Deacon Jiang!

"Miss Wen? You're back!"

At the voice from outside, Jiang Ye's spirits lifted. He immediately tucked the Poison Control Scripture into his robe and went to open the door.

Wen Yueyao stood prettily at the entrance. Her sweet, oval face held not only a hint of heroism but also the faint traces of a long, dusty journey. The wound on her shoulder had been treated, and she seemed to be doing fine.

"Yes. I came back as soon as I finished dealing with things. I thought the old gentleman might get anxious waiting, so I came to find you first thing after returning to the sect."

Wen Yueyao smiled brightly.

"Sorry for the trouble, Miss Wen."

Jiang Ye smiled and cupped his hands slightly.

"Come on, old gentleman. I'll take you to Juding Peak first to get your entry into the sect sorted out."

Wen Yueyao was as brisk as ever. She led Jiang Ye straight out of the guest quarters and toward the Inner Sect.

Jiang Ye followed Wen Yueyao through a bamboo grove, and the scene before him changed once more.

The buildings and halls were gone. In their place stood six towering peaks that soared from the earth and pierced the clouds.

Six peaks, each with its own distinct character.

The one on the far left was pale gold, gleaming in the sunlight as if the entire mountain had been forged from gold and iron.

At its summit stood a majestic hall with golden tiles and red pillars. It radiated grandeur, and a keen, piercing aura seemed to rush toward them from afar. This was Golden Star Peak.

The second peak stood close beside it, its slopes blanketed in lush green pines and cypresses, teeming with life. Cries of cranes rang out from time to time. This was Azure Wood Peak.

The third peak was the strangest of all. Half of it disappeared into the clouds, as though shrouded by some invisible force, making it impossible to see clearly. The stone stele at its foot, inscribed with "Mystic Water Peak," flickered in and out of view through the mist, lending the place an air of mystery and depth.

The fourth was Heavenly Sun Peak, where Wen Yueyao had come from. Its slopes were steep, its rocks jagged, and flickering flames could be seen halfway up the mountain. Several cauldrons burned fiercely there, and though they were far away, the searing heat seemed to wash over them.

The fifth peak had gentle slopes and was planted with all manner of rare flowers and plants. Brilliant blossoms filled the air with fragrance. This was Thick Earth Peak.

The sixth peak, at the center, was the most imposing and stately.

It lacked the striking features of the other five, yet possessed an authority that seemed to hold all the peaks beneath its sway.

A simple, ancient hall stood quietly at its summit. Its flying eaves and carved beams appeared and disappeared among the clouds, like the dwelling place of immortals.

That was Juding Peak, where the sect master resided, and the central heart of the Azure Sky Sect.

The six peaks stood like six silent giants, gazing down upon the countless people below.

Iron chains linked the peaks, while wisps of cloud drifted between them, transforming the entire range into a heavenly realm.

Jiang Ye stood at the edge of the bamboo grove, speechless for a long while.

He had seen the bustling streets of Anxi County and the towering city walls of Cloud Ridge Prefecture. But only now, gazing at the six peaks that pierced the clouds, at the mists and dancing cranes, did he truly understand what it meant for a sect to have deep foundations.

"Old gentleman, this way, please."

Wen Yueyao looked back and saw him standing dazed. She smiled faintly.

She had seen too many first-time visitors to the Inner Sect react this way and was used to it by now.

The sight of those six towering peaks was enough to shake anyone who saw them for the first time.

Jiang Ye gave a slight shake of his head, tamped down his astonishment, and followed her.

Before long, Wen Yueyao brought Jiang Ye to the foot of Juding Peak. They had passed quite a few disciples along the way.

Regardless of their age, nearly everyone who saw Wen Yueyao greeted her politely, calling her Senior Sister Wen.

Wen Yueyao nodded in reply to each of them. She was neither haughty nor deliberately warm; her every gesture carried the unruffled poise of a True Disciple.

Jiang Ye's estimation of her rose another notch.

The two moved quickly, reaching the halfway point in less than half an incense stick's time.

The land ahead opened up, revealing a simple, ancient hall standing quietly on a broad stone terrace.

"This is the place."

Wen Yueyao gestured toward it.

Jiang Ye followed her gaze. Above the hall's entrance hung a blackwood plaque bearing three large, flowing characters: Affairs Hall.

The calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, its strokes sweeping like dragons and dancing like phoenixes, each line sharp as a carved hook.

They stepped inside.

The furnishings were simple but dignified.

Directly opposite the entrance stood a broad blackwood desk. Behind it sat a middle-aged man in a pale green robe.

He looked to be around fifty, with a lean, refined face and three long strands of beard beneath his chin. His eyes were closed as he sat there, seemingly resting.

"Core Formation Realm?!"

Jiang Ye's pupils suddenly contracted.

The aura this man unconsciously gave off was far stronger than Liu Qingshi's, and it carried a faint sharpness.

There was no doubt about it: this man was a Core Formation Realm expert.

Since entering the Azure Sky Sect, this was the first time Jiang Ye had seen someone at this level with his own eyes.

Clearly, throughout the vast Azure Sky Sect, experts of this level formed a backbone of the sect.

The middle-aged man seemed to sense their arrival and opened his eyes. When he recognized Wen Yueyao, a courteous smile appeared on his face. He stood and said,

"Wen True Disciple, what brings you to the Affairs Hall today? I heard you went to Anxi County to root out evil and dealt with Black Old Five, that scourge. The younger generation is truly something to behold."

Wen Yueyao smiled faintly and stepped aside, neither servile nor arrogant, revealing Jiang Ye behind her. Her voice rang clear.

"Elder Gongsun, you flatter me. I wasn't the only one who took down Black Old Five. It was thanks to this Mr. Jiang's help."

"Oh?"

Gongsun Hong's gaze settled on Jiang Ye, and a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

He looked the white-haired, tall, lean old man up and down, silently sizing him up. Jiang Ye's aura left no trace; even he could not immediately see through the man's strength.

"He's probably at the peak of Transformation Strength, and also practices an art for concealing his aura..."

Gongsun Hong quickly assessed him, then put on a smile and said courteously,

"Mr. Jiang is truly a man of great righteousness! To join forces with a True Disciple of the Azure Sky Sect and root out evil is a rare stroke of fate!"

Wen Yueyao was an impatient sort. Seeing that Gongsun Hong was about to keep exchanging pleasantries, she stepped forward and whispered a few words into his ear.

Her voice was very low. Jiang Ye only caught a few words: "life-saving kindness," "appoint him as a deacon," and "watch over the Medicine Garden."

After listening, Gongsun Hong nodded repeatedly, his smile growing ever warmer.

He turned to Jiang Ye and said in a loud, clear voice,

"With Wen True Disciple personally vouching for you, we can skip all the complicated formalities. I'll arrange your entry into the sect right away. Your age is no issue. The Azure Sky Sect welcomes righteous men like you, Mr. Jiang, who are willing to protect the people!"

At this, Jiang Ye paused, a flicker of surprise in his aged eyes.

It was one thing for the disciples to show Wen Yueyao respect. He hadn't expected even a Core Formation Realm elder to treat her so courteously.

A True Disciple really did carry enormous clout.

Gongsun Hong moved swiftly. He unfurled a scroll, dipped his brush in ink, and quickly filled it out.

A moment later, he stamped it and handed Wen Yueyao a document whose ink had yet to dry. Then he called toward the door,

"Someone!"

A disciple standing outside hurried in.

Gongsun Hong instructed him, "Go to the storeroom and bring a new set of deacon's robes."

The disciple obeyed and left. Before long, he returned carrying a tray.

Neatly folded on it was a set of azure robes, the fabric soft and supple, the stitching fine and close. A simple "Deacon" emblem was embroidered on the chest.

Gongsun Hong then took a black iron token from a drawer and handed it to Jiang Ye with both hands, beaming. "Congratulations, Mr. Jiang! From this moment on, you're an official deacon of the Azure Sky Sect! You'll receive one thousand contribution points each month."

"Thank you, Elder Gongsun."

Jiang Ye accepted the token and examined it.

It was about the size of his palm and felt heavy in his hand, though a little lighter than Wen Yueyao's True Disciple Token.

The words "Deacon" were carved into the front in bold strokes, while the back bore the Azure Sky Sect's insignia.

He gripped the token, and at last the faintest smile appeared on his aged face.

He, too, had finally landed a proper post.