Chapter 479: 478. Chapter 473: The Surprise Ding Huan Gave

478. Chapter 473: The Surprise Ding Huan Gave

The Southern Daojun slightly puzzled as he took the jade box from Ji Changsi, wondering which of his friends could possibly know the sect master of a five-star immortal sect from the Great Immortal Realm.

The Southern Daojun immediately opened the jade box; first to catch his eye was a jade slip, beneath which appeared to be another jade plaque.

The Southern Daojun picked up the jade slip and sent his divine sense into it; a clear voice echoed forth:

"Senior Ju, it's Ding Huan…"

The Southern Daojun froze, his gaze falling on the jade plaque inside the box—it was indeed Ding Huan's jade plaque.

"Senior Ju, it turns out I have quite a connection with your senior. When I first arrived at Tianjie, I taught at the Pangu Dao Court founded by your daughter."

Later, when I served as a law official in the Immortal Court's Treasure Hall, I longed to meet you, but circumstances forbade it, so I gave up."

When I learned you were coming, I intended to stay and meet you, but I got entangled in some matters and had to leave."

I got along very well with Ji Changsi; Master Ji Changsi is also my friend."

I worry that after Dafanxian Sect's sudden promotion to an eight-star immortal sect, some may feel uneasy—I ask you to speak a few words on its behalf. When I return to the Immortal Court, I will surely visit you personally to thank you."

Could it be Ding Huan?

To be honest, the Southern Daojun had long wanted to meet Ding Huan.

After hearing from his daughter Ju Xinchan about Ding Huan teaching at the Pangu Dao Court, he had wished to meet him, but Ding Huan had already left.

It wasn't until Ding Huan went to the Immortal Court's Treasure Hall to litigate for Lu Chong Dao that he finally saw Ding Huan.

But back then, Ding Huan had Brother Pingwei the Great Emperor as his backer and had befriended Emperor Jinhe—he was not someone the Southern Daojun could touch.

After learning how thoroughly Ding Huan understood the Nine Courts' Immortal Laws, he became even more determined to cultivate a relationship with him.

Any official in the Immortal Court, even a Daojun, cannot guarantee they'll never face a lawsuit.

With Ding Huan, the Heavenly Emperor's personally appointed First Law Official of the Immortal Court, as your backer, what is there to fear?

He never expected to receive Ding Huan's voice-recorded jade slip—and Ding Huan's jade plaque as the Immortal Court's First Law Official—right here.

The Southern Daojun picked up the First Law Official jade plaque; he understood better than anyone what Ding Huan's words meant, and what leaving behind the First Law Official jade plaque meant.

He also understood why Ding Huan dared not meet him today.

Ding Huan said he had wanted to meet him in the Immortal Court's Treasure Hall—because the Southern Daojun's divine sense had been observing Ding Huan all along, and Ding Huan certainly knew.

Without today's events, the Southern Daojun's divine sense would have left Ding Huan with a bad impression.

As for why Ding Huan dared not meet him today, it was naturally because he feared the Southern Daojun would try to keep him.

Ding Huan understands the Dao rhythms and cosmic laws of all things so profoundly—no matter who saw him, even another Daojun, would want to keep him and invite him to discuss in depth at their Daojun residence.

Now that Ding Huan is gone, the Southern Daojun will pay even greater attention to the words he left behind.

That is the difference between presence and absence.

Not only does he want to befriend Ding Huan—even if he didn't want to, he would dare not offend him.

Who is Ding Huan?

If he hadn't held back, he would have already crushed the First Immortal Minister Bu Yue.

Not only that—he left behind a single image crystal ball that nearly cost Wu Chengxing his life.

As for Ding Huan leaving behind the First Law Official jade plaque, it was because he feared the Southern Daojun would merely say he'd help, then forget it as empty words.

Ding Huan wanted him to genuinely help Dafanxian Sect—not just say it casually.

The Southern Daojun put away the items and smiled: "Thank you, Master Ji. Ding Huan is indeed a good friend of mine."

Ding Huan? Ji Changsi stared blankly at the Southern Daojun.

The Southern Daojun gestured for Ji Changsi to step onto the stage first.

Ji Changsi felt uneasy as he addressed the crowd: "Today, I stand here not because Dafanxian Sect is powerful, but because one of our disciples, Lao Liu."

Without Lao Liu, Dafanxian Sect could not stand here today; without Lao Liu, we'd be lucky to retain our five-star status, let alone aspire to eight-star."

Now that Dafanxian Sect has become an eight-star immortal sect, I, Ji Changsi, vow to prioritize the stability of the Great Immortal Realm and strive to expand our sect's glory. Thank you again, Daojun, thank you all."

After speaking these few simple words, Ji Changsi bowed deeply.

Below the stage, the sect masters and elders of the eight- and seven-star sects sneered inwardly.

You, a five-star sect, want to become an eight-star sect? Don't be fooled by the Immortal Court's honor—first prove you can survive.

"Good, stand beside me." The Southern Daojun smiled at Ji Changsi.

Ji Changsi, relieved he wasn't being dismissed, felt unexpectedly honored—indeed, his role as the top-ranked sect's representative was already complete.

The Southern Daojun looked out at the multitude of cultivators on the square and spoke loudly: "Just now, someone asked Master Ji Changsi to deliver something to me."

He raised the jade plaque: "This is the item—do you know what kind of jade plaque this is?"

Everyone was confused; wasn't this the ceremony to award and rank the immortal sects? Why mention a jade plaque?

Even if the Daojun said he was going to take a nap and would return later, they'd still have to wait.

Murmurs rose from the crowd; the Southern Daojun continued: "This jade plaque was personally issued by the Heavenly Emperor—it is the only Law Official jade plaque in our Immortal Court: the 'Immortal Court's First Law Official' identity plaque."

Hearing this, some sect masters began to understand.

Though they were in the Great Immortal Realm, they had heard of the Immortal Court's First Law Official.

They'd heard how that courtroom battle shook the heavens, nearly killing the Immortal Minister, and how he slew a Star Jun and destroyed a Banner Immortal.

But these were struggles among great powers—what did they have to do with them?

Even a sect master from the Great Immortal Realm must bow low when entering the Immortal Court.

After letting the crowd murmur for a moment, the Southern Daojun added:

"When I first arrived and heard Dafanxian Sect won first place in this Immortal Sect Competition, I was astonished—how could this be? How could a five-star sect win first place?"

Hearing this, some minds began to stir.

Was the Southern Daojun about to uncover some trickery? Would he strip Dafanxian Sect of its first-place title?

Unfortunately, the Southern Daojun's words were destined to disappoint them:

"Only recently, Master Ji Changsi delivered this contestant's jade box to me, and only then did I understand—you lost without injustice..."

What does that mean?

"Does anyone here know who this sixth-place contestant representing Dafanxian Sect is? I doubt you can guess—even if you tried. And if he hadn't told me himself, I wouldn't have guessed either."

"He is Ding Huan—the first Luguan, personally appointed by the Heavenly Emperor of the Xian Court. Losing to the First Luguan is not shameful; frankly, it's an honor."

"Think of what Ding Luguan has done in the Xian Court, and you'll understand why I say this..."

The sect leaders who knew Ding Huan was the First Luguan were stunned into silence, mouths agape, unable to process the news.

The First Luguan of the Xian Court representing a five-star sect in the Sect Ranking Tournament? And competing in three events alone?

The Southern Daojun certainly wouldn't lie to them—so the sixth-place contestant truly was the First Luguan.

The backs of several seven- and eight-star sect leaders turned icy cold. Ding Huan was the man who nearly killed the Xian Chancellor—a being even the Great Emperor sought to befriend.

They had wanted to kill Ding Huan? Was this not suicide?

These people didn't know Ding Huan had left precisely to avoid the Southern Daojun.

They assumed that since the Southern Daojun spoke for Ding Huan, Ding Huan naturally had no reason to fear them.

But how could they possibly understand the hidden complexities?

The Southern Daojun chuckled: "Ding Huan befriends Emperor Jinhe, Emperor Pingwei, and Daojuns from all directions—do you really find it surprising that he could defeat you?"

"No wonder we always felt Senior Sixth's Dao art was unfathomable, and that altering array and talisman laws was as easy as breathing—it's because he's Senior Ding!"

"Yes, yes—it all makes sense now."

Sect leaders who had plotted against Ding Huan quickly declared their loyalty—they realized the Southern Daojun was backing Senior Sixth; who would dare entertain ill intentions now?

Even without the Southern Daojun's support, merely by virtue of Ding Huan's title as First Luguan and his connections to so many powerful figures in the Xian Court, none of them would dare move against him.

"Master Ji..."

The Southern Daojun called out to Ji Changsi, who was still dazed.

"Your humble servant is here..." Ji Changsi snapped back to attention and bowed deeply.

His heart churned like a storm—Ding Huan? It was Ding Huan.

He had heard of Ding Huan's name—he was, after all, the leader of a five-star sect. Ding Huan had calmly stripped a Flagbearer of the Xian Law Department in the Xian Court's Precious Hall and thrown him into prison, yet the Xian Court still sent crystal tributes as apology.

He had pointed at the Xian Chancellor's nose and cursed him—and the Chancellor dared not utter a word.

Such a towering figure had come to compete for Dafanxian Sect? This was the most glorious moment in Dafanxian Sect's founding history.

No wonder Ding Huan had said he'd give him a surprise—he hadn't paid attention then, but now he understood.

The surprise was this: Dafanxian Sect had won first place, advanced to an eight-star sect, and now no sect would dare plot against them—instead, many would come to flatter them.

The happiness came too suddenly; Ji Changsi could hardly believe it was real.

"Here is Ding Huan's First Luguan identity plaque—keep it here. When Ding Huan arrives, be sure to invite him to my Niehe Dao Field for a visit."

The Southern Daojun gently handed Ji Changsi Ding Huan's First Luguan identity jade plaque.

The Southern Daojun knew Ding Huan had given him the plaque to prove he was a man of his word.

Now, by not keeping the plaque himself but leaving it with Ji Changsi, he told Ding Huan: since I am your friend, I will not hold the plaque over you as leverage.

"Thank you, Daojun!" Ji Changsi's hands trembled as he bowed deeply and accepted Ding Huan's jade identity plaque.

He had already resolved—even if he had to burn his boats—he would fight this one battle to the end.

If Dafanxian Sect survived this ordeal, not only would the sect become a legend, but Ji Changsi himself would become one.

Who could have imagined the outcome? Dafanxian Sect bore no risk at all—and now a flood of sects would come to court them.