For the Great Revival of Spirit Hall

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

On the north side of the council hall, a large carved rosewood chair occupied the place of honor, facing south. A huge piece of jade was set into its back. Emerald green and radiating a gentle warmth, it was a piece of top-grade Warm Jade.

Ning Fengzhi sat upright in the chair. His temples had turned gray, and the youthful vigor had faded from his face. His bearing, however, had grown steadier, his presence more restrained. The smile he had worn for years had given way to indifference.

He watched a young man in fitted white clothes kneeling below him.

"Reporting to the sect master: everything is ready. The banquet can begin at any time." The young man's voice trembled, though it remained respectful, with a trace of excitement.

Today was a joyous day: the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was reopening. The Lock the Mountains and Rivers Treaty had been lifted, and the compensation of 1.144 billion Gold Soul Coins had been paid in full.

It had nearly emptied the wealth the sect had amassed over a century. But from now on, they would no longer have to live under Spirit Hall's restrictions, timid and afraid.

Ning Fengzhi shook his head, helplessness flickering across his face. "Not yet. We'll wait until Uncle Sword returns."

"Yes, sect master." The young man in white withdrew respectfully.

"Sigh. Twelve years have passed. I wonder if..." Ning Fengzhi sighed and shook his head.

"Fengzhi, are you worried Spirit Hall won't let her go?" Gu Rong limped out of the rear hall and sat beside him.

Ning Fengzhi looked troubled. "Qin Xuan is overbearing, but with the Heaven Dou Empire and the Soul Master Guild as witnesses, and the Lock the Mountains and Rivers Treaty in place, he shouldn't