Volume 1, Chapter 48 – Enlightenment Tea Tree

Still reeling from overwhelming shock and fear, the crowd began moving again, but the atmosphere had changed completely.

The previous noise and restlessness were gone. Everyone behaved properly, and the gazes they directed toward the raised platform were filled with incomparable reverence.

The two Nascent Soul elders from first-rate sects had been casually erased like two insignificant flies.

The majesty of the Yaochi Immortal Palace had been branded into the hearts of everyone in Qingyang City in the most direct and domineering manner possible.

With Qingyang City at its center, the news spread wildly in every direction like a hurricane!

“A mysterious expert has appeared in Qingyang City! Suspected to be at Body Integration or even higher!”

“Perfected Yunhe of the Feiyun Sect and Perfected Tiesong of the Qingshan Sect were erased with a single finger!”

“Yaochi Immortal Palace! A hidden sect no one has ever heard of! Its Vice Palace Master possesses heaven-defying cultivation!”

“The Liu family has found an astonishingly powerful backer! They are publicly testing spiritual aptitude and selecting disciples!”

For a time, all kinds of rumors and different versions of the story circulated, sparking endless debate.

Some claimed the Yaochi Immortal Palace was a reclusive sect from the Southern Region, while others said it was a power from another region…

The attention of countless surrounding forces turned toward Qingyang City, a previously inconspicuous place.

On the raised platform, Yun Yun remained seated in silence, sipping tea as though none of the turmoil in the outside world had anything to do with her.

Only the deep reverence in Liu Ruyan’s eyes whenever she occasionally looked at Yun Yun showed that the previous scene had not been a dream.

The spirit testing continued in a strange yet solemn atmosphere.

With Yun Yun’s terrifying strength present as a deterrent, no one dared cause the slightest disturbance.

The sun began to sink westward, and the first day of spirit testing finally approached its end.

In the end, excluding Lin Fan, only eight people from Qingyang City and the surrounding areas met the standard for outer disciples. Only Zhao Ling’er and the little girl suspected of possessing an Innate Sword Bone met the standard for inner disciples.

This result had already far exceeded Liu Ruyan’s expectations.

She knew that as the news continued to spread, even more promising talents from farther away might arrive over the next few days.

“That will be all for today. We will continue tomorrow.”

Liu Ruyan made the announcement.

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Under the guidance of the Liu family guards, the crowd slowly dispersed with all kinds of complicated emotions.

Yet the stories of the Yaochi Immortal Palace and its white-robed Vice Palace Master were certain to stir the city throughout the night.

On the raised platform, Yun Yun rose and nodded slightly to Liu Beihai.

“Family Head Liu, you have worked hard today.”

“These disciples who passed the preliminary selection still need to have their temperaments observed. A final decision will be made after the seven-day period ends.”

“Yes! Everything will be arranged according to Senior’s instructions!”

Liu Beihai hurriedly bowed.

Yun Yun turned her gaze toward Liu Ruyan.

“Ruyan, come with me.”

Their figures blurred slightly and vanished from the raised platform. In the next instant, they appeared in a quiet garden within the Liu residence.

“Vice Palace Master.” Liu Ruyan stood respectfully.

Yun Yun gazed at the fading sunset on the horizon and slowly said,

“The Palace Master anticipated today’s events long ago.”

“Now that the Immortal Palace has been established, it cannot remain low-key forever. A little disturbance is nothing to worry about.”

She turned to Liu Ruyan, a trace of approval in her eyes.

“You performed very well today.”

“Over the next few days, carry out the selection carefully. Remember, temperament comes first and potential comes second.”

“This disciple understands.”

Liu Ruyan nodded firmly.

She knew that after today’s events, the name of the Yaochi Immortal Palace had begun to reveal its might.

Her family, too, was certain to welcome a completely new beginning.

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Night gradually deepened, but Qingyang City was destined to remain sleepless.

Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Yaochi Immortal Palace.

A mirror floated before Gu Han, reflecting everything that had happened at the Spirit Testing Platform in Qingyang City.

She watched Yun Yun’s seemingly casual yet earth-shaking finger strike, the two late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators silently annihilated without a trace.

She saw the shock and deathly silence of the crowd below, as well as Liu Ruyan’s composure and the orderly arrangements she made afterward…

“Beautifully done.”

“Yun Yun judged the situation perfectly. She established our authority without drawing excessive attention.”

Gu Han chuckled and had just put away the mirror when the system’s notification caused her gaze to suddenly sharpen.

[Warning! Fluctuations in connected karmic ties detected!]

[Core figures of the “Feiyun Sect” and “Qingshan Sect,” Yunhe and Tiesong, have died. Their sects are suspected of transmitting information to their respective backers or higher-level forces.]

[There is a 47.8% chance that this will trigger a subsequent chain reaction within the next three days.]

[Risk Warning: Passively waiting for trouble to arrive does not conform to the behavioral principles of the Host of the “Strongest Sect System.” It is recommended that the Host take the initiative and further expand the influence of the Yaochi Immortal Palace.]

“Oh?”

Gu Han raised an eyebrow. Not only did she show no nervousness, but an intrigued sneer appeared on her face.

“System, are you saying that merely establishing our authority isn’t enough?”

“We need to make sure they remember the pain and understand that the Yaochi Immortal Palace is an existence they absolutely cannot afford to provoke?”

[Bingo! As expected, the Host understands immediately!]

[Main Quest Triggered: Thunderous Counterattack, First Display of Immortal Might!]

[Quest Objective: Dispatch a capable subordinate to personally visit the “Feiyun Sect” and “Qingshan Sect” and administer an “appropriate” deterrence.]

[Quest Reward: Innate Spiritual Root, one Enlightenment Tea Tree!]

[Friendly Reminder: The Enlightenment Tea Tree is a supreme divine object of legend. A single tea leaf can cause someone to enter a state of sudden enlightenment.]

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“An Enlightenment Tea Tree?” Gu Han’s eyes shone brilliantly.

This was an innate spiritual root, something that existed only in legends!

For a sect, a treasure capable of benefiting its elders and disciples while improving their comprehension was immeasurably valuable.

“Since they were the ones who reached out their claws first and still want to keep courting death, it wouldn’t be excessive for me to send someone over and help clear their heads, would it?”

[Not excessive in the slightest! Completely reasonable! This system raises both hands and feet in support!]

Gu Han’s divine sense instantly swept across the entire Yaochi Immortal Palace. After a brief moment of thought, she already had someone in mind.

“Fushan!”

Her voice was not loud, yet it seemed to penetrate space itself.

The Mountain-Covering Ape King, who was drinking wine in his cave dwelling, jolted so violently that the wine jar in his hand nearly fell to the ground.

He hurriedly set down the jar. With a flash, he appeared outside the main hall and respectfully answered,

“Palace Master! Fushan is here!”

“Come in.”

Fushan strode into the hall. Upon seeing Gu Han, he hurriedly bowed.

“Palace Master, what are your orders?”

“Fushan, I have a task for you.”

Gu Han’s tone was calm, yet it carried unquestionable authority.

“Just say the word, Palace Master! Fushan will make sure it’s handled perfectly!”

Fushan thrust out his chest and pounded it with loud thumps.

“Over in Qingyang City, two blind sects sent people to disrupt the spirit testing. Although Vice Palace Master Yun has already dealt with them…”

“I believe they may not have learned their lesson yet.”

A fierce light flashed in Fushan’s eyes.

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“That happened? Palace Master, should I go flatten both their sects?”

Hearing his words, Gu Han gently shook her head.

“We are reasonable people. Go personally to the mountain gates of the Feiyun Sect and Qingshan Sect.”

“There is no need to kill anyone. You only need to… make them understand the difference between us.”

“If their Sect-Protecting Grand Formations are active, give them a ‘gentle’ touch and let them know those formations cannot stop you.”

Fushan’s eyes lit up. He understood!

He was being sent to demonstrate their power and scare those people out of their wits!

He needed to display his strength while maintaining “decorum,” and at the same time leave the other side with a psychological shadow they would never forget.

He liked this assignment!

It required more skill than killing people and demolishing their homes, but it was far more interesting!

“Remember,” Gu Han instructed him one last time.

“You are an elder of the Yaochi Immortal Palace’s Inspection Hall. You represent the dignity of the Immortal Palace. You may act domineeringly, but you must exercise restraint.”

“The main goal is deterrence. Make sure they never dare harbor any other thoughts. Handle it well.”

“Rest assured, Palace Master!”

Fushan opened his large mouth in a somewhat ferocious grin, while excited battle intent burned in his eyes.

“I guarantee they’ll dream about me from now on! I’ll make sure our Immortal Palace gains more than enough prestige!”

“Go.”

Gu Han waved her hand, and a beam of spiritual light entered Fushan’s forehead. It contained the precise locations of the Feiyun Sect and Qingshan Sect.

“Orders received!”

Fushan bowed, turned around, and strode out of the main hall.