Chapter 1051: VIP Surprise

Nangong Xiaoyun collapsed on the spot. Her painstaking explanations had all gone to waste.

Huang Ying's eyes widened. She looked up at the three large characters 'Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion' and said in astonishment, "Commander Bai, isn't this... isn't this definitely a demonic sect? Should we change our congratulations to demon-extermination instead?"

Yang Yuntao was also frozen in place, doubting his own ears. A sect's founding ceremony, but its disciples weren't at the mountain gate; instead, they had gone to destroy another sect? Even if this Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion wasn't a demonic sect, it was certainly a fierce and aggressive power.

Jiang Fan and others arrived in mid-air at this moment. Seeing Commander Bai Xin and Commander Tong Fei, they were surprised. Jiang Fan immediately stepped forward to greet them, saying, "Commander Bai, Commander Tong, why are you here?"

Tong Fei didn't appreciate the gesture; he snorted and stood aside, disdaining to acknowledge Jiang Fan. That day, he had asked Jiang Fan to share the intelligence extracted from the woman, but Jiang Fan refused, which had already displeased him. Unexpectedly, that intelligence turned out to be so astonishingly important that even the Grand Wine Offering was alerted. In his delight, he helped Bai Xin open her sixth aperture! Such an opportunity had slipped by him in vain. How could he not harbor resentment towards Jiang Fan?

Jiang Fan, too lazy to care about Tong Fei's attitude, merely looked at Bai Xin. Bai Xin, uncharacteristically, showed a faint smile and took out a new token. The front was engraved with the characters "Qintian Supervisor" (Imperial Astronomical Bureau), and the back with "Jiang Fan." "I've applied for official Imperial Astronomical Bureau Pimarn Sentry status for you," she said. "Consider it my congratulatory gift."

Jiang Fan's face lit up with joy. With this status, he was now considered a member of the government. Anyone who wished to target him would have to consider the Imperial Astronomical Bureau behind Jiang Fan. "Thank you, Commander Bai," he said. "Your subordinate will certainly do his best to serve you."

Bai Xin smiled. "For now, you don't need to do anything else. Just keep an eye on Reverend Six Paths. Has he been bothering you recently?"

Jiang Fan shook his head. "No, he hasn't." In truth, Jiang Fan was a little puzzled himself. He had visited the Myriad Tribulations Holy Temple once but hadn't seen Reverend Six Paths, who had possessed Reverend Azure Crane's body. He wondered if Reverend Azure Crane's identity had been exposed, making him afraid to show his face.

Bai Xin said, "Don't worry, he's committed a few more cases recently. He still writes 'Jiang Fan was here' on them. His resentment towards you persists, so I believe he'll come looking for you soon."

A vein throbbed in Jiang Fan's forehead. 'Enough already?' he thought. 'He's even come to Taicang Great Province and is still playing this trick?'

Snapping back to reality, Jiang Fan quickly said, "Commander Bai, Miss Huang, please come inside." Huang Ying looked suspicious. "Jiang Fan, you're not founding a demonic sect, are you? If it is, I'll have to keep my distance."

Jiang Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he briefly explained the whole situation. Of course, he only mentioned the White Bone Alliance, temporarily concealing anything about Mount Sanqing.

Huang Ying suddenly understood and frowned. "So it was the White Bone Alliance. In that case, you're certainly acting on behalf of justice. That sect, however, wasn't registered with the Imperial Astronomical Bureau."

Jiang Fan secretly nodded. As expected, the White Bone Alliance had quite a powerful backing. Normally, any sect established in Taicang Great Province would need to register with the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and be subject to its supervision. For a few individuals from the White Bone Alliance to disregard the Imperial Astronomical Bureau so completely, they clearly didn't have the weight themselves. It could only mean they had powerful figures behind them, leaving the Imperial Astronomical Bureau helpless.

Bai Xin said, "Alright, let's go in." The two entered the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, guided by the smiling Pavilion Master. He truly hadn't expected the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to also send representatives to show their support. This meant today would be lively; it wouldn't just be the few people from the Zoroastrianism and Myriad Tribulations Holy Temple.

Yang Yuntao also stepped forward, presenting a portion of Nine-Colored Primal Marrow. "Fellow Daoist Jiang, I am deeply grateful for your life-saving kindness," he said with gratitude. "I have specifically come today to offer my congratulations, a small token of my esteem. Please don't despise it."

Jiang Fan looked at his face for a while before remembering who he was, and then said in surprise, "Commander Yang, you're too kind. Please come inside."

Then, Jiang Fan looked at Tong Fei. Tong Fei scoffed and said indifferently, "My presence here counts as fulfilling the Grand Wine Offering's command. I won't enter the mountain gate." Jiang Fan couldn't be bothered to try to be friendly with someone so aloof; he let him be. He and a few Nascent Soul experts from his sect stood at the gate tower, waiting for other guests.

Tong Fei glanced at them and snorted, "Such a grand display, as if some important figures are still expected."

Not long after, Tong Fei sensed something and looked towards the horizon with surprise in his eyes. Several streaks of lightning whistled through the air, quickly descending before the gate tower. They were six individuals, each exuding a powerful aura of at least a Six-Aperture Nascent Soul. One of them had even reached the Seven-Aperture Nascent Soul level! They were precisely Reverend Sanqian and the five department heads from the Myriad Tribulations Holy Temple.

Reverend Sanqian cupped his hands with a chuckle. "Young friend Jiang, congratulations on the founding of your esteemed sect." The five department heads, including Nangong Shu, also stepped forward to offer their congratulations. Jiang Fan smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "Thank you, six seniors, for traveling so far." He then instructed, "Nuxin, please escort the six seniors to their seats."

At this moment, Nangong Shu noticed Tong Fei leaning against the gate tower and said in surprise, "Commander Tong, are you also here to offer congratulations?" Tong Fei, a Five-Aperture Nascent Soul, dared not be arrogant in front of the Myriad Tribulations Holy Temple's department heads. He quickly straightened up and bowed, saying, "Tong Fei greets the six seniors. This junior, this junior is also here to congratulate you." He was secretly astonished. 'What in the world is going on? Isn't the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion a small sect? How could it alert six grand experts from the Myriad Tribulations Holy Temple to offer their joint congratulations?'

Nangong Shu probably noticed Tong Fei's discomfort and didn't bother to invite him, simply nodding and entering the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Only after watching them leave did Tong Fei straighten up again, his heart filled with doubt and surprise. When he looked at Jiang Fan again, his attitude had subtly changed. However, he thought that since the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was an affiliated sect of the Myriad Tribulations Holy Temple, the arrival of all those powerful experts must be related to that. He didn't expect any more formidable guests to arrive.

However, at that very moment, a huge golden lotus in full bloom drifted over from the horizon. Several eminent monks from White Horse Temple were seated cross-legged upon it. The leading figure caused Tong Fei to gasp in shock! He quickly clasped his hands together and bowed in worship, saying, "Master Puguang." The newcomer was none other than the Abbot of White Horse Temple. Besides him, Dharma Seal Vajra and several other renowned eminent monks had also arrived. His heart pounded with disbelief. What an identity the Abbot of White Horse Temple possessed! He was one of the three great Divine Sect leaders! He had actually come to offer congratulations in person! This far exceeded his expectations.

Jiang Fan was also greatly surprised. He had expected White Horse Temple to send representatives, but for the Abbot to come in person was truly unexpected. He stepped forward and said courteously, "Abbot, why have you come?"

Abbot Puguang clasped his hands together, uttered a Buddhist chant, and said, "This humble monk has come to attend the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion's founding ceremony by the Bodhisattva's decree. The Bodhisattva has prepared a congratulatory gift for you, Benefactor Jiang; please do not despise it." He took out a neatly folded red kasaya and presented it to Jiang Fan with both hands.

Tong Fei gasped! The Bodhisattva personally ordered someone to congratulate them? And even personally prepared a congratulatory gift for Jiang Fan? No, was this truly just the founding of a small sect? Not only was Tong Fei astonished, but Jiang Fan was even more shocked. A Bodhisattva, sending him a congratulatory gift? He suddenly felt it was a hot potato. He didn't dare touch anything from that Bodhisattva.