Chapter 218 - 131: Grand Celebration
On the Wutai Sect’s Lake Heart Island, it was a day of unprecedented splendor.
Colorful banners snapped in the wind above Dingbo Lake.
Along the island’s shore, a long line of viewing platforms had already been erected.
The festive scent of incense filled the air.
Sang Yanping, an Elder of the Internal Affairs Hall, stood before the main viewing platform in a solemn purple Elder Robe, calmly coordinating everything.
He scanned the entire area, ensuring the grand celebration would proceed without a hitch.
The Elders from key departments like the Law Enforcement Hall, the Affairs Department, the Treasure Tower, and the Tingchao Armory were all seated in prominent positions on either side of the viewing platform.
The Deans of the Five Major Branches also arrived in full force, bringing their disciples with them.
Peng Zhen, Dean of the Kun Earth Institute, approached with a powerful gait, his steps as steady as a mountain.
Following closely behind him was his Chief Disciple, Li Lei, followed by a group of the Kun Earth Institute’s elite disciples.
"Brother Sang." Peng Zhen walked up, cupped his fist, and smiled at Sang Yanping.
"Junior Brother Peng."
Sang Yanping returned the gesture with a smile, his gaze then falling on Li Lei. He praised him, "Excellent! Nephew Li, your aura is formidable and your True Qi is abundant. You’ve opened Seven Orthodox Meridians and are just a step away from the Late-stage of the Embracing Pill realm!"
Hearing this, Li Lei bowed with a cupped fist, neither humble nor arrogant. "Elder Sang, you flatter me. This disciple is unworthy of such praise."
Sang Yanping was not only an Elder of the Internal Affairs Hall but also the head of all Elders in the Wutai Sect. He held a high and powerful position, and his strength was unfathomable. To receive his praise was a great honor.
Chu Jinyun, Dean of the Gui Water Institute, arrived with grace.
Beside her was none other than the Gui Water Institute’s Chief Disciple, Nie Shanshan.
Today, Nie Shanshan was dressed in aqua-blue Martial Attire. Her figure was slender, her face exceptionally beautiful, and her eyes were clear and serene, exuding an inviolable aura.
Tan Yang, Dean of the Geng Metal Institute, also arrived, bringing with him the institute’s Chief Disciple, Yan Yaoyang.
He and Nie Shanshan were the two most sought-after prodigies in the Wutai Sect.
"Junior Sister Chu, Junior Brother Tan."
Sang Yanping’s smile broadened as he personally escorted the two to the primary viewing seats.
His eyes lingered on Yan Yaoyang for a moment, a sharp glint appearing within them. "Nephew Yan, have you opened the Tenth Orthodox Meridian?"
The moment he spoke, the Elders and Stewards on either side of the viewing platform turned to look, murmuring amongst themselves:
"Yan Yaoyang has already opened Ten Orthodox Meridians? At this rate... he has a chance of reaching the Astral Force realm before he’s thirty!"
"An Astral Force Master under the age of thirty... We haven’t seen one of those in the entire Yunlin Prefecture Martial Arts World for decades, have we? If he truly succeeds, he’ll undoubtedly be the number one expert of the younger generation!"
...
A slight smile touched Tan Yang’s lips, and he felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
Yan Yaoyang was his beloved disciple, and he was naturally well aware of the depths of his Cultivation.
Breaking through to the Astral Force realm before thirty was no easy feat, but with the full support of the Sect, it wasn’t impossible.
Today, he intended to use this opportunity to let Yao Yang showcase his talent and secure a greater share of the Sect’s resources for his disciple.
Even Nie Shanshan’s gaze lingered on Yan Yaoyang for a few extra moments.
She was quite familiar with Yan Yaoyang, and they had even communicated privately. She hadn’t expected him to open all Ten Orthodox Meridians so quickly.
Faced with Sang Yanping’s expectations and the surrounding chatter, Yan Yaoyang simply replied with humility, "This disciple has only just opened the Tenth Orthodox Meridian. I am still a long way from the Astral Force realm."
Sang Yanping nodded slightly and said no more.
Hong Yuandong, Dean of the Li Fire Institute, had also taken his seat, along with Li Wang.
Xiao Ruize’s tragic death on Nine Waves Island had dealt a heavy blow to the Dean, and he now appeared exceptionally low-key and reserved.
Li Baichuan, Dean of the Cyan Wood Institute, still wore his usual dark cyan Daoist robe. He had white hair but a youthful face, and an eternally calm expression.
Following behind him was none other than the new Chief Disciple, Chen Qing.
Today, Chen Qing wore a brand-new Chief Disciple uniform—dark cyan with Cyan Wood patterns embroidered on the cuffs and collar—giving him a calm and steady air.
Seeing them arrive, Sang Yanping said, "Junior Martial Uncle Li, please have a seat."
Li Baichuan nodded, then led Chen Qing and the other Cyan Wood Institute disciples to their seats.
The Five Major Branches were gathered, with the five Deans, all Astral Force Masters, presiding.
Chen Qing calmly swept his gaze across the grand scene, but inwardly, he was astounded.
’Not only are the Elders on the viewing platforms, with their powerful auras, drawing attention, but the heavily armed Wutai Army in the distance is a testament to the Sect’s profound foundation!’
And in the outer areas, the various great family factions from Yunlin Prefecture City had also gathered.
Among them were prestigious clans that were direct vassals of the Wutai Sect, as well as many small and medium-sized families founded by outstanding Wutai Sect disciples who had ventured out on their own.
Whether they were invited to observe the ceremony or came of their own accord to offer congratulations, all of them considered it an honor to participate in such a grand event.
The bustling, lively scene before him was a perfect illustration of how deeply rooted and influential the Wutai Sect was in Yunlin Prefecture.
Chen Qing didn’t dare to be careless. He immediately began circulating the Origin-Returning Breath-Sealing Art at full power, forcefully suppressing the latent Geng Metal True Qi and Gui Water True Qi deep within his Dantian, allowing only the aura of his Cyan Wood True Qi to show.
Suddenly, the clamor on Lake Heart Island rose to a new level, and everyone’s gaze snapped in the same direction.
"Elder Du Lingchuan of the Xuanjia Sect has arrived!"
"Manor Lord He Yueting of Qixia Manor and his daughter have arrived!"
"Grand Elder Granny Ling Shuang and True Inheritance Disciple Ye Qingyi of Cold Jade Valley have arrived!"
The clear voice of an Internal Affairs Hall disciple pierced through the noise, reaching everyone’s ears distinctly.
The experts from the three major sects were here!
Leading the arrivals was an unusually tall old man. A sharp light flashed from his tiger-like eyes as they opened and closed, but what drew even more attention was the twelve-foot-long spear slung across his back.
It was none other than the Xuanjia Sect Elder, Du Lingchuan, renowned throughout Yunlin for his ’Mountain-Splitting Thunder Shock Spear’ technique!
His gaze fell upon Peng Zhen, Dean of the Kun Earth Institute, and he grinned. "Old Ghost Peng! It’s been years. Haven’t your old bones fallen apart yet? During the celebration later, don’t let those disciples of yours lose their nerve in front of me!"