"This... that's Brother Jiang and Brother Lu! They've returned safely from the Ancient Demon Sect relics."

"Brother Jiang's position, why is he standing so forward, could it be..."

"Vientiane Realm! Brother Jiang has already advanced to the Vientiane Realm! Before the great battle began, he was just in the Primordial Pill Realm. And it's said that Brother Jiang emerged from the Chores Peak in such a short time..."

In the outer sect of the True Martial Sect, disciples gathered at the Divine Skills Square, voicing their amazement. They were all merely in the Furnace Fire Realm, far removed from the Primordial Pill Realm.

To them, the Vientiane Realm is akin to the clear sky in a mortal's eyes, lofty and unattainable, only to be admired from afar.

"Hahaha, this is a great joy indeed! Our True Martial Sect has added several Daoist Monarchs of the Vientiane Realm, greatly enhancing our strength. Comparing us to the Dao Yi Sect, we're not far behind now!"

"Indeed, the elders and senior brothers have such profound fortunes, which should lead our True Martial Sect to flourish!"

"Congratulations to Brother Jiang for achieving the position of Daoist Monarch!"

"Congratulations to Brother Lu for achieving the position of Daoist Monarch!"

The peaks within the inner sect resounded with exclamations and congratulations, one after another.

Countless disciples within the mountain gate looked up towards the sky, their eyes filled with excitement and anticipation, their emotions barely contained.

Cheering continued below.

Before the crowd, the Supreme Sect Leader glanced around for a while, then quite satisfied, withdrew his gaze. With a wave of his large hand, a radiant spirit light flew from his sleeve, enveloping everyone present instantly.

"This time the harvest is plentiful. Follow me to the sect's Great Hall to discuss merits and rewards!"

Amidst the gentle laughter, the spirit light suddenly exploded, and the figures within it abruptly disappeared into the void.

A moment later.

Dong—!

A solemn and majestic bell toll echoed, spreading with a halo of pale gold, suddenly reverberating from the peak of the True Martial Main Peak.

The Jade Bell tolls only during grand occasions in the True Martial Sect and hadn't been heard for a full century before this.

It's said that the Jade Bell, standing at the center of the True Martial Qianyuan Square, is an extremely rare and immeasurable Dao Artifact, able to be activated only by the Supreme Sect Leader of the True Martial Sect.

As the bell resonated, its lingering sound vibrated through, and immediately, several streams of light, carrying immense energy, darted from each peak towards the True Martial Main Peak.

Peak Masters and elders of the Vientiane Realm emerged from the light and shadow. Even those elders who hadn't come down the mountain for years were awakened by the Jade Bell's sound and arrived in person.

As they exchanged glances, all wore expressions of undisguised joy, hurriedly stepping into the hall.

Inside the Great Hall of the True Martial Sect.

The Supreme Sect Leader sat calmly, situated high on the platform.

Below the jade steps, Jiang Shu, who had been dispatched to the Ancient Demon Sect relics as the leader of the true inheritors and elders, stood first in line.

As the Peak Masters and elders gathered and took seats on either side, the noisy footsteps gradually settled into quietness, and a solemn atmosphere slowly spread.

The Supreme Sect Leader rose slowly, standing with hands behind his back. A gentle smile appeared on his indifferent face as he lowered his gaze to the people below, and spoke loudly:

"This expedition to the Demon Sect relics has been extremely beneficial for our True Martial Sect, a stroke of fate indeed. Today's assembly of Peak Masters and elders is to celebrate our sect's new Daoist Monarchs, discuss merits and rewards, and additionally to deliberate on the current situation of the Endless Sea Domain for future plans."

With a slight pause in the words, the Supreme Sect Leader turned his gaze to Elder Wuji seated on the left:

"Elder Wuji, detail the inner circumstances of this Demon Sect relics expedition for everyone here."

Upon hearing this, Daoist Monarch Wuji nodded slightly, stood up, looked at those behind him, and organized his thoughts before beginning to elaborate.

Peak Masters and elders listened patiently to the circumstances within the Demon Sect relics, their eyes occasionally lighting up with brilliance. Enspecially upon hearing how Jiang Shu single-handedly defeated Qiu Taoguang, the First True Inheritor of the Demon Sect, as well as the Heavenly Dragon and Heavenly Phoenix princes of the Demon Race. This alone shifted the disadvantaged position dramatically, leaving the audience astonished and full of praises.

It's known that even among these Daoist Monarchs of the Vientiane Realm, many would struggle to gain the upper hand against Qiu Taoguang, who inherited from the Ancient Demon Sect Daoist Monarch of Great Disaster.

Such battle achievements alone indicate that the newly advanced Daoist Monarch Taixuan, Jiang Shu's capabilities are now comparable to the Peak Masters and elders of the True Martial Sect, even surpassing them.

After about two cups of tea's worth of time, once Daoist Monarch Wuji finished recounting the relic details, the Daoists present looked at Jiang Shu with changed eyes.

From this moment on, they no longer viewed him as a junior disciple but as an equal, a peer strong enough to stand alongside those who had entered the Vientiane Realm for years.

In contrast, Jiang Shu, standing right below the jade steps, maintained his calm demeanor throughout, showing no signs of pride despite Daoist Monarch Wuji's praises.

Such composure naturally caught the attention of the Peak Masters and elders, who couldn't help but secretly nod in approval.

A steady mindset, neither arrogant nor impatient, coupled with extraordinary talent—the True Martial Sect, endowed with such a disciple, is surely destined to thrive!

It was only when the hall returned to silence that the gentle laughter of the Supreme Sect Leader broke through from the jade steps:

"You've all heard it. Jiang Shu's contributions are outstanding in the remarkable outcomes our sect has achieved this time!"

"What a pity that Daoist Monarch Zi Ji is currently in seclusion within the sect, seeking a breakthrough opportunity and thus unable to witness the rising fame of his disciple."

"Jiang Shu, your meritorious contributions to the True Martial Sect have genuinely pleased both your master, Daoist Monarch Zi Ji, and myself!"

"Back then, I promised you that upon advancing to the Vientiane Realm and achieving Daoist Monarch status, you would be appointed as Deputy Sect Master of the True Martial Sect. Now is the time to fulfill that promise."