Chapter 0158

Chapter 158: Rewards for Merit, Reestablish the Joyous Union Sect

The damned Jade Purity Sect actually had nine earth veins, so lavish it would anger both gods and people.

Maybe that was why they met this disaster: when things go too far, they swing back; riches make you fragile, so the Jade Purity Sect was bound to suffer.

In the spirit of kindness, Zhou Tong decided to set aside old grudges and help the Jade Purity Sect remove the root of their crisis: of the nine earth veins, he would not leave them a single one!

The Mystic Heaven Nine Flowers Grand Array rumbled and trembled with joy. It told Zhou Tong that if it could gather all nine earth veins, it could evolve on the spot into Saint-level Array Arts.

This was too tempting to ignore.

A Saint-level array is not something humans can create by hand anymore. Only a ninth-grade peak grand array that has awakened its own spirit can slowly evolve, by drawing in the essence of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, plus a lot of luck and good timing.

Once it became Saint-level, the Mystic Heaven Nine Flowers Grand Array would throw off all limits of geography and could even carry the Joyous Union Sect wherever it wished, like a giant Red Dust.

Not only that, success would surely awaken new functions that made the mind race with ideas.

Zhou Tong slapped the table and said: “Then that’s settled.”

He was sure it would not be long before the Jade Purity Sect sent people to beg him to clear away the baleful energy. Too bad for them, Zhou Tong was no longer the old punching bag who worked himself to the bone. He was now a peerless bringer of calamity who could take their lives.

“I declare!” Mu Rong Ya stepped forward. Her figure was graceful as she walked to the front of the crowd, her face solemn and dignified. Seeing her like this, everyone straightened their backs and fell silent, even Lian Han Xing.

Mu Rong Ya said in a firm voice: “From today on, my Joyous Union Sect will restore our former glory.”

Everyone shivered. It really was time. With a Saint sitting in town, the sect’s rise was nailed in place.

She said: “We will reopen the Sect Master Hall, the sixteen Elders Halls, and the thirty-two cave estates, and announce our return to the world.”

Lian Han Xing bowed her head and explained: “The Sect Master Hall is the sect master’s palace. The Elders Halls are the homes of the key elders. The thirty-two cave estates house top disciples and ordinary elders.”

Everyone finally understood.

“But Grand Sect Master, a project this large needs huge resources. We are short on people and short on funds. I fear it will be hard to carry out…” Liu Yan spoke carefully, pointing straight at the problem.

Mu Rong Ya smiled calmly and gave Zhou Tong a playful wink: “Do not worry. We have enough resources now.”

Zhou Tong almost laughed. She had her eye on his private treasury.

Before they left the Heavenly Dao Domain, the empress reissued the Rivers and Mountains Seal. She also said Zhou Tong would always be her guest minister. To show her sincerity, she gifted him one third of the imperial treasury.

That was thirty billion top-grade spirit stones.

Such a terrifying amount of wealth could rebuild the Joyous Union Sect dozens of times.

On the way back, Zhou Tong and Mu Rong Ya had already planned the rebuilding. He even teased her: “You are the head of a sect and a Saint, but you still hold out your hand to ask your disciple for money, aren’t you ashamed?”

Mu Rong Ya answered unreasonably, leaning in to bite the spot where she had left tooth marks before: “You are the pillar of our sect, and I am yours in every way. Why can’t we use your money?”

Zhou Tong could only sigh and accept his fate.

“Zhou Tong!” Mu Rong Ya suddenly called.

“I’m here,” he answered.

She said: “From today on, you will take charge of the First Elders Hall. You can manage all affairs of the sect, large and small. Other than me, your word has the highest authority.”

“Thank you, Master,” Zhou Tong said with a smile, and accepted.

“Zhang Chu Qiao!”

“I’m here.”

“You will be Hall Master of the Second Elders Hall. Set the rules and oversee rewards and punishments for the entire sect.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“Holy Heart!”

At the call of her name, Holy Heart, the Devil Sovereign, trembled with joy and stepped out, her face bright.

Mu Rong Ya said: “Though we do not yet have the master-disciple tie, you made great contributions during the Heavenly Dao Domain expedition. Are you willing to take me as your teacher?”

“I am willing,” Holy Heart replied without the slightest hesitation.

“Then from today on, you are the elder of the Fifth Hall. You will guard the sect’s scriptures. Do not fail.”

Mu Rong Ya smiled. Even though the Mortal Dust Sect had declined, its books and classics were still complete. Now they would see the light again, and from now on, there would be many more.

“The disciple obeys. Thank you, Sect Master,” Holy Heart said, bursting with happiness. When she first revived, she worried about how to blend in with Humans. In the end, it did not even take a month and she had become a top elder of a Saint sect. She had not suffered at all. [Some people are just blessed by heaven. That’s me.]

She glanced at the empty Third and Fourth Halls. No need to ask who they were for: the little demoness and Long Ling Yun. She had no thoughts about that.

“Liu Yan!”

“Grand Sect Master, did you call me?” Liu Yan pointed at herself, unable to believe that Mu Rong Ya still had room for a servant like her in her eyes.

“You worked hard for the rebuilding and never left us. You will take the Sixteenth Elders Hall and manage the ongoing construction of the sect.”

“This humble woman thanks the Sect Master for such grace. I would give my life and still fall short of repaying you.”

Seeing this, Lian Han Xing grew anxious: “What about me?”

“You?” Mu Rong Ya looked over. The cold light in her eyes made Lian Han Xing shiver.

“I know I was wrong,” Lian Han Xing said, “but didn’t we agree before? I help save our people, and you would wipe away what I did.”

At that, the chill in the air slowly faded. Mu Rong Ya felt a bit helpless. Lian Han Xing had done some good, but it did not make up for her past crimes. Still, when they went to the Heavenly Dao Domain, everyone could barely protect themselves. To save Zhang Chu Qiao, Mu Rong Ya had made that promise to win help.

Mu Rong Ya narrowed her eyes and asked: “Aren’t you the Sect Master of the Unbridled Passion Sect?”

“I plan to dissolve the Unbridled Passion Sect and bring its disciples back here. They were Joyous Union Sect disciples to begin with. You won’t turn them away, will you?”

“Hmph, of course I will not refuse. Since that is so, you will take the Fifteenth Hall and handle recruitment.”

“Thank you, tea… thank you, Sect Master,” Lian Han Xing said, suddenly very obedient. She knew she could no longer compare to this junior sister.

Mu Rong Ya warned her: “Do not think that because I am not punishing you now, you can sleep easy. Sooner or later we will return to our original sect. When we meet the Ancestor, let us see how you explain yourself.”

Lian Han Xing went pale at once.

Mu Rong Ya raised her hand and gave the order: “By my command, raise our great banner and announce to the world that the Joyous Union Sect has returned. From today on we will hold this mountain and begin open recruitment. Talents of all lands are welcome.”

Boom.

With a thunderclap, the standard of the Joyous Union Sect was planted on the summit of Red Dust Mountain. This banner was an artifact of destiny, the symbol of the sect, its most important mark.

All the powers of the Eastern Continent saw it.

That very day, the whole world shook.