The Shocking New Sect Leader

Chu Yang was startled.

How did you two thick-browed, big-eyed fellows defect too?

Xu Changqing glanced at Zi Xuan.

The Drunken Sword Immortal looked at A Nu and Ming Yuanqing.

The reason went without saying.

Chu Yang could only sigh. "Fine, don’t go back. It’s not that big a… Uncle-Master, if you don’t go back, it actually is a pretty big deal. How am I supposed to explain this to the sect leaders?"

The Drunken Sword Immortal took a fierce swig of wine and said with a chuckle, "No need to explain anything to them. From now on, Shu Mountain will be yours…"

At that point, his voice abruptly stopped.

Only then did he remember that once they returned to the mountain, his uncle-masters would announce Chu Yang as the new sect leader.

This might be the most important day of Chu Yang’s life. If they were absent, anyone could imagine how disappointed Chu Yang would be.

The Drunken Sword Immortal suddenly said with a solemn expression, "We must return with Chu Yang. Not one of us can be missing."

"Huh?" Li Xiaoyao’s eyes widened. "Senior, don’t tell me you’re drunk again?"

"I only took one sip. I’m not drunk!" The Drunken Sword Immortal could not reveal the truth directly, since it involved something as significant as the merger of two sects. He could only vaguely say, "Something very important is happening at Shu Mountain. We can’t miss it."

Xu Changqing hesitated. "Does everyone have to go? Including Elder Shi and the others?"

The Drunken Sword Immortal looked around and nodded. "Yes! Everyone Chu Yang knows should go if possible!"

Li Xiaoyao frowned. "It does sound serious. Can’t you just tell us what it is?"

The Drunken Sword Immortal decisively shook his head. "No!"

Chu Yang was equally bewildered. He truly could not think of any plot point that had yet to be triggered.

Seeing the Drunken Sword Immortal keep them in suspense, the others grew anxious. A Nu even clung to his arm and acted cute.

Shi Gonghu, however, seemed to have noticed something. He looked at Chu Yang, gave a slight nod, and smiled. "Princess, since the Shu Mountain Sect has invited us so warmly, we should make the trip. It is only a few days’ journey."

Once Shi Gonghu spoke, he essentially represented the Nanzhao Kingdom’s position. Zhao Ling’er, who had originally wanted to deal with some state affairs, readily agreed.

Originally, no one had planned to return. Now, everyone was going. The shift had happened so quickly that even Chu Yang was caught off guard.

Thus, the group set off for Shu Mountain in grand fashion once more. Their returning party was much larger than when they had arrived.

The Southern Barbarian General and Holy Aunt were among them as well.

Several days later.

By the time Chu Yang and the others returned to Yuzhou City, the whole city was talking about Shu Mountain establishing a new sect.

Everyone was astonished.

Liu Jinyuan sighed emotionally. "No wonder Senior Drunken Sword Immortal kept his mouth shut. It really is a major event. If we missed it, we would probably regret it for the rest of our lives."

Li Xiaoyao patted the Drunken Sword Immortal on the shoulder. "Uncle-Master Wine Maniac, I wronged you."

"Is there going to be a banquet? A Nu loves banquets the most!" A Nu hugged the Drunken Sword Immortal tightly and laughed loudly.

A smile appeared on the Drunken Sword Immortal’s face as well. "Don’t think this is the only big event. The truly amazing part is still to come. Just wait and see. You won’t be disappointed."

Everyone immediately felt a little more anticipation.

Ever since the Sword Saint’s return, Shu Mountain had announced its decision to merge the Sword Qi Competition, inviting Righteous Factions of the World to attend the ceremony.

Now, Yuzhou City was filled with major sects and schools from all over. Some had even come from places much farther away…

Among them, three groups drew the most attention.

One group consisted of Daoists dressed in robes, whose bearing resembled that of the Shu Mountain Sect. Another consisted of monks in cassocks, their faces filled with compassion.

The third group was dressed similarly to the Southern Barbarian General and his people, their every gesture as fierce as blazing fire.

They were clearly less familiar with Yuzhou City’s customs than those around them. Even their accents were harder to understand than those of the Southern Barbarian General’s group.

Chu Yang was curious and was about to go ask them when a figure suddenly appeared before him and attacked without a word.

The newcomer used his fingers as a sword. His swordsmanship was broad and forceful, like that of a battlefield general.

Chu Yang instinctively used Tai Chi Fist, using stillness to counter movement. He dissolved the man’s sword momentum, then used a shifting force to fling him away.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Only after taking a series of hurried steps did the man barely neutralize the force of the Tai Chi Fist. Lin Tiannan made his long-awaited appearance, looking somewhat disheveled after Chu Yang’s move.

"Father? Why are you here?!" Lin Yueru rushed into Lin Tiannan’s arms in delight. After not seeing him for so long, she had truly missed her stubborn old father.

Lin Tiannan was deeply gratified and laughed heartily. "The Sword Saint and I are sworn brothers. How could I possibly miss something this important?"

After saying that, Lin Tiannan raised his head and looked at Chu Yang. Compared with several months ago, the young man before him seemed like a completely different person. He admired him, while also envying Shu Mountain for taking in such an excellent disciple.

Chu Yang clasped his hands. "Please forgive me, Senior. I failed to recognize you just now."

Lin Tiannan waved his hand. "No matter, no matter. I only wanted to see whether your skills had improved. You did not disappoint me!"

After this interruption, the three groups from earlier had already disappeared, leaving Chu Yang rather regretful.

After Lin Tiannan exchanged a few pleasantries with the Drunken Sword Immortal, he led everyone toward Shu Mountain.

By the time they arrived, the plaza on Shu Mountain’s main peak was already packed with people. Every influential force in the world was gathered there.

The Shu Mountain disciples were busy arranging accommodations for the guests. Upon seeing this, Xu Changqing instinctively joined the group receiving visitors.

Everyone immediately seemed to find their backbone and gathered around him. Zi Xuan watched silently from the side, becoming slightly lost in thought.

"Don’t worry. Once Eldest Senior Brother makes a decision, he won’t change it." Chu Yang stood beside Zi Xuan and said, "He just can’t let go of the fellow disciples he has lived alongside day and night."

Zi Xuan softly said, "Perhaps living here makes him happier than living with me?"

Chu Yang rolled his eyes. "Senior Brother doesn’t like men."

Zi Xuan froze, then covered her mouth and laughed so hard that her body trembled. The worries in her heart vanished with her laughter.

Upon seeing Chu Yang return, the Sword Saint immediately announced that the ceremony would be held two days later.

Over those two days, many more guests arrived at Shu Mountain. It was likely the liveliest occasion since the sect’s founding.

When the day of the ceremony arrived.

On the elevated platform.

The Sword Saint, Qing Wei, the Drunken Sword Immortal, and the four elders including Cang Gu stood in a line, seven people in all.

Xu Changqing, Chu Yang, and the other core disciples stood behind them.

The kindly Qing Wei stepped forward, stroking his beard as he smiled. "Qing Wei of Shu Mountain thanks you all for coming to Shu Mountain to witness this ceremony…"

What followed was a long stretch of pleasantries. Then he slowly recounted the history of Shu Mountain’s Sword Qi Competition, as well as the recent upheaval in the Demon Imprisonment Tower.

Many of the visiting guests had heard about these events before. Yet as Qing Wei recounted them, they felt as though they had experienced them personally, and goosebumps rose across their skin without them realizing it.

"After the great calamity, Junior Brother Sword Saint and I both felt that it was time for all of Shu Mountain to cast aside old notions. That is why the two sects have merged today."

At that point, a curious voice suddenly rose from below the platform.

"Sect Leader Qing Wei, after the merger, will you lead Shu Mountain, or will Dugu Sword Saint lead it?"

The plaza abruptly fell silent, as though everyone were waiting for Qing Wei’s answer.

Qing Wei turned to look at the Sword Saint, who stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

Seeing this, everyone’s hearts tightened. They all assumed the Sword Saint would become the leader of the new Shu Mountain Sect.

The Sword Saint called out loudly, "Where is Chu Yang?"

Chu Yang was taken aback. He stepped forward and bowed. "This disciple is here!"

The Sword Saint nodded with a smile. "From this day onward, you are Shu Mountain’s new sect leader!"

As soon as those words were spoken.

The entire plaza erupted in thunderous cries of shock!

At the same time, everyone’s eyes focused on Chu Yang!

Shu Mountain’s new sect leader was neither Daoist Qingwei nor Dugu Sword Saint, but an obscure second-generation disciple?

He was not even the eldest disciple, Xu Changqing?!

The news was far too shocking. The visiting guests felt that Qing Wei and the Sword Saint must have been afflicted by some evil art.

Not only were the guests who did not know Chu Yang stunned, even Li Xiaoyao and the others stood there dumbfounded.

"No wonder Senior Drunken Sword Immortal insisted we come to Shu Mountain. So he didn’t want us to miss the major event of Daoist Chu Yang succeeding the position of sect leader!"

There was not much surprise on Liu Jinyuan’s face, as if he had anticipated this long ago. Shi Gonghu, standing beside him, was the same.

"Although Daoist Chu Yang is young, both his character and strength qualify him to be Shu Mountain’s sect leader. The courage and resolve of the two sect leaders are equally extraordinary. Shu Mountain will surely prosper."

Shi Gonghu stroked his beard and sighed. The scene of his first meeting with Chu Yang flashed through his mind. Even then, he had felt that this man would achieve great things one day. He had never expected that, in the blink of an eye, Chu Yang would become Shu Mountain’s sect leader.

After their brief shock, Li Xiaoyao and Lin Yueru began applauding at the same time, jumping up excitedly.

Some of the guests were slow to react and began clapping along with them. The scattered applause formed a sharp contrast to the number of people in the plaza.

Gradually, some people began questioning Chu Yang’s succession as sect leader. Though Shu Mountain’s internal affairs were not for outsiders to criticize, Shu Mountain held a special position as a symbol of righteousness in the human world.

"I’ve never even heard of this person. How did he become Shu Mountain’s sect leader…"

"Shu Mountain has been declining year after year…"

"I thought Shu Mountain would grow exceptionally strong after the two sects merged. At this rate, it will be ruined by the new sect leader within a few years."

"Shu Mountain’s decision is far too rash. This concerns the safety of the entire human world!"

"Please reconsider, Sect Leaders!"

Once the doubts began, the crowd’s voices quickly grew louder and louder. Seeing that the situation was turning bad, Xu Changqing hurriedly stepped forward to calm the guests.

But the matter was too important, and no one gave him any face. Some had even begun openly questioning Shu Mountain’s decision.

The loudest voices came from Shen Family Fortress, which was as renowned as Lin Family Fortress.

Southern Lin, Northern Shen.

Shen Qingfeng, the fortress lord, held a status equal to Lin Tiannan’s.

Over the decades, the two families had won and lost against one another, but Lin Family Fortress had generally remained stronger.

Lin Tiannan was already sworn brothers with the Sword Saint, and his daughter Lin Yueru had also joined Shu Mountain. From then on, the connection between Lin Family Fortress and Shu Mountain had become even closer, making their position in the Jianghu nearly impossible to shake.

How could Shen Qingfeng not be anxious?

Given the current situation, if he did nothing, he would be waiting for death.

Naturally, Shen Qingfeng would not miss any opportunity to strike at Shu Mountain and Lin Family Fortress, even if it meant directly offending Shu Mountain.

After all, he had already decided to go all out.

Besides Shen Family Fortress, the four great clans of Ouyang, Xiahou, Huangfu, and Shangguan also had considerable objections.

Together, these forces almost represented the stance of most martial arts factions.

The cultivation sects led by Penglai Imperial Sword Hall and Kunlun Qionghua Sect remained restrained, but traces of unease could still be seen in their expressions.

Faced with the widespread doubts, Qing Wei and the Sword Saint remained unmoved. They believed that Chu Yang would handle the matter well.

At this moment.

Having suddenly become the sect leader, Chu Yang felt somewhat conflicted. His original plan had been to browse the scripture repository, descend the mountain to catch demons, and carefree wander the world in the days ahead.

He had never considered becoming the sect leader of Shu Mountain.

But things had come to this.

So be it.

Since Qing Wei and the Sword Saint had decided to appoint him as the new sect leader, Chu Yang would not shrink away from it.

He was only becoming Shu Mountain’s sect leader.

Who says I can’t handle it?

Chu Yang stepped forward and cast a round of Silence Spells at the noisy crowd. The plaza instantly fell completely silent.

Everyone from Shen Family Fortress, including Shen Qingfeng himself, lost their voices. The four great clans were less affected, with only a handful of people silenced.

The four great clans differed from Shen Family Fortress. Their objections stemmed from concerns for the safety of the people, not from mere rabble-rousing.

Still, Chu Yang’s use of the Silence Spell made many people’s expressions change.

The same thought arose in everyone’s minds.

This new Shu Mountain sect leader had quite a violent temper!

Compared to Good Person Qing Wei, Chu Yang preferred using force to make people submit before reasoning with them.

Of course, whether he bothered with the latter part largely depended on his mood.

"If anyone still has objections, feel free to speak…" Chu Yang’s icy gaze swept around the area, passing over the many sects. Only after most people lowered their heads and fell silent did he continue, "If there are no objections, then from today onward, I am Shu Mountain’s sect leader."

Who would dare object?

The mouths of those with objections had already been sealed!

Within the Qionghua Sect, several young disciples were whispering among themselves.

A short-haired disciple with clear eyes spoke the loudest. He asked the companions beside him, "Mengli, Lingsha, why has everyone stopped talking? Weren’t they all upset about this new sect leader just now?"

A beautiful girl with twin buns in her hair, dressed in the purple uniform of a Qionghua Sect disciple, anxiously and angrily knocked him on the head.

"Yun! Tianhe!"

"Why are you idiot talking so loudly? Can’t you see everyone is looking our way? You’re going to get us killed!"

Han Lingsha pointed at Yun Tianhe and kept scolding him.

Yun Tianhe held his head in grievance, having no idea what he had done wrong.

Beside them, Liu Mengli, dressed in a pale violet gown and possessing a quiet, graceful demeanor, reminded them, "Arguing now is drawing even more attention."

Hearing that, Han Lingsha gradually fell silent and glared at Yun Tianhe unhappily.

Feng Yao, the current sect leader of the Qionghua Sect, frowned slightly at the sight but said nothing, as though she were using Yun Tianhe’s words to express her own stance.

Murong Ziying, who was known alongside Xu Changqing as one of the "Twin Prodigies," instead slowly stepped forward and gave Chu Yang a slight bow in apology.

The atmosphere became delicate.

Penglai Imperial Sword Hall, which had been friendly with Shu Mountain for generations, was perhaps the only force present that supported Chu Yang.

Sect Leader Shang Fengzi lightly coughed and said, "Brother Daoist Qing Wei and Brother Daoist Yin are both prudent and experienced men. They would not appoint an ordinary disciple as sect leader without cause. In my view, this Sect Leader Chu… must possess some exceptional quality."

"Today is the joyous occasion of Shu Mountain’s two sects merging. Why not forge a good relationship instead?"

As soon as Shang Fengzi finished speaking, someone stepped out from the group of the four great clans.

The newcomer had a resolute face and a straight, upright posture, like an unsheathed sword. His aura was sharp as he declared, "I am Ouyang Ying, head of the Ouyang family. First, I congratulate the two seniors on merging Shu Mountain’s two sects within your lifetimes…"

Qing Wei and the Sword Saint nodded slightly.

"But for the sake of all living beings, there is something Ouyang Ying must ask. Senior Qing Wei is advanced in years, and leading Shu Mountain may perhaps be difficult for you. Therefore, I can understand your decision to retire. But why must Senior Sword Saint do the same?"

"By the standards of cultivators, you are currently in the prime of life. You could absolutely lead Shu Mountain personally and accomplish an even greater undertaking!"

"How can a mere second-generation disciple lead the Righteous Factions of the World and convince everyone?"

Just as the Sword Saint was about to speak, a scarlet-red figure appeared above everyone’s heads like a blazing sun hanging in the sky.

Chonglou looked down coldly at the ants below, displeasure written across his face. By belittling Chu Yang, were they not belittling him as well?

The suffocatingly powerful Magic Power left everyone present utterly terrified.

Demon Lord Chonglou slowly spoke.

"Across the Six Realms, there are very few who can stand as my equal. You ask what qualifies him to be Shu Mountain’s Sect Leader?"

"Because he defeated me twice in a row!"