Immediately, shocked and bewildered gazes were cast towards Leo and Duffy.
“What is that person holding?”
“It looks like Vice Lord Duffy.”
“Who is that young man? Duffy is said to be at the half-step Spirit Saint level, yet he is being carried like a dead dog.”
“There’s going to be a good show today.”
In Clearwind Square, the Cultivators became restless.
“You… you…” Duffy was utterly terrified at this point, he could even feel Leo’s killing intent.
“I… I am about to break through to the Spirit Saint level, you…” Duffy tried to explain his current situation, hoping Leo would reconsider.
But Leo didn’t let him finish. He grabbed Duffy’s neck with his right hand and flung him forcefully.
Duffy’s obese figure fell like a boulder from the sky, crashing heavily into the center of the square.
The hard stone slabs in the center of the square shattered instantly, and as the dust settled, a large pit appeared.
In the pit, Duffy lay with his clothes torn, looking like a dead dog.
The onlooking Cultivators were startled by this scene.
It was known that Duffy was a half-step Spirit Saint level expert, yet he had no power to resist in the hands of a young man.
Leo’s face was stern as he scanned the crowd of Cultivators and said loudly, “I am Leo, the new Lord of Clearwind Town. Upon my arrival today, I learned that Duffy falsely conveyed my orders, privately increased the town entry fee and stall fees, and embezzled the monthly salaries of the guards.”
Leo’s voice, infused with spiritual power, almost covered the entire Clearwind Town.
Upon hearing Leo’s words, the Cultivators burst with anger.
“The entry fee and stall fees were increased by Duffy!”
“He even blamed it on the new Lord, how shameless.”
“Now he’s being punished by the new Lord; this is karmic retribution!”
The most dissatisfied with Duffy were the vendors in Clearwind Town. Therefore, seeing Duffy punished by Leo made them feel vindicated.
After letting the crowd discuss for a while, Leo continued loudly, “As Vice Lord, Duffy embezzled for his own gain and must be punished! Today I will abolish his cultivation!”
Upon hearing Leo’s words, Duffy’s face changed drastically. He struggled to stand up in pain and tried to escape with all his might by mobilizing his internal spiritual power.
Leo snorted and slapped towards Duffy from a distance.
A flaming palm print filled with high temperature descended on Duffy.
Duffy’s body, which had just leaped up, crashed heavily onto the square again. His whole body was charred black, and his aura completely withered.
Then, Leo pointed at Duffy from a distance, and a stream of icy white light shot out.
Under Duffy’s terrified gaze and the shocked eyes of the onlooking Cultivators, the icy white light pierced through Duffy’s dantian directly.
Duffy spat out a mouthful of blood and then rolled his eyes and fainted on the ground.
From then on, the Cultivators watching looked at Leo with deep respect and awe.
“In Clearwind Town, anyone who falsely conveys my orders will be killed without mercy!” Leo’s gaze swept across the entire square, his icy voice echoing throughout Clearwind Town, filled with powerful deterrence and indisputable authority.
“Yes, Lord!” Voices echoed from all directions of Clearwind Town.
After Leo recovered his dignity, his tone softened slightly as he continued, “I have decided that from today onwards, there will be no stall fees or entry fees for half a year. As for the Spirit Stones embezzled from the guards’ salaries, I will personally distribute them.”
“Lord is wise!” The Cultivators shouted respectfully.
Leo glanced at the unconscious Duffy. A suction force emerged from his right hand, directly grabbing Duffy’s Storage Sack into his hand.
In the next moment, Leo’s figure flashed and landed in front of the Lord’s Manor.
In front of the Lord’s Manor, eight Black Armored Guards naturally heard Leo’s words.
“Thank you, Lord!” The eight Black Armored Guards knelt on one knee towards Leo in gratitude.
Leo looked at their captain and said, “Calculate how much was embezzled from you all and report it to me later.”
“Yes, Lord!” The captain of the Black Armored Guards responded joyfully and respectfully.
After Leo disappeared from the square, discussions among the Cultivators continued to rise and fall.
“This is great; finally normal fees.”
“Duffy was really something awful!”
“This new Lord is so domineering; he easily dealt with a half-step Spirit Saint level expert.”
Some Cultivators realized something and suddenly said, “The new Lord just called himself ‘Leo.’ Why does that name sound so familiar…”
“Isn’t he the one who killed the Water and Fire Dual Heroes and drove away Elder Bloodmoon?”
“Yes, it’s him. I watched that battle on Zratol’s Life and Death Platform!” A Cultivator confirmed.
“It seems something big is going to happen. Bloodsoul Sect has already issued a wanted order for him.”
“He must have some backing to dare reveal his identity.”
“Forget it; let’s just hope their fight doesn’t affect us.”
Inside the Lord’s Manor hall.
“Lord, these are some Spirit Stones given to us by Duffy. Each of us has three thousand pieces. We will accept punishment.”
Elder Noah and Elder Archie knelt on both knees before Leo, each holding a Storage Sack respectfully with their heads lowered.
They had seen how Leo dealt with Duffy earlier. As a half-step Spirit Saint level expert, Duffy was easily crippled by Leo. Their strength was insignificant before Leo.
Leo glanced at them and said indifferently, “Stand up.”
Elder Noah and Elder Archie raised their heads fearfully at Leo but did not immediately stand up.
“Put the Spirit Stones in the treasury. For old times’ sake, I will spare you this time,” Leo said coldly.
There had to be people handling affairs in the Lord’s Manor. Leo didn’t want to go too far and end up with no one to command.
“Yes, thank you, Lord.” Elder Noah and Elder Archie showed joy on their old faces. “We will strictly follow your orders from now on and never overstep our bounds again.”
“Good, you may leave.” Leo nodded.
“Yes, Lord.” Elder Noah and Elder Archie responded respectfully and retreated.
After they left, only Leo, Holden, Violet, and four others remained in the hall.
“Leo, what do we do next?” Violet asked.
“Two things: first is preparing to deal with Bloodsoul Sect.”
“Lord, are we going to war with Bloodsoul Sect?” Christian interjected.
Leo nodded.
Earlier in the square, Leo had revealed his identity. He believed it wouldn’t take long for Bloodsoul Sect to get the news.
Not to mention matters on Earth; just injuring Elder Bloodmoon alone meant Bloodsoul Sect wouldn’t let it go easily.