Chapter 87: Chapter 87: The First Sect to Skip a Grade

Translator: 549690339

“The disciples of the Misty Sect are formidable. There’s no question they’ll be promoted to a high-ranked sect,” a steward from the City Lord’s Mansion said.

“Absolutely, our visit this time is just a formality,” another steward muttered. “After all, which sect with a chosen one wouldn’t be granted the promotion to high rank?”

At that moment, Steward Zhou nodded and spoke, “The Misty Sect has already mastered ten first-grade spells. Next up is the assessment for the second-grade spells. Please begin!”

“Let me do it.”

Jia Yulan stepped forward, her hands forming seals, her body radiating a spiritual light that transformed into countless pink petals.

Under the astonished gazes of the onlookers, the petals interwove to form a bird carrying Jia Yulan aloft. She soared high in the sky, circling gracefully. The petal wings flapped, giving one the impression they could cleave through mountains.

“Isn’t that the second-grade spell ‘Falling Blooms in Profusion’?” Liu Yuzhi rubbed her eyes and confirmed after repeated careful observation that the spell Jia Yulan performed was indeed a perfected version of ‘Falling Blooms in Profusion.’ She was greatly shaken by this revelation.

She had heard of this spell.

Legend had it that a fairy created these incomplete scrolls and stated that only someone destined could perfect ‘Falling Blooms in Profusion.’

“Could it be that this female disciple is the fairy’s destined individual?” Liu Yuzhi speculated but did not voice it aloud.

Whoosh!

Jia Yulan descended from the sky, petals scattering around her, making her appear like a fluttering fairy as she asked, “Steward Zhou, how was that?”

“The second assessment, passed!”

Steward Zhou immediately provided the appraisal result. “Next is the quantity assessment of spiritual artifacts, which the Misty Sect is exempted from.”

Not only Ye Feng and the Misty Sect’s disciples found it unexpected at this announcement, but members from the Yunhua Sect and others were also so astonished that their mouths fell open.

Exempted… why?

Seeing the confusion on everyone’s faces, Steward Zhou explained, “The Misty Sect has a Mini Earth Element Slaughter Array, which despite being a half-finished product, is already valued far beyond three lower-grade spiritual artifacts. There’s no need to waste time on appraisals.”

After a pause, Steward Zhou announced loudly, “Following this evaluation, the Misty Sect is granted a direct promotion from a lower-rank sect to a high-ranked sect, effective tomorrow. Congratulations to the Misty Sect on becoming the fourth high-ranked sect of Whitefloat City.”

At his words, there was silence all around.

“We’re being promoted to a high-ranked sect just like that?” The Misty Sect disciples still couldn’t believe it; it felt like a dream.

The conditions for a Sect’s promotion to high rank are actually not simple.

Having an Element Gathering Realm, mastering eleven spells, and possessing three lower-grade spiritual artifacts – the last two requirements are manageable as most middle-rank sects could achieve them.

Even some of the ancient lower-rank sects could accumulate the necessary resources.

However, it was the requirement of having an Element Gathering Realm presiding over the sect that barred ninety-nine percent of sects, marking the toughest barrier to cross.

And it was only because the Misty Sect had Ye Feng, an exceptionally talented individual, that they could achieve this promotion so quickly.

Realizing this, the Misty Sect’s disciples quickly suppressed the smiles on their faces, not daring to be arrogant.

At that moment, Ye Feng stood rooted to the spot.

For, just as Steward Zhou declared the Misty Sect had passed the assessment, the ‘Dog System’ also broadcast a prompt.

“Ding, congratulations to the Sect Leader on completing the first stage mission. Rewards include one Miniature World Remodeling, one Miniature Sect Protection Array, ‘The Second Qi Sea – Middle Volume,’ ten Consolidating Origin Pills, and one Special Small Gift Pack. Please continue to strive hard, Sect Leader, and aim to become the strongest Sect Leader in history!”

After speaking, the system went silent.

As for the rewards, they were sent directly to the System Space, waiting for Ye Feng’s retrieval.

Liu Yuzhi and Lin Yuyan and others stood nearby, bearing witness as the Misty Sect achieved the leap to become a brand-new high-ranked sect.

“Master, isn’t the Misty Sect the first sect in the entire Southern River Basin to achieve such a leap in rank?” Lin Yuyan asked quietly.

Liu Yuzhi nodded slightly, “You’re not wrong. In the Southern River Basin, sect promotions usually follow due process. Only the Misty Sect has been promoted directly from lower to high rank… However, even though it’s labelled as a high-ranked sect, it’s still just the beginning for a sect.”

Lin Yuyan and the other two Yunhua Sect disciples all deeply agreed.

After reaching the status of a high-ranked sect, the disparity in overall standards between sects is significant. Take the Misty Sect and Yunhua Sect, for example. Whether it’s the number of disciples, the number of practitioners in the Element Gathering Realm, or foundational infrastructure, Yunhua Sect is far ahead of Misty Sect.

Even among high-ranked sects, the gaps can often be huge.

After announcing the promotion of Misty Sect to a high-ranked sect, Steward Zhou noticed that Ye Feng seemed to be stunned, so he cleared his throat and asked, “Sect Master Ye, we have taken down the sect’s plaque. We will deliver a brand-new one tomorrow, and the entire city will be notified of this event. What do you think?”

Ye Feng came back to his senses and said, “That’s fine, thank you.”

“Then we shall take our leave now.”

Steward Zhou immediately took down the plaque of Misty Sect and greeted Liu Yuzhi before leading the other five stewards away, using the “Light Body Technique.

At the summit of Misty Peak, only the Misty Sect disciples and Liu Yuzhi’s group remained.

“Congratulations on your sect’s elevation to high rank. I will personally come to offer congratulations when the title is conferred tomorrow. As for now, we have urgent matters to attend to and must take our leave,” said Liu Yuzhi abruptly, leaving her three disciples utterly puzzled.

Although Ye Feng also found it a bit strange, he did not insist on them staying.

Not long after.

Liu Yuzhi led her disciples flying towards Whitefloat City.

On the way, Lin Yuyan asked with confusion, “Master, why didn’t we stay at Misty Sect a bit longer?”

Liu Yuzhi shook her head. “We must first convey the news of the emergence of the Soul Seizing Sect to the Deputy City Lord of Whitefloat City, and because Misty Sect will be conferred the status of a high-ranked sect tomorrow, we must return to our sect today to inform our Sect Master of this matter.”

“Are we going to come over to offer congratulations tomorrow?” Lin Yuyan understood.

“Yes, whenever a high-ranked sect is established, neighboring sects and even greater sects come to congratulate. The purpose is to befriend the Element Gathering Realm expert residing in that sect. Disciples, do you understand the reasoning behind this?” Liu Yuzhi said with profound meaning.

“Thank you for the teachings, Master.”

Lin Yuyan and the other two sect members quickly expressed their gratitude.

At the City Lord’s Mansion of Whitefloat City.

Liu Yuzhi sat in the guest seat and explained her purpose.

The Deputy City Lord smiled and said, “Thank you, Elder Yuzhi, for making the trip personally. Yesterday, the Sect Leader of the Liuyun Sect already sent the message with a flying sword, instructing us to be on high alert.”

“Even the Sect Leader of the Liuyun Sect has been alerted?” Liu Yuzhi felt a chill in her heart. “It seems that this matter is more serious than I imagined.”

“Indeed, this situation is more serious than ever before. Unfortunately, the City Lord is in seclusion, and it’s unknown when he will come out. Only he is capable of fighting Souhun Zhenren in our Whitefloat City,” said the Deputy City Lord solemnly.

Liu Yuzhi also realized the gravity of the situation.

“Do not panic, there will be countermeasures.” At that moment, Elder Lu Shanyue of Liuyun Sect emerged from behind a folding screen with a smile on his face.

Upon seeing him, Liu Yuzhi immediately got up with a look of surprise, “Elder Lu, what brings you here?”

“I was sent on a mission, and because of urgent tasks, I could not detour to visit Yunhua Sect,” said Lu Shanyue, stroking his beard with a smile.

“Cousin Lu, you two know each other?” the Deputy City Lord asked in confusion.

Lu Shanyue nodded, “Decades ago, I was injured while adventuring in the outside world, and it was Yuzhi who saved me.”

“So there was such an incident,” the Deputy City Lord realized.

At the summit of Misty Peak.

Ye Feng washed his hands clean with spiritual water and secluded himself in the Sect Leader’s Great Hall to check the rewards from this mission.