169: Chapter 169 An Appearance Even More Powerful Than a Dou Huang! The Rules You Want

"Hai Bodong pays his respects to the Sect Master."

High in the air, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Hai Bodong cupped his fists in greeting to Yun Yun.

At the same time, he released the Dou Qi fluctuations within his body without reservation, reaching the peak of the Eight-Star Dou Huang level.

"Hiss!"

Countless people were shocked.

The Ice Emperor had been missing for over a decade, yet his strength had actually grown to such a height.

With one more step, he could touch the threshold of a Dou Zong.

The Cloud Mist Sect adding such a Supreme Elder was a powerful move!

"Eight-Star Dou Huang, Eight-Star Dou Huang, with half a foot into Nine-Star..."

On the Cloud Mist Sect's side, some elders who originally had small thoughts and wanted to say something tightly shut their mouths at this moment.

Regardless, the Cloud Mist Sect adding such a powerhouse as an elder meant the relationship between the Mittel Family and the Cloud Mist Sect would become even closer. For the overall interests of the sect, the benefits definitely outweighed the disadvantages—in fact, it brought great benefits.

No matter how they fought for power and plotted internally, it had to be on the premise that the sect could develop stably and even gain more profit.

Even Yun Ling, knowing clearly that Hai Bodong's joining would give the Sect Master a greater say and leave him with even less voice in the sect, acquiesced throughout.

But in the next moment, he suddenly stood up.

Only because Yun Yun spoke: "The matter of the Supreme Elder has already been announced. Now, I, the Sect Master, will announce one last thing."

"That is, our sect's disciple, Gu Han, has passed my personal assessment and has been promoted to a Sect Elder!"

Everyone present: !!!

Silence.

Extreme silence.

On the vast square in front of the Cloud Mist Sect's Sect Grand Hall, it was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Countless people thought they were hallucinating.

"I'm getting old. Did looking for two girls last night make me lose it?"

"Has the old poison I was afflicted with years ago flared up?"

"Gu Han, promoted to Elder?"

"Could the news from the Mu Lan Empire be true!?"

"..."

Stormy waves surged in the hearts of countless people.

Yun Ling was the first to speak: "Sect Master, there are three conditions to become an elder of our sect."

"The strength must reach the high-level Dou Ling stage, pass the sect assessment, and perform a sufficiently great service for the sect."

"I am naturally aware of that," Yun Yun replied calmly, but her words shocked countless people.

"I have personally verified Gu Han's strength. He is already a Seven-Star Dou Ling, meeting the criteria."

In other words, the Cloud Mist Sect had produced a Seven-Star Dou Ling who was not even seventeen years old.

"The Cloud Mist Sect is about to produce a true dragon!"

"A seventeen-year-old Seven-Star Dou Ling... none of the top ten powerhouses in the Jia Ma Empire could compare at the same age, not by a long shot."

"Becoming a Dou Huang is only a matter of time, and it won't take long. A Dou Zong... even a Dou Zun!?"

"If it's true, our Jia Ma Empire's status in the Northwest Continent will also soar."

"At the very least, the internal situation of the Jia Ma Empire is really about to change."

"..."

In the VIP seats, Jia Xingtian sat as still as a monk in meditation.

The news of Hai Bodong joining the Cloud Mist Sect didn't shock him as much as the news of seventeen-year-old Gu Han being a Seven-Star Dou Ling.

His first thought was how to assassinate Gu Han.

But in just an instant, he dismissed that thought.

Although the balance of power had shifted, the Jia Ma Empire was still the Imperial Family's Jia Ma Empire.

Gu Han was too strong; he would surely lead the Cloud Mist Sect to break through the limits of the Jia Ma Empire.

He should take this opportunity to build a relationship instead.

He had two great-granddaughters, and there were now two ways.

First, let the eldest great-granddaughter have an offspring with Gu Han. Then the Jia Ma Empire would be surnamed Jia and also Gu, and ultimately Gu, because if Gu Han had a grand vision, he wouldn't stay in the Jia Ma Empire.

Second, let the second great-granddaughter follow Gu Han. This way, after the eldest great-granddaughter succeeds the throne, she would be Gu Han's sister-in-law.

"I'll go back and ask them." A sharp light flashed in Jia Xingtian's eyes. "It's too late to provide help in their hour of need, but it's not too late to add flowers to the embroidery."

Countless people had countless different thoughts.

Yun Yun didn't care about these and continued, "As for the sect assessment, I personally conducted it, and he passed."

"Then what about his contributions!?" Yun Ling blurted out instinctively.

Actually, as soon as he questioned it, he already regretted it.

Since Yun Yun personally made the decision, there was certainly no mistake.

Making an enemy of such a genius was simply asking for trouble.

But since he had already asked, he could only follow through to the end, acting as if he was only thinking of the sect.

"An elder is not just a title; it is also a symbol of status and power. They are the high-level members of the sect and have immense influence," Yun Ling continued. "It must be rigorous, public, and fair."

"Only then can the masses be convinced!"

These words were high-sounding, and on the surface, no fault could be found.

The expression on Yun Yun's face didn't change at all as she said faintly, "Gu Han did Old Hai a huge favor, which is one of the reasons Old Hai agreed to become our sect's Supreme Elder."

"Securing a Dou Huang expert for the sect and having him publicly announce his joining—is this contribution enough?"

Everyone: They had been shocked too many times today and were now numb to it.

Hai Bodong joining the Cloud Mist Sect was actually related to Gu Han.

But Yun Yun seemed to think it wasn't enough and continued, "Gu Han also helped the Old Sect Master, who is currently in seclusion. His promotion to elder was also approved by the Old Sect Master. If the Great Elder has any objections, you can go and ask him."

Everyone: !

The Old Sect Master Yun Yun spoke of could only be one person.

The one who reached Eight-Star Dou Huang over a decade ago and defeated Hai Bodong in a head-on battle—Yun Shan.

Countless people suspected he had already passed away, much like the rumors after Hai Bodong's disappearance.

Unexpectedly, this person was also still alive and had personally vouched for Gu Han.

"That old fellow is actually still alive. I must act quickly." Jia Xingtian's heart raced.

At the same time, he planned to ask Yun Yun privately later about Yun Shan's current situation.

Was it simply that the poison was cured, or had his cultivation made a breakthrough, perhaps even... Dou Zong!?

"This elder has no objections," Yun Ling said, feeling a chill all over his body as he immediately stated his position.

Gu Han could actually help the Old Sect Master.

Judging by Yun Yun's tone and her performance in publicly announcing news of Yun Shan in front of everyone, Yun Shan's condition was clearly good.

He wouldn't fight anymore; his Council of Elders simply couldn't compete!

"Boom!"

Right then, a wave of energy fluctuations came from the direction of the rear mountain.

Following that, a huge Ice Phoenix soared into the sky, flying toward the square in front of the grand hall.

Standing on the head of this Ice Phoenix was a tall and upright young man with a unique aura and temperament like a transcendent immortal descending to the mortal world. Countless snowflakes flew up as if welcoming him in a lined path, reflecting his figure.

His handsome and exquisite face, like a masterpiece of heaven, was etched into everyone's hearts, making the whole world quiet down.

Standing there, he was so elegant, like the most beautiful painting in heaven and earth, making people intoxicated.

It was the Cloud Mist Sect's newly promoted elder, Gu Han!

Forget being the first among Core Disciples; he had directly become an elder.

And his entrance was even more Dou Huang than a Dou Huang expert!

"Greetings, Sect Master. Greetings, everyone."

Gu Han cupped his fists and greeted everyone.

After a few polite words, Gu Han looked at Yun Ling: "Does the Great Elder still have any objections to my promotion?"

"None!" A trace of a smile was squeezed onto Yun Ling's face.

"That's good." Gu Han's smile was faint, cool and transcendent. "Then, according to the sect's rules..."

"I want to challenge you!"

Everyone: !!!