Hearing this, Ian Song's gaze slowly swept over the six elders, finally settling on Elder Gideon Skyreach. He bowed to him and said, "I'll be troubling you for the next month, Elder Gideon."
"You rascal."
Gideon Skyreach smiled, his expression somewhat gratified.
Next, Ian sent word to his two disciples, telling them that he had officially joined the Phoenix Heaven Church and would be staying here for a while, so they should return home first.
The Phoenix Heaven Church did not try to hide the news that Ian Song had become one of their disciples.
Ian Song had already been the center of attention in the Imperial Capital lately, so the news spread quickly.
"Ian Song has become a disciple of the Phoenix Heaven Church?"
But what everyone was most curious about was: now that Ian Song had joined the Phoenix Heaven Church, exactly what tier of disciple was he?
The four tiers of disciples in the Phoenix Heaven Church differ vastly in status.
If Ian Song only joined as an Outer Sect disciple, it wouldn't mean much; but if he entered the Inner Sect, that would be something worth paying attention to.
If he joins the Elite Gate and becomes an Elite Disciple, even the imperial court's nobles wouldn't dare ignore him.
If he enters the Core Gate and becomes a Phoenix Heaven Church Core Disciple, that's even more extraordinary. Core Disciples of the Phoenix Heaven Church are at least equal to county kings and princesses in status.
Grand Preceptor Manor.
For the past few days, Vergil Beigong had been quietly waiting inside his manor for news. He knew the court had already sent people to investigate Ian Song's alleged collusion with the Demon Race. If those charges stuck, Ian would never recover.
But what he didn't expect was that instead of hearing Ian Song had been convicted and arrested, he heard that Ian had joined the Phoenix Heaven Church.
"Go investigate! I want to know exactly what tier of disciple he became!"
Vergil Beigong's expression was extremely grim. If Ian Song was only an Outer Sect or Inner Sect disciple, the court would still pursue him. But if he became an Elite Disciple, the court would have to consider the Phoenix Heaven Church's reaction.
Although the Phoenix Heaven Church kept a low profile, that didn't mean they feared the imperial court. As the Grand Preceptor's grandson, Vergil knew many secrets others didn't. He'd heard that the founding Empress of the High Zhou Imperium was actually one of the Phoenix Heaven Church's thirteen ancestor founders.
So if Ian Song became an Elite Disciple, the court would most likely give the Phoenix Heaven Church face and stop pursuing charges against him.
To kill a late Fusion expert while still only at late Soul-Split—such talent and combat power was considered monstrous even within the Phoenix Heaven Church. That's why Vergil believed Ian would be directly accepted into the Elite Gate.
If Ian Song really became an Elite Disciple, getting revenge would become extremely difficult for Vergil—and he’d even have to worry about Ian coming after him instead!
Nolan Manor.
After what happened, Brandon Nangong was already filled with regret. He’d been trying to repair his relationship with Ian Song, so for the past few days, he kept sending banquet invitations to the Song Residence. But each time, Ian declined with various excuses.
This made him both angry and even more regretful.
"Someone, send another invitation to the Song Residence!"
After thinking it over, Brandon decided to send yet another invitation.
"Husband, that Ian Song really doesn’t know what’s good for him. You’ve already sent him four invitations and he’s rejected every one. Clearly he doesn’t respect you at all—why bother giving him the time of day?"
A beautiful concubine spoke up, her tone tinged with anger and dissatisfaction.
Brandon had been annoyed, but hearing his concubine say this, he couldn’t help but hesitate. He stopped the servant about to deliver the invitation and waved irritably. "Hold on, let me think for a moment."
Just then—
A guard came to report, "Young Master Easton is here to visit."
"Let him in!"
Soon, Jasper Easton strode in and said directly, "Brandon, have you heard? Ian Song has joined the Phoenix Heaven Church!"
"What?"
Hearing this, Brandon Nangong’s expression changed slightly and he nervously asked, "Which gate did he enter?"
Jasper Easton shook his head. "Not sure yet, but with his talent, there's no way he's just Outer Sect. There's a twenty percent chance he's Inner Sect, seventy percent chance he's Elite Gate, and ten percent chance he's Core Gate."
Hearing Jasper say this, Brandon felt complicated inside, but he agreed with Jasper’s assessment—Ian Song was very likely to join the Elite Gate.
If Ian became an Elite Disciple, he'd be Brandon's equal in status. With that terrifying strength and huge reputation, Ian could easily form his own faction in the capital. Why would he ever accept Brandon’s invitations? Even if they couldn't be allies, being friends would be good enough—but now...
And if Ian became a Core Disciple, he’d be someone even Brandon would have to curry favor with.
"So what if he joined the Phoenix Heaven Church? You're still the Grand General’s son!" the beautiful concubine interrupted again.
"What do you know? Get out of here!"
Brandon shouted angrily at his concubine.
"Husband, I...!" The concubine looked deeply aggrieved.
"Go!" Brandon yelled again.
"Waaah!"
The concubine covered her face and ran out of the courtyard in tears.
Watching this, Brandon just felt even more frustrated and couldn't help cursing, "Long hair, short wit!"
Starpicker Loft.
Hearing the news, Mooncaller's eyes flashed. She summoned her personal maid, then personally wrote an invitation and had it sent to the Song Residence.
Highgate Manor.
When Highgate Manor’s Hibiscus Shangguan heard the news, she wasn’t all that surprised.
Thousand Nights Palace.
When Silver Fox Princess heard the news, she was stunned for a long time. These days, she hadn’t dared to sleep—she kept dreaming about offering herself to Ian Song and becoming his woman.
Inside a certain inn.
The little county king, now left with no followers, was throwing a tantrum, making the beautiful maids tremble with fear. That guy actually joined the Phoenix Heaven Church—why him?
"Revenge! I want revenge!"
The little county king screamed hysterically.
A passing inn worker heard the screams and couldn’t help showing a look of disdain. All your men were killed, and you still talk about revenge? Besides, Young Master Song is now a disciple of the Phoenix Heaven Church, his status is exalted. Even if you’re a little county king, what could you possibly do to him?
Meanwhile, betting parlors all over the capital were opening odds on which tier of disciple Ian Song would become in the Phoenix Heaven Church.
The odds for Outer Sect disciple were highest, followed by Core Disciple, then Inner Sect Disciple. The odds for Elite Disciple were lowest—clearly, the people behind these betting parlors were optimistic about Ian Song’s chances of becoming an Elite Disciple.
Phoenix Heaven Church, in the Little Immortal Realm, on the mountain to the left.
Ian Song and Sky Monarch Jun sat facing each other.
Sky Monarch Jun spoke, "One month is too short. I can't give you much help. So, just ask your questions directly and I'll answer them!"