On the first day of the New Year, as is tradition in the Stargaze Pce, all disciples would gather outside the Main Pce in the morning. Then, they would depart for the altar and offer sacrifices to their ancestors altogether.


    This altar ceremony had been passed down for more than a thousand years in the Stargaze Pce. On each New Year’s Day, all disciples must attend, unless they could not make it back due to special circumstances. However, despite not being able to make it back, they must face the direction of their homnd with a solemn expression to show their respect to the ancestors.


    Across the vast altar, every disciple present stood in order of their ranking. Behind the altar, the great and prestigious temple stood there.


    Inside this temple,y the sacred memorial tablets of generations of people who had lived in the Stargaze Pce.


    The five Pce Masters brought the eight Shakyamuni, ten Pce Emissaries, sixteen Elders and the other senior ranking people such as the Butlers to walk up to the altar, step by step.


    With the five Pce Masters as the leaders, they started to offer incense sticks. Each stick of this incense was two fingers wide and the Pce Masters was given three incense sticks each. They then started to pray to the ancestors.


    The Head Pce Master said in a clear voice: "For generations, with our ancestors of the Stargaze Pce in the heavens, I, Zhuo Buqun have brought Pce Masters Tan Zhongchi, Zhong Wuyin, Leng Qiuchi, Tian Zhixing, our Elders, and Shakyamuni to worship our ancestors. This is the time of the new year, the Stargaze will certainly honor the past and celebrate the future as we move forward. We will never bring shame to our ancestor’s name and will elevate the name of the Stargaze..."


    After the Head Pce Master said the words of worship, the other four Pce Masters also made their speech. After each of them had finished, they would proceed to the second round by offering five fruits and vegetables and three domestic animals.


    Next, it was the disciples turn to kneel and pray for about fifteen minutes.


    The entire ceremony was grand and majestic. After the silent prayers, with the sound of the stone chimes, the entire worshipping ceremony ended perfectly.


    After they had finished the ceremony, they returned to the Main Pce. To start the first day of the new year, they must make new ns and goals. The general political direction and the ns would be passed out from this Main Pce.


    When they returned to the Main Pce, Zhuo Buqun thanked all the disciples for their hard work in the past year. He specifically congratted the Core disciples.


    As per the norm, the top ten from each year’s Core rankingpetition would receive some rewards. Of course, the rewards would only serve the purpose of an encouragement and would not be too grand.


    Since Qin Wushuang was the victor, he could be rewarded with an Upper Sky weapon of the Initial Stage. However, Qin Wushuang said: "Head Pce Master, I already have two weapons, could Shakyamuni Cang Ze bestow upon me a trained spiritual beast?"


    Zhuo Buqunughed and exined: "Those trained spiritual beast only have a portion of the bloodline of true spiritual beasts. They are different than the wild ones. Firstly, they cannot advance. They will remain at their level from the moment they were born. Thus, if you are looking to find a contract spiritual beast, the trained ones will not work. Besides, the Inner Core of the trained beast are not as pure as the wild ones. It will only have mediocre effect if used to make Pills. The sess rate would only be half as the Inner Cores of the wild ones."


    Overall,pared to an Initial Stage Spiritual weapon, a trained beast had much lesser value.


    However, Qin Wushuang asked for the Spiritual Beast not because he wanted their Spiritual Qi, but other aspects. Regarding this use, he did not n to reveal it for now.


    He only said with a smile: "After the exam, I became very interested in Spiritual beasts. Thus, I would like to practice training them. Please help me."


    The Head Pce Masters exchanged nces with the other Pce Masters and thought for a moment. Suddenly, he seemed to have remembered something and nodded thoughtfully: "Since you are interested in training the beasts, it would not be a problem to give you one. Shakyamuni Cang Ze."


    Shakyamuni Cang Ze walked out: "I am here, Head Pce Master."


    "Since Qin Wushuang wishes for this, the Stargaze Pce should fulfill his wish by being flexible. Return, go pick a smart beast for him."


    "Ok." Shakyamuni Cang Ze took the order.


    Although Tan Zhongchi did not know the reason for Qin Wushuang in wanting a beast, he knew that his disciple’s ns were unpredictable. Thus, he did not find it strange and only smiled as he watched him.


    Next, all the other disciples received their rewards corresponding to their ranks.


    Finally, the Head Pce Master began to speak: "In this year’s Core rankingpetition, there were many joyful changes. Being the head of the Stargaze Pce, I feel extremely joyous. It means that our Stargaze Pce have fresh blood and new faces. If the ranking had stayed the same, it means the Stargaze Pce would be facing a crisis. A sect without change would not grow nor would itst very long."


    "This time, there is a special reward for the top ten from the Core rankingpetition. What is this reward? It is the vicennial friendlypetition between the three Empires of the east. Twenty years of time has passed in a snap of the fingers. This year’spetition will be held at the Heavenly Lake Empire. Many sects from the Great Luo will participate. However, the Stargaze Pce will be the main group. Whether we get glory or honor in the friendlypetition, it would depend on us."


    "Thus, the top ten from the Core Rankingpetition will be the mainpetitors from the Stargaze Pce. If some changes were to happen to the spots, we will fill the substitute spots with the students from the lower ranks!"


    Instantly, the words of the Head Pce Master made those top ten Core disciples extremely happy. Such opportunity was indeed, rare.


    Being Stargaze disciples, they had always trained at the Virtuous Cloud Summit and haven’t had chance to see the outside world. Naturally, they looked forward to this opportunity when they heard this good news from the Head Pce Master.


    Next, the Head Pce Master expressed some expectation for the new year. Then, he dismissed them after speaking some encouraging words.


    Besides the top ten from the Core rankingpetition, the other disciples returned to their own ces.


    The ten Core disciples stayed in the Main Pce.


    The Head Pce Master said with a serious tone: "Everyone, you ten will be the main team for this friendlypetition between the three Empires. This time, I have an important task to give to you guys. It’s a chance to gain some experience."


    Besides Qin Wushuang, all the others listened attentively. They wanted to know what instructions the Head Pce Master wanted to give since he had spoken with such seriousness.


    "For this assignment, it’ll likely serve as a warm up before thepetition. I hope you guys will treasure the opportunity and stay alert. Don’t underestimate any enemies or act sloppy..." Immediately, the Head Pce Master opened his mouth and systematically narrated in full detail the words he had spoken to Qin Wushuangst night.


    After hearing his words, each of those disciples showed a solemn expression.


    Since this matter was rted with the Heavenly Lake Empire, it would not be simple. Most likely, those Herbalist disciples were no longer part of this world.


    It was highly possible that the Heavenly Lake Empire was using this as a chance it to demonstrate their military force to the Great Luo Empire. To put it precisely, they were showing off their power to the Stargaze Pce. Everyone knew that the Stargaze Pce was the number one sect in the Great Luo Empire. Even the Martial Saints of each Subordinate Country would not dare to offend their Herbalist disciples.


    Thus, for sure, the Subordinate Countries would have nothing to do with the disappearance of the Herbalist disciples. However, people of the Heavenly Lake Empire would not escape suspicion.


    "This matter could be light or severe. You must investigate thoroughly and not ignore any trace of evidence. If it had been done by the Heavenly Lake Empire, you can seek an opportunity to make a move. Once you make your move, don’t leave any leeway. You must kill the enemies that invaded thend of the Great Luo."


    After giving the solemn instructions, the Head Pce Master looked at Qin Wushuang and said: "Wushuang, you are the victor from the Core Ranking Competition. For this matter, whether you want to or not, you must carry the responsibility of being a team leader."


    The Head Pce Master nced around with a pair of stern eyes: "All of you must work with the team leader. Do not bring any of your personal emotions into this investigation. Whoever drags down the team andpromises the investigation because of your littlepetitions between the Pce Houses will await inhouse punishment!"


    Zhuo Buqun had rarely spoken with such a strict tone. Because of this fact, it was apparent how seriously he treated this matter. And one could also see his strict attitude regarding morale problems.


    The other Pce Masters all nodded. Tian Zhixing, the Fifth Pce Master said: "You are all fellow disciples of the Stargaze Pce. While we face foreign enemies, we need to work together to fight against them. The Core Ranking Competition happens each year. You must let go of these small gains and losses from thepetitions. Or else, you will end up in an embarrassing state. For my student, Miao Zhongxia, you must remember this in your heart."


    Proud of his sesses, Miao Zhongxia had ranked third in this Core Ranking Competition. Naturally, he would not object as he nodded to state his opinion: "I will remember the bigger picture and would not dare tomit any acts of overstepping the bounds."


    Once Tian Zhixing had stated his opinion, although both the Third and the Fourth Pce Masters only had one disciple in the top ten, they had no choice but to remind their disciples. They instructed Zhao Muzhi and Deng Bohu to not harbor any hostility.


    The Head Pce Master had three disciples in the top ten. They were Wei Yi, Lu Shaonan and Huang Chaoyang.


    "Ok, I will not speak any extra words. Rest for two days, you will depart on the third day of the new year. No dys." The Head Pce Master instructed.


    All ten disciples bowed in eptance of the instructions and answered unanimously: "Yes."


    Qin Wushuang was carrying a heavy responsibility. He had only entered the sect less than a half year ago and had only be the victor of the Core rankingpetition less than three days ago. He was already carrying the responsibility of a team leader. This task was not easy.


    After they were dismissed from the Main Pce, Qin Wushuang went to Shakyamuni Cang Ze and adopted a white sable that had been in training for three or four years. It had enough Spiritual Qi and was extremely obedient as it could read the thoughts of humans.


    Initially, this white sable did not approve his new master, Qin Wushuang. Through the knowledge from the Beast Trainer, Qin Wushuang knew that in order to make one obey you, he should either use theirnguage to establish an equalmunication grounds or use Spiritual Qi to intimidate it.


    This was the strategy of giving rewards or use of intimidation.


    Currently, Qin Wushuang’s beastnguage ability had not yet reached a level where he could establish equalmunications. However, he was more than capable of using intimidation with his Spiritual Qi.