Core disciple Chu Xinghe has been feeling quite uncomfortable these past few days... extremely uncomfortable...
The discomfort mainly stems not from being a core disciple, but from the Millennium Grand Festival.
This time, Chu Xinghe himself isn't sure whether to consider it a success or not.
If you say it wasn't successful... well, he did break through... finally reaching the long-desired Seventh Grade Martial Saint cultivation level. Coupled with the transformation effect, Chu Xinghe feels that although he's a Seventh Grade Martial Saint, his combat power is truly maxed out.
But if you say it was successful... the Sect Master suddenly became a Martial God, solidifying the Grand Sky Sect's position as the world's number one sect like an old dog.
In the past, there were always people who would make a fuss with the Grand Sky Sect, like the Cloud Soar Sect. Last time, during the Great Moon Nation incident, the Cloud Soar Sect even dared to send a spirit bird message questioning the Sect Master.
But ever since the Sect Master stepped into the Martial God realm, yesterday, when the sect disciples had a small-scale conflict with the Cloud Soar Sect, two Cloud Soar Sect disciples ended up with broken legs at the hands of the Grand Sky Sect disciples.
As a result, the Sect Master immediately sent a spirit bird message questioning Cloud Soar Sect Master Xing Yushen.
In the past, Xing Yushen would have jumped out to argue with Gu Mingchao, right?
But guess how the Cloud Soar Sect responded?They admitted it was entirely their disciples' fault, punished the Cloud Soar Sect disciples, and even sent a lot of resources to compensate the Grand Sky Sect disciples who did the beating.
It's not that Xing Yushen is cowardly, it's mainly because the pressure from a Martial God is just too overwhelming.
In the past, everyone was a Martial Emperor. Even if Xing Yushen wasn't a match for Gu Mingchao, they could still argue and wrestle a bit, and even if they lost, it wouldn't be too embarrassing, right?
But now it's completely different... going against a Martial God? Xing Yushen, although not far from being a Half-Step Martial God, doesn't think he has the qualifications to argue with Gu Mingchao before reaching that level.
Is that even a confrontation? That's like a newbie challenging a max-level world boss!
The disciples of the Grand Sky Sect can break the legs of Cloud Soar Sect disciples, and Gu Mingchao can just as easily break Xing Yushen's legs!
Moreover, who in the entire sect doesn't know that Sect Master Gu Mingchao has been in a bad mood these past few days?
It's said that after becoming a Martial God, the Sect Master's first meeting had all the elders spraying him with criticism.
"What Martial God Gu Mingchao... do you believe we can impeach you on the spot!"
"You're a Martial God outside, but at home, you're just a Sect Master!"
"Even if you're a Martial God at home, you have to endure it!"
However, while Sect Master Gu Mingchao is criticized at home, he's truly ruthless outside.
It's said that in just a few days, several major sects have expressed willingness to become vassals of the Grand Sky Sect. In the past, the Sect Master would have agreed on the spot, but now he says they need to be assessed first...
Previously, some forces had disputes with the Grand Sky Sect, but now they've all quieted down because you can never be sure when you're walking down a deserted path, and suddenly a Martial God claiming to be from the Demonic Sect might appear out of nowhere and slap you to death.
What? You say only Gu Mingchao is a Martial God, and it's impossible for the Demonic Sect to have one? So it can't be the Demonic Sect?
You know Gu Mingchao is a Martial God, so do you dare to say that?
Is it that Gu Mingchao wouldn't dare to slap you to death?
So in a short time, the Grand Sky Sect, already the world's number one sect, has become invincible.
And that's not even the scariest part. The scariest part is that the Great Sage suddenly approached the Sect Master, saying that actually, a Martial God isn't the limit. In their era, someone with the Sect Master's cultivation level was called a quasi-god, just an entry-level demigod.
Above the quasi-god, there are Mystic Gods and true Main Gods. Reaching the Main God realm is when one truly becomes invincible.
In the past, the spiritual energy in this world was depleted. Forget about Main Gods, even quasi-gods couldn't be born. But now, with the revival of spiritual energy, the Sect Master can strive for higher realms...
Even if he can't reach the Main God, striving for a Mystic God isn't a problem. The Great Sage even personally explained to the Sect Master what a Mystic God is and how to cultivate to become one, opening the door to a whole new world for the Sect Master.
And what's even scarier is when the Sect Master asked about the Great Sage's cultivation level, the Great Sage said he was just a peak Mystic God in the past, still some distance from a Main God...
Now, with the revival of spiritual energy, the Great Sage says that given enough time, it's not entirely impossible for him to return to the peak of Mystic God.
Does that even sound human?
People outside are desperately seeking how to step into the Martial God realm, each one thinking so hard their heads are going bald.
And you guys are already aiming for Mystic God... with this approach, when will our Grand Sky Sect ever fall?
Chu Xinghe even can't help but want to advise the Sect Master, maybe we should just disband the sect... being so invincible, what's the point?
But the bad news doesn't stop just because of Chu Xinghe's sorrow. Lu Chengqing and Ma Liang, those two troublemakers, just won't settle down.
In the past, people said Lu Chengqing held a pivotal position in the entertainment industry, but now he has a new nickname... the King of Entertainment!
Ever since he took control of the Grand Sky Mirror, Lu Chengqing has been more of a Martial God in the entertainment industry than a Martial God.
Now, Lu Chengqing's words are like imperial edicts to any musician or actor.
Guan Zhongming, the world's number one musician, right?
Tomorrow, at the Grand Sky Tower, we're performing the next episode of Chu Ahe's Supreme Bone adventure, you should come and assist.
In the past, someone of Guan Zhongming's level could have declined.
But now, Guan Zhongming doesn't even need to reply, just show up on time after receiving the message.
What? You think just because you did a solo performance at the Battle of Exorcism, you're awesome?
Do you believe that with me, Lu Chengqing, in charge of the Grand Sky Mirror, I can directly blacklist you, Guan Zhongming?
So now, whether the entertainment industry is chaotic or not, it's up to Lu Chengqing.
If Lu Chengqing says you'll be famous, then you'll be famous whether you like it or not. If Lu Chengqing says you're going to fall, no matter how strong you are, you won't see the light of day.
But Lu Chengqing doesn't have the time to deal with some small musicians and actors. The day after the Millennium Grand Festival ended, as the number one confidant, Lu Chengqing eagerly followed Outer Disciple Senior Brother Ma Liang to various sects to discuss advertising matters.
Don't be fooled by Lu Chengqing being the King of Entertainment; in front of Ma Liang, he's fetching tea and pouring water, utterly humble.
Lu Chengqing is the King of Entertainment, not the King of Fools. He knows very well how he became the King of Entertainment... without Senior Brother Xinghe saying a word, future Great Elder Senior Brother Ma Liang could replace the King of Entertainment with just one sentence.
Lu Chengqing listened to Senior Brother Ma Liang talk about his past with Senior Brother Xinghe, and Lu Chengqing expressed that Senior Brother Ma Liang is the only wise one.
Not everyone can latch onto Senior Brother Xinghe's thigh as early as Senior Brother Ma Liang did.
Following Senior Brother Ma Liang to various sects to discuss advertising was a delightful experience.
With Ma Liang's current strength, even the elders of various sects treat him as an equal. After the Millennium Grand Festival, when each sect showcased according to Senior Brother Xinghe's ideas, the number of disciples coming to apprentice was overwhelming.
Moreover, with the revival of spiritual energy, more and more people can cultivate. Who wouldn't want to recruit more disciples?
Do you think everyone is like the Grand Sky Sect?
Since the end of the Millennium Grand Festival, the Tianyi Spirit Mine has been bustling.
It's not the veins exploding, but the number of people requesting to become miner disciples.
What? You say you want to directly become an inner sect disciple of the Grand Sky Sect? Are you out of your mind?
How exceptional must your talent be... to even think about becoming an inner sect disciple of the Grand Sky Sect?
Even Mu Bai privately approached Ma Liang, asking to reserve a few spots for the Muyue Nation in next year's disciple recruitment.
Even the people from the Muyue Nation are lining up... is your talent more exceptional than the Muyue Nation's?
So becoming a miner disciple is almost the only way to enter the Grand Sky Sect.
It's said that Qin Xiangqian, that guy, has been receiving so many tokens of sincerity from various families these days that he can barely hold them all.
But Qin Xiangqian is truly smart. No matter how much he receives, he records every spirit stone and reports it to the sect. No matter how much he collects, you can't find a reason to accuse him.
No wonder he was chosen by Senior Brother Xinghe.
The advertising negotiations with various sects were very successful, with almost all sects willing to provide resources to promote their own sects, thereby recruiting more disciples.
Ma Liang spent a few days securing the Grand Sky Mirror's resource consumption for the next year...
Chu Xinghe doesn't know how much money Ma Liang and Lu Chengqing made, but it's said that the Great Elder directly sent Ma Liang the Deputy Sect Master's personal disciple's robe.
So Ma Liang became the first outer disciple to wear the inner sect personal disciple's robe...
Chu Xinghe is utterly helpless... after a Millennium Grand Festival, I, Chu Xinghe, broke through to the Seventh Grade... but the benefits the sect received are so overwhelming they're about to crush me!
For several days, Chu Xinghe found himself unable to find any opportunity for the sect to suffer losses... not even a chance for minor mischief.
Just when Chu Xinghe was in utter despair, Sect Master Gu Mingchao announced he was going into seclusion.
After breaking through to the Martial God realm, the Sect Master also needs to go into seclusion for a while to stabilize his cultivation level, so he can strive for higher realms in the future.
But before going into seclusion, Gu Mingchao held a sect-wide meeting.
All the palace heads, the Great Elder, the Deputy Sect Master, and Chu Xinghe attended this meeting.
The meeting was to explain the various affairs of the sect after the Sect Master goes into seclusion. Actually, there wasn't much to explain, since the Great Elder manages sect affairs, and the palace heads manage their respective palaces. Usually, unless it's a major issue, the Sect Master doesn't need to do much...
So the Sect Master's seclusion won't have much impact. As for the Deputy Sect Master... the Deputy Sect Master has been wandering outside for so many years, and upon returning to the Grand Sky Sect, has been tirelessly building the sect, even making it onto the Demonic Sect's must-kill list. So the Deputy Sect Master is already quite exhausted and should rest more. Therefore, during the Sect Master's seclusion, the Deputy Sect Master just needs to be a mascot.
But besides the Deputy Sect Master becoming a mascot, there's another matter to handle.
And that's the matter of inspecting the sect.
As the Sect Master of the Grand Sky Sect, Gu Mingchao is actually required to inspect a portion of the Grand Sky Sect's industries every year.
It's called an inspection, but it's also a form of deterrence, rewarding those who do well and punishing those who don't.
So every year, some in the Grand Sky Sect receive rewards, while others face severe punishment, and it's not unheard of for someone to be killed on the spot by the Sect Master.
Usually, this inspection is either done by the Sect Master personally, or if the Sect Master is busy, the Great Elder goes. But it has to be done.
Now that the Sect Master is going into seclusion, and the Great Elder manages everything, naturally, he can't go. So the Sect Master suggested that Xinghe should go.
As soon as this suggestion was made, all the palace heads nodded in agreement.
Xinghe... although you're still young and just a core disciple, understanding this inspection process is a must for a Sect Master.
So having Xinghe go is perfectly fine...
And just like that, Chu Xinghe became the first core disciple in the history of the Grand Sky Sect to act as the Sect Master and inspect the sect...