"During Qingyun's tribulation, you kept your head in the face of danger, stepped forward, and led the disciples of every peak with your own strength, stabilizing the battle. That is the merit of a leader."
"Against the Demon Sect's fiends, you showed boundless ingenuity and fearless valor, turning the tide time and again when we were on the brink of disaster. That is the merit of slaughtering our foes."
"And when I nearly committed an irreversible mistake, you once more disregarded your own safety and suppressed the demon with your own body. That is the merit of saving the world."
"Three great merits stand together. In two thousand years, you are the greatest disciple our Qingyun Sect has ever had!"
Daoist Daoxuan's voice echoed through the great hall, every word brimming with affirmation and praise.
Everyone present, whether the Chiefs of the various peaks or ordinary disciples, wore expressions of understanding as they listened.
They had all witnessed Li Xiaoyu's performance during this calamity.
He deserved this honor.
"This disciple dares not accept such praise."
There was no pride or conceit on Li Xiaoyu's face. He calmly said, "What I did was simply my duty. I dare not claim credit."
"If our elders had not fought so fiercely, and my fellow disciples had not battled in their own blood, I alone would have been like a lone tree unable to hold back the storm."
"This honor belongs to everyone who fought to protect Qingyun."
His words were neither humble nor arrogant, and everyone present thought even more highly of him.
"Well said. Simply doing your duty, and daring not to claim credit."
Daoist Daoxuan looked at him and smiled with satisfaction.
"Merit is merit, and fault is fault. Only by rewarding and punishing fairly can we command the people's respect."