We Have to Kill Him

Karsha remained indoors per Elder June's instructions. He hadn't stepped outside his room for the past ten days, spending his time solely on eating and sleeping.

He acknowledged that he had botched his plan. Initially, he intended to start causing trouble once the system was back online. However, allowing his emotions to prevail resulted in antagonizing not just one, but two Grea families.

Given these families' strong ties with the Sunlight Great Family, the punishment they've been devising for the past ten days wouldn't be child's play. Karsha spent the last ten days analyzing the situation and speculating on how he could have handled it differently.

After countless calculations, he arrived at only one conclusion: had he kept his emotions in check, he could have managed the situation more calmly.

However, that was all in the past now. He still had 18 days before the system came back online. Yet, early in the morning, Elder June visited him, informing him they would be meeting the sect Master and the Varon Family reps later that day to know the punishment they have for him

A little after 4 pm, Elder June arrived and picked him up. "So, what should I expect?" Karsha asked as he and Elder June soared through the air. It was more like being carried through the air, as Elder June was the one doing the flying.

"They will attempt to strong-arm you, hoping you'll cower in fear and accept their proposal. My advice to you, though, is to stand your ground and not yield to their demands. You might not realize this, but their actions are motivated by a desire to retaliate against the sect.

Your conduct will determine the outcome, depending on your level of stubbornness. Even if you're at death's door, do not bring disgrace upon the sect. The great families must understand they are not above reproach," Elder June declared, clenching her fist in anger.

Karsha, taken aback by her words, pondered. Just a few days ago, she expressed concern over the gravity of Karsha's situation. Now, she was advising him to maintain his integrity when confronting the great families — even encouraging him to display arrogance, a trait inherent to Karsha's character.

Perhaps she had overreacted previously, but now, with clearer judgment, her counsel seemed rational. After five minutes of flight, they landed in front of the grand mansion. Karsha couldn't help but marvel at its magnificence once again.

Moments later, the gates opened, and Karsha and Elder June proceeded inside. Upon entering, Karsha's gaze fell upon the man who had defused the situation at the Sunlight Pavilion ten days prior: Hugh Varon, Vance's father.

Two others sat beside him. The moment they laid eyes on Karsha, expressions of disdain and anger contorted their faces. Karsha merely smirked, further incensing them, as he followed behind Elder June.

Once settled, the sect Master began speaking, "We all know why we're here, so let's not waste anyone's time."

Hugh Varon cast another glance at Karsha before commencing his address, "Today, we, as representatives of the Varon, Uzi, and Sunlight Great Families, are here to announce the punishment deemed necessary by the three families for the young man who disrespected the Varon and Uzi heirs."

"After a brief deliberation, we have devised two punishments. You must choose one and comply without resistance." Karsha felt his heart burning with fear and anger, the same anger he experienced upon encountering Vance.

Elder June noticed his agitation and gently clasped Karsha's hand from behind, prompting Sect Master Xu who saw this to raise an eyebrow. Oblivious to the scrutiny, Karsha and Elder June stood waiting for Hugh to read the punishments.

"The first punishment," Hugh paused, locking eyes with Karsha, "You will publicly kneel and beg forgiveness from Vance, Cai, and Joe. You will serve them for..."

"The second punishment, please," Karsha interrupted, refusing outright to entertain the idea of begging those dimwits. Cai is the lady from the Uzi family and Joe is the young man Karsha kicked a few days ago and held a sword to his throat, Vance's younger brother.

However, this action didn't sit well with the three representatives from the great families, evident from the bulging veins on their foreheads. Meanwhile, the four elders and Elder June entertained different thoughts.

'Nicely done, Kid,' the Sect Master Xu silently praised Karsha, giving him a thumbs-up in his heart.

'Proud of you, kid,' Elder Chen inwardly beamed with pride, his grin stretching from ear to ear.

'This boy is something else,' Elder June whispered to herself, her grip on Karsha's hand tightening.

All the elders wore proud expressions. Initially, they had anticipated Karsha taking the easy way out. However, witnessing his bold and arrogant action dispelled that notion entirely.

Their amusement, however, was short-lived. Hugh, observing the smug looks on the elders' faces, Hugh's anger soared. Instead of announcing the second punishment as planned, he took it a step further, sealing Karsha's fate.

Originally, they intended for Karsha to join an expedition team to a Tier 6 dimensional Gate to hunt specific monsters. However, Karsha's abrupt and rude interruption prompted a change of plans.

"The second punishment is this: you will be exiled to the Snake Island for 60 days. If you manage to survive this period, all offenses will be forgiven."

"You've gone too far, Hugh. How can a kid survive in that place for 60 whole days?" Sect Master Xu, though outwardly calm, erupted into anger upon hearing the second punishment.

"That is his punishment, and there is nothing any of you can do to change it," Hugh retorted smugly. "Not even the king can alter this verdict. He will be sent to the island for 60 days, and that is final," he added with a tone thick with anger.

"You bastard, who do you think you are?" Elder Chen's hand went to the hilt of his sword, ready for confrontation. However, Karsha intervened just as the situation was about to escalate.

"Just to clarify, you want me to go to a place and survive there for 60 days," Karsha stated. "Yes. You leave in 10 days' time, so if I were you, I would bid farewell to my loved ones," Hugh replied with a satisfied smile.

"At least that's better than kneeling before those good-for-nothing heirs of yours," Karsha retorted, ensuring his statement was heard by all. Instantly, the smiles on the faces of the Great Family representatives turned into scowls of anger.

Hugh glared at Karsha, his face turning beet-red, before gesturing for the other two representatives to follow him. He wanted to have the last word, but the way things were unfolding, lingering for another moment would only make him appear foolish in front of the kid.

Karsha, observing the reactions of the family representatives, maintained his smile, shining like the morning sun. However, once they exited the mansion, he felt the weight of the world crashing down upon him.

"You've got some guts, kid, but Snake Island has nothing to do with guts. You're in serious trouble," Elder Lin remarked as she approached Karsha. "You're in deep trouble," she added solemnly.

They had anticipated the Great Families devising something dangerous, but sending a Master stage cultivator to Snake Island took their treachery to another level.

"What exactly is this Snake Island?" Karsha inquired, attempting to delve into the memories of the Divine Alchemist but finding nothing. He sensed the danger of the place, yet remained ignorant of its true peril.

"Snake Island, also known as Venom Island, is the last place any human should venture. It's teeming with the deadliest snakes imaginable. No one has ever returned alive, so little is known about it," Elder June explained, prompting Karsha, who had been standing, to sink into a chair. "I'm doomed," he muttered.

"Yes, you are, Kid. The Varon Family really wants you gone, and judging by how things are unfolding, they may just succeed. No offense, Kid, but you simply don't have what it takes to survive in that place," Elder Chen remarked.

"Let's entertain a hypothetical scenario where you manage to survive encounters with Tier 5 snakes; I highly doubt you'll stand a chance against Tier 6 ones. It's rumored that the island comprises ten sections, each ruled by a Tier 7 Mutat," Sect Master Xu added gravely. "You've got guts, kid, but I don't see you surviving a Tier 7 monster."

Karsha listened to their remarks in silence. 'I'm screwed' was the only thought echoing in his mind. Indeed, he was. The destination awaiting him was no place for humans; even a simple bee sting could be lethal.

And even if, by some miracle, he lasted a few days, he wouldn't stand a chance against Tier 6 snakes, which are everywhere on the island. The place was teeming with such vicious creatures that even Saints like Elder June wouldn't survive a single bite.

"How much time do I have to prepare?" Karsha inquired.

"Ten days," Elder June replied.

"Good, I still have time," Karsha said, rising from his seat and making his way toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Elder June asked, following him. Once again, the sect master raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his daughter's unusual behavior.

"I'm going shopping with Xian. Want to join us?" Karsha invited, and to his surprise, Elder June nodded. "I'll have to watch over you until you leave, considering the Varon family might try to eliminate you before the ten days are up," she explained her reason for accompanying them.

"Sure, Elder June," Karsha said with a sly smile. "Tsk," Elder June smirked as they exited the mansion and made their way toward Xian's residence.

==============

"That kid is arrogant," one of the representatives remarked after they departed from the Sect. "Are we going to let him roam freely for the next 10 days?" he questioned.

"We have to kill him," Hugh declared with an evil grin. Karsha had humiliated them, and as retribution, the Varon Family would do their best to eliminate him before the 10 days elapsed.