Translator: CinderTL
You Jianfeng was still running.
It had been an entire day. Only three people remained by his side. As they ventured deeper into Ten Thousand Demons Mountain, they occasionally encountered high-level demonic beasts. The beast tide, intimidated by their aura, was forced to split and gradually dwindled.
High-level demonic beasts possessed considerable intelligence and wouldn't blindly follow the beast tide. This gave You Jianfeng a chance to catch his breath.
The bloodstains on the back of the Holy Son Token had long been cleaned. Seizing the opportunity, You Jianfeng swiftly changed direction, avoiding a small group of the beast tide. He leaned against a tree, panting heavily.
"Tu Wanshan!"
You Jianfeng's expression darkened as he glared at the three remaining people behind him, his anger flaring.
His forces had been thin to begin with, and this ordeal had decimated them further. Now, they couldn't even deploy the Minor Eight Directions Formation, which required at least eight people.
"Damn it, what the hell is going on..." You Jianfeng clutched the Holy Son Token, a flicker of consolation rising in his heart. At least he had obtained the item.
"Oh, isn't this Senior Brother You? Why are you hiding here?" A gentle female voice rang out. Mengdie strolled over gracefully, a faint smile playing on her lips.
You Jianfeng's face froze, and he felt like crying.
Mengdie smiled. "Senior Brother You, you don't seem very happy. Is something troubling you?"
You Jianfeng pursed his lips, his heart heavy with despair. He had only ten percent of his Spiritual Power left, while his opponents numbered twenty, creating a vast disparity in strength.
"Sigh..." You Jianfeng sighed deeply, raised his hand, and sent the Holy Son Token floating towards Mengdie. "I'll give this to Senior Sister."
Watching his opponents subtly encircle him, he knew he couldn't escape. He could only hope to trade the Holy Son Token for his life.
Mengdie's smile brightened. With a flick of her sleeve, the Holy Son Token landed in her hand. "Thank you, Senior Brother You. I won't disturb your appreciation of the scenery any further. Junior Sister takes her leave."
With that, she turned and walked away. Having obtained the token, Mengdie saw no point in killing them all. It would be pointless and a waste of energy.
You Jianfeng gazed at the sky, his eyes hollow. He reflected on his journey: first, the wasted trip to Resting Phoenix Mountain; then, being intimidated by Xu Sanyan's aura; next, being schemed against by Tu Wanshan; then, being chased by a beast tide. After finally obtaining the Holy Son Token, Mengdie had swooped in like a mantis stalking a cicada, snatching the token away.
After more than half a month of relentless effort, he had gained nothing but the loss of most of his men.
He was exhausted...
Two days later,
Xu Sanyan stepped onto the mountain gate, and at that instant, ten thousand bells rang out in unison, their sound echoing through heaven and earth. Countless elders and disciples from both sides of the mountain had gathered to witness this moment.
On the mountaintop stood a row of bronze bells. More than a dozen Outer Sect Disciples worked together to wield a massive striking pillar, striking the bells in unison.
The Holy Son Token in Xu Sanyan's arms emitted a rainbow light that soared into the sky, gradually expanding into a colorful auspicious cloud. The radiant glow bathed his head, making him appear like a celestial being descended from the heavens.
Countless eyes burned with fervent gazes fixed on Xu Sanyan, their minds racing with thoughts. After this experience, his status would be utterly transformed. He would rank only below the Hall Master and Sect Leader, even having the authority to mobilize certain sect resources.
Behind him, the five remaining disciples watched Xu Sanyan bathed in the colorful light, their eyes filled with envy. Yet, they also felt immense relief. They had survived. As for why only five remained, one had, of course, "accidentally" perished.
Suddenly, three figures descended from Harmonious Heart Mountain, stepping through the air. Venerable He Yu stood in the center, flanked by the Mad Daoist on the left and Aunt Hua on the right.
A flicker of surprise crossed their eyes. They hadn't expected the first to return to be an obscure disciple, not Qi Liang.
The Mad Daoist's hazy eyes momentarily regained their clarity, and he was quite surprised. He remembered this person.
He had initially only noticed the youth's promising talent and excellent character, so he had casually placed a chess piece. He hadn't expected such an unexpected reward—truly remarkable.
Venerable He Yu smiled and turned to the Mad Daoist, saying, "I never imagined Crimson Dragon Mountain concealed such a gem. Brother, you've kept this hidden remarkably well. But judging by the cultivation method this youth practices..."
Venerable He Yu frowned slightly. "Why does it so closely resemble our sect's Supreme Truth and Absolute Stillness Sutra?"
With their cultivation levels, they could see through Xu Sanyan's cultivation at a glance.
"Hehe..."
The Mad Daoist chuckled but didn't respond. In truth, he had forgotten the youth's name and knew nothing about his past. He vaguely recalled the youth mentioning he came from a remote, small country called... the Seven Kingdoms?
Xu Sanyan took a deep breath, suppressing his thoughts. His gaze swept calmly across the room before settling on the three figures in the air. He bowed deeply and announced in a clear voice, "Disciple Xu Sanyan of Crimson Dragon Mountain greets the three Hall Masters."
The Mad Daoist nodded. "So his name is Xu Sanyan. I'll remember that."
Hua Gu smiled and gestured with her hand. Xu Sanyan immediately felt a gentle surge of Spiritual Power lift him to his feet. "Congratulations, Junior Nephew, on becoming the Holy Son. Come, let's ascend the mountain."
"Yes."
Xu Sanyan stepped forward and reached the summit of Harmonious Heart Mountain. His gaze met the crowd, and whether they were elders or disciples, everyone who met his eyes broke into smiles.
Xu Sanyan didn't act arrogant or haughty. Instead, he remained humble, offering a slight bow in acknowledgment.
The three Hall Masters landed on the high platform. Venerable He Yu spoke, "Congratulations to Xu Sanyan on becoming the second-generation Holy Son of the Harmonious Heart Holy Sect. As a reward, you are granted a magic artifact, a top-grade cultivation cave, annual access to the Heart-Cleansing Pool, decennial access to the Soul-Refining Mountain, the authority to command disciples of your lineage, participation in Hall Master discussions, and many other privileges."
Venerable He Yu smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. He then added softly, "You are also permitted to cultivate the sect's Holy Scripture!"
The crowd fell silent. Everyone who understood the significance of those words, whether disciple or elder, turned to Xu Sanyan with envious gazes.
Xu Sanyan pressed his lips together. He knew the Holy Scripture was valuable, but he didn't fully grasp its true worth, so his reaction wasn't overly enthusiastic.
"Thank you, three Hall Masters! Thank you, Sect Leader! This disciple will certainly live up to the sect's expectations and gladly risk life and limb for the Holy Sect!" Xu Sanyan raised his hand to the heavens, pledging his loyalty.
Formalities were still necessary.
"Hehe, good." Venerable He Yu nodded slightly and murmured to the Mad Daoist and Hua Gu, "Shouldn't we send him to the Heart-Inquiry Hall to probe his true nature?"
"Mhm," they both agreed.
The Holy Scripture was a matter of utmost importance, so no precautions could be spared. Moreover, the Holy Sect was a melting pot of factions, with unknown numbers of spies from other sects lurking within. Therefore, rigorous examinations and investigations were essential.
Though the sect might seem lax in its daily rules, that was only because they hadn't yet encountered core secrets. Once they did, the scrutiny would become incredibly strict.
Only after passing the Heart-Inquiry Hall could one truly be considered a Holy Son of the sect—the final test.
The Mad Daoist raised his wine gourd and took a long swig. "I'll take him."
Venerable He Yu nodded slightly. "Very well."
It was only right that the Mad Daoist, as Xu Sanyan's master, should escort him.
With a wave of his hand, Xu Sanyan soared into the air, and the two of them rode the wind away.
The other five Outer Sect Disciples—Xiang Tan and the others—paid them no heed, at most noting their faces to avoid future collisions.
(End of the Chapter)
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