The Old Story of the Dao Lord's Ascension, and the Origins of Sword Cultivators' Fearsome Reputation

Zhou Fan held the wolf-hair brush, his wrist shaking uncontrollably as he tremulously wrote down the words "appointed to the Merit Oversight Court."

Then he raised the register above his head with both hands and respectfully presented it before Jiang Yi for his inspection.

"What you wrote is correct. That is how it should be."

Jiang Yi nodded slightly, seemingly approving of the Qigong Court's registration.

Standing outside the crowd, Xu Yan's eyes flickered with surprise.

"He actually chose the Merit Oversight Court. Junior Brother Jiang truly has nerve! He never does follow the usual rules!"

He mused inwardly:

Master might not be pleased with this outcome, but he won't be disappointed either. At any rate, we haven't lost to the Sect Master's lineage.

Xu Yan understood clearly: his master did not necessarily insist that Junior Brother Jiang join Fate-Watching Peak. He merely needed him not to choose Sun-Watching Peak.

So long as the Sect Master had not gained the upper hand, Elder Sui's lingering authority remained intact. He was still a highly respected senior of the Qianji Sect.

That shred of pride was what the old man was fighting for.

With that thought, Xu Yan considered the matter settled. He cupped his hands toward Jiang Yi and said only:

"Suppressing the Fire Cavern and Water Grotto has always been grueling, agonizing work. The slightest carelessness can damage your cultivation. I hope you'll take care of yourself, Junior Brother."

With that, he strode away.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you actually knew about the Merit Oversight Court? That place is a vital site of the Dharma Lineage, fraught with extraordinary danger. Even someone at the seventh level of Qi Refining would struggle to remain there long."

Only after everyone dispersed did Han Li step forward and sigh deeply.

"This was the worst