After a continuous stream of flattery, even those harboring grievances had no choice but to lower their banners and silence their drums in Feng Ting Shu's presence.
Another half-quarter hour passed before the main doors of the Hall of Merit finally opened. The crowd filed inside, with Feng Ting Shu bringing up the rear. His gaze swept over the few people who had taken Body Concealing Pills, and still feeling uneasy, he followed them in.
Once inside the Hall of Merit, they were led by a green-robed attendant into a narrow passage. Suddenly, narrow doors opened along both sides, each just wide enough for one person to pass through.
Before the attendant could say a word, those with experience stepped through first. Xu Yi followed their example and entered a narrow secret chamber. A Stone Gate stood at the far end, with a piece of crystal jade above it, glowing faintly. Within the glow, a red number—"9"—shone conspicuously.
Less than half an incense stick later, the red number finally changed to "0." The Stone Gate swung open, and Xu Yi stepped through into a spacious hall. Two green-robed elders, one fat and one thin, stood in the middle of it. A mechanical device was embedded in the wall beside them.
Xu Yi stepped forward and handed over his Martial Edict. The fat elder took it and inserted it into a slot in the device. At once, the task Xu Yi had accepted appeared on the device's crystal display.
"What? A task worth one thousand Merit Points, to go to the Chaotic Star Sea and kill the Peach Blossom Demon Zhong Ziyu! How can this be!"
Both elders spoke at the same time. Their eyes met, each pair filled with deep disbelief.
"Tell us, who did you offend? How did you