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

After the Second Palace Master left, the lively atmosphere of the victory celebration banquet gradually dissipated.

Xia Jin then turned to look at Chu Hou beside her and asked, "Senior Brother, it seems you all have a great deal of awe for this Grand Hall Master?"

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Chu was taken aback for a moment, then gave a wry smile and gently shook his head.

"Junior Brother Xia, you haven't been in the Temple for long, so it's normal that you haven't heard of our Grand Hall Master." He paused, his gaze slightly raised as if recalling some distant past event. "If we were to go into detail about our Grand Hall Master's deeds, it would take three days and three nights to finish. But you only need to know..."

He looked at Xia Jin, his tone becoming more serious:

"Not long after he founded our temple, he left here and went to the Mirage Realm. It is said that even in the Mirage Realm, the Grand Temple Master is quite famous. That's the Mirage Realm... a place where countless powerful people gather. It's not easy to gain a foothold there, let alone make a name for yourself."

Xia Jin nodded thoughtfully, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes.

Marquis Chu patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly, "If we are fortunate enough to be chosen by the Grand Hall Master and introduced into the Mirage Realm, we will surely achieve great things in the future. Junior Brother Xia, although you have the highest probability of being chosen by the Grand Hall Master among us, you should still go back and prepare well. Don't be complacent just because you have made a contribution this time. The Grand Hall Master's standards are exceptionally high."

After saying this, Marquis Chu called to Yang Qingxuan and the others, and together they turned and left.

As Yang Qingxuan walked past Xia Jin, he stopped for once and said in a low voice, "Junior Brother Xia, go back and get some rest." After saying that, he followed Chu Hou without looking back.

Wu Feng and the others also put away their usual playful and smiling demeanor and nodded to Xia Jin.

"Junior Brother Xia, I hope we'll have the chance to travel together to the Mirage Realm!"

Xia Jin stood there, watching the departing figures of the group, and couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement.

Is it the realm of mirages?

If I can successfully reach the Mirage Realm, wouldn't that mean I can complete this system mission?

The reward this time is the Great Sun Burning Heaven Technique and 38,000 years of cultivation. Once I obtain it, my strength will increase dramatically again. At that time, even in the so-called Mirage Cloud Realm, I believe I will be able to gain a foothold.

......

Early the next morning, Xia Jin and the others had already gathered in front of the Second Palace Master's residence.

The Second Palace Master glanced at the group and, seeing that they were all in high spirits and had radiant complexions, nodded slightly in satisfaction.

"It seems you lot are well prepared. Alright, follow me closely from now on." Without any further words, he waved his hand, swept everyone up, and transformed into a streak of light, rushing straight into the void.

It didn't take long before Xia Jin and the others were taken directly to this mysterious space by the Second Palace Master.

"This is a statue of the Grand Master!?"

Chu Hou, Yang Qingxuan, and the others followed behind the Second Palace Master, but upon seeing the statue in the center of this mysterious space, their expressions instantly became extremely respectful. They even softened their breathing and stood properly, not daring to overstep their bounds in the slightest.

This was the first time Xia Jin had ever seen this jade carving.

He looked up and examined the statue in front of him.

Although the statue's face looks somewhat old, it doesn't exude any deathly aura. On the contrary, one can sense a powerful vitality through the statue.

The Second Hall Master, Zhan Tiangang, stopped three feet in front of the statue, straightened his robes, clasped his hands together, and his expression became extremely solemn.

"Grand Master! Zhan Tiangang, accompanied by disciples of the Divine Palace bearing the character 'Hun', has come to request an audience!"

After he finished speaking, he remained in a bowing posture, motionless.

Seeing this, Xia Jin and the others quickly lowered their heads and dared not make a sound.

After a brief silence,

A faint light emanated from the surface of the statue, growing brighter and brighter until the statue's eyes slowly opened.

A phantom figure emerged from the statue.

The phantom stood with its hands behind its back, its gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd.

"Have you not paid your respects to the Grand Hall Master yet?!" The Second Hall Master glanced at Marquis Chu and the others, and shouted in a deep voice.

Xia Jin and the others dared not be negligent, and bowed in unison, their voices carrying a hint of respect:

"This disciple greets the Grand Hall Master!"

The illusory figure raised its hand, waved it gently, and said in a calm tone, "Alright, no need for formalities."

The Marquis of Chu and the others straightened up, but their eyes were fixed on the illusory figure in front of them, filled with both awe and undisguised anticipation.

The illusory figure of the Grand Hall Master slowly spoke:

"Your performance this time was quite good, managing to completely defeat that alien team. It surprised me somewhat. You see, in previous encounters with those alien teams, my temple's victories were few and far between!"

His gaze swept over each of them, as if he could see through all their pretenses.

"Tian Gang wishes for me to take you to the Mirage Realm. However..."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming slightly more forceful.

"The Mirage Realm is not so easy to enter, even if you have made contributions. The world there is a thousand times more cruel than here, where opportunities and dangers coexist. Even with my protection, without sufficient strength and talent, rashly stepping in will only lead to being relegated to the lowest level, bullied and slaughtered by others."

He paused, his gaze becoming even sharper.

"Therefore, I will personally assess the talents and strength of each of you later. If you gain my approval, you may enter the Mirage Realm with me. If you do not meet my requirements..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was self-evident.

Marquis Chu took a deep breath, stepped forward, and respectfully bowed to the illusory figure. Then, he turned to his fellow disciples, nodded, and said in a deep voice:

"Thank you for your help, Your Highness!"

"As for talent and strength, I am not afraid! But among Senior Brother Chu and the others, I'm afraid only Senior Brother Chu can be favored by this Grand Hall Master." Xia Jin stood among the group, showing no signs of nervousness.

His relaxed demeanor naturally caught the eye of the illusory figure of the Great Hall Master.

"This little guy seems to be quite confident in himself!"