Chapter Fifty-Four: Suppression

An immense pressure descended, enveloping everything. The master at the Celestial Realm spoke with absolute authority, unleashing a fierce intent to kill that swept across the hall, causing the entire palace to tremble. An unprecedented sense of crisis weighed heavily upon Lin Fan’s heart.

"What a method! Truly flawless—first, execute me. Then Senior Sister Yunxi will be implicated, and the Divine Court will collapse. The promising situation will be destroyed," Lin Fan understood the sequence of events and cursed inwardly, but he was powerless to change any of it. Yunxi was now involved as well, making it difficult to speak out. The only ones left with any influence were Chu Yunji and Ji Wusheng.

"This matter, I believe, still warrants further discussion," Chu Yunji spoke at that moment. His voice was aged but carried immense authority, instantly breaking Lord Jiang’s momentum.

"Yunji, what do you mean?" Lord Jiang frowned, his expression darkening.

"I suggest we put this aside for now. Though Lin Fan has the suspicion of slander, if he truly was unaware, then ignorance absolves him of guilt. To convict him now would be unjust," Chu Yunji asserted forcefully. He had always held such a character, which was why he was the Elder of Law at Heaven Capital Gate. Though Lord Jiang hailed from the Domain Lord’s Palace, their statuses were equally matched.

"Hmph, the witness is already present. What is there left to consider?" Lord Jiang snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with divine light.

"This is not a matter of witnesses. Both sides may be suspected of lying. I have heard of Lin Fan’s character; he would not do such a thing," Chu Yunji’s words were clearly fabricated, blatantly favoring Lin Fan—or rather, Yunxi. It was apparent he stood behind Yunxi as a powerful figure.

"Regardless of truth or falsehood, better to err on the side of caution. I am meticulous by nature; even if it means killing a thousand by mistake, I would not let one guilty person escape," Lord Jiang tore away all pretense, his voice harsh and murderous intent undisguised.

"I still believe it should be postponed. Elder Chu speaks wisely. We of the Celestial Realm have already transcended; we should not show favoritism. If Lin Fan truly is ignorant, he should not die. But though the death penalty may be waived, guilt cannot be escaped. Before the truth is uncovered, he may be detained," Ji Wusheng spoke at just the right moment. Though his tone was neutral, everyone present knew he was leaning toward Lin Fan. Should this truly be a framing of the Divine Son, none could escape blame even after a thousand deaths.

Lord Jiang and Duanmu Ci’s expressions shifted subtly. Clearly, they had not accounted for Ji Wusheng. Now, with two Celestial Realm masters supporting Lin Fan, even Lord Jiang could not openly oppose.

"Very well, since Elder Chu and Lord Ji have spoken, I will give you this courtesy. Lin Fan shall not be killed for now, but he must be severely punished. I propose he be suppressed in Black Demon Heaven," Duanmu Ci finally spoke. As a principal party, his suggestion carried weight.

"Black Demon Heaven?! Impossible! That place holds imprisoned demon lords. There are not just one but many Celestial Realm demons, and traitors among the human race. Lin Fan is only at the Mortal Body stage. Once he enters, he will surely die!" Yunxi rose, protesting with all her strength. She knew well what kind of place Black Demon Heaven was—a haven for the most vicious, where even Celestial Realm cultivators might perish if imprisoned.

"This is the limit of my tolerance. Ordinary people who slander me are executed on the spot. Imprisoning Lin Fan in Black Demon Heaven is my greatest concession. Otherwise, even if it means offending all the masters here, I will kill him to set an example," Duanmu Ci snorted, waving his hand and leaving Yunxi no chance to speak further. The murderous intent surged, filling the entire hall.

"Very well, since Duanmu has spoken, I will let him go for now. I believe you all understand what's at stake," Lord Jiang nodded, glancing at the crowd, his implicit threat clear.

"Lin Fan, what do you say..." At this moment, a voice sounded in Lin Fan’s mind—it was Prison Heaven, silent until now, finally awakening at this critical juncture.

"My lords, I have a clear conscience. Now you wish to suppress me in Black Demon Heaven on a baseless charge—I have no complaint. But I ask: what if I manage to escape from Black Demon Heaven?" Following Prison Heaven's guidance, Lin Fan spoke, startling everyone present.

"Haha, haha! Perhaps you do not know what kind of place Black Demon Heaven is. In ancient times, a great battle between humans and demons took place in Ancient Red City. After their defeat, the demon lords were sealed beneath the earth by human powers. Some of the chief culprits were imprisoned in a deathtrap—Black Demon Heaven. Since then, it has become the exile for criminals of Tianwu Domain, filled with demons and traitors. Do you think you could survive such a place?" Duanmu Ci laughed, as if he had heard something unbelievable, his whole body trembling.

Lin Fan’s face grew paler. He finally understood: Black Demon Heaven was a place of no return, a realm of death. No wonder Duanmu Ci was so astonished. Yet, trusting Prison Heaven, Lin Fan continued, "Nothing is absolute. If I truly escape, how will you treat me then?"

"Truly a hero in his youth! When I was your age, the mere mention of Black Demon Heaven would make my legs tremble. If you can escape, the charges against Duanmu will be wiped clean," Lord Jiang spoke before Duanmu Ci could answer. Though it sounded like praise, it was actually mocking.

"Let it be as Lord Jiang says. If you truly have such fortune, the matter ends here," Duanmu Ci agreed without hesitation. He trusted in the terror of Black Demon Heaven far more than Lin Fan.

Chu Yunji sighed, his face grim. He knew nothing could be done and left the hall with a wave, his anger obvious to all.

"Since you have agreed, go now. Perhaps you may indeed escape," Duanmu Ci stood with hands behind his back, looking down at the world. A vast tunnel of space appeared, and waves of demonic energy surged forth, mingled with agonized screams.

This was Black Demon Heaven—a prison for the Celestial Realm.

A giant hand stretched out; someone from Black Demon Heaven reached in and seized Lin Fan.

Brilliant light flashed; Lin Fan was taken away by the giant hand. The hall remained filled with overwhelming demonic might, the aura of the Celestial Realm lingering.

...ps: With the New Year approaching, I wish everyone a happy holiday. There will inevitably be much happening during this time, so from today, updates will be once per day, and after the eleventh, we'll return to two per day. Thank you all for your support—please remember to bookmark and recommend!