Xuānhuà looked at the tightening ropes on his body, recognizing the origin of this person, his eyes full of shock.

Huomai urgently defended:

"Fellow Daoist, we are both Venerables of the Central Plains. We have no grievances or enmity with you. Why capture the two of us?"

Li Xuan slowly stepped down from the clouds, the moon white Daoist robe fluttering in the sea breeze. Although he was a newly promoted Venerable, he had an unmistakable Grandmaster demeanor.

In recent years, he had learned Subtle Techniques tailored by Chen Sheng, and with the addition of the Immortal Binding Rope, he became adept at capturing and trapping techniques.

In a few short decades, he gained great fame among the Venerables, becoming a foremost figure.

Furthermore, he managed the former Tianmu Sect, elevating it to a flourishing state, becoming a Major Sect in the Southwest.

At this moment, his gaze swept over the two of them, bearing a trace of indifference without saying a word. At this time, the eight disciples of Jie Sect had already quickly approached, bowing respectfully to Li Xuan:

"Greetings, Martial Uncle!" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Qingxuan led the group, each with a straight posture, a youthful vigor between their brows — just now, using their Nascent Soul bodies to trap two Venerables, the achievement was enough for them to become famous in the Cultivation Realm, greatly boosting their confidence!

"Martial Uncle?!"

Xuanhua and Huomai were thunderstruck, their hearts suddenly turning cold.

In recent years, the rise of Jie Sect was known, besides the Sect Master Jie Celestial Venerable, there was rumored to be a mysterious Deputy Sect Master presiding, whose identity was little known.

Now, hearing the eight disciples of Jie Sect call Li Xuan "Martial Uncle," how could the two of them not understand that the renowned Venerable Tianmu before them was actually the Deputy Sect Master of Jie Sect!

Li Xuan nodded slightly to the eight disciples, then looked at the bound two, a mocking smile appearing on his lips:

"Two blind fools, daring to trespass into the mountain gate of Jie Sect, unable to contend with me, yet dared to provoke my senior brother, not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth!"

Fu Haitao stepped forward and said loudly:

"Martial Uncle jests! The eight of us can join forces, and with the power of the Grand Array, it is enough to detain the two of them. No need to trouble Martial Uncle to take action!"

As his words fell, the other seven disciples nodded in agreement, eyes full of confidence.

Although the earlier confrontation was perilous, it allowed them to fully understand the depths of the veteran Venerables, instilling faith in the array and Subtle Techniques passed down by their master.

Under the sky, the disciples of Jie Sect were dumbstruck.

First, eight senior brothers and sisters used their Nascent Soul bodies to fiercely combat two Venerables. Now, the mysterious Deputy Sect Master appeared, capturing the two in one move.

Such power made all disciples’ hearts surge. The previous awe toward the Central Plains Venerables was utterly dissipated, replaced by a fervent worship of Jie Sect.

"The Deputy Sect Master is divine! Glory to Jie Sect!"

In an instant, the cheers of "Glory to Jie Sect" echoed across Giant Whale Island, sending ripples throughout the sea.

...

Before long, Li Xuan and the eight disciples escorted Xuanhua and Huomai to the "Zichen Hall" at the center of the island.

Along the way, many Demon Race attendants were visible, especially three cultivators in green scale robes who were particularly striking.

These were the three snakes who followed Chen Sheng back then. Now, they had refined the Snake Pill into Flood Dragons, reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, becoming Chen Sheng’s personal attendants.

Seeing everyone approaching, the three hurriedly stepped forward to lead the way, bowing and saying, "The Sect Master is waiting inside the hall."

Inside the Zichen Hall, mist swirled, and on the Jade Throne at the center, a figure sat with eyes closed.

Clad in a dark Daoist robe embroidered with sun, moon, and stars, his long hair cascaded like a waterfall down his shoulders, no exuberant aura emanated, yet he seemed to merge with heaven and earth.

Clearly seated in the hall, yet giving the impression of being everywhere, this was Jie Sect’s Sect Master, Chen Sheng.

"Greetings, Master!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother!"

Li Xuan and the eight disciples saluted in unison, their voices respectful.

Xuanhua and Huomai glanced up, and with just one look, their hearts were violently shaken.

That was a demeanor far exceeding that of ordinary Venerables, like a True Immortal in the world, making the two feel as if they were looking up at a towering mountain.

"Jie Celestial Venerable..."

Xuanhua’s lips trembled, at this moment he finally understood, they hadn’t just kicked an iron panel, they had run into a hidden True God!

There were no tigers overseas, only this tiger was too low-key, only showing its fangs today.

He hurriedly knelt down to beg for mercy:

"Venerable, spare us! We have eyes but failed to see Mount Tai. Please consider the difficulty of our cultivation and spare us a path for survival!"

Huomai also hurriedly followed to beg for mercy, the previous arrogance completely vanished.

Li Xuan stood aside, looking at Chen Sheng’s figure, his eyes full of reverence.

He knew well that his current achievements relied entirely on his senior brother’s support.

His aptitude was inferior to his eight junior nephews. Initially, achieving a Lower Grade Golden Core was his limit.

It was his senior brother who tailored the cultivation technique for him, helping him condense a High Grade Golden Core. It was also his senior brother who bestowed upon him the Immortal Binding Rope, teaching him the Subtle Techniques of capture and assisting his ascent to the Yin God.

Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes, his deep gaze sweeping over Xuanhua and Huomai, without a trace of fluctuation.

He flicked his finger, a golden light shot from his fingertip, integrating like spring rain into their foreheads.

Xuanhua and Huomai at first showed expressions of pain, then their eyes became vacant, before regaining clarity, kneeling to Chen Sheng:

"Subordinates pay respects to the Sect Master!"

"I have refined the two of them into guardian puppets for the sect, eradicating their original consciousness while preserving their Venerable cultivation, to defend the sect’s mountain gate for a hundred years."

Chen Sheng’s voice was calm, yet carried undeniable authority.

He looked at Li Xuan and the eight disciples and said slowly:

"I have been in seclusion for seventy years, and have comprehended the last barrier, achieving perfection. Next, it’s time to prepare for Ascension."

"Ascension!"

Li Xuan and the eight disciples’ eyes instantly blazed with intense light, becoming Immortal, the ultimate pursuit of all cultivators!

Chen Sheng nodded, then distributed responsibilities: "Li Xuan..."

...

Nine fleeting years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Under Chen Sheng’s injunction, Jie Sect launched from the East Sea, taking Giant Whale Island as its base. Li Xuan led the disciples of Tianmu Sect as the vanguard, the eight disciples each leading a faction, sweeping through the Southwest, Northwest, and other regions.

Chen Sheng remained at the center, occasionally taking action, consecutively defeating several top-tier Venerables such as "Huozun of the North Desert" and "Mingzun of the Western Domain," intimidating the world with invincible power.

The world finally recognized the presence of a major sect called "Jie Sect" in this realm.

The eight disciples of Jie Sect greatly benefited from this expansion, breaking through bottlenecks with the amassed vast luck of battle, nearing the realm of Yin God Venerables.

Each of the eight had their strengths, gaining great fame, known as the "Eight Heroes of Jie Sect" by the world.

On this day, on the East Sea shore, above Giant Whale Island, auspicious clouds gathered, celestial music faintly heard.

Chen Sheng stood outside the Zichen Hall, Li Xuan and the eight disciples bowing in attendance.

He looked at this group of disciples and junior brothers who followed him for many years, his eyes rarely showing a trace of warmth:

"Li Xuan, from now on, the position of Sect Master of Jie Sect is passed to you. With this ’Jie Tian Seal,’ you can command all forces of Jie Sect, safeguarding the cultivation of the sect members."

A black seal engraved with runes floated slowly toward Li Xuan.

"As you command!"

Li Xuan received the Jie Tian Seal with both hands, solemnly bowing.

Chen Sheng looked at the eight disciples, gently said:

"You eight have reached the threshold of Venerables, just concentrate on cultivating to advance. If there is an opportunity in the future, you too can tread the path of Immortality."

"The disciples will remember the Master’s teachings!"

The eight disciples responded in unison, their eyes full of both reluctance and determination.

After briefly instructing them, a dazzling guiding immortal light descended from the sky, like a heavenly river hanging upside down, enveloping Chen Sheng.

He turned to glance at Giant Whale Island, at Li Xuan and the eight disciples, then transformed into a stream of light, soaring into the sky, disappearing into the depths of the Cloud Sea.

After the immortal light dissipated, Li Xuan and the eight disciples looked in the direction where Chen Sheng disappeared, bowing deeply:

"Wishing the Sect Master a smooth Ascension! May the Sect Master soon realize the Great Dao!"

```