nycdaug Chapter 139 The Struggle for Sect Master
Chapter 139 The Struggle for Sect Master
Song Zhiyuan didn't react yet, but Yun Zhao was surprised first.
What, are the demon race really going to war with the human race?
Wasn't it just a lie that Song Zhiyuan made up on the spot?
Song Zhiyuan was equally surprised: "Fellow Daoist, what do you mean by that? The demon race... is going to war with the human race?"
The man asked in confusion, "I heard that Fellow Daoist Song comes from the Song family of Demon Subduing City. You should be well-informed. Why didn't your family send you any communication talismans?"
Song Zhiyuan frowned and probed the communication talisman with his divine sense, only to find that the Grand Elder had sent him a message.
The gist of the message is that the demon race has been making trouble lately, and many lesser demons have infiltrated the cultivation world, so Song Zhiyuan should be careful in everything he does.
“So that’s how it is,” Song Zhiyuan said. “Just now, you fellow Daoists didn’t come out for a long time, and I was worried that something had happened, so I didn’t check the communication talisman and didn’t know what had happened.”
"I see," the cultivators said, and their gazes toward Song Zhiyuan softened considerably.
But they had their own ulterior motives. Ordinary cultivators can only contract one spirit beast, but who wouldn't want to contract several?
However, Song Zhiyuan insisted that those demonic beasts had nothing to do with him, and they could not force him, so they had no choice but to return to their respective camps to rest and wait for the sect leaders to take them back.
Yun Zhao and Qi Yan entered their tent. Yun Zhao said, "Didn't Uncle Qi say last time that there was internal strife in the demon realm? It hasn't been long, and they're already fighting with the human race?"
Mu Qianqian sent her a message talisman, telling her about recent events, the most eye-catching of which was the large number of demons infiltrating the cultivation world.
Bai Lingxiao also posted a message saying that she had found a quiet and peaceful town in the demon realm to cultivate, but recently, for some unknown reason, the demon race has been coming out in full force, with their target being the border between the human and demon realms.
Qi Yan had a guess. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Zhao Zhao, could it be because of me?"
"After I gained memories from ten thousand years ago, a strange and powerful force appeared in my body. I felt that I could use that force to break through to the Tribulation Transcending stage, but I have been suppressing it."
The Tribulation Transcending Stage is the highest realm for cultivators. Upon reaching this stage, those who successfully transcend the tribulation will live as long as the heavens, while those who fail will remain cultivators until their lifespan is exhausted and they face death.
Ten thousand years ago, Qi Yan's cultivation level was at the Tribulation Transcending stage.
"After sealing away the power of extinction ten thousand years ago, before my soul was reincarnated, I sent the power back to the Demon Palace in the Demon Realm. My original intention was for the future Demon Emperor to refine it and protect the Demon Realm, but now it seems that no Demon Emperor has refined it."
"Hmm... So they're looking for you?"
Qi Yan nodded. "It should be."
Yun Zhao frowned. "What do they want with you? Doesn't the demon realm already have a demon emperor? Do they want you to go back and continue being the demon emperor?"
“Maybe the new Demon Emperor wants to silence us,” Wu You chimed in. “Qi Yan’s power suddenly disappeared. Who knows what the new Demon Emperor is thinking? Who would want a mere upstart to steal the throne when they’re doing a good job as Demon Emperor?”
Putting myself in his shoes, I realized he wouldn't agree anyway.
“Wu You is right,” Yun Zhao said, resting his chin on his hand. “We still don’t know who the Demon Emperor of the Demon Realm is. I’ll find out later. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory.”
The sect leaders quickly arrived and led their disciples back to their respective homes. The matter of the "Song Family Contract Secret Technique" did not cause a great sensation. Master Guiyuan vouched for the Song Family, saying that they did not have any secret technique for contracting multiple spirit beasts.
After returning to Qingyun Sect, it is unknown what Song Zhiyuan said to Master Guiyuan, but the next day, Master Guiyuan announced to the public that Song Zhiyuan and Yun Zhao had no marriage agreement.
Inside the council hall, Peak Master Jin said with dissatisfaction, "Sect Master, the marriage between Zhiyuan and Zhaozhao was arranged by the old Sect Master before his death. How can it be changed?"
Master Guiyuan looked at Yun Zhao and Qi Yan standing together, then at Song Zhiyuan and Xue Huairui, who were far away from them, and said helplessly:
"As you can see now, they each have their own place to belong. The old sect leader certainly hopes that Zhaozhao can be happy. As for who she will marry... that depends on Zhaozhao's wishes."
"Also," Master Guiyuan looked at Yun Zhao with kindness, "Zhao Zhao, you've grown up, unlike when you were little... You can make your own decisions about anything."
Those present understood what Master Guiyuan had left unsaid: Yun Zhao was simple-minded as a child, but as he grew up, especially recently, he became intelligent and no different from a normal person.
The reason why the old sect leader Yun made a marriage agreement between Song Zhiyuan and Yun Zhao before his death was so that Yun Zhao would have someone to rely on. But now that Yun Zhao has returned to normal, the old sect leader's worries are no longer necessary.
"Sect Master, I understand," Yun Zhao nodded. "With your word, the rumors about me and Senior Brother Song will definitely disappear."
Song Zhiyuan said calmly, "Master, I feel the same way."
Master Guiyuan nodded, and was about to say something when Peak Master Jin asked again, "Then how should we settle the matter of the young sect leader?"
"Sect Master, please don't forget that the former Sect Master and Senior Brother Yunyan made many contributions to our Qingyun Sect. It was originally decided that the position of Sect Master would be passed to Senior Brother Yunyan, but he couldn't take over due to an accident. However, the requirements for the next Sect Master are..."
Peak Master Jin glanced at Yun Zhao, "Is it settled that Zhao Zhao's Daoist partner is the Young Sect Master?"
The atmosphere froze for a moment. Song Zhiyuan glanced at the peak master of the earth peak without leaving a trace, and nodded almost imperceptibly. "Old Jin, we've watched Zhiyuan grow up. His cultivation and character are more than enough to take on the responsibility of sect master."
"Besides, Zhiyuan was groomed to be the next sect leader. Isn't that an unspoken fact between us?"
Peak Master Jin retorted with dissatisfaction, "What tacit understanding? I only listen to the old sect leader. I don't acknowledge it!"
"Old Lu, what about you?"
Master Hanyue never gets involved in such mundane matters, focusing solely on cultivation, so he wasn't present, but Lu Mingdao did.
Lu Mingdao chuckled and said, "I don't get involved in these things, but when it comes to our Zhaozhao's things, even if it offends people, I won't back down an inch."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "The same goes for Han Yue."
Jin Fengzhu revealed a satisfied smile. Although Lu Mingdao did not openly support him, his words implied that he did not support Song Zhiyuan.
Logically, the position of the next sect leader should be passed to Yun Zhao, but Peak Master Jin believed he had a good eye for people and thought that Yun Zhao had no interest in the position of sect leader.
"Of course, I, as her senior brother, feel the same way. She belongs to Zhaozhao, and I can't let outsiders take her away."
Peak Master Jin gave what he thought was a kind smile and asked Yun Zhao, "Zhao Zhao, what do you think?"
The peak masters of Water and Fire Peaks are neutral. If they gain Yun Zhao's support, it's equivalent to gaining the support of Cold Moon Peak and Wood Peak, which will greatly increase their chances of winning.
Even if he can't become the sect leader, he can still be his personal disciple.
Yun Zhao smiled and said, "For such an important matter, we should naturally follow the sect leader's wishes."