Rewards!

Three days later, the Territory Enfeoffment Ceremony.

In the very center of the floating land, on a plaza spanning dozens of miles, representatives of more than eighty inner-region branches and three hundred distant-region minor branches stood on either side.

Shi Jian stood at the front of the Mountain Bear Lineage's formation, his gaze sweeping across the square.

The auras of the various bear kings were not weak, and there were quite a few at the Nascent Soul Late Stage; but what truly concerned him were the Nascent Spirit Transformation cultivators hidden behind the formation.

All the Spirit Transformation from the seven main lineages have arrived.

The twelve Nascent Spirit Transformation' auras were as imposing as mountains, making the air in the entire square thick and viscous; those representatives of the minor Nascent Soul Early Stage stage cultivators could barely stand.

Many have already quietly activated their Immortal Foundation to protect themselves, silently bowing their heads in submission.

At the end of the square, seven high platforms are arranged in a row.

On each high platform stands the lord of a lineage.

In the main seat of the Mountain Bear Lineage, Shan Yue sat upright; his gaze swept across the entire room, finally landing on Shi Jian, and he nodded slightly.

Shi Jian returned the gesture with a bow.

"With all branches present, the grand ceremony begins."

The Shan Yue's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire area.

He raised his hand, and an earth-yellow light screen spread out above the square; within the light screen, a huge map of the territory was displayed.

The territory of the Giant Bear Clan has expanded many times over compared to decades ago.

"In this campaign, our territory has expanded by tens of millions of miles, and our Spirit Vein and mineral deposits are countless; today we will reward those who have contributed, and each lineage shall receive its due."

After Shan Yue finished speaking, a Nascent Soul Bear King stepped forward.

Holding a bone-white scroll, he began chanting the names.

"The Violent Bear Branch Lineage, encompassing 500,000 li of the Northern Wasteland, has added thirteen new Spirit Vein..."

"The Frenzied Crimson Lineage, ruling over 300,000 li of the eastern border, has newly added..."

As each name is read aloud, each lineage represents either joy or sorrow.

Some branches saw their territory double, while others lost large swathes of land; those branches in the inner regions that achieved outstanding military exploits were even directly promoted and granted the qualification to be promoted to the Spirit Transformation stage.

Hearing about the bestowals and honors, Shi Jian couldn't help but sigh.

These rewards and punishments were very clear about public and private matters, without the slightest ambiguity; the military achievements were there for all to see, and no one could find fault with them.

What truly concerned him were the branch states whose territories had been stripped away.

The representatives of those branch lineages, their faces ashen, dared not utter a word; with the overwhelming pressure of the Spirit Transformation above them, who dared to refute them?

"The Black Peak Tribe, lacking sufficient military achievements, has had its territory reduced by 50,000 li..."

"Earth Mound Tribe..."

The chanting of names continued for almost half the day.

Finally, the Nascent Soul Bear King stopped and glanced in the direction where Shi Jian was.

"The Lightning Bear Line."

All eyes in the room turned to Shi Jian.

Shi Jian's expression remained unchanged as he stepped forward.

The Nascent Soul Bear King unfurled the scroll, his voice booming.

" Among the Lightning Bear Line, Shi Jian deserves the greatest credit for this campaign; he single-handedly killed thirty-seven Nascent Soul, making him the top warrior."

"The territory remains unchanged, still encompassing 300,000 li."

Shi Jian frowned slightly.

Territory unchanged?

That's not right.

Logically, his military achievements should have been enough to expand the territory by another 100,000 li; but now the territory remains unchanged, which is...

The Nascent Soul Bear King paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the entire area.

"However, there is an order within the clan."

"From this day forward, all members of my clan who cultivate the Dao of Lightning shall be relocated to Divine Firmament Plain and placed under the jurisdiction of the Lightning Bear Line."

"The original seven minor branches of the Dao of Lightning have been disbanded and merged into the Lightning Bear Line."

"The seven Dao of Lightning Bear Kings shall, from this day forward, obey Shi Jian's commands."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Seven minor lineages, seven Nascent Soul Bear Kings, have all been incorporated into the Lightning Bear Line?

What does this mean?

From this day forward, the Lightning Bear Line will have eleven Nascent Soul in charge; together with the Golden Core Realm cultivators of the Dao of Lightning, the strength of the entire branch will instantly increase several times over.

This is no longer an ordinary branch of the inland region.

This is one of the strongest branches under the seven main branches.

Shi Jian was startled, and then realized what was happening.

The clan intends to unify all the Dao of Lightning bloodlines into one place, with him as the core, to create a powerful branch specializing in the Dao of Lightning.

This is a much larger undertaking than simply expanding territory.

On the other side of the square, seven Dao of Lightning Bear Kings slowly stepped forward.

The leader, with a deep blue-green body and an extremely violent aura, looked at Shi Jian with a complex expression, which ultimately turned into a sigh.

"The Lightning Bear Line greets Lord Shi Jian."

The other six also bowed in respect.

Shi Jian looked at the seven bear kings and scanned them with his Divine Sense.

All seven were at the Nascent Soul Late Stage, cultivating the Dao of Lightning Immortal Foundation; three cultivated [Frenzied Thunder Sound], two cultivated [Life-Extinguishing Lightning], and the other two cultivated [Azure Profound Lightning].

All of them were Immortal Foundation below the Frenzied Thunder Dao Fruit.

His Purple Pivot Lightning was not on the same path.

But since the clan had given the order, these seven were now under his command.

"Please, everyone, no need for formalities."

Shi Jian raised his hand, his voice calm. "From now on, we are family, and we should advance and retreat together."

The leading Azure Bear King looked up at him but said nothing.

The other six remained silent.

Shi Jian Dao of Darkness to himself that these seven were probably dissatisfied; after all, they were originally kings, but now they had to obey him.

What can you do if you disagree?

A decree issued by the clan is an ironclad rule.

The voice of the Shan Yue rang out once more.

"From this day forward, the Lightning Bear Line shall be the ninth in the sequence of the Inner Frontier branch; it shall enjoy the main lineage's resource allocation and be protected by the main lineage."

"In addition, I bestow upon you three sections of Dao Comprehension Spirit Wood, five Profound Lightning Essence Spirit, and one Spirit Transformation quota."

Are there any spots for the Spirit Transformation stage?

Shi Jian's heart skipped a beat.

This is a promise given by the clan: as long as he breaks through to the Spirit Transformation, he will be qualified to compete for the position of the main branch; he may even become the eighth main branch.

"Thank you, Ancestor."

Shi Jian bowed respectfully, while Shan Yue waved his hand and swept his gaze across the entire room.

"The bestowal of titles and rewards has been completed; all branches of the family shall return to their proper places."