In the Divine Sect Main Hall of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, Sect Leader Jian Zhuxiong was dressed in a black robe embroidered with a red sun and golden moon, standing under the Divine Altar’s statues.
On both sides of the main hall, the upper echelons of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect wore white robes, with embroideries of a red sun, golden moon, or silver stars according to their ranks within the sect.
Figures such as the Head of the Inner Affairs Hall, Zhu Ling, Sunshine Hall Master Shen Cang, Punishment Hall Elder Tus De, Vice Sect Masters Tian Guizhang and Yao Sen wore white robes with an embroidered red sun on the chest, which compared to Sect Leader Jian Zhuxiong’s embroidery, lacked a half-moon in gold.
These individuals were second only to Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong in status within the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, and thus enjoyed the most supreme treatment.
Then there were others like Yua Hanjing, Qingyue, Second Commander Chen Changxing, Third Commander Hee Yangxin, and deputies of other hall branches, dressed in garments embroidered with a half-moon in gold.
Standing in the rear were martial artists adorned with a silver star’s embroidery, like the newly appointed Moonlight Hall Master Wu Min, who had not yet taken up his post, and several other hall masters who happened to be at the temple for their duties, the commanders of the Sun and Moon Iron Guards stationed in outer territories, including the Messenger Officers Zhang Deli and another from the sect, all clad in silver star uniforms.
Standing on either side of the Divine Altar, those wearing Silver Star garments were the most numerous, roughly amounting to seventy to eighty people at a glance.
Adding those wearing the Red Sun and Golden Moon garments, over a hundred people gathered inside the Temple of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.
Although the crowd was large, silence pervaded the space.
Moreover, this was supposed to be an internal award ceremony within the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, but the atmosphere was exceptionally solemn!
However, speaking of which, the more imposing Jian Zhuxiong made the proceedings, the more excited Ye Zhen, Nian Xinghe, and Zuo Xiong became. This signified the Sect Leader’s affirmation and recognition of them.
Although everyone present wore a stern expression, the joy in their eyes was difficult to hide. Before everyone returned, the news of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s victory at the Spirit Returning Assembly had spread like wings throughout the sect.
Of course, not everyone was pleased.
Such as Vice Sect Master Yao Sen, especially when he looked at Ye Zhen.
Overall, the Sun and Moon Divine Sect securing the five-year usage rights to the Supreme Spirit Vein was beneficial for him, but it was a fatal blow to his status within the sect.
With Ye Zhen’s victory, this time, he was thoroughly suppressed by Tian Guizhang and would not be able to recover for the next few years.
"I’m sure you’ve all heard the news. The reason I, the Sect Leader, have convened such a gathering at the Divine Altar today is to generously reward the meritorious disciples!" Suddenly, Jian Zhuxiong spoke!
All eyes swiftly turned towards Ye Zhen, Nian Xinghe, and Zuo Xiong, who were waiting off to the side, and Qingyue glanced at Ye Zhen with a smile full of joy!
"After thirty-five years, our Sun and Moon Divine Sect has once again secured the five-year usage right to the Immortal Realm Spirit Veins, which will bring great fortune to our sect and rapidly enhance our power. The five-year rights to the Immortal Realm Spirit Veins will be of immeasurable benefit to the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.
Therefore, the first one I would like to generously reward is....."
Jian Zhuxiong’s voice trailed off, and everyone’s gaze settled on Ye Zhen, Nian Xinghe, and Zuo Xiong, instinctively assuming that the first to be generously rewarded would definitely be Ye Zhen.
"It’s..... Vice Sect Master Tian Guizhang!"
When Jian Zhuxiong announced this, everyone was momentarily stunned. His fellow Vice Sect Master Yao Sen’s complexion soured in an instant!
The Sect Leader’s overt announcement in front of all the high-ranking members of the sect meant difficult days ahead for Yao Sen.
"I must thank Vice Sect Master Tian, for if it were not for his Wisdom Eye recognizing and retaining Ye Zhen early on, and for repeatedly recommending Ye Zhen to me, our sect might have struggled to triumph at the Spirit Returning Assembly!"
As he said this, Jian Zhuxiong paused for a moment, "Since Ye Zhen played a pivotal role at the Spirit Returning Assembly, the first reward from me will go to Vice Sect Master Tian!"
"Sect Leader, to recommend talents for the sect is my duty and what I should do. There’s no need for the Sect Leader to...."
With a gentle wave of his hand, Jian Zhuxiong silenced Tian Guizhang.
"What keeps our Sun and Moon Divine Sect enduring? It’s the sect’s rules—reward for merits and punishment for misdeeds! That’s how we ensure that our members are united and dedicated in their service to the sect!"
"With the acquisition of the Immortal Realm Spirit Veins, according to your grades within the sect, some can cultivate within the Supreme Spirit Vein for six months, three months, one month each year!
As per Vice Sect Master Tian’s grade, he would be entitled to six months of Cultivation each year within these Immortal Realm Spirit Veins. Today, I, the Sect Leader, am giving him an additional three months of Cultivation time as a special reward!
And that’s an extra three months of Cultivation time each year! As long as he wishes, Vice Sect Master Tian can spend up to nine months a year Cultivating within the Immortal Realm Spirit Veins!"
Hisss!
As Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong’s words settled, many of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect’s high-ranking martial artists were taken aback, especially Yao Sen.
Where does the difference stem from?
Right here!
Accumulated over five years, Tian Guizhang could spend a year and a half more in arduous Cultivation within the Immortal Realm Spirit Veins than him, a duration ample enough to leave him far behind.
"Furthermore, this Low Grade Spirit Artifact, the Wind Cloud Brush, is specially bestowed upon Vice Sect Master Tian to assist in his command!"
With this reward given, others might accept it, but Yao Sen’s eyes bulged, completely astounded. Even as a Vice Sect Master of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect for so many years, he was still without a Low Grade Spirit Artifact, a longstanding regret of his.
Luckily, Tian Guizhang had always shared this regret with him.
But today, his luck had run out.
Tian Guizhang now had a Low Grade Spirit Artifact, and he... did not!
In the back of the Temple, Ye Zhen, Nian Xinghe, and Zuo Xiong were also shocked. The Sect Leader had rewarded Tian Guizhang with a Low Grade Spirit Artifact, so what would they receive?
"The second one I’m going to reward is Moonlight Hall Master Qingyue!"
"Ye Zhen is a martial artist of the Moonlight Hall. Initially, Sect Leader Fengh Qingyue took him in despite his cultivation being only at the Spirit Transformation Realm, which was also an act of talent recommendation!"
"Therefore, this sect leader shall grant Fengh Qingyue an additional three months of cultivation time within the Immortal Realm Spiritual Veins, ahem, annually!"
This reward surprised Fengh Qingyue quite a bit, and she was very pleased.
Once this reward was announced, Yua Hanjing’s pretty face immediately darkened like the surface of a lake, filled with irritation! However, in such a setting, even she dared not voice any objections.
The high-ranking members of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect now looked at Ye Zhen differently. Whether it was Tian Guizhang or Fengh Qingyue, the fundamental reason for their rewards was because of Ye Zhen.
By now, many had already begun to secretly regret their lack of foresight. If they had just a bit of it, they too could have benefited from his success.
"Next, this sect leader will reward the three heroes of this Blood Battle Spirit Returning Assembly!"
At this point, Jian Qianxiong lightly clapped his hands, and a Messenger Envoy of the Divine Sect brought in three people, presenting a tray to Ye Zhen, Nian Xinghe, and Zuo Xiong respectively, on which lay an embroidered white sect robe.
However, quite evidently, the white sect robe in front of Ye Zhen was embroidered with a half-moon in gold, while the ones for Nian Xinghe and Zuo Xiong were embroidered with three silver stars!
"Ye Zhen contributed immensely in this Spirit Returning Assembly. He is hereby awarded the Golden Moon Sect Robe and shall enjoy the monthly allowance of a Vice Sect Hierarch for five years, benefit from the yearly allowance of the Golden Moon Sect Robe, and is granted the privilege to worship at the Divine Sect’s divine effigy. He will be appointed to suitable positions in due time!
In addition, considering Ye Zhen’s contributions, this sect leader grants him an extra three months of cultivation time within the Immortal Realm Spiritual Veins, annually!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the sect was astonished, and even more so, filled with envious glances.
All those within the temple were core members of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, nearly a hundred in number. Most of them, after striving for over a decade, were clad only in Silver Star Sect Uniforms, considering themselves part of the sect’s middle tier.
Yet Ye Zhen had soared up, directly leaping to the higher echelons, his time for cultivation in the Immortal Realm Spiritual Veins even matching that of the very top figures within the sect, at half a year. Furthermore, he could enjoy the monthly allowance of a Vice Sect Hierarch, which meant access to a vast amount of cultivation resources every month.
Most importantly, Ye Zhen had now entered the core ranks of the high-level members of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect!
The most fundamental mark of a core high-level member of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect was gaining the privilege to worship at the divine effigy of the Divine Sect!
"Nian Xinghe and Zuo Xiong also played an undeniable major role in participating in the Spirit Returning Assembly, hence they are awarded the Silver Star Sect Robes and shall enjoy the monthly allowance of a Vice Sect Hierarch for three years, in addition to the yearly allowance of the Silver Star Sect Robes.
Besides, their time for cultivation within the Immortal Realm Spiritual Veins will be increased by an additional two months!"
Upon hearing this reward, Nian Xinghe and Zuo Xiong were naturally overjoyed. However, they paled in comparison to Ye Zhen. Not only was their rank one level lower, but their cultivation time in the Immortal Realm Spiritual Veins was also halved.
"Furthermore, in acknowledgment of their great achievements, this sect leader grants them the privilege to worship at the Divine Sect’s divine effigy!"
Upon this announcement, the core members of the sect let out another wave of exclamations.
Even if Nian Xinghe and Zuo Xiong didn’t rise in rank within the sect, the special permission to worship the divine effigy promised by the sect leader meant that it was only a matter of time before their ranks would rise.
"In addition, Nian Xinghe and Zuo Xiong may each select a Heavenly Level Middle Grade Divine Power Martial Skill from the Divine Sect’s archives to cultivate. The sect will provide them with the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures necessary for their cultivation. And Ye Zhen..." Jian Qianxiong’s gaze turned to Ye Zhen.
"Ye Zhen may freely choose a Heavenly Level High Grade Divine Ability Martial Technique from the Divine Sect’s archives to cultivate, and likewise, the sect will provide him the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures required for his cultivation."
Hisss!
This time, the sound of sharp intakes of breath truly filled the air!
Being allowed to choose any Heavenly Level High Grade Divine Ability Martial Technique, along with the provision for necessary cultivation materialed... that was simply...
How to put it, even Vice Sect Hierarch Tian Guizhang and Yao Sen currently haven’t managed to cultivate any Heavenly Level High Grade Divine Ability Martial Techniques.
Not just them; within the sect, it was very rare to see martial artists cultivating such Martial Skills.
And Ye Zhen was about to, in the not-too-distant future...
"Besides, this sect leader particularly grants Ye Zhen, Nian Xinghe, and Zuo Xiong the opportunity to meditate at the Sun and Moon Divine Altar. Among them, Ye Zhen may enter the Divine Altar to meditate three times yearly, Nian Xinghe twice, and Zuo Xiong once!"
The high-ranking members of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect were thoroughly stunned by the generous rewards from their sect leader, or rather, numb with shock. The privileges these three individuals were now enjoying were almost at the highest levels of the sect.
Being allowed to meditate at the Sun and Moon Divine Altar, within the sect, there wouldn’t be more than twenty who had such a privilege, right?
And among those nearly twenty who had the privilege to meditate at the Sun and Moon Divine Altar, most wouldn’t have more than two opportunities to do so per year!
Yet Ye Zhen’s chances to meditate there were as high as three times!
This reward was simply stunningly generous!
But then again, it felt deserved as well!
Thirty-five years, after thirty-five years, the Sun and Moon Divine Sect once more secured the rights to use the Immortal Realm Spiritual Veins. How many martial artists have died during the Spirit Returning Assembly over those thirty-five years?
To be honest, such rewards satisfied not only Ye Zhen, Nian Xinghe but also Zuo Xiong.
These were all promises made by the sect leader beforehand, now coming to fruition.
However, whether it was Ye Zhen, Nian Xinghe, or Zuo Xiong, all were waiting for Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong to continue.
It wasn’t that they were greedy.

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