The First Elder's Resolution

Chen Mu fell into deep thought as he looked at the inscriptions on the stone tablet.

Well…

He knew the words, but when put together, he could not understand a single word.

This should not be a peerless secret cultivation method.

After pondering for a moment, he came to a realization.

If the Azure Yang Sect really wanted to give him some cultivation technique, they would not use such a method, nor would they not know that he could not understand it.

Not to mention, if one wanted to cultivate a powerful cultivation technique, they would need to meet certain conditions.

It required either top-notch aptitude or heaven-defying materials. It was not something that could be cultivated just by looking at cultivation techniques.

As for why they would create such a thing…

They probably wanted him to report this to the sect.

At that thought, Chen Mu quickly walked out of the stone forest.

...

Before long, the Outer Sect deacon followed Chen Mu to the stone forest.

After seeing the stone tablet, the Outer Sect deacon's expression turned grave.

"The content on this stone tablet is extremely profound. I actually can't understand it!"

"Chen Mu, stand guard here and don't let anyone else approach! I'll report this to the First Elder!"

With that, the Outer Sect deacon left solemnly.

After another fifteen minutes, a group of people flew over from the horizon.

Shockingly, the person in the lead was the First Elder. Besides the Outer Sect deacon who followed behind him, there was also Elder Mu An from the wood spiritual root branch and a few other young core disciples.

In short, there was a huge commotion.

As soon as he landed, First Elder Zhang Yan did not even look at Chen Mu. He asked coldly, "Where is the stone tablet?"

"Right there!" The Outer Sect deacon pointed at the stone tablet and Zhang Yan immediately walked over.

Zhang Yan came to the front of the stone tablet and touched it lightly. His expression kept changing.

Sometimes, he was puzzled, sometimes shocked, sometimes disappointed, sometimes pleasantly surprised.

In the end, he actually knelt on the ground and threw himself onto the stone tablet with tears streaming down his face.

This scene stunned the few core disciples behind him.

One of the core disciples could not help but ask, "Master… What is carved on this monument?"

Zhang Yan replied with a trembling voice, "This is a secret art that has been lost for 500 years in our Azure Yang Sect…"

"To think that there would be a day when we found it again!"

"Master's final wish from back then has finally been realized. The heavens are truly blessing our Azure Yang Sect!"

Mu An took a closer look and was also trembling with excitement.

When the core disciples saw this, they turned to look at the stone tablet.

Although they still could not understand it, they felt a sense of awe.

Zhang Yan turned his head and asked, "Who discovered this stone tablet?"

"It's me!" Chen Mu stood up at the right time with a terrified expression.

"What's your name?" Zhang Yan asked again.

Chen Mu was speechless.

You even pretended not to know me?

You're really something, Old Zhang!

Have you forgotten that you were the one who brought me into the sect and gave me 500 spirit stones?

Although he thought so, Chen Mu still replied respectfully, "Outer Sect disciple, Chen Mu!"

"Chen Mu…" Zhang Yan nodded slightly.

"I have some impression of you. You have done well in this matter. Our Azure Yang Sect has always been clear about rewards and punishments!

"Since you have found the secret art of my Azure Yang Sect, I should naturally reward you! "

After saying that, he looked around and finally gazed at the Outer Sect deacon. He announced, "Outer Sect disciple Chen Mu has discovered a lost secret art and is rewarded with 1,000 low-grade spirit stones! Announce it to the entire sect!"

Hearing that number, looks of envy flashed across the eyes of the surrounding core disciples.

However, no one dared to have any opinions.

After all, from Master and Elder Mu's performance just now, it was clear that they valued this secret art to the extreme!

In other words, Chen Mu had rendered great service to the Azure Yang Sect.

He had just received a reward for his meritorious service, how could they be already thinking of snatching it from him? Who would dare to make a contribution in the future?

If they really did that, it would be slapping the First Elder's face and tarnishing the entire Azure Yang Sect's reputation!

"Disciple thanks the First Elder!" Chen Mu bowed and expressed his gratitude with an agitated tone.

Zhang Yan waved his hand, then looked at his personal disciples.

"Bring the stone tablet back. Remember, be careful and don't damage it at all!"

"Yes, Master!"

However, before the personal disciples could make a move, Zhang Yan was the first to arrive before the stone tablet.

"Forget it, I'll do it myself."

With that, he carefully moved the stone tablet out of the ground and carried it towards the main peak.

Chen Mu stared blankly at the departing figures of the group.

Reward of 1,000 low-grade spirit stones?

Couldn't the Little Assistant level up again?

To think that he had only borrowed 200 spirit stones yesterday…

Too narrow!

Sigh, his vision was too narrow!

...

A quarter of an hour later, Zhang Yan was already sitting on the main peak sipping tea.

As for the sect's secret art, it had already been destroyed by him.

After this operation, not only did he give Chen Mu spirit stones, but he also gave Chen Mu the title of a person who had rendered a meritorious service.

In the future, anyone who wanted to borrow spirit stones would have to think twice.

Ha, this plan killed two birds with one stone!

Thinking of this, Zhang Yan felt a little proud and could not help but laugh.

At this moment, the black-clothed deacon flashed into the hall, his expression rather complex.

"Why? Did something happen again?"

The black-clothed deacon's expression was awkward. He said somewhat embarrassedly, "First Elder, the matter has been investigated clearly…"

"Yesterday, it wasn't those people who borrowed Chen Mu's spirit stones. It was Chen Mu who borrowed their spirit stones…"

He emphasized the word 'borrow', his meaning self-evident.

It was very likely that he would not return the amount.

Guh!

Zhang Yan was drinking tea. When he heard this, he spat it out!

He put down the teacup and looked at the deacon in disbelief.

Huh?

What?!

The deacon in black spoke quickly, "Chen Mu borrowed spirit stones from 30 to 40 people yesterday. I don't know what these people are thinking. They were smiling when they left. That's why I made a wrong judgment…"

"Later on, when I went to do some work before dawn, I found that the Green Bamboo Forest was brightly lit. At that time, I thought it was strange. After I was done, I secretly investigated and found that quite a few disciples were talking while cultivating…"

"They kept harping on how many spirit stones they had lost today, that they had to make up for it with cultivation…"

"I investigated further and finally found out the truth!"

Zhang Yan was stunned.

A moment later, he actually laughed out loud!

"Haha! This kid… well done!"

"I knew it! With his identity, how could he be an honest person!"

"Good! He really has a way with things! I didn't waste all the resources I gave him! Good use!"

The black-clothed deacon was confused.

He only assumed that the First Elder meant that the illegitimate son of someone like the Sect Leader would never be honest.

Zhang Yan quickly regained his composure, but his mind was still rapidly thinking.

Those who knew the inside story actually understood…

Chen Mu's talent was mediocre. If he had any accomplishments in the future, it was most likely because he had encountered a huge fortuitous encounter.

The Azure Yang Sect could not give him such an opportunity.

So sooner or later, he would have to be sent out on a mission. Only then would he have a chance to find the fortuitous encounter that belonged to him.

However, Chen Mu had been too honest earlier. He looked like he would not dare to do so.

Now, it seemed that he could send Chen Mu out without any worries once his cultivation level was higher.

At this thought, Zhang Yan could not help but laugh.

This kid was indeed amazing.

Not long after arriving at the sect, he made the Outer Sect disciples of the same generation cultivate overnight.

In the past years, these Outer Sect disciples had only been this motivated when the Outer Sect Grand Competition drew close.

'Forget it, they are all disciples of my Azure Yang Sect. Since they are working so hard…'

'I'll just give them more chances.'

'After all, choosing to come to the Azure Yang Sect at this time is also a disaster for them.'

'With more strength now, there will be more hope in the future.'

'As for the storage of spirit stones in the sect…'

'There is no point in keeping them now.'

Having reached this point in his train of thought, he turned to the black-robed deacon and said, "Pass down my orders. The sect will be holding a celebration for the recovery of our long-lost secret art. From today onwards, for the next three years, all disciples' monthly allowance and Qi Gathering Pills will be doubled."