Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 135 The Hall of Secret Affairs

The next day

Sanzhongfang

At dawn, the east glowed with the first rays of sunlight, and the snow-white clouds were edged with gold. In the very center of Shanzhongfang Square, a majestic hall with a glazed tile roof shone brightly in the sunlight.

Inside the hall, sunlight slanted down, casting glimpses of dust motes on the floor, while several elephant-leg-like vermilion sandalwood pillars supported the golden glazed tiles.

Han Yi, Song Qing, and the other top ten from the sect's minor competition entered in turn after receiving a message from the steward's disciple.

rock!

The iron-red gate closed, and the sunlight, like flowing water, vanished instantly, leaving only the ever-burning lamps on both sides of the hall, hissing and burning, making the entire hall as bright as day, while also releasing a faint fragrance like winter plum blossoms.

Upon entering, Han Yi immediately saw a middle-aged man in white robes sitting in the center. He was fair-skinned and beardless. Although he was old, he must have been a handsome man in his youth. However, the gloom in his eyes ruined the overall aesthetic appeal.

This is none other than Qu Jingxian, the Vice Sect Master of the Crimson Flame Sect!

Han Yi's eyes narrowed and his heart tightened. He glanced at the figure and quickly lowered his head. The number '230~285' was floating next to Sect Master Qu. It was the highest value among all the people present and the strongest person Han Yi had ever seen so far!

'Is this the late stage of the Meridian Opening Realm, or a legendary Grandmaster?'

Han Yi's mind raced. He only knew that a value over 100 meant one was a martial artist in the Meridian Opening stage, but he couldn't convert Qu Jingxian's value of '230~285'.

Above the platform in the hall were two armchairs, and Qu Jingxian sat on the one on the left.

Below that are seven chairs, four in one row and three in the other.

The first chair at the head of both rows was empty. Then, Elder Li Chengfeng, with his lean face, sharp eyes, and extraordinary demeanor, sat in the second chair.

Opposite Elder Li was a sturdy old man with well-developed neck muscles. This was Song Qing's father, the head of the Song family, Song Mu, also known as Elder Song.

Further on was a middle-aged man dressed in a gray robe with a crimson flame embroidered on the cuff. Han Yi had seen this man before; he was Elder Qu of the Enforcement Hall, who had been distributing rewards to the guards.

Finally, sitting at the very end was Huang Ze, an old acquaintance of Han Yi and an elder of the Internal Affairs Hall.

There were seven chairs, four of which were occupied, leaving three empty.

Below them stood Han Yi and his ten disciples in the center. Han Yi secretly glanced around the layout of the hall and felt a chill run down his spine. Among these people, Huang Ze was the weakest, but he was still a martial artist at the Meridian Opening stage.

In other words, the people in this hall, plus the sect leader, the deputy sect leader, and Granny Ding from the library, represent that the Crimson Flame Sect has at least seven Meridian Opening Martial Masters on the surface!

Han Yi was also startled by his speculation. If the Crimson Flame Sect, which only occupied a quarter of An'yan City, possessed such strength, then the other three sects must be roughly equal in strength...

'I still need to train harder; my strength is still too weak...'

He sighed inwardly.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, the top ten from the sect's minor competition have been brought here."

The disciple in charge bowed and reported to Qu Jingxian.

Ta, Ta, Ta

Qu Jingxian did not reply, but rested his arm on the handle and tapped it repeatedly with his index finger.

An invisible pressure spread out, the air seemed to stagnate and stop flowing, and everyone felt as if a heavy mountain was pressing down on their hearts, creating a heavy sense of oppression.

Time passed second by second, the knocking gradually faded away, and all that seemed to remain in one's ears was the pounding of a heart and heavy breathing.

This period of time seemed to be stretched out very slowly, to the point that Han Yi felt as if several days had passed.

boom!

Qu Jingxian suddenly banged on the chair, and the stagnant air, like gurgling spring water, became lively again, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately relaxed.

Pfft!

Song Qing was pale and swaying, as if he were drunk and exhausted, and he sat down with a thud.

Then, like dominoes falling, the sound of falling continued, and Song Qing and the other nine people sat down one after another on the hard bluestone floor.

Those who sat down were all sweating profusely, their faces pale, as if they had just recovered from a serious illness.

On the field, only Han Yi stood in the middle.

Although his face was flushed and his body swayed slightly, he managed to hold on.

"Not bad!"

"You kid, you've got some skills to get first place in the competition!"

Qu Jing clapped his hands and laughed, habitually reaching to stroke his beard. But when he touched his lips, he realized that his beard had just been burned off during his last outing. He felt a pang of heartache; middle-aged men's hair is not easy to maintain. His smile turned gloomy again.

"Thank you for your appreciation, Sect Master!"

Han Yi dared not be presumptuous in front of this sect leader of unknown realm, and respectfully bowed. Fortunately, he remembered Huang Ze's reminder and did not add the word "deputy".

"snort…..."

Elder Li gave a low, cold snort. He had long regarded Han Yi as a dying man and no longer bothered to feign friendliness towards him.

After the other nine people got up from the ground, their faces flushed, Qu Jingxian glanced at them indifferently and said loudly, "I have specially summoned you here today because I am sure you have many questions in your hearts."

"Let me start by saying this is good news, so you can all relax..." Qu Jingxian paused, then changed the subject: "The fact that you all managed to stand out from so many outer disciples and rank so high demonstrates your exceptional cultivation, strength, and character..."

'This Master Qu, he truly lives up to his reputation as a leader, showering us with compliments one after another…'

Han Yi stood at the front, inwardly complaining, "Perhaps it's because the sect leader isn't here. Qu Jingxian looks gloomy, yet he's talking non-stop, thoroughly indulging in the fantasy of being the sect leader." "Therefore, the reward for the top ten is..."

Han Yi's spirits lifted; the real drama was about to begin!

"By special permission, the top ten in the sect's minor competition will join the Dark Affairs Hall and be directly under the sect leader's command!"

As soon as Qu Jingxian finished speaking, the people in the hall began to stir and discuss among themselves. Of course, the elders sitting in the chairs looked knowing, obviously they already knew the news.

Upon hearing this, Han Yi was also taken aback, recalling the information about the Dark Affairs Hall that Bai Sanren and Huang Ze had mentioned.

The Dark Affairs Hall is the most mysterious hall in the Crimson Flame Sect. Its disciples are not bound by sect laws and are not under the jurisdiction of elders. They only obey the two sect leaders and carry out special missions.

Furthermore, it is said that disciples within the Dark Affairs Hall can freely choose martial arts techniques to practice in the library, and will receive generous rewards every month simply by waiting on their orders!