“You’ll be the deputy pavilion master of the Wind Pavilion!”

Everybody stared dumbstruck at the slender figure behind the document files as this sentence spread throughout the spacious golden palace hall.

Even Gu Yan stood there with his mouth agape, wondering whether he had misheard.

Wasn’t Chi Jing furious earlier? What changed all of a sudden?!

Behind Gu Yan, Gu Xi’s mouth was trembling uncontrollably. If it weren’t for the sliver of rationality left in his mind that made him aware of where he was, he would have already roared out loud.

Shouldn’t that ill-mannered boy be expelled from Tianyuan Utopia? How can he jump from an ordinary member to a deputy pavilion master?!

How crazy of a jump was this?!

While Gu Yan and Gu Xi were shocked, Yi Yan and Yi Qiushui weren’t much better off. Especially Yi Yan, who immediately exclaimed, “Lady Chi Jing, please don’t joke around. How can Zhou Yuan become a deputy pavilion master!”

He thought Chi Jing deliberately been ironic out of anger; otherwise, it would be difficult to explain the sudden change.

Yi Qiushui likewise did not dare to offend as she mumbled in a low voice, “Lady Chi Jing, it is already an honor for Zhou Yuan to become part of the Wind Pavilion.”

Gu Yan and Gu Xi breathed a sigh of relief when they heard this. They also thought that Chi Jing was merely being ironic.

However, not even a single ripple could be seen on Zhou Yuan’s face. He lowered his gaze, giving off a deferential and respectful appearance.

Chi Jing didn’t pay any attention to Yi Yan or Gu Yan. Her clear and bright eyes were firmly fixed on Zhou Yuan as she scratched deep marks into the table.

A moment later, the stormy waves in her heart gradually subsided as she indifferently said, “I’m not joking. The fact that Zhou Yuan could defeat Mo Yuan at the intermediate Divine Dwelling stage is already proof of his talent. He has the qualifications to become a deputy pavilion master.”

A look of disbelief crossed Yi Yan’s and Yi Qiushiu’s faces when they finally realized that Chi Jing was serious.

The position of pavilion master was currently vacant and there were only two deputy pavilion masters, who were currently the highest ranked in the Wind Pavilion. If Zhou Yuan became a deputy pavilion master, wouldn’t that be equivalent to reaching the sky in a single step?

On the other hand, Gu Yan’s face turned uncontrollably pale. “Lady Chi Jing, how can an outsider who knows nothing be eligible to become one of the Wind Pavilion’s deputy pavilion masters?!”

Expressionless, Chi Jing uttered, “If I say he is eligible, he is eligible.”

Gu Yan froze, his eyes flashing with fury. He didn’t know why Chi Jing would suddenly change her mind. He felt as if he was being toyed around with.

“Even Mo Yuan isn’t qualified to become a deputy pavilion master of the Wind Pavilion. Even if he has defeated Mo Yuan, that doesn’t mean anything,” Gu Yan said in a low voice.

“If I say he does, he does.” Chi Jing was still cold and indifferent.

Although infuriated, Gu Yan also understood Chi Jing’s position and status. She had the right to appoint a deputy pavilion master to the Wind Pavilion. In the end, he could only fume, “Although Lady Chi Jing is one of the five grand elders, I will definitely report this matter to my sect master!”

He flung his sleeve and turned away.

The sect master he was referring to was naturally the sect master of the Heavenly Spirit Sect, who was also one of the five grand elders in charge of the Tianyuan Region.

Gu Xi quickly followed behind him, shooting a fierce glare at Zhou Yuan before leaving.

Chi Jing didn’t lift her eyes a single time during their departure.

Once the two had left, Yi Yan and Yi Qiushui exchanged a puzzled glance with each other. They likewise couldn’t understand why Chi Jing would have a sudden change of attitude towards Zhou Yuan, but it was ultimately a good thing.

“Zhou Yuan, hurry and thank Lady Chi Jing,” Yi Yan reminded.

Zhou Yuan nodded and respectfully said, “Thank you, esteemed one.”

Chi Jing stared at Zhou Yuan and then said to Yi Yan and Yi Qiushui, “You two go out first, I have something to say to Zhou Yuan.”

Yi Qiushui and Yi Yan could see the confusion in each other’s eyes, but they didn’t dare to ignore the order and immediately exited the golden palace hall.

After leaving, Yi Yan’s face was still crossed with disbelief as he kept shaking his head. He was clearly still bothered by what had happened inside.

“Why would Lady Chi Jing give the position of deputy pavilion master to Zhou Yuan?” Yi Qiushui couldn’t help asking.

The status of the Wind Pavilion master was equivalent to an elder like Yi Yan, and the position of deputy pavilion master wasn’t much lower. If Zhou Yuan was an expert of the Nascent Source stage, Yi Yan wouldn’t be surprised by this treatment, but he was merely an intermediate Divine Dwelling stage practitioner!

Had something like this ever happened before?

Yi Yan couldn’t help but murmur, “Could...Lady Chi Jing have taken a liking to Zhou Yuan?”

Yi Qiushui immediately blushed and said irritably, “Grandpa, what are you talking about? What kind of status does Lady Chi Jing have? How high is her standards? How would she...I’m not saying that Zhou Yuan isn’t good, but this is impossible!”

Yi Yan smiled awkwardly and then turned back to look at the golden palace. If Chi Jing heard what he had said, a bout of suffering would likely await him.

Hence, he could only keep shaking his head. He eventually said, “From the looks of it, perhaps Lady Chi Jing wanted to show Gu Yan who’s boss. After all, the Heavenly Spirit Sect has often made Lady Chi Jing annoyed or stressed.”

Yi Qiushui nodded. This was the only reason that could explain what had happened. But for Zhou Yuan, it was as though a pie had fallen from the sky.

...

Inside the golden palace hall. After Yi Yan and the others had left, Chi Jing calmly spoke again, “All secret guards, withdraw.”

The subtle waves of Genesis Qi in the golden palace hall vanished, and Zhou Yuan could also feel that the vigilant gazes in the dark were gone.

He was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

He lifted his head in astonishment because Chi Jing’s figure had already mysteriously appeared in front of him like a ghost as she stared at him without blinking.

At the same time, Zhou Yuan could detect an indescribable sense of oppression gradually spreading from Chi Jing’s body.

Chi Jing slowly asked, “You, where did you learn the Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone Visualisation Method?”

When Zhou Yuan secretly activated the Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone Visualisation Method, Chi Jing had felt a very familiar aura, because she too cultivated this techniuqe…

Under Chi Jing’s watchful gaze, the space around Zhou Yuan had solidified, blocking off all of his escape. At this moment, even if he wanted to explode his Divine Dwelling, he most likely would be unable to do so.

But Zhou Yuan remained surprisingly calm as he answered, “Is there anyone else besides our master who can teach the Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone Visualisation Method?”

Chi Jing’s expression shook. Slowly, she said, “Are you saying that my master gave it to you?

“What proof do you have?!”

“Is the Primal Chaos Divine Grindstone Visualisation Method not enough?” asked Zhou Yuan.

“Not enough.”

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment before stretching out his hand. Light flashed in his palm. The next moment, a black mottled brush appeared.

Staring at the very familiar black brush, Chi Jing gently touched it with a trembling hand. Zhou Yuan could see that her clear and bright eyes had misted over. Eventually a single tear rolled slowly down her cheek.

She murmured in a trembling voice, “The Heavenly Yuan Brush...”