From now on, cultivate on Golden Ao Island

With a flick of her wrist, the Saint Mother Jinling lifted the two of them up with a gentle Magic Power.

She ignored Jiang Ziya and instead focused her gaze on Wen Zhong.

After looking her up and down, the Saint Mother Jinling nodded slightly.

Get up.

"Wen Zhong, you did a great job."

"Our master has read your message and is quite satisfied with your teaching of Ziya Brother Ziya over the past three years."

"Master once said: Wen Zhong is a respectful and reliable young man who is a true leader among the Third-generation disciples of our Interception Sect."

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhong's usually imposing face instantly turned bright red.

Excited.

The Saint praised it!

What an honor!

He served as a subject in the Great Shang Dynasty. Although he held a high position and was revered by the people, what he valued most in his heart was his identity as a disciple of the Interception Sect.

To receive a "very satisfied" comment from his Grandmaster was a thousand times more glorious than being crowned a king or prime minister in the mortal world!

"This disciple... this disciple is unworthy of such praise!"

"I have only done my duty; how dare I claim credit!"

"To have earned the favor of my Grandmaster, even if I were to be shattered to pieces, I could not repay even a fraction of that kindness!"

Wen Zhong knelt down again, his voice choked with emotion.

The Saint Mother Jinling smiled, said no more, and turned to look at Jiang Ziya beside her.

Upon seeing this, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

Three years ago, when she brought Jiang Ziya here, this junior brother was still a timid and cautious mortal.

At this time, although Jiang Ziya was still dressed in plain clothes, the timid and petty air about him had completely disappeared.

Instead, there is a calm and composed demeanor cultivated from years of holding high positions and issuing commands.

Even when facing her, a Quasi-Sage expert, Jiang Ziya remained respectful.

But no longer as self-conscious and timid as he was three years ago, his spine is now straight.

This is what it should be like to receive direct instruction from Saint.

"Ziya."

The Saint Mother Jinling spoke, her tone much gentler than it had been three years ago.

"Thank you for your hard work these past three years."

"Wen Zhong praised you highly in his letter, saying that you possess extraordinary talent in both governing the country and leading the army."

"My master was very pleased when he learned of this."

Jiang Ziya immediately bowed, adopting a humble posture.

"You flatter me, senior sister."

"Jiang Shang is dull-witted; he has no extraordinary talent whatsoever."

"It is entirely thanks to my Martial Nephew Wen Zhong's willingness to accept my humble status and his meticulous teaching, imparting all his knowledge, that Jiang Shang was able to learn even a fraction of what he knew."

"If it weren't for my Martial Nephew's constant help, Jiang Shang probably wouldn't even be able to understand the official documents of Chaoge City."

His words were not merely polite; they came from the bottom of his heart.

He was genuinely grateful to Wen Zhong.

Wen Zhong was listening from the side, waved his hands repeatedly.

"Martial Uncle- Martial Uncle, you flatter me! Your talent is unparalleled in my life; I merely provided a little guidance."

As the two women defered to each other, a faint smile appeared on the corners of Saint Mother Jinling's lips.

"Alright, this isn't the place for reminiscing."

"Ziya Brother Ziya, now that the affairs of the mortal world are settled, let us return with you to Golden Ao Island to report back."

"Master is still waiting for you at the Jade Palace."

Jiang Ziya perked up and responded loudly.

"Yes! I will obey Senior Sister's Imperial Edict!"

He turned around and bowed deeply to Wen Zhong.

"Martial Nephew, thank you for your care over the past three years."

"Jiang Shang will remember this."

Wen Zhong quickly stepped aside, saying in a panic:

"Martial Uncle, you're being too kind!"

"It is my honor to serve my Martial Uncle."

"If my Martial Uncle ever comes down the mountain again in the future, we must meet again in Chaoge."

Jiang Ziya nodded heavily.

"Must!"

The Saint Mother Jinling waved her sleeve.

A Golden Light swept up Jiang Ziya and instantly shot into the sky.

In the blink of an eye, the two figures disappeared into the vast sea of clouds.

Wen Zhong was left alone, standing in the empty courtyard, gazing at the sky in a daze for a long time.

Golden Ao Island, Jade Palace.

The place remains shrouded in ethereal mist, with purple clouds rising from the east.

Compared to three years ago, it seems that nothing has changed.

But for Jiang Ziya, who was revisiting this place, every inch of land and every Qingfeng felt especially familiar.

When Jiang Ziya followed the Saint Mother Jinling into the magnificent hall, the Tongtian Sect Master was sitting cross-legged on a cloud bed on High Platform.

The Saint's Surrounding Body was filled with the Dao Rhyme, as if he had created his own world.

"Disciple Jinling greets Master."

"Disciple Jiang Shang greets Master!"

"It's good that you're back."

The voice of the Tongtian Sect Master came from the High Platform; though calm, it carried a reassuring power.

"Get up, all of you."

After the two stood up, the Tongtian Sect Master's gaze fell on Jiang Ziya.

With just one glance, Tongtian noticed the change in Jiang Ziya.

It was a confidence that emanated from the very core of one's being, a profound confidence that came from experiencing the trials of life and wielding the power of life and death.

Fellow Daoist Zhou Ming was right after all.

This child is destined for the world.

"Ziya."

Tongtian asked.

"How have you been learning these past three years in Chaoge?"

Although Wen Zhong's message had already made everything clear, Tongtian still wanted to hear Jiang Ziya say it himself.

This was also a test of his character.

Jiang Ziya stepped forward, bowed deeply, and his voice resonated throughout the hall.

"Reporting to Master!"

"In these three years, I have not dared to slack off for a single day."

"I have memorized the laws of the Great Shang Dynasty; the mountains, rivers, geography, passes, and strategic locations of the Nine Provinces are all in my mind."

"I have personally experienced military tactics, including troop deployment, supply dispatch, conquering cities and seizing territories, and pacifying the people and quelling rebellions."

At this point, he slowly straightened up, looked up at the High Platform, and although his gaze was respectful, it revealed an air of self-assurance and confidence.

"This disciple has spoken arrogantly."

"Now, I have mastered the essence of military strategy and governance in the mortal realm."

"Although my Martial Nephew Wen Zhong is the Grand Tutor, he is beyond teaching in these matters of state!"

"Though the world is vast, I am fully confident in the ways of governing it!"

Good!

The Tongtian Sect Master secretly praised him in his heart.

That's the kind of momentum we're looking for!

Since I cannot become the most powerful being on the path of cultivation, then I will become the number one Qiankun of the mortal world!

He looked at Jiang Ziya, a satisfied expression on his face, and nodded slightly.

"Good."

"Your confidence shows that my painstaking efforts have not been in vain."

"Since there is nothing more for you to learn in the mortal world, from this day forward, you need not descend the mountain any further."

"From now on, you may stay on Golden Ao Island in peace and focus on your cultivation."

Stay on Golden Ao Island!

Practice your spirituality in peace!

This was exactly what Jiang Ziya had been dreaming of.

"Disciple... obeys!"

"This disciple will certainly devote himself to cultivation on the island and will never fail Master's high expectations!"

The Tongtian Sect Master waved his hand.

"Go."

"If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, please consult your Senior Brother Duobao."

"Yes! This disciple takes his leave!"

Jiang Ziya bowed again, then rose and walked briskly out of the hall.

Looking at the starry sky Jade Palace, Jiang Ziya took a deep breath.

The wind on this island seemed sweeter than the wind in Chaoge City.

I'm finally back.

Finally, I can peacefully be a cultivator of the Tao.

From this day forward, I am the true immortal of the Interception Sect.