Outside Golden Ao Island.
Sect Leader Tongtian extinguished the spiritual senses of the Western Two Sages with a single sword strike, as though he had merely done something insignificant.
He slowly turned his gaze back to Xuandu.
At that moment, the cheers from Golden Ao Island below still shook heaven and earth, stirred by Xuandu forcing back Yuanshi and sending the Myriad Immortals into a frenzy.
"Senior Brother Xuandu!"
"Well said!"
Sound waves surged like a tide, brimming with the exhilaration of finally holding their heads high and their fervent admiration for Xuandu.
Sect Leader Tongtian did not stop them, merely listening in silence.
Only when the waves of sound naturally reached their peak and began to subside did he slowly speak.
His voice was not loud, yet it clearly overpowered the countless cheers and reached the depths of every Jie Sect disciple's mind.
"Xuandu."
Just two words, calm and unruffled, yet carrying undeniable majesty.
In an instant, heaven and earth fell silent.
The boiling Golden Ao Island seemed to have had its pause button pressed.
Every cheer, shout, and discussion came to an abrupt halt.
Myriad disciples, whether Personal Disciples or Outer Disciples, held their breath and looked in unison toward the void beyond the island, toward the young man standing before the green-clad Sage.
Xuandu's heart tightened. He knew his master had something important to announce.
He immediately calmed his mind, suppressing the slight stirrings brought on by the Myriad Immortals' cheers. He stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with respectful steadiness:
"Your disciple is here."
The entire world, countless gazes, all focused on this place.
Sect Leader Tongtian's gaze swept across the silent island below.
Duobao, Jin Ling, Wu Dang, Zhao Gongming, San Xiao, Kong Xuan...
One core disciple after another, before his gaze finally returned to Xuandu.
He slowly spoke, his voice like the Great Dao's Resonant Voice, spreading through every corner of Golden Ao Island as he declared an established fact:
"Xuandu."
"Though you entered the sect only recently, your will is steadfast and your courage exceptional. You have also encountered a Great Opportunity and gained the Great Dao's favor, already Condensing Three Flowers and reaching the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak."
"Today, beneath Saintly Might, you remained neither servile nor overbearing. You upheld Jie Sect's Dao, defended Sect Dignity, and spread Jie Sect's Prestige."
"This heart, this resolve, these merits, these deeds—all deserve reward!"
After a brief pause, Sect Leader Tongtian's voice suddenly rose, carrying the supreme authority of a Heavenly Dao Sage whose Words Follow Law:
"From this day forth, Xuandu shall be a Personal Disciple of my Jie Sect!"
"His status shall stand side by side with Duobao, Jin Ling, Wu Dang, Gui Ling, and Kong Xuan!"
"He may choose a Blessed Land outside Biyou Palace, establish a cave abode, and cultivate the Great Dao!"
"He shall enjoy all the authority of a Personal Disciple and receive the protection of Jie Sect's Fortune!"
At these words, although they had long anticipated it, hearing the Sage personally proclaim it still stirred huge waves in the hearts of the countless disciples!
A Personal Disciple!
This was the Jie Sect's most core identity, the most revered status!
He would stand side by side with existences such as Senior Brother Daoist Duobao and Saint Mother Jinling!
He would enjoy supreme authority and preferential access to resources, and would become one of the important bearers of Jie Sect's Fortune!
Looking across the vast Jie Sect, where Myriad Immortals Come to Court, fewer than ten had ever received such an honor!
And how long had Xuandu been in the Jie Sect?
At most, only a few days!
Yet he had leaped from an ordinary Outer disciple to a Personal Disciple!
What a speed of improvement!
What lavish favor from the Sage!
Yet aside from Chang Er Ding Guang Xian, whose facial expression had darkened, not a single person thought it inappropriate.
That foundation which had just triggered a Chaos Anomaly.
That genuine cultivation at the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak.
That unparalleled courage to face the Sage Yuqing, invoke the Dao Ancestor as an example, and force a Sage back with a single piercing remark!
All of it was enough to prove that Xuandu possessed the qualifications!
The strength!
He deserved the position of Personal Disciple!
After a brief silence.
Golden Ao Island erupted once more with earth-shaking waves of sound!
This time, it was no longer mere cheering, but congratulations filled with recognition and admiration!
"Congratulations to Senior Brother Xuandu on becoming a Personal Disciple!"
"Congratulations, Senior Brother Xuandu!"
The rolling voices shot into the clouds, brimming with sincere joy.
Daoist Duobao was the first to cup his hands. His expression remained calm, though his eyes held approval:
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Xuandu."
Saint Mother Jinling's spiritual light flowed around her as she gave a slight nod:
"Junior Brother Xuandu, congratulations."
A faint smile appeared on Saint Mother Wudang's cool face.
Saint Mother Guiling said with a grin:
"Junior Brother Xuandu, you'll have to give us plenty of guidance from now on!"
Zhao Gongming laughed heartily, his voice booming like a great bell:
"Good! Good! Good!"
Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao also offered graceful bows, while Bi Xiao blinked her beautiful eyes, full of curiosity and excitement.
Kong Xuan also lightly cupped his hands toward Xuandu, a trace of solemnity in his five-colored eyes:
"Congratulations."
Xuandu once again bowed deeply to Sect Leader Tongtian:
"Your disciple Xuandu thanks Master for this great kindness!"
"I will certainly give my all to cultivate the Great Dao and protect the sect!"
His words rang out forcefully, each one firm as iron.
Sect Leader Tongtian nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Xuandu's declaration.
With a flick of his sleeve, a Pure and Bright Immortal Light fell into Xuandu's hand.
It then turned into a token engraved with the Dao characters for "Shangqing."
"This is the Personal Disciple Token. With it, you may freely enter and leave the restricted grounds outside Biyou Palace and enjoy a Personal Disciple's allotment."
"As for your cave abode, choose any spiritually splendid place among the peaks outside Biyou Palace. Once you have established it, simply inform Duobao."
"Yes, Master!"
Xuandu respectfully accepted the token. It felt warm and smooth in his hand, faintly resonating with his own mana, while a trace of Jie Sect's Fortune lingered upon it.
Having made all the arrangements, Sect Leader Tongtian said no more.
His gaze swept over Xuandu one last time. The meaning in his deep eyes was unclear, and then his figure gradually faded away and vanished.
The Saintly Might completely dissipated, leaving only the lingering echoes of that rousing proclamation and the still-fervent atmosphere on Golden Ao Island.
Xuandu stood alone in the void, holding the Personal Disciple Token as his robes fluttered lightly in the residual spiritual breeze.
Below him were the upturned gazes of Myriad Jie Sect Disciples.
Beside him stood fellow disciples with formidable auras, each destined to become renowned throughout the Great Wilderness.
Daoist Duobao stepped forward and patted Xuandu on the shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of emotion:
"Junior Brother Xuandu, congratulations. Master has placed great expectations upon you."
Xuandu calmed his mind and solemnly replied:
"Xuandu will certainly not disappoint Master or Senior Brother."
Saint Mother Jinling, Saint Mother Wudang, and the others also stepped forward one after another to offer their congratulations again, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Zhao Gongming threw an arm around Xuandu and laughed:
"Come, come, come, Junior Brother Xuandu! Today, you have become a Personal Disciple and greatly enhanced our Jie Sect's honor. We must celebrate properly!"
"Come to my Luofu Cave. I still have several jars of treasured immortal brew there!"
Bi Xiao also exclaimed excitedly:
"Yes, yes, yes! It just so happens that Junior Brother Xuandu can try the Yun Xiao Immortal Dew my sister brewed!"
Xuandu felt everyone's warmth, and his heart grew slightly warm, but he was not carried away.
He cupped his hands and smiled:
"Thank you, Senior Brother Gongming, and thank you all, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, for your kindness."
However, I have only just broken through and still need to stabilize my realm. I have not chosen a cave abode either, and many matters await my attention.
"Once I have settled down, I will prepare a modest banquet and invite all my Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters to gather. Then I will certainly have a proper drink with Senior Brother Gongming!"
His words were sincere, and his reasons sound.
Hearing this, Zhao Gongming and the others did not press him. They all smiled and said:
"That is only proper!"
"Then it is settled. Once Junior Brother Xuandu's cave abode is complete, we shall go and trouble you!"
After chatting for a while longer, the Personal Disciples finally turned into streams of light and departed, returning to their own cave abodes.
Xuandu remained where he was and let out a long breath.
What had happened today could only be called momentous.
From Condensing Three Flowers and triggering an anomaly, to the successive arrivals of Sages, to verbally confronting Primordial Heavenly Venerate, and finally being elevated to a Personal Disciple...
Every step had been fraught with danger.
Fortunately, the final result had far exceeded his expectations.
Not only had he thoroughly solidified his foundation and obtained a Chaos God Demon Pedigree along with cultivation at the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak.
He had also established his prestige before the Jie Sect Myriad Immortals and attained the honored status of a Personal Disciple!
All of this had paved the way for his next plan.
And at that very moment, after the disciples below had departed, one figure still stood there in a daze.
It was none other than Chang Er Ding Guang Xian.
Seeing this, a chill flashed through Xuandu's eyes.
Then he took a step and arrived before Chang Er Ding Guang Xian.
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