Seek Dao Sect, Task Hall.
"In the storage ring, there lies the corpse of a double-headed evil flood dragon that sneaked into the outer domains and committed atrocities there." Tang Chuanwu and his sister Tang Qiaoqiao handed over a blood-stained storage ring.
The sibling duo appeared travel-weary, a hint of fatigue visible in their eyes, as the double-headed evil flood dragon was not so easy to deal with.
The Senior Sister on duty in the Task Hall examined the storage ring and confirmed it was indeed the wanted double-headed evil flood dragon. She then began to process the task completion and calculate the contribution points.
As the contribution points were being calculated, Tang Chuanwu looked around and noticed that there were far fewer people in the Task Hall today compared to usual.
"The double-headed evil flood dragon was actually slain? I heard many on the Heavenly Pride List attempted to handle it but failed."
"You aren't looking at who took care of it; those are the siblings Tang Chuanwu and Tang Qiaoqiao brought back by Senior Brother Lu from Buddha Country. It's said that Senior Brother Tang even received the true transmission from the Time Immortal. Such experiences are rare even in our Seek Dao Sect!"
Two newly joined disciples of the Seek Dao Sect excitedly discussed, thrilled to frequently encounter these legendary figures after joining the Sect.
"Senior Brother Tang just returned at this time; could it be specifically to observe Junior Brother Li's tribulation?"
"Which Junior Brother Li is undergoing the tribulation?" Tang Chuanwu's voice suddenly appeared, startling the two new disciples in front of him.
The legendary figure spoke up, causing them to stammer, "It's, it's Junior Brother Li Haoran, he's advancing to the Transcendence Tribulation Stage."
"Junior Brother Li Haoran?" Tang Chuanwu's eyes lit up, sweeping away his weariness.
He and his sister had received much care from Li Haoran; his sister's life-bound magical treasure was even refined by Li Haoran.
"Yes, many senior brothers and sisters who were outside have come back. For example, Senior Sister Tao who founded Dream Mirage Group, Prime Minister Senior Brother Man, and Senior Brother Meng who has always been fortune-telling at roadside stalls."
...
"Old Meng, you dare to come back!" On Sky Gate Mountain, upon seeing Meng Jingzhou, Lu Yang pounced on him, as how could a mere Semi-Immortal be a match for an Immortal; Meng Jingzhou was immediately pinned to the ground by Lu Yang.
"Misrepresenting facts, daring to ruin my reputation!"
With an expression of deep disappointment, Lu Yang accused Old Meng of taking over the news agency and maliciously editing interview content while he was recuperating, a crime deserving death.
By the time he learned of this, Meng Jingzhou had already disappeared to who knows where as Meng the Semi-Immortal.
He only returned this time because Li Haoran was about to undergo his tribulation.
No sooner had he returned than was he caught red-handed by Lu Yang.
"Tch, who forgot to invite me to the celebration banquet; you deserved your fate!"
"Junior Sister Tao, note this down: Lu Yang subdued Meng Jingzhou in one move," Lu Yang turned and told Tao Yaoye standing beside him.
"Junior Brother Man, note this down: Lu Yang later retaliated against the reporter," Meng Jingzhou turned and told Man Gu beside him.
Tao Yaoye and Man Gu happened to meet Meng Jingzhou at the sect entrance and came back together.
The two wrestled on the ground for a while before standing up, one a Semi-Immortal and one an Immortal, both unsullied by dust, avoiding the need to dust off their clothes.
"Junior Sister Tao, you're doing well in the outer domains, I heard you've become the owner of the largest film company in the universe now? And you've advanced to the Transcendence Tribulation Stage?" said Lu Yang with a smile. Those film companies and virtual movie corporations could hardly compete with Dream Mirage. Against these companies, Tao Yaoye demonstrated overwhelming dominance.
Truly, she is the undisputed interstellar tycoon.
Originally, she wanted to return to the sect for promotion." Tao Yaoye smiled sweetly, "Unfortunately, I couldn't suppress my realm and attracted a heavenly tribulation on the way back."
"Oh right, I have a script here, take a look," Lu Yang took out a small booklet from his identity jade pendant.
Tao Yaoye took it and flipped through it, her expression turning to surprise: "Is this about the affairs of those nine immortals from ancient times?"
Lu Yang nodded: "After all, those nine predecessors were the ones who established the cultivation realms for the human race; their deeds shouldn't be buried. See if you can make it into a film."
"Since it's Senior Brother Lu's request, of course, it's feasible," Tao Yaoye smiled and kept the script about the nine ancient immortals.
"Junior Sister Tao, if you're lacking good material recently, you could film Junior Brother Man; he's now the youngest Prime Minister in Great Xia," Lu Yang teased.
To become the Prime Minister of Great Xia, one's cultivation level must at least be at the Transcendence Tribulation Stage, and Man Gu had obviously reached it.
But attaining the position of Prime Minister wasn't so simple. The political field of Great Xia also valued capability and experience; Man Gu became a Prime Minister at such a young age because of successive exceptions.
"Junior Brother Man, I heard your advancement path has been smooth sailing; apparently, anyone who stands in your way seems to mysteriously encounter trouble?" Tao Yaoye asked curiously, Man Gu's story was indeed legendary, and there were various rumors among the common folk.
No one from the Seek Dao Sect had ever held the position of Prime Minister before; the highest would be Prefectorial Governor, Man Gu was the first one.
Man Gu scratched his head sheepishly: "Senior Sister Tao jests; I advanced so quickly because the Emperor highly values me."
The political field of Great Xia indeed values experience, but they also cherish life. Facing someone like Man Gu, they hurriedly vacated their positions, which was a way to preserve life; what else could Emperor Xia do but promote Man Gu?
"Junior Brother Man, you don't have any thoughts of becoming the Emperor, do you?" Lu Yang suddenly asked.
"Not at all," Man Gu was puzzled why he would suddenly ask this; he is a loyal official of Great Xia.
"I thought so."
Now Emperor Xia sees Man Gu and gets scared, fearing that Man Gu might want to become Emperor, which would spell disaster for himself. Therefore, he recently visited Lu Yang, hoping to use Lu Yang to probe Man Gu's intentions.
Lu Yang thought Emperor Xia was overthinking, but still, a promise to Emperor Xia meant he had to ask.
As the four were chatting, they heard the sound of distant thunder.
"It must be Junior Brother Li undergoing his tribulation, let's go down the mountain and get a closer look."
...
Boom—Boom—
The sound of thunder was incessantly familiar to the ears of the disciples of the Seek Dao Sect.