In practical terms, whether the position of Qingchan Sword Master is vacant or not is essentially meaningless.
After all, when Lu Li held the position, he was always a hands-off manager. All affairs of Qingchan Peak were handled by Bai Qiming and Fu Qian. All he needed to do was maintain a balance between them.
However, from the perspective of the peak's symbolic leadership, the Sword Master Elder of Qingchan Peak must have a candidate confirmed as soon as possible.
For the True Person Caiyun, who once presided over the Kongshan Sect for four thousand years, terms like Sect Leader, Peak Elders, or the Four Supreme Courts held no weight. The current Kongshan Sect was entirely his own personal domain, where his word was law.
This was exactly how it had been thirteen thousand years ago.
Whether it was Yun Yichen or He Zongzhou, they were merely extensions of his authority.
"It is time to decide on the candidate for the Qingchan Sword Master position."
Lu Li spoke, his gaze sweeping over the two elderly men within the great hall.
Upon hearing this, the breaths of these two Peak Elders of Qingchan Peak hitched simultaneously.
They were True Dharma Elder Bai Qiming, Martial Elder Fu Qian, and Dignity Elder Cai Zi'an.
Whether in terms of capability, seniority, or cultivation realm, Qingchan Peak's Dignity Elder Cai Zi'an was far too mediocre, completely unable to compete with Bai Qiming and Fu Qian.
Therefore, the position of Qingchan Peak's Sword Master Elder was, for all intents and purposes, a foregone conclusion: it would be selected from between the two elders currently kneeling within the great hall of Caijun Tower.
No matter how deep the scheming minds of Bai Qiming and Fu Qian were, at this moment, both their hearts were filled with apprehension.
Because they understood very clearly that whoever ascended to the Qingchan Sword Master position would represent the impending conclusion of the chess game between them.
"Elder Fu, who do you think should assume the Qingchan Sword Master position?"
Lu Li asked.
"This disciple dares not speak recklessly."
Fu Qian replied with a cupped fist salute.
"Elder Bai?"
"Everything is subject to Patriarch Kong's wise judgment."
Neither of them dared to speculate on Patriarch Caijun's intentions, nor did they dare to speak carelessly.
"In that case, let Kongyuan Mountain's True Dharma Elder, Zhong Yin, come to Qingchan Peak to handle this duty."
Lu Li stated.
Upon hearing this, both Fu Qian and Bai Qiming were stunned.
Yun Yichen's personal disciple, Zhong Yin?
"Patriarch Kong, for the Qingchan Sword Master position to be held by a disciple from another peak... isn't that somewhat..."
Fu Qian hurriedly spoke up.
"Do you have an objection?"
Lu Li lowered his gaze.
"This disciple dares not."
Fu Qian quickly made another cupped fist salute.
"It is just that this disciple is dull-witted and cannot comprehend your intention, Patriarch Kong."
"Because I believe Zhong Yin is more suitable for the Qingchan Sword Master position than either of you two. Is that reason sufficient?"
Lu Li said gravely.
"......"
Both Fu Qian and Bai Qiming knelt on the floor, heads bowed low, not daring to utter a single word.
Lu Li indeed greatly admired Zhong Yin. Firstly, the path of "True Qi Body Refinement" that Zhong Yin walked was inherently unorthodox and extremely rare across the entire Chenping Continent.
Furthermore, ever since he issued the "Edict of Grace and Authority" several months ago, Zhong Yin had been the vanguard in eradicating those cultivation sects and various forces deemed enemies by the Kongshan Sect.
Although, from the moment he returned to the Kongshan Sect with the bearing of an immortal ascendant, the sect had already become entirely his personal domain where his word was law.
Lu Li still needed a group of his own trusted confidants to better control the sect.
The current individuals on Qingchan Peak, he did not wish to use, nor could he use them.
Thus, he turned his gaze to the contemporary Sect Leader of the Kongshan Sect, Yun Yichen.
Whether in terms of natural talent, capability, or the current foundation of the direct lineage of Kongyuan Mountain, Lu Li was very satisfied.
He intended to heavily employ Yun Yichen's lineage. Therefore, having Zhong Yin come to Qingchan Peak as the Sword Master Elder was a natural and logical step.
"Since the candidate for Qingchan Sword Master has been decided, there is nothing else."
Lu Li said indifferently.
"This disciple takes his leave!"
Fu Qian and Bai Qiming said in unison, then rose from the great hall and retreated together towards the exit.
And so, the struggle between the Qingchan True Dharma lineage and the Martial Discipline lineage came to a complete end.
It was settled with just a single sentence.
Lu Li's expression remained impassive as he slowly closed his eyes once more, beginning to ponder.
Internal sect matters were trivialities to him, all easily resolved with a single sentence, just like moments ago.
Matters outside the Kongshan Sect were what truly gave him a headache.
In this current era, there were a total of seven reincarnated bodies of the Immortal Ascension Realm.
Including himself, five were currently known.
He recalled the request made by Realman Lingxuan to the four Immortal Ascension Realm cultivators present on Heavenly Summit Mountain some time ago.
Return the fragments of the Heavenly Summit Mirror.
Lu Li did not know what purpose the Heavenly Summit Mirror truly served, and neither did the other Immortal Ascension Realm cultivators from the major sects.
Thirteen thousand years ago, not long after Kong Yang had just ascended to immortality, he had once handled the Heavenly Summit Mirror fragment belonging to the Kongshan Sect.
It was merely an ordinary bronze mirror.
Over sixty thousand years ago, why exactly did the Five Great Sects fear this mirror?
And why did Realman Lingxuan want to reclaim it?
At that time, the four Immortal Ascension Realm true persons present all refused Realman Lingxuan's request with various excuses.
The reason Lu Li used was the most plausible one among them: the fragment was lost.
Not only was the Heavenly Summit Mirror fragment lost, but two Upper Three Realms Grand Elders, as well as his own "personal disciple," Zhai Yushi, had also perished.
Currently, Lu Li still had one personal disciple, Yi Ning.
Becoming the "Patriarch Kong's" personal disciple did not grant Yi Ning a higher status within the sect, because Lu Li had indeed never devoted any real effort to this nominal disciple of his.
In reality, Yi Ning was merely registered under Patriarch Kong's name. The ones who truly instructed him were Chu Chen and Fu Qian. This had long been an open secret within the Kongshan Sect.
Approximately two months ago, Yi Ning took over the position of Dao Sect Wanderer of Kongshan Sect, which had been vacated by Mingxiao Peak's Cheng Ziying, and went down the mountain to travel and gain experience.
As for Cheng Ziying, whose cultivation realm had already reached the Peak Qi Sea Realm, her breakthrough to the Passable God Realm was certainly a matter of the next year or two. She had now returned to the sect, assumed the position of Supervisor of Mingxiao Peak, and her next step would be to ascend to the position of Elder of Mingxiao Peak's Enforcement Hall.
Realman Lingxuan appeared very composed regarding the fact that all four of these major sects present had refused his request.
Because this was within his expectations all along.
Among the other four Immortal Ascension Realm cultivators, the one Lu Li was most wary of was this Realman Lingxuan, who declared he would never restore Heavenly Summit Mountain.
Heavenly Summit Mountain, the former number one sacred land of cultivation on the Chenping Continent.
Even though Heavenly Summit Mountain had been destroyed for over sixty thousand years, its name still weighed heavily upon the heads of the Five Great Sects.
So then...
Suddenly, Lu Li opened his eyes and slowly said:
"Currently, seven of the Great Daos of the Chenping Continent have been occupied. Aside from the few who gathered on Heavenly Summit Mountain some time ago, there are two Daos that have never revealed themselves. Presumably, you are one of these two Daos, sir. But tell me, sir, why have you not yet ascended to immortality?"
His gaze fell upon the young cultivator dressed in plain daoist robes who stood in the great hall of Caijun Tower at some unknown time.
A blank token of the Kongshan Sect still hung at his waist.
"I have come to discuss business with you, True Person Kong."
Mr. You said with a smile.