Chương 74: The Golden Core Grand Ceremony, A Hundred Sects Offer Congratulations

"We offer our humblest congratulations to Senior Dan Chenzi on his successful Core Formation!" The three Xuan brothers of the Qingyan Sect shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the hall. Behind them, a sea of disciples followed suit, their heads bowed in a display of profound reverence.

Though the three brothers could theoretically hold their own against a Golden Core cultivator by combining their strength, they knew the truth: the gap between the Foundation Establishment realm and the Golden Core stage was a chasm as vast as the distance between the heavens and the earth.

"Congratulations to Senior Dan Chenzi on his ascension!" Following the Qingyan Sect, the leaders and representatives of a hundred smaller sects roared their greetings, their collective voice shaking the very foundations of the Great Hall. Qingxiaozi and Dan Chenzi walked side-by-side toward the primary thrones at the head of the hall. Without warning, they released the full, unbridled spiritual pressure of the Golden Core realm.

Their combined auras intertwined and spiraled upward like a rising dragon, a suffocating weight that made the faces of every cultivator in the room turn pale instantly. Fortunately, the display was brief—a mere flex of divine muscle intended to establish dominance. Had they held it a moment longer, the Divine Senses of the younger, non-Foundation Establishment disciples would have been permanently shattered.

"Heh, everyone, please be seated." Qingxiaozi made a slight downward gesture with his hands, maintaining a facade of humility as he and Dan Chenzi took their seats.

"Daoist Dan Chenzi's success in forming his core is a blessing for us all. My Diling Sect has little to offer in celebration, but we wish to gift the Spirit Stone mine discovered at Cedar Forest Mountain to you as a congratulatory tribute," Xuan Wuqing said, rising from his seat with a forced smile and a respectful cupping of his hands. Dan Chenzi's expression remained calm, as if he had long expected this. He offered a thin smile.

"In that case, I thank Daoist Xuan Wuqing for his generous gift." Seeing Dan Chenzi accept the tribute, Xuan Wuqing felt a slight wave of relief, though it was quickly followed by a bitter pang in his heart. With a silent, inward sigh of resignation, he sat back down. The mine was a massive loss, but it was the price of survival.

"The Desha Sect is willing to cede thirteen mortal cities to the jurisdiction of the Xuanxiao Sect as a tribute for Senior Dan Chenzi's breakthrough," Jing Yuan announced immediately after. Thirteen cities represented nearly one-fifth of the Desha Sect's total territory. To hand them over was a gut-wrenching blow to their influence, yet Jing Yuan knew he had no choice but to offer them up on a silver platter.

"Haha, I thank Daoist Jing Yuan for such a lavish gift," Dan Chenzi replied, accepting the offer with a graceful nod. Jing Yuan let out a cold snort in his mind, but he remained expressionless as he sat down. The current tide of power was against him; there was nothing he could do but endure the humiliation.

"Xuan Wending of the Qingyan Sect, representing our Sect Leader, offers his highest congratulations to Senior Dan Chenzi!" The eldest of the Xuan brothers spoke, his voice sounding somewhat dry and strained.

"Our Qingyan Sect is willing to voluntarily forfeit the upcoming Sect Duel against the Xuanxiao Sect to show our sincerity. Furthermore, we offer fifty thousand Spirit Stones and ten mid-grade Spirit Tools as a congratulatory gift." As his voice faded, a heavy silence descended upon the Great Hall. The friction between the Qingyan Sect and the Xuanxiao Sect was legendary in the North Yue State.

While they hadn't reached the point of total annihilation, they had been locked in a cold war for centuries, with disciples frequently clashing in the shadows. The core of their animosity lay in the centennial Sect Duel. Every hundred years, the two sects would pit their younger generations against each other. The winner gained the right to use the loser's mountain range for ten years, forcing the defeated sect to relocate entirely for a decade before being allowed to return.

It was a tradition of supreme humiliation. Two hundred years ago, the Xuanxiao Sect had won. This year was supposed to be the next scheduled duel... but with Dan Chenzi reaching the Golden Core stage, the Xuanxiao Sect now boasted two such masters, far outstripping the Qingyan Sect's lone Golden Core ancestor. The duel had become a death trap, and the Qingyan Sect was choosing to surrender their dignity to save their lives.

Once the surrounding cultivators realized the implications, the shock on their faces softened into looks of pity and mockery directed at the Qingyan Sect delegation. Dan Chenzi remained silent, but a flicker of immense pride danced in his eyes. Among all the ancestors of the Xuanxiao Sect, he would be the one remembered for forcing the Qingyan Sect to surrender without a single blow. His name would be etched in the sect's history in bold strokes, revered by generations to come.

"Oh? Is that so?" Qingxiaozi raised an eyebrow, unable to hide the joy in his voice. Though he had anticipated this outcome, hearing it declared publicly sent a surge of triumph through his veins. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. Qiao Yufeng, we have fought our entire lives, but in the end, it is I, Qingxiaozi, who has bested you! He could almost see the face of the Qingyan Sect Leader, Qiao Yufeng, twisted in shame and fury.

The thought made him feel more alive than he had in decades.

"Upon our return," the Xuan brother continued, "the Qingyan Sect will begin relocating to Phoenix-Fall Slope, a hundred miles from our current gates. We will vacate our mountain range according to the ancient agreement." At those words, Qingxiaozi and Dan Chenzi could no longer contain their mirth. They threw their heads back and laughed, their voices booming like thunder.

"Hahahaha!"

"Hahahaha!" The sound waves rolled out of the hall, the combined aura of two Golden Core masters causing the very clouds to shift and the wind to howl. For a hundred miles around the Xuanxiao Sect, every demon beast in the mountains trembled in terror, collapsing to the ground under the sheer weight of the spiritual pressure. Outside the hall, the disciples of the Xuanxiao Sect were not suppressed. Instead, they were galvanized.

Hearing the laughter of their leaders, they joined in, their own cheers rising to meet the sky. With the three major sects of the North Yue State effectively cowed, the Xuanxiao Sect's hegemony was absolute. Even the few other sects that possessed Golden Core masters only had those at the early stage; they were no match for the combined might of the Xuanxiao Sect.

One by one, they stepped forward to offer their own tributes, and in a few short moments, the sect's wealth and influence surged to unprecedented heights.

"Disciples of the sect, pay homage to the Ancestor!" To form a Golden Core was to become an Ancestor. This was an unwritten law across all sects in the North Yue State. Led by thirty-one Foundation Establishment Elders and Protectors, over three hundred True Inheritance Disciples from the four branches of the Xuanxiao Sect marched into the hall with their heads held high. They knelt in perfect unison.

"We pay our respects to the Ancestor!!" The roar was earth-shattering. This time, the disciples bowed with genuine fervor and awe. They knew that with two Golden Core Ancestors, their sect's status was unshakeable, and their own futures were brighter than ever.

"Good! Good! Good! All of you, rise!" Dan Chenzi's face was slightly flushed with excitement. Even with his Golden Core-level mental fortitude, he could not help but be moved by the sight.

"We thank the Ancestor!" The disciples rose and stood respectfully in two rows along the sides of the hall.

"Heh, today is not only Junior Brother Dan Chenzi's Grand Ceremony, but it also happens to be the date of our annual Sect Assessment. Since so many fellow Daoists are gathered here, why not act as witnesses to our disciples' progress?" Qingxiaozi stood and stroked his white beard, smiling broadly. Xuan Wuqing of the Diling Sect let his gaze flicker briefly before smiling back.

"Since Sect Master Qingxiaozi has invited us, we would be honored to stay." Jing Yuan gave a curt, expressionless nod of agreement. The Qingyan Sect delegation, led by the three Xuan brothers, also indicated they had no objections. Seeing the three giants agree, the leaders of the smaller sects naturally followed suit, their voices filled with polite flattery.

"Junior Brother, shall you preside over this year's Sect Grand Tournament?" Qingxiaozi asked, turning to Dan Chenzi as he sat back down.

"Very well." Dan Chenzi thought for a moment and nodded. He understood Qingxiaozi's intent; this was a chance for him to firmly establish his new authority and prestige within the sect.

"Fellow Daoists, today is indeed the day of our Sect Grand Tournament. However, before that begins, there are some private matters that require a bit of your time. I hope you will forgive the delay," Dan Chenzi said, his voice level as he addressed the crowd.

"Daoist Dan Chenzi is too polite."

"Senior Dan Chenzi, please do not worry. We have plenty of time and are in no hurry."

"Whatever business you have, Senior, please attend to it. We have no objections whatsoever."

"Indeed, it would be our honor to wait. Please, do not let us trouble you." The hall was filled with voices of extreme politeness, whether sincere or feigned. Dan Chenzi simply smiled and did not respond further; as a Golden Core master, excessive humility would only seem fake and beneath his station.

"You few, come forward. This past year, I have been consumed by my cultivation and have not had the chance to guide you properly. I do not know if you have been diligent in your practice. Today, in this hall, I shall first test the alchemical skills of my personal disciples." As Dan Chenzi's voice fell, several figures stepped out from the ranks of the Xuanxiao Sect disciples. They knelt before him in a grand salute, their voices ringing out in unison: "Disciples pay their respects to Master!

We congratulate Master on achieving the Great Dao of the Golden Core! May your power be boundless and your lifespan reach five hundred years!" These were Dan Chenzi's personal disciples. Reyn stood at the very end of the line.

"Mmm, not bad. You may all rise." Dan Chenzi's gaze swept over his disciples, and a look of satisfaction crossed his face. Duan Zhonghua and Li Zidu had both made multiple breakthroughs in a single year, reaching the peak of the 8th level of Qi Condensation. With a Foundation Establishment Pill, they would likely succeed in their breakthrough soon. Hei Shi was cold and possessed mediocre talent, but his hard work had paid off, barely reaching the 8th level.

As for Liu Yuyao, her progress was slightly slower, but she had still reached the 7th level. When his eyes landed on Ji Yueli, the affection in his gaze was unmistakable. In just one year, she had reached the 9th level of Qi Condensation. Combined with her peerless talent for alchemy, she was the perfect disciple.

"Hmm?" When his gaze finally landed on the last disciple, Dan Chenzi's heart stirred. His eyes lingered for a moment before a trace of melancholy appeared on his face. Reyn's heart hammered against his ribs. He had felt Dan Chenzi's sharp gaze sweep over him like a blade, as if trying to peel back his skin and see his very soul. Fortunately, the gaze moved on quickly. Reyn stole a glance at his master's face and saw no suspicion, allowing him to let out a long, silent breath of relief. Thank the heavens.

My current cultivation is equivalent to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, but my Divine Sense is as strong as a late-stage cultivator. With the concealment effects of the Hunyuan True Scripture, he shouldn't be able to see through me. While Reyn was lost in thought, Dan Chenzi waved his hand. Over a dozen sets of medicinal herbs appeared from his storage bag, and four alchemy cauldrons thudded onto the floor, spaced ten meters apart in front of Duan Zhonghua, Ji Yueli, and the others.

After a brief hesitation and a silent sigh, Dan Chenzi produced one final cauldron and placed it directly in front of Reyn.