Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The next chief would be chosen between Chen Jianmei and Shen Lian. Zhang Ruoxu’s initial intention was to groom Lu Shouyi to be the next chief. This was so as Chen Jianmei’s character was not a good fit for the position, and Shen Lian preferred freedom. However, time did not wait for him. His injuries were worsening at a rate that was out of his expectation.
Even if Chen Jianmei were to be the chief today, no one would have said a word about it. The reputation of the Temple of Killings and Chen Jianmei’s temperament as the Cultivator of the Sword would have deterred anyone from speaking up.
Most of the elders had put forth their views. Amongst those that had not, there were two elders who were powerful and unpredictable. One of them was Yan Bugui’s master, the drunken Daoist who carried a red gourd all the time. His Daoist name was “Drunken Daoist”, and he was cultivating one of the Qing Xuan Disha Seventy-Two Techniques –”Drunken Formula”. He had made a town full of people fell asleep without them knowing with his Daoist technique of “Three Thousand Drunken Guests”.
From the spiritual vibrations reflected by the Tiandi Jian, he ranked second. Of course, Shen Lian was not the first. After all, he had just attained the state of Huandan. Despite that his Huandan was that of Nine Transformations, his level of cultivation could not rival these great cultivators who had entered “Buxu” or even “Powang”.
However, there were not much of these people in Qing Xuan. Besides Zhang Ruoxu, there were only two more people. If one were to add Ge Yuan to the rank, there would still only be three of them. As compared to other Daoist sects such as the Guangqing Celestial Sect, Qing Xuan was nothing at all.
Ge Yuan had entered into the state of “Buxu”. This was a state where the engagement of Qi by the Yin Spirit had taken place, and the Yang within then Yin had been cultivated subsequent to the attainment of the state of Huandan. The Qi of Dan was merged with it and became unaffected by the gravity. The void was merely a flat terrain, and it was not challenging to walk in it at all. This was why this state was known as “Buxu”– walking in the void.
Buxu was an extension of Huandan, and at most, one could attain some sort of growth due to one’s cultivation of mana. However, the essence was still decided by the quality of Huandan.
Even though Shen Lian had only attained the state of Huandan, but it was a full and complete Nine Transformations of Huandan. He had peered into all the secrets of Dan Dao. He was just as a light and sharp sword, and could outweigh all the other heavier yet blunter swords.
The one with the highest mana took seat at the first futon on the left. He appeared as a middle-aged man and was dressed in white. His skin was crystal clear and had a tint of moonlight yellow. This made him stood out in spite of his unremarkable appearance.
Tiandi Jian had introduced this person to be of the same generation as Shen Lian’s founding master, Ziling Zhenren. He had the highest seniority amongst those in the hall, and he cultivated the “Code of the Bright Moon”. His original name was Bai Suhuan, and was also known as “Taiyin Layperson”. If he were at the sect back then, Zhang Ruoxu probably did not have to sacrifice so much to chase away Yanxu.
Bai Suhuan had entered into the state of “Powang”, and had never taken anyone as his disciple. He had always been a loner a the sect. Due to his seniority and age, even Zhang Ruoxu had to show him respect.
The Drunken Daoist seemed drunk and sober at the same time. As though he had just woken up, he asked Yan Bugui who was at his side, “What is everyone doing here?”
Yan Bugui smiled and replied, “Honored Master, the chief is announcing the new chief. Do you have anything to say about this?”
“I’ll do whatever he says,” the Drunken Daoist replied cheerfully. He closed his eyes again, hinting that everyone else could continue talking, but he was going to sleep.
He had always been carefree and laidback and spent most of his days in drunkenness.
However, the Drunken Daoist always said, “As I observe the world, I realized that humans are only honest when they are drunk”; this was why no one would treat what he said as mere drunken talk.
As the Drunken Daoist had spoken, some Huandan elders who were in disagreement had shown their support.
Zhang Lingxian was not happy with this, and asked Bai Suhuan, “Grand Uncle-Master, what do you think about this?” He was acting on his frustration, and what he felt at that moment even exceeded his worries for Zhang Ruoxu.
Bai Suhuan’s calm gaze fell onto Shen Lian. Even though that there was no change in the mana, Shen Lian felt the rising pressure. He was only able to undo the pressure by escalating the Qi of cinnabar field traveling in his body. He knew that this person was a lot stronger than he was. Though, it was unclear if he was stronger or Daoist Huanzhen.
However, there were five immortal Zhenren in Guangqing Celestial Sect. Amongst those who had not attained the status of immortal Zhenren, there were twelve cultivators including Huanzhen who had attained the state of Powang. They were known collectively as “The Twelve True Celestials of Guangqing”. Addressing them as True Celestials was a compliment, as these cultivators who had attained Huandan had amazing supernatural powers and enjoyed the reputation of being a “True Land Celestial”.
Those who could rightfully be considered as a deity would be those who had cultivated their Primordial Spirit or had attained Golden-bodied Arhat.
Even though Huanzhen did not manage to gain anything from Shen Lian, but there was no doubt about his power being higher than Shen Lian. If they were to engage in a deathly battle, Shen Lian would stand no chance at winning.
Guangqing Celestial Sect wanted to replace Qing Xuan as they were at their peak now.
Amongst the four main Daoist sect, besides Xuantian sect who overpowered Guangqing due to Lu Jiuyuan, the other three sects, especially Qing Xuan, could not rival Guangqing.
If it was not for the set up at Qing Xuan’s mountain gate, the Dao restriction, and the presence of an immortal Zhenren at the sacred place of the sect, Guangqing would have seized the mountain long ago.
Qing Xuan finally started to recuperate after Ziling managed to attain the status of a land immortal.
No one noticed the little clash between Shen Lian and Taiyin Layperson. Moreover, Shen Lian was unaware if he did so intentionally or unintentionally.
“The position of the chief is an honored position. If he doesn’t have the capability, he would not be able to hold the position for long. Ruoxu, I’m not trying to go against you, but Shen Lian needs to show everyone what he is capable of.”
Taiyin Layperson had a much older voice as compared to his appearance. Time seemed to have aged him. His words had weight, and Zhang Ruoxu could not casually dismiss him.
Moreover, Bai Suhuan was right. Sooner or later, Shen Lian had to face something like that.
“Shen Lian, what do you think?” Zhang Ruoxu spoke. His divine Qi was decreasing and had almost completely disappeared. He was about to pass on anytime now, and yet he managed to hold his own. This was indeed the grace of a Daoist.
Shen Lian carried himself with great composure. The red dot between his brows looked bright. “Since Grand Uncle-Master had spoken, why don’t you tell me what kind of capability do I need to show in order to prove my worth?” Shen Lian replied lightly.
“No one in this hall could withstand three moves from me. If you can do it, they would have nothing more to say,” Bai Suhuan looked calm as he spoke. However, his words created a slight commotion in the hall.
Qing Xuan had always disallowed battles within the sect. However, Bai Suhuan had a high state of attainment and enjoyed great seniority. It seemed appropriate and acceptable for him to request to test Shen Lian’s capabilities.