These congratulatory remarks signified that Xu Chuan had truly become the Saint Son of the Tai Yi Holy Land.
"Thank you all," Xu Chuan said, "My achievements today are all thanks to the Holy Land's cultivation."
"In the future, I will surely lead the Tai Yi Holy Land to new heights!"
Xu Chuan spoke eloquently, delivering grand pronouncements.
Although all his accomplishments stemmed from his system and his own efforts, people generally enjoyed hearing pleasant words. No one was an exception.
As expected, hearing this, whether it was the Holy Lord Xuan Sa of Tai Yi, or the peak lords and elders, they all displayed expressions of satisfaction.
At this moment, the young Daoist attendant stepped forward again.
In front of everyone, he loudly proclaimed, "The ceremony is complete, the Tai Yi Saint Son assumes his position!"
As soon as the words fell, within Xu Chuan's mind, the system's prompt tone suddenly appeared.
[Congratulations to the host for successfully ascending to the position of Saint Son, receiving the blessing of the Tai Yi Holy Land's destiny!]
[To congratulate the host, the system has prepared a grand gift. Please check your rewards!]
[System new functions have been loaded. Please check them in time.]
Hearing this, Xu Chuan, disregarding the people present, showed an expression of surprise.
What?
The system was actually issuing rewards?
And had loaded new functions?
Was the sun rising from the west?
Even Xu Chuan found it hard to believe upon seeing these notifications.
It had been an unknown amount of time since the system last issued a reward. Xu Chuan had almost forgotten that the system had this function.
Unexpectedly, he had received rewards again today?
Furthermore, along with the rewards came new functions!
This made Xu Chuan impatient.
He could not suppress his desire to see what the rewards and new functions were.
However, the current moment was not suitable for accessing the system.
Situ Lin, standing nearby, acutely noticed Xu Chuan's anomaly.
He stepped forward and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Hearing this, Xu Chuan quickly suppressed the surprise and joy on his face.
He let out a long sigh and shook his head, "Nothing, I just had a realization. Thank you for your concern, Master."
"It's good that you're alright."
After observing that Xu Chuan was indeed fine, Situ Lin no longer paid him any mind.
Xu Chuan's succession ceremony was complete.
Next, it would be their turn to be busy. They needed to receive the congratulatory gifts sent by the major powers.
"The Saint Son's succession grand ceremony has now concluded."
"Distinguished fellow Daoists who have come to witness this event, please proceed to the guest hall to rest."
"All others... may disperse!"
Xuan Sa announced.
His words were naturally directed at the experts from the major powers. The rest were not worthy of being addressed as fellow Daoists by Xuan Sa.
The rogue cultivators and mortals who had come to observe the ceremony did not try to impose themselves further. They began to leave the Tai Yi Holy Land.
Their participation in this ceremony had already been a considerable gain. After being cleansed by the primal qi rain and exposed to various rules and dao rhymes, they had been touched by auspicious energy. Their martial paths, while not necessarily smooth sailing, would at least be significantly elevated from before their arrival! These were potential benefits that would manifest over time.
Xu Chuan followed Xuan Sa and the others to the guest hall.
Although his heart yearned to return to his residence quickly to check the system's rewards, it was clearly impossible at the moment.
Entering the hall, the experts from various factions, along with the strong cultivators of the Tai Yi Holy Land, were already present. They were all observing Xu Chuan, filled with curiosity about how the Tai Yi Holy Land had cultivated such a remarkable talent. They were truly envious.
"The Tai Yi Holy Land has found a great Saint Son!"
"This youth possesses the potential of an Emperor!"
"I think he'll do great!"
They were discussing amongst themselves, their admiration and envy for him undisguised.
Hearing these words, Xu Chuan remained composed, his expression unchanged. He had heard such praises so many times that he was immune to them.
Xu Chuan found a seat and simply watched. As he expected, the next part would consist mainly of mutual flattery, followed by the presentation of gifts from these factions. They would seek to strengthen their ties with the Tai Yi Holy Land.
After half a day, these major powers began to depart one after another. Following them were the peak lords and elders. Finally, only Xuan Sa, Xu Chuan, and Situ Lin remained in the grand hall, rendering the place profoundly silent.
It was Xuan Sa who finally broke the silence, "Have you truly decided?" He looked at Situ Lin, wanting to know his thoughts.
"Yes, my mind is made up. I request the Holy Lord to act!" Situ Lin replied with firm resolve.
This exchange left Xu Chuan confused, unsure of what they were discussing.
After a long silence, Xuan Sa finally spoke again. "Very well. Since you have made this decision, you must have given it much thought."
"In that case, I shall grant your wish!"
With that, Xuan Sa waved his hand. The three of them vanished instantly from the hall.
They reappeared atop True Sun Peak, at the stone wall where Xu Chuan had previously practiced his saber techniques.
Xuan Sa and Situ Lin looked at the stone wall, now covered in saber marks, their eyes filled with nostalgia.
"Xu Chuan." Situ Lin turned around and called out.
"Your disciple is here!" Xu Chuan responded.
"Today, you have become the Saint Son. I have nothing else of great value to give you!"
"Within this stone wall, a saber is sealed. Today, I shall entrust it to you!" Situ Lin said softly.
"A saber?" Xu Chuan was taken aback. He already possessed sabers, so why would Situ Lin offer him another one?
As if sensing Xu Chuan's confusion, Situ Lin explained, "This saber is called Zhen Yu. It is an Emperor-tier demonic saber!"
Born with a bloodthirsty nature, countless powerful individuals had met their end by its blade. Even its own wielder had eventually been consumed by its backlash and died! It was later subdued by the founding ancestor of the Tai Yi Holy Land, sealed within this stone wall, and True Sun Peak was established. Sadly, after countless years, no one has managed to control it, not even I! But you... you give me hope! So today, I have asked the Holy Lord to come and break the seal, allowing you to try. Are you willing?"
"Of course, if you are unwilling, that is also fine. I will not force you!"
"After all, attempting to control this demonic saber is extremely dangerous. One wrong step could lead to a life-or-death crisis!"
Situ Lin slowly recounted everything about the Zhen Yu demonic saber, then, along with Xuan Sa, he looked at Xu Chuan, awaiting his decision.
Upon hearing this, Xu Chuan fell into a long silence.
An Emperor-tier demonic saber... To be honest, he was tempted. As his strength grew, his current saber, "Bu Wang" (Unforgotten), was becoming increasingly difficult for him to wield effectively. This was why Xu Chuan had not learned new saber techniques; he did not want to destroy the weapon that had accompanied him from weakness to his current state. However, he was currently unable to upgrade Bu Wang to Emperor-tier. This placed Xu Chuan in a dilemma. But now, the appearance of the Zhen Yu demonic saber presented him with a new choice.
After much deliberation, Xu Chuan gritted his teeth.
Let's do it! A man faces death with the same courage he faces life; if he lives, he lives for eternity! When has Xu Chuan ever feared danger?
Thus, he spoke, "Master, Holy Lord, your disciple is willing to give it a try!"
As his words fell, Situ Lin and Xuan Sa both let out hearty laughter.
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"
This choice was, in fact, the last trial they had set for Xu Chuan. The Saint Son of the Tai Yi Holy Land must possess an indomitable spirit, unafraid of any danger! Xu Chuan's choice had clearly pleased them both immensely!