Chen Wentian, as He Xingping, returned to Beast God City much later than the lords and immortals. He wasn't able to see their reactions to the destruction. He really wished he could have been there at that moment!
From the rumor grapevine, He Zicheng and Qu Shen almost started fighting again but were stopped by their subordinates. The damage to the top of the mountain was severe. The entire city and its citizens were in shock from the attack. The news of this brazen attack quickly spread across the subcontinent and Beast God Sanctum lost a massive amount of face.
The two lords tried to track down Mei Qiaofeng but she had retreated deep into human territory. Once her sob story of avenging her master emerged, there was nothing they could do. The sect also put out a ten million gold bounty on the fat and ugly old immortal that helped raid the city. Hundreds if not thousands matching the description were dragged up by the sect and bounty hunters. Their ultimate fates were unknown but probably tragic. The citizens in Beast God Province didn't care, they simply wanted revenge for the attack and for the people they had lost.
Beast God Sanctum also lost a hundred years' worth of cumulative wealth and resources. While the most valuable treasures were stored away in spatial bags, that money and material was needed to run a super sect with so many members. Immediately after the attack, all disciples were recalled across the lands and a massive effort began to replenish the losses.
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Chen Wentian was only allowed back in Lion Castle a week after the affair, this time for a meeting with the lord himself. When he finally arrived at the top of the city, he saw that reconstruction for the castle was well under way. The Eagle faction, on the other hand, had shamelessly taken over the empty Snake castle that had been left untouched. He guessed that this was probably what the two lords had almost fought over.
He entered the castle and was escorted to the newly constructed great hall and was surprised to see the lord and all three immortals there. As he entered, three other elders also came in and he could guess where this was going.
"Greetings Lion Lord! Greetings immortals!" They said as they bowed.
"Rise…" He Zicheng said, "Sigh… this attack on our sect by Mei Qiaofeng was devastating, four executive elders lost their lives, as I'm sure you've heard. These positions must be filled. Each of you have shown great skills and loyalty and have made great contributions. Thus, you four have been selected for promotion."
"Thank you, lord!" They bowed again.
He Zicheng called up each of them one by one and spoke to them briefly about their new position.
Chen Wentian went up when it was his turn. Once close to the immortals, he noticed that Ji Tiangu was looking at him fiercly. He ignored it and bowed to He Zicheng. "Lord, please advise me."
"Mmm, He Xingping. I've watched you for a long time. Your talent was never great but you are diligent and hardworking. The hunt for the Comet Lynx was a failure but He Xinghan told me you performed your duty well. As you know, Ji Yeming died during the attack so you will assume that position as executive elder, effective immediately."
"Yes, my lord!"
"Good, an executive elder is fundamentally different from the lower ranks. Being one gives you access to some of the sect's most important secrets. Thus, you need swear a new spiritual oath." He Zicheng said and handed him a slip of paper.
Chen Wentian took it and saw that it only contained a few words but had a powerful trace of He Zicheng's spiritual energy. He didn't hesitate and read the oath, "I, He Xingping, swear to loyalty to He Zicheng and shall not reveal any secrets to outsiders and anyone below the rank of executive elder."
A golden spiritual energy emerged from the paper and entered him as the spiritual oath took effect. He Zicheng nodded in satisfaction and waved him away. Chen Wentian returned to stand next to the other three newly promoted executive elders. What nobody in the room realized was that such oaths were simply useless in the face of his divine soul art!
Within He Xingping's body, the strand of spiritual energy belonging to the oath entered his spiritual sea, seeking to anchor itself there forever. But as it floated, the entire spiritual sea disappeared as if everything was an illusion. Everything was replaced by an endless black void that was filled with stars.
The spiritual oath floated about in confusion before flying towards a dim yellow star that was emitting a familiar spiritual energy. The spiritual oath flew and flew for what seemed like an eternity, but the yellow star remained an infinite distance away. The spiritual oath realized something and turned around, trying to escape, to return from where it came.
But how could Chen Wentian let it escape? A blue star suddenly shined bright and beam of pure energy suddenly shot forth. In a split second, the spiritual energy of the oath was incinerated by the divine flames of the Blue Dragon and not a single bit of it was left…
The whole ordeal actually only took a few seconds in the real world and Chen Wentian opened his eyes again with the slightest smile on the face. Nobody sensed anything was amiss, they only assumed he was happy about his promotion.
He Zicheng continued with his meeting and went over some secrets with the new executive elders, explaining why the city was attacked. He described Mei Qiaofeng, the strange old man, and a mysterious prisoner that had escaped. He did not mention Jasmine by name or that she was a Nine Tailed Fox, only referring to her human form. He also did not reveal the truth about the death of the Snake Lord, instead saying that the Snake faction had betrayed the sect and sided with their enemies. Chen Wentian listened intently, acting angry, surprised, and indignant at all the right times. His performance was totally on point and convincing.
The meeting eventually ended with each of the new executive elders being given a mountain of work. He Zicheng left by himself while the four chatted with the three remaining immortals. Chen Wentian took the opportunity to approach Qiu Chuyi who he had only met a few times before.
"Xingping, happy with the promotion?" Qiu Chuyi asked.
"Of course, absolutely! It is a huge honor from the lord to be given such responsibility." Chen Wentian said. He then lowered his voice, "Although, I've noticed that Ji Tiangu seems to be overly hostile towards me."
"Don't worry. Ignore him. He is just angry his son was killed. He tried to get another one of his sons into your position but you were the most qualified. You are related to the lord and your wife is also related to me. There won't be any problems, just do your job well."
"Yes."
"Oh, by the way, I heard about that she is expecting, congratulations." Qiu Chuyi said and handed him a small bag.
Chen Wentian was surprised. "Thank you, sir."
He opened the bag to see some herbs and medicine that he recognized as being beneficial for pregnancy. He felt slightly conflicted as he watched Qiu Chuyi walk away. His wife's clan head wasn't that bad, he seemed like a reasonable man. But perhaps it was only due to his promotion? Qiu Chuyi had never paid any attention to him before.
Chen Wentian shook his head; in the end it didn't matter. His revenge against the Beast God Sanctum still wasn't finished and he would destroy anyone that stood in his way. Their offenses against his disciples and against Jasmine could not be placated by simple robbery.