"It has nothing to do with the Profound Ghost Dao Sect." Elder Xu shook his head lightly. "You will understand once the Sect Leader arrives."
"What are you three playing at with these riddles?"
"Who are you? This is our Grand Thousand Dao Sect's ancestral hall. Can just anyone come here?"
Seeing the three of them being mysterious, someone was dissatisfied and directed their attention toward Fang Chen, questioning and scrutinizing him.
"This is Daoist Fang, he has deep connections with our sect. Please be patient," answered Guan’e in Fang Chen's steed.
Just as everyone was about to ask further questions, they suddenly sensed a majestic aura approaching. Shortly after, an elderly man slowly entered the ancestral hall.
Everyone quickly saluted, "We pay respects to the Sect Leader!"
The elderly man sat down at the main seat and nodded lightly. Gesturing for everyone to relax, his gaze fell on Fang Chen, sizing him up for a moment before softly asking, "Young friend, they have briefed me on your matter. Are you saying that you are willing to give us those precious Daoist techniques just to join our sect?"
Everyone was slightly surprised.
Fang Chen smiled lightly. "Do I look like I'm joking, Senior?"
"Not at all." The elderly man earnestly looked Fang Chen over, shook his head gently, and then smiled. "They suspect that you have received teachings from one of our sect's ancestors. I wish to verify this."
"How would you like to verify it?" Fang Chen asked.
"This a stone box that ancestor left behind. If you can open it, then you are indeed that ancestor's direct disciple. This will be our way of verifying the authenticity of your words."
The elderly man reached into his robes and forked out a stone box. He used his spiritual energy to gently deliver the stone box in front of Fang Chen.
"Isn't this the stone box Ancestor Hong Qing left behind?"
"Sect Leader, this stone box is a treasure unique to our Grand Thousand Dao Sect. How can you give it away to someone else without authorization!"
"Don't worry. Both the Sect Leader and we are here. Who could take it away?"
Apart from Guan’e and the other six Foundation Building Realm cultivators, everyone was shocked and nervous.
Ancestor Hong Qing was the last Nascent Soul Realm cultivator of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect, and the stone box he left behind might contain invaluable treasures. It was probably the most precious possession of the sect, carefully guarded and never leaked to the outside world.
Pei Qingfeng nodded. "Of course, there's no problem!"
Fang Chen tossed the stone box to Pei Qingfeng. "I'll return this stone box to you then."
However, Pei Qingfeng shook his head, handing the stone box back to Fang Chen. "Martial Uncle, this item was left behind by Ancestor Hong Qing. It should rightfully return to its owner."
Guan’e and the others looked on with curiosity, eager to see what was inside the stone box. But seeing Pei Qingfeng's attitude, they dared not speak out of turn.
Next, Pei Qingfeng struck a bronze bell. Its melodious sound echoed through the Grand Thousand Dao Sect, prompting disciples from all nine peaks to set aside their tasks and rush to the ancestral hall.
In no time, a total of four hundred disciples from the nine peaks had gathered, with only a few who were away from the sect unable to make it.
"What's happening? Why did the Grand Thousand Bell ring?"
"Could it be that the Profound Ghost Dao Sect is attacking?"
"Wait, isn't that the Sect Leader?"
"Gasp! Has the Profound Ghost Dao Sect really come knocking? Even the Sect Leader has emerged!"
Pei Qingfeng looked at the disciples at the door, a faint smile on his face as he announced loudly, "Today is a great day because our sect has an Ancestor returning."
The disciples were stunned for a moment, their eyes immediately showing delight.
Pei Qingfeng introduced Fang Chen to everyone. "This is the direct disciple of Ancestor Hong Qing. He did not cultivate in our sect in his early years, and now he has reached the Foundation Building Realm. He has come back to join our sect under the command of Ancestor Hong Qing."
The disciples were somewhat puzzled. However, when they heard the words "direct disciple of Ancestor Hong Qing," they were deeply shocked.
When their eyes fell on Fang Chen, however, they became doubtful.
"He's so young, and only at the Foundation Building Realm, not the Nascent Soul Realm we imagined..."
Pei Qingfeng finished speaking and, regardless of the disciples' reactions, took out a black register from his robes and opened it. He then wrote Fang Chen's name on it.
Fang Chen sighed inwardly. After many years, although he had not truly joined the Three Thousand Dao Sects, he had fulfilled his promise to Senior Yun He in a way.