The Sword God of the Universe
Chapter 686: Why?

Chapter 686: Chapter 686: Why?

Chang Huan was silent, and there was nothing the other Hall Masters could do about it.

In truth, Hall Masters such as Min Huo also knew that there was little hope of getting information out of Chang Huan in advance.

They were stirring up noise mainly to liven up the atmosphere and held no real expectations.

"Has everyone arrived?"

The voice of Saint Master Shen Chong emanated from the depths of the Great Hall.

Upon hearing his voice, the nine Hall Masters immediately stood up.

"Holy Master!" Everyone saluted one after another.

Shen Chong came out with a smile on his face, gestured with his hand for everyone to sit down, and said there was no need for such formalities.

"Chang Huan, since everyone is here, go and invite Jing Yan over," Shen Chong said, turning to Chang Huan.

Chang Huan accepted the order and left the Holy Hall.

The nine Hall Masters present exchanged glances, but no one was in a rush to speak, including Min Huo, who did not utter a word.

"Today’s Hall Masters’ meeting is convened because there is an issue I wish to discuss with you all."

"Recently, have any of you heard the name Jing Yan?" Shen Chong surveyed the crowd and spoke slowly.

"Jing Yan? Are you referring to the Jing Yan who has a conflict with the Gai Family?" Min Huo, the Hall Master, was the first to speak.

"Yes, that’s him," Shen Chong nodded.

"I have heard of Jing Yan. It is said that he is a member of a minor family in a small city of Lanqu County with extremely high martial arts talent," said Leng Hongying, the Hall Master.

Leng Hongying was the only woman present and one of the nine Hall Masters; she was the Seventh Hall Master.

"I am aware of Jing Yan as well. It seems that he already possesses Martial Arts Cultivation of the Dao Emperor Realm, which is truly remarkable. He is only in his thirties now, a remarkable young talent indeed!" A Hall Master, who appeared relatively older, said, he was the Fourth Hall Master.

"Hehe, daring to stand up against the Gai Family shows great courage! Not many people have the guts to kill a Supreme Elder of the Gai Family," the Ninth Hall Master said with a smile.

The other couple of Hall Masters didn’t say anything, but they nodded to show that they too knew of Jing Yan.

The nine Hall Masters all speculated in their hearts about why Saint Master Shen Chong had mentioned Jing Yan. Earlier, the Hall Master had instructed Chang Huan to call Jing Yan over, which clearly indicated that Jing Yan had arrived at the Holy Palace. The Hall Masters simply didn’t know what Jing Yan was there for, or why the Saint Master had convened a Hall Master meeting.

Naturally, no one would think the Saint Master was merely making introductions for them to get to know Jing Yan. If it was just for a meet and greet, there would be absolutely no need for a Hall Master meeting.

Could it be that Jing Yan had come to the Holy Palace to escape the Gai Family?

"Jing Yan is indeed a genius. He became a Dao Emperor Realm Practitioner in his thirties and has killed Supreme Elder Gu Mo of the Gai Family all by himself. I admire him greatly," Shen Chong spoke casually, as if he were just making small talk.

The nine Hall Masters’ expressions changed to varying degrees.

At that moment, Chang Huan returned to the Holy Hall with Jing Yan in tow.

The Hall Masters naturally turned their gaze toward Jing Yan, who wore a light blue robe. These nine Hall Masters were apparently seeing Jing Yan for the first time, and their eyes carried a trace of curiosity.

"You must be Brother Jing Yan, right? Indeed young!" Min Huo greeted Jing Yan with warm enthusiasm upon seeing him.

"Jing Yan, this is Hall Master Min Huo and also the Eighth Hall Master of the Holy Hall," Chang Huan promptly introduced Min Huo to Jing Yan.

"Greetings to Hall Master Min Huo," Jing Yan greeted with a clasped fist.

"Haha, don’t be so formal! I’ve only heard of your name before, and I’ve long wanted to meet you. Your coming to the Holy Palace saves me the trouble of having to look for you," Min Huo laughed.

Jing Yan smiled.

"Jing Yan, this is Great Hall Master Shan Que," Chang Huan said, looking toward the black-clothed old man who had a long beard.

"Greetings to Great Hall Master Shan Que," Jing Yan paid his respects.

Shan Que nodded at Jing Yan but did not say much. His face remained expressionless, giving no clue as to what he might be thinking.

"This is the Second Hall Master..."

Chang Huan introduced all nine Hall Masters to Jing Yan. Some of the Hall Masters were quite enthusiastic towards Jing Yan, while others were more reserved.

Of course, this could also be related to the nature of the Hall Masters themselves. Some people are naturally more talkative, while others prefer silence. Outward warmth doesn’t reveal much; the surface can’t show what someone is truly thinking.

"Jing Yan, you may sit down as well," the Holy Master said following the introductions.

Jing Yan did as told and found a seat.

"Hall Masters!" Shen Chong’s tone suddenly rose, and an aura of authority radiated from him.

"Our Holy Hall currently has nine halls. I propose that, starting today, we add a tenth hall, meaning we will have ten halls. Furthermore, I suggest that Jing Yan take up the position of Master of the Tenth Hall," Shen Chong stated directly.

After his words concluded, the Hall Masters present all frowned.

Even Min Huo furrowed his thick brows tightly together.

The news was too sudden.

The structure of the nine halls of the Holy Hall had not changed since the battle with the Human Gods. The Hall Masters changed frequently, but the existence of the nine halls had remained fixed.

The sudden addition of a tenth hall was indeed unexpected to everyone.

But that wasn’t the main point; the main point was that the Saint Master proposed the newly added tenth hall, and the candidate for the Hall Master was none other than Jing Yan.

"Feel free to express any thoughts you have," the Holy Master paused before adding.

"Holy Master, I wish to know why the addition of a tenth hall is necessary?" the Second Hall Master immediately asked.

"There’s no special reason. I merely hope Jing Yan can join the Holy Palace. However, the general positions in the Holy Palace are not suitable for Jing Yan. Therefore, adding a tenth hall and appointing Jing Yan as the hall’s Master, I believe, is a good idea," Shen Chong explained to the Second Hall Master.

"But the nine-hall system was established after the battle with the Human Gods and has remained unchanged ever since. Isn’t a sudden change a bit improper?" the Second Hall Master said again.

"That’s not a problem. There’s no essential difference between nine halls and ten," Shen Chong dismissed with a wave of his hand.

"Holy Master, even if we were to add a new hall, the choice of Hall Master should be given more thorough consideration," the Third Hall Master took over the conversation.

The Third Hall Master looked toward Jing Yan.

"Although Jing Yan has stepped into the Dao Emperor Realm, he is far too young and perhaps not sufficiently prudent. There are many Dao Emperor Realm Practitioners on the Continent more qualified than Jing Yan to become the Master of the Tenth Hall," the Third Hall Master’s remark was rather discourteous, carrying a subtle implication against Jing Yan.

At this moment, the Third Hall Master was indeed dissatisfied with the Saint Master’s arrangement.

Their journeys to becoming Hall Masters were by no means easy. Moreover, each of their personal Martial Arts Cultivation levels was extremely formidable. Among the nine Hall Masters, even the weakest possessed Late Stage Dao Emperor cultivation.

Even though Jing Yan had the accomplishment of having slain Supreme Elder Gu Mo of the Gai Family, in the eyes of the Third Hall Master, this did not prove much. Gu Mo was merely an Early Stage Dao Emperor Realm Practitioner, and his combat power was very average among those in the Dao Emperor Realm. Any of them could easily kill Gu Mo.

There were many on the Continent capable of killing Gu Mo, a Dao Emperor Realm Practitioner, so why should Jing Yan be appointed Master of the Tenth Hall?

What gives a young martial artist in his thirties the right to sit on equal footing with the nine Hall Masters, who had been renowned for hundreds and even thousands of years?