generation Patriarch Succession Ceremony of the Tianqi Zi Family now begins!"