Chapter 100: New Sect Master
In the Celestial Summit Hall, all the elders of the Azure Cloud Sect had gathered to address the urgent matters facing their order.
The chamber held a solemn atmosphere as nine senior cultivators arranged themselves around the grand table: Elder Feng Wuying of the Blade Pavilion who also served as Grand Elder, Elder Zhao Liufeng of the Ethereal Wind Pavilion, Elder Guo Shantian of the Mountain Heart Pavilion, Elder Xu Yehan of the Reflection Pavilion, Elder Lei Juming of the Thundering Echo Pavilion, Elder Wu Tiangang of the Spirit Forging Pavilion, Elder Jiang Qingxin of the Meditation Pavilion, Elder Liu Shuiyue of the Flowing Water Pavilion, and Elder Huang Fengqi of the Phoenix Ascension Pavilion.
"Let’s start with the most important part—we need a new Sect Leader," Elder Xu Yehan spoke, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the hall.
Elder Guo was about to speak, but the Grand Elder placed a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head gently. "We all know that you and the Sect Master were sworn brothers, but the sect cannot remain without a leader," he said. "Even if it has not even been a day, we still have to do this. This isn’t a clan but a sect—we have to look out for everyone’s best interests."
Elder Guo nodded reluctantly. Though it pained him to select a new Sect Leader when his brother’s corpse was not yet cold, he understood the necessity. The sect still had enemies; though they had won this battle, they had not yet won the war.
"Who should we select as the new Sect Leader?" Elder Huang asked, her gaze sweeping across the assembled elders.
All eyes turned toward the Grand Elder expectantly. But to their surprise, he simply shook his head. "Let you youngsters decide among yourselves," he said with finality. "I’ll also be stepping down from my position as the Grand Elder."
Shocked murmurs rippled through the hall, but the Grand Elder raised his palm to quiet them. "I only stayed to look after my friend’s son, but it seems I couldn’t accomplish even that." His voice carried no self-pity, merely stating a fact that pained him deeply.
The elders listened in respectful silence. The Grand Elder belonged to the previous Sect Master’s generation, not their own. His next words fell heavily in the quiet chamber: "I’m growing old. I’ll enter retreat to see if I can breakthrough to the Golden Core stage." A pause. "If I can’t, I’ll just join my brothers."
Everyone understood the meaning behind his words. If he failed to achieve this breakthrough, his natural lifespan would expire, and he would pass from this world.
"I have someone to recommend for the position though," the Grand Elder continued, noticing the somber mood that had descended upon the gathering. "I recommend Elder Guo’s disciple, Li Yao."
When they heard this suggestion, heads nodded in unison. Many had harbored the same thought but hesitated to voice it. Coming from the Grand Elder, however, the recommendation carried significant weight.
They had all witnessed Li Yao’s overwhelming power during the recent battle. Having her as Sect Leader would provide a powerful beacon of strength to inspire confidence among the disciples. Their only reservation concerned the considerable generation gap.
All eyes turned to Elder Guo, seeking his reaction.
"My disciple is not even fifty years old," Elder Guo objected firmly. "Why should she carry the burden of the sect?"
"Elder Guo, don’t be so harsh," Elder Wu Tiangang countered. "She’s also an adult. I’m sure she’ll understand the sect’s situation."
Elder Guo gritted his teeth in frustration. These people wanted to push all responsibility onto a youngster—had they no shame? Although Li Yao possessed remarkable strength, she remained, in his eyes, just a child.
Suddenly, Elder Huang placed her gentle hand on his shoulder. "How about this—we can ask her directly. If she doesn’t agree, then we’ll have to abandon the idea," she suggested.
The other elders nodded in approval, seemingly satisfied with this compromise.
"Fine," Elder Guo relented with a sigh as he retrieved a wooden communication plank from his sleeve, its surface glowing faintly with energy as he activated it.
...
When Li Yao arrived at the gathering in the Celestial Summit Peak Hall, several elders rose to their feet, greeting her with the respectful address typically reserved for equals rather than disciples. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Li," they said with measured deference.
These people are truly shameless , Elder Guo thought, watching his colleagues’ transparent attempts to curry favor. Yet even as irritation flickered through him, understanding followed. For the sect to survive in these perilous times, they desperately needed a powerful leader. His only reservation was whether Li Yao possessed the right temperament to shoulder such a burden.
She stood in her prime—a once-in-a-generation talent with boundless potential. In his heart, Elder Guo firmly believed she had the makings of an immortal. Given sufficient time and freedom, she would undoubtedly ascend to shake the very heavens themselves.
But the sect now bore the ominous mark of the high-level Wuming Cult. An ordinary disciple might simply flee when the inevitable storm broke, but a Sect Master would be honor-bound to stand firm, even if it meant going down with the sect.
"Li Yao," the Grand Elder addressed her directly, his weathered voice carrying across the chamber, "are you interested in becoming the Sect Master?"
Surprise flashed across Li Yao’s face. Clearly, she hadn’t anticipated this when summoned to the elders’ gathering. Her gaze swept across the chamber, taking in the expectant expressions turned toward her—some hopeful, others calculating, all intensely focused on her response.
"You needn’t feel pressured," Elder Guo interjected, his tone gentle yet firm. "Just follow your heart. No one will dare blame you, regardless of your decision." Beside him, Elder Huang offered an encouraging smile.
Within Li Yao’s consciousness, the Empress’s voice resonated with measured caution: [What will you choose? If you become the Sect Leader, you’ll be mortal enemies with the Wuming Cult.]
Li Yao surveyed the assembly once more, noting the mingled hope and desperation in their eyes. Though she could certainly flee—her power now sufficient to establish herself anywhere—such an act ran counter to her fundamental nature. With so many looking to her for salvation, how could she possibly abandon them? Besides, victory and defeat remained uncertain. The future had yet to be written.
Drawing herself to her full height, Li Yao nodded decisively. "I will fight for our sect," she declared, her voice ringing with unwavering conviction.
The Grand Elder’s weathered face creased into a satisfied smile.
"What?" Elder Guo’s shock escaped as an audible exclamation. How could his typically carefree, mischievous disciple agree to such a restrictive role? He had been certain she would decline.
Before he could process this unexpected development, the other elders rose from their seats in a synchronous motion, bowing formally to their new leader. "We greet the Sect Master," they intoned in unified respect.
Elder Guo glanced around the chamber, bewilderment giving way to resignation. He released a soft sigh—perhaps he truly was growing old. If she wished to remain and shoulder this burden, what could he do? In truth, beneath his concern lurked a flicker of pride. She had chosen the path of responsibility rather than self-preservation.
He had truly chosen his disciples well.
Noticing that every eye in the chamber had turned expectantly toward him, Elder Guo composed himself. A small smile softened his features as he too inclined his head in formal acknowledgment. "I greet the Sect Master."
"I wonder what Master would think," he thought reflectively. "He was deeply disappointed when the sect genius of our generation declined to become Sect Master. But this sect genius has raised an even greater talent who now takes up the mantle. I hope Master won’t be too disappointed that it took this long."