41: Since you've come to the dock, I'll protect you.

“The number one on the Earth Ranking truly lives up to his name.” A Disciple who had ignited a Divine Flame muttered to himself, his words filled with shock.

How many people in ancient times could instantly kill someone ranked eightieth on the Spirit Refining Ranking while still in the Body Forging Realm?

“The Little Holy Son just said he was the Sect’s greatest asset, and now I suddenly feel it makes perfect sense,” a Heavenly God whispered in the sky.

Amidst the shock of the entire audience, what happened in the Eternal Heaven Hall spread rapidly throughout the Sect at lightning speed.

At this moment.

Ye Feng instantly appeared beside Ye Wu, took out a Medicinal Pill for healing, fed it into his mouth, and ground Spirit Medicine to apply to his chest, preserving his last breath.

“Chu Tian, you’ve disappointed me too much. In just two months, you’ve changed like a different person, acting lawlessly, harming fellow Disciples, disrespecting your Elder brother, and trampling on Sect rules.”

“After we return, I will truthfully report this to Uncle Chu, so he can teach you a good lesson.”

Ye Feng turned and roared in anger, his eyes already showing faint bloodshot veins and Evil Qi.

Even with his excellent upbringing and deep cunning, being provoked so repeatedly had pushed him beyond his limits.

Chu Tian retracted his fist, his vertical eye between his brows closed. He merely glanced at Ye Feng, then made a throat-slitting gesture before walking towards the exit of the Eternal Heaven Hall.

Ye Feng was stronger than Ye Qiang, making him worth a bit more of his time and energy, warranting a higher degree of attention.

Hui Mei recovered from her shock and hurriedly followed Chu Tian, scratching her scalp as she asked, “Big Brother, are you sticking up for me?”

“Since you’ve joined my crew and called me Big Brother, then within the Saint Heaven Sect, I’ll protect you!” Chu Tian replied. This was his consistent principle across two lifetimes.

In his previous life, he never mistreated his subordinates.

If his people were bullied, he always led the retaliation.

Even after he became a Godfather, this principle never changed.

“What does ‘joining my crew’ mean?” Hui Mei felt her scalp itch even more and scratched it vigorously.

But this time, Chu Tian didn't respond to him; instead, he looked ahead.

In front of the Eternal Heaven Hall, a middle-aged man flew over and landed not far from Chu Tian.

“The Little Holy Son probably doesn’t know me.”

The middle-aged man wore a green robe and had a smile on his face: “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Duanmu Lei, Deputy Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall, and the current Second Elder of the Duanmu Family.”

The middle-aged man had a gentle demeanor that made him approachable, truly like an uncle from next door.

However, upon hearing that name, Chu Tian would not think so.

In the original plot, this person was one of the top powerhouses of the Duanmu Family, a Half-Step Emperor Venerable, whose strength was comparable to his Third Uncle, Chu Tianyun.

The Internal Affairs Hall is responsible for managing Sect affairs, including rewards and punishments, setting etiquette, overseeing the daily lives of Sect Disciples, and organizing ceremonies such as the Heaven Sacrificing Ceremony. It is a very powerful department within the Saint Heaven Sect.

As the Deputy Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall, Duanmu Lei was also a prominent figure within the Sect.

However, according to Chu Tian’s understanding, similar to how the Law Enforcement Hall had been controlled by his Family for a long time, the Internal Affairs Hall had also been monopolized by the Ye Family for millions of years, with all Hall Masters bearing the surname Ye.

In this generation, the Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall was the Ye Family’s Fourth Elder, Ye Tianhong, Hall Master.

Under the Ye Family’s tight grip, Duanmu Lei’s ability to become the Deputy Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall speaks volumes about his strength.

“Chu Tian greets Hall Master Duanmu.” Chu Tian was very polite, clasping his fists in a bow.

“The Little Holy Son is too courteous. Your father and I have been friends for many years; you can just call me Uncle Lei.”

Duanmu Lei smiled and reminded him, “Besides, I am only the Deputy Hall Master. Little Holy Son, please don’t omit the prefix, lest outsiders hear it and misunderstand.”

“This nephew was careless, Uncle Lei, please don’t take offense!” Chu Tian said calmly, as if it truly was an unintentional address.

“May I ask why Uncle Lei has come to see this nephew?” After a few pleasantries, Chu Tian finally asked, getting to the point.

As the Deputy Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall, managing the affairs of all Sect Disciples, he wouldn't come to him for no reason.

“Uncle has come, first, to congratulate the Little Holy Son on once again reaching the top of the Earth Ranking.”

Duanmu Lei smiled, “Secondly, it is to make up for the award ceremony that should have been held for the Little Holy Son several days ago.”

“According to our Sect’s rules, to encourage Disciples to cultivate diligently, any Disciple who reaches the top of any ranking on the Hengtian Board will have an award ceremony held on Jitian Peak, where the Sect Master and the Internal Affairs Hall Master will personally offer encouragement and bestow generous rewards, elevating their Rank by one level, such as Divine Medicine, scriptures, weapons, Spirit Stones, Divine Abilities, and so on.”

“Especially for the number one on the Earth Ranking, he can make any request to the Sect, and the Sect must fulfill it with all its might, without refusal.”

“Of course, the Little Holy Son certainly wouldn’t care for these rewards, but these are the Sect’s rules and regulations, and the process still needs to be followed. Moreover, this is a great honor for the Deputy Sect Leader and even for the Chu Family.”

Duanmu Lei continued with a smile, “And although the Little Holy Son was designated as the Sect successor at birth, his Rank record in the Internal Affairs Hall is currently only Rank one, which falls within the scope of Outer Sect Disciples. Now he can be promoted by two Ranks, reaching Rank three at eight years old, which is equivalent to an Inner Sect Disciple. This is unprecedented in the Sect’s history.”

“Since it is a Sect rule, this nephew already reached the top of both rankings two days ago. Why is the award ceremony only being held today?” Chu Tian showed no surprise on his face; instead, he changed the subject and inquired.

He naturally knew about the award ceremony. In the original plot, Ye Fan later also reached the top of the Earth Ranking and requested the Sect to marry Liu Yun, hoping to dissolve the engagement between the Great Hatred Demon Lord and her, which was a harsh slap to the Chu Family.

Chu Tian King was so angry he vomited blood, but it was a Sect rule, and he had no choice but to agree.

The Great Hatred Demon Lord Chu Tian began his descent into the Demonic Path from that moment.

He sacrificed everything, only to have his fiancée fall into Ye Fan’s arms.

Duanmu Lei lowered his gaze, seemingly unintentionally glancing at Ye Wu, who was severely wounded and on the verge of death inside the Refining Spirit Hall, before saying, “It was delayed due to certain reasons.”

Chu Tian naturally understood that it was Ye Tianhong, Hall Master, the Internal Affairs Hall Master, or rather, the Sect Master Ye Tianxiong behind him, who suppressed it. They did not want Chu Tian to stand out and gain fame.

And now, he had once again risen to the top of the Earth Ranking, and the Forging Bone Rankings recorded that he had killed a Spirit Refining True Dragon Hatchling, shaking the Sect once more.

Even if they were a hundred times unwilling, they had to hold the award ceremony, as so many eyes throughout the Sect were watching.

And Ye Wu, whom he had injured, was Ye Tianhong, Hall Master’s second son, which is why Duanmu Lei seemed to glance at Ye Wu unintentionally.

“Uncle was instructed by Hall Master Ye Tianhong, Hall Master to personally invite the Little Holy Son to Jitian Peak.”

Duanmu Lei said, “The Sect Master is busy with affairs, so this time, the Hall Master will personally present the awards to the Little Holy Son and fulfill any request the Little Holy Son makes to the Sect.”

Chu Tian’s expression was calm. He suddenly clasped his fists towards Duanmu Lei: “Uncle Lei, I trouble you to come personally, but I cannot go to accept the award.”