Chapter 91 An Accidental Enlightenment

The moment the words 'Heavenly Demon Palace' were uttered, the atmosphere in the grand hall instantly became stifling to the extreme. Some Core Formation Realm Elders even broke out in a cold sweat, their throats feeling somewhat parched.

Only Ye Fan wore a look of utter bewilderment; he had never heard of this name before.

The war between the righteous and Demonic Paths was less than a hundred years ago. Even the younger Disciples had heard of the names of the Five Demonic Sects. Yet, this Heavenly Demon Palace was the first time Ye Fan had heard of it.

Ye Fan instinctively wanted to ask something, but Su Ningxue stopped him with a glance, her meaning clear: discuss any questions in private later.

'Since we know the target of the Five Demonic Sects is the Ruins of the Heavenly Demon Palace, regardless of their purpose, we must spare no effort to stop them. Otherwise, the Southwest region of the South Continent will surely face a great calamity.'

The Sect Head, reaching this point, took out a list and distributed it to everyone. It recorded the Disciples from each peak participating in this mission.

Qing Mingzi would personally lead the team, accompanied by eight Core Formation Realm Elders, plus a hundred elite Foundation Establishment Realm Disciples. It could be said they were investing heavily.

Although it was unknown how many people the other Eight Great Sects would dispatch, with the example of the Joyous Union Sect, it was likely they would send no fewer, if not more.

To prevent any leaks, all Disciples would be notified to assemble in the latter half of the night. Before departure, no one would know the specific details of the mission.

Even if the Demonic Path still had spies within the Sect, they wouldn't guess this was an operation targeting them.

After finishing, Qing Mingzi turned his gaze to Ye Fan and began earnestly instructing him.

'For this operation, you will command and deploy the Foundation Establishment Realm Disciples. Is that acceptable?'

'This...'

Ye Fan could tell the Sect Head was genuinely cultivating him as a Dao Child, which moved him somewhat.

But moved or not, he clearly wasn't very adept at such matters. If he messed up, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Ye Fan had a mind to refuse, but seeing the Sect Head's fervent gaze, the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.

'This Disciple accepts the command.'

Ye Fan bowed with cupped hands, but inwardly he was sighing bitterly. It seemed troublesome days lay ahead.

'This is the list of Disciples for this mission. Familiarize yourself with it first, so you can deploy them later.'

Ye Fan nodded and casually scanned the list, immediately noticing that Murong Wan's name was not on it.

Ye Fan instinctively looked at the Sect Head, who wore an expression that said 'I understand everything.'

Unlike the previous trial, this mission was a life-and-death affair.

Qing Mingzi had to consider Ye Fan's feelings to some extent. After much deliberation, he decided to let Murong Wan stay behind, allowing Ye Fan to act with complete freedom.

Ye Fan couldn't help but admire the Sect Head's thorough consideration. This way, he could indeed act without worry.

But just as Ye Fan was about to say something, a System prompt rang out without warning.

'Dao Companion Murong Wan's cultivation has broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, Second Level. Host receives tenfold cultivation return.'

'Congratulations, Host's cultivation has advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm Fifth Level.'

'Congratulations, Host's cultivation has advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm, Sixth Level.'

...

'Wan'er has left seclusion?!'

The tenfold cultivation return caused Ye Fan's cultivation to skyrocket instantly. The aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm, Sixth Level left everyone utterly stunned.

Ye Fan also wore a dumbfounded expression, never dreaming Murong Wan would leave seclusion at this moment.

Now, Ye Fan had no Qi-Concealing Talisman to hide his cultivation. Under the watchful eyes of everyone in the grand hall, his cultivation had broken through two consecutive levels without warning.

This caused Qing Mingzi and the others to nearly have their eyeballs pop out. No one dared believe what they were seeing.

Even Su Ningxue was bewildered, completely unable to understand what was happening. An absurd thought even crossed her mind.

'Could it be because of prolonged Dual Cultivation with me?!' Su Ningxue thought with shame.

When Qing Mingzi and the others regained their senses, the quiet hall nearly erupted in an uproar. Everyone hurriedly crowded around, asking questions and checking on Ye Fan with a clamor of voices.

Once it was confirmed that Ye Fan had truly broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, Sixth Level, the noisy hall fell deathly silent once more.

'Ye Fan, what exactly is going on? Why did you break through without any warning?!' Qing Mingzi asked after half a moment of recovery.

'This... This Disciple just had a sudden insight... accidentally experienced an Epiphany... that's why I broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, Sixth Level.'

Ye Fan had no choice but to brazenly lie through his teeth. Unsurprisingly, when everyone looked at Ye Fan again, their expressions were as if they had seen a ghost.

'An Epiphany? And accidentally?!'

The concept of Epiphany has existed since ancient times, with similar events frequently appearing in various legends.

Some gained insights while observing the night sky, some while traveling among mountains and rivers, some while studying for imperial examinations, and there were even those who achieved Epiphany while sleeping.

It is a profoundly mysterious state. Once an Epiphany is achieved, cultivation instantly skyrockets, making consecutive Breakthroughs through several levels as easy as turning one's hand.

The most exaggerated claim is of gaining enlightenment in a single morning and achieving Ascension in broad daylight, but because it's too bizarre, few believe it.

In the past, Epiphanies were often found only in legends, with almost no one having witnessed one firsthand.

But today, Ye Fan's cultivation soared under everyone's watchful eyes. Apart from an Epiphany, there seemed no more reasonable explanation.

Understanding this, Qing Mingzi became so agitated he was almost incoherent, nearly grabbing Ye Fan to plant a couple of kisses on him.

'Heaven blesses our Joyous Union Sect! Now who dares say our Joyous Union Sect lacks successors?!'

'A Prodigy! A Dao Child! An Immortal Seed! Hahaha!'

Qing Mingzi was so moved that tears nearly streamed down his aged face. This intense reaction completely exceeded Ye Fan's expectations.

The reactions of the other high-ranking members were largely similar, their eyes filled with expectation and affection for Ye Fan.

Perhaps due to his Transmigration, Ye Fan's feelings for the Sect weren't as deep as others'. He stayed here entirely because of Murong Wan and Su Ningxue.

But Qing Mingzi and these high-ranking Elders had each joined the Sect as Disciples before the age of ten, having spent at least a hundred years in the Joyous Union Sect, with others ranging from two to three hundred years.

The eldest Elder was even over four hundred years old, having personally witnessed nearly half of the Joyous Union Sect's history.

These people might have conflicts due to certain interests or internal strife due to differing personalities, but their feelings for the Joyous Union Sect were unquestionable.

Witnessing the emergence of a heaven-defying talent in the Joyous Union Sect, they were genuinely happy that the Sect had a worthy successor.

Although the Joyous Union Sect seemed to have developed quite well in the last century, ranking among the middle tier of the Nine Great Sects, its shallow foundation remained its greatest weakness.

Compared to the number of Core Formation Realm Cultivators, the Joyous Union Sect could still hold some advantage. But once it involved the Golden Core Realm, it was completely different.

In the past century, Su Ningxue was the most promising candidate to break through to the Golden Core Realm. Now, with Ye Fan added as another 'monster,' the glorious moment of a single peak producing two Golden Cores seemed not far off.

Coupled with the Sect's existing Golden Core Ancestors, the Joyous Union Sect's strength was bound to surge dramatically.

'Dao Child! No more probationary assessment period! From today, you are the sole Dao Child of our Joyous Union Sect!'

Qing Mingzi wore an expression of intense excitement, and the other high-ranking members were also full of gratification.

It seemed that in the face of absolute Aptitude, all other flaws could be overlooked.

Although Ye Fan modestly declined with his words, inwardly he was groaning repeatedly.

If things continued at this rate, it seemed he wouldn't be able to live off his looks in the future.