In the council hall, everyone gazed in the direction Chen Sheng left, not speaking for a long time.

After a while, Fire Peak Master sighed and said:

"I finally understand what it means to have the demeanor of a True Immortal! So effortlessly, slaying the old Treasure Phase thief, as if cutting mere chickens and dogs!"

Another Peak Master stroked his beard and said:

"Indeed!"

"Treasure Phase True Monarch is a veteran among Nascent Souls, perhaps even the Pan ancestor of old couldn’t defeat him, yet was killed so easily."

Daoist Yuan Zhao chuckled and shook his head:

"Everyone, do not be amazed, having such a genius is the fortune of our Pan Sword Sect!"

He restrained his smile, his tone becoming serious:

"Issue my decree: Gather the elite disciples of each peak, form a Sword Array, and set out immediately to destroy the Celestial Yang Sect!"

"Yes!"

The seven Peak Masters responded in unison, their voices causing the dome of the council hall to tremble slightly.

...

...

After the news spread of the slaying of Treasure Phase True Monarch, the renown of Zhang Ling from Pan Sword Sect grew wildly at a visible rate, like bamboo shoots in spring.

The news first stirred up a storm in the cultivator circle in Qingzhou!

The achievement of "Golden Core Beheading the Nascent Soul" was too disruptive, initially, many doubted it.

But when the mountain gate of Celestial Yang Sect was razed, and image remnants of the Mountain Protection Array were disseminated across the nations, all doubts transformed into shock.

In just a short time, the name "Zhang Ling" echoed far and wide!

Before the mountain gate plaque of Pan Sword Sect, cultivators came to visit continuously, making the sect’s surrounding Market unprecedentedly lively.

Inside the sect, it was a scene of boiling excitement, disciples walked with heads held high, speaking of "Ancestor Zhang Ling" with pride in their tones.

Particularly those disciples who participated in the expedition against Celestial Yang Sect, they became the "favorites" within the sect, surrounded and asked about the battle wherever they went.

Upon hearing that the seven Peak Masters used the Sword Talisman bestowed by Ancestor Zhang to easily crush the remnants of Celestial Yang Sect.

Not only did they reclaim long-occupied foundations like the "Red Sun Ore Vein" and "Spirit Creek Valley," but also plundered Celestial Yang Sect’s Library Pavilion and Alchemy Room, the cheers of the disciples could almost overturn the roof of the Sword Heart Pavilion.

In just a few months, the momentum of Pan Sword Sect surpassed the peak period in the sect’s history, the Mountain Protection Array "Nine Bend Sword Gang Array" operated day and night, glowing magnificently.

Due to the massive amount of Spirit Vein resources looted from Celestial Yang Sect, many disciples stuck at bottlenecks suddenly made breakthroughs.

The registration place for the Outer Sect formed a long queue, cultivators from Qingzhou scrambled to join this rising sect.

At this moment, the Longevity Ranking eagerly anticipated by the nation’s cultivators was updated again.

When the scroll shimmering with golden light appeared on the Water Mirror in the Markets of each province, all observers held their breath.

Only to see the position at the top of the ranking was impressively inscribed with the name "Zhang Ling," followed by an annotation:

"Pan Sword Sect, High Grade Golden Core, one sword beheading Nascent Soul, annihilating Celestial Yang Sect, True Immortal potential!"

This time, there was no voice of doubt, even the prodigies in the top ten of the Longevity Ranking publicly expressed that "Fellow Daoist Zhang deserved it."

...

On this day, coinciding with the admission of new disciples, the Martial Arts Arena of the Outer Sect of Pan Sword Sect was bustling.

On the high platform in the center of the Martial Arts Arena, a cultivator wearing a gray Elder’s robe was speaking confidently, none other than Elder Huang Yu, currently overseeing the Outer Sect.

He stood on the high platform, surrounded by faint Spiritual Qi, exuding an aura of authority!

Huang Yu held a Duster, his voice booming, carried by Spiritual Power throughout the Martial Arts Arena:

"Esteemed new disciples, today you join our Pan Sword Sect, sharing in our sect’s glory!"

"Why has our sect risen to such prominence today? It is all thanks to Ancestor Zhang Ling presiding over our sect!"

He paused, sweeping his gaze over the hundreds of new disciples below, his tone filled with pride:

"Back when Ancestor Zhang Ling first entered the Outer Sect, he was merely an ordinary cultivator. But he practiced sword techniques at Sword Cliff every day before dawn, undeterred by wind and rain, his hands blistered from the sword techniques yet he never rested."

"I saw his tenacity and knew he was no ordinary person...sure enough, Ancestor did not disappoint. Six years to cultivate a High Grade Golden Core, and furthermore, beheaded a Nascent Soul, achieving a historic feat!"

He proudly spoke of his insight in recognizing the future potential.

The new disciples below listened wide-eyed, each straightening their posture, eyes filled with eagerness toward Huang Yu, as if saying "I am such a talent, please Elder recognize me."

A dark-skinned youth couldn’t help but ask loudly:

"Elder Huang! How did you see that Ancestor Zhang Ling had such talent back then? Could we also receive your guidance like the Ancestor?"

"Hahaha!"

Huang Yu stroked his beard and laughed, eyes full of pride:

"The way to recognize talent lies in observing one’s heart and actions. As long as you diligently cultivate and have a steadfast heart, I will surely recommend you to the sect someday, allowing you to encounter opportunities!"

His words were akin to sweet rain, further exciting the new disciples, leading to thunderous applause.

Under the shade of trees at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, several core disciples of the Outer Court leaned against the trunks, listening to the words from the high platform, smiles of understanding on their faces.

Qin Hao toyed with the tassel of his sword, smiling and shaking his head:

"Elder Huang’s bowl of chicken soup is getting richer, Ancestor Zhang Ling had such talent that even without recognition, he could carve his own path due to his capabilities."

"Sensing Qi in half a day, Foundation Establishment in three years, High Grade Golden Core in six years, this can’t be achieved just by diligence."

Bai Yu crossed his arms, his gaze falling on Huang Yu, his tone filled with a few sentiments:

"That’s true, but who dares to tear down Elder Huang’s platform?"

"Recently, when I went to the Inner Sect to receive Elixir Pills, I personally saw Fire Peak Master being very courteous to him, even Sect Leader Yuan Zhao greeted him with smiles and exchanged pleasantries."

Liu Yanyun adjusted her locks and spoke softly:

"Back when Ancestor Zhang Ling was in the Outer Sect, it was Elder Huang who provided considerable care to him. Although that care might not mean much in Ancestor’s later cultivation, Ancestor remembers old ties."

"Before Ancestor went into seclusion, he specifically sent Elder Huang three Treasure Pills to aid him in breaking through to the Heart-moving Stage, appointing him as the chief Elder of the Outer Sect, overseeing its affairs—who could rival that?"

Qin Hao listened and felt some regret, he once contemplated betting on forming connections.

But alas, Ancestor Zhang Ling’s rise was too rapid, even though he established some fate relations, it was far too distant.

As they spoke, Elder Huang finished his address, surrounded by new disciples escorting him away, many even vied to present their crudely crafted Talismans and freshly picked ordinary Spirit Grasses for Elder Huang’s "assessment".

Passing by the shade, Elder Huang glanced at Qin Hao and his companions, nodding with a warm attitude.

Once he left, Qin Hao and his companions exchanged smiles, their eyes full of sighs—who would have thought that the Steward Huang, who once only mingled in the Outer Gate, would become one of the sect’s untouchable figures.

On the other side of the Martial Arts Arena, the new disciples were still excitedly discussing the legend of Ancestor Zhang Ling, yearning for their own path of cultivation.