Tian Lei sat comfortably in the Sect Master's Chair, his expression calm but firm. He looked over the hall slowly before speaking.

"Alright," he said. "Tell me why this assembly was called. What was so urgent that the elders needed to gather today?"

An elder stepped forward from the second row.

He was middle-aged, dressed in clean grey robes, with a neatly tied topknot and a gentle expression. His eyes, however, were sharp and steady.

It was Fang Qin—formerly an Inner Sect Elder, but now promoted.

He cupped his hands respectfully.

"Sect Master, I am Fang Qin. I was promoted to Grand Elder last month."

Tian Lei raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Promoted? Why?"

Fang Qin lowered his head slightly.

"I broke through to the next realm. Because of this, the elders voted to make me the new Grand Elder. This was also the time for the Grand Elder rotation—we appoint one every few years."

Tian Lei nodded once.

"I see. Good work."

Fang Qin didn't smile, but his eyes brightened with pride and gratitude.

He continued, "Sect Master, the reason we called you today is simple. There are a few matters that require your final approval. They involve the outer sect's resource distribution, the upcoming disciple examination, and the newly promoted True Disciple, Su Mingyue."

Tian Lei leaned slightly forward in his seat.

"Let's hear them."

Fang Qin took a breath and lifted a scroll.

"First, the outer sect elders want to increase monthly resources for the new batch of disciples. Their performance this year was better than usual."

Tian Lei nodded.

"Approved. Increase their quota."

Fang Qin checked the scroll.

"Second, the annual disciple admission examination is coming soon. Unlike last time, we have more resources now, so we were thinking of increasing the usual quota by another 1,000."

Tian Lei nodded again.

"Hmm, proceed with it."

Fang Qin finally lifted the last scroll.

"And the last matter is related to Su Mingyue. Because she beat Nian Chen and entered the top ten, the elders want to assign her a new cultivation ground and better resources."

Tian Lei looked toward the row of True Disciples.

Su Mingyue stood quietly in the middle of the line.

She had long black hair, calm eyes, and a composed posture. She didn't look nervous at all.

Tian Lei's gaze lingered on her for a moment, then he spoke:

"That's fine. She earned it."

Fang Qin nodded heavily.

"Understood, Sect Master."

Tian Lei leaned back in his chair.

"Is that everything?"

Fang Qin hesitated—then stepped forward again.

"There is… one more small matter, Sect Master."

Tian Lei frowned slightly.

"What is it?"

Fang Qin bowed deeper.

"There have been rumors that someone from another sect is trying to contact our disciples in secret. We have not confirmed anything yet, but we felt it important to inform you."

The hall grew quiet.

Even the True Disciples exchanged looks.

Tian Lei's eyes narrowed slightly.

"…Which sect?"

Fang Qin shook his head.

"We don't know yet."

Tian Lei tapped the arm of his chair slowly, his expression becoming serious.

"Then keep investigating. Anyone who tries to touch my sect… will regret it."

Every elder bowed their heads deeply.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Tian Lei looked over the hall calmly.

"Now, does anyone else have something to add?" the Vice Sect Master asked.

She was the same woman who had come to inform Tian Lei earlier—Feng Mixue.

She is also the second strongest in the entire sect.

Everyone begun to look at each other then paused as Tian lei voice sounded.

"Actually… I do have something," he said.

The elders looked up.

"Let's have a Grand Competition."

"Grand… competition?"

The elders exchanged confused glances, while the ten True Disciples' eyes lit up.

"Yes," Tian Lei said. "Like last time. We'll invite people from nearby sects, our own disciples, and even rogue cultivators. We'll hold it in one month."

One elder frowned slightly.

"But… inviting other sects? Why do we need to do that? There wasn't this last time."

Tian Lei rested his arm on the table.

"Because the prize for the top three will be simple," he said calmly. "They will become my direct disciples."

A heavy silence fell.

The elders' eyes widened.

Even the True Disciples stood straighter, shocked.

"Sect Master… is this true?" one elder asked carefully.

Tian Lei nodded.

Until now, he had taken only one direct disciple—Feng Mixue.

She was currently the Vice Sect Master, not because she is his diciple but because she had earned this position by herself.

In the Fantasy Life Sect, Tian Lei had created a rule:

"If anyone is stronger than the one above them, they can challenge and take their seat."

Even the Sect Master's position was not an exception.

If someone surpassed Tian Lei, they could challenge him and take the throne.

But in six years, no one had even come close.

Three years ago, before Tian Lei found Feng Mixue, the Vice Sect Elders position changed every six months. However, after she joined, no one could defeat her—not even once.

And everyone knew the reason she was unmatched—

she was the disciple of the Sect Master.

So now, hearing that Tian Lei would take not one, but three new direct disciples this time…

Everyone in the hall suddenly became serious.

This was no longer just a competition.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

"I will get everything prepared," Feng Mixue said immediately.

She was excited as well—because now, she wouldn't be the only direct disciple anymore.

She would finally have junior brother and junior sister.

Feng Mixue stepped back after speaking, her expression composed, but the faint glimmer in her eyes betrayed her excitement.

Tian Lei nodded faintly in acknowledgment.

"Good. Make the preparations."

He looked over the entire hall again, his gaze steady, his presence firm enough to make even Core Elders straighten their backs.

"The Grand Competition will be open to all disciples—outer, inner, and core. The True Disciples will also participate."

That caused a stir.

Even the strongest youths of the sect—who usually stood proudly and untouchable—felt a ripple of tension.

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