100: A fake immortal, serving the temple as a dog?

When Li Yan strode into the main hall, he did not heed Si Zheng Liu Haishan's words, but instead raised his head and looked straight ahead.

Between the gilded Dragon Pillars of the main hall, light gauze curtains hung down from the dome, appearing like condensed clouds and mist.

The gauze was embroidered with subtle Mandala patterns, which shimmered with faint purple light as spiritual power flowed, enveloping the azure jade lotus throne on the main seat in a hazy Immortal Glow.

Candlelight pierced through the light gauze, casting flowing halos on the ground, adding a touch of majesty to the solemn Holy Hall.

And on the lotus throne behind these layers of light gauze sat a familiar figure.

Through several layers of semi-transparent gauze, although he couldn't clearly see the person behind, Li Yan recognized that it was Ember Immortal!

Li Yan's lips curved upwards. He wondered what reaction his female disciple would have upon their reunion after thirty thousand years?

He could already imagine Ember Immortal's reaction upon seeing him: surprise? Or confusion?

She would probably dismiss everyone and keep him, Li Yan, alone?

At this moment, Si Zheng Liu Haishan beside him reprimanded, "How audacious! Why aren't you kneeling before the Venerable One?"

"Who allowed you to look directly at Immortal Venerable Her Ladyship?"

The Immortal Cultivation World also adheres to a hierarchy of age and status, and looking directly at a Senior is a great disrespect.

Li Yan staring at the Immortal Venerable like that was incredibly presumptuous.

However, a soft chuckle came from behind the curtains: "It's fine. It's normal for young people to be a bit wild."

"He is young, yet he was able to Seal the demon den, slay the Yin Demon, and even expose the traitor hidden within the Yin Si Prison."

"This child has limitless potential. Someone, reward him."

Ember Immortal, from behind the curtains, waved her sleeve.

Maidservants walked out slowly, holding boxes of Golden Cores, and came before Li Yan.

Liu Haishan, standing nearby, looked at Li Yan with a look of disappointment,

What are you still standing there for? Thank the Venerable One!"

But at this moment, Li Yan felt an increasing sense of unease.

He had specifically changed into a simple blue Daoist robe, identical to the one he wore back then.

But the Ember Immortal behind the curtains hadn't recognized him?

Could it be that...

Thirty thousand years was enough time to erase a person's memory?

Had Ember Immortal forgotten him, her Master?

If it were an ordinary person, that would be normal.

But she was a Great Ascension Stage Immortal; this shouldn't be the case.

Even if it was a memory from over thirty thousand years ago, how could she forget the matter of him and her sealing the ancient god together?

Something was wrong, everything was wrong.

It wasn't until Li Yan received those few boxes of Immortal Pills that, in an instant, the wrinkles in his brain smoothed out, and everything became simple.

On the Immortal Pills Li Yan received, words only he could see appeared.

[Bloodline Golden Core]

[Side Effect: After consumption, it can greatly enhance Bloodline Power, turning the user into a subject of the Bloodline Emperor Lord. The Golden Core will form a Blood Core, which can transform into a Blood Cocoon.]

[Side Effect Reversal: Can convert Bloodline into Yang Si Power, greatly increasing cultivation.]

At that moment, Li Yan smiled.

The person sitting before him was not Ember Immortal.

That was a fake!

The one sitting on the sacred lotus throne was most likely an illusion created by the ancient god, or a person wearing a skin mask.

His disciple would absolutely not fail to recognize him, Li Yan.

The so-called Holy Hall, including the sacred scenery before him, was all fake.

This Mishan Holy Hall was a complete and utter demon den!

At this moment, Li Yan was like Tang Sanzang on his pilgrimage, mistakenly entering the Little Thunderclap Temple.

The one sitting on the lotus throne was not the Buddha, but the Yellow-Browed Demon King.

All this Immortal Qi surrounded by clouds and mist was merely a disguise.

If Li Yan showed any unusual behavior at this moment, he would surely be locked in this Holy Hall and be immediately slain.

Yet, at this moment, Li Yan's heart was incredibly calm.

After realizing that the person in front of him was not Ember Immortal, he became terrifyingly composed.

Li Yan put on a humble demeanor, lowered his head, and cupped his hands.

"Thank you, Venerable One!"

Si Zheng Liu Haishan, seeing Li Yan finally speak some sense, also breathed a sigh of relief.

He was afraid that this kid would show no reverence after seeing the Venerable One Her Ladyship.

From behind the curtains, the fake Immortal Venerable slowly spoke.

"Li Yan, listening to Si Zheng Liu's report, your journey was entirely your own achievement. This Venerable One must reward you handsomely."

"With your strength, serving as a Ninth-Grade Night Patrolman is demeaning to you."

"From today onwards, you shall be a Seventh-Grade Patrol Envoy, and you are rewarded with a set of courtyard houses in the Inner City."

Li Yan cupped his hands in thanks, beginning to display his acting prowess.

He feigned a look of delight, lowered his head, and thanked her: "Thank you, Venerable One! This Junior will surely do his utmost to contribute to the development of the Holy Hall."

In everyone's eyes, Li Yan was clearly bought off by the Immortal Pills, reputation, and status.

From now on, he would willingly serve as a dog for the Holy Hall.

Behind the curtains, the woman disguised as Ember Immortal also revealed a look of triumph.

Such a Cultivator talent could simply be invited to a feast and then taken in as a dog.

As long as Li Yan consumed the Bloodline Golden Cores she gave him, those seemingly Immortal Pills were actually things used to control Cultivators.

Eating them would greatly increase one's strength, but also corrupt one's mind, turning them into Bloodline servants.

As long as Li Yan ate them, he would be a dog of the Holy Hall for the rest of his life.

"This Venerable One is weary, you may leave."

"Yes!"

Li Yan cupped his fists, retreated a few steps, turned, and stepped over the threshold of the Holy Hall.

It wasn't until Li Yan left that the woman impersonating Ember Immortal leaned lazily against the lotus throne.

"Remember, keep an eye on this kid and make sure he consumes the Bloodline Golden Cores."

Si Zheng Liu Haishan respectfully replied, "Venerable One, I will watch him consume the Golden Cores."

The woman leaning on the lotus throne played with her hair, narrowing her eyes as she asked.

"Oh, right, has Zhao Feihu's body been reanimated?"

Liu Haishan lowered his head: "Venerable One, I have reattached his head. I believe in a few more hours, Zhao Feihu will be revived."

"Hmm, you may all leave."

"As you command."

Si Zheng Liu Haishan bowed respectfully, backing out of the Holy Hall step by step.

As the Holy Hall's massive iron doors slowly creaked shut.

Liu Haishan breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Li Yan, who was already walking down the mountain.

"This kid is a talent. As long as he consumes that Golden Core, he'll be one of us from now on."

"Heh, my Yin Si Prison has gained another capable general. Reviving the ancient god is just around the corner."

And he still had to supervise Li Yan until Li Yan consumed the Golden Core.

Liu Haishan dared not relax and immediately followed behind Li Yan.

"Patrol Envoy Li! Your residence is just ahead."

Seeing Liu Haishan so enthusiastically 'leading the way,' Li Yan chuckled and cupped his hands: "Thank you, Si Zheng Sir."

"Please."

"Please!"

The two exchanged insincere pleasantries, but Zhang Jiu couldn't stand it anymore.

"No, you just got a minor official position, why do you reek of the stench of the powerful?"

"You haven't really become a dog of the Holy Hall, have you?"

Li Yan smiled: "Taoist Zhang, it is my honor to become a person of the Holy Hall. How can you speak of being a dog?"

Liu Haishan also chuckled, "Brother Li sees things clearly."

The two exchanged glances, as if they had been good friends for many years, birds of a feather.

But Liu Haishan's task was to monitor Li Yan until he consumed that problematic Medicinal Pill!