CHAPTER 690: CHAPTER 86: NOW ON THE ROLL OF LAW

Sect Leader Qin took up the Fa Bang beside him, struck Su Yihong’s name from the list, replaced it with Zhang Yan’s name, and stamped it. Then he spoke, "From today onwards, these ten individuals will be our sect’s Top Ten Disciples. Yun Tian, go personally and hang this list in the Merit Institute to proclaim it to the mountain gate."

Qi Yun Tian responded with a respectful acknowledgment, walked forward to take the Fa Bang, bowed again, and then left the hall.

The words of the Sect Leader and the True Masters were clearly heard by the disciples outside the hall, who couldn’t help but collectively direct their gaze toward Zhang Yan.

Suddenly, two disciples nearest to Zhang Yan stood up, respectfully saluted him, and said, "Greetings, Brother Zhang."

Their movements acted as a signal for dozens of nearby disciples, who quickly followed suit. Soon, hundreds of disciples stood up and declared loudly, "Greetings, Brother Zhang!"

The booming voices resounded through the outer hall, creating a massive echo that spread far and wide.

Watching this scene from the sidelines, Fang Hong and others couldn’t help but feel both envy and jealousy, wishing that they were the ones being saluted by the other disciples.

Zhang Yan rose and returned the salute with a smile.

In his heart, he was filled with emotion—three years of careful planning had finally come to fruition!

From this moment on, his status within the Mingcang Sect surpassed even that of ordinary Nascent Soul True Masters. He could now legitimately occupy his own residence, without any opposition. If he managed to hold this position for three hundred and sixty years, he could ascend to Du Zhen Hall and become an Upper Elder.

Beyond this, he could select several premium Earth Evil seeds from the Spirit Mechanism Institute to place in his Cave Mansion. He could freely browse the Five Merits and Three Scripture stored in Jingluo Courtyard and choose one of the Twelve Divine Abilities to cultivate—all these benefits were beyond measure.

Hearing the commotion outside, True Master Qin’s face darkened, and she snapped, "Brother, the Floating Heavenly Palace is a sacred place; how can the disciples be allowed to make such noise?"

Sect Leader Qin smiled faintly, unaffected, and replied, "Sister, you are too strict." He then ignored her and turned to the child servant beside him, saying, "Go and summon Miao Kun to the hall."

The child quickly accepted the order and departed.

Not long after, the corpulent and humorous-faced Daoist once again appeared in the hall.

Sect Leader Qin examined him briefly and said warmly, "Come closer."

Miao Kun hurriedly stepped forward a few more paces.

Sect Leader Qin said, "Miao Kun, years ago, under my instructions, you infiltrated the Su family and worked undercover for over twenty years, enduring great hardship. Now that the Su family has been eliminated, I intend to reward you with a formal status."

He paused briefly, then continued in a calm tone, "Today, I shall accept you as a Registered Disciple. When you return to the mountain gate, since you lack a Cave Mansion, the Deep Pool originally occupied by Su Yihong will be given to you instead."

Upon hearing this, Miao Kun was overjoyed and quickly knelt, bowing three times, saying, "Disciple will cultivate diligently and will not fail the expectations of Sect Leader and Master."

Several noble family True Masters exchanged glances, each shaking their heads. They had originally intended to lay claim to that Deep Pool but were searching for an opportunity to make their case. However, Sect Leader Qin had now accepted Miao Kun as his disciple, effectively silencing them.

With the identity of a Sect Leader’s disciple inheriting the mansion, they had no grounds to say anything.

Sect Leader Qin then took the registry book submitted earlier by Qi Yun Tian and instructed the child servant to distribute it among the True Masters for viewing.

The thousands of years of accumulation by the Su family were nothing short of extraordinary. The items related to cultivation were innumerable. After viewing the book, the noble family True Masters pondered carefully, realizing that the listed items were likely only a fraction of the Su family’s true assets. Qi Yun Tian surely held another complete ledger in his hands, but with the master-disciple faction now dominant, they could only act as if unaware.

After reviewing the registry, Sect Leader Qin issued a Dharma Decree, distributing rewards among the disciples based on their contributions in the recent battle.

Zhang Yan, now one of the Top Ten Disciples, had made significant contributions. His rewards included over ten thousand elixir pills, more than thirty Dharma treasures and magic artifacts, seven Cave Mansions located on Spirit Islands—of which one was a Blessed Land, two were True Palaces, and three were Qi Mansions—and an entire piece of Land Continent planted with hundred-year-old Earth Evil.

In addition to these, the various institutes and Courtyards also received their shares of rewards. Even the noble family disciples gained modest benefits, but compared to the master-disciple faction’s haul, their earnings were paltry by comparison.

Once the distribution was complete, the sound of a bell and chime rang out. Shortly afterward, a child servant emerged from the hall and proclaimed, "Dharma Decree from the Sect Leader True Master: Today’s affairs are concluded. Disciples need not await further instructions. You may disperse at will."

Zhang Yan rose into the air, intending to greet Qi Yun Tian and Ning Chongxuan before leaving. Just then, he heard someone call out, "Brother Zhang, please hold a moment."

Turning back, he saw Fang Hong flying toward him on a cloud and asked in surprise, "So it is Junior Fang. What brings you to me?"

Fang Hong approached and saluted awkwardly before saying, "Brother Zhang, I’ve come to inquire about the ’Jiluo Golden Cone.’"

Zhang Yan raised an eyebrow and responded, "Junior, what do you mean? I have never seen such a treasure."

Seeing Zhang Yan deliberately withholding, Fang Hong cursed inwardly but said resentfully, "Earlier, I used this treasure to injure Su Yihong, but in my haste to retreat, I accidentally left it in his possession. This treasure was gifted by my master, and I dare not lose it. Since Su Yihong has fallen into your hands, I beg you to retrieve this treasure on account of shared sect ties. I would be eternally grateful."

Frowning slightly, Zhang Yan replied, "Junior Fang, you were indeed careless. Since this item was bestowed by your master, how could you lose it so lightly?"

Though frustrated by the reprimand, Fang Hong had no choice but to endure it. Zhang Yan was now one of the Top Ten Disciples and, aside from the Sect Leader and a few Cave Heaven True Masters, didn’t need to cater to anyone else. Fang Hong could only respectfully address him as "Brother Zhang."

To recover the treasure, Fang Hong had to swallow his pride and plead humbly, "Brother Zhang, your words are absolutely correct. It was indeed my negligence. I humbly ask for your assistance in this matter."

Zhang Yan said indifferently, "I haven’t seen this treasure. If it truly was in Su Yihong’s possession, it must be in his sleeve bag. When I refine it later, if I find the item, I will return it to you."

Left with no alternatives, Fang Hong could only reply, "Then, Brother Zhang, I implore you to pay special attention. I will present generous thanks for your kindness."

...

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