A Decision That Defied the Ancestors!

"Demon Lord Chonglou!"

"Lord of the Demon Realm!"

"Why is he here?!"

Some Shu Mountain disciples who had seen Chonglou before cried out in alarm.

The other guests’ expressions changed drastically.

A man’s reputation was like a tree’s shadow.

Chonglou, who looked down upon the Six Realms and was nearly invincible beneath heaven, was known even to ordinary mortals like Shen Qingfeng and Lin Tiannan, let alone great immortal sects such as the Qionghua Sect and Penglai Imperial Sword Hall.

Once they learned that the crimson figure in the sky was the famed Demon Lord, everyone looked as though they were facing a formidable enemy.

Could the Demon Lord have deliberately chosen the day the Sword and Qi Sects merged to attack Shu Mountain?!

Were they not finished now?

Many Jianghu folk immediately considered fleeing. After all, when the sky fell, the tall ones would hold it up. With so many immortal sects present, what did this have to do with ordinary mortals like them?

Shang Fengzi and Feng Yao turned pale. They had traveled a thousand miles to congratulate the Shu Mountain Sect, only to encounter something like this. Their luck was truly abysmal.

Seeing the ants below panic for their lives, contempt flashed through Chonglou’s eyes. His fine mood had been completely ruined by these people.

"Other than Fei Peng, you are one of the few opponents who can bring me pleasure. Since you are taking over as Shu Mountain’s Sect Leader today, I have prepared a gift for you."

With a sweep of Chonglou’s hand, four terrifying demon beasts suddenly appeared amid flashes of crimson light, sending the guests in the square scattering in terror.

The Sword Saint stepped forward. Tens of thousands of sword lights gathered, ready to strike, as he glared furiously. "What does the Demon Lord mean by this? Are you trying to bring calamity upon Shu Mountain again? Do you truly think Shu Mountain has no one left?"

Chonglou did not even glance at the Sword Saint. Instead, he said to Chu Yang, "Some days ago, you dealt with the Water Demon Beast in the Miao Territory. These are the remaining four great demon beasts of wind, lightning, fire, and earth, which I found after traveling throughout the human realm. Take them all."

Anyone else might have cursed Chonglou for being insane. Who gave demon beasts as gifts? But Chu Yang knew very well that Chonglou was helping him establish his authority.

He believed Chu Yang could handle these demon beasts.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior!"

Since Chu Yang had already decided to firmly take the position of Sect Leader, there was no point in hiding his abilities any longer. He immediately tossed out the Demon Refinement Tower and, before everyone’s eyes, directly took the four great demon beasts into the tower for refinement.

The Demon Refinement Tower caused quite a stir the moment it appeared!

"Isn’t that Shu Mountain’s Demon Imprisonment Tower? How can it be moved?"

"That isn’t the Demon Imprisonment Tower! The Demon Imprisonment Tower is on the mountain behind us!"

Most people followed the voices and looked over, just in time to see the majestic outline of the Demon Imprisonment Tower through the clouds and mist, standing between heaven and earth.

"If it isn’t the Demon Imprisonment Tower, then what is that thing in his hand?"

"Could Shu Mountain have two Demon Imprisonment Towers?"

Not only were the guests who had come to observe the ceremony astonished, even Qing Wei and the others stared at Chu Yang in surprise. High above, Chonglou was equally intrigued.

Chu Yang coughed lightly and smiled. "The treasure I just used is called the Demon Refinement Tower. Some time ago, while repairing the Demon Imprisonment Tower, I gained some insight and forged it myself. Please forgive the display."

The moment those words came out, gasps filled the square without end.

Everyone knew that although the Demon Imprisonment Tower was Shu Mountain’s treasured sect artifact, part of its power had been bestowed by the God Realm, especially the Demon Transformation Water within it, which naturally suppressed demonkind.

Along with the continual improvements to its formations by generations of Shu Mountain masters and the countless talismans added to it, the Demon Imprisonment Tower possessed an unparalleled advantage in suppressing demons.

Yet a treasure forged by Chu Yang himself had actually subdued the four great demon beasts!

Had Demon Lord Chonglou not personally confirmed the authenticity of the four great demon beasts, they would never have believed it.

Even the Shu Mountain disciples looked as though they had seen a ghost. The Drunken Sword Immortal and the others also stared at Chu Yang with disbelief.

Qing Wei and the Sword Saint could no longer remain seated!

Qing Wei hurried to Chu Yang’s side and asked in a low voice, "Chu Yang, is what you said true?"

The Sword Saint added, "This is no joking matter. Do not speak recklessly!"

Chu Yang broke into a brilliant smile and teased, "Martial Uncle, Martial Uncle, whether there is a second Demon Imprisonment Tower in this world, others may not know, but do you two not know?"

"There is only one Demon Imprisonment Tower…" Qing Wei sighed. "The Demon Imprisonment Tower is the culmination of the formation arts of generations of Shu Mountain sages. Ordinary people would not even understand it by looking at it, much less learn it. Yet after entering it once, you actually mastered every formation within. This truly is…"

The Sword Saint followed with several words. "Shocking beyond belief."

If they had not seen it with their own eyes, how many people could have believed such a thing?

The moment Chu Yang produced the Demon Refinement Tower, even disregarding his cultivation, he possessed more than enough qualifications to sit in the position of Shu Mountain’s Sect Leader.

Only then did everyone realize something. Their gazes focused on the crimson figure in the sky.

The Demon Lord’s appearance was clearly meant to support Chu Yang!

How could someone he acknowledged as an opponent be casually humiliated by others?

"Though you borrowed an external object, your performance was acceptable. I am quite satisfied."

Chonglou threw back his head and laughed, then vanished.

From that moment on, no one dared question Chu Yang’s succession as Shu Mountain’s Sect Leader.

What a joke!

A ruthless man who could win two exchanges against the Demon Lord had already shown them mercy by not attacking them earlier.

If they still failed to know better, how would that be any different from courting death?

Within the crowd.

Tang Xuejian poked Jing Tian in the waist and whispered furtively, "That red-haired guy isn’t bad."

Jing Tian nodded, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of his lips. "He just likes challenging people to fights. It would be nice if he could fix that habit too."

Tang Xuejian deeply agreed.

While the two whispered to each other, Chu Yang swept his sharp gaze across the four great families.

It finally settled on Ouyang Ying.

"Does the Ouyang Family Head have any further objections?"

"I was blind and ignorant. Please forgive me, Sect Leader Chu."

"There is nothing to forgive. The Ouyang Family Head cares for the world and is a rare paragon of the righteous path."

"I would not dare, I would not dare!"

Ouyang Ying said he would not dare twice, his face flushing red as he retreated into the crowd.

Chu Yang was not praising him. There was a barb in his words, and Ouyang Ying understood it, which was why he felt ashamed.

Chu Yang smiled kindly, but that smile sent chills down the spines of Shen Qingfeng and the others, leaving them restless and uneasy.

Fearing that Chu Yang might truly vent his anger on them, the Sword Saint quickly announced, "As of today, Chu Yang shall succeed as Shu Mountain’s Sect Leader. All matters, great and small, of Shu Mountain shall be decided by his word alone!"

Everyone’s hearts trembled!

Decided by his word alone!

This was authority that had never before existed in Shu Mountain’s history.

Even a Sect Leader as prestigious as Qing Wei had to consult and deliberate with Cang Gu and the others on major matters.

Some Shu Mountain disciples silently looked toward Qing Wei, hoping the old man would say something, only to see him nod with a smile.

Well then!

They had discussed it all beforehand. They were merely here to go through the motions.

There was no need to waste time. They should simply bow!

The Shu Mountain disciples dropped to their knees in a vast sea, their thunderous cries gathering into four words.

"Greetings, Sect Leader!"

Feng Yao of the Qionghua Sect, Shang Fengzi of Penglai Imperial Sword Hall, and the other guests who had come to observe the ceremony likewise bowed.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Chu!"

Chu Yang looked back at the smiling Qing Wei and the others. An idea suddenly came to him, and he immediately announced the first new rule of his tenure as Sect Leader.

"From today onward, Shu Mountain shall establish the position of Supreme Elder and form Shu Mountain’s Seven Saints Palace, named after the Big Dipper…"

Qi Sect: Qing Wei, Cang Gu, Jing Ming, You Xuan, and He Yang, five in total.

Sword Sect: Dugu Sword Saint and the Drunken Sword Immortal, two in total.

The seven of them happened to correspond to the Seven Saints.

The Sword Saint was briefly stunned, then gladly agreed. The others did the same.

Under normal circumstances, most senior members of Shu Mountain would retreat behind the scenes and leave Shu Mountain to build a humble dwelling elsewhere, cultivating with all their strength in pursuit of ascension.

This also avoided disputes over authority.

Qing Wei was already advanced in years, and his chances of ascending were very slim. It was more likely that he would pass away peacefully somewhere.

Chu Yang’s decision was meant to let him remain in Shu Mountain until the end of his days.

The Seven Saints Palace would occupy the seven peaks nearest the main peak, guarding the sect’s great hall. The former Sword Sect, which was the original site of the Xianjian Sect, would happen to serve as the Sword Saint’s cultivation ground.

Outstanding second-generation disciples of Chu Yang’s generation, such as Xu Changqing and Chang Yin, would naturally be promoted to Elders as well.

As for those who had once made things difficult for Chu Yang, there was no need for him to do anything. They would obediently descend the mountain on their own and never dare mention Shu Mountain again for the rest of their lives.

As the new sect rules were announced, the Shu Mountain disciples bowed to Qing Wei and the others.

"Greetings, Supreme Elders."

As soon as the matter of the Supreme Elders was settled, the Drunken Sword Immortal lowered his head with a complicated expression.

He had originally planned to bid farewell to his senior brother, the Sword Saint, after the ceremony. Yet Chu Yang had created this Seven Saints Palace.

If he left now, would Shu Mountain’s Seven Saints Palace not become a joke? They could not possibly have Xu Changqing take his place. What would people say?

On one side was the joy of family, and on the other was the bond between fellow disciples. The Drunken Sword Immortal was so torn that he wished he could slit his own throat.

Husband and wife were of one mind.

Ming Yuanqing noticed the hesitation on the Drunken Sword Immortal’s face as well, and her heart sank. Given her understanding of him, he would likely find it difficult to leave Shu Mountain for the time being.

"A Nu, when the ceremony ends, shall we return to the Nanzhao Kingdom and wait for your father first?"

"Is Father not coming home with us?"

"You heard it just now. Your father is now a Supreme Elder of Shu Mountain, and he has many things to handle. He may come find us a little later."

"Oh! That’s all right. A Nu will keep waiting for Father!"

Looking at A Nu’s innocent smile, Ming Yuanqing felt only pain in her heart, even more painful than when the Drunken Sword Immortal had left without saying goodbye.

At that moment.

Chu Yang dropped another bombshell, thoroughly shocking everyone.

"Since I began cultivating, I have often harbored doubts in my heart."

"Though Shu Mountain disciples often enter the mortal world to cultivate, they only ever skim the surface of everything and gain no true understanding. They fear matters of love as though they were tigers…"

"Once the inner demon descends, at best one’s path will be ruined and one will perish; at worst, one will fall into the demonic path and suffer eternal damnation, just like the calamity of Jiang Ming decades ago."

"If Grandmaster Ancestor Jiang Juezhi had chosen to fulfill their wishes back then, Jiang Ming’s path might have seemed narrow and nearly severed, but after taking a few more steps forward, he might not have found sudden enlightenment."

"Then he would not have had to endure decades of torment within the Demon Imprisonment Tower, only attaining liberation today."

"Whenever I think of this, the knot in my heart refuses to disperse!"

"Therefore, today, I shall brave the condemnation of the world and abolish some outdated sect rules!"

"From now on, Shu Mountain disciples may marry, hold funerals, and live as ordinary people do. They will not be expelled from the sect because of it."

The moment his words fell.

An uproar erupted!

Monastics could marry?

This concept was far too ahead of its time, and many immortal sects found it impossible to accept. It directly overturned everything they believed.

The guests looked at one another, and no one dared utter a sound, even if they thought the new Sect Leader was somewhat mad.

Freed from his dilemma, the Drunken Sword Immortal’s body trembled slightly. He raised his head to look at Ming Yuanqing, only to see that she was already crying tears of joy.

Li Xiaoyao was also beaming. This way, he could remain by Ling’er’s side while still learning the arts of Shu Mountain.

Jing Tian scratched his head and secretly glanced at Tang Xuejian, wondering whether he should take a master while he was at it…

Xu Changqing let out a long breath, while Zi Xuan smiled like a blooming flower. If Xu Changqing could ascend, they would be able to remain together for countless ages.

In the quiet square, laughter suddenly came from the Xiahou Family’s group among the four great families.

"Hahaha, Shu Mountain is really interesting. If it truly has none of those rules and restrictions, I rather want to join this sect!"

"Xie, you’re already so old. Shu Mountain would never accept you!"

"Heh! Little girl, don’t let my age fool you. My talent in martial arts is exceptional. Maybe the new Sect Leader will see me and realize I’m a promising prospect!"

"Hehe, if you can enter Shu Mountain, then so can I!"

"Miss Xia, Brother Xie, everyone is looking at you. Please keep your voices down…"

A delicate and adorable young girl was bickering with a somewhat scruffy middle-aged man. Beside them stood a handsome young master dressed in fine robes, trying to persuade them with a troubled expression.

Chu Yang turned to look at them.

Xie Cangxing awkwardly closed his mouth. When Xia turned and saw Chu Yang, she was startled and hurriedly waved her hands in apology. "Sect Leader Chu, sorry, we didn’t mean to…"

Chu Yang smiled. "The two of you need not be so nervous. I can see that you possess extraordinary potential and are indeed qualified to enter Shu Mountain, especially Senior Xie."

Xia covered her mouth in shock. She had only been joking, yet her words had come true.

Xie Cangxing grinned from ear to ear and turned to the young master in fine robes. "Young Master, I have brought you to Shu Mountain as promised to reunite with Lord Xiahou. The matter of me breaking your jade pendant should be settled now, right?"

Xiahou Jinxuan nodded. "Brother Xie may decide for himself. Jinxuan offers his congratulations on Brother Xie getting his wish."

Xie Cangxing strode out in great steps, not forgetting to turn back and say to Xia, "little girl, the Shu Mountain Sect says it will accept you. Aren’t you coming?"

Xia’s gaze shifted back and forth between Chu Yang and Xiahou Jinxuan, her face full of conflict. Only after a long while did she shake her head. "I… I’d better not go."

Xiahou Jinxuan anxiously said, "Miss Xia, this is a tremendous opportunity. How can you be so foolish?"

"Bookworm, who are you calling foolish?" Xia glared at him irritably. "I still haven’t repaid the money for your jade pendant. How can I leave?"

Xiahou Jinxuan shook his head. "Since Brother Xie and I have settled matters, Miss Xia and I have naturally settled matters as well."

But Xia insisted, "How could such a short journey be enough to repay you? At the very least, I have to escort you back!"

Xiahou Jinxuan said helplessly, "There really is no need, Miss Xia…"

As the two argued without end, Chu Yang spoke. "Miss Xia, your body is afflicted with an illness. If you leave rashly, I fear no medicine will be able to cure you in the future."

Xia looked as though she had been struck by lightning. Her body stiffened on the spot, and all color drained from her face.