Starting as a Grandmaster, all of my cultivation techniques are at max level.

While Xia Jin and the others were still drinking their victory celebration wine,

Above the three heavens of the temple lies a hidden space.

There is no wind, no clouds, no sun, moon, or stars here, only a soft, unchanging light, as if this were a small world.

This space is not large, only about a hundred feet in circumference.

In the center of the space stands a white jade statue.

The statue was about ten feet tall, and judging from its appearance, it seemed to depict an old man.

The Second Palace Master's figure had appeared in this space at some point.

He stopped three feet in front of the statue, straightened his robes, clasped his hands together, and his expression became extremely serious.

"Grand Master! Zhan Tiangang requests an audience."

After the words were spoken, a brief silence fell, but the Second Palace Master remained motionless, still bowing in greeting.

He showed no impatience, because he knew that the High Priest of their temple could hear what he had just said.

Sure enough, a few breaths later, a faint light appeared on the surface of the statue. The light grew brighter and brighter, as if a sun was slowly rising inside the statue.

"They're here!!" The Second Palace Master seemed to have noticed something, and he raised his eyes slightly, staring intently at the statue in front of him.

Then, the statue slowly opened its eyes.

Those eyes held no joy or anger, no sorrow or happiness, only a detached indifference that seemed to have seen through all things. Those eyes alone caused even a powerful figure like the Second Palace Master to feel a sense of pressure—a suppression from a higher level, an absolute crushing of his cultivation.

A phantom figure emerged from the statue.

The illusory figure looked at the Second Palace Master, who was bowing respectfully, and a slight ripple finally appeared in its usually calm eyes.

"Tian Gang".

"Why are you here instead of managing affairs at the temple?"

His brow furrowed slightly as he looked the Second Palace Master up and down, a hint of worry in his voice: "Could it be... that our temple has lost again in this war against the alien races?"

As these words were spoken, the phantom's gaze sharpened, causing the Second Palace Master to feel his body grow heavier.

"The First Palace Master has misunderstood." The Second Palace Master straightened up, a smile appearing on his face, and his voice carrying a rare lightness.

"We didn't lose this time. On the contrary, our temple won a great victory."

"Hmm!?" Upon hearing this, the phantom's eyes suddenly narrowed.

Two dazzling beams of light erupted from those eyes, like two stars exploding simultaneously.

The invisible pressure surged several times in an instant, causing the entire secret space to shake violently, as if it might be torn apart at any moment.

The Second Palace Master endured the oppressive aura without changing his expression, and the smile on his face did not disappear in the slightest.

The phantom fell silent.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on Zhan Tiangang, as if trying to discern the truth from his face.

"Are you telling the truth?"

After a long while, the phantom spoke again, its voice tinged with excitement.

"Of course, First Palace Master," the Second Palace Master nodded. "How could I dare to speak carelessly about such a matter?"

"Good." He uttered a single word, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "It seems this batch of disciples with the 'Hun' designation possesses exceptional talent and strength!"

"By the way, Great Hall Master, I have another request to make today." Seeing the pleased smile on the Great Hall Master's face, the Second Hall Master quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

The illusory figure glanced at him: "Speak your mind."

"We hope that the Grand Master will grant permission for these disciples of the Hun class from the temple to travel to the Mirage Realm."

"These disciples performed exceptionally well in this battle against the alien race. In particular, one of them, Xia Jin, was both intelligent and brave, single-handedly turning the tide of the battle. It would be a waste to keep such a talent trapped in this world."

"The Mirage Realm holds boundless wonders and countless opportunities. If we could send them there to train, given time, they would surely achieve great things! It would also be a great asset to our human race!"

After the Second Palace Master finished speaking, he bowed again, awaiting the reply from the illusory figure before him.

However, after hearing the Second Palace Master's words, the illusory figure did not immediately reply.

He turned around, his back to the Second Palace Master, facing the chaotic gray-white light curtain, and remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he spoke.

"It's not impossible to enter the Mirage Realm."

"However, I still need to personally take a look at these so-called disciples with the character 'Hun' in your name."

He turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning, and shot straight at Zhan Tiangang.

"Bring them here tomorrow so I can see them for myself. If they lack talent and strength, even if they reach the Mirage Realm, they will only be relegated to the lowest rungs, bullied and slaughtered. That outcome is far worse than not going at all."

"You should understand this principle."

The Second Palace Master felt a chill run down his spine and quickly nodded.

"The Grand Master is absolutely right! I understand!"

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that since the Grand Master had given his consent, the matter was now seventy or eighty percent certain.

The remaining 20-30% will depend on the performance of the Marquis of Chu and his men tomorrow.

"Then I shall take my leave!"

The Second Hall Master bowed again.

The illusory figure said nothing more; its form began to blur and gradually dissipate. The light on the surface of the white jade statue also dimmed.

The Second Palace Master straightened up, glanced at the white jade statue, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. Then, he turned and strode out of the hidden space.

In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, he arrived at the small courtyard where the Marquis of Chu and others were holding their victory celebration.

"Greetings, Second Palace Master!" As soon as they appeared, Marquis Chu and the others immediately stood up and bowed to the Second Palace Master. Even the lingering smell of alcohol disappeared in that instant.

"Hmm," he replied faintly, as if in response.

Everyone felt an invisible pressure. Even Wu Feng, who was usually the most unserious, stood up straight and dared not slack off in the slightest.

After Zhan Tiangang sat down in the front seat, he glanced at everyone, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke:

"Alright, you've all finished your drinks. Now go back and get yourselves in good shape. Tomorrow morning, you'll come with me to meet the Grand Master."

The moment these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.

"Grand Master!?" Marquis Chu's eyes widened suddenly, as if he had heard something unbelievable.

The same was true for the others.