Chapter 410: Zi Yan Makes a Move, Rumors of Ruins

True Person Ziyang watched Venerable Yun's retreating figure, his brows furrowed tightly.

Then, he turned to look at Zhou Chen.

"Zhou Chen," True Person Ziyang said earnestly, "Venerable Yun is a narrow-minded person who seeks revenge for the slightest grievance."

"You have offended him, so you must be careful from now on."

"Furthermore…"

He paused, "For the recent period, try your best not to leave the Sect."

"Within the Sect, there are Sect rules, so Venerable Yun dare not act recklessly."

"But if you leave the Sect…"

"He will very likely try to kill you."

Zhou Chen cupped his hands, "Many thanks to Elder Ziyang for saving my life."

"This Disciple understands."

True Person Ziyang nodded, "Your talent is good; the Sect will not abandon you."

"Cultivate well and raise your strength as quickly as possible."

"Once your strength is sufficient, Venerable Yun will not be able to do anything to you."

After saying this, he turned and left.

Zhou Chen watched True Person Ziyang's retreating figure, thinking to himself, "It seems that the interior of the Zixia Sect is not monolithic."

"True Person Ziyang is willing to protect me, which shows that the Sect Master faction values me highly."

"As for Venerable Yun, he likely belongs to the Elder faction or the Loose Cultivator faction."

Three days later.

At the Inner Sect plaza, the Zixia Sect held a Disciple assembly.

Sect Master True Person Zixia attended in person to announce the punishment for Venerable Yun.

"Venerable Yun, as a Guest Elder, you attacked a Disciple within the Sect, violating Sect rules."

True Person Zixia's voice echoed throughout the venue, "After deliberation by the Council of Elders, it has been decided to impose the following punishment on Venerable Yun—"

"Forfeit one year of Guest Elder salary."

"Be confined for three months and forbidden from leaving the True Disciple area."

"If there is a repeat offense…"

His gaze was sharp, "You will be directly expelled from the Zixia Sect!"

The entire crowd was in an uproar.

All the Disciples were shocked.

Venerable Yun was a powerhouse at the First Layer of True Immortal Realm, holding a transcendent status in the Zixia Sect.

To think he was punished so severely by the Sect Master.

This meant… the Sect truly intended to protect Zhou Chen.

What Zhou Chen did not know was that Zi Yan had played a significant role in this.

It was her strong persuasion that made the Sect Master determined to punish Venerable Yun; otherwise, if it were any other Disciple, this would not have even been an issue.

Yun Xiaotian stood in the crowd, his face gloomier than ever.

He had not expected his Master to actually be punished, while the culprit, Zhou Chen, remained completely unscathed.

"Damn it…"

"Damn Zhou Chen…"

"Damn Sect Master…"

Yun Xiaotian was filled with resentment.

But he knew that with his current strength, he could not oppose the will of the Sect.

He could only endure it, and when he had the Opportunity in the future, he would definitely take ruthless revenge.

True Person Zixia continued, "In addition, I have one more thing to announce."

"Zhou Chen."

His gaze landed on Zhou Chen, "You became an Inner Sect Disciple as the first place winner of the Outer Sect selection."

"In just one short month, you have broken through to the quasi-immortal realm third layer."

"Your talent is exceptional, and your strength is powerful."

"After deliberation between myself and the various Elders…"

He paused, "It has been decided to promote you to a Core Disciple as an exception!"

The crowd was in an uproar once again.

"What?"

"Zhou Chen is going to become a Core Disciple?"

"This… this is too fast, isn't it?"

"He has only been in the Inner Sect for one month!"

All the Disciples were shocked.

Usually, one needs to pass the Core Disciple assessment to be promoted.

No one expected Zhou Chen to be directly promoted as an exception.

This treatment… was simply Heaven-Defying.

Zi Yan stood in the crowd, her eyes full of appreciation.

Zhou Chen walked to the front of the high platform and cupped his hands, "Many thanks to the Sect Master for your kindness."

"This Disciple will definitely give his all and live up to the Sect's expectations."

True Person Zixia nodded with satisfaction, "Very good."

"From today on, you are a Core Disciple."

"You may move to the Core Disciple area to live."

"Enjoy all the treatment of a Core Disciple."

"You may receive one thousand high-grade immortal crystals and one Immortal Rank Medium Grade Medicinal Pill every month."

"In addition…"

He paused, "You may enter the seventh floor of the Scripture Pavilion to borrow Immortal Rank Medium Grade Cultivation Techniques and secret arts."

Zhou Chen's eyes lit up.

The seventh floor of the Scripture Pavilion was an area that only Core Disciples and True Disciples could enter.

It housed a large collection of Immortal Rank Medium Grade Cultivation Techniques, secret arts, and Formations.

If he could enter, he might be able to find even stronger treasures.

"Many thanks, Sect Master."

Zhou Chen cupped his hands again.

After the Disciple assembly ended, Zhou Chen returned to his Immortal Cave and began packing his things, preparing to move to the Core Disciple area.

Just then, Zi Yan walked in.

"Junior Brother Zhou, congratulations," Zi Yan smiled.

Zhou Chen nodded, "Many thanks, Senior Sister Zi Yan. This time, Elder Yun has been punished; I imagine it must be due to your efforts, Senior Sister. I am deeply grateful."

"It was just a small favor; Junior Brother is too kind."

Zi Yan was surprised that Zhou Chen had managed to guess it was her who made a move, and her estimation of him rose even higher.

"By the way…"

He paused, "Senior Sister, is there something you need?"

Zi Yan put away her smile and said earnestly, "Junior Brother Zhou, I am here to warn you."

"Although the Sect Master punished Venerable Yun, Venerable Yun and Yun Xiaotian will definitely not let this go."

"They will surely find ways to deal with you."

"Therefore…"

She lowered her voice, "You must be careful for the recent period."

"Do not go out alone, and do not accept dangerous missions."

"Try to stay within the Sect, under the protection of the Sect's higher-ups."

Zhou Chen nodded, "Many thanks for the reminder, Senior Sister."

"I will be careful."

Zi Yan paused, "Additionally, three months from now, an ancient ruin will open deep within the Zixia Mountain Range."

"The Sect will dispatch Disciples to explore it."

"At that time, both True Disciples and Core Disciples will be able to participate."

"If Junior Brother Zhou is interested, you may sign up."

Zhou Chen's eyes lit up.

Three months later, an ancient ruin?

Isn't this Yun Xiaotian's third Opportunity?

According to the opportunity panel, in three months, Yun Xiaotian would discover an ancient Immortal King Immortal Cave deep in the Zixia Mountain Range and obtain the Immortal Rank Medium Grade Cultivation Technique, the Yunxiao Immortal Canon.

"It seems…" Zhou Chen thought to himself, "This ancient ruin is the Immortal King Immortal Cave."

"Yunxiao Immortal Canon…"

"I am determined to have it."

He looked at Zi Yan, "Many thanks for informing me, Senior Sister."

"This Disciple will definitely participate."

Zi Yan nodded, "That is good."

"However…"

She warned, "That ruin is extremely dangerous; it is said to have Immortal King level Restrictions."

"Even for a True Disciple, entering it could cost you your life."

"If Junior Brother Zhou intends to participate, you must be careful."

Zhou Chen nodded, "I understand."

Zi Yan gave a few more instructions before taking her leave.

Zhou Chen watched her retreating figure, thinking to himself, "This Zi Yan is truly not bad."

"Although she is winning me over for the benefit of the Sect Master faction, her warnings are indeed born of good intentions."

"If there is an Opportunity in the future…"

A trace of warmth flashed in his eyes, "I will help her out."

A few days later.