From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

Chapter 175: 168 Trial and Treasure

Everyone looked at each other in dismay, some even began to argue, asserting to Viscount Bast that they were absolutely faultless, or confessing certain minor wrongdoings, hoping for forgiveness. There were also those who fell silent, their eyes betraying their anxiety, while some resolutely supported Viscount Bast's decision, showing no fear for the consequences to come.

Byrne gazed silently at Viscount Bast, who stood not far away, wondering what he would ultimately do.

The next moment, Viscount Bast slowly extended his hand.

"No matter your performance, it's useless. I trust my own ability to judge character. For those few traitors, their fate ends here," he said.

The Lion clan possessed two advanced Bloodline inheritances: the "Bronze Lion" and the "Graystone Giant Ape," and Viscount Bast's power of Bloodline was that of the Bronze Lion.

That formidable Bloodline power granted him extremely terrifying strength, speed, and defensive power. Besides simply enhancing basic combat abilities, an Extraordinary Exponent with the "Bronze Lion" Bloodline power could also become immune to various negative states and Curses, hardly controllable by abnormal circumstances.

After Viscount Bast finished speaking, everyone simultaneously turned their gaze toward him.

Suddenly, he appeared behind a middle-aged man, grabbed the man by the neck, and the Extraordinary Exponent tried to struggle, but after a moment, he stopped moving.

"Ugh..."

Under the watchful eyes of all, the person Viscount Bast grabbed began to disintegrate into points of light, completely vanishing.

Although dying in the Spirit Realm didn't necessarily mean death in the real world upon awakening, the impact on the soul and spirit was still tremendous!

At the same time, everyone understood one thing: after entering the Spirit Realm, their physical bodies were currently in the dungeon beneath Bast's estate.

Most likely, the real-world body of that person wouldn't meet a good end either, and might have already been dealt with by the Lion clan!

Except for Renzo Leone and Abel Leone, who were members of the Lion clan and remained expressionless, everyone else felt a chill.

If the people of the Lion clan wished, they could utterly kill everyone here!

Byrne had already realized the reason why Viscount Bast was dealing with traitors in the Spirit Realm – their bodies were asleep in reality, and they couldn't run even if they wanted to.

The next moment, a middle-aged female Extraordinary Exponent suddenly knelt down, pleading desperately:

"I didn't mean to betray you, Lord Viscount Bast! I am willing to offer everything my family has, please forgive my actions! Please give me another chance!"

Viscount Bast showed a look of grievance, turned his head to the woman, and said:

"Ah, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You should have spoken sooner. What's the point of saying these things now? Look at the situation. I've already told everyone that you would be judged, how can I go back on my word and still act as the leader of the pride of lions?"

His tone shifted, becoming very serious:

"I know it was you who betrayed a member of the Lion clan, leading to his death, and that child was Renzo's son, a very promising member of our clan."

"Sorry, you must die, and it's not just you who will die. Your family can't survive this either. I will find a reason to send your children to the island prison, where the criminals are especially fond of 'tender care'!"

The kneeling middle-aged woman looked up after hearing this, staring at Viscount Bast with anger and despair.

Renzo came over coldly and smashed the unresisting woman's head with a punch.

Everyone fell into silence, no one spoke, and they were inwardly relieved that they had not betrayed the Lion clan.

Just then, a man wearing a mask suddenly couldn't help but step forward. He took a deep breath and looked at Byrne with a tremor.

"Byrne Fischer! Save me!" he exclaimed.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention to Byrne. He was stunned for a long while, not understanding what was happening. Who was the man wearing the mask?

"Hahahaha, at this point, do you still think struggling will do any good?" Viscount Bast burst into laughter and slowly walked up to Byrne's side.

The trembling man took off his mask, revealing a face that was both familiar and strange to Byrne, which immediately changed his expression.

It was Baron Hoffman!

The brother of Margaret...

Baron Hoffman had aged a lot, his eyes weary, and his tone was full of despair.

"It was a moment of carelessness that let Black Hawk Zavier catch me, forcing me to pass on some information. Then, with their help, I advanced to mid-level Transmutation..."

Baron Hoffman looked at Byrne, shaking all over, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions: anger, plea, despair.

He reached out slowly and continued:

"You know, the Fischer family wronged Margaret. Byrne, find a way to save my life, after all, our two families are related by marriage."

Byrne was at a loss for words for a moment, and Viscount Bast, standing beside him, listened silently for some time before patting his shoulder.

"What do you think?"

"Kill."

Byrne's tone was very calm, knowing that he couldn't have even a moment's hesitation, he immediately answered, "I have always hated those traitors, he must be killed!"

Baron Hoffman's face twisted instantly, filling with rage as he roared:

"Byrne Fischer, you damned bastard! If it wasn't for my agreement, you, born of a lowly family, where would you have had the chance to marry Margaret? Your Fischer family wouldn't have had the chance to reach where it is today!"

"Bastard, slut, the scum of the East Coast! You're nothing but toe lickers of the Lion clan, that's how you got to where you are now!"

Viscount Bast smiled and said, "I'll leave it to you, Byrne."

"Okay."

Byrne nodded slightly. Baron Hoffman burst into laughter, continuing to say:

"Hahahaha! Many people say that you, Byrne Fischer, are a man of sentiment. Now I see clearly, you're nothing but a despicable villain!"

A cold smile emerged on Byrne's face as he shook his head, his eyes coldly stating:

"You betrayed the Lion clan, and if the Lion clan falls, the Fischer family will be finished too. Since you don't even care about Margaret's child, why should I save you?"

Flames emerged around him, instantly engulfing Baron Hoffman.

Baron Hoffman knew there was no chance of escape here, and just kept cursing Byrne and Viscount Bast, until he was finally engulfed by the raging flames and perished in despair.

Byrne took a deep breath.

Before Byrne could speak, Viscount Bast preempted, "Don't worry, I won't touch the other members of the Hoffman family, I will just support my own people in their ascent."

"And you don't have to worry about your wife's affair, Byrne, she will never know it was you who acted."

Byrne nodded lightly, barely smiling as he acknowledged: "Yes, I understand, thank you."

Viscount Bast laughed heartily, then spoke very amiably and affectionately to the silent crowd:

"Well, the traitor has been executed, let's continue with our next itinerary!"

He calmly told the crowd:

"If we obtain Forbidden Knowledge that isn't limited to a certain number of individuals, all of us will have the chance to share it, and if we obtain the Spirit Realm secret treasure, the Lion clan will exchange valuable things with you, not letting anyone be mistreated."

The crowd immediately became motivated, bursting with joy, the forthcoming profits mattered far more than the recent events!

Deep inside, Byrne couldn't help but reflect that Viscount Bast was indeed a powerful leader who managed his punishments and rewards comprehensively.

Anyone who betrayed the Lion clan would face the most brutal punishment, while those who followed the Lion clan would receive the rewards they deserved.

Gradually, everyone's hearts were unwittingly grasped by Viscount Bast.

"Let's take the right path, I prefer the right," he said.

The elder stretched out his finger, pointing.

There were two passages on either side of the Amethyst Throne, and without hesitation, Viscount Bast pointed to the right one.

Thus, everyone followed his orders, heading down the passage on the right, delving deeper into the palace.

The surrounding walls were made of amethyst, carved with many complex patterns, though no one could discern their meanings.

Byrne too could not recognize them, but he silently memorized the patterns, perhaps they would be useful in the future.

Viscount Bast walked silently in the lead, followed by Renzo and Abel, his younger brothers, who were always vigilant, keeping their eyes peeled for danger.

At last, they reached the bottom of the palace, where indeed there were treasures!

Almost everyone couldn't help but take deep breaths as they entered the underground space of the palace, where three black-purple pillars stood, and atop each pillar floated an "item."

These were the Forbidden Knowledge, the Spirit Realm secret treasures, the hidden treasures of this palace.

Seeing the treasures before them, the greed in everyone's heart surged, but with Viscount Bast present, no one dared to take them arbitrarily.

Unbeknownst to anyone, the patterns on the exterior walls suddenly lit up, and something terrifying was about to be summoned!

Viscount Bast finally showed a smile too. He reached out his hand, murmuring to himself, "The key to breaking through to the Monarch Level lies right here, there can be no mistake!"

"Finally, the moment I've been waiting for! Hahahaha! I will soon have more time! Bast Leone will not stop here!"