Since the great upheaval of the Mingcang Sect years ago, the Xuanmen Families have risen above the master-disciple lineage. However, after the Three Pools Lake Demon was eradicated, the master-disciple lineage began to recover and rise again, once more gaining the upper hand over the noble families.

For over a century, the noble families have long since lost their cohesive unity of past years. Facing the aggressive momentum of the master-disciple lineage, they are now scattered like loose sand. Over the past twenty years, Sect Leader Qin Mobai has successively defeated several Xuanmen Families.

Recognizing the unfavorable situation, the Five Great Families within the sect secretly maneuvered and pushed forward the Twelve Great Families to resurrect the Elixir Tasting Conference, aiming solely to restore prestige, gather support, and rally morale.

Originally, it was hoped this effort might suppress the spirit of the master-disciple lineage. Yet, True Disciple Zhang Yan overwhelmed all rivals and, with the power of his First Grade Golden Core, subdued the Nine Whales. He defeated numerous true disciples from noble families at the Dharma Assembly, which led to the Elixir Tasting Conference ending in quiet disappointment.

After the conference ended, True Masters Zheng, Du, and Feng returned to their respective families and went into seclusion, unwilling to see any living person.

Once the news spread, the entire mountain gate was in uproar, shock reverberating throughout.

It must be known that across thousands of years of Mingcang Sect's history, such achievements are exceedingly rare. Instantly, the entire sect was abuzz with responses–some reflected deeply, others were inspired with admiration and enthusiasm, while yet others watched coldly or schemed with vigilance and hostility. All manners of thoughts harbored their own agendas, creating a turbulent undercurrent beneath the calm surface of the mountain gate.

Meanwhile, the matter circulated rapidly among the Ten Great Sects of East Splendor, and all came to know Mingcang Sect had produced yet another unparalleled genius whose brilliance outshone the ages.

Five days after the Raging Wave Rock Dharma Assembly, within the Mingcang Sect, the sound of resonant bell and chime reverberated through the mountain gate. Yet unlike usual occasions, this sound originated from the golden bell and jade chime above the Heavenly Gate. Those with slightly elevated status within the sect instantly realized this was the Sect Leader summoning the four Cave Heaven True Masters under his command.

Within the Floating Heavenly Palace, mist veiled clouds and radiant hues spread across the skies. Exotic fragrances wafted gently, while auspicious clouds and rays of harmonic light surged around, shimmering and shifting elegantly.

Outside the great hall, a chime resounded, and a youth clad in golden robes, with ruby lips and pearly teeth, strode inside—a high-ranking official, none other than one of the four True Masters, Sun Zhiyan.

He entered the great hall with a slight smile and glanced around, instantly spotting True Master Meng already seated at the foremost position of the lower rank. With a jade-like face, large ears, half-closed eyelids, and a beard cascading to his chest, True Master Meng exuded solemn majesty. Sun Zhiyan hastily bowed and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother!"

True Master Meng opened his eyes and nodded in greeting, "Junior Brother Sun, you have arrived."

Sun Zhiyan completed his ceremonial bow, then seated himself upon the furthest cushion. He was about to speak when True Master Meng lightly waved his horsetail whisk and said, "Our venerable Sect Leader will naturally decide this matter."

Sun Zhiyan nodded slightly and sat upright without further movement.

Not long afterward, two chime sounds came from outside, announcing the entrance of True Master Zhu and True Master Yan, who entered one after the other. Upon seeing True Master Meng, they bowed and said, "Senior Brother."

True Master Meng inclined his body slightly in return and said, "Junior Brothers, there's no need for excessive formality."

True Master Zhu and True Master Yan nodded toward Sun Zhiyan before seating themselves on their respective cushions. Like the others, they remained silent.

After an hour passed, an unusual resonance stirred their hearts and immediately drew their gazes upward. They saw an avatar's shadow appearing atop the Jade Platform.

All four Cave Heaven True Masters instantly composed themselves, straightened their robes, rose together, and bowed in unison, saying, "Disciples respectfully welcome Sect Leader Master."

A warm and gentle voice rang out from within the shimmering figure, "Disciples, there's no need for ceremony. Please return to your seats."

The four True Masters paid their respects once more before returning to their seats, sitting upright and solemn, each with an expression of focused reverence and ready to receive teachings, not daring to exhibit the slightest trace of impropriety.

The Sect Leader spoke with a calm tone, "I have summoned you here regarding True Disciple Zhang Yan, whom I believe you are all well aware of."

The hall fell silent. After some time, True Master Meng bowed toward the Sect Leader and spoke, "Master, your disciple has something to say."

The Sect Leader said, "Speak freely."

True Master Meng's face grew serious. He turned toward his three junior brothers and, in an even tone, said, "That Zhang Yan has formed a First Grade Golden Core, the first in a thousand years among our mountain gate. This is undoubtedly a great blessing for our Mingcang Sect. I believe the ancestors above would feel gratified by this news. Thus, as I see it, we should immediately grant him Mysterious Skills, the True Transmission of the Great Dao, to assist him in climbing to even greater heights."

Upon hearing this, True Master Zhu frowned. The Sect Leader, seeing clearly through the situation, said, "Zhi Xing, do you have any thoughts to share?"

He smiled lightly and continued, "This is but an informal gathering today. If you have any thoughts, speak without hesitation."

True Master Zhu quickly bowed and said, "Master, your disciple agrees that Senior Brother's suggestion is reasonable. Zhang Yan certainly deserves rewards for forming a First Grade Golden Core; however, he spent twenty years outside seeking medicines and has only just returned to the mountain gate without contributing even the slightest merit. If we grant him cultivation techniques at this juncture, it might stir resentment among other disciples, creating unnecessary conflicts."

True Master Yan also spoke, "Senior Brother Zhu speaks the truth. Furthermore, Zhang Yan's accomplishment of forming a First Grade Golden Core might breed arrogance within him. Thus, as I see it, we should assign him to a Small Cold Realm for secluded cultivation. This would not only dissipate the brewing storm but also aid him in tempering his character and refining his cultivation."

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