Chapter 355: Two Holy Sons
"Enough."
The dean spoke, breaking the strange atmosphere within the great hall. "Back to business. Since Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian have both comprehended the Great Dao truth while in the Path Union realm, I propose that the two of them shall together serve as the Holy Sons of Wendao Academy. Do any of you have objections?"
When Bing Yan broke through to Half-Saint, the dean's divine sense had already been focused on the nine chiefs, as well as Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian.
He had thought that among the nine chiefs, two or three would grasp the Dao truth. Never did he expect that only Lin Ming managed it, while instead Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian gave him a great surprise.
After careful thought, the dean decided to let them both become Holy Sons of Wendao Academy. This was not unprecedented.
"We have no objection."
Hearing that the gathered elders all agreed, Cao Youqian's eyes lit up. This was something beyond his wildest dreams.
"Many thanks, Dean."
The two bowed to the dean.
"No need to thank me, this is what you deserve. Since you are now the Holy Sons of Wendao Academy, you must take on the great responsibility of the academy…"
The dean began a long speech. After quite some time, he paused and added, "I have decided: in half a year, your Holy Son ceremony will be held. At that time, all the major powers will be invited to witness it."
At these words, everyone present called out in unison, "Dean is wise."
The meeting ended, and all departed.
When Chu Feng and his two companions returned to Miaomiao Mountain, Nie Xiuyuan came forward to greet them.
"Disciple greets master and two senior brothers."
"At ease."
Chu Feng smiled and asked, "Are you here to bid farewell?"
Nie Xiuyuan nodded. "Indeed. Now that the mountain is at peace, I wish to settle my grievances as soon as possible."
Cao Youqian instinctively asked, "Senior brother, do you mean those two adulterers?"
"Yes."
Nie Xiuyuan replied calmly.
His affairs were no secret in Wendao Academy. Once, if someone mentioned them in person, he would feel disturbed. But now, he was at peace with it.
Xiao Chen frowned slightly. "Senior brother Nie, could you wait another half year? I wish to go with you."
Cao Youqian agreed. "I think the same. Our Miscellaneous Dao Institute is famed for brotherhood and loyalty. Of course we should go together, and let those two regret it deeply."
Nie Xiuyuan's heart warmed. He could feel that his fellow disciples truly wished to help him. To refuse would make him seem aloof.
"Very well, but may I ask what matter requires the two senior brothers to wait half a year before taking action?"
The two did not answer, but instead looked to Chu Feng.
"These two brats have already been named Holy Sons by the dean, and a grand ceremony will be held for them," Chu Feng said calmly.
"Congratulations to both senior brothers," Nie Xiuyuan said with a smile.
"An unexpected joy, nothing more. Your matter is more important. In these six months, we can investigate the current situation of those two," Cao Youqian quickly shifted the topic back to Nie Xiuyuan.
Nie Xiuyuan nodded. "Alright."
…
In less than three days, the news that Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian had become Holy Sons of Wendao Academy spread across most of the Xuantian Continent.
The announcement shocked the world. Holy Sons of great sacred lands were all Nirvana cultivators. Could it be these two had secretly stepped into Nirvana?
In the Liang Kingdom, during the morning court…
The King of Liang sat lazily upon the dragon throne, listening to the ministers quarreling below.
"Report!!!"
A loud shout cut through the argument, and all eyes turned toward the hall entrance.
A messenger knelt outside the hall and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, urgent news—an edict from the Holy Land!"
At these words, the King of Liang quickly turned to the grand eunuch at his side. "Quickly, prepare the incense burner to receive the decree!"
"As you command."
The grand eunuch responded, then shouted loudly into the hall, "Prepare the incense burner, welcome the decree!"
Upon hearing that a Holy Land decree had arrived, the high officials of Liang forgot entirely what they had been disputing. In unison, their gazes shifted toward Prince Ding.
At that moment, Prince Ding's heart was restless. Though Xiao Chen was his son, relations between Xiao Chen and Prince Ding's household were poor. If not for his beloved consort still being there, he might long ago have been cast out of Liang. Fortunately, after more than ten years of effort, his consort had finally given birth to a young princess.
Soon, the King of Liang personally received the decree. His hands trembled as he read its contents aloud.
When he finished, the palace fell silent—before erupting in cheers.
"Liang has produced a Holy Son!"
"Liang has produced a Holy Son!"
…
The news quickly reached Prince Ding's manor. The former concubine Xiao, now the royal consort, wept with joy upon hearing that Xiao Chen had become a Holy Son of Wendao Academy.
It had been nearly twenty years since she last saw her son. Though she had received bits of news about him over the years, none brought her greater happiness than this.
Beside her, a three-year-old girl stretched out her chubby little hand to wipe her mother's tears, comforting her, "Mother, don't cry. Xier will blow them away."
The consort smiled. "Mother isn't crying, only happy. Very soon, Xier will be able to meet her big brother."
"Really?"
At those words, the child's face lit up with joy.
Meanwhile, in Yunlan Sect.
Alongside the message from Wendao Academy came a marriage proposal.
The Song clan's patriarch, upon reading the letter and news, laughed wildly toward the heavens. "Hahaha… my Song family's son-in-law has become a Holy Son of Wendao Academy!!!"
Compared to the excitement outside, Wendao Academy remained calm.
The Holy Son ceremony was being prepared by servants and stewards of the Internal Affairs Hall. The nine chiefs had all chosen to enter seclusion.
Seven days into his seclusion, Lin Ming broke through to Half-Saint, though his advancement did not shake the academy greatly.
Following his breakthrough, the remaining eight chiefs also advanced one after another before the Holy Son ceremony.
In the Miscellaneous Dao Institute—
Fang Mu was first to break through to the first level of Path Union, becoming the fourth elder of the institute. Aside from Nie Xiuyuan, Qin Qin and Wang Baole had also received their elder identity tokens.
Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian, however, were already Holy Sons, ranked alongside the ten chiefs, so they did not need to assume elder positions.
Han Ping also advanced to the third level of Spirit Nurturing, continuing to develop his path of agricultural cultivation.
Half a year passed quickly, and less than seven days remained before the Holy Son ceremony of Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian.
In Wendao City, inns and guesthouses had long been filled with forces arriving to attend the celebration.
Two weary figures asked around the city streets for directions to Wendao Academy. Guided by locals, they headed toward the academy, arriving at its mountain gate just as the sun was setting…
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