Daily life of a cultivation judge

Even if he has never been seen, he does make an 'appearance' at every ceremony, like he did now. No matter if it was a student freshly graduated from the Institute about to start at the core formation courts or a judge being promoted to the domain courts, the president always sent a congratulatory and approval statement and his voice would always have the same effect on everything present, including even the inanimate objects.

The two elders of the two Holy Lands along with the disciples of their sects had widened eyes that were filled with shock from that brief experience, especially the two elders. It was one thing for the disciples to be affected by that voice, especially those in the palace realm. If they wanted to, they could do the same thing, but they were surprised to discover that they were also affected by that voice. 

They were soul formation experts, the realm commonly accepted to be the peak realm within the whole Southern Continent, and to boot they were soul formation experts from Holy Lands which meant they were a cut above the rest even other soul formation experts, but they were as defenseless as the qi refinement guests when the voice hit them.

That reality of events sent shockwaves through their hearts. The higher one's realm was, the more one understood of such implications. To the qi refinement cultivator or even core formation cultivator, they'd easily brush it off and think it was an exciting experience, but to them, they saw things differently. The fact that the owner could trigger an excited state from them with just his voice within a short few seconds despite their many defenses, meant if the owner so wished, he could attack them without knowing, just as fast. Even with all their means, there was a chance they would die without knowing how, should that owner have decided to do it.

"Fellow Daoist Han, do you think their president has reached that realm?" asked Elder Luo Yong using the spiritual sense of a soul formation expert to transmit his voice.

At their level, they could transmit a decade's worth of content in just an instant using the spiritual sense of a soul formation expert.

"I don't know, but at the very least I know I have never felt this exposed, even in front of the Soul supreme masters within my sect. The Order really hid their fangs well, even their vice president here feels unfathomable," Elder Han Meng said with an air of seriousness in his tone.

"That they have," said Elder Luo Yong, with an unfathomable glint flashing in his eyes, as his gaze fell on the area the Order employees were seated.

"Daoist Han Meng, Daoist Luo Yong, would you like some sunflower seeds?" asked Vice President Mo Ye with an inviting smile.

At some point, a white bag filled with crispy golden brown sunflower seeds appeared in his hands.

"No need to be shy, they're excellent and are one of the best. One of our elders skilled in herbology personally cares for them. The sunflower they're produced from is watered using the dew of a 100,000-year-old purple firmament imperial oleander. 

It's no saint-grade treasure, but its dew might as well be. Here try some, I promise you will not regret it," Vice President Mo Ye said as he pushed the bag to the both of them.

"It would be rude of me to refuse, after Daoist Mo Ye's generous offer," said Elder Luo Yong as he gracefully picked a few.

"I'll have to shamelessly accept your offer, Daoist Mo Ye, thank you," said Elder Han Meng as he picked a few.

Both their eyes lit up as they ate them.

"See, I told you it wouldn't disappoint," Vice President Mo Ye said as he chuckled.

That little action was observed by the rest of the guests since they were on the platform and because of their backgrounds and station they were the center of attention to the guests, even more than Yang Qing, who at best was considered an important sideshow in comparison to the soul formation experts from the Order along with the members of the two Holy Lands.

The three experts trading sunflower seeds seemed to have visibly lightened the atmosphere around the guests. A minute before, it was a bit stifled, especially with the gift-giving session coming up, but the action from Vice President Mo Ye seemed to have eased the air a bit.

"Daoist Han, Daoist Yong, I'm afraid the president will not be available later for our meeting, but other members of the Spirit Council along with myself and with the chancellor will be there, so I hope you don't mind making do with just us," said Vice president Mo Ye.

"Oh, the unfathomable Chancellor will be making an appearance?" asked Elder Luo Yong with genuine surprise in his tone.

"I heard most of your domain experts were once her students. Is that true?" he added

"Hahaha, surely that's not possible, rumors have a way of distorting the truth as you well know. While it is true some of the domain experts we have were once her students, the number isn't that high," said Vice President Mo Ye as he chewed on some more sunflower seeds.

"Having passed through the domain realm ourselves we know it's no easy feat reaching it. Training even one person to reach the domain realm shows how deep one's understanding of the Dao is and the ability to impart it to someone.

In my book, no matter the number of Domain realm cultivators she has trained, just the fact she has been able to, is worthy of my respect," said Elder Han Meng.  He was never a talkative person but he was usually straightforward when it came to his likes and dislikes.

"I'm sure Chancellor Su Liqiu will appreciate your sentiments. She has always held the sword skills and discipline of the Radiant sword sect in high regard along with the heaven-defying alchemy skills of the Flowing Valley Sect. I know she will appreciate meeting with you both," said Vice President Mo Ye.

"We look forward to making her acquaintance," they both said.

"What an old fox," thought Elder Luo Yong. 

The isn't high statement Vice President Mo Ye made was well open to interpretation. 

As the trio was having this discussion, Chief Justice Lai Ning had already signaled the start of the final phase of the ceremony, the gift-giving stage.