CHAPTER 689: CHAPTER 86: NOW ON THE ROLL OF LAW

After the Guardian Formation was breached, over a thousand cultivators charged into the Deep Pool Cave Mansion.

With the five Nascent Soul cultivators vanished without a trace, their life or death unknown, coupled with Su Yihong’s defeat and numerous guests turning their backs, the entire cave mansion was razed within half a day’s effort. Aside from the servants and maids, all cultivators under the Su Family’s sect were slaughtered completely.

News soon arrived that Su Wentian had been personally killed by Ning Chongxuan. All cave mansions belonging to the Su Family within the mountain gate were cleansed, their disciples entirely eradicated, and the Su Family’s territories, including their Spirit Island, elegant peaks, and residences, were reclaimed by the sect.

Following the Sect Leader’s Dharma Decree, the Su Family was officially removed from the Mingcang Sect within little more than a day.

A lineage built over millennia was scattered like fleeting clouds in an instant.

Qi Yuntian instructed his trusted confidants to tally the spoils from this campaign, then recorded everything into two copies for safekeeping. With this done, he led his disciples back to the Floating Heavenly Palace.

The group returned to the Heavenly Palace in grand procession. Qi Yuntian ordered his disciples to wait outside the hall while he entered alone to report and present the ledger.

Sect Leader Qin listened intently to the detailed report. After offering a few words of praise, he instructed Qi Yuntian to step aside. Bowing, Qi Yuntian withdrew and stood behind True Master Meng.

True Master Yan frowned slightly and spoke, "Sect Leader and Master Teacher, those traitorous disciples have moved the True Dragon Mansion to another location. Such an action warrants precaution."

Sect Leader Qin lightly waved the horsetail whisk and said in a clear tone, "The Immortal Relics of the True Mansion abide by karma. There is no need for undue concern. The Su Family’s fate has run its course. Any remaining embers are of no consequence."

The True Masters in the hall, knowing well that Sect Leader Qin’s cultivation was profound, trusted his judgment and did not press further.

At this moment, Master Sun glanced at Sect Leader Qin and spoke loudly, "Sect Leader and Master Teacher, with the Su Family now eliminated, and both Su Wentian and Su Yihong dealt with, the ranking for the Top Ten Disciples should be reconsidered."

Sect Leader Qin smiled and said, "The other day here, some of you mentioned that whoever managed to bring down Su Yihong could take his place. Qi Yuntian, tell me — who was it that defeated Su Yihong in this battle?"

Upon hearing the Sect Leader’s inquiry, Qi Yuntian hurriedly bowed and said, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, the one who defeated Su Yihong was none other than Dean Zhou’s disciple, Zhang Yan!"

The Sect Leader nodded slightly and praised, "A fine student indeed."

With this proclamation, Zhang Yan’s place among the Top Ten Disciples was firmly established, beyond any doubt or dispute.

True Master Peng’s eyes sparkled as a faint ripple of delight appeared on her lips.

True Master Qin, however, did not look pleased. Although she had schemed repeatedly to block True Master Peng from gaining influence — even going so far as to create chaos — ultimately, she failed to suppress Zhang Yan. Now that matters had reached this stage, she could do nothing to stop it.

True Master Meng pondered for a moment before speaking, "However, the seating order within the Top Ten Disciples must be reconsidered."

Turning slightly, he asked, "True Master Peng, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

After Qi Yuntian was removed from his seat, the ranking order of disciples naturally shifted upward. Currently, the first-ranked disciple among the Top Ten was Huo Xuan, while Ning Chongxuan and Su Wentian had tied, unable to determine a clear victor against Su Yihong, thus remaining in ninth. Su Yihong, on the other hand, was ranked eighth.

Now that Zhang Yan had eliminated Su Yihong, under the current rankings, Zhang Yan should precede Ning Chongxuan.

True Master Peng slightly bowed toward True Master Meng and replied, "Senior Brother Meng, while Zhang Yan’s cultivation is commendable, he is, after all, a newcomer. Since Nephew Ning was already previously listed in the rankings, in my humble opinion, it would be more proper for Zhang Yan to be placed after him."

The suggestion to keep Ning Chongxuan ahead was intended as a courtesy to Master Sun, signaling goodwill.

Master Sun understood this gesture clearly and gratefully accepted the favor. However, as a Cave Heaven True Master, he would not take advantage of Zhang Yan unfairly. He smiled and said, "Zhang Yan is indeed a fine disciple, deserving of recognition and reward."

True to his word, he lightly pointed his finger, and a stream of light flew out from the great hall.

Zhang Yan, seated outside the hall, saw the light rushing toward him. He stretched out his hand to catch it.

Opening his palm, he found a flawless jade dish. His spiritual mechanism stirred as he probed it briefly, discovering that it contained the latter half of the Lan Yun Secret Volume. Grateful, he stood up and bowed deeply, loudly declaring, "Thank you, True Master, for bestowing this Dharma."

To Zhang Yan, the exact ranking within the Top Ten Disciples mattered little. Although it determined the allocation of cultivation external objects, simply being on the list — even if ranked last — guaranteed benefits far beyond those available to ordinary disciples.

With the Zhao You Heavenly Pond in his possession, combined with the backing of Zhou Chongju, True Master Peng, and others, any minor losses were negligible. Gaining the latter half of the secret volume, however, was a tangible advantage. If studied thoroughly, it could provide him with numerous invaluable techniques.