“I’m sorry, Elder Zhao Lu. I didn’t mean to bring up your past,” Duan Ling Tian said, feeling embarrassed and apologetic for bringing up Zhao Lu’s sad memories. If he had known, he naturally would not have said anything.

“It’s fine,” Zhao Lu said and waved his hand after taking a deep breath, “Everyone in the Cloud Peak faction knows about this. Sooner or later, you would’ve found out about it. Moreover, despite what others say, I don’t feel guilty about joining the Cloud Peak faction.”

Although Zhao Lu was rather calm, Duan Ling Tian could sense that Zhao Lu was slightly emotional. It was obvious the matter still affected Zhao Lu despite his words that indicated otherwise.

Duan Ling Tian no longer asked any questions, afraid he might say the wrong thing. He would only respond to Zhao Lu’s questions. However, it seemed like he had been overthinking things. Before they arrived at their destination, Zhao Lu seemed to have returned to his normal self and was even joking with him.

“Junior Brother Qin doesn’t mind junior granduncle referring to him as Little Yang. However, the members of our factions would always laugh whenever this matter is brought up,” Zhao Lu said with a smile.

Duan Ling Tian shook his head. “Although I’m not familiar with Elder Qin, based on what I’d seen, I don’t think he cares much about this matter.”

“Perhaps, you’re right. However, could he not care when his disciples and granddisciples do so? As an elder, he’ll definitely feel embarrassed,” Zhao Lu said, laughing.

Duan Ling Tian did not refute Zhao Lu’s words. After all, most elders liked to maintain a little solemnity and dignity in front of their juniors. It was indeed hard to do so when one had such a cute nickname.

“We’ve arrived,” Zhao Lu said when they arrived in front of another floating island, “This floating island is in the heart of our Pure Yang Sect’s estate. It’s called the Myriad Phenomena Island. Apart from the faction’s affairs, most of the sect’s affairs, which require approvals from high-ranking officials of the sect, are carried out on the Myriad Phenomena Island. The cultivation ground of ordinary elders and disciples is also located here. Various halls such as the Law Enforcement Hall, Trading Hall, Martial Training Hall, and many more are also here. I’ll show you around after we’re done with the registration.”

“Sorry to trouble you, Elder Zhao Lu,” Duan Ling Tian said.

“It’s nothing.”

When they landed on the island, Zhao Lu suddenly recalled something and said, “Duan Ling Tian, if I’m not wrong, there’ll be members of other factions waiting for you in the Sect’s Affairs Pavilion. They’ll certainly offer you many benefits to recruit you. I should tell you the benefits our Cloud Peak…”

Duan Ling Tian did not wait for Zhao Lu to finish speaking before he said, “Elder Zhao Lu, that’s not necessary. I’ve already said to Elder Qin and you yesterday that I’ll be joining the Cloud Peak faction. Do you really think so little of me?”

Perhaps, another person in Duan Ling Tian’s shoes would feel offended as well since Zhao Lu’s words seemed to show his distrust.

Zhao Lu was not angry at being interrupted. He smiled when he saw the slightly displeased expression on Duan Ling Tian’s face and said, “Duan Ling Tian, it’s better to make things clear sometimes. I told junior granduncle about what you said, and he even chided Junior Brother Qin for pressuring you into staying in our faction. What junior granduncle means is that if the other faction can provide you better benefits, you should go if you’re moved. However, our Cloud Peak faction will also show you our sincerity before you decide. There’ll be no hard feelings between us even if you chose to go to another faction. Junior granduncle also said it won’t affect your friendship with him.”

Zhao Lu’s expression changed slightly when he mentioned the word ‘friendship’.

After all, as the strongest Nirvanic Elder in the Pure Yang Sect, an extraordinary rudimentary Emperor of Gods, it was strange that he would befriend a rudimentary Lord of Gods who was not even 3,000 years old.

Under normal circumstances, Zhao Lu would have found it prosperous. However, since Zhen Ping Fan had acknowledged Duan Ling Tian and Duan Ling Tian was also a good person, he did not think much of it anymore.

Duan Ling Tian shook his head and said, “It’s fine, Elder Zhao Lu. There’s no need to offer me anything else. Elder Zhen and Elder Qin have given me a welcome gift before I came here. I’ll personally speak to him regarding this matter.”

Duan Ling Tian would never forget about the divine rocks and one million divine crystals in his spatial ring. After leaving the Linghu clan, he wanted to return them to Zhen Ping Fan, but Zhen Ping Fan refused to take them.

“Elder Zhao Lu, let’s go,” Duan Ling Tian said when he saw Zhao Lu was not moving. He guessed that Zhao Lu must be immersed in his own thoughts or reporting to Zhen Ping Fan.

When Zhao Lu regained his senses, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes when he looked at Duan Ling Tian. Then, he led Duan Ling Tian to a huge building that seemed to be made of a few buildings in a vast square.

Zhao Lu hovered in the sky above the building and said, “This is the Sect’s Affairs Pavilion.”

The duo descended in front of the huge entrance. A huge and tall stone tablet stood next to the entrance, and the words ‘Sect’s Affairs Pavilion’ were carved on it. The stone tablet was almost as tall as the building.

“This is where all the sect’s internal affairs are handled. The promotions of elders and disciples fall under the pavilion’s jurisdiction as well. Before a promotion, they’ll have to pass the test in the Examination Hall,” Zhao Lu said. After a pause, he added, “Normally, one can only join the Pure Yang Sect when the sect is recruiting. You’re a special case since you’re personally recruited by the sect. Hence, you don’t need to go through any tests. After all, someone who became a rudimentary Lord of Gods before the age of 3,000 is more than eligible to join our sect.”

After a brief moment of hesitation, Zhao Lu said, “I feel like I should warn you, Duan Ling Tian…”

Duan Ling Tian paused in his footsteps and looked at Zhao Lu, puzzled.

Zhao Lu said, “Although you’re specially recruited by the sect and don’t have to go through any tests, you’re still just an ordinary disciple. I heard from junior granduncle that he promised back in the Flying Dragon Sect that you’ll receive the treatment of a True Martial Disciple. That’s the promise he made, not the sect. In the end, you’ll have to rely on your own strength to become a True Martial Disciple. Junior granduncle said that once you succeed, your treatment will be even better than that of a True Martial Disciple. You’re free to take the test in the Examination Hall whenever you’re ready.”

Duan Ling Tian shook his head and smiled. “I thought you were going to give me bad news. This is just a small matter. I’m happy enough that I don’t have to take the trivial tests to join the sect. I naturally don’t mind using my ability to obtain better treatment or a higher rank.”

Zhao Lu’s expression eased greatly upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s words. He said, “I should know better that you’ll react this way. In any case, with your innate talent and abilities, I’m sure it’ll be easy for you to become a True Martial Disciple.”

Suddenly, Duan Ling Tian asked curiously, “Elder Zhao, is Lan Xi Lin a True Martial Disciple?”

“Lan Xi Lin?” Zhao Lu was stunned. His expression was slightly unnatural as he nodded and said, “Yes, he’s a True Martial Disciple. He passed the test 300 years ago when he was a rudimentary Lord of Gods.”

Zhao Lu was unaware that Duan Ling Tian had already met Lan Xi Lin so he was surprised when Duan Ling Tian mentioned Lan Xi Lin. Most importantly, before joining the Cloud Peak faction, he was in the same faction as Lan Xi Lin. His former master, who had been expelled from the Pure Yang Sect, was the direct disciple of Lan Xi Lin’s great-grandfather. This meant that his former master was also Lan Xi Lin’s senior granduncle.

After Zhao Lu composed himself, he said to Duan Ling Tian, “Let’s go.”