"This..."
"Isn't this far too generous? He's giving away such a treasure just like that. Could he really not understand how valuable it is?"
"Are you kidding? How could Zhao Gongming not know? He understands it even better than we do."
"But... but why..."
"It's obvious. This incident has already offended Senior Brother Lin. If he doesn't do his best to make amends, they'll become enemies. So this is probably the best way to make up for it."
"But the price is enormous!"
On Golden Ao Island.
The many disciples of the Interception Sect fell silent.
They weren't idiots. They devoted themselves to cultivation, but they still understood the basics of how to deal with people.
If they didn't even understand the basics of human relations, advancing would be even more difficult.
Still, they couldn't help feeling shocked.
At that moment, even Duobao felt that Zhao Gongming had been incredibly generous.
He was utterly astonished!
He glanced deliberately at Zhao Gongming.
Zhao Gongming's eyes were exceptionally clear, without the slightest trace of anything unusual. That meant this wasn't an act of spite.
He was genuinely offering the treasure as an apology.
At that moment, Duobao felt envious.
Even as chief disciple, his own treasures were extremely limited. Obtaining one like this would take considerable effort.
But Lin Chuan...
Good grief!
He hadn't done a thing, yet he could own such a treasure outright.
It was astonishing!
Lin Chuan was also a little surprised. He hadn't expected Zhao Gongming to be so generous, but he didn't give it much thought.
Since Zhao Gongming had offered an apology, he might as well accept it!
Without hesitation, he took the Sea Calming Divine Pearls.
Zhao Gongming breathed a faint sigh of relief. If Lin Chuan had refused him now, he would have been even more on edge.
Instead, seeing him accept the Sea Calming Divine Pearls put his mind somewhat at ease.
"I've offended you. Please forgive me, Senior Brother!"
"It's nothing, it's nothing!"
If this had happened earlier, Lin Chuan might have held the slightest grudge.
Of course, Lin Chuan had never really blamed Zhao Gongming. He had originally intended to rely on Zhao Gongming to free himself from the Interception Sect once and for all.
But things hadn't gone as planned.
And now he'd gotten the Sea Calming Divine Pearls for free.
Sigh...
What a mess!
[Corruption! So I really did fall right into that old geezer Tongtian's trap. Now he's even throwing treasures like this at me.]
[Sigh...]
[How despicable! Absolutely despicable!]
[Now that I've gotten rid of the stumbling block, all that's left is that old geezer.]
Lin Chuan quickly put the pearls away.
However...
He had no idea that Sect Master Tongtian had been watching all along—and had suddenly heard his thoughts.
A web of dark lines appeared across his forehead.
"That brat is getting more and more outrageous. Whenever something happens, he loves to badmouth me."
"How dare he!"
"Fine. You're always accusing me of setting traps, aren't you?"
A malicious glint flashed in Sect Master Tongtian's eyes. He hadn't paid it much mind at first, but after hearing it again and again...
Anyone would remember it for good.
Especially Sect Master Tongtian!
"If you don't cultivate those techniques, just see what I'll do to you!"
"You're in for a rough time. Want to run? Not a chance."
Just as Sect Master Tongtian had intended from the beginning, he had never planned to let Lin Chuan leave, even though he still had some lingering doubts.
He remained somewhat skeptical!
But that didn't matter. As the saying went, better to believe it than not.
And the chances of it being true seemed quite high.
Duobao was watching as the matter drew to a close and was about to announce the result when, suddenly...
Sect Master Tongtian's voice sounded in his mind.
He then looked at Zhao Gongming in surprise. After all, if the Master had specifically mentioned someone, that meant the Master had noticed him.
One had to remember that the Master was a Heavenly Dao Sage.
He held an extraordinarily lofty status and position in the Great Desolation, and generally wouldn't concern himself with such mundane matters.
Yet who would have thought...
He had noticed Zhao Gongming.
No!
Duobao Tathagata suddenly understood.
He looked at Lin Chuan.
He hadn't realized it before, but now it suddenly dawned on him: the reason his Master had taken an interest in Zhao Gongming was probably Lin Chuan.
Lin Chuan had suddenly become a Personal Disciple, which meant his Master must have been paying attention to him.
Now the situation had changed.
And Zhao Gongming had also come to his Master's attention.
Besides, Zhao Gongming had worked hard for millions of years and made countless contributions.
His strength was no small matter either. He was certainly qualified to become an Inner Sect Disciple.
After understanding all this, Duobao Tathagata relaxed a little.
"Though the outcome has been decided, I have an important matter to share with everyone."
"Master has seen through everything and knows all about Junior Brother Zhao Gongming's contributions. He has issued an order."
"Starting today, Zhao Gongming may enter the Inner Sect and become a true Inner Sect Disciple!"
As soon as Duobao finished speaking,
The scene fell silent.
If the many disciples hadn't understood what was happening at first, now they were absolutely stunned.
This...
He'd become an Inner Sect Disciple just like that?
My heavens!
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Zhao Gongming was even more dumbfounded. He kept looking at Duobao and saying, "Chief Disciple Brother... Chief Disciple Brother..."
"Is this true?"
"Of course. I'm not so reckless as to dare pass on a false order in the Master's name. The Master has long seen your hard work and contributions."
"That is why he issued this order."
Duobao spoke calmly. Though he knew what was really going on, he still had to explain it properly in a situation like this. It would also give the many Outer Sect Disciples some hope.
At the same time,
He looked around and saw that all the Outer Sect Disciples were now shocked and excited.
Naturally, he seized the moment and continued, "The Master is an all-knowing, all-powerful being. Everything every disciple does is visible to him."
"Your conduct will determine what you achieve in the future."
"The Master will treat everyone fairly, just as he has treated Junior Brother Zhao Gongming. It was because of his contributions..."
"That he received this opportunity."
"Don't forget that!"
As soon as Duobao finished speaking, the many Outer Sect Disciples cheered. Every one of them seemed to have been injected with adrenaline.
They were all incredibly excited!
The example was right before their eyes. How could they not be excited?
Before you continue