Inside the vast hall, Andrew Han’s gaze fell upon the thirteen Void Rift-tier criminals, his expression instantly revealing an unmasked coldness, killing intent, and even anger.
“Truly damned.”
The conviction of being Human had long been deeply rooted in the core of his soul. In Andrew’s eyes, slaughtering fellow Humans for the sake of cultivation and evolution was truly abhorrent—an act that could never be forgiven.
All these Void Rift-tier beings shared a single trait: they were Life-Synthesis Void Rift-tier cultivators who relied primarily on devouring and slaughter.
But regardless of the reason, the crime was unforgivable—even if it was for Life-Synthesis.
Andrew stared coldly at these beings. “So what if you cultivate the Life-Synthesis Path? That cannot justify your wanton slaughter and rampant devouring.”
The vast cosmos is divided into four major cultivation systems: the Body-Gene Path, the Soul-Will Path, the Life-Synthesis Path, and the Sealed Celestial Path.
The Body-Gene Path—also called the Life-Gene Path—together with the Soul-Will Path, make up the mainstream cultivation methods. Next comes the Life-Synthesis Path, and finally the Sealed Celestial Path. Among these, Sealed Celestial cultivators are the rarest, for their path relies on fate, luck, and an unbreakable will.
By comparison, the Life-Synthesis Path is much more common.
Most beings born with insufficient talent have no choice but to resolutely walk the Life-Synthesis Path.
However, Life-Synthesis can also be cultivated through research, through the modification and recombination of genes and cellular DNA, and other scientific means to advance one's realm. Devouring and slaughter are not the only path, though they remain the simplest, most effortless, and fastest route to power.
This filled Andrew with contempt and true disdain.
Even his notorious master, Miles Ning, would never sacrifice his own people just for strength. Those with privilege must bear responsibility—this is a creed recognized by all martial artists and gifted individuals on Blue Earth.
"Judgment begins."
Andrew uttered a cold command, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the thirteen Void Rift-tier criminals, finally settling on Logan Lu's dark face.
No!!!
Logan Lu, the elder with jet-black skin, felt the deepest fear he had ever known. It was as if his soul were gripped tight; unable to speak, he glared at Andrew with bitter unwillingness.
"The first criminal: Logan Lu." Andrew's voice was cold, echoing through the vast hall, reverberating in Logan's ears, heart, and even his soul—and in the ears of the other twelve as well.
"Andrew!"
A low roar faintly echoed through the hall.
Logan Lu hesitated, finally able to speak. He looked at Andrew and pleaded desperately, arguing with all his might: "Andrew, Your Highness Andrew! I only wanted to become stronger—is that wrong? I did nothing wrong, absolutely nothing wrong! The value of ten thousand life planets can't compare to my Void Rift-tier cultivation!"
Andrew looked at Logan Lu, his gaze cold and indifferent.
At this moment.
Victor Wu, the Primordial Gate Steward, stood beside Andrew with his hands at his sides.
Two peak Void Rift-tier envoys from the South-Sage Ancient Kingdom stood off to the side, silently watching. The South-Sage envoy was responsible for piloting the Subspace Flyer and supervising Andrew's actions, then reporting back to the true powers of the South-Sage Ancient Kingdom.
One of them clicked his tongue in amazement: "This Andrew Han from the Archaic Hall has drawn collective attention from our kingdom's upper echelons. I suspect he holds considerable status even within the Hall itself."
"Yeah, we just need to watch."
The two envoys from the Ancient Kingdom only had advisory authority.
As for how Andrew would judge and handle matters, what decisions he would make, the two had no right to intervene at all.
"What do you think he'll do?"
The two exchanged secret telepathic messages: "No idea. He doesn't look like he'll show mercy, but executing thirteen Void Rift-tier beings... If it were me, I'd feel anxious, probably hesitate. Still, the Hall and Ancient Kingdom have set bottom-line standards; Logan Lu was too greedy and clearly crossed the line."
"I heard that for this trial, His Highness Andrew can choose to handle matters himself, or sentence them and hand them over to us in the South-Sage Ancient Kingdom for processing."
These Void Rift-tier criminals are under South-Sage Ancient Kingdom jurisdiction.
According to the Ancient Kingdom's law, even death sentences are delayed. In the period of delay, loopholes can be exploited.
After all...
The South-Sage Ancient Kingdom is unwilling to truly execute Void Rift-tier beings...
Thinking of this, the two envoys instinctively exchanged glances, about to continue their telepathic conversation when Andrew's indifferent voice rang out: "Void Rift criminal Logan Lu—death guilt. Death penalty. Immediate execution!"
Death guilt is the sentencing.
Death penalty is the announcement of the result.
Immediate execution—on-the-spot judgment—is Andrew's personal decision, not handed over to South-Sage law enforcement.
It's important to note there are two choices for death guilt and death penalty.
One is immediate execution, on-the-spot judgment. The other is handing over to South-Sage law enforcement. Andrew only needs to hand over the judged Void Rift-tier criminals to the two peak Ancient Kingdom envoys beside him; the details of execution or release are handled according to South-Sage's territorial law and no longer concern Andrew.
At this moment.
Andrew chose the former.
"No!"
Logan Lu's face was ashen as he struggled desperately, trying to escape, but his whole body trembled and he couldn't move.
"No!!"
Logan Lu let out a roar. If Andrew had handed him over to South-Sage law enforcement, there might still have been a sliver of hope.
In an instant.
Standing beside Andrew, Victor Wu—the Primordial Gate Steward—immediately removed his tall hat and flung it at Logan Lu. The peak Void Rift-tier might struck Logan's despairing forehead directly.
Bang!!!
Logan Lu's entire body instantly froze, like a decaying, ancient statue. His body gradually disintegrated, his soul slowly shattered, and in the blink of an eye he was dead—gone as if he had never existed. He left no last words, no chance to resist or bargain.
Void Rift criminal Logan Lu—dead!
Only the residual Void Rift-tier energy remained, swirling in place and brewing a terrifying energy storm.
When a Void Rift-tier being dies, residual power remains.
If allowed to erupt, it could destroy the surface of a life-bearing planet.
With a muffled sound, Victor Wu extended his palm, grasped the residual Void Rift power, and crushed it into dust—like brilliant fireworks. "His Highness Andrew Han has judged death guilt and pronounced the death penalty; I, Victor Wu, Primordial Gate Steward, have personally carried out the sentence."
"Yes, yes, of course."
Hearing the words 'Primordial Gate,' the Ancient Kingdom envoys hurriedly smiled and nodded, not daring to show any disrespect.
After all, they only had advisory authority—watching quietly was enough; there was no need to get involved in such troublesome matters.