Supreme-Grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure, the Purple Lightning Hammer!

"Comparisons between people can drive one mad!"

"It's one thing for Junior Nephew Jiang Yun to be a monster himself, but even his disciple is this freakish!"

"In the future, will we have to bow when we see Junior Nephew Jiang Yun's disciple?"

"Ah, the pressure on me as an uncle-master is enormous—"

Jiang Yun remained composed as he watched their envious, jealous expressions.

Having cultivated for barely over a thousand years, Jiang Yun's foundation had already far surpassed that of the Interception Sect's disciples!

Faced with everyone's envious gazes, Jiang Yun did not immediately agree. Instead, he spoke.

"With Grandmaster present today, and the Interception Sect's chief fourth-generation disciple yet to be decided, I dare not accept a disciple without authorization!"

The direct disciples present were startled at first, then revealed approving expressions.

A High-grade Xiantian Spiritual Root that had taken form, with cultivation at the Mid-Stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal!

That was enough to become a disciple beneath a Sage, let alone beneath a third-generation disciple of the Interception Sect.

If anyone else had such an outstanding disciple, they would have been beside themselves with joy.

Only Jiang Yun still observed proper etiquette!

He understood the bigger picture and knew when to advance or retreat!

With such talent and such temperament, it was no wonder he had attained such strength after cultivating for only a thousand-odd years.

"Hahaha!"

Lord Tongtian could not help laughing heartily. Pointing at Jiang Yun, he scolded with a smile, "You slippery brat, are you accusing me of wrongdoing before everyone?"

"A High-grade Xiantian Spiritual Root that has taken form, with foundations comparable to a Top-tier Primordial God-Demon—how could someone blessed with such immense fortune be turned away from my lineage?"

"If I refused even this, would I not appear blind and foolish?"

Lord Tongtian was in excellent spirits.

Although the Interception Sect claimed that ten thousand immortals came to pay homage, there were not actually many with truly top-tier foundations apart from several direct disciples.

Now, Jiang Yun's line not only possessed heaven-defying combat strength, but even the disciple he had taken was so exceptional. How could Tongtian not be delighted?

"Very well!"

Lord Tongtian's gaze swept across the myriad immortals present as he declared, "Since all the disciples are here today, I shall take this opportunity to set everyone's standing straight!"

"Shi Ji!"

"This disciple is here!"

Lady Shiji hurriedly rose from her meditation cushion, walked to the center of the hall, and respectfully knelt.

As Lord Tongtian looked at Shi Ji, a trace of gentleness flashed through his eyes.

Back then, Shi Ji had merely been a stubborn stone that gained sentience, and her aptitude could only be considered middling among the Interception Sect's second-generation disciples.

Thus, she had only been accepted as a registered disciple.

Yet who would have thought that this seemingly honest Shi Ji would possess such fortune as to take in a heaven-defying disciple like Jiang Yun?

When one person attained the Dao, even their chickens and dogs ascended to heaven. Nothing fit the saying better.

"Shi Ji, your disposition is pure and kind, and you honor your master and respect the Dao."

"Today, I shall formally accept you as an inner direct disciple!"

"You shall also be my final disciple! From this day forth, remain often at my side and listen to the Great Dao!"

Boom—!!!

The moment those words were spoken, the Azure Roaming Palace erupted!

Countless Interception Sect disciples were so envious that their eyes turned red!

A direct disciple—and even a final disciple!

Her status had soared to the heavens in a single step, placing her on equal footing with direct disciples like Duobao and Jinling!

"Thank you, Master! Thank you for your grace, Master!"

Shi Ji was overwhelmed with excitement and hurriedly kowtowed in thanks!

"Since you have entered my sect, you should have a spiritual treasure to protect yourself."

Lord Tongtian waved his sleeve.

"Buzz!"

A brilliant five-colored streak of light flew out and hovered before Shi Ji.

It was an exquisitely crafted hairpin, its surface covered in flowing cloud patterns as though it contained the essence of clouds from the five directions of heaven and earth.

"This is the Upper-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure—the Supreme Unity Five Clouds Hairpin!"

"It contains thirty-one Xiantian Divine Restrictions!"

"Once activated, it can transform into five-colored divine clouds. When defending, it renders one immune to all techniques; when trapping enemies, it leaves them lost in clouds so deep they cannot find the way. It possesses both offense and defense, with endless wondrous uses!"

"Today, I bestow it upon you for protection!"

"This disciple—thanks Master for this generous gift!"

After settling Shi Ji's matter, Lord Tongtian's gaze returned to Jiang Yun.

His expression carried an added measure of solemnity and expectation.

"Jiang Yun."

"This disciple is here."

"Since entering the Dao, though your time in cultivation has been short, you have made many calculations and advanced step by step."

"Now, your strength is already comparable to that of a Quasi-Sage!"

"Even in my eyes, such achievements mark you as a peerless genius rarely seen in this world!"

At this point, Tongtian changed the subject, his tone becoming earnest. "However, you must remember this."

"On the path of cultivation, one's realm is the foundation. Divine abilities and spiritual treasures are ultimately merely tools for protecting the Dao."

"You must not neglect your comprehension of the fundamental Great Dao because of temporary strength in battle!"

"Unless one achieves Hunyuan, one remains an ant!"

Jiang Yun's heart tightened at those words.

Naturally, he knew Tongtian's words were precious advice, warning him not to lose himself in the thrill of power.

If the Investiture of the Gods Calamity were not imminent, forcing him to pursue the utmost combat strength to protect the Dao, Jiang Yun would not have so frantically refined Baleful Corpses and arrays.

"Grandmaster's teachings are like a morning bell and an evening drum. This disciple shall remember them deeply!"

Jiang Yun replied respectfully.

"Mm. You are a person of great wisdom, so I need not say more."

Lord Tongtian nodded, then beckoned with one hand.

Crack—!

A bolt of purple lightning suddenly tore through the void!

An incomparably violent and terrifying aura, as though representing the punishment of the Heavenly Dao, spread throughout the hall!

A heavy hammer wrapped in purple qi and crackling with arcs of lightning appeared in Tongtian's palm.

"This treasure is called—the Purple Lightning Hammer!"

"It is a Supreme-Grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure! It contains forty-one Xiantian Divine Restrictions!"

"When activated, it can become a Purple Heaven Thunder Pool and summon the Nine Heavens Purple Heaven Divine Thunder. It specializes in slaughter and destruction, possessing utterly terrifying might!"

"Though you have many arrays to protect yourself, you still lack a truly decisive offensive treasure."

"I bestow this hammer upon you!"

A Supreme-Grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure!!

The Purple Lightning Hammer!!

This was one of the powerful treasures Lord Tongtian usually carried with him!

Its reputation was immense, and its killing power unparalleled!

Even direct disciples such as Daoist Duobao could not help their eyelids twitching at the sight.

This time, their master had truly spent a fortune!

"This disciple—thanks Grandmaster!!"

Jiang Yun accepted the Purple Lightning Hammer with both hands. He immediately felt an overbearing force of lightning surge in through his palms, causing the mana within his body to boil.

What a fine treasure!

With this hammer, coupled with the Mystic Yellow Merit Indestructible Body and the Dark-Baleful Calamity Sovereign Body, his combat strength would rise another level even without relying on arrays!

After rewarding Jiang Yun, Tongtian's gaze fell upon the black-clad woman, Silent Sun.

"Silent Sun."

"This disciple is here!" Silent Sun hurriedly knelt.

"You are a High-grade Xiantian Spiritual Root that has taken form, with extraordinary foundations. You have also received the fortune of the heavenly tribulation, and your future is boundless."

"Today, I shall overstep my role and accept you into the sect on behalf of your master.

"From this day onward, you shall be the chief fourth-generation disciple of my Interception Sect!"

"I grant you the Daoist title—Nine Silence!"

"From now on, cultivate diligently, and do not tarnish the Interception Sect's reputation!"

Nine Silence was overjoyed and kowtowed heavily. "Nine Silence obeys! Thank you, Grandmaster, for bestowing this name!"

"As the chief disciple, you should possess a powerful treasure for protection."

With a flick of his finger, Tongtian sent out an ancient treasure mirror swirling with black and white light.

"This is the Yin-Yang Withering and Flourishing Mirror!"

"An Upper-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure containing thirty-three Xiantian Divine Restrictions!"

"The mirror is divided into yin and yang. One side governs withering and releases Withering Annihilation Divine Light, stripping away life force; the other governs flourishing and releases Yimu Divine Light, reviving the dead and restoring flesh to bare bones!"

"It complements the Dao of your true form perfectly!"

"Thank you, Grandmaster, for bestowing this treasure!"

Nine Silence accepted the treasure mirror and could not bear to put it down.

Finally, Tongtian looked toward Yang Jiao and Yang Jian—