Seeing Sect Master Zhu and Elder Tanlang looking hesitant to speak, the Inspector snorted coldly. "By now, what could you possibly be unable to say clearly? Hemming and hawing — is there some hidden truth you're still concealing?"
Sect Master Zhu forced a bitter smile. "There is indeed a hidden matter, but Elder Tanlang once swore a Heaven and Earth Oath upon the sect's fortune, and therefore cannot reveal it. The matter is of great importance, which is why both Elder Tanlang and I have been unable to speak freely."
The eleventh-level Inspector frowned. "The sect's fortune?"
"Yes. If the secret were leaked, our Three Star Sect would face the judgment of the Heaven and Earth Oath." Sect Master Zhu looked deeply troubled.
The Heaven and Earth Oath was truly terrifying.
The people of the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect were well aware of this. For a moment, the eleventh-level Inspector fell into thoughtful silence.
However, after a brief pause, his brow relaxed and a cold smile appeared. "Sect Master Zhu, are you certain this matter is extremely important?"
"It is genuinely very important!" Sect Master Zhu nodded emphatically.
"Very well. In that case, the Heavenly Sect will give your Three Star Sect one more chance. Listen closely: from this moment forward, the Three Star Sect will become a branch of the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect. It will enjoy the highest-level treatment of a twelve-star branch. In the future, when a Prefecture is established in the Myriad Phenomena Region, you, Sect Master Zhu, can be granted the position of Deputy Prefect Master!"
"What?" Both Sect Master Zhu and Elder Tanlang were stunned.
"What's wrong? You're not pleased?" The Inspector's tone turned frigid.
"N-no, not at all. What does the Esteemed Inspector mean?" Sect Master Zhu's breathing grew rapid.
"Isn't it obvious? The Three Star Sect will henceforth be dissolved. Since the Three Star Sect no longer exists, the Heaven and Earth Oath can no longer judge it. The so-called 'sect fortune' becomes meaningless. When the Heavenly Sect establishes the Myriad Phenomena Prefecture later, you'll be granted the position of Deputy Prefect Master — what could be better? And the Three Star Sect will enjoy twelve-star branch treatment. How could that be inferior to a mere fourth-rank sect?"
A twelve-star branch of the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect was rare in the Divine Abyss Continent, with no more than twenty in existence. Their status was definitely superior to an ordinary fourth-rank sect.
The Nine Sun Heavenly Sect currently had a total of nine Prefectures under its command. Establishing the Myriad Phenomena Prefecture would make it ten. If one could secure the position of Deputy Prefect Master, even if ranked last, the authority would be incomparable to that of a mere fourth-rank sect master.
Upon hearing this, Sect Master Zhu was overcome with elation.
Most crucially, if the Three Star Sect were dissolved, the Heaven and Earth Oath would no longer bind them.
The eleventh-level Inspector smiled faintly and produced a Branch Master token, placing it on the table.
"Zhu Changsheng, this is a twelve-star Branch Master token. If you accept it, it signifies the dissolution of the Three Star Sect. Whether you take it or not is your decision alone."
Without hesitation, Sect Master Zhu reached out and took it. "Your subordinate, Zhu Changsheng, greets the esteemed lords!"
"Good. Decisive!" The Inspector smiled faintly. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Wei Zikua, an eleventh-level Inspector under the Heavenly Sect. These are my subordinates."
He then pointed to the cold-eyed, blue-browed young man. "This is Young Master Cao Jin, ranked ninth among the Heavenly Sect's Ten Great True Disciples of the younger generation."
A Ten Great True Disciple?
Zhu Changsheng and Elder Tanlang broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly rose to bow. "Young Master Cao graces us with his presence. We were blind and failed to recognize your stature. Please forgive our offense!"
Hearing that this blue-browed young man was one of the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect's Ten Great True Disciples, the two could hardly remain seated.
The Heavenly Sect had countless disciples, and geniuses were as numerous as the hairs on a bull. To be ranked among the Ten Great True Disciples in such a talent-rich environment — even at ninth place — was astonishing.
Clearly, even this eleventh-level Inspector had to be respectful in front of Cao Jin. A genius of this caliber would achieve far more in the future than an eleventh-level Inspector. If Cao Jin continued to grow, he would at least be qualified to oversee a Prefecture, even if he wasn't a candidate for Sect Master. His status would absolutely surpass that of the Inspector.
The so-called Inspector held high status, but their role was merely to patrol and oversee branches for the Sect. It couldn't compare to the real power held by a Prefect Master.
Although Cao Jin had not yet advanced to the Imperial Realm, he was already at the peak of the Saint Realm at a young age. Such cultivation in the Myriad Phenomena Region would be enough to crush all opposition.
Therefore, Cao Jin's arrogance was entirely justified.
Cao Jin gave a faint, indifferent smile and waved his hand. "Zhu Changsheng, you've heard Inspector Wei's words and accepted the Branch Master token. Next, shouldn't we discuss something more substantive?"
Though Cao Jin's tone was neither cold nor warm, it carried an awe-inspiring pressure.