The Northwest demonic disaster was temporarily quelled. The news that Tang Xiao Qi and his Demon-Sweping Squad turned the tide and even repelled the demonic entity's projection spread likeprairie fire, not only across the cultivation world but at the fastest speed returned to the headquarters of the Three Realms Sky-Patrol Alliance. Its shock and impact far exceeded a local war victory. This symbolized that in the long struggle against the demonic entity, righteous forces had achieved a key strategic initiative for the first time!
The Alliance high command was shaken. After urgent consultation and heated discussion (including some controversy about whether the rewards were too heavy for Xiao Qi's youth, but all wassuppressed by his undeniable achievements and demonstrated potential), an order representing the Alliance's highest-level commendation, led by an elderly Nascent Soul elder of high prestige, carrying generous rewards, crossed mountains and rivers, arriving at the Northwest front strong point: Black Rock Fortress.
The conferral ceremony was not overly ostentatious. It was held in Black Rock Fortress's central square, still bearing battle scars despite repairs. But representatives from various forces, cultivators, and even mortal kingdom envoys who had heard the news and come, had crowded the square watertight. Everyone wanted to witness this new "Pillar of Righteousness" firsthand.
The Alliance representative elder publicly read a long yetevery word weighed a thousand pounds'scommendation order:
"...There is Qingxu Temple Tang Xiao Qi True Lord, who took on a critical mission as Chief Demon-Patrol Envoy,foresight, discerned demonic traces at Yellow Sand Market; bravely ventured into dragon's pool, divided anddisintegrated the Situ family; more importantly, in Northwest extremity, personally led the Demon-Sweping Squad, fought bloody battles, repaired the ancient divine treasure 'Demon-Suppressing Nail,' personally drove it into the seal core, stabilized earth veins, and stemmed the demonic source! Especially when the demonic entity's projection descended and heaven and earth changed color, Lord Tang stepped forward, with supreme willpower and righteous belief, induced the seal's remnant power, forcefully resisted demonic might, ultimately causing the demonic shadow to scatter, protecting countless living beings in the Northwest. Merit for a thousand ages, virtue shines like the sun!"
"...Specially promoted Tang Xiao Qi True Lord to Alliance 'Fourth-Rank Sky-Patrol Elder,' enjoying Elder Council rights, able to mobilize resources in one region, with a 'Demon-Sweping Army' establishment of three thousand personnel directly under his command!"
"...Rewards: five million superior spirit stones! Three Nine Revolutions Soul-Returning Pills! One piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Warm Jade Heart! One copy of the Heaven-Level cultivation method 'Purple Sun Divine Thunder Art' transcription! And may enter the Alliance 'Ten Thousand Techniques Pavilion' fifth floor, select any three divine abilities!"
"...His subordinate Demon-Sweping Squad members, according to merit each received rewards. Ao Zhan and Ling Shuang promoted to 'Fifth-Rank Sky-Patrol Elders,' all others awarded 'Gold-Seal Sky-Patrol Envoy'..."
Each reward announced brought exclamations from the crowd below that could hardly be suppressed! Fourth-Rank Sky-Patrol Elder! That was a position many veteran Golden Core late-stage cultivators could hardly reach, meaning formal entry into the Alliance's core decision-making circle edge! Then there were massive spirit stones, lifesaving divine pills, cultivation treasures, Heaven-level cultivation methods... Any single one was enough to drive a medium-sized sect crazy!
And this was merely personal rewards.
The latter half of the commendation focused on Qingxu Temple:
"...Qingxu Temple's Sect Master Xuan Xuan True Lord, taught and nurtured talent wisely; the entire temple, during the demonic disaster, held the sect firmly, supported the front lines, merit cannot be dismissed... Specially promoted Qingxu Temple to 'First-Rank Superior Sect,' enjoying top-tier sect treatment, Alliance resource inclination doubled, and may select one spiritual mountain blessed land in the Central Plains as a subordinate sect foundation..."
"First-Rank Superior Sect"!
These four words like thunder exploded in everyone's hearts! This meant Qingxu Temple, that insignificant southeastern corner, originally merely second-rate mid-upper, had, through Tang Xiao Qi's merit alone, leapt like a carp becoming a dragon, officially recognized by the Alliance, instantly entering the top-tier sect ranks of the Central Plains cultivation world! From now on, whether resource distribution, voice in affairs, or appeal for recruiting disciples, would be completely different!
Qingxu Temple's glory,dazzlingly brilliant because of one person!
When that elder handed over the purple-gold token representing Fourth-Rank Sky-Patrol Elder status and that red jade sect seal symbolizing First-Rank Superior Sect, respectively to Tang Xiao Qi and the Qingxu Temple representative (Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng had urgently arrived), the entire crowd erupted in thunderous applause and cheers!
Countless gazes focused on that young True Lord whose form was tall and straight, face still carrying some youthfulyouthful yet already bearing profound depth. They were filled with fervor, admiration, envy, even a trace of awe.
Tang Xiao Qi accepted that heavy token, his face calm, showing no excessive excitement. He merely bowed slightly to the Alliance envoy and everyone present in return. He deeply understood behind this honor lay heavier responsibility. This token was not only power but also shackles, binding him more closely to the entire righteous Alliance's fate.
Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng held that red jade seal, his hands trembling slightly, his eye corners somewhat moist. He knew better than anyone that Qingxu Temple's today was almost entirelyfought their way out by this seventh junior brother! He represented the master and all Qingxu Temple disciples, bowing deeply to Xiao Qi, also to the Alliance.
After the ceremony, representatives from various forces swarmed forward, competing to befriend and congratulate Tang Xiao Qi and Mu Qingfeng. Original top sects that had not cared much for Qingxu Temple also sent extremely significant elders to extend goodwill. Qingxu Temple's mountain gate, in the coming days, was destined to have itsthreshold worn down.
Night fell, turmoil graduallyceased.
Xiao Qi and Senior Brother stood on Black Rock Fortress's city wall, gazing at the distantsilent'swasteland.
"Seventh Junior Brother, the entire temple is proud of you," Mu Qingfeng expressed. "Just, this 'First-Rank Superior Sect' title brings considerable pressure. Those who covet and challenge us in the future will surely not be few."
Xiao Qi's gaze was distant. He softly said: "Senior Brother, fame and fortune are likefloating clouds. Strength is fundamental. Qingxu Temple's future ultimately depends on all disciples' joint efforts. Now opportunity has come, we shouldstriving for excellence, stabilize foundations. As for challenges... why would our Qingxu Temple fear them?"
He paused, his tone turning heavy: "Moreover, the demonic entity is not destroyed. Shadow Snake Pavilion lurks. The true crisis is far from over. The Alliance's reward, rather than honor, is more like pushing us to the forefront of fighting the demonic path. From now on, we likely cannot find peace."
Mu Qingfeng heard this, his expression also solemn, nodding.
The Alliance's reward, likecasting a brilliant yet heavy layer over Qingxu View'shalo. Honor upon the body, also like walking on thin ice. The road ahead, beneath the brilliance, concealed more storms and trials.