After examining the head for a moment, the Sect Master nodded.
"There are residual traces of the Sacred Sun's self-detonation within the skull, and it is solid and immortal. It is confirmed to be the One Sun Sage."
The Sect Master's words naturally held the most credibility. As soon as he spoke, the entire place erupted.
Everyone looked up at Wan Lei in astonishment. They never imagined that Wan Lei was telling the truth; he had actually returned with a Sage's head.
Xing Chen, who had been provocatively insulting Wan Lei earlier, looked as if he had eaten a turd, his face bright red.
This time, he had truly disgraced himself completely.
Of course, at this moment, everyone was still in shock and had no time to scorn or mock him. He could seize this opportunity to retreat and go into seclusion for a period. After the situation calmed down, he could reappear.
However... firstly, the Sect Master was watching. If he were to storm off, it would leave him with the impression of being a sore loser. Secondly, he was unwilling to let Wan Lei off the hook just like that.
After the Sect Master left...
Xing Chen's mind quickly concocted further malicious plans...
The Sect Master's stern yet calm eyes turned towards Wan Lei.
"Did you kill this Six-Eared Macaque?"
A clamor of voices turned towards Wan Lei.
Wan Lei's heart jolted. *'Good heavens, Sect Master, do you think that highly of me? If I had the ability to kill a Sage, why would I still be a disciple in your Five Elements Hall?'*
"Reporting to the Sect Master, it was Great Sage Equalling Heaven who was upholding justice and personally executed this scoundrel."
Everyone suddenly understood. Thankfully, he did not possess the power to kill a Sage.
At this moment, everyone had forgotten that he was merely a disciple of the Grand Void Realm.
"Tell me the detailed course of events."
The Sect Master's tone was devoid of any emotion.
"As you command."
Wan Lei then recounted the entire incident, from how the townspeople lived happily, how he discovered anomalies, how he broke through the illusion, how he still sought the truth despite knowing it was a death sentence, and how the Six-Eared Macaque tried to kill him, with Great Sage Equalling Heaven coming to the rescue.
However, he concealed the matter of Great Sage Equalling Heaven collecting faith power to break through to Immortal Venerable, only stating that Great Sage Equalling Heaven used faith power for cultivation. This was a way to protect Great Sage Equalling Heaven's secret.
He did not emphasize his own achievements, but anyone could hear the thrilling nature of the events.
Although Wan Lei had not personally engaged in combat, his bravery and wisdom left a deep impression on everyone.
After listening, the Sect Master nodded faintly.
"Hmm, I understand. Although Great Sage Equalling Heaven made a mistake this time, by eradicating the Six-Eared Macaque to uphold righteousness, his responsibility will not be pursued.
You have completed this mission very well. You will be awarded the corresponding merit points, and additional rewards will be arranged by other elders of the Sacred Hall."
"Thank you, Sect Master."
Wan Lei clasped his hands and bowed.
The Sect Master suddenly seemed to recall something. His departing figure paused, and he looked back at Wan Lei.
"How many days have you been gone?"
"Ah? A little over four days."
Wan Lei replied honestly, not understanding the reason, as everyone knew how long he had been gone.
"But according to your account, Great Sage Equalling Heaven killed the Six-Eared Macaque on the second day after you left. Where were you for the subsequent three days?"
Wan Lei had not expected the Sect Master to be so perceptive. After a quick scan of his mind, he replied,
"Great Sage Equalling Heaven considered me to have rendered merit and asked me to stay and listen to his teachings, which is why I was delayed for a few days."
The Sect Master nodded, then turned to the group of Water Hall disciples, his gaze lingering on Xing Chen.
"Your Water Hall has been rather restless lately. Unlawful gatherings for no reason, troubling new disciples. Given that this is your first offense and you are young and vigorous, I will not hold you accountable.
However, if there is a next time, you will all be sent to the Bitter Sea Battlefield as part of the pioneer team."
After speaking, the Sect Master vanished, taking the head of the Six-Eared Macaque with him.
The Water Hall disciples were all left with lingering fear, especially Xing Chen, whose face was even more unsightly than before.
Wan Lei did not know what the pioneer team of the Bitter Sea Battlefield entailed, but seeing the expressions of those people, he knew it was no good job.
Wan Lei's gaze swept over the Water Hall disciples, and he couldn't help but feel a bit smug. However, he thought that if he were to be smug and mocking at this moment, it would be too much like a villain. That wouldn't be good; he might get slapped in the face.
But Wan Lei did not forget another matter. He undertook missions to gain merit points, and gaining merit points was for accepting challenges.
These people before him had all challenged him...
The Water Hall disciples, having lost face, were all shamefully digging their toes into the ground, no one speaking. Instead, those around them, feeling the pressure dissipate after the Sect Master left, began to whisper.
"I never expected it, truly never expected it. His first mission as a new disciple was a purgatory-level one, and he actually completed it unharmed."
"That wasn't just completing it; he completely exceeded the mission objectives. His task was merely to investigate the truth, but he directly brought back the killer."
"Cough, cough, please clarify. The killer was killed by Great Sage Equalling Heaven."
"It's much the same. Great Sage Equalling Heaven didn't take the mission; it was his mission. If you can invite an external support like Great Sage Equalling Heaven to complete a mission, I'll call you the number one warrior of the Five Elements Hall."
"Senior Brother Wan is so formidable! He specifically targets Sages, doesn't he? First, he bullied the Water Sage within the sect, then offended the Fire Sage, and now his enemy on the mission is a Sage, and his external support is also a Sage."
"While we are silently cultivating in the sect, he has already interacted with so many Sages. They are not on the same level at all."
"As expected of the Five Elements Hall's number one warrior, truly fierce. He has only been here for a little over a month, and everything he has done is something I wouldn't dare to imagine in my lifetime."
"Wan Lei is amazing, living up to his reputation."
"Now the Water Hall disciples have been utterly humiliated, especially Xing Chen. It was as if he was standing there, extending his face to be slapped."
"Too foolish. He spoke out and mocked without knowing the specific intelligence, acting based on his own assumptions. How can the Water Hall have such a disciple..."
Wan Lei might not mock Xing Chen, but that didn't mean others wouldn't. The disciples of the Five Elements Hall were all equal, and no one feared anyone.
The sarcastic remarks ringing in his ears drove Xing Chen to lose his composure once again. However, he was still sensible enough not to move against Wan Lei at this moment.
"Wan Lei, don't think you've won just like this. This matter is not over. We disciples of the Water Hall will never let you go!
Wan Lei, I formally challenge you now. Do you dare to accept my challenge?"
Xing Chen couldn't think of a good way to retaliate against Wan Lei immediately, but he was eager for revenge, so he resorted to the most笨的 method.
"Accept it, why wouldn't I accept it?"
Wan Lei smiled brightly.
"Get in line behind the others. There are over ten thousand people ahead of you."
His gaze swept over the numerous Water Hall disciples, his smile growing happier, more excited, and more arrogant.
"Those who wish to challenge, queue up properly. One by one."