158: Chapter 157 Thank you for the gift, Boss Zhao Tianwei

After selecting their Cultivation Techniques, the Core Disciples filed out of the hall.

Over two thousand people stood on the plaza in front of the Technique Hall, waiting for Elder Mu to speak.

Just then, two figures approached from a distance.

The one in front was Xiao Yan, followed by a young man, who was none other than Ye Xuan.

The crowd instantly stirred.

"Is that Senior Brother Xiao Yan? And the one behind him... that must be Ye Xuan, right? I heard the Sect Master personally accepted him as a Personal Disciple."

"How enviable..."

The discussions weren't loud, but they couldn't be suppressed.

However, as Xiao Yan and Ye Xuan drew closer, all the Disciples consciously made way, bowing in unison:

"Greetings, Senior Brother Disciple Xiao, greetings, Senior Brother Ye."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, returning the greeting:

"Greetings, Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters."

Ye Xuan also returned the greeting.

The two then turned to Mu Hanyan, bowing in unison:

"Greetings, Elder Mu."

Mu Hanyan nodded, stepping aside to open the door to the Technique Hall.

Xiao Yan led Ye Xuan inside.

The Core Disciples watched their retreating figures, and another round of low discussions broke out.

"Senior Brother Ye has such good fortune, a direct Personal Disciple of the Sect Master..."

"Enough talk, let's go."

Mu Hanyan turned around, glancing at the Core Disciples still standing there, and spoke in a flat tone:

"Since you've all made your selections, return to Cultivate."

With that, she led the crowd towards the Core Region.

Inside the Technique Hall, Ye Xuan stood alone in the center of the hall.

He closed his eyes, opened his mind, and the Flawless Immortal Physique automatically began to operate.

The Jade Slips throughout the entire hall trembled slightly, and countless Jade Slips flew towards him, circling around him as if in worship.

A pure white Jade Slip stood out from the multitude, slowly descending into his hand.

His Divine Sense probed it.

The Flawless Immortal Scripture, an Immortal method specifically created for the Flawless Immortal Physique. Cultivating it to Major Achievement allows one's body and mind to be pure, close to the Dao, and impervious to all techniques.

Ye Xuan opened his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips. This was it.

Xiao Yan stood by, watching him finish his selection, and nodded: "Let's go."

The two exited the Technique Hall.

Core Region.

The long procession of Disciples moved along, when the first few suddenly slowed their pace, whispering to each other.

"Huh? How come there's an extra sweeper?"

Everyone followed their gaze.

A middle-aged man, dressed in coarse gray cloth, held a broom in his hand, silently sweeping fallen leaves with his head down.

His face was ordinary, his aura restrained, making his cultivation level indiscernible. But how could someone sweeping in the Core Region be an ordinary person?

"I didn't see this person yesterday," someone muttered.

One Disciple stared at the man's profile for a few breaths, then suddenly lowered his voice:

"Don't you think this person looks a bit familiar?"

The person next to him looked closely, his expression subtly changing:

"He... isn't he the one who caused trouble at the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony? That Great Emperor!"

"Shh. Keep your voice down!"

"How did a dignified Great Emperor end up sweeping floors?"

"Who knows, it's none of our business anyway."

Discussions rose and fell, but no one dared to approach and speak to him.

Xuanyuan Yao seemed to sense something, raising his head to glance at the group of young Disciples.

His face expressionless, he lowered his head again, continuing to sweep the fallen leaves on the ground.

One sweep, then another.

Mu Hanyan frowned, speaking coldly:

"Disperse. Go back and Cultivate, don't stand around here."

The Disciples quickly fell silent, speeding up and scattering.

Behind them, Xuanyuan Yao's hand, gripping the broom, tightened slightly, then loosened.

What if he was sweeping floors?

As the saying goes, if one cannot sweep a room, how can one sweep the world?

One day, the Sect Master will surely acknowledge me.

He will definitely stand at the pinnacle again.

He took a deep breath, sweeping even more diligently than before.

Meanwhile, in a hidden space somewhere on the Desolate Ancient Continent.

Five figures sat around a dark stone table, their auras as profound as an abyss. They were the five Hall Masters of the Ancient Desolate Divine Hall.

The First Hall Master sat in the main seat, his face hidden in shadow, his expression unclear.

The other four sat on either side, their expressions varied.

"Xuanyuan Yao has been captured."

The Second Hall Master spoke, his tone calm, but a hint of solemnity was in his eyes.

"Not only that, Immortals have appeared in the Taixuan Sect, and not just one."

The Third Hall Master added, gently tapping the table with his finger.

The Fourth Hall Master sneered:

"We painstakingly sent people to infiltrate, but it was all in vain. Now that Xuanyuan Yao is in the Taixuan Sect's hands, our plan has probably been exposed."

The First Hall Master was silent for a moment, finally speaking in a hoarse voice:

"So what if it's exposed? We have the Immortal Refining Array. As long as the array succeeds, we can refine the True Immortal body in Juexian Ridge and step into the True Immortal Realm."

The Third Hall Master frowned, saying in a deep voice:

"But even if we truly Breakthrough, we would only just be stepping into the True Immortal Realm. Do you know what Realm those Immortals in the Taixuan Sect are in?"

At these words, everyone fell silent.

The Fourth Hall Master sighed, giving a bitter smile:

"What then? What do you suggest? The Taixuan Sect already has Immortals. If we don't take this gamble, where will we have a foothold in this Desolate Ancient Continent?"

The Fifth Hall Master nodded: "The arrow is on the bowstring, it must be shot."

The First Hall Master stood up, his gaze sweeping over the four, his voice deepening:

"Since there's no retreat, then let's gamble. Ten days from now, activate the Immortal Refining Array. All personnel, prepare with full effort."

The four responded in unison: "Yes!"

The five figures disappeared simultaneously, and the hidden space returned to silence.

Somewhere in the Immortal Realm, a majestic palace floated above a sea of clouds.

The Sect Master of the Great Sun Heavenly Sect, Immortal Lord Lieyang, sat in the main seat, his face dignified.

Two figures stood below the dais, precisely the two Immortals who had previously been monitoring outside the Desolate Ancient Continent—Han Yi and Meng Chuan.

"What did you say? Immortals have appeared again in the Desolate Ancient Continent?"

Immortal Lord Lieyang frowned deeply, a hint of disbelief in his tone.

The two bowed in unison, and Han Yi said:

"Sect Master, this subordinate dares not conceal anything. It is absolutely true, and there is more than one. Their specific Realms cannot be ascertained."

Meng Chuan added: "This subordinate suspects... could it be that other Sects discovered an Immortal Lord's relic and secretly sent people down?"

Immortal Lord Lieyang sneered, interrupting him:

"Impossible. Ever since we discovered Immortal Lord Chixiao fell on that continent, we have been sealing off the news. It's impossible for anyone else to know."

The two exchanged glances, not daring to speak.

Immortal Lord Lieyang sighed, pacing two steps with his hands behind his back.

His tone carried a hint of helplessness:

"It's just a pity that the barrier left by Immortal Lord Chixiao has always obstructed us. Forcibly breaking through would only attract the attention of other forces in the Immortal Realm, which would be even more troublesome."

Han Yi hesitated, then stepped forward: "Sect Master, this subordinate has a suggestion."

Immortal Lord Lieyang stopped, glancing at him: "Speak."

Han Yi said:

"The Lower Realm Desolate Ancient Continent was once invaded by another race."

"They seem to be called the Heavenly Demon Race. Their Devil Emperor is in the True Immortal Realm."

Immortal Lord Lieyang raised an eyebrow: "You mean..."

Han Yi nodded:

"The Devil Emperor is a creature born in the Lower Realm, not belonging to the Immortal Realm. Immortal Lord Chixiao's barrier has no suppressive effect on him. Perhaps we can... utilize him."

Immortal Lord Lieyang was silent for a moment, then a smile slowly curved his lips:

"Interesting. The Heavenly Devils of the Lower Realm can indeed be utilized."

Han Yi hesitated again, then spoke:

"Sect Master, will that Devil Emperor... be willing to work for us?"

Immortal Lord Lieyang snorted coldly, a look of disdain on his face:

"Mere ants from the Lower Realm. If he's unwilling to be used by me, then kill him. You two, go and handle this matter quickly."

Han Yi and Meng Chuan exchanged glances, then bowed in unison: "As you command!"

The two exited the hall.