As Feng Zikang approached Dragon and Tiger Mountain, he discreetly stowed his cloud chariot and placed the little fox within the rouge box gifted by the Nine-Tailed Fox. He mounted his iron sword to fly, but was immediately spotted by the disciples guarding the mountain. They greeted him with unrestrained joy, grabbing him and urging him toward Sunset Peak.

"What is the matter?"

Feng Zikang could barely handle the sudden commotion. When had he become so popular?

"Senior Brother Feng, you don't know yet! You've become famous! Experts from all walks of life, from the orthodox to the unorthodox, have specifically come to Dragon and Tiger Mountain to see you! You are now the most highly regarded rising star of the Righteous Path!"

"Ah?"

Even with Feng Zikang's usual composure, he couldn't help but feel a wave of astonishment.

What exactly did I do to become the most heralded rising star of the Righteous Path?

"This must be Nephew Feng! Excellent, what a young hero!"

An elder with a long beard, clad in a purple robe and wearing a Nine-Dragon Crown, chuckled heartily, beaming at Feng Zikang as he walked calmly into the Hall of Ten Thousand Armies Repelled.

In the Hall of Ten Thousand Armies Repelled today, aside from Yuan Buhuan, the Sect Master of the Military Strategists of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, seated in the main position, there were several Grandmasters of the Core Condensation stage present, their imposing aura quite formidable. Yet, this youth, barely fifteen or sixteen, entered with unruffled grace, showing no sign of distress or alarm—truly a prodigy among the younger generation!

"Zikang," the Sect Master Yuan Buhuan was equally pleased to see his disciple honored. He gently waved his sleeve, helping Feng Zikang up just as he was about to kowtow, and smiled, "Several esteemed seniors from various sects are here today; allow me to introduce them first."

He pointed to the purple-robed elder who had just laughed loudly. "This is Elder Lu Xizi of the Legalists from Weishui, Xianyang."

Among the Nine Schools, the Military Strategists currently held the top position, but the disciples of the Legalists were spread throughout the mortal realm, representing a constantly growing influence. A Legalist Elder was certainly no ordinary figure. Feng Zikang’s heart skipped a beat as he bowed in greeting.

"This is Mo Yudu, junior brother to the Grandmaster Mo Wu of the Mohists from Linzi."

Members of the Mohist school abandoned their original surnames, taking 'Mo' instead, signifying their unwavering commitment to the Dao. Feng Zikang looked up and indeed saw that he was tonsured and clean-shaven, a piece of coarse linen wrapped around his torso, a straw rope tied at his waist, and his feet bare—his attire identical to Mo Li's.

"And this is Senior Wen Lingsu of the Agriculturists from Mount Tai..."

She was the only woman among the four present. She wore a kerchief wrapped around her head and a blue printed cotton dress, resembling a peasant woman, yet it could not conceal her warm, gentle demeanor, like a spring breeze. Her faint smile was serene and composed, bringing a sense of peace to those around her.

"And finally, this honored guest..."

Yuan Buhuan rose to his feet, clearly showing the utmost respect for this guest. "Come, come, Zikang, come and pay your respects. This is Abbot Wule of White Horse Temple in Luoyang, and the direct inheritor of the mantle of the foremost Buddhist Master Yuan Yuan!"

"Oh?"

The disciple of Master Yuan Yuan himself?

As Feng Zikang bowed, he stole a glance. The monk was clad in a simple white cassock, his fingers clutching a string of ebony prayer beads. His face was a map of wrinkles, impossible to gauge his age. Yet, on that somewhat severe face, a smile was beginning to form.

Compared to the distinguished elegance of Master Yuan Yuan, he was perhaps lacking, but seated in the hall, he still possessed the air of a transcendent master.

"Hahaha! Virtuous Nephew Feng, on your trip to the Southern Barbarians, you, with only the cultivation of the fourth layer of Qi Induction, managed to slay the Barbarian King Wuduya! The shifting tides of the world—you deserve the foremost credit! Had that Flood Dragon ascended, no one could have controlled him within a hundred years, leading to chaos across the realm!"

Lu Xizi was impatient by nature and tired of the lengthy introductions. As soon as Yuan Buhuan finished speaking, he quickly interjected with praise, before Feng Zikang had even finished his salutations.

It was all about Wuduya!

Feng Zikang had already harbored doubts about that matter. First, Wuduya’s strength was immense; if not for various external factors and the ultimate use of the magical artifact crafted by Elder Yun of the Core Condensation stage, he surely couldn't have been killed. Even a disciple at the late stage of Qi Induction might not have bested him.

Furthermore, Wuduya possessed the destiny of a 'Flood Dragon Ascending to Heaven.' According to mortal fortune-telling methods, he was meant to rise to the rank of a feudal lord, establishing a hereditary domain, not be extinguished so easily. Cultivators follow the Mandate of Heaven and would not lightly slay such a figure.

How could such a mission appear on the Merit Scroll for the Military Strategists when he was only at the Qi Induction fourth layer? And how, by sheer coincidence, did this mission fall to him, and he actually completed it!

He had long anticipated repercussions, but he never expected the entire world to be shaken, with figures from all schools vying to see this remarkable young hero.

Before these four arrived, the Confucian and Daoist sects had already sent gifts, and representatives from the Yin-Yang, Logician, and Miscellaneous schools had come to offer their regards. Yuan Buhuan, newly appointed Sect Master, had never witnessed such a grand spectacle. Even for his own inauguration ceremony, held in haste, so many had not attended. Only when General Lu, the foremost figure in the world, took residence at Dragon and Tiger Mountain had things been this lively.

Unexpectedly, after only a few days of quietude, the prestige of the Military Strategists was revived by a young disciple, filling Yuan Buhuan with immeasurable joy, making him view Feng Zikang with ever-increasing affection.

"I heard from my junior nephew Mo Li's report that virtuous nephew Feng showed great benevolence and courage. Not only did he slay a demon to avenge the mortals, but he also rescued Miss Wu from the clutches of the Nine-Tailed Fox. A true hero of the Military Path, comparable perhaps only to General Lu in his prime!"

Mo Yudu’s expression was grim, looking as if he hadn't eaten in days, yet he heaped praise upon Feng Zikang, comparing him directly to the legendary General Lu—a supreme commendation!

"More than that," Abbot Wule cleared his throat lightly. "Madam Wu is a Buddhist devotee. After returning home, the young lady went to a local Zen temple to fulfill her vows, and only then did we learn that Benefactor Feng slew the White Bone Demon in the Southern Barbarian Cold Mountain Grotto, saving the lives of innocent children. Truly boundless merit!"

In the days following Feng Zikang’s return, various message talismans had spread news of his exploits in the Southern Barbarians throughout the entire cultivation world. His slaying of Wuduya had already caused a sensation; his other deeds naturally garnered even greater attention.

The disciple of the White Bone Divine Monarch, Wu Lingzi, used evil arts to steal mortal souls, practicing the Nine Nether Ten Dark Soul-Searching Great Method—a heinous crime, slain by Feng Zikang; the Nine-Tailed Fox pillaged mortal women, a vile pollution, rescued by Feng Zikang; the White Bone Demon, inherently cruel, consumed mortal children for food, eliminated by Feng Zikang!

Any one of these three great merits could establish a young hero, let alone the fact that he slew Wuduya, who carried the destiny of a ascending Flood Dragon, thus altering the world’s course. His reputation soared, and everyone now wanted to crown him the foremost figure among the younger generation of the Righteous Path!

Scattered and incidental as these deeds were when he performed them, seeing them aggregated now, they truly painted an impressive picture!

"The chivalrous way of the military arts tests the heart the most! Few manage true cultivation. General Lu failed due to being overly rigid, and your master, Ye Tiansheng, failed due to being overly merciful of life..."

Abbot Wule nodded his head sagely, speaking with praise. "Only you, as a mere Qi Induction disciple, have mastered the path of balancing rigidity and softness, achieving results cleanly and with great prudence. The Military School's abundance of talent is indeed no exaggeration! The next generation rests on your shoulders!"

"Precisely!"

The assembled elders nodded in agreement.

Feng Zikang stared blankly. Since when had his incarnation as the Formless Heavenly Demon become the beacon of hope for the younger generation of the Righteous Path?

It seems... it seems I wasn't trying to do anything virtuous at all!