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Mountain Flower was in full bloom. Looking at the familiar scenery of Lüliang in front of him, Li Hong smiled and said, "Finally back home. Let's go in."
It had been ten years since the Nanshan Exit Defense Battle. After a decade of wind and rain, the Toxic Miasma that had shrouded South Mountain Exit finally dissipated. However, this small and deep Deep Valley had completely turned into a wasteland, filled with piles of grayish-white shattered rocks and scattered bones, giving it a rather eerie and Strange appearance.
The three of them ignored it and flew straight across the bare Gorge to the valley floor. There was a stone wall here with a diameter of about ten feet. Taking out the Passage Token, they performed a sealing technique on the Jade Tablet. After a moment, a wave of spiritual energy emanated from the stone wall, causing the blue stone to ripple strangely like water.
The three entered through the stone wall.
The passage of Li Fire Formation was dark, just as quiet as before.
A hoarse male voice came from the Jade Tablet: "Who is it?"
“Disciples of Jiu Zhu Peak Chu Hong Chuxiong and Nine Purple Peak disciple Chu Xi are returning from an official trip. Please guide us, Elder,” replied Li Hong.
After a brief pause, the old voice seemed to be flipping through records. Soon, he began to give directions: “To the left... to the right... turn after fifty feet ahead...”
The deep and long passage of Li Fire Formation felt reminiscent of the temple's Wandering Path of the Stars. As they followed the voice deeper into the passage, Li Hong experienced this sensation more strongly.
After walking for about half an hour, flickering lights appeared ahead. Indeed, after turning a corner as instructed, they found themselves in a straight passageway lined with Bronze Lamps. This indicated they were nearing the exit.
Pushing open the heavy stone door revealed an upward staircase. At the top, their surroundings brightened; they had arrived at the back mountain of Nine Separation Peak, specifically at a solitary pavilion halfway up.
The three flew into the sky.
However, Li Hong did not rush back to Nine Vermilion Peaks. He held onto Chu Xi, hesitating to speak.
Understanding what he wanted to say, Chu Xi blushed slightly and turned her head away, whispering, “I’ll go back first to give Master a hint. After you meet with Master, you can come together... to propose.” The last two words “to propose” were so faint they were almost inaudible.
Li Hong nodded vigorously: “Let’s do it that way. You go ahead.”
"Remember to speak gently when you come; my master hasn't had a very good impression of you over the years." Chu Xi couldn't help but remind him one last time. After saying that, she felt embarrassed and didn't dare to look at Chuxiong, who was stifling a laugh nearby. In a flash of silver light, she disappeared.
Once Chu Xi left, Li Hong immediately jumped up and began to pat Chuxiong's bald head vigorously, glaring at him. "What are you laughing at? Tomorrow, if you have someone in mind, let big brother go propose. Do you think big brother will just laugh like you?"
"You two finally got together; I'm so happy for you that I wouldn't dare to make fun!" Chuxiong protested.
"That's more like it! Let's go." Li Hong took a step forward but suddenly remembered something. With a teasing smile, he looked at Chuxiong and said, "Could it be that you really have someone in mind? You better not keep it a secret; otherwise, big brother definitely won't help you."
"That's not true!"
The two brothers laughed and headed towards Nine Vermilion Peaks.
In an instant, they arrived. As they descended outside the Three-Story Pavilion on the mountainside, Li Hong felt something was off.
Why was Nine Vermilion Peaks so quiet? It was broad daylight and breakfast time; how could there be no one around? Not even anyone moving near the Dining Hall entrance.
Releasing his Divine Consciousness, Li Hong discovered that there were only about ten low-level disciples doing their usual cleaning work; everyone else seemed to have vanished.
Just as he was puzzled, a white light rushed towards him and landed swiftly in front of him.
It was Old Eight, Chuxuan.
Chuxuan had been in seclusion for the past few years to break through the Heart Demon Barrier. Everyone had not seen him for a long time, and unexpectedly, after a year, he had emerged with a Golden Core and was now undoubtedly an elder.
Li Hong was about to congratulate him when Chuxuan cut straight to the point without any pleasantries. "Come with me quickly! Master is in trouble; he's at Nine Separation Peak with Sect Leader Uncle."
Chuxuan looked anxious, his expression heavy and his eyes darkened; something seemed very wrong.
Li Hong's heart sank. He hurriedly asked, "Old Eight, tell me clearly what happened to Master?"
"Stop the nonsense! Master is in a life-and-death situation. We heard you were back, and everyone thought you might have a solution. Hurry up!" Chuxuan exclaimed.
Li Hong felt as if struck by lightning. Without a moment's hesitation, he grabbed Chuxuan and shot towards Nine Separation Peak in a flash of golden light.
"Master!"
Li Hong's heart sank sharply, and his vision darkened. The warmth from Ten Infants in his Upper Dantian sent a quick surge of Awareness through his meridians, allowing him to regain some strength.
The Spirit Stone had actually shattered!
He lay on the thick silver-white Fire Rat Fur Carpet, barely supported by several large cushions beneath him, his complexion as pale as marble, devoid of any color. His Lower Dantian felt completely empty, and there was no trace of spiritual energy left in his body.
Li Hong couldn't believe his eyes. He rushed over and reached out, only to grasp the empty right sleeve of the Spirit Stone.
Shaking with emotion, tears streaming down his face, Li Hong shouted angrily, "Who did this? Who poisoned him?!"
The Spirit Stone remained silent, looking at Li Hong with a comforting smile. He said calmly, "If you choose to cultivate immortality, you must have this awareness. It's like rowing upstream; if you don't advance, you will fall back. Master has made no progress for nearly thirty years, always fighting and killing. Now is the perfect time to rest. Having lived for over two hundred years, I am already content. From now on, it will be your Chu Lineage's era!"
"Master, you still haven't answered my question!"
The Spirit Stone smiled and extended his hand. "Silly child, that person was also a pitiful one used by others; his fate won't be better than mine. Don't worry about this matter. I have something more important to announce."
He raised his gaze to the crowd around him, scanning the faces of the sect leaders: Ling Xuzi, Ling Yi Zi, Ling Xiangzi, Ling Jizi, Ling Daozi, Ling Xiaozi, and Yue Mangzi. He solemnly declared, "I, Spirit Stone, the sixteenth generation disciple of Nine Li Sect and Elder Brother of Nine Vermilion Peaks, hereby announce that Chu Hongzi will inherit my mantle. He will take over as Elder Brother of Nine Li Sect at Nine Vermilion Peaks. Do you have any objections?"
Just as Li Hong was about to speak up, the Spirit Stone laboriously raised his left hand and said, "Don't you want to inherit your master's mantle?"
"That's not it, but..."
"Then there's no need to say more." The Spirit Stone turned to Ling Xuzi and asked, "Elder Brother Zhangmen, do you have any objections?"
Ling Xuzi remained silent.
Spirit Stone expressed surprise, "Does Elder Brother Zhangmen oppose this?"
Ling Xuzi turned to Li Hong and slowly said, "I have a better proposal. I want to take Chu Hong as my closed-door disciple; he will be the Ninth Li Sect Seventeenth Generation Sect Leader."
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in an uproar. Ling Jizi shouted, "On what basis! Chu Hongzi has not contributed much to our sect; why should he become the next sect leader? I refuse to accept this!"
Ling Yi Zi immediately retorted, "Brother, are your eyes failing you? Can't you see that Chu Hongzi has already formed his Nascent Soul? He hasn't contributed much? What about you? Hmph!" He declared loudly, "Chu Hongzi is a brilliant genius, acting with loyalty and righteousness; he embodies the spirit of our Jiu Li! He is undoubtedly the best choice for the next sect leader! I support this!"
"Anyone can be the sect leader, but it absolutely cannot be Chu Hongzi!" Ling Jizi exclaimed urgently.
This statement immediately drew scornful looks from the crowd.
Ling Yi Zi nearly laughed out loud, "Are you planning to become Ling Xuzi's closed-door disciple instead?"
Ling Jizi was left speechless but felt deeply indignant. The thought of the sect leader position falling to the faction of Nine Vermilion Peaks made him unwilling no matter what. He quickly devised a plan: "Then let's hold a public vote. Let's see who will be chosen as the next sect leader!"
Ling Xuzi bellowed, "I'm not dead yet, Ling Jizi Elder Brother!"
With a furious glare at Ling Jizi, Ling Xuzi was nearly ready to explode.
Ling Jizi's chubby face turned red, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.
The Nine Li Sect had been passed down for sixteen generations now. According to the rules established by the Ancestor, the next sect leader is appointed by the current sect leader, selecting from among the next generation disciples who possess high talent, good qualifications, and excellent character as potential candidates. This process involves continuous evaluation over decades or even centuries, culminating in a public designation by the current sect leader. Once the current sect leader announces their resignation, the designated successor automatically ascends to leadership.
In other words, throughout its sixteen generations, the Nine Li Sect has never had a peer take over as sect leader, let alone publicly select someone while the current leader is still alive.
Everyone knew this rule well.
Ling Xiangzi coldly said, "Ling Jizi, you are too impatient! Although I don't find Chu Hongzi very pleasing, I believe he is much more qualified than you to be the Sect Leader!"
Ling Jizi's chubby face turned purple, unable to utter a word.
Li Hong loudly declared, "I will not be the Sect Leader! Master, I will take over as Elder Brother of Nine Vermilion Peaks!"
The crowd erupted in commotion.
Spirit Stone expressed his relief, "Good! After all, he is my good disciple!"
Ling Xuzi could hardly believe his ears, "Why?!"
Li Hong had already come to a realization amidst the uproar. Allowing himself to become his master's successor was Spirit Stone's wish, and it was likely his last wish. Therefore, he must fulfill it, even if it meant not becoming the Sect Leader!
Li Hong calmly said, "Thank you for your kind words, Sect Leader Uncle. However, Shibo is in the prime of life, and under your leadership, our sect is thriving more than ever. No one can compare to you. I feel the same way. I am willing to take over as Elder Brother of Nine Vermilion Peaks. As for the next Sect Leader, I believe you still have plenty of time to carefully select a candidate. Once we repel the Demon Sect, we will reopen the Mountain Gate to recruit disciples. At that time, Sect Leader Uncle will surely find talented individuals. As for me, being Elder Brother of Nine Vermilion Peaks is already the limit of my abilities."
Many pairs of eyes looked at Li Hong.
Ling Jizi was overjoyed. Ling Daozi and Ling Yi Zi showed obvious regret. Ling Xiangzi was moved and finally looked at Li Hong with a hint of appreciation.
They all knew that as long as Li Hong became Elder Brother of Nine Vermilion Peaks, it meant he would be forever distanced from the position of Sect Leader.
Elder Brothers have never been promoted to Sect Leader; this has always been against tradition. Everyone understood this point and knew that Li Hong was fulfilling his master's last wish. Such a Li Hong was truly admirable.
Ling Xuzi sighed deeply and said to Spirit Stone, "I should have firmly fought for you to keep your disciple back then; it's truly a pity. But since it was Chu Hongzi who proposed it himself, we will proceed according to your wishes."
Ling Xuzi coldly commanded, "Elder Yue Mangzi, prepare for the ceremony for the new Elder Brother of Nine Vermilion Peaks!"
"Yes," Yue Mangzi replied and left to carry out the order.
Many people retreated to the main hall below, each with their own thoughts as they prepared to observe the ceremony. In the reception room, only the master and disciple remained.
Li Hong knelt before Spirit Stone, tightly grasping Spirit Stone's hand, and said earnestly, "Master, I cannot just watch you fade away bit by bit. I must find a way for you to rebuild your Golden Core..."
Before Li Hong could finish, Spirit Stone interrupted, "Silly child, have you ever heard of a shattered core being rebuilt? My time is short; I just want to rest here and complete my final journey. From now on, I will stay here with you, Ling Xuzi, and assist him in planning. In my spare time, I will gaze upon Nine Li Cave Heaven from here. I want to engrave this place and all of you deeply into my soul. In the next life, I will be your disciple. Hehe, we will continue our bond then."
"Master..." Li Hong cried uncontrollably.
Suddenly, a thought struck him—Temple City! There are so many texts, techniques, and spiritual herbs there. Surely there must be something that can save Master!
With hope dawning before him, Li Hong finally felt the pain in his heart slowly easing.
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