Wutai Sect's Lake Heart Island was a sight to behold today, its splendor unprecedented.
Colorful banners snapped in the wind across Dingbo Lake.
Along Lake Heart Island's shore, continuous Observation Platforms had long since been erected.
The air was thick with the festive scent of incense.
Sang Yanping, Elder of the Internal Affairs Hall, stood before the main Observation Platform in solemn purple elder's robes, calmly directing every arrangement.
His gaze swept over the entire venue, ensuring that every step of the grand celebration would proceed without a hitch.
The elders of key departments—the Enforcement Hall, Stewards' Office, Treasure Pavilion, Tingchao Martial Library, and others—had all been assigned prominent seats on either side of the Observation Platform.
The heads of the five institutes had also arrived with all their disciples.
Peng Zhen, Head of Kuntu Institute, strode forward with the steadiness of a mountain, bearing himself like a dragon and tiger.
Behind him followed Chief Disciple Li Lei, trailed by a group of Kuntu Institute's elite disciples.
"Senior Brother Sang." Peng Zhen approached and clasped his hands with a smile toward Sang Yanping.
"Junior Brother Peng."
Sang Yanping returned the gesture with a smile, then turned his gaze to Li Lei and praised, "Good! Nephew Li, your aura is fierce and valiant, your true qi immense and powerful. You have opened seven of the twelve regular meridians and are only one step away from the late stage of Embracing Dan Strength!"
Hearing this, Li Lei clasped his fists and bowed without either servility or arrogance. "Elder Sang overpraises me. This disciple does not deserve it."
Sang Yanping was an elder of the Internal Affairs Hall as well as the foremost elder of Wutai Sect. He held great authority, and his strength was unfathomable. Receiving his praise was itself an honor.