Sect Grand Ceremony

Inside the Li Fire Court.

When Cheng Yang pushed the door open and walked in, about twenty people were already standing in the bluestone square of the front courtyard, quite a few more than what he had seen yesterday.

The disciples of the Li Fire Court were almost all present, scattered loosely around the perimeter of the square. Some leaned against the corridor pillars, some sat on the stone steps, and others gathered in twos and threes, whispering to one another.

Hearing the courtyard gate creak open, they turned their heads to look, their gazes carrying a mix of curiosity and appraisal as they landed on Cheng Yang.

Cheng Yang swept a glance over these faces and saw Ji Wuzhou standing on the steps in front of the open hall, beckoning him over and signaling him to approach.

Cheng Yang walked over and came to a halt below the steps. Ji Wuzhou's gaze lingered on Cheng Yang for a fraction of a second, then narrowed slightly as a measure of satisfaction grew within his heart.

The corners of his mouth twitched in a very slight movement, and then he cleared his throat and raised a hand.

The twenty-odd people in the square quieted down one after another, their gazes converging on the direction of the steps.

"All of you, come over." Ji Wuzhou's voice was not loud, but it carried clearly.

The crowd gathered around one after another, forming a loose semicircle in front of the steps.

Cheng Yang stood half a step to Ji Wuzhou's side.

Ji Wuzhou swept his gaze across the disciples beneath the steps and spoke. "I have summoned you all here today for only one matter." He shifted sideways by half a step, completely exposing Cheng Yang's figure to the crowd. "Starting today, Cheng Yang