"The Earth Ranking's number one—well deserved." A sect disciple who had Ignited Divine Fire muttered to himself, his voice brimming with shock.
A Body Tempering Realm cultivator had instantly slain the eightieth-ranked expert on the Spirit Refining Ranking. How many such people had there been since ancient times?
"The Little Holy Son just said that he is the sect's greatest asset. I suddenly feel that it makes perfect sense." High in the sky, a Heavenly God spoke in a low voice.
Amid the shock of the entire audience, what had happened at Hengtian Hall spread through the sect like lightning.
At this moment.
Ye Feng instantly appeared beside Ye Wu, took out healing pills and fed them into his mouth, then ground spiritual herbs and applied them to his chest, preserving his final breath.
"Chu Tian, you have disappointed me too much. We have not met for two months, yet you have become like a different person—lawless and unbridled, mutilating fellow disciples, disrespecting your elder brother, and trampling upon sect rules."
"After we return, I will certainly report everything truthfully to Uncle Chu and have him teach you a proper lesson."
Ye Feng turned and roared in fury. Faint bloodshot veins had already appeared in his eyes, along with Killing Intent.
No matter how good his cultivation or how deep his schemes, after being provoked like this time and again, he had reached the end of his forbearance.
Chu Tian withdrew his fist. The vertical eye between his brows closed. He merely glanced at Ye Feng, made a throat-slitting gesture, then walked out of Hengtian Hall.
Ye Feng was somewhat stronger than Ye Qiang. He was worth Chu Tian devoting a little more time and energy to, and treating with a bit more seriousness.
Hui Mei recovered from his shock and hurriedly followed Chu Tian, scratching his scalp as he asked, "Big Brother, were you standing up for me?"
"Since you have joined my crew and call me Big Brother, then within the Sacred Heaven Sect, I'll cover you!" Chu Tian replied. This was a principle he had upheld through both lifetimes.
In his previous life, he had never mistreated the brothers beneath him.
Whenever his people were bullied, he had always led them in exacting revenge.
Even after he became the Godfather, this principle had never changed.
"What does joining your crew mean?" Hui Mei felt his scalp itch even more and scratched hard at it.
But this time, Chu Tian did not answer him. Instead, he looked ahead.
Before Hengtian Hall, a middle-aged man flew over and landed not far from Chu Tian.
"The Little Holy Son probably does not know me."
The middle-aged man wore a green robe and smiled. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Duanmu Lei, Deputy Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall and the Duanmu Family's current Second Elder."
The middle-aged man possessed a gentle temperament that made people feel close to him, truly like a kindly uncle from next door.
But upon hearing that name, Chu Tian did not think so.
In the original plot, this man had been one of the Duanmu Family's foremost powerhouses—a Half-step Emperor Venerable whose strength was nearly equal to that of Chu Tianyun, Chu Tian's Third Uncle.
The Internal Affairs Hall oversaw sect affairs, rewards and punishments, the establishment of etiquette, the food, clothing, housing, and travel of sect disciples, as well as ceremonies such as the sacrifices at Sacrifice Heaven Peak. It was an extremely powerful department within the Sacred Heaven Sect.
As Deputy Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall, Duanmu Lei was also a renowned great figure within the sect.
Yet from what Chu Tian knew, just as the Law Enforcement Hall had long been controlled by his family, the Internal Affairs Hall had likewise long been held by the Ye Family. For a million years, every Hall Master had borne the surname Ye.
The current Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall was the Ye Family's Fourth Elder, Ye Tianhong.
Under the Ye Family's layers upon layers of control, the fact that Duanmu Lei could become the Internal Affairs Hall's Deputy Hall Master showed just how formidable he was.
"Chu Tian greets Hall Master Duanmu." Chu Tian observed proper etiquette, clasping his fists in salute.
"Little Holy Son, you are too courteous. I have been friends with your father for many years. You may simply call me Uncle Lei."
Duanmu Lei smiled and reminded him, "Besides, I am only the Deputy Hall Master. Little Holy Son, do not omit the word in front. Otherwise, if outsiders hear it, misunderstandings may arise."
"This nephew was careless. Please do not take offense, Uncle Lei," Chu Tian said calmly, as though it had truly been an unintentional form of address.
"May I ask why Uncle Lei has come to see your nephew?" After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chu Tian finally asked, getting to the point.
As Deputy Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall, he managed the affairs of all sect disciples. He could not possibly have come to find Chu Tian for no reason.
"I have come for two reasons. First, to congratulate the Little Holy Son on once again reaching first place on the Earth Ranking."
Duanmu Lei smiled. "Second, to make up for the award ceremony that should have been held for the Little Holy Son several days ago."
"According to our sect's rules, in order to encourage disciples to cultivate diligently, any disciple who reaches the top of any Hengtian Ranking will have an award ceremony held at Sacrifice Heaven Peak. The Sect Master and the Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall will personally offer encouragement, grant generous rewards, and raise the disciple's status by one level. The rewards may include Divine Medicine, scriptures, weapons, spirit stones, divine abilities, and more."
"Especially for first place on the Earth Ranking, one may make any request of the sect, and the sect must fulfill it with all its strength and may not refuse."
"Of course, the Little Holy Son surely does not care for such rewards. But these are the sect's rules and regulations, so the procedure must still be followed. Moreover, this is a tremendous honor for the Vice Sect Master and even for the Chu Family."
Duanmu Lei added with a smile, "Furthermore, although the Little Holy Son was established as the sect's successor from birth, your recorded rank in the Internal Affairs Hall is currently only Level One, which falls within the category of outer sect disciples. You can now rise two levels at once. To advance to Level Three at the age of eight, equivalent to an inner sect disciple, is unprecedented even in the sect's history."
"Since it is a sect rule, this nephew reached first place on both rankings two days ago. Why is the award ceremony only being held today?" There was no joy on Chu Tian's face. Instead, he abruptly changed the subject and asked.
Naturally, he knew about the award ceremony. In the original plot, Ye Fan had later risen to first place on the Earth Ranking and requested that the sect allow him to marry Liu Yun, hoping to dissolve Great Hatred Demon Lord's engagement to her. It had slapped the Chu Family across the face without mercy.
Chu Tianwang had been so furious that he spat blood, but it was a sect rule, and he had no choice but to agree.
Great Hatred Demon Lord Chu Tian had begun walking the demonic path from that moment onward.
She had given everything, only to see her fiancé's intended bride throw herself into Ye Fan's embrace.
Duanmu Lei lowered his gaze and seemed to casually glance at Ye Wu, who lay critically wounded and near death within the Spirit Refining Hall, before saying, "It was delayed for certain reasons."
Chu Tian naturally understood. It was the Internal Affairs Hall Master Ye Tianhong—or rather, the Sect Master behind him, Ye Tianxiong—who had suppressed it. They did not want Chu Tian to steal the limelight or gain fame.
But now, he had once again fought his way back to first place on the Earth Ranking, and the Bone Forging Ranking's records showed that he had slain a Spirit Refining True Dragon Cub. The sect had been shaken once more.
Even if they were unwilling a hundred times over, they still had to hold the award ceremony. After all, so many eyes throughout the sect were watching.
And Ye Wu, whom he had injured, was Ye Tianhong's second son. That was why Duanmu Lei had seemingly casually glanced at Ye Wu.
"Your uncle has come personally at Hall Master Ye Tianhong's instruction to invite the Little Holy Son to Sacrifice Heaven Peak."
Duanmu Lei said, "The Sect Master is occupied with many affairs, so this time, the Hall Master himself will present the Little Holy Son's rewards and fulfill any one request the Little Holy Son makes of the sect."
Chu Tian's expression remained calm. Suddenly, he clasped his fists toward Duanmu Lei. "Uncle Lei, I have troubled you to make this journey personally, but I cannot go accept the award."
Before you continue