Soon, everyone who needed to be there had arrived.
Looking around, not a single seat was left unoccupied!
A man with a resolute face flew through the air on his sword, carrying the corpse of the Golden Leopard King.
With a loud thud, he threw the Golden Leopard King's body onto the central platform, then descended to the ground.
"Today, we are holding this sect assembly for this vile beast!"
The man stood on the Golden Leopard King's corpse and declared, "This beast led a pack of leopard demons and cruelly slaughtered dozens of our Xuantian Sect's Qi Refining disciples during the back mountain trial!"
"Hiss?!"
"Dozens of disciples?!"
"How is that possible?!"
"For such a large number of disciples to die within our sect's territory, no wonder the Sect Master has called for a full sect assembly!"
The inner disciples in the Foundation Establishment stage seated below the pavilion immediately started discussing in hushed tones.
Many of the outer disciples near the stage, especially those in the Qi Refining stage, were also shocked.
Some felt fear, others relief, and many were simply confused.
Behind the Xuantian Sect disciples, many mortals, who hadn't even been able to enter the sect, were also stunned by the news.
"What? Even the immortal disciples of Xuantian Sect lost dozens in one incident?"
"That's terrifying!"
As the discussions spread, the man continued in a somber tone, "This is a great tragedy for Xuantian Sect! However, the fault lies with us elders for not doing our duty!"
"The back mountain is usually cleared each year by a Core Formation elder leading Foundation Establishment disciples to ensure that no powerful demonic creatures remain, threatening the Qi Refining disciples during their trial. But..."
The man's tone turned harsh, "The reason this Core Formation stage Golden Leopard King and its pack of leopard demons appeared out of nowhere is due to the negligence of those responsible for the previous back mountain sweeps!"
"Bring them up!"
With that command, Elder Zou from the Law Enforcement Hall flew onto the platform, leading ten individuals bound by magical ropes.
"These ten include Elder He from the Tool branch, Elder Li from the Talisman branch, and others..."
After introducing them, the man said, "Now, Elder Zou from the Law Enforcement Hall will announce their punishment for failing to properly clear the back mountain!"
"Elder He and Elder Li, as the leaders of the clearing teams, are guilty of dereliction of duty. They are sentenced to face the wall in reflection for ten years at the Cliff of Reflection and forfeit ten years of their regular offerings from the sect!"
"The remaining eight accompanying disciples are sentenced to face the wall for five years and forfeit three years of their offerings!"
After declaring the punishments, Elder Zou continued, "During this back mountain trial, dozens of participants perished, but seven survived."
"The greatest credit goes to the leader of this mission, Sword branch disciple Luo Zhiyuan!"
"He was the one..."
After outlining Luo Zhiyuan's achievements, Elder Zou added, "Aside from him, another disciple stood out remarkably—this year's newly admitted Qi Refining disciple, Lin Li!"
"A Qi Refining disciple?"
"How could a mere Qi Refining disciple have played any significant role in this disaster involving a Core Formation stage demonic beast?"
"Being able to survive is already more than enough, isn't it?"
The inner disciples in the Foundation Establishment stage seated around the platform murmured among themselves.
Meanwhile, the outer disciples in the Qi Refining stage below were also in disbelief: "He just joined the sect this year, and he's already being publicly praised at the full sect assembly?"
"How lucky is he?"
"Maybe he really has some skills..."
As the crowd buzzed with speculation, Elder Zou called out, "Now, let the six surviving Qi Refining disciples from the trial, along with the meritorious team leader Luo Zhiyuan and team member Lin Li, come to the stage!"
Luo Zhiyuan leaped from the right side of the platform, where the Sword branch disciples were seated, and landed beside Elder Zou.
The six outer disciples who had been saved by Lin Li hurriedly climbed the stairs onto the platform from below.
"Wait, where's Lin Li?"
As Elder Zou frowned in confusion, a glowing lotus slowly descended from one of the private rooms above the platform.
"Wow!"
Instantly, the entire mountain gate square erupted into chatter.
Everyone was captivated by the beauty of Fairy Qinglian.
At the same time, they noticed a young man standing beside her.
Many people couldn't help but feel a surge of envy, jealousy, and hatred toward him.
Even Elder Zou's eyes flashed with surprise and annoyance: "Damn it! Qinglian knows I've had my eye on Lin Li, yet she invited him to the Qi branch's private room. Is she trying to steal him from me?"
"No way! There are so few people suitable for inheriting my Jinghong Sword technique, and Lin Li is the perfect candidate. I can't let her have him!"
While Elder Zou seethed internally, Fairy Qinglian secretly transmitted a message to Lin Li: "Young one, see Elder Zou over there? When you get down, make sure to cozy up to him."
"Huh? Why?" Lin Li asked in confusion.
How could he get close to Elder Zou in front of so many people? And why should he?
"Don't worry about why. You'll benefit from it," Fairy Qinglian replied with a sly smile. She then adjusted her posture and floated down with Lin Li to stand beside Elder Zou without drawing too much attention.
Elder Zou, standing before the full assembly of disciples, elders, and nearly ten thousand mortals, addressed the crowd: "These six disciples survived a trial that nearly cost them their lives due to the negligence of our elders. They've all suffered injuries, so, as compensation, I am awarding each of them two bottles of Essence-Boosting Pills on behalf of the sect!"
"Hiss!!!"
Instantly, the Qi Refining disciples seated in front of the platform gasped in shock: "Two bottles of Essence-Boosting Pills?!"
"One bottle of those pills is worth completing a year or two of sect tasks to barely earn enough for an exchange! And now they're getting two bottles at once?"
"They're getting enough pills to last an ordinary disciple four to five years, without even earning it? That's unfair!"
"Unfair!"
"Unfair!"
A chorus of envious and indignant shouts rose from the Qi Refining disciples.
"Silence!"
Elder Zou shouted, and the surrounding air instantly chilled. Even the spiritual mist around the platform was dispersed!
"Dozens of people participated in the back mountain trial, and only a handful survived! If you think it's unfair, why don't you go and try being chased by a Core Formation stage demonic beast for an hour and see if you survive? If you do, I'll personally reward you with ten bottles of Essence-Boosting Pills!"
Elder Zou's piercing gaze swept across the crowd.
After a moment, he snorted coldly, "Hmph! No one dares? Then don't question the fairness of the sect's decisions!"
He then continued, "The previous rewards were compensations for the survivors and punishments for those at fault."
"Now, I will announce the rewards for Lin Li and Luo Zhiyuan, the two heroes of this trial!"