The highest greeting resounded across the sect.

The most sacred acknowledgment.

Reserved only for one when used within the sect. Outside, the commoners and other cultivators might refer to a the Slaughtered Moon Divine Blood Sect disciples with it. But that was because they were representing the sect.

But within the sect only one person deserved this, the Patriarch.

The Slaughtered Moon of the sect itself... Hong Tianyue!

Even the Peak Heads were stunned.

They had anticipated his awareness. After all, such a large phenomena was impossible to ignore.

But they did not expect his presence in person.

The First Kidney Peak Head moved immediately, his usual composure broken for the first time as he bowed deeply. The Second Kidney Peak Head followed, his earlier smugness replaced with solemn respect.

Han Yu himself felt a chill run through him.

This was not fear.

Not entirely.

It was pressure.

A presence so vast, so immeasurable, that it made even his newly strengthened soul feel small.

He dropped to one knee without hesitation.

"All beings prostrate before the Slaughtered Moon," he said, his voice steady despite the weight pressing upon him. "This disciple is honored beyond measure by the Patriarch's presence."

The Patriarch gave a faint hum.

A simple acknowledgment.

Yet it carried weight.

Authority.

Finality.

His gaze shifted.

Resting on Han Yu.

"What cultivation technique do you use?"

The question was simple.

Direct.

But it carried immense significance.

Han Yu felt it.

This was not something he could conceal.

Not here.

Not now.

Not before this existence.

He swallowed once, then spoke clearly.

"This disciple cultivates the Freezing Abyss Glacial Art."

The words hung in the air.

Heavy.

Decisive.

A ripple passed through the elders.

The Second Kidney Peak Head stepped forward slightly and bowed again.

"It is as he says," he confirmed. "This disciple has indeed inherited the Freezing Abyss Glacial Art."

The Patriarch's gaze did not shift.

But something in the air changed.

A subtle acknowledgment.

He already knew.

Of course he did.

"How did you obtain it?"

Han Yu answered without hesitation.

"This disciple received it from the Inheritance Stelae."

That answer struck deeper than expected.

Not the Patriarch.

But another.

The First Kidney Peak Head.

His body stiffened.

His expression faltered.

His worst suspicion…

Confirmed.

The lost legacy had not been rediscovered through lineage.

Nor preserved secretly.

It had been claimed.

Chosen.

By the Stelae itself.

Which meant…

It was rightful.

Undeniable.

Irrefutable.

And now…

There was nothing he could do.

The Patriarch remained silent for a moment.

"Excellent."

The single word carried approval.

Recognition.

Authority.

"It appears," he continued, his voice resonating across the entire sect, "that the Slaughtered Moon has bestowed its blessing upon us once more."

The crowd remained kneeling.

But their minds erupted.

"A blessing…"

"The lost legacy…"

"The sect…"

Their thoughts raced, unable to contain the magnitude of what was being declared.

The Patriarch's voice continued.

"A legacy long lost… has returned."

The words struck like thunder.

A collective gasp followed.

Even those who had not understood before…

Now did.

At that moment, another voice rose.

Measured.

Ancient.

The Supreme Elder stepped forward.

"It is as the Patriarch has said," he declared. "The Freezing Abyss Glacial Art is one of the two great legacies of the Kidney Peaks. It was lost during the first era of the sect, its records fragmented, its inheritance severed."

His gaze swept across the kneeling disciples.

"For generations, it has remained beyond reach. A relic of our past. A symbol of what was once ours."

He paused.

Then looked at Han Yu.

"And now… it has returned."

The impact of those words was immense.

Disciples who had never even heard of such a technique now understood.

This was not just rare.

This was historic.

The Patriarch spoke again.

"This is a joyous occasion. A few years ago, we reclaimed our birthright and now we have been blessed once more."

His tone was calm.

But firm.

"A disciple has risen, not only demonstrating strength, but restoring a legacy thought lost to time. Such an achievement is not merely personal."

"It belongs to the sect."

"It strengthens the sect."

"It elevates the sect."

He turned his full attention back to Han Yu.

"You have given us a battle worthy of remembrance."

"You have endured a tribulation beyond precedent."

"And you have returned to us what was once lost."

He paused.

Then asked—

"What do you desire?"

The question carried weight.

A reward.

From the Patriarch himself.

Han Yu lowered his head slightly.

"This disciple seeks nothing," he said. "Only to serve the sect, to restore its former glory… and to surpass it."

The words were simple.

But they were exactly what the Patriarch wanted to hear.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

The Supreme Elder's gaze softened slightly.

"Good," the Patriarch said. "Very good."

He turned.

Facing the entire sect.

His presence expanded.

Dominating.

Absolute.

"Then hear this."

His voice rose, carrying across every corner of the sect.

"With my authority as Patriarch of the Slaughtered Moon Divine Blood Sect…"

"And with the Slaughtered Moon as witness…"

"I declare…"

The entire sect held its breath.

"Ju Fan…"

"To be…"

"A Legacy Disciple."

The words fell.

And for a moment—

Nothing.

Then—

An explosion of reaction.

Shock.

Disbelief.

Chaos.

"Legacy Disciple?!"

"Impossible!"

"He skipped ranks?!"

"From Outer Court… straight to Legacy?!"

Even the elders were shaken.

This was unprecedented.

Unheard of.

Han Yu himself was stunned.

This…

Was beyond expectation.

He had anticipated promotion.

Perhaps to Inner Court.

Perhaps later to Core Disciple.

But this…

This was a leap across the hierarchy itself.

From the lowest rank…

To one of the highest.

In a single moment.

The Patriarch's voice cut through the chaos.

"Strength determines status."

"Contribution determines recognition."

"This disciple has demonstrated both."

He looked down at Han Yu.

"From this day forward, you are no longer bound by the limitations of rank."

"You stand among the future pillars of this sect."

The weight of those words settled.

Final.

Absolute.

Han Yu remained kneeling.

But everything…

Had changed.