Even Ye Zhen did not anticipate that Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong would give him such high status treatnt—welcoming Ye Zhen, accompanied by the entire upper echelon of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.
According to the diplomatic protocols of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, only terrifying figures like Palace Master Chu Yang from Green Sun Palace or King Hu Zhen of Zhenshan would enjoy this kind of reception when visiting openly.
But now, Ye Zhen is being afforded this treatnt.
Seeing Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong personally leading nearly a hundred high-ranking mbers of the Divine Sect to welco him, Ye Zhen experienced a brief mont of distraction, genuinely surprised.
However, he soon ca to terms with it and discovered sothing from Jian Qianxiong’s unusual actions.
It seems Jian Qianxiong truly plans for Ye Zhen to succeed him as Sect Leader.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be publicly proclaiming Ye Zhen’s accomplishnts, welcoming him with such grandeur, yet without any significant rewards.
He rely announced on the spot that Ye Zhen would serve as the Assistant Priest in the tri-annual Divine Sacrifices, and not just this ti, but every future Divine Sacrifice. If Jian Qianxiong is unavailable, Ye Zhen could directly replace him as the Main Priest.
Declare without reward, nominate without position.
All of this seems to be enhancing Ye Zhen’s prestige and qualifications in the Divine Sect, preparing him for the future succession as Sect Leader.
"You’ve endured a lot!"
Jian Qianxiong fixed his gaze on Ye Zhen, his expression sowhat excited. Without waiting for Ye Zhen to speak, he clasped Ye Zhen’s hand and walked towards the grand hall, speaking all the while, "Your performance has indeed exceeded my expectations, both strategically and in combat power!
If our Sun and Moon Divine Sect can thrive through this opportunity, you would be the foremost key contributor to our resurgence!"
Jian Qianxiong spoke boldly, yet Ye Zhen sensed a hint of sothing unsaid, as if the Sun and Moon Divine Sect still faced so troubles; however, now was not the ti for inquiries.
Following this, Jian Qianxiong held a grand welcoming banquet for Ye Zhen’s arrival. Within the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, apart from the guards stationed at various points, everyone else could partake in the benefits brought by Ye Zhen’s arrival.
At the welco banquet, mbers of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s leadership took turns toasting Ye Zhen. The atmosphere was incredibly lively, as if the higher-ups of the Divine Sect had sensed an unusual vibe.
Of course, not everyone showed a cheerful face while toasting, such as Vice Sect Master Tian Guizhang, whose face was adorned with smiles, but those smiles carried a hint of bitterness!
"Lord Ye, the world is unpredictable. When I brought you into the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, never would I have imagined that Lord Ye could achieve such astonishing accomplishnts, even becoming the foremost key contributor to our resurgence." Vice Sect Master Tian Guizhang said, raising a jade-colored bowl.
"Vice Sect Master Tian, had you not recomnded to join the sect that day, I would not have achieved today’s outco. Thus, this bowl of wine, I toast to you! I drink first as a sign of respect!" With an upward tilt of his neck, a bowl of Eighteen Spirit Brew surged down Ye Zhen’s throat into his chest and stomach.
A flicker of remorse crossed Tian Guizhang’s eyes, though his face still maintained a smile, "Haha, if Lord Ye can beco the foremost key contributor to our resurgence, then regardless, I would count myself as having found a shining Earl of discerning talent!
Co, drink!"
After finishing the drink, Tian Guizhang turned around, passing the chance to offer a toast to the next person; yet his departing figure seed sowhat forlorn.
Beside him, Vice Sect Master Yao Sen, who had already toasted, watched Tian Guizhang’s lonely figure with furrowed brows and an expression full of bitterness.
Within the Divine Sect, over just one or two months, sudden mysterious rumors had erged, suggesting Lord Ye Zhen of Red Fire Martial City might be the next Sect Leader candidate, and Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong might have intentions to retire.
Initially, these rumors were not widely believed.
The sa rumors had circulated several tis over recent years, naming various candidates like Tian Guizhang, Yao Sen, and sotis even a standout Hall Master.
However, the reception given to Ye Zhen today imdiately disheartened Vice Sect Master Yao Lin and Tian Guizhang.
With their keen insight, how could they not understand that Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong’s actions today were ant to build montum for Ye Zhen, especially the crucial Assistant Priest position during the Divine Sacrifice?
Previously, the Assistant Priest role during the Divine Sacrifice had always remained vacant, as traditionally, the role was held by the successor to the Sect Leader.
Jian Qianxiong’s public announcent today, naming Ye Zhen as Assistant Priest, unequivocally pointed out this particular fact.
The most critical issue is that if Ye Zhen becos the successor to Sect Leader, any other high-level mber of the Divine Sect could transition smoothly, except for the two Vice Sect Masters.
Always assuming the successor to Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s Sect Leader would be selected from the Vice Sect Masters, Yao Sen and Tian Guizhang had struggled and competed internally for over a decade.
Moreover, this tradition in no way would prevent Ye Zhen from being the successor to the Sect Leader because the position of Vice Sect Master within the Sun and Moon Divine Sect is not heavily restricted and lacks a clear limit in number.
As long as Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong wishes it, with a single Paper Talisman, Ye Zhen could beco Vice Sect Master!
At that point, once Ye Zhen becos Vice Sect Master, securing the successor’s position to the Sect Leader, the most awkward would be those who had vied for the Sect Leader position: Yao Sen and Tian Guizhang.
How would they deal with themselves then?
Yao Sen was fine because, for so reasons, he was closer to Jian Qianxiong. Back then, he even beca the product of balancing the power of the new Vice Sect Master, Tian Guizhang. However, Tian Guizhang has genuinely been eyeing the position of Sect Hierarch for nearly twenty years.
Every move was for building his own reputation!
But, in just one day, the goal that Tian Guizhang had struggled for over twenty years was suddenly snatched away midway, and the one who snatched the fruit was soone he had personally introduced into the Divine Sect!
Yao Sen thought, at this mont, Tian Guizhang might be regretting introducing Ye Zhen into the Sun and Moon Divine Sect back then!
In fact, Yao Sen’s guess was correct. Tian Guizhang was actually nearly regretful to the point of going blue, if he had known Ye Zhen would rise like a cot, he would never have introduced Ye Zhen into the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, or would have eliminated him in advance!
The celebratory banquet went on for almost the entire night, but after two hours from the start, Ye Zhen and Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong had already left first.
"Sect Leader, why have we never launched an attack on the Longevity Sect?
Two months ago, the Longevity Sect Master Yin Changsheng suffered almost irreparable severe injuries, and his strength was greatly reduced. At that ti, if we had attacked, we should have been able to take down the Longevity Sect, right?" Alone with Jian Qianxiong, Ye Zhen asked his question.
Two months ago, after coming out of the Ground Fire Heart Palace, Ye Zhen sent a Talisman Communication detailing the Longevity Sect Master Yin Changsheng’s injuries and the various losses suffered by the Longevity Sect in prior battles!
According to Ye Zhen’s estimates, saying the Longevity Sect’s Primordial Energy was heavily damaged was an understatent. Then, Ye Zhen suggested taking the opportunity to devour the Longevity Sect for expansion.
But according to the information Ye Zhen received, the Divine Sect had remained motionless, with no activity at all.
"I knew you’d ask this question!" Jian Qianxiong looked at Ye Zhen and chuckled, then tossed a Jade Scroll to Ye Zhen, "Read this top-secret intelligence first!
Rember, after reading it, you must not spread it; you are the third person to see this intelligence!"
Ye Zhen didn’t rush to read the intelligence, "Third person, who would be the second? Shadow Moon Guard Commander Wu Ying?"
"Hehe, Lord Ye has keen eyes. I pay my respects here to Lord Ye!" Wu Ying’s sinister voice drifted out from a corner of the main hall, but it carried a hint of emptiness, not at all like the aura of a Fifth Stage Establishnt King.
"You’re injured, Commander Wu?" Ye Zhen frowned.
"Just took a palm from so scum, about a year or two of rest should be enough."
Wu Ying’s offhand remark startled Ye Zhen again; an injury that would require a Fifth Stage Establishnt King to recuperate for a year or two must indeed be a serious one.
"Who was it?"
Ye Zhen’s expression suddenly turned cold. Honestly, although Wu Ying had a sowhat sinister feel, his actions were pretty straightforward, and Ye Zhen liked that.
"Don’t worry, you’ll know after reading this intelligence!" Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong lightly patted Ye Zhen’s shoulder.
In the next instant, Ye Zhen’s Divine Sense delved into the Jade Scroll, and imdiately, Ye Zhen’s brows furrowed into a deep frown!
On the very day Ye Zhen heavily injured the Longevity Sect Master Yin Changsheng, there was unrest within the Longevity Sect.
On that day alone, nearly one-third of the Longevity Sect’s high-yielding Spirit Crystal Veins and various rare mineral veins, exceeding ten dicine Mountains, were sold off at prices far below market value, with only one condition from the Longevity Sect.
The transaction had to be settled in High Grade Spirit Crystals.
Even so, these industries were still snapped up aggressively because the prices were too tempting, being less than two-thirds the normal price.
The ones who took over were mostly forces outside the sphere of influence of Qinglan Martial City. It was estimated that within that day, the Longevity Sect raised possibly up to ten million High Grade Spirit Crystals!
Take note, that’s ten million High Grade Spirit Crystals, over a billion Mid-grade Spirit Crystals!
Almost at the ti when these ten billion Mid-grade Spirit Crystals were raised, there was intelligence indicating that the Longevity Sect Master Yin Changsheng returned to Qinglan Martial City, but he disappeared without a trace upon returning.
He disappeared for a total of three days!
Three days later, the Longevity Sect Master Yin Changsheng returned flamboyantly with a large entourage.
He was majestic, with robust flesh and blood, exuding an extrely powerful and terrifying aura, completely unlike the skin-and-bones figure Ye Zhen described. Beside him were ten more powerful beings, each emanating an aura surpassing that of Fourth Realm Kings in the Establishnt Realm!
Upon seeing this, Ye Zhen suddenly gasped in disbelief, "This is impossible!"
"I saw with my own eyes the Longevity Sect Master Yin Changsheng beco a walking skeleton, not far from death!"
"Nothing is impossible. The robust Yin Changsheng is what we saw with our own eyes, and one seemingly unimpressive young Martial Artist beside him almost took my old life with just a palm!" The Shadow Moon Guard Commander Wu Ying’s bitter voice resonated.
"What, just a palm?" Ye Zhen’s eyes widened abruptly. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to read.)
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